Narendrapur : , March 28 (IANS) Hours after the peaceful first round of Assembly polls in West Bengal, a huge cache of bombs was seized from the state's South 24 Parganas district on secret information, the Election Commission said on Sunday.

As per information, on the night of March 27-28, a team from Narendrapur Police Station in the district, acting on secret information, conducted a raid at a "bamboo fenced tile shed room" beside Bheri at Kantipota village and recovered 56 bombs.

A case was registered at the local police station under sections of the Explosive Substance Act against Tarun and unknown others who are involved in the racket of manufacturing, transportation and illegal use of bombs, a police statement said, adding that the bomb disposal squad disposed off all the explosives.

"Investigation is continuing and all out efforts are being made to nab the miscreants involved," it added.

When farming out in the field, safety is important and farmers may not realize the electrical dangers surrounding them.

Ann Augspurger, communications director at Safe Electricity, said farmers should plan out routes ahead of time to make sure they have proper clearance. Farmers should make sure everyone that is on or enters the farm, is trained about the electrical hazards.

Electric hazards such as power lines, can fade into the background of the landscape sometimes, she said. That is why its important to train others such as family members and seasonal workers on electrical hazards to help prevent accidents and injuries.

Safety should be first and its important to remind workers to fold or unfold extensions well into the field and not close to the fields edge where power lines are typically located.

Sometimes there can be a perfect or imperfect storm of things that could lead up to a situation where the path to ground electricity could change paths, which could be extremely dangerous, Augspurger said.

Farmers should also use a spotter when working in the vicinity of power lines. A spotter can direct you away from powerlines or poles if youre getting too close.

In a scenario where a farmers truck or cab gets caught in a power line, it is suggested not to exit the equipment.

Safe Electricitys campaign on awareness of electrical dangers for farmers was inspired by one farmer named Cody Conrady.

Conrady was an assistant manager for an ag fertilizer company. The company was understaffed that day, and he jumped in the truck to get ahead of the sprayer.

Once the sprayer was in position, he hopped out to fill the tank with fertilizer. From there, he and his coworker that were inside the cab were unaware that the sprayer boom had either made contact or gotten too close to a power line.

Conrady suffered from the accident after 7,400 volts of electricity traveled through the boom and electrified the equipment and ground where he was standing.

The unyielding stray voltage considered Conradys body as part of its electrical path to ground.

Conrady survived the incident and has gone through rehabilitation and many surgeries since the incident.

Anything with extensions can be dangerous if youre not aware of your surroundings, Augspurger said.

Equipment can become entangled with the power line itself. In the situation where youre caught in a hazardous electrical danger, you should call 911.

The most important thing to do and safest thing to do is to stay right where you are and call 911, Augspurger said. Unless youre in imminent danger like if your equipment becomes on fire, stay where you are and call 911, and wait for the electric utility to come and de-energize the power and tell you that is safe to get out.

Josie Rudolphi, assistant professor at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and U of I extension specialist on agriculture safety, said if you are a farmer working out in the dark, you should be working in the middle of the field, not around the perimeter.

Make sure all your lights are working well, making sure you can see everything in the field, Rudolphi said.

She also said farmers should make sure they have fire extinguishers. In some cases, having a couple fire extinguishers, one in the cab and one outside the cab, adding that the fire extinguishers should be rated 4 for electrical fires.

The best thing to do in a situation being in a cab thats on fire is to make a clean to jump and have both feet land together and get away from the equipment as far as possible.

We want to make sure we are jumping away from the equipment, Rudolphi said.
The de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk is one of those others, an airplane nicknamed by a group of authors The Poor Mans Spitfire in the namesake book published in 2009. It came to be just after the war ended, in 1947, thus missed out on its chance at glory in the skies over the worlds battlefields.The Chipmunk was designed as a two-seater aircraft that ended up being used primarily for training purposes. The Canadians from de Havilland made close to 1,300 of them between 1947 and 1956, and their were deployed by the Air Forces of over 20 countries, including Iraq, the UK, or Zambia.There were a number of variants of the plane made, but generally the Chipmunks came with a top speed of 138 mph (222 kph) and had a range of 259 miles (417 km). Being designed mostly as a trainer, they lacked any armaments.Some, like the people over in Portugal, took it upon themselves to build licensed versions of the plane. The one we have here, wearing the Royal Air Force markings, is one of those about 60 Portuguese-built Chipmunks and, were told, one of the very few remaining flying examples.This particular plane rolled off the lines in 1955 and served with the Portuguese Airforce as a trainer, before being retired and stored for an undisclosed number of years. It somehow made its way to the UK in 2007, where it entered a five-year-long restoration process.Now the de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk is for sale on Platinum Fighters , going for 95,000, or the equivalent of $131,000 at todays exchange rates.
An Amish community in Pennsylvania has become 'the first in the US to achieve herd immunity to COVID-19' after 90 per cent of their households became infected with the virus when they resumed church services late last spring.

The administrator of a medical center in the heart of the Amish community in New Holland Borough estimates as many as 90 per cent of Plain families have since had at least one family member infected, and that this religious enclave achieved what no other community in the country has: herd immunity.

'So, you would think if COVID was as contagious as they say, it would go through like a tsunami; and it did,' said Allen Hoover, an Old Order Mennonite and administrator of the Parochial Medical Center, a clinic that primarily serves the Plain community.

Public health officials and epidemiologists did not dispute the widespread outbreak Hoover described. But they voiced concern that a misplaced perception of herd immunity in a population that makes up 8 per cent of Lancaster County may compromise the effort to turn the tide on the pandemic.

As Hoover observed, faith in herd immunity has prompted members of the Plain community to relax on key mitigation efforts such as masking and social distancing, and they may see little reason to be vaccinated.

Additionally, it is unknown whether achieving herd immunity last year would be beneficial now.

Six infectious disease experts with whom LancasterOnline spoke expressed unease with a reliance on the notion the Plain community had achieved herd immunity. And they pointed out that if not the case, past infections and existing antibodies may provide limited protection.

'Herd immunity is only true at a given point in time,' said Eric Lofgren, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Washington State University. 'It's not a switch that once it gets thrown, you're good. It'll wear off.'

An Amish community in Pennsylvania has become 'the first in the US to achieve herd immunity to COVID-19' after 90 per cent of their households became infected with the virus when they resumed church services late last spring

This collision of science and personal experience could leave Lancaster County vulnerable just as county health officials seek to make progress vaccinating residents against COVID-19.

'You can have a long period where you think everything is OK, but you have this whole population that's susceptible,' said David Lo, professor of biomedical sciences and senior associate dean of research at the University of California, Riverside.

Lo added: 'All it takes is one person who's contagious to give you this sudden outbreak.'

Hoover agreed with these epidemiologists.

He acknowledged that face masks and social distancing have been critical for mitigating the spread of COVID-19; he wears a face covering when interacting with non-Amish. But he also knows many in the Plain community don't take the same precautions.

'As a general rule, we want to respect those around us,' said Hoover, who has been the medical center's administrator since 2004. But because of perceived immunity, Hoover said, the Plain community believes public health directives don't 'apply to us.'

It's a perspective Hoover understands, but doesn't share.

'We should be careful that we're not the cause of it spreading,' Hoover said.

The Parochial Medical Center is not the only medical provider that caters to the Plain community, but with 33,000 active patients, it is arguably the largest.

The Plain community in Lancaster County, which includes both Amish and Mennonites, is not insignificant. Combined, it represents nearly 8% of the county's population of just more than 545,000 residents, according to estimates from Elizabethtown College's Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies.

The dearth of COVID-19 testing among the Plain doesn't just mean a lack of scientific certainty.

'The reason it's important is because it's unlikely that 100 per cent have had the disease,' said David Dowdy, a professor in the epidemiology department at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Under the right conditions, a single infected individual can trigger an outbreak.

Take what happened at Disneyland.

Two decades ago, measles was declared eradicated in the United States because of an effective national vaccination campaign. But that didn't stop an outbreak from infecting 150 people in seven states, Mexico and Canada in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak was attributed to unvaccinated children.

The implication is this: If an outbreak of a highly contagious disease for which there is a proven vaccine could happen at the Happiest Place on Earth, it can happen in Lancaster County.

An outbreak among the Plain would impact the wider community because while these religious sects are insular, they are not isolated. The Plain mingle with the English, as they refer to their non-Amish neighbors, at grocery stores, their places of business and other public places.

'There could easily still be pockets of the (Plain) community who have not been infected, and if they're infected, there's a real risk of having an outbreak,' Dowdy said.

The Plain community followed the example of its English neighbors and shuttered schoolhouses and canceled biweekly church services when the novel coronavirus threatened to overwhelm Pennsylvania's health-care system last spring.

Initially, compliance with public health directives was about not being offensive to non-Amish neighbors, Hoover said.

But as the pandemic wore on, messages from skeptical lawmakers and English neighbors suggested that the virus wasn't a big concern.

For example, back in early May, a number of Lancaster County elected officials  including state Sen Ryan Aument, a Mount Joy Republican  said they would join a handful of other counties to defy Gov Tom Wolf's stay-at-home orders to save the local economy, which had been battered in the shutdown.

The administrator of a medical center in the community in New Holland Borough estimates as many as 90% of Plain families have since had at least one family member infected, and that this religious enclave achieved what no other community in the country has: herd immunity

There have been more than 30 million cases reported in the US since the pandemic hit the US more than a year ago

County Commissioner Josh Parsons, a Republican, challenged the legal basis for requiring face masks. And state Rep. David Zimmerman, a Republican who represents a large swath of eastern Lancaster County, home to a large number of Plain, criticized the governor's handling of the pandemic.

'The Amish are a distinct group, but they also respond, in many ways, like many rural Lancastrians,' said Steve Nolt, interim director of the Young Center. 'I think there was a lot of non-Amish influence on the Amish.'

As their English neighbors resumed pre-pandemic activities, the Plain community did as well, Nolt and others said.

By late April, when Pennsylvania was still under stay-at-home orders, the Plain community had resumed worship services, where they shared communion cups and holy kisses, a church greeting among believers.

Infections quickly followed.

'It was bad here in the spring; one patient right after another,' said Pam Cooper, a physician's assistant at the Parochial Medical Center.

Just how deep into the community the infections spread is impossible to know. Hoover speculated that among those displaying symptoms, fewer than 10% consented to be tested.

In late April and early May, when Hoover said the virus ran unimpeded through the Plain community, the county's positivity rate  the percent of positive tests  exceeded 20%, its highest of the pandemic, according to Covid Act Now, a nonprofit that provides local disease data. (Last year, the World Health Organization recommended governments use a rate of 5% or lower for two weeks as the threshold for reopening.)

If Hoover's assessment is accurate, and if more Plain patients had been tested, the positivity rate could very well have been higher.

While so few were tested, many exhibited all the symptoms that have become so emblematic of the disease.

Cooper estimated the medical center saw  on average  nearly a dozen infections a day, or roughly 15% of the patients it serves daily.

The disease, as has been true in the wider community, knew no boundaries. Hoover became infected in November; at least one of his children was infected twice.

'It really went through pretty quick, in a few weeks,' Cooper said.

The number of patients ebbed in the summer before picking up again in the fall, although not at nearly the rate as was seen in the spring.

Cases now are rare. Hoover said Tuesday that the center hasn't had a patient present with COVID-19 symptoms in roughly six weeks.

'You'd actually have to test the herd'

Epidemiologists from the University of Pittsburgh, Washington State, Johns Hopkins, Emory and the University of California all said a widespread outbreak leading to herd immunity in the Plain community would be rare, but possible.

'It's extremely unusual,' Lofgren, at Washington State University, said of herd immunity to COVID-19. 'It would be the first general population in the United States that's done it.'

Significant outbreaks have been identified elsewhere.

The CDC, for example, studied COVID-19 outbreaks among smaller Amish communities in rural Ohio and Indiana.

As the CDC has noted, the Amish emphasis on strong social bonds and religious gatherings posed a unique public health challenge during the pandemic.

Unlike the outbreak Hoover described in Lancaster County, however, the Ohio and Indiana communities conducted testing.

'They really contributed to a lot of spread of COVID in the community,' said Shirley Bixby, director of nursing for the Ashland County Board of Health in northeastern Ohio. 'It was quite nerve-wracking.'

In Indiana, COVID-19 infections were so common among the Amish that residents believe most had been exposed.

At the height of the summer outbreak, seven out of 10 COVID-19 tests came back positive, said Dr. Daniel N. Kragt, a physician at Dayspring Christian Health Care in Middlebury, Indiana.

Dayspring is a cash-only provider in the middle of the Amish community, about 35 miles east of South Bend.

For all the tests Kragt conducted, about 40% of Amish patients declined.

Making scientific conclusions about immunity is difficult, Kragt noted, because very often 'the herd doesn't want' to be tested.

'To say you have herd immunity, you'd actually have to test the herd,' Kragt said.

'Plenty' of death certificates

COVID-19 has been devastating to Pennsylvania seniors, with nine out of every 10 fatalities among those 60 and older. In Lancaster County, 96% of COVID-19 fatalities as of March 17  926 of 968  have been people age 60 or older.

The same appears to be true for the elderly in the Plain community, as Hoover estimated most deaths were 70 and older.

Cooper said she signed 'plenty' of death certificates during that time.

But the death toll may never be known.

Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni identified fewer than a dozen deaths in the Plain community, an estimate he derived at by using decedent location and last name.

Virus-related deaths, Cooper speculated, were likely listed as pneumonia.

Diamantoni does not dispute this.

People have to die from something,' Diamantoni said. 'If they don't want any intervention done, these people could slip under the radar.'

Even if more virus testing had been done, it's unlikely the public would know much more about the disease's impact. That's because demographic information collected by health departments  such as race and ethnicity  does not include religion.

The fatalities have not gone unnoticed.

A contributor to The Diary, a monthly newspaper published in Kirkwood with Amish reports on crops, births, deaths, weddings and ordinations across the United States, tallied the annual number of obituaries since 2015.

'As you can see, the number of deaths this year is 100 count higher than any of the five previous years,' Joas D. Troyer, of Hestand, Kentucky, wrote in January's edition. 'This may give us a good idea how many people died from coronavirus.'

Herd immunity  either through infection or vaccination  has been touted as the way back to normal.

'The only true herd immunity that we can bring as a community is for people to be vaccinated,' said Alice Yoder, executive director of Community Health at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.

Because immunologists don't yet know what the threshold is for COVID-19 immunity, Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, has said the coronavirus could require vaccination rates as high as 90%.

'The key is that there is not necessarily a magic number,' said Dowdy, at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The lack of infection data on the notoriously private Plain community makes proving or disproving whether Anabaptists (a Christian community of which Amish and Mennonites are a part) achieved herd immunity impossible 11 months later. Testing could be conducted now, but the absence of antibodies  Dowdy and other experts said  doesn't mean the lack of infection.

As the United States races to stay ahead of virus mutations, the more pressing issue  these experts said  was vaccine hesitancy. As of March 16, there were two other mutations in Pennsylvania: 68 cases of the UK variant and one South African case, according to the CDC.

'The higher the vaccination in the (Plain) community, the better it will be for the entire community,' said Dr Amesh Adalja, an infectious diseases physician and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

Despite lower childhood vaccination rates among the Amish, there is no religious prohibition, said Nolt, at Elizabethtown College, who has written 14 books about the Amish.

In a 2017 doctoral study that examined Amish perceptions in Lancaster County, Cooper found the majority had a positive attitude toward immunizations and roughly six in 10 surveyed were likely to vaccinate their children.

As Cooper noted in her study, three out four of those she surveyed said they had never discussed vaccination with their health care provider.

'Providers are missing many opportunities to discuss vaccines with Amish parents,' wrote Cooper, at the Parochial Medical Center.

Vaccine efforts among the Plain community could prove challenging.

'I think it will be a very hard sell,' Hoover said.

The Amish have been persuaded to embrace mass vaccination efforts before, most notably after a polio outbreak in 1979 and a rash of measles in 1991. This has left health officials hopeful the Anabaptists will respond again.

The Pennsylvania Amish Safety Committee and other partnerships will be crucial to outreach efforts that have already begun. Comprised of five elected Old Order Amish men, the committee provides safety information and has helped spearhead issues such as the 2011 effort to cover holes in haylofts after emergency room doctors encountered a number of Plain sect children who had fallen through.

The goal, Lancaster General's Yoder said, is to achieve a vaccination rate protective of the entire community.

'Of course,' Yoder said, 'there might be some concern that we don't reach that.'

The way Dr Holmes Morton sees it, these religious sects must take responsibility for getting vaccinated to protect their Lancaster County neighbors.

'I just think the Plain community has to get involved in a public-health sense,' said Morton, founder of the Central Pennsylvania Clinic in Belleville, Mifflin County.

Morton, who first created the Clinic for Special Children in Strasburg, is renowned for his pioneering work on genetic diseases among Plain children.

'Just because you're Plain doesn't mean you're exempt,' Morton said. 'God helps those who help themselves.'

The Plain community includes Amish and Old Order Mennonites.

With a population of 40,525 people, the Lancaster Amish settlement is the largest in the United States and extends into Chester County and northern Maryland.

Roughly 88 per cent, or more than 35,000 adults and children in this settlement, live within the borders of Lancaster County.

Old Order Mennonites primarily consist of three groups  the Groffdale Mennonite Conference, the Stauffer Mennonite Church and Reidenbach Mennonites  with a combined population of about 5,700.

Together, these religious sects represent nearly 8 per cent of the 545,000 people living in Lancaster County.

Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient number of people have immunity to a disease to prevent a virus from finding new hosts, thereby protecting the wider population. Immunity can be achieved either through recovering from an infection or vaccination.

Herd immunity is the only way to eradicate COVID-19.

The more transmissible a disease, the higher the percentage of a population needs to be immune. Initially, scientists estimated 60% to 70% of the population needed to acquire resistance to provide herd immunity.

It's difficult to know the precise threshold for the novel coronavirus.

Fauci late last year began moving the goal post, adjusting that estimate up to as high as 90 per cent.

Viruses constantly mutate and COVID-19 is becoming more transmissible.

Because the elderly and other individuals with compromised immune systems cannot risk a COVID-19 infection, herd immunity will be crucial to protecting these groups.
Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. traffic deaths soared after coronavirus lockdowns ended in 2020, hitting the highest yearly total since 2007 as more Americans engaged in unsafe behavior on U.S. roads, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday. For all of 2020, 38,680 people died on U.S. roads - up 7.2% or nearly 2,600 more than in 2019, even though Americans drove 13% fewer miles, preliminary data showed. In the second half of 2020, the number of traffic deaths was up more than 13%.
- By GF Value





The stock of Walgreens Boots Alliance (NAS:WBA, 30-year Financials) is believed to be modestly undervalued, according to GuruFocus Value calculation. GuruFocus Value is GuruFocus' estimate of the fair value at which the stock should be traded. It is calculated based on the historical multiples that the stock has traded at, the past business growth and analyst estimates of future business performance. If the price of a stock is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued and its future return is likely to be poor. On the other hand, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher. At its current price of $52.03 per share and the market cap of $45 billion, Walgreens Boots Alliance stock is believed to be modestly undervalued. GF Value for Walgreens Boots Alliance is shown in the chart below.





Walgreens Boots Alliance Stock Shows Every Sign Of Being Modestly Undervalued

Because Walgreens Boots Alliance is relatively undervalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be higher than its business growth, which averaged 13.1% over the past three years and is estimated to grow 1.69% annually over the next three to five years.

Link: These companies may deliever higher future returns at reduced risk.

Since investing in companies with low financial strength could result in permanent capital loss, investors must carefully review a company's financial strength before deciding whether to buy shares. Looking at the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage can give a good initial perspective on the company's financial strength. Walgreens Boots Alliance has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.03, which ranks in the bottom 10% of the companies in the industry of Healthcare Providers & Services. Based on this, GuruFocus ranks Walgreens Boots Alliance's financial strength as 4 out of 10, suggesting poor balance sheet. This is the debt and cash of Walgreens Boots Alliance over the past years:

Story continues

Walgreens Boots Alliance Stock Shows Every Sign Of Being Modestly Undervalued

It is less risky to invest in profitable companies, especially those with consistent profitability over long term. A company with high profit margins is usually a safer investment than those with low profit margins. Walgreens Boots Alliance has been profitable 10 over the past 10 years. Over the past twelve months, the company had a revenue of $141.5 billion and loss of $0.81 a share. Its operating margin is 0.64%, which ranks in the middle range of the companies in the industry of Healthcare Providers & Services. Overall, the profitability of Walgreens Boots Alliance is ranked 7 out of 10, which indicates fair profitability. This is the revenue and net income of Walgreens Boots Alliance over the past years:

Walgreens Boots Alliance Stock Shows Every Sign Of Being Modestly Undervalued

Growth is probably the most important factor in the valuation of a company. GuruFocus research has found that growth is closely correlated with the long term stock performance of a company. A faster growing company creates more value for shareholders, especially if the growth is profitable. The 3-year average annual revenue growth of Walgreens Boots Alliance is 13.1%, which ranks better than 71% of the companies in the industry of Healthcare Providers & Services. The 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is -17.4%, which ranks worse than 84% of the companies in the industry of Healthcare Providers & Services.

Another way to evaluate a company's profitability is to compare its return on invested capital (ROIC) to its weighted cost of capital (WACC). Return on invested capital (ROIC) measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. If the ROIC is higher than the WACC, it indicates that the company is creating value for shareholders. Over the past 12 months, Walgreens Boots Alliance's ROIC was 1.40, while its WACC came in at 3.20. The historical ROIC vs WACC comparison of Walgreens Boots Alliance is shown below:

Walgreens Boots Alliance Stock Shows Every Sign Of Being Modestly Undervalued

To conclude, the stock of Walgreens Boots Alliance (NAS:WBA, 30-year Financials) is estimated to be modestly undervalued. The company's financial condition is poor and its profitability is fair. Its growth ranks worse than 84% of the companies in the industry of Healthcare Providers & Services. To learn more about Walgreens Boots Alliance stock, you can check out its 30-year Financials here.

To find out the high quality companies that may deliever above average returns, please check out GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Gorakhpur, March 28 : It is a Holi bonanza for the aviation sector of Uttar Pradesh as national carrier Air India's wholly-owned subsidiary Alliance Air on Sunday commenced daily direct flights from Gorakhpur to Lucknow and back.

As many as seven new routes will be opened for air travel -- five from Sunday while two routes will have flights from Monday.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri, flagged off the Gorakhpur-Lucknow inaugural flight of Alliance Air (Air India) at Mahayogi Gorakshnath Airport Gorakhpur on Sunday.

Other routes to go on aviation map on Sunday also included Prayagraj-Bhopal (Indigo), Prayagraj-Bhubaneswar (Indigo), Agra-Bhopal (Indigo) and Agra-Bengaluru (Indigo) while flights on Agra-Mumbai (Indigo) and Agra-Ahmedabad (Indigo) routes will commence on Monday.

The Chief Minister and Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation also laid the foundation stone for the expansion of the civil airport terminal building in Gorakhpur.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that in the last four years, there had been a rapid expansion of aviation sector in the state.

"UP is going to be the first state in the country to offer international flight services from five airports. Two are already functional even as and three will soon be commissioned," he said.

The Chief Minister said that the state government will soon start air services from Lalitpur, Jhansi, Sonbhadra, Shravasti, Aligarh and Moradabad.

Referring to major steps towards transport infrastructure, he said that the work of Meerut to Delhi Rapid Rail was on the fast track and metro in Gorakhpur was also underway while Varanasi and Prayagraj will get the gift of light metro rail.

He also praised the contribution and cooperation of the Ministry of Civil Aviation in increasing air connectivity in the state.

The Chief Minister said that Gorakhpur will now have flights to seven major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Prayagraj and Lucknow and it will continue to expand further.

He announced that the Gorakhpur-Ahmedabad flight will commence operations from April 12 next.

Hardeep Singh Puri, meanwhile, lauded the efforts of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in expansion of air services in the entire Uttar Pradesh including Gorakhpur. He also praised Uttar Pradesh for being the first state to have its own civil aviation policy.

Puri also took the opportunity to appreciate the ODOP scheme of the state government and said that Yogi Adityanath had made it a successful model of self-reliance and employment.

The airline has deployed a 70-seater aircraft to connect these cities.
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region

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 US ambassador to Myanmar condemned the "bloodshed" and "horrifying" violence from security forces in the country on Saturday after 93 people were reportedly killed in the nation's deadliest day since last months military coup.

In a statement posted on the site of the embassy, Thomas Vajda said security forces were "murdering unarmed civilians, including children" and called for an "immediate end to the violence and the restoration of the democratically elected government."

A count issued by an independent researcher in Yangon who has been compiling near-real time death tolls put the total as darkness fell at 93, spread over more than two dozen cities and towns.

The online news site Myanmar Now reported the death toll had reached 91.

Both numbers are higher than all estimates for the previous high on March 14, which ranged from 74 to 90.

The death toll in Myanmar has been steadily rising as authorities grow more forceful with their suppression of opposition to the Feb. 1 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The coup reversed years of progress toward democracy after five decades of military rule.

Death figures collected by the researcher on Saturday, who asked not to be named for his security, have generally tallied with the counts issued at the end of each day by the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners, which documents deaths and arrests and is widely seen as a definitive source.

The Associated Press is unable to independently confirm the death tolls.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
President Joe Biden has intervened days after Georgia's sweeping new voting restrictions were enacted and has said the Justice Department is looking into the new law.

'We don't know quite exactly what we can do at this point. The Justice Department's taking a look as well,' Biden confirmed as he spoke to reporters outside the White House.

The new laws have come under attack and civil rights groups are challenging them in court. But the strongest words have been reserved for the president who called them an 'atrocity' of a law and said the U.S. Justice Department was 'taking a look'.

Among other limits, the Republican-backed law imposes stricter identification requirements, limits drop boxes and gives lawmakers the power to take over local elections and shortens the early voting period for all runoff elections.

President Joe Biden says Georgia's new law on voting limits are 'an atrocity'

It also makes it a misdemeanor for people to offer food and water to voters in line, in a state where people sometimes wait for hours in the heat to vote.

The legislation has alarmed Democrats, who just months ago celebrated historic wins in the presidential election and two Senate campaigns in Georgia that helped deliver the White House and U.S. Senate control to their party in Washington.

'It has nothing to do with fairness, nothing to do with decency. They passed the law saying you can't provide water for people standing in line while they're waiting to vote? You don't need anything else to know that this is nothing but punitive, designed to keep people from voting. You can't provide water for people about to vote? Give me a break,' he said.

Biden, narrowly won the state of Georgia in the 2020 election becoming the first Democratic presidential candidate in three decades to win.

Protesters gathered on a busy street corner to voice their opposition and share details to area residents about a far-reaching overhaul of Georgia's state's election laws.

On Friday, he accused Republicans there and in other states of mounting a broad assault on voting rights.

'It's an atrocity,' Biden told reporters, comparing the restrictions to racist 'Jim Crow' laws, which were put in place in Southern states in the decades after the 1861-65 U.S. Civil War to legalize racial segregation and disenfranchise black citizens.

The president has urged Congress to pass voting rights legislation that would counter the Georgia law and other bills that have been proposed by Republican state legislatures across the country that would appear to make voting more difficult.

'This law, like so many others being pursued by Republicans in statehouses across the country is a blatant attack on the Constitution and good conscience,' Biden said.

A group of demonstrators held a rally outside of Atlanta City Hall on Saturday in protest of a new sweeping voting rights bill that was signed into law

'This is Jim Crow in the 21st Century. It must end. We have a moral and constitutional obligation to act. I once again urge Congress to pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to make it easier for all eligible Americans access the ballot box and prevent attacks on the sacred right to vote,' Biden added.

Biden noted how long lines at polls disproportionately affect black voters in metropolitan areas, as Republican officials have reduced the number of polling sites in their neighborhoods.

Recently, the House passed the For the People Act, a bill that addresses elections and campaign finance reform.

It is unlikely to pass in the senate where Republicans are opposed to its contents.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, pictured, says there's 'nothing Jim Crow' about Georgia's new voting law and blasts Biden 'and his handlers' for not having read it

Democrats have a 50-seat majority in the Senate but most legislation requires 60 votes to pass.

A coalition of civil rights groups sued the state in Atlanta federal court just hours after Governor Kemp signed the legislation into law on Thursday, arguing that the measures are intended to make it harder for people - particularly black voters - to cast ballots.

Republicans have argued there is no such voter suppression in the Georgia bill.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said 'cries of voter suppression from those on the left ring hollow.' Republican Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said that it made elections safer.

Democrats say the new voting bill will limit voter access and disenfranchise black voters. Pictured, voters waiting in line to vote early in the Georgia senate special election

In a statement in response to Biden's comments, Kemp said the law 'ensures election integrity.'

'There is nothing 'Jim Crow' about requiring a photo or state-issued ID to vote by absentee ballot - every Georgia voter must already do so when voting in-person,' he said. 'President Biden, the left, and the national media are determined to destroy the sanctity and security of the ballot box.'

Other Republican-controlled state legislatures are pursuing voting restrictions in election battleground states, including Florida and Arizona, after former President Donald Trump repeatedly blamed his loss to Biden on massive voter fraud without evidence.

Democrats and voting rights advocates have said the restrictions, which passed the Georgia legislature solely with Republican support, will further harm voters in minority communities that are already plagued by long lines and inadequate election infrastructure.

As he contested his national loss to Biden, Trump focused much of his energy in Georgia. At one point, he personally called the state's Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, and urged him to 'find' votes Trump claimed had gone missing.

That phone call is part of a criminal investigation by state prosecutors into whether Trump broke election laws by pressuring officials to alter the results.

In a statement on Friday, Trump applauded Georgia Republicans for their action.

'They learned from the travesty of the 2020 Presidential Election, which can never be allowed to happen again,' he said.

Trump's false assertions about voter fraud have reinforced long-standing Republican warnings that stricter laws are needed, despite research showing that such cases are vanishingly rare.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 28) - House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has endorsed the impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen to the House Committee on Rules.

In a letter to House Majority Leader and committee chairperson Martin Romualdez dated March 25, Velasco referred the complaint to be included in the Houses order of business.

With the Speakers endorsement, the complaint can now be discussed at the chamber when the session resumes in May.

The complaint was filed last Dec. 7 by Filipino League of Advocates for Good Government Secretary General Edwin Cordevilla. It was endorsed by Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, a cousin of former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Cordevilla had accused the magistrate of failing to file his Statement of Assets and Liabilities, and of delaying the resolution of cases, including the ones pending before the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, where Leonen serves as chairperson.

READ: Impeachment complaint vs. Leonen not yet referred to House Justice Committee

According to rules, the Speaker should have an impeachment complaint included in the order of business, or agenda of the House session, ten days from receipt. It shall be referred then to the House Committee on Justice within three session days.

The complaint was filed last year, during the House's Session No. 12. The lower chamber was only on its Session No. 19 last March 25. This means seven session days have passed before the impeachment rap was endorsed.

Leonen was the magistrate who junked the electoral protest of Marcos against Vice President Leni Robredo before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.

He earlier said the issues raised in the complaint against him were for "personal or vindicative reasons."

CNN Philippines Correspondent Xianne Arcangel and Multi-Platform News Writer Vince Ferreras contributed to this report
From the start of my writing, God has put the desire in my heart to convey His love and forgiveness.

Author Kiki Chalupnik continues the Edwards Brothers series with this third installment, Heavens Hope ($14.49, paperback, 9781662811364; $22.99, hard cover, 9781662811371; $6.99, e-book, 9781662811388).

Mark Hamilton is still recovering from the tragedy of his best friends death when he learns that Dans pregnant widow is in trouble. Her manipulative in-laws are trying to gain custody of their grandchild and Mark knows he has to do something. In order to protect Lacey and Dans child, he offers to marry the young mother. Meanwhile, he continues to question whether Dans death was truly the accident everyone believes it to be.

From the start of my writing, God has put the desire in my heart to convey His love and forgiveness. I have had a heartfelt concern for the way culture is headed today, said Chalupnik.

Kiki Chalupnik is a Chicago-born storyteller, with 35 years of experience teaching Sunday school and womens Bible studies. Her first book, Worth the Wait, took third place in the Christian fiction category of Xulon Press Christian Author Awards. Chalupnik has been blessed to spend 59 years with Rick, her husband, best friend and high school sweetheart.

Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the worlds largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. Heavens Hope is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.
KYODO NEWS - Mar 28, 2021 - 10:16 | Feature, Japan, All

Foreign workers in Japan, who are essential to the aging country, have been one of the demographic groups most affected by the economic downturn due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While many such workers were fired or furloughed as a result of the economic fallout, some are striving to empower themselves and improve the situation surrounding their employment.

Among them is a Filipino woman living in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi, which has the biggest Filipino population in the country - 39,339 as of late 2019, according to the Justice Ministry, many of whom are employed in the manufacturing sector.

"I'd like to create a good working environment for foreigners," said the woman, who goes by the pseudonym Maria Santos as she worries her union role may hinder her search for a job.

Santos formed a labor union for workers from outside Japan in Aichi last June along with 15 other Filipinos after they were laid off or their fixed-term contracts not renewed in the wake of the pandemic.

Her union named Aichi Migrants Workers aims to help foreign workers and is the first local community-based union for non-Japanese laborers in Aichi.

With the help of a local union named Union Aichi, AMW holds monthly study sessions on Japan's labor systems and laws and as of early March has 24 members from the Philippines.

Related coverage:

Japan's Filipino community puts down roots, moves past hostess origins

FEATURE: Remote Japan island "getting energy" from Vietnamese students

"We, as foreigners, want to help each other by learning the employment system here," said the 56-year-old Santos, who holds long-term resident status in Japan, having arrived here in 1988.

Santos, who has worked several different jobs while raising her children, first started thinking about setting up a labor union two years ago, she said.

But in March of last year, she lost her job at a plant that assembles automobile parts after her contract as a dispatched temporary worker was not renewed.

Realizing that she was not the only non-Japanese worker to have lost their job was her motivation, she said, in forming the union.

Unsure about unemployment benefits and having been paid less than was stipulated in her contract, Santos said the union holds sessions to teach its members about the labor system.

In mid-February, Santos and several other members of the AMW as well as some from Union Aichi gathered for such a meeting at a rental room in Nagoya.

An official of Union Aichi talked about the mechanism of labor unions and workers' rights in Japanese and Santos interpreted the explanation into Tagalog and English.

Santos said she hopes to increase the membership of AMW by attracting not only Filipino workers but also those from other overseas countries through the learning sessions and exchange events.

"A lot of foreign workers (in Aichi) have been employed for a limited term and are used as fluid labor force," often being placed in vulnerable positions, said Hirokazu Mori, secretary general of Union Aichi.

"If they form a labor union, the union members can protest to employers on problems such as layoffs without a rational reason."

Companies cannot refuse requests of negotiation from labor unions under labor standard law, Mori said, noting rights such as obtaining paid holidays, which are often not given to foreign workers here, can be restored through the negotiations.

According to a survey of the labor ministry, 93,354 people have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic as of March 5, with the manufacturing industry suffering the most with 20,536 people being laid off.

While a breakdown by nationality is not available in the data, it is speculated a large number of foreign workers are included in the figure, with Mori saying his union has heard from a number of non-Japanese workers in Aichi who have lost their job in the past year.
Space-age technology is tackling one of the oldest problems on land: Gorse and forest fires.

Already this year, firefighters have been on hillsides and mountains bringing outbreaks under control and preventing further damage.

Coillte and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, as well as fire brigades, are being assisted by drones equipped with cameras that peer through smoke, and sensors for wind direction and for other weather variables.

The drones can capture continuous footage of high-risk areas and spot small fires that would otherwise not have been detected until they had become much larger and harder to contain.

Irish Air Corps helicopters, with an attached Bambi-Bucket carrying up 1,200 litres of water, can also be deployed quickly to outbreaks in remote areas.

Each year, the risk of upland fires increases during Easter, because vegetation drying out after the winter becomes more flammable and can be set alight by a discarded cigarette butt or a spark from a picnic or barbecue.

Many rural and remote communities have been hugely impacted by these incidents, which can damage the environment and economy, endanger lives and other property, and cause fear and anxiety.

Fire-service personnel, forestry workers, troops, gardai, the civil defence, and volunteers are regularly required to tackle the outbreaks, which can spread rapidly.

Over the past year, these fires have placed additional pressures on emergency teams, whose services are critical to managing the Covid-19 pandemic.

A fire engulfing dry gorse in the West Wicklow Mountains. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/ RollingNews.ie

It is illegal to burn growing vegetation on uncultivated land between March 1 and August 31.

Persons who do so are liable to prosecution and could face fines, imprisonment, and penalties to farm payments.

Landowners were reminded by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Marine in recent weeks that it can identify burnt land through satellite imagery and will shortly commence ground inspections in these areas.

Last month, the Irish Farmers Association urged the Government to allow the managed burning of gorse during March, because inclement, wet weather in January and February had prevented controlled fires.

But the call was rejected on the grounds that the relevant minister did not have discretion to change the dates, which are enshrined in law.

IFA Hill Farming chairman, Flor McCarthy, said the move would address better vegetative management; help farmers keep land eligible for various Common Agricultural Policy schemes; and reduce uncontrolled wildfires.

We want to maintain farming in these areas, while respecting the ecological value of lands with gorse and certain types of grass species, Mr McCarthy said.

Without farming, these areas would go wild, and the incidence of wildfires would significantly increase.

However, the Irish Wildlife Trust campaign officer, Padraic Fogarty, said no permits for controlled burning were issued in the north, east, or south of Ireland in 2020, and only two were issued in the west.

Mr Fogarty said that even controlled burning of vegetation on hills is an enormously polluting and harmful activity and is not a practical land-management option in Ireland.

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore, who raised the issue in the Dail, said that there have been illegal fires on the same commonage land in the Wicklow Mountains National Park for 11 of the 19 years up to 2019.

The fire damage has been so frequent and intense, the land may never recover, Ms Whitmore said.

It is not just from an environmental perspective, because the burning of this land also impacted heavily on the air quality in the area, on the headwaters of the Liffey, and on drinking water piped into Dublin.

Ms Whitmore said illegal fires on that scale also contribute greatly to CO2 emissions and are devastating for birdlife.

We need to put a major effort into ensuring they do not happen," she said.

"We cannot tolerate these fires anymore."

Ms Whitmore claimed people are burning land because Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine policies incentivise them to do so.

She said the department has identified land that is deemed marginal and scrubby and will not make payments on it in that condition.

Essentially, we are saying to farmers that if they want payment for that land, they need to make it productive, Ms Whitmore said.

We need to make sure that farmers are paid to protect our land and that we value what they are doing in protecting our biodiversity, our environment, our soil, our trees, and so on.

Fire crews battling a significant blaze which swept through forestry, bogland and a windfarm in Co Clare last May. Photograph: Press 22

We need to rethink and flip what we are doing on its head, because what we are doing is not working.

We need to work with farmers and local communities and put in place measures that will work, she said, calling for a government task force to deal with the issue.

Malcolm Noonan, heritage state minister, said wildfires do not occur naturally in Ireland. The main cause is the deliberate starting of fires without concern for the emergency services, the wildlife habitat, communities, or even private property.

Important upland habitats are destroyed, with local wildlife potentially killed or displaced at a critical time of year for many species, Mr Noonan said. These sites are special areas of conservation and among the most precious places in Ireland for nature, and home to thriving populations of rare bird species.

Setting these fires is absolutely criminal, and an all-too-frequent tragedy.

"These fires impact on water quality and on soil stability, on climate and on human health, he said.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has deployed increased fire patrols at its sites in recent weeks and remains in close liaison with gardai and the fire services, Mr Noonan said.

It is important, as we enter into an opening-up of the country in the coming months, that everybody behaves responsibly around our uplands, nature reserves, and national parks.
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.
Americas Black politicians have a long history of calling out the nations racism. But few have taken to poetry and written that their city is void of a moral compass and rapes you of your breaths.

Nikuyah Walker, the first Black woman to be mayor of Charlottesville, Virginia, has posted poetry on Twitter and Facebook that has drawn national attention for descriptions of a picturesque college town that is indelibly linked to a slave-owning U.S. president and a deadly white nationalist rally.

Charlottesville: The beautiful-ugly it is, Walker wrote on Wednesday. It rapes you, comforts you in its (expletive) stained sheet and tells you to keep its secrets.

The mayor of the majority-white city in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills followed up with a longer and cleaner version. Charlottesville, she wrote, lynched you, hung the noose at city hall and pressed the souvenir that was once your finger against its lips.

ADVERTISEMENT

It ends by stating that the city of 47,000 is anchored in white supremacy and rooted in racism. Charlottesville rapes you and covers you in sullied sheets.

Walkers words have resonated with some who said she captured the Black experience while communicating in the same way many people do these days: through artful expression on social media.

This is a new era of Black electeds, said Wes Bellamy, a friend of Walkers, a former Charlottesville vice mayor and interim chair of Virginia State Universitys political science department.

We dont follow the same playbook that individuals used before, said Bellamy, who has come under fire for his own tweets in years past. We emote in different ways. We utilize technology in different ways to get our points across.

But others, including two of Walkers fellow council members, said her rape metaphor was hurtful to victims of sexual assault and rape, and deeply unfair in how it presents Charlottesville to the world.

We should not gloss over our difficult history of race relations, City Council members Heather Hill and Lloyd Snook said in a joint statement. But as elected officials, we must choose our words carefully.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hill and Snook, who are both white, said they were appalled at the threats Walker has received from the post. And they said they can only dimly understand the present-day impact of Americas history of slavery, lynching and sexualized violence toward Black people in general, and toward Black women in particular.

Charlottesville is home to the University of Virginia. Its where Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president, lived and owned Black Americans who were enslaved. They included Sally Hemings, who is widely believed by historians to have given birth to several of Jeffersons children.

Walker did not respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment. But on Thursday night, she offered no apologies during a Facebook live interview with Bellamy.

It did exactly what I was hoping that it would do, besides the everybody-across-the-country-talking-about-it part, she said of her social media posts. But I wanted it to hit a nerve.

Walker grew up in Charlottesville and earned a bachelors degree in political science from Virginia Commonwealth University, according to her bio on the citys website.

The mother of three spent years working as a social justice advocate and held nonprofit jobs that included substance abuse clinicians and HIV prevention educator. She was also employed by the citys Parks and Recreation Department.

Walker ran for office as an independent and was elected to Charlottesvilles five-member City Council just a few months after the Unite the Right Rally in 2017.

Hundreds of white nationalists had descended on the city in part to protest the planned removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Violence prompted authorities to force the rally to disband. Afterward, a woman was killed and dozens were injured when a car driven by a self-avowed white supremacist plowed into a crowd of peaceful counterprotesters.

Walker said on Facebook Live that she was clear about who she was from the beginning.

You all said you wanted something different, she said. You all said you were open to being challenged.

Bellamy, who lives in Charlottesville, told the AP that the city has made a lot of improvements in recent years. But he said there are still many Black people who lack hope and feel they have no opportunities.

Ive had a lot of people say she told it exactly like it is, he said of Walker. And Ive had some people say, Help me understand why she used that language. But I havent heard a person Ive spoken to, specifically a Black person, say that they did not agree with what she said.

Nadia Brown, a political science professor at Purdue University, said her research has found that many black female leaders, especially within their own communities, are seen as relatable figures. And many have taken to social media to advance social justice causes, such as Black Lives Matter.

And so in this way, Mayor Walker is 100% in line with Black women elected officials, not just mayors but those who are serving in Congress, Brown said.

But, Brown added, Walkers words could also provide fuel to those pushing back against the nations current reckoning with its past.

Some of Virginias Republican gubernatorial candidates are already responding to Walkers posts. Among them is Peter Snyder, an entrepreneur and former Fox News contributor who lives in Charlottesville.

Unfortunately, this insanity has become more common among our extremist leaders in Richmond and across Virginia, Snyder said, adding that woke liberals focus, foster, and coddle Critical Race Theory and this kind of extremism.
Palmdale, CA (93550)

Today

Clear skies. Gusty winds during the evening. Low 68F. SW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Gusty winds during the evening. Low 68F. SW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph.

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 COVID comeback has stalled amid ongoing fear of variants and persistent rules that aren't set to expire any time soon.



Read more . . .

LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. - The Jackson County Health Department continues to ease restrictions, but some businesses say it doesn't mean much right now. On Friday afternoon, officials announced they are removing of all capacity and gathering size limits beginning April 9. This includes all essential and nonessential businesses, including gyms, restaurants and bars.
Two GOP senators are asking for the details and records from law enforcement agencies. There is suspicion of another cover-up for Hunter Biden, who owns the handgun. President Biden's son is again the center of another fiasco just like the Laptop scandal.

Cover up for Hunter Biden again?

Two Republican senators ask for information from either the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF). An alleged probe into a weapon owned by Hunter Biden went missing in 2018. They asked these questions recently that uncovered Hunter incident, reported the Epoch Times.

Republican Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson point to a Politico article this week about the loose firearm in their letters which comes as Biden wants gun control. The GOPs want to know what the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, and Firearms got on the president's son.

According to Politico, on Oct. 23, 2018, the police got a call from Hunter Biden's sister-in-law, Hallie Biden. She told the police that Hunter got a gun, but she threw it away. It was a trash bin, where she allegedly disposed of it.

Hallie, the widow of Beau Hunter, was dating his brother when it happened. Realizing her mistake, she tried to get it back, but it was not there. It might have been used to commit a crime, she thought.

The FBI, and even the ATF, is sent to the crime scene, said Politico. Secret Service agents became concerned in the investigation and contacted the gun store where Biden bought the firearm. Did they cover up for Hunter Biden?

Biden: No Family Members to Be Involved in Any Government Decisions

The shop owner provided documentation to the ATF but "declined to give the documents". He did not give it to the Secret Service because he was concerned they were not forthright. Agents might put a lid if the gun was used for a crime.

Sources say that no one was arrested in the incident. The shop owner did not trust the agent's intentions.

Secret Service denied the allegations in the case. Proof of text messages acquired on Friday suggests that Hunter Biden responded to someone about his 2018 fiasco. He said the FBI and Intelligence Agencies had arrived to address an incident identical to the one in Delaware.

The U.S. Secret Service report noted that the agency would not provide cover. There was no member of the Biden family in 2018, and that the Secret Service had no participation in this incident.

Based on the New York Post, Biden wrote on Jan. 29, 2019, in a text message this statement. Hallie Biden had removed the gun out of his truck lockbox. She threw it in a garbage bin behind a grocery store. The Post added that Hallie told him it was his issue.

According to Grassley and Johnson in their letter to Secret Service Director James Murray, Joe and Hunter Biden were not under Secret Service protection.

Angry Joe Biden Denies Hunter Biden Scandal Expose, Calls it Smear Campaign

DOJ Submits Subpoena for the Hunter Biden Business Dealings and Details

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Katie Price's fans rushed to her defence after trolls criticised her veneers in a 'heavily filtered' clip on Saturday.

The former glamour model, 42, took to Instagram to upload a short video of herself teasing a new project, By Katie Price, set for release on Monday.

A series of social media users claimed her teeth looked like a 'gum shield', which caused her followers to highlight the late Caroline Flack's famous 'be kind' quote.

'Have people forgotten to be kind?' Katie Price's fans rushed to her defence after trolls criticised her veneers in a 'heavily filtered' clip (L) on Saturday (R last month)

The reality star, who is rumoured to be pregnant with her sixth child, appeared in great spirits as she beamed while posing in a heavy coating of glamorous make-up.

The post left some divided, with the naysayers commenting: 'Whats with the gum shield?!... those teeth. Oh dear

'Katie what have you done to yourself? You dont look real... So filtered... You look nice Katie,you don't need tweeking.' (sic)

Her supporters, meanwhile, said: 'Why do people come on here to be nasty, has everyone forgot #bekind #benice.

Glamorous: The former glamour model, 42, took to Instagram to upload a short video of herself teasing a new project, By Katie Price, set for release on Monday

Divided: A series of social media users claimed her teeth looked like a 'gum shield', which caused her followers to highlight the late Caroline Flack's famous 'be kind' quote

Cheery: The reality star appeared in great spirits as she beamed while posing in a heavy coating of glamorous make-up (R with her real teeth last year)

'Can't wait looking beautiful as always... Beautiful lady, sod what anyone else thinks. You go girl! Xxx... U look amazing your bath bombs r amazing by the way x.' (sic) MailOnline has contacted a representative for Katie for further comment.

Last December, the media personality reportedly had to dash back to Turkey to have her teeth fixed after two of her veneers fell out.

The blonde is returning to the same dental clinic who replaced her teeth in the summer, after two of her fake teeth came out while holidaying in the Maldives with her boyfriend Carl Woods, 32, two months prior.

A source told The Sun Online: 'Katie can't leave it any longer, so she's gone away with Carl to get her teeth sorted. She's gone back to the same place that put them in earlier this year.

'It means she'll have to isolate for two weeks over Christmas but she's not bothered as she was looking forward to a cosy holiday at home with the kids anyway.'

The mother-of-five stunned fans in August when she revealed her real teeth, joking they made her look 'like a Bond villain.'

Earlier this week, Katie is said to have told a fan she 'doesn't like being pregnant' amid claims she's expecting her sixth child.

In a video message to a pregnant fan on messaging app Thrillz, Katie said: 'I cannot wait to have another baby. I just don't like being pregnant.'

Rumours: Earlier this week, Katie is said to have told a fan she 'doesn't like being pregnant' amid claims she's expecting her sixth child with her beau Carl Woods, 32

The businesswoman left fans guessing when she cradled her stomach last week in an Instagram photo and thanked boyfriend Carl for 'being a part of me'.

The TV star already has Junior, 15, and Princess, 13, with ex-husband Peter Andre, 48, Jett, seven, and Bunny, six, with former spouse Kieran, 33, and raises eldest child Harvey, 18, without his biological father Dwight Yorke, 49.

When questioned about the intriguing snap, Katie told Steph McGovern during a TV appearance: 'I've put on weight. Anyone can speculate what they like. Pictures can be deceiving in lots of different ways.'

The presenter then asked if she has deliberately tried to spark speculation by posting the photo, but she said: 'It was literally a picture, and everyone was saying youre pregnant. I haven't said I am and I haven't said I'm not.'
Two family businesses to go public View(s):

At least two family businesses are working towards going public in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) after the CSE with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) recently engaged the family business community on the benefits of listing.

Prime Lands, a property company and JAT Holdings, a local paint company, are amongst the most spoken about in the market in going public.

Many companies were interested in the regulatory benefits and tax advantages post IPO, market sources added.

Stock market sources told the Business Times that the Issuer Forum for 2021 hosted on the theme Founder to Family  Leveraging Going Public, at the Shangri-La Hotel Colombo by the two agencies saw many firms following up with the CSE on listing.

The forum drew an encouraging response from the family business community and was attended by over 70 representatives of prominent family businesses in Sri Lanka, the CSE said in a release.

Viraj Dayaratne, Chairman SEC at the forum had said, One of our objectives is to increase liquidity of the market. There are many misconceptions in the market. One is that the listing process is cumbersome, that it takes time and also that it can be very expensive. But it is not cumbersome or expensive as many would perceive. It is one of the best options to raise capital. And that is why we want businesses to come to the capital market and make use of the opportunities. Government has created a healthy environment. The last budget proposal has given many tax incentives which are open until the end of the year. So it is the best time to come and list your company.
NORTH CHARLESTON  A real estate team known for iconic redevelopments in New York City, Atlanta and Charleston is launching an expansive project on the former Charleston Naval Base that could be transformational for that part of the city.

The "Navy Yard Charleston" development aims to create a new urban center, building on the success of the nearby East Montague Avenue strip in Park Circle and earlier attempts to redevelop the base.

More than 1.2 million square feet of new offices, residences, shops and restaurants are planned near the north end of the former military site.

It won't be the first time that ambitious redevelopment plans have been attempted on the base, which closed in 1996.

But the team behind the effort, which includes two Atlanta-based companies and a member of the S.C. Legislature, have an established record of successes that include the Cigar Factory in Charleston, Chelsea Market in Manhattan, Westside Provisions in Atlanta and Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco.

I think the idea is to create an exciting, aspirational place for people to work and live and be entertained," said Michael Phillips, president of Jamestown, an international real estate developer partnering on the project.

The plan, which has not been previously reported, includes existing buildings occupied by businesses, new construction and the renovation of vacant historic buildings on the base. The historic and environmentally challenged Power House, built in 1909, once provided power to the base and now could become a place to see concerts.

We are talking to a national music venue about going there," said Jay Weaver, of Weaver Capital Partners, also a partner in the project.

Detailed planning efforts for the multiyear development are in the early stages, but some work is expected to begin this year. The entire project is expected to play out over 10 to 15 years.

It comes at a time when the Charleston Metropolitan Areas population continues to rapidly grow. As growth pushes outward, North Charleston is increasingly becoming a central location. Soaring housing prices in Charleston and Mount Pleasant have added to interest in the city.

"You can already see it in the migration, and we think thats going to continue to happen," said Weaver, referring to people moving to the area from cities elsewhere.

Tim Keane is Atlanta's planning commissioner and was the top city of Charleston planning official until 2015. He said that urban redevelopments Phillips' company and Weaver's have achieved in Atlanta  Ponce City Market, Puritan Mill and Westside Provisions District  were "wonderfully done."

"They are well-executed, and the development teams see value in quality more than most anyone in the development business," said Keane. I would say they are a group that really likes challenging sites and thrives on difficult situations."

The Atlanta projects were redevelopments of industrial areas, including a former Sears Roebuck & Co. building that became Ponce City Market. Puritan Mill was once a soap factory, and part of Westside Provisions was a meatpacking facility.

For me, hearing that they are working on the Navy base makes perfect sense," Keane said. "I think its good news for North Charleston."

Navy Yard Charleston could be one of the most substantial urban redevelopments that North Charleston has seen. A previous effort in the same area, the Noisette Plan, was announced 20 years ago but after achieving some success ended in foreclosure.

Several other redevelopment efforts in the city's struggling South End have come and gone, including the original plan to renovate the former Naval Hospital at Rivers and McMillan avenues, which ended in bankruptcy, and attempts to attract a grocery store to the former Shipwatch Square site across from the vacant hospital.

This time, the developers appear well-established and deep-pocketed. They are:

Jamestown  an international real estate company headquartered in Atlanta and Cologne, Germany, was managing more than $12 billion in assets at the end of 2020. The company's projects in the U.S. include Chelsea Market and Industry City in New York, Ponce City Market in Atlanta and Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco.

Jay Weaver  Weaver Capital Partners is an Atlanta company known for projects including the Cigar Factory in Charleston, Puritan Mill and Westside Provisions District in Atlanta (with Jamestown) and Edgehill Village in Nashville.

William Cogswell  principal of WECCO Development in Charleston. He's also a state lawmaker who represents Charleston and Mount Pleasant in the House. Cogswell's specialty is the renovation and reuse of historic buildings. Projects in the Charleston area include Cigar Factory (with Weaver), GARCO Mill and One Cool Blow.

In 2020 a team led by Cogswell and Weaver purchased the vacant former Charleston Naval Hospital, the tallest building in North Charleston, from Charleston County with plans to renovate it as an apartment building.

The redevelopment of that 10-story building and the 23 acres it sits upon, just across Spruill Avenue from the former Naval Base, is connected to the broader effort there.

The former Naval Hospital

The reason we got into the Navy hospital is we saw it as a front door to properties we already owned," Cogswell said in a January interview. "We always felt that those properties connect."

The former hospital property extends from Rivers Avenue to Spruill Avenue along McMillan Avenue. It's not adjacent to the rest of the Navy Yard Charleston properties, but it is close by. The former hospital could become hundreds of apartments, and there's plenty of room on the surrounding property for additional development.

Across Rivers Avenue from the former hospital, Cogswell's company is developing a new social services building for Charleston County  a place where hundreds of people will work  and the planned Lowcountry Rapid Transit bus line that will run down Rivers Avenue will be part of a transit center there.

There arent a lot of places in the Charleston area where you can live and not own a car," Cogswell said.

Some hope that all the development and redevelopment at Rivers and McMillan avenues, and the influx of jobs and new residents they will bring, could lead to the area finally getting a full-service grocery store. Charleston County's economic development official, Steve Dykes, suggested as much at a meeting when property tax breaks associated with the hospital property sale were discussed.

"If you think about all the things North Charleston has tried to do to get a grocery in there  its been for naught so far," Dykes said. "With all the activity coming to those corners, I would think that will get another look."

McMillan Avenue leads right into the former Naval Base, for now, but that's expected to change as a railroad line to serve the new port terminal there is completed. Instead, an overpass at the end of Cosgrove Avenue will lead over the tracks and into the middle section of the old base.

At the north end of the base, the city of North Charleston is building an $8 million pedestrian bridge across Noisette Creek, connecting Waterfront Park to an area across the creek the city hopes to redevelop. From there, it's walking distance to the restaurants and bars along East Montague Avenue in the Park Circle area, where Cosgrove's company has been renovating the historic GARCO Mill building.

Tax breaks play a role

Cogswell and Weaver have been assembling a portfolio of properties on the former base footprint for several years, including Storehouses 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, the Power House, and a large parking lot. Jamestown joined in when a deal was pending with Palmetto Railways that will substantially add to those holdings.

The result will be a roughly 45-acre swath of properties north of McMillan Avenue, west of Noisette Boulevard and east of the Palmetto Railways freight line under the group's ownership, plus the 23-acre hospital property nearby. The north end of the former Naval Base also includes some businesses and an apartment building that are privately owned.

Federal and state tax credits are playing a role in the Navy Yard Charleston effort.

The entire Navy Yard is an Opportunity Zone, and well be doing historic tax credits on numerous buildings," Weaver said.

Opportunity Zone tax breaks, championed by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., provide substantial reductions in capital gains taxes for investments in lower-income areas.

Quirks in the law made parts of the Charleston peninsula eligible, which resulted in criticism of the tax breaks. But the southern end of North Charleston truly is a low-income area, where a longstanding problem has been the lack of a grocery store.

Im hoping, as the project goes forward, that the developers can be intentional about how it can improve the quality of life for people who live nearby," said Omar Muhammad, president of the Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities, a coalition of South End neighborhoods.

Its going to be important that the development team have conversations with the community about what they would like to see," he said.

Keeping it real

The former base now includes offices, warehouses, homes and a large city park. There's also a large shipyard, and the midsection of the base will be dominated by a rail yard constructed to serve the new container port terminal at the south end.

The mix of a working waterfront, a port, rail lines and visions of a thriving urban mixed-use community might seem familiar to those who have watched the Charleston peninsula grow and change.

Its part of the industrial landscape," said Phillips. "I would argue that people want real places."

The development team plans to create a neighborhood employment program, reserving some jobs for local residents and including a training program to help job seekers enhance skills.

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said the city hasn't seen detailed plans, but he expects the development will complement the city's efforts at the northeast end of the former base. That's where the city's Waterfront Park is located, and around the edge of the park are the former officers' quarters  some of which the city is renovating, and others that will become building lots for new homes.

Its blending perfectly with us, with our timeline on the housing," Summey said.

Were very open to what they want to do," he said. "They put a lot of emphasis on creating something different and unique, and thats what we want."

It's been 25 years

The Naval Base was a key employer and economy driver for the greater Charleston area until it shut down in 1996, and has been going through a decadeslong repurposing ever since.

The site is an immense and dynamic property, with a new container port terminal at the south end, Riverfront Park at the north end, and everything from private homes and apartments to warehouses and dry docks in between. There are government and private offices, a privately owned shipyard, and a large developing state-owned rail yard that will serve the new port terminal.

And most of it sits adjacent to residential neighborhoods in North Charleston, with popular Park Circle just across Noisette Creek from the north end and a collection of neighborhoods that abut the former base just across Spruill Avenue.

Twenty years ago this month, North Charleston announced a partnership with the Noisette Co., which had a bold and ambitious plan to redevelop 340 acres on the north end of the former base with thousands of homes, offices, shops and parks. The city sold that land to Noisette for $9.6 million, illustrating how little the area was thought to be worth at the time.

The plan was meant to be a national model of sustainability, and a catalyst for improving a 3,000-acre swath of the city on and around the site. Summey credits the plan with the revival of the Park Circle area.

Riverfront Park was one early result, opening in 2005. But by 2009, amid the Great Recession, lenders foreclosed on 240 acres of properties and the Noisette venture was over. The state Commerce Department took ownership of the land, and eventually made a deal that transferred portions to North Charleston, settling a long-running dispute over plans for rail freight lines to serve the new shipping terminal.

Now, as the state finishes selling off the land it doesn't need for the port and rail plans, the former Naval Base is getting another chance at a rebirth.
The first consignment of 35 000 doses of Indias Covaxin Covid-19 vaccines arrives in Harare today and is expected to be received by President Mnangagwa.

The government of India donated 75 000 doses and logistical arrangements are being finalised for the second batch of 40 000 doses.

Like the Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines already being administered, Covaxin uses inactivated, that is killed viruses to generate the immune response in the recipient. These dead vaccines are all regarded as totally safe since no living matter or potentially poisonous matter is injected.

The arrival of the first consigment of the Indian donation adds to vaccine stocks already received as a gift from China.

The Government has a target of immunising at least 60 percent of the population (10 million people) to achieve herd immunity and is relying on vaccines from a number of countries and companies.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Air Commodore Dr Jasper Chimedza yesterday said; We are going to take delivery of 35 000 doses of Covid-19 Covaxin donated by the Indian Government, and will be received by the President. The delivery is part of the 75 000 doses they donated and the remaining vaccines will be delivered at a date to be announced.

The Indian Government has provided transport for the vaccines, and we expect the plane carrying the vaccines at 5:10 pm. The vaccines will be kept in the cold rooms at the national vaccine centre according to the manufacturers specifications.

Last night the Indian Government said the remaining doses will be availed as promised, saying the offer is part of the strong bilateral ties that exist between the two republics.

The vaccines which were promised by the Indian Government are coming tomorrow (today). The first batch will have 35 000 doses but we are now working on logistics for the remainder, said Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Vijay Khanduja. The Indian Government had written an urgent note for processing of the said vaccines, which are now in place.

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe and has the honour to convey that a consignment of Covaxin will be arriving in Harare on 29 March 2021 at 1700hrs by flight no. EK-713, reads part of the urgent note seen by our Harare Bureau last night.

The embassy further has the honour to request the esteemed Ministry (of Foreign Affairs) to forward to the Ministry of Health and Child Care for making arrangements for clearing the same upon arrival in Harare.

The Embassy of India avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe of its highest consideration.

India has already administered more than 55 million doses by yesterday with India and China running the worlds largest national vaccination programmes in the two countries with the largest population.

India has see a sharp decline in the Covid-19 caseload, the BBC reports that last week Thursday they reported 59 118 new cases the smallest daily rise since October last year.
President Biden promised Vice President Kamala Harris that she would be the last person in the room when he made a big decision.

Be careful what you promise. If Vice President Harris is saying the same things Senator Harris said back when she was representing California, then that last person in the room must be disagreeing with Biden a lot lately. Or should be, if shes holding true to her past positions.

Start with immigration. Biden just asked Harris to lead the administrations response on border and migration issues  the toughest of assignments. Its even tougher when you disagree with your boss.

While Biden has overturned some of Donald Trumps harsher policies on immigration, he continues to use a controversial tactic to turn adult migrants away from the border  a section of public health law known as Title 42. Trump used this 1944-era public health order to block immigration in the name of stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Harris hated the tactic  last year, when Trump was president. In April, she was among a group of Democratic senators who criticized using the policy in this way as an unprecedented expansion of executive power.

Then theres Bidens career-long support of the filibuster, the Senate rule that allows a minority of members to block legislation. Biden recently softened his opposition a bit, saying hed be open to requiring the talking filibuster, in which a senator actually has to talk for hours to prevent a vote on a bill. He softened a bit more last week, vaguely threatening that if Republicans used filibusters to achieve a complete lockdown of Democratic bills, then well have to go beyond what Im talking about.

But thats not even close to what Harris has said about the filibuster. In 2019, when she was running for president, Harris said at a CNN town hall on climate change that I am prepared to get rid of the filibuster to pass a Green New Deal.

So how much time does Harris get when shes the last person in the room? Because theres plenty for the two to talk about in that sentence alone. Not only does Biden oppose killing the filibuster, he opposes the Green New Deal.

If Harris can snag a few more minutes with the president before she leaves him alone in the room, perhaps shell talk to him about weed.

The Daily Beast recently reported that dozens of young White House staffers have been suspended, asked to resign, or placed in a remote work program due to past marijuana use. The White House said that just five people no longer work there for causes related in part to their use of marijuana  which is legal for adult recreational use in 14 states, including California, plus the District of Columbia, and for medical purposes in 36 states. But cannabis remains illegal under federal law, and Biden opposes legalization.

The White House reefer madness dragnet did not snare the vice president, who said during her presidential campaign that she used marijuana recreationally a long time ago. While Harris opposed legalizing cannabis as Californias attorney general, she became a leading advocate for legalization soon after landing in Washington, even fundraising off her pro-ganja position during her presidential campaign.

For now, were unlikely to hear of any of these past disagreements between Harris and Biden publicly. Harris supporters will have to hope shes saving her opposition for those private moments with Biden and that they will influence him.

Working without a net: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined the chorus of California Democrats who said no Democrat should run as a replacement candidate in a recall election of Gov. Gavin Newsom, sniffing that it was an unnecessary notion.

But thats not what Pelosi said back in 2003 when Democratic Gov. Gray Davis was nose-diving in the polls and heading for a recall crash-and-burn. Then, Pelosi joined a statement by Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a San Jose Democrat who led the states House delegation, backing Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante as a replacement candidate.

The logic: Many Democrats felt that Bustamante was insurance against the party losing the governorship should voters turn thumbs down on Davis.

That turned out to be a dumb idea that siphoned energy away from opposing the recall. Voters bumped off Davis and Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger won the replacement race, while Bustamante received 31% of the vote and a one-way ticket to obscurity.

One big difference between then and now is that Schwarzenegger was a movie star with literally as much name recognition as the pope. No such Republican is in the field or on the horizon now.

But that wasnt the only difference. Art Torres, who was chair of the California Democratic Party, explained that Democrats saw Gray as weak. ... What happened in so many districts is that people started worrying about their own backsides instead of worrying about the governors race.

Torres said that is unlikely to happen now. In 2003, the state was having budget problems. Last week, California learned it collected $14.3 billion more in tax revenue in January than it expected, which will further ease the threat of budget cuts that looked inevitable just a few months ago.

On top of that, businesses crippled during the pandemic will soon be able to get $2 billion in grant money from Californias Golden State Stimulus relief program, and low-income Californians will receive $600 from the state after they file their taxes. Plus, theres $42.6 billion in aid coming to the state and local governments in California from the $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package.

Now you have a Legislature that cant blame Gavin when hes got their backs, said Torres, a former state senator. Theres no incentive to go after your leader when hes providing for you.

Even Lofgren has changed her tune. She told me in an email that every member of the California Democratic congressional delegation stands against this attempt by some of Trumps closest allies to overturn the 2018 election and the will of the people of California.

A final recall flashback: One California Democrat who broke with her partys strategy in 2003 and didnt vote for Bustamante was Sen. Dianne Feinstein. She said at the time: Im urging people to vote no on the recall. I am not going to vote on the second part of the ballot.

Same goes for this year. A spokesperson said Saturday that Feinstein doesnt think another Democrat should jump into the race.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
Oman has announced closure of all commercial activities and a ban on movement of people and vehicles from 8 pm to 5 am with effect from Sunday (March 28) till April 8 owing to the alarming rise in Covid-19 cases, according to Oman News Agency (ONA).

The Supreme Committee of Oman on Covid-19 took note of the surge in daily cases and the growing number of patients admitted to hospitals and intensive care units and the unfortunate spike in deaths, stated the report.

As per the latest official data, the sultanate had recorded 11 deaths in 24 hours bringing the Covid death toll to 1,644.

The Supreme Committee warned that it will take a series of tougher and more comprehensive measures that might culminate into lockdown and total ban on movement during the above-mentioned period, reported the ONA.

The panel also decided to continue with online classes for all students of government schools till April 8, except Class 12 students, who have to stick to the Blended Learning System, it added.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/28/2021



ADVERTISEMENT

[ Spoilers Warning: This report contains spoilers revealing if Rebecca and Zied got married or decided to end their relationship -- and whether the couple is still together.]

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

So are Rebecca and Zied still together now or did the couple break up?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

's eighth season has shown Rebecca Parrott questioning if she should go through with marrying Zied Hakimi on his terms, so did the couple wed or did they break up? What do spoilers reveal about their current relationship status and whether they're still together now?Rebecca was a 47-year-old private investigator when she fell hard and fast for Zied, a then-26 year old from Tunisia whom she had met online.The pair fell in love after Rebecca experienced three failed marriages, and they first starred on Season 3 of : Before the 90 Days.Rebecca's third marriage was with a Moroccan man who had moved to America to be with her on a spousal visa and allegedly became jealous and controlling once he arrived in the U.S.Rebecca was sure, however, her relationship with Zied would be different and Zied is a better man.Rebecca therefore traveled over 15 hours to Tunisia with the goal of getting engaged to Zied, but her third divorce had yet to be finalized. (Rebecca hadn't filed the paperwork although both she and her ex signed the papers).Despite their differences and past mistakes, Rebecca and Zied determined that they wanted to be together forever -- and so Zied proposed marriage during a picnic in the Sahara Desert.Rebecca thought the marriage proposal was "perfect," and then she returned to America and filed for the K-1 visa.On the premiere of 's eighth season, Zied's K-1 visa was finally approved -- and Rebecca was absolutely ecstatic.Zied's parents hoped for a better life for Zied, it was an extremely sad goodbye both for Zied and his beloved family.When Zied finally arrived in America, he and Rebecca hugged tight and celebrated surviving a tough two years together."We've been through this before, where she's met foreign men who are half her age pretty much, and it just always goes bad," Rebecca's daughter Tiffany complained in a confessional."It's like she's a love-sick teenager. But we still don't know his intentions."But Zied insisted his intentions were pure, and he even gave Rebecca a bracelet to show his affection.Zied was optimistic about his future in America, however, he had trouble adjusting to his new life and missed his family. Zied also hated being compared to Rebecca's Moroccan ex.And Rebecca had to ease into the transition as well. Not only did she get jealous when pretty American women would talk to Zied, but she also feared Zied would eventually change his mind about wanting children.Zied claimed he doesn't need to be a father after Rebecca underwent a partial hysterectomy due to a tumor and can not have anymore children.Rebecca later took Zied to a venue where they could have their wedding. She surprised him with a horse-drawn carriage, and Rebecca said her goal was to make Zied excited about planning their wedding.Zied told Rebecca that while she wanted a big and beautiful wedding, coronavirus was spreading and he needed to get married quickly."I'm disappointed Zied is willing to settle so quickly on just having a regular courthouse wedding," Rebecca shared with the cameras."Despite the fact I've been married three times before, to be honest, this feels like the first time I'm getting married and this is going to be my last wedding. So I want it to be special!"Rebecca desired a "normal" wedding, but Zied told Rebecca that he wanted to marry her before Ramadan, which is the biggest holiday for people who practice Islam and started in a few weeks from that point.The holiday lasts about a month long, and Zied said he couldn't live in the same household as Rebecca during the holiday unless they're married. Rebecca wondered why Zied hadn't brought this up earlier.With 67 days left to wed on Zied's K-1 visa, Rebecca lamented, "It's possible he could be playing me just like my ex from Morocco did. [This situation] makes me feel like telling him, 'Go live somewhere else.'"Zied argued that he was in America for Rebecca and not a green card, but Rebecca really didn't want to rush their nuptials and wondered in the back of her mind of Zied was using and taking advantage of her."So you're a strict Muslim one month out of the year?" Rebecca snapped.Zied suggested to Rebecca they could have "a beautiful wedding" in Tunisia after coronavirus ends, and Rebecca seemed to come around to the idea of tying the knot sooner rather than later since she believed in her heart that Zied loved her.Rebecca said she and Zied only had eight days to get married before Ramadan and they couldn't even wed in a courthouse due to the governor shutting the government down amid COVID-19. Rebecca wasn't even sure there was a way to wed at the time."I don't think this is the right thing for me to be doing, but he has been a part of every single day of my life -- a big part, every day for the last two years. And I can't bear to lose him at this point, for any reason," Rebecca said in a confessional.Rebecca let Zied know that she'd do things his way but she wasn't happy about it.With only four days left to wed before Ramadan, Rebecca lost her engagement ring and was feeling so rushed, hectic and frazzled. The cabin resort Rebecca and Zied had previously visited, however, agreed to host their wedding.While Rebecca searched for her engagement ring, Zied was playing video games and didn't seem to care."The person Zied was in Tunisia is not the person I'm seeing right now," Rebecca lamented. "It feels all that matters to Zied is we get married this weekend, and I'm left to do everything for the wedding."Rebecca's wedding dress apparently didn't even fit."Honestly, right now, I feel like I'm on a train that's going 90 miles an hour. I honestly kind of feel like I woke up on the train that I never even meant to get on," Rebecca confessed."I think getting married should be easy and beautiful, and none of this feels that way. So I don't know if I should get off the train or ride it out."In April 2020, Rebecca and Zied only had two days left to wed, and Rebecca said she had a never-ending list of things to do and it was annoying Zied didn't need to be responsible for anything.Zied was well aware Rebecca was angry at him, but he said there was nothing he could do to fix that or make her feel better.Zied later FaceTimed with his sister Wiem and broke the news of his pending nuptials.Wiem replied, "Are you sure you want to marry her? She's been married to three people before. I don't get it. I mean, the three husbands were bad? Is that all bad luck? She could be the one with problems."Zied's sister couldn't believe Zied had sacrificed so much to be with Rebecca, and Wiem worried about Zied being comfortable in America and loved unconditionally by Rebecca.But Zied insisted his quality of life would be better in America and he'd be able to get a great job -- a better position than he had in Tunisia.Rebecca felt everything had gone wrong in terms of her wedding day because her family members didn't even want to attend due to coronavirus risk, but her best friend Melanie was waiting for her at the cabin.Rebecca cried to Melanie about how she felt exhausted and had reached her breaking point. Rebecca was trying to juggle work, sleep and planning a wedding.Rebecca also said her dress didn't fit, she had lost her engagement ring, and meteorologists predicted it was going to rain on her wedding day. Melanie reminded Rebecca, however, that she was going to get the man she wanted -- even though it meant not getting the wedding of her dreams."I would be lying if I said that pulling out of this didn't cross my mind at least once or twice," Rebecca confessed to the cameras.Rebecca and her ex-husband from Morocco finalized their divorce on July 9, 2019, according to divorce documents obtained by In Touch Weekly.According to Rebecca, Zied's visa was approved less than four months after they applied for it, which was a short period of time considering they both anticipated it could take anywhere from six months to a year.Rebecca told Us Weekly in a late December 2020 interview the K-1 visa process "wasn't too bad" after all."We were very fortunate at that time... He got here and within two days, COVID hit and everything was locked down. So we just [got him to America] under the wire," Rebecca said.Rebecca and Zied reportedly obtained their marriage license on April 14, 2020.Rebecca and Zied exchanged vows and got married in Lumpkin County, GA, on April 19, 2020, according to a representative from the Probate Court in Cherokee County, In Touch reported.Zied is therefore now a married man seemingly living with Rebecca in Canton, GA.The couple expressed love to one another in Summer 2020, showing they were still a happy couple, and then on October 15, Zied posted a photo of Rebecca kissing him on the cheek when they were both wearing winter hats."I love you so much my love @tlc_90day_rebecca #tlc #90dayfiance #rebeccaandzied," he wrote alongside the picture with numerous heart-eyes emoticons.Rebecca then replied in the comments section, "Babyyy I love you more. Mahboulla bik habibii."Zied and Rebecca's main Instagram photos also feature one another.But Rebecca admitted Zied didn't adjust well to life in America at first."He's never been married before. He's never been in a long-term relationship before. He's never been to another country before... He basically said, 'This is not what I thought it was going to be,' and he was very unhappy," Rebecca shared with Us in her December interview."He missed his family and it was really hard. It was a struggle."Rebecca also said "a rather large argument" made matters worse when Zied and Rebecca were trying to adjust to life together in America shortly after Zied's arrival."I know if I were going to Tunisia and I was going to live there, I would have something in my head of what [to expect]," Rebecca said."I don't know what it would be, but I guarantee you sitting in quarantine wouldn't have crossed my mind. That's not something that's in your toolbox to consider."Rebecca noted Zied just sat around and couldn't drive or go anywhere, and she admitted life didn't get any easier in subsequent months after Zied's big move."If I were in any -- literally almost any -- other field of work, this would have been a blessing in disguise," Rebecca told Us, referencing how she manages a fast-food restaurant."Can you imagine [if] I would have gotten the stimulus checks and probably gotten unemployment to stay home? We would have thought it was written just for us. We would have gotten to stay together, like, 'This is amazing!' Or we would have killed each other, I don't know."Rebecca continued, "But you know, because of my job, it was just the worst possible scenario. So it wasn't the best... It was really bad."Rebecca had been hoping to travel with Zied -- including stops in Miami and New York -- before the coronavirus pandemic, and so she said life recently has been "a bit of a letdown."More recently, Zied dropped huge hints he is still living in the United States, presumably with Rebecca, in January 2021 Instagram posts.Zied posted a slideshow of images with his family at the airport in early January and captioned them, "I want to say to my mother, father, sister, family and friends @ssen10 @khalilaymen3 and the other goodbye. I promise to come back to see you soon .. I love you all very much .. #90dayfiance #rebeccaandzied #tlc."Saying he'll "come back" to see his family in Tunisia "soon" indicates he still resides in America.On January 13, 2021, Rebecca wished Zied a happy birthday on Instagram by posting a photo of the two of them."Happy Birthday @tlc_90day_zied I hope you have a wonderful day full of all the blessings you deserve," Rebecca wrote, along with a heart. "#rebeccaandzied #90dayfiance #happybirthday #tlc."On January 18, Rebecca posted an entire slideshow featuring sweet and affectionate photos of Zied and herself, with many of them apparently having been taken in the United States.Zied also took to Instagram in late January with a picture of Rebecca and himself wearing cowboy hats.And in February, Rebecca posted on Instagram suggesting she and Zied remain a team against haters and skeptics."I'm so fortunate that [Zied] has been so patient with all the comparisons to you-know-[who] from everyone around me. To everyone who has been telling me I should've stuck up for him, I actually did, it just wasn't shown," Rebecca captioned a video of her friend Melanie calling Rebecca out for having lived in the same apartment complex with her ex-husband."And that's okay. I appreciate the many messages I have received since last night. Also please remember I had a tough time meeting his friends and family as well. Everything will work itself out, one way or another.""Ultimately, we knew our relationship would face a lot of tests," she continued."It's how we handle these tests that will determine if we make it or not. But I really wish it were easier for Zied. No matter what, he does not deserve to be compared to anyone else. We really appreciate everyone's support. Thank you."In fact, Rebecca revealed on 90 Day Bares All she is no longer friends with Melanie and will never forgive her for telling Zied about the apartment building.In mid-February, Rebecca posted a photo of herself wearing an apron that reads, "I [love] you like Zied [love]s Rebecca.""Y'all when I saw this, I literally got tears in my eyes!! One of my wonderful followers on Facebook sent this to me. She had this made as a Valentine's Day gift," Rebecca gushed in the caption."Tame Nunes Tess, you made my day! I hope your hubby loves it! Happy Valentine's Day to you both #valentines #love #90dayfiance #rebeccaandzied #90dayfiancefansarethebest."Around that same time, Zied posted a video montage featuring Rebecca and himself for Rebecca's birthday. He wished Rebecca a "happy birthday" and clearly appears to still be smitten with her.In early March 2021, Zied posted pictures from a day at Six flags with three of his male friends, proving he is definitely still in the United States.As recently as mid-March, Rebecca also posted a funny video of Zied using a Snapchat filter for the first time. The lovebirds were cracking up laughing together and seemed to be really happy."Y'all this is so funny! @tlc_90day_zied seeing himself with a filter," Rebecca captioned the post along with multiple crying-laughing emoticons.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
The Nigerian Army yesterday said troops of Operation Lafiya Dole killed 48 Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during an ambush in Borno State.

The director, Army public relations, Brig Gen Mohammed Yerima, said the troops rescued 11 kidnapped victims and recovered cache of weapons in Chibok and Askira axis.

He said troops deployed in Chibok under 28 Task Force Brigade of Sector 1 Operation LAFIYA DOLE neutralised nine Boko Haram terrorists in an ambush along Chibok - Damboa axis of Borno state.

According to him, the troops while acting on credible intelligence that some remnants of insurgents were fleeing due to the intensity of troops' operations in Sambisa Forest laid ambush, engaged and overwhelmed the criminals with aggressive firepower neutralising 9 terrorists in the process while several others escaped with fatal gunshot wounds.

The troops recovered seven AK 47 Rifles and freed 3 kidnapped victims.

In a similar vein, troops of 28 Task Force Brigade located in Askira equally laid a successful ambush along Askira - Chibok Main Supply Route (MSR) and neutralised 39 terrorists.

He said in the course of the encounter, troops successfully rescued eight kidnapped victims from the terrorists and recovered eight AK 47 Rifles with 4 magazines, among other items.

Brig Gen Yerima said one of the kidnapped victims sustained injury to his leg while in the hands of his abductors and has been conveyed to a military medical facility for immediate treatment.
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

View Results

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and his wife, Mary Majaliwa pays their last respects to the body of fallen President John Magufuli at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday 20, March 2021.

John Magufuli has been buried nearly 10 days after passing away at the age of 61, officially from heart complications. The late head of state was an ardent coronavirus skeptic.

Tanzania's late president, John Pombe Magufuli, was buried on Friday in his ancestral home of Chato, nearly 10 days after his death from suspected heart complications.

Magfuli's body was moved through different towns in Tanzania to allow for public mourning.

Close family, relatives and friends of the ardent coronavirus skeptic also attended the private funeral service in Chato in the northwest of the country.

Also attending the burial was President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the former vice president who succeeded Magufuli to become Tanzania's first female president.

Mourners pay their respects

Many Tanzanians followed the proceedings on live TV and radio in the country of 60 million where the populist leader was admired by many for his pugnacious style of leadership and action against corruption.

Magufuli's body lay-in-state as members of the public bid him farewell.

He passed away on March 17th from what aides described as heart problems. But opposition leaders charge that he died of complications from COVID-19.

Thousands lined up as the hearse containing the coffin made its way into the grounds on Thursday, accompanied by military vehicles.

What legacy did Magufuli leave?

Second Vice President Suleiman Abdalla praised the late president for taking the lead on several development projects in the East African nation.

He said that Magufuli left a legacy in all sectors including education, finance, transport and others.

Others, however, are critical of his legacy, saying his rule reduced fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly.

Before his death, he had declared that Tanzania was "COVID-free" thanks to three days of national prayer.

The late head of state would later express doubt on the safety of masks and vaccines, branding both a western conspiracy.

Tanzania officially only has 509 infections and 21 deaths, however this vastly understates the extent of the pandemic.

jf/aw (AFP, Reuters)
Slovakias prime minister says he will step down to clear the way for a Cabinet reshuffle that will defuse a political crisis triggered by a secret deal to buy Russias Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine.

Prime Minister Igor Matovic said he proposed swapping posts with Finance Minister Eduard Heger from his Ordinary People party and Mr Heger said: I accept the challenge.

Mr Heger said he would immediately open talks with coalition partners on a possible new government and was planning to meet President Zuzana Caputova on Monday for consultations.

The political crisis erupted when a secret deal came to light three weeks ago involving Slovakias agreement to acquire two million doses of Russias Sputnik V vaccine.

Expand Close Slovakias President Zuzana Caputova (Martin Baumann/TASR via AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Slovakias President Zuzana Caputova (Martin Baumann/TASR via AP)

Slovakia is part of the 27-nation European Union, which has not authorised the Russian vaccine yet.

Two parties in Mr Matovics coalition government, Freedom and Solidarity and For People, which have clashed repeatedly with his Ordinary People party over how to tackle the pandemic, demanded his resignation as a condition for the coalition to survive.

Mr Matovic has defended the Sputnik V purchase, saying it would speed up the vaccination programme in one of the EUs hardest-hit countries.

Slovakia has seen about 9,500 virus deaths in the pandemic.

Mr Matovic agreed to resign if his major rival, Freedom and Solidarity leader Richard Sulik, and Justice Minister Maria Kolikova from the For People party also resigned, which they did.

Amid the crisis, six ministers from all four parties in the coalition have resigned.

But Freedom and Solidarity rejected some of Mr Matovics other conditions, including a request for Mr Suliks party to give up one of its three ministries.

Mr Matovic said on Sunday he dropped any other conditions in order for the coalition to continue.

Two coalition parties  the For People conservatives and the right wing populists We Are Family  immediately said they accepted the prime ministers plan as a way out of the crisis.

The pro-business Freedom and Solidarity party, which withdrew from the coalition until Mr Matovic resigned, said it was ready to return to the government.

2017

Rockvill, the driver announced as the bus came to a stop.

The name woke Gavin up from a semi-sleep state. He grabbed his bag from beneath the seat and walked up to the front of the bus. There was one passenger ahead of him who got out at the same stop. Ouch! Gavin glanced back reproachfully as the closing door almost caught him. Didnt the driver see him?

But the grudge quickly dissolved in the chilly night air. He was back! After so many times when he thought hed die, after seeing his buddies falling down one after another, it was sheer luck to once again step onto the ground where he had grown up. Where he fell in love with Marianna and got married. He left the road and plunged into darkness towards his hometown. The bus and the other passenger had both headed in different directions. The moon was hiding somewhere, a handful of stars hung above. But he knew the way.

About twenty minutes later, he was walking past peoples houses, a few of which were dimly lit. Jeez! He couldnt believe how much the neighborhood had changed. And look at the cars parked on the streets! All in different styles over a few years. Tomorrow, hed drop by old friends and let them know hes back. They were going to throw him parties. A hero  he smiled and shook at the thought.

As his house came into sight, he suddenly tensed up. Marianna was pregnant when he left home. Hed soon see his five-year-old son or daughter, for the first time. Involuntarily, he held his bag up against his chest. There was a gift for his child. A few months ago he had bought a handmade soldier doll at a farmers market in Phuoc Long.

He stopped at the front door of the house, puzzled. The living room was full of light, as if someone were waiting for him. It shouldve passed midnight. The front door was even half open. Was there something going on?

He sneaked in. Nobody was in the living room, but there were fruits and cups on the coffee table. The cabinets were the same set as before, but appeared to be worn and torn. The leather sofa must be new. A large framed photo hung above a rocky chair. Gavin moved closer to the photo. It was him, a then twenty-two year old, with such an innocent smile that he surely was unable to produce anymore. Next to his picture was 

Dad, someone called at the entrance to the kitchen. Gavin turned aside and saw a middle-aged man standing there, with a tray of cupcakes in his hands.

Gavin frowned. Was it someone elses home now? But the picture 

The guy walked over, set the tray on the coffee table, and reached out a hand towards Gavin. Welcome home. So good to see you again. You are late this year, and for a while I wondered 

Gavin was taken aback. Who was this guy in front of him? Blond curly hair, short. Pointed and reddish cheeks. Greyish blue eyes. He so much resembled Gavin, albeit being almost twice older.

The man sighed and pointed at the sofa. Sit, dad. Looks like Ill have to explain it again.

Wait, you call me  Gavin thought he had heard it wrong the first time.

Im your son, Aiden. The mans eyes glittered as he sat in a chair opposite the sofa.

Gavin looked around the house. His heart sank. He suddenly realized what must have happened, although it was such a ridiculous idea. He sat down, trying to say something, but his mouth was dry.

This is Year 2015. Your 42nd time home after you  you died.

Gavin sat like a stone. He dared not to find out if he had a shadow or not.

Today is my birthday. You came home every year on my birthday, usually before midnight, and when the sun rose, you disappeared.

Wheres your mom? Whether Gavin was alive or not, that was a question he had to ask.

You saw her seventeen times. She had breast cancer.

Gavin lowered his head. Through the corners of his eyes, he saw that the sofa did not curve down near where he sat.

You must have scared mom the first few times when I was young. She told my aunt, and aunt came to see you a few times. They decided to keep it a secret; otherwise thered be scientists, mystery hunters, government agents. We didnt want anybody to disturb our family time.

Gavin didnt know what to say. As he was concerned, he had just left Vietnam as a survivor. Everything about the battles was so clear in his head. The last time he saw Marianna dated only six years ago. But now, the real now so he didnt survive after all? Well, if what Aiden had said was true, at least he was lucky enough to visit them.

One year you told us, you once made a wish. Aidens voice quivered. That youd come home alive, and youd be at my birthday every year.

Now Gavins last doubt had vanished. Yes, about two years ago, they went through a tough battle. When he buried his head in the grass with bombs and bullets flying around, he made that wish. He had never told anyone about it. The fact that Aiden knew it proved the whole thing.

However this occurred, dad, I took it as a big favor from God. Mom was happy too. She told me you had never left us. Indeed, we prepared for this day every year, the day you came home. See, your favorite blueberry muffins, although you wont be able to eat them. Aiden pointed at the tray. We had to explain it again each time, but we were happy to do so. Id tell you what I did in the past year. I asked your opinion about my college major. Showed you my wedding pictures. Tears ran down Aidens face.

Gavin nodded and checked the clock on the wall. Good  Now tell me what happened with you last year, and Id like to see your mothers pictures.

You always say the same thing, dad. Smiling, Aiden left for a cabinet and brought back a photo album. You cant turn the pages. Ill do that for you.

While looking at the photos held in Aidens hands, Gavin asked, What else have I said to you in the past, son?

Life is present, and present is life.

I was wise. Gavin smiled.

He had no idea how this happened, nor was he sure how many more times hed experience it. A few hours later, hed vanish again. Would he immediately enter the next return or wait for a year somewhere? Whatever! Time, space, the whole universe was just an illusion.

It was love that had made things real.

I don't know why, but recently I wanted to write a story about the Vietnam War.So here it is.==============
By John J. Metzler





More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the world remains shocked and numb to the effects of this "once-in-a-century" virus. Millions have already died, economies have been wrecked, and unemployment and despair are rife.



Yet the panacea of vaccines is helping many countries at long last to stabilize the threat, turn the corner and confront the still potent fear factor among citizens.



In a single year, COVID-19 has created tectonic economic and political changes; the Earth seems to have shifted before our eyes, as the once powerful U.S. economy, characterized by high growth and record low unemployment, stalled and started slipping backwards.



Europe and Japan froze. Developing countries were decimated. The economic turmoil and government-mandated lockdowns added to the peoples' gloom.



But now it's spring, and the American economy is reviving due to numerous costly stimulus plans. Patches of green shoots are sprouting, and there are signs of a significant renewal on the horizon due to the vaccines  three separate versions (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson) developed by private industry with strong government incentives during Operation Warp Speed last summer and fall.



Frankly speaking, without the vaccines, people would still be fearful, but now there's selective optimism.



Coordinated vaccine distribution started in the U.S. late last year; the pace has happily quickened and now 120 million people have received the jab. There are three vaccines being used in what has become a necessary and herculean effort for especially older people who urgently need the vaccination. While the U.S. is not yet at "herd immunity," the programs are being received well.



Western Europe on the other hand is facing total vaccine disarray. The primary vaccine under consideration there, AstraZeneca, has worked well in the United Kingdom but faces health fears and hurdles in most of the European Union, including France and Germany.



Moreover, COVID-19 cases are rising as some countries are suspending the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine over the fear of suspected blood clots.



The European Union's entire program has been hampered by centralized procurement, supply shortages and the reluctance of many people, especially in France, to even get the vaccine.



Now facing the third wave of COVID-19 cases, the French government has imposed another series of lockdown measures for large parts of the country: nighttime curfews (7 p.m. to 6 a.m.), travel restrictions and the need for citizens to carry a two-page permission document to do mundane daytime chores in their neighborhood or city.



The travel permission document (classic French paperwork) can conveniently be put on your smartphone to show the police. Despite good intentions, this measure is very much about the government controlling the population.



In Germany there are now lockdowns in major cities, such as Hamburg. Throughout Germany, there have been demonstrations against COVID regulations.



COVID-19 cases are still spiking. Italy has registered over 100,000 total deaths. France is near that number too. Britain still has over 127,000 deaths, and the National Health Service stands at the breaking point.



Contrary to last year, the virus is now ravishing parts of Central Europe, such as Hungary and Poland. Yet Hungary and Poland have the highest vaccination rates in Europe.



Many European countries, such as France, have national healthcare systems that somehow can't handle the crisis.



The Johns Hopkins vaccine dashboard shows that fewer than 4 percent of the French are fully vaccinated, with 4 percent in Italy, Spain and Germany. The U.S. by contrast has 14 percent of the population fully vaccinated, or 46 million people.



Yet there's another issue here. The pandemic and its aftershocks clearly played a significant role in overturning the electoral game board in the United States last year. Joe Biden's election might not have happened had it not been for the political tsunami of the pandemic.



Now, as events are unfolding, don't be surprised if Germany, holding national parliamentary elections in September without the redoubtable Chancellor Angela Merkel running, could see an electoral surprise.



At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron faces an election next year. Will the undertow of the moribund economy, the pandemic and general social dissatisfaction shake the status quo?



Given the way the European Union has dropped the ball on vaccine distribution, there's widespread criticism in many countries. Anti-EU sentiments, smoldering all along and mirroring Britain's Brexit movement, could easily be stoked.



In the U.S., continuing COVID restrictions place high costs on doing business, while state lockdowns may restrict public movements of the population while not necessarily preventing the spread of the virus in private gatherings.



The sky is no longer falling, but there's still a long way to go.





John J. Metzler (jjmcolumn@earthlink.net) is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism  The Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China."


It is a mistake to think that talented students are only those who score high at standardized tests or have a high GPA, according to Nguyen Chi Hieu, who has been working with students for 15 years.

Nguyen Chi Hieu

Hieu, PhD, is known as a former best student in the UK in 2004. He was among the worlds 100 best students in 2006 as selected by IIE. He has a doctorate from Stanford University in the US, and was an MBA valedictorian at Oxford University in the UK.

According to Hieu, many people believe that students who get high scores on standardized tests, have a high GPA, pass entrance exams to schools for the gifted, are in classes of selected students, or obtain full scholarship to study abroad are all talented.

This kind of thinking prompts parents to enroll their children in many extra classes and ask them to study abroad or at international schools in Vietnam.

I know some parents who want their children to study math and sciences in English in the first grade, though the children are still bad at Vietnamese handwriting. In general, they want their children to study as much as possible."

When children finish primary school and enter secondary school, parents send their children to extra classes to prepare for the entrance exams to the Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, High School for the Gifted in Natural Sciences under the Vietnam National University, or High School for the Gifted under the University of Education.

High school students study hard and attend extra classes to prepare for applications for scholarships to prestigious universities around the world.

The high expectations put by parents on their children creates far too much study.

Hieu said he had heard many stories from secondary and high school students about what they have to do every day. An eighth grader said his parents wanted him to get 10/10 score for all learning subjects. As a result, he has to study until 11-12 pm before going to bed.

An 11th grade student majoring in English at a prestigious high school for the gifted in Vietnam admitted that he had many times thought of "ending his life" during the three years at the school.

Meanwhile, many students who get an 8.5 IELTS score or 1600 on the SAT still feel shocked when studying at universities in the US and want to give up study.

Another student decided to have a gap year after a period of studying at school and spent the time trying to find out what he was actually studying for and what he would do after graduating.

All these problems, according to Hieu, come from the misconception about talent.

Talent is not shown in scores or the names of schools where students studied. Talented people have to have four abilities - general ability, specific ability, commitment and creative capacity.

Do high scores reflect just the ability to remember and practice? Hieu said it would be better to face the fact that 80 percent of learning work today is cramming for exams, which means learning by heart to answer exam questions. Ninety percent of knowledge is taught in a way that makes students remember but not understand the nature of the issues.

They can solve a quadratic equation very quickly but don't understand what it is for. Therefore, during 12 school years, students are "stuffed" in the head with a lot of things, but they are just skilled at doing this.

About 30-70 percent of teaching periods in classes are used to prepare for exams. Students are taught to use some tricks to solve exam questions as quickly as possible.

This way of preparing for exams, according to Hieu, will kill the students curiosity and learning motivation.

Ninety percent of exam questions require true or false answers, but they dont promote students creativity. Students have to answer 50-60 questions within one hour, which does not leave enough time for creativity.

What is talent?

Regarding the definition of talent, Hieu said talent is not shown in scores or the names of schools where students studied. Talented people have to have four abilities - general ability, specific ability, commitment and creative capacity.

General abilities include self-study, self-reading, research and information synthesis, criticism and creativity. Students will apply these abilities to each specific subject.

The people who prepare for exams with private tutors and get a 10 score are not as good as people who do this themselves and get a 7 score, he commented.

Years later, the people who taught themselves will be more successful because they have real competency that can support them in many fields, from study to work. Meanwhile, half of the scores the other student gets belong to their teacher.

Once students have general and specific abilities, they need to commit to reach their goals. One student may not be at an excellent level at the time, but if he or she is persistent in their path, they will be even more excellent than someone who always gets a high score.

Finally, real talent is seen in creativity. Creative power, for example, is when you give a crayon to a child who can draw many things with the crayon though you haven't taught them.

Thuy Nga

Youth Union to give advice on policies to promote talented youth First Secretary of the Youth Union Nguyen Anh Tuan held a dialogue with young people and members of the Youth Union on March 16.
Passover began last night. Jews have celebrated this holiday annually since the Biblical Exodus when Moses, with Gods help, liberated the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. For American Jews, last year was a Passover unlike any other and this years Passover is beginning to carry ominous overtones of past Passovers in times and places very threatening both to Jews and to all craving individual liberty.

In 2020, for the first time ever in America, Jews were unable to gather for Passover  but they coped. They gathered with family and friends via Zoom, coming together to repeat the ancient rituals, passed down through generations, to remember the blessings of liberty God bestowed upon their people many years ago.

One of those traditions is that Jews recline, or at least sit comfortably, at the Passover table. This simple act of relaxation reminds us of the difference between freedom and slavery. In everything we do at the Seder, we remind ourselves that the Jewish people cherish freedom and fight to protect it.

The Seder also reminds us, though, that we have often lost our freedom in totalitarian nations. From slavery in Egypt, to the Babylon captivity, to the Spanish Inquisition, to Pogroms in Russia and Poland, to the systematic killing of six million Jews in the Holocaust, we have constant and terrible ancestral reminders that we can lose this precious liberty.

And now we face Passover 2021 in America. This year, we have more information about COVID. We know that it is far less deadly than we once feared and that there are proven treatments for those uncomfortable with the vaccine. There is even evidence (although its contested) that annual deaths have remained relatively consistent since 2016, even with the pandemic. Most recently the CDC statistics show that mask mandates only decreased the spread by a maximum of 1.8 percent.

Yet, for some reason, we are still in the same place that we were almost exactly one year ago. Businesses are still closed, and many have gone under. More than half our children are not in school full-time and many remain locked down. We are wearing masks and social distancing, and we still receive government warnings to avoid our family and friends on holidays for fear of the spread.

After a year, shouldnt our fears have shifted? Shouldnt we be asking ourselves if this is still about a scary virus thats new and misunderstood? We now know that, for the overall population, while COVID deaths exceeded those from flu in the elderly, they were offset by the relative absence of any flu deaths. Cases and deaths are rapidly decreasing (see charts below with data from Bing on March 26), with hospitals struggling to keep staff. Few have become overrun.

So, why are we still where we started? You should start considering the possibility that this is the beginning of modern-day tyranny in America and the rest of the world. Even more disturbing is that the sequence of events is eerily similar to the timelines seen in the fall of other free nations. Holocaust survivor Vera Sharav has talked about the similarities and connects what happened in our nursing homes and long term care facilities to what happened to elderly victims in nursing homes in Nazi Germany:

Andrew Cuomogave instructions that senior citizens from nursing homes should not be treated in hospitals, that they should be transferred back to nursing homes, which of course were completely unprepared for anything like that. And he said the virus in nursing homes was like fire in dry grass. [snip] The fact that this happened in all western countries means that it was coordinated. Somebody did it, behind closed doors of course, in secret, but everyone got involved: Canada, United States, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, everywhere, Israel too It was a concerted effort to get rid of the economic baggage.

Vaccine passports and mask mandates are beginning to feel like Star of David armbands and camp tattoos, with a special interest in white men and conservatives. Will people who refuse to wear a mask, get the vaccine, have the wrong color skin, or fall on the wrong side of the political spectrum be forced to the fringes of society? Moved into internment camps? Where will the marginalization end?

We are being groomed as a society to see an out group that the MSM paints as dangerous, national enemies. These new enemies including people whom the government wants to put on a no-fly list merely because of their political leanings, or whove been assaulted, arrested, and refused service because they didnt wear a mask.

Threats continue toward those who chose not to vaccinate. With a vaccine in sight, National Geographic published an article imagining a world in which the unvaccinated wont be able to go to the office, attend a sporting event, even get a seat at a restaurant, or renew their driver's license without a vaccine passport.

Whats predicted for the unvaccinated, sounds a lot like what happened to the Jews at the beginning of the Holocaust. That started with propaganda that created fear towards a chosen target. Then escalated to a Star of David armband, papers, and a curfew to identify and control those dangerous members of society. The out group was then moved into ghettos so they couldnt harm fellow members of society.

The Nazis took this dehumanization to an extreme by branding Jews like cattle and shipping them to work, concentration, and extermination camps, where 6 million were systematically murdered. Its impossible to imagine that happening in America but we cannot predict the future, just as Germanys Jews couldnt have predicted it in 1930. Still, its better to be vigilant now than caught unawares later.

So, I must ask: When are we going to open our eyes, stand up as a nation, and realize what is really going on? When will we see that these restrictive and tyrannical rules no longer make sense and need to be terminated? If we dont stand up now, I fear history books in the future will be filled with the story of how Americas democracy was stolen, and groups were marginalized and contained in COVID camps. It frightens me to think where this could go if the current trajectory isnt stopped. And make no mistake: These things will all be sold later as something that was done for the greater good.

Or maybe these stories wont make it to the history books. As we speak, history is being rewritten by erasing the past and this in itself should be terrifying. A strong message has been carried down for generations from our Jewish ancestors warning us never to forget the past to prevent history from repeating itself. Sadly, we are forgetting, and our mistake may lead to some catastrophic consequences.

IMAGE: COVID passport with Jewish star by Andrea Widburg, using public domain images.
A

year into working from my bedroom, I thought I had reached an emotional equilibrium in which I could tolerate the multiple child interruptions throughout my day. But last week, my older daughter was assigned a scavenger hunt in remote school.

She barged through my door  which I am sorry to report has no lock  four times in one hour, looking for slippers, something red (twice) and a hairbrush. On the fourth interruption, I snapped. Youve got to get out of here, I said, in a voice much harsher than I like to use with my children.

My daughter was upset and I felt bad that I yelled but I was also conflicted. Every time she came in, I had politely asked her to look elsewhere in the apartment because I had a deadline to meet. Shes a third-grader, which is old enough to understand and honour that request and I want to raise her to be empathetic to other peoples needs.

How do I walk that line between showing my children that I have feelings that arent always positive but not letting my irritation erupt, uncontrolled?

Read More:

Dr Pooja Lakshmin, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at George Washington University School of Medicine in the US, says the first thing to know is that, all parents snap at their children and doing so from time to time doesnt make you a good parent or a bad one. Its just a fact of life and she makes clear that shes not talking about emotional abuse or physical violence, which are never acceptable. Emotional abuse may include ridiculing a child, constant criticism or withholding affection or comfort.

But raising your voice or losing your cool from time to time? Thats inevitable because we are human.

Jennie Hudson, a professor of clinical psychology at the University of New South Wales in Australia, says: There is this kind of expectation that children should be protected from feeling any negative emotion but thats toxic positivity. Its not normal. Its not OK. We have a range of emotions that include feeling frustrated, anxious and worried.

Its also worth noting that the pandemic is exacerbating a lot of stress on parents, both financial and emotional, and even as things improve regarding the coronavirus many of us are under additional strain.

The most important thing is what happens after you snap at your children, said all four of the experts I asked. Heres their advice for coming back from saying things you regret, how to empathise with your children and how to cut down on snapping when possible.

Acknowledge your mistake. After youve calmed down, apologise to your child, and talk to them in an age-appropriate way about your feelings, Hudson says. You dont have to go into the details of why you reacted the way you did but you can say something like: Im sorry I yelled. I got frustrated but its not your fault I lost my cool. Heres how I could have handled it better. Then you can talk about ways to calm down that you could have used, like going for a walk, taking a deep breath or walking away from the discussion. Its a learning opportunity for a child, Hudson says.

Give yourself a time-out. They arent just for kids; theyre for grown-ups, too, says Dr Alexandra Sacks, a reproductive psychiatrist in New York: If youre so overwhelmed that you cant think about what is developmentally appropriate.

While its not always possible  especially if your child is so young they cant be left alone and youre the only parent in the situation  try to give yourself time to call a friend or scream into a pillow if youre feeling emotionally overwhelmed.

She says: When parents have too-high bars for perfection and flawlessness, they feel they cant walk out of the room or give the kid five more minutes of screen time, even if it would help the parent calm down. Dont fall into this martyr trap.

When parents have too-high bars for perfection and flawlessness, they feel they cant walk out of the room or give the kid five more minutes of screen time

Remember children struggle to control impulses. Even though my daughter is eight, shes still got a developing brain and knowing that Im on the other side of the closed door is just too enticing for her. Dr Sacks suggests putting a sign on the door when I really dont want my children to come in that might remind them to stop and help them resist opening it.

Dr Alexa Mieses Malchuk, a family doctor and assistant professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, says a timer could also help my daughter. If shes finding it irresistible to interrupt, I can set a timer for 30 minutes that can help her delay entering my room, at which point the urge might pass.

If your snapping is frequent, try to get help. With the caveat that there are so many situations in which this is not possible, if you find yourself irritable all the time and lashing out frequently, and these emotions are a marked change for you, you need support or relief, Sacks says. That could mean arranging extra child care or seeing a therapist.

Read More:

On the evening of the scavenger hunt, when I talked to my daughter after dinner about losing my temper, she was understanding, especially because I put it in terms with which she could empathise. I said: Its like how you feel when your little sister interrupts you during your school day, an event that happens a few times a week and causes my older daughter to absolutely uncork on her sibling.

I apologised and I think we both felt better afterwards. But Im still planning to invest in a lock for my bedroom door.

 The New York Times
Armenia 2nd President meets with leaders and officers of Police, MOD and National Security Service of various years

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative: Incumbent authorities' mistakes are irreversible

Europe sees progress in latest rounds of Iran nuclear talks

Armenian analyst: Turkey wants to push Russia out of the South Caucasus

Young Armenian says brawl with Azerbaijanis in front of Azerbaijan Embassy in Moscow might have been organized

Catholicos of All Armenians leaves for Armenia's Syunik Province and Artsakh on pontifical visit

Armenian and Russian Prosecutors General meet in St. Petersburg

Armenian acting minister: EU allocated EUR 68,700,000 to Armenia for budget support in 2020

Armenia Finance Ministry: MFA's budget grew by AMD 1,600,000,000 in 2020

Bodies and remains of Armenian soldiers are kept in morgue in Armenia's Martuni

White House confirms Biden-Erdogan meeting in Brussels

Armenia acting MOD touches upon priority directions for development of Armed Forces

Diaspora Armenian writer, publicist Toros Toranian dies

2 Armenian soldiers injured in scuffle with Azerbaijan, Armenian POW is hospitalized, Jun. 3 digest

Wedding held in Armenia's Shurnukh for first time since the war ended

EEU member states to finish preparing for negotiations over free trade zone in Iran in late June

Armenia Central Bank: Economic downfall in 2020 was due to decline in service and construction sectors

Armenia legislature adopts several bills in first reading

Armenia President meets with Nursultan Nazarbayev

Dejavu: Armenia ruling party distributes money for votes at Yerevan district election office

Chief Advisor to Karabakh President sacked

Russian MFA: Works are carried out to settle situation around Karabakh every day

Armenia opposition MP sounds alarm about Baku fabricating criminal cases against Armenian prisoners

Armenia acting health minister: I have apologized, I am not going to resign

Helga Schmid meets with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs

Armenia's deputy foreign ministers resigned or have heavy workload?

Dollar goes down in Armenia

Armenia Elections Oversight Committee reports Iranian citizenship of ruling party's MP candidate

Acting deputy minister: Only 17 of 711 Iran-Armenia power transmission line towers were installed by 2017

Armenia Parliament Council holding session

Armenia to host CSTO "Thunder-2021" military exercises

NYT: Chinese hackers launch cyberattack on New York city transportation authority

Armenia President to Kazakhstan counterpart: I would like to see much deeper cooperation between our countries

Armenia citizens shut down Etchmiadzin-Ashtarak road, complaining about lack of irrigation water

Armenia independent MP: Foreign minister and his deputies don't want to take part in treacherous acts

Armenia to get $11mn loan, 350,000 grant for agriculture

WHO worries about worsening mental health worldwide amid pandemic

Armenia health ministry on improper handling of Artsakh war victims bodies: There is no justification

Armenia bloc election foundation already in operation

Russia ambassador to Armenia paying working visit to Syunik Province (PHOTOS)

China pledges to step up resistance to foreign interference in Hong Kong

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: There can be no talk of corridor for Azerbaijan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on incumbent authorities: Wherever they flee, we will bring them by the feet

President: Impossible to ensure peace in region or stay in Artsakh without Russia army joint efforts

China Daily: Dispatch from Makit: Thriving in the desert

Karabakh President: We will never put up with being part of Azerbaijan, it is ruled out

Armenia MFA information department chief: All deputy FMs carrying out their duties

Ardshinbank invited children to the cinema on International Childrens Day

Armenia judiciary to have 10 more judges

Armenia acting premier: We had recorded 40% increase in tax revenues according to 2019 results

Armenia acting PM on Artsakh war casualties bodies: We have 50 remains in which case DNA was not separated

Azerbaijan authorities plan to "squeeze" everything from "terrorist show" related to Armenian captives

Ameriabank announces a contest for bank card design

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia parliament convenes special session

Armenia interim government holding Cabinet meeting

Catholicos of All Armenians heads for Syunik Province, Artsakh

World oil prices going up

Iran loses right to vote in UN General Assembly

Newspaper: Armenia authorities come up with new way of punishing unwanted characters

Newspaper: Russia army Southern Military District deputy commander to arrive in Yerevan Thursday

Lebanese Armenian man taken prisoner by Azerbaijan is hospitalized

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Are we getting under the burden? Then lets get under to the end

Armenia acting health minister on keeping fallen soldiers bodies in bags: What else should they be kept in?

Armenia acting health minister on citizens' demand for her resignation

Karabakh's new State Minister Artak Beglaryan on his appointment and future activities

Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani representatives hold consultations in Moscow

2 Armenian soldiers receive slight injuries after incident with Azerbaijani servicemen in Armenia's Gegharkunik

Armenian boy weighing 5 kg born at Goris Medical Center

"Armenia" bloc representative presents purpose of participation in elections and plans

Isaac Herzog elected President of Israel

Rouhani: Main issues between Tehran, Washington resolved in Vienna

Charles Michel calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume constructive negotiations

US Department of State responds to Pashinyan's proposal to deploy international observers on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Head of Armenia 2nd President's Office: Robert Kocharyan's public meetings are held in warm atmosphere

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative on photos and videos showing bags of deceased servicemen's bodies

Armenia Ombudsman, AGBU President discuss war crimes committed by Azerbaijan during Karabakh war

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representatives to hold briefings three times a week

Opposition "Armenia" bloc member: Blood-freezing photos and videos from morgue in Abovyan are authorities' reflection

Yerevan mayor receives Netherlands Ambassador
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

View Results
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 19:25:53|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

MOGADISHU, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The Somali National Army (SNA) special forces killed more than 10 al-Shabab militants including three commanders in the latest onslaught on the fighters of the terrorist group.

The SNA-owned radio station reported on Saturday evening that the successful operation by the Special Forces (Dahab) was aimed at flushing out terrorists and disrupting their plans to terrorize the residents in the Lower Shabelle region.

The military radio said the sting operation was carried out in Bulo Haji village in the Janale area of Lower Shabelle region in the southern part of the Horn of African nation.

"SNA special forces (Dahab) carried out an operation in Bulo Haji village in Janale area of Lower Shabelle region, killing more than 10 al-Shabab members including three of al-Shabab leaders," it said.

The latest operations come as government forces have intensified operations against al-Shabab in the central and southern regions, but the militants are still in control of the rural areas of those regions, conducting ambushes and planting landmines. Enditem
Lifford Greyhound Stadium looks set for a new lease of life.

According to the Greyhound Star, it is understood that it has been purchased by a syndicate of businessmen and greyhound racing enthusiasts.

The article quotes a spokesman for the buyers who says that a deal has been done with a deposit paid, and that the legal work is underway.

It adds that they plan to bring greyhound racing back sometime this summer.

The Duffy family, who owned the track, were praised for their desire to see the sport continuing.

The news will be greeted enthusiastically by greyhound racing enthusiasts in the north-west.

Lifford Greyhound Stadium closed its doors in August 2019, and was put up for sale.

While the Irish Greyhound Board invested 5.2 million into the upgrading of the stadium  which was completely revamped in 2003  with the Duffys contributing 7 million, it endured difficult times in the three or four years before its closure.

Racing was reduced from three times a week to just once a week, and attendances fell considerably.

During the Celtic Tiger era it attracted big crowds three days a week. The stadium has a number of bars and a large restaurant.

The Duffys were critical of the Irish Greyhound Board for its decision to reduce prize money at a time when the Lifford facility needed more support.

There were calls for a stay of execution to see if solutions could be found.

A public meeting was held after its closure and a new North West Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association was formed.

Around 35 people were employed between full- and part-time positions at the stadium.

For more see HERE
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.

An Asian-American elected official in Ohio lifted his shirt to reveal the scars he received while serving in the US military during a town hall meeting in which he discussed the discrimination he has faced due to his race.

Lee Wong, a member of the West Chester Board of Trustees, revealed his scars during a town hall meeting on Tuesday to drive home the point that his race does not make him any less of a "patriot".

According to Fox 19 Now, Mr Wong came to the US in the 1960s, and served in the US military for 20 years.

During the meeting, Mr Wong, 69, began unbuttoning his shirt, and said he was going to show people "what questions of patriotism looks like".

"Here is my proof," he said, lifting his shirt to reveal long, dark scars running across the width of his chest.

Read more

"This is sustained through my service in the US military," he said. "Now, is this patriot enough?"

He went on to describe his experiences with discrimination.

"I'm not ashamed to walk around anymore. Before, I was very inhibited. People looked at me strange, and they'd question my loyalty to this country. I don't look 'American enough,'" he said. "Now, last I read the US Constitution, we the people, we are all the same. We are equal. Not this 'you are more superior, you are not.'"

His statements were made in the wake of a mass shooting in Atlanta that left eight people dead, six of them women of Asian descent.

He recalled several instances in his life where he was discriminated against because of his Asian heritage.

Mr Wong said at one point while studying in Chicago he was beaten because of his race.

That put me to the hospital, he told the news outlet. That was my first experience.

He also spoke of an incident in which a child mocked the shape of his eyes.

Walk out grocery store. Father with a kid and little boy would go like this Mr Wong said, pulling his eyelids back to me. I just went, hahaha, its just a kid. But there is more to that. He learned it from somebody.

He said while campaigning that some voters would tell him he did not look American enough.

When someone comes up and says that to me, its like a stab in my heart, he said.
THERE were a very small number of Irish nationals in an area of Mozambique under attack by Islamist militias, but all are safe.

The Mozambican army is tonight continuing to fight rebels for the fifth straight day for control of the strategic northern town of Palma.

Reports coming from the region have said dozens of civilians have been killed and bodies were littering the streets.

Some of the dead had been beheaded, according to Human Rights Watch.

An attempt by expatriate workers to flee to safety came under heavy fire, causing many deaths, according to local reports.

Tonight the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed Irish citizens had been in the area.

The very small number of Irish nationals known to have been in the area of Cabo Delgado are confirmed safe, a statement said.

The embassy in Maputo is monitoring the situation closely and is in contact with the Mozambique authorities as well as the UN and other international agencies on the ground.

A three-year insurgency of the rebels, who are primarily disaffected young Muslim men, in the northern Cabo Delgado province has taken more than 2,600 lives and displaced an estimated 670,000 people, according to the UN.

The attacks in Palma started on Wednesday just hours after the French energy company Total announced it would resume work outside the town on its huge natural gas project at Afungi, near Mozambiques northeastern border with Tanzania.

Earlier rebel attacks prompted Total in January to suspend work on the project to extract gas from offshore sites.

The Mozambican army has been fighting the rebels in several locations to regain control of Palma, Col Omar Saranga, a Ministry of Defense spokesman, said on Sunday in the capital of Maputo.

Hundreds of Palma residents, both local and foreign, have been rescued, he said, adding that the defence forces are battling to contain the criminal attacks of terrorists and restore normality in Palma.

Most communications in recent days with Palma and the surrounding area have been cut off by the insurgents, although some residents got messages out using satellite phones.

(They said) they had seen bodies lying on the streets, that the sound of gunfire was ongoing. In fact, gunfire was recorded on the background as we spoke with them. And they were telling us that they were running for safety, Zenaida Machado, the Human Rights Watch representative in Mozambique, told the Associated Press.

Many Palma residents ran into the dense tropical forest surrounding the town to escape the violence. But a few hundred foreign workers from South Africa, Britain and France clustered at hotels that quickly became targets for the rebel attacks.

An estimated 200 Mozambicans and foreign workers sheltered at the Hotel Amarula. On Friday, a band of them in 17 vehicles drovetogether to the beach, where they hoped to be rescued, but the convoy came under heavy fire. Only 7 vehicles reached the beach, according to local reports and messages sent by survivors.

Seven people in the convoy had been killed, the military spokesman confirmed on Sunday.

The beach remained under insurgent fire, preventing rescue efforts from air or sea, according to the reports. The Hotel Amarula remained under attack and it's not known what happened to those in the 10 vehicles that did not reach the coast.

A ship that left Palma earlier carrying hundreds of people arrived Sunday in Pemba, the provincial capital about 100 miles south.

The fresh rebel violence brings into question the fate of Total's gas project, one of Africas biggest private investments. Total paid nearly $4 billion for a 26.5pc stake in the project in 2019. It had planned to start gas shipments in 2024 but the deteriorating security situation has made that goal unlikely.

Total issued a statement on Saturday saying due to the latest rebel attack it had obviously suspended all its operations in the Afungi peninsula. It said none of its staff at the Afungi site were victims of the attack.

Total expresses its sympathy and support to the people of Palma, to the relatives of the victims and those affected by the tragic events of the past days, said the statement. Total trusts the government of Mozambique whose public security forces are currently working to take back the control of the area.

Mozambique's rebels already hold the port town of Mocimboa da Praia, 50km south of Palma, which they captured in August.

Mozambique's insurgents are known locally as al-Shabab, although they do not have any known connection to Somalia's jihadist rebels of that name. The rebels have been active in Cabo Delgado province since 2017 but their attacks became much more frequent and deadly in the past year.
New Delhi:

Staring deportation after Centre made it stance clear on Rohingya Muslims, the refugees urged that they want to request the government not to deport them from the country.

One, Noorul Islams life changed forever in 2012 when militants had attacked their home in Rakhine. He recalled his and family members escape from death and the early days of struggle in Bangladesh from where they were turned out and made their way to India.

Our situation was really bad because my father didnt have enough money to support us. We went hungry for days until we arrived in India and my father started selling fish to earn a living, he said, tears welling up at the memory.

Nooruls family is one of the 70 staying in a camp in Shaheen Bagh, tucked away in a corner of south Delhi.

They are the nowhere people, the Rohingya Muslims, considered by the UN to be the most persecuted minority in the world.

There are about 1,200 Rohingyas in the national capital, some in Shaheen Bagh and the others in a camp in Madanpur Khadar.

With hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas, mostly Muslims, being forced to flee from Rakhine this month and take refuge in Bangladesh, their plight has hit global headlines. UN secretary general Antonio Guterres has said the Rohingya Muslims are facing a catastrophic humanitarian situation.

But those in India face their own share of anxieties with the government threatening to deport them.

All of 12, Noorul talks with the wisdom of someone much older when he says he would never want to go back to his homeland.

For him, home is a small makeshift tent next to huge piles of garbage and school is the nearby government one in Jasola.

I am happy here and I love going to school. I would never like to go back to my homeland because the military kills children there. I want to request the government not to send us back to Myanmar, he said.

The others in the camp are equally fearful at the thought of returning to the country that was once their home.

I dont want to live as a refugee my whole life. But even if I think of going back to my village in Myanmar, those nightmarish memories of military attacks haunt me, said Sabikun Nahar.

They burnt our house and forced us to follow Buddhism. We were even banned from going to the local mosque and we were so scared that we wouldnt sleep at night, she said.

The 21-year-old had left her village in 2012 and moved to Bangladesh with her relatives. She lived with her parents in the camp for a year but extreme poverty and no employment avenues drove her to India.

In 2013, Nahar found herself in the Shaheen Bagh camp. She is now married to Mohammed Zubair, 30, a fellow refugee in the camp who works with an NGO in the city.

He earns about Rs 12,000 every month and the couple finds it difficult to make ends meet. But Nahar shudders at the thought of being sent back.

The situation has worsened since 2012. I want the whole world to support us. I wanted to call my parents who are now in Bangladesh to Delhi but with the government here thinking of deporting us how will I call them, she asked.

Constant worryabout their present, their future and the well-being of their families in Myanmar or in Bangladesh -- is the subtext of all their lives.

Abdul Rahim, 35, who runs a small grocery shop in the camp and earns about Rs 300 a day, has been desperately trying to get in touch with his brother back home.

There are many relatives who are still stuck in the country. I am worried about my brother and his family because they havent reached Bangladesh yet, said Abdul, who fled from Myanmar nine years ago.

He said he is shocked by the governments plan to deport them. I would rather die here than go back to my country where people are facing atrocities and violence.

Hoping for some intervention, Shabeer, who works with the Rohingyas Human Rights Initiative (ROHRIngya), has written a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

We wrote a letter to the foreign minister on August 23 and are waiting for a reply. I want to ask the government here why they want to deport us, he said.

He speaks for thousands of other Rohingyas who dread the prospect of being sent back from India.

The government told Parliament on August 9 that more than 14,000 Rohingyas, registered with the UNHCR, are at present staying in India.

However, activists estimate that around 40,000 Rohingyas are living in India illegally, mostly in Delhi-NCR, Jammu and Hyderabad and parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju had earlier said the Rohingyas were illegal immigrants and stand to be deported.

On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear a plea challenging the governments decision to deport illegal Rohingya Muslim immigrants back to Myanmar. (With PTI Inputs)

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Islamist militants have seized control of a town in northern Mozambique, killing several people including at least one foreign worker, and forcing France's Total to suspend operations at a huge gas project.

The attack on Palma began just hours after Total said on Wednesday that it would resume work at its $20 billion (17bn) project after halting operations in January due to security concerns.

"We are calling on the Mozambique authorities to move in swiftly to protect civilians," said Dewa Mavhinga, Southern Africa Director of Human Rights Watch, speaking with FRANCE 24.

"We know this attack was led by the Isis-linked group," he said, referring to militants linked to the Islamic State group.

"During the attack, the group disrupted communication channels. As a result of this, it is difficult to get the precise numbers of civilians affected," Mavhinga added.

"The authorities must take back control of Palma and restore peace and security."

"It is an indiscriminate attack targeting unarmed civilians," said Mavhinga. "The authorities must swiftly intervene. We are also calling on Mozambique's neighbours to step in to provide support."
Port City Colombo welcomes Cabinet approval to establish a Special Economic Zone View(s):

Port City investor company, CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd on Thursday welcomed cabinet approval given recently to establish the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone.

The zone will be an international business and services hub with specialised infrastructure facilities, the company said adding that this initiative will bring more Foreign Direct Investments to

Sri Lanka.

The Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill would form the framework law that would be applicable within the Port City and the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to take necessary steps to publish the relevant bill on the government gazette and submit it to the parliament shortly. The Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone is expected to create a conducive and competitive environment in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), the company said in a media release.

Urban Development via SEZs is not unique to Sri Lanka and there are many successful SEZs in the world. An SEZ will offer relief from various forms of taxation on businesses and individuals who qualify. They also offer superior infrastructure; have streamlined administrative processes in place that results in ease of doing business. SEZs have been a useful tool for developing nations to upgrade infrastructure, human capital and institutional frameworks and test out policies and their impact before they are selectively implemented outside the SEZ in the rest of the country.

The establishment of a well-positioned SEZ will benefit the nation by; upgrading resources and capabilities where policy makers can overcome bottlenecks in resource mobility and attenuate the costs of larger scale implementation or upgrading across the entire country. A successful SEZ sends an important signal that the country is open for business, the release added.

The facilitative environment expected to be created through the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill is supported by the first world infrastructure made available in the 269 hectares of reclaimed land at Port City and is expected to result in the inflow of both financial and human capital and promote local and foreign entrepreneurs, create employment opportunities and enable talent retention. It is expected that the SEZ will attract multinational enterprises to set up headquarters or regional offices in Port City and in turn they will bring in financial recourses, technology, technical and managerial know-how, it said.

The master plan for the Port City provides 5.7 million square metres of built up area valued at $15 billion that will be home to multinational enterprises, corporate headquarters, transient workers, and residents. It will be the catalyst for a modern services hub that will help Sri Lankas transformation into a services-led growth model and elevate the economy to high-income status, the company said.
[Updated ] Jenelle Evans has been actively seeking answers about her unexplained health problems since three years ago, and now she's speculated that her symptoms may be caused by a rare nervous disease.

In a video posted to YouTube on Monday, the "Teen Mom" actress shares she has unexplained health problems, which started in 2018. Since becoming worried about the "popping" she'd been feeling in her ear, she went to a neurologist in New York City and underwent examinations. The findings were irregular, but not so abnormal to be worrying, she said.

"The doctors really couldn't figure out my weird symptom," the actress added. Fast forward to September 2020, Evans said that she has developed a serious neck problem where her neck seemed to snap over and over. It was a nightmare and it went on for months after months.

The popping in her neck would happen "ten times a day," according to the reality star, and she would even get headaches. Her neck was scanned with an MRI machine, but the findings were inconclusive.

Evans went to see a neurologist, who she said had been monitoring her nerve and muscle reaction for "four or five months." The doctor concluded that there was a problem with her spine based on the findings.

READ ALSO: 'Teen Mom 2' Photos: Check Out All Of Jenelle Evans' Halloween Pics, Plus Her Heartfelt Message Of 'Thanks' To Supporters [VIDEO]

Evans then had a CT myelogram diagnostic procedure, which uses dye to find problems in the spinal canal. She was advised the surgery would be "painless," but she said she felt "excruciating pain" and "had to get emergency medical attention." She had been bedridden for two weeks and had yet to offer an explanation as to what was causing her discomfort.

According to Evans, another MRI on a separate region of her back yielded "pretty worrying" results.

Evans discovered syringomyelia as she looked up her symptoms on the internet. It can be caused by a variety of things, and she thinks it's the most accurate diagnosis for her problem.

The actress believes that her symptoms most closely corresponds to her illness. "It's chiari malformation - a condition in which the brain tissues protrude into your spinal canal. I'm having a lot of neck pain and I'm having the neck cracking all the way right here where the base of my skull is and a little bit above my collarbone."

She added that she's unsure what's up with her throat, but whatever it is has clearly resulted in a cyst, which is not healthy. "That's not good. None of this is good," she said.

The reality star, however, made it clear that she could not make any assumptions without first consulting her doctor. She has expressed her expectation that medical professionals will be able to diagnose her illness as soon as possible because she has pending projects.

ALSO READ: 'Teen Mom 2' News: Jenelle Evans Lays Down The Law With Critics, Tells Haters 'Don't Worry About Us' In Twitter Defense [VIDEO]

Watch the video below:

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles
Franklin, a city of roughly 7,000 on the banks of Bayou Teche, employs about nine firefighters, and Chief Chuck Bourgeois said the nature of their work put them in frequent contact with people infected with COVID-19 over the past year.

Bourgeois himself caught the virus about six months ago. He didnt need hospitalization, but is still not back to 100%, he said from outside his daughters house on a recent gloomy weekday. He gets short-winded and cant do half of what I used to be able to do.

But when the COVID-19 vaccine became available at the department, only two of Bourgeois nine firefighters took it, he said. Bourgeois was not among them.

I want to see a little bit more before I take the shot, Bourgeois said They want to see. They want to make sure theres no bad side effects they have to worry about.

After an initial stampede of thousands of Louisianans who were eager to get vaccinated as soon as possible, the states effort to reach herd immunity is hitting a snag. No longer is a lack of supply the biggest roadblock, at least in some parts of the state. As doses have rolled into Louisiana in greater numbers, persuading people to get the shot has become a bigger challenge.

Hesitancy among Black residents was pinpointed early on as an obstacle in the effort to vaccinate a large share of Louisianans, though some data shows those attitudes are changing. Now, polling and interviews with experts and residents suggest that hesitancy in rural areas, especially among White residents in conservative strongholds, is a bigger culprit in holding back the states ability to reach herd immunity.

But its not only attitudes about the vaccine. Rural areas also have far fewer health care sites than cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge. An hour-long drive to get a shot is a big ask of residents, experts say, and many rural folks say they prefer the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine as a result. Internet access -- which can be crucial in scheduling an appointment -- is spotty in much of rural Louisiana.

Recognizing these challenges, the state Health Department is launching an unprecedented effort to send workers and volunteers into far-flung communities to knock on doors, educate people about vaccines and get them shots.

As that begins in nine underserved ZIP codes this week, state officials are hoping that most of the people who are reluctant are at least open-minded.

Which Baton Rouge-area neighborhoods have the highest COVID vaccination rates? See map Louisiana, and the United States as a whole, is engaged in an unprecedented vaccination program to combat the coronavirus pandemic. But vaccin

When we talk to individuals, do focus groups, we actually dont hear a lot of Im not going to do it, period, said Dr. Joe Kanter, Louisianas state health officer.

Theres no question theres geographic variability right now in vaccine uptake, he added. To me, that just means we have an opportunity.

In large swaths of rural Louisiana, shots have lagged the more populated parts of the state.

Statewide, about 24% of Louisianans have received at least one shot, which ranks Louisiana 40th in the nation in uptake rate, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

But data released by the Health Department this week highlight several factors that affect the likelihood someone will get vaccinated.

For instance, people in census tracts where vaccination rates are higher are more than three times as likely to be college-educated as those in the lowest 20% of tracts.

The share of the population that has been vaccinated varies dramatically by parish. In nearly 40 of Louisianas 64 parishes, mostly small, rural ones, fewer than 20% of residents have received at least one shot. The top 10 for that metric includes Orleans, East Baton Rouge, St. Tammany and Jefferson parishes, as well as some smaller parishes.

St. Mary Parish, home to Franklin, lags the states rate of vaccinations by 5 percentage points, with just 19% of residents receiving at least one shot.

While many residents who havent gotten vaccinated yet say they may still do it, some are adamantly against it.

Baton Rouge hospitals have days this week with no new COVID patients Baton Rouge hospitals are admitting fewer coronavirus patients, and of late have even had days when they didn't have any new patients COVID-19

Shawn Beard, who served as head of the Red River Parish Police Jury until stepping down in November, feuded for months with the Department of Health over the agencys COVID data, as he claimed the threat of the virus was low in his parish.

In an interview, Beard, a Republican, said he wouldnt take the COVID-19 vaccine for nothing in the world.

I dont know if its safe or not. I see absolutely no need in it, he said. I understand its supposedly taken lives. The flu does that as well. Car crashes do that, motorcycle crashes do that. God is the controller of life and death. Hes the author of it.

Sammy Daniel, who grinds stumps for a living and lives in Franklin, likewise said hes not getting the shot.

If Gods ready for you, Gods going to take you, he said.

His friend William Parker, who was visiting from Texas, echoed that sentiment. He said if he catches COVID, so be it.

Its experimental, he said of the vaccine. Theres nothing carved into stone about it.

Government experts and other health professionals have repeatedly said all three vaccines authorized in the U.S. are safe and effective. While they were developed in record time, officials say no steps were skipped.

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

Southern launches plan to boost vaccines in communities of color; effort starts Saturday Southern University's leaders launched a statewide campaign Friday to encourage Black and other racial minority groups to receive the COVID-19

Providers in several rural parishes say demand for the shots, which initially greatly exceeded supply, has waned recently.

George Book, the owner of Books Pharmacy in Vidalia, said there is still skepticism about the vaccine. He hears from people every day who believe it hasnt been tested enough.

Even though Book got the shot, he said he too has questions.

To be totally honest, I don't try to dispute them, Book said. Because its hard to get good information, even us. I just try to say as little as possible. ... I dont want my name attached to it.

Book also said he doesnt think anywhere near 70% of residents in Concordia Parish, where Vidalia is located, will get the vaccine. Thats roughly the goal officials are aiming for statewide.

The Department of Health divides Louisiana into nine regions. In Region 6, encompassing much of Louisianas midsection including Alexandria, only 10% of the population has completed their vaccine series, the second-worst rate among regions, after southwest Louisiana. In the greater New Orleans region, that number is pushing 17%, and in the Baton Rouge and northshore regions, its about 14%.

+4 COVID vaccines will be available to all Louisianans 16 and older next week All Louisianans older than 16 will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine starting next week, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Wednesday, making th

Dr. David Holcombe, medical director for Region 6, said signups for drive-through vaccine sites waned last week, with only a couple dozen people signing up for some sites, even though 100 doses are available at each. About 2,400 Pfizer doses allocated to his region were recently sent to New Orleans because there wasnt enough demand, he said.

Holcombe said elderly people in the region were jumping at the opportunity to get vaccinated. But persuading younger people to take it will be a heavy lift. He pointed to the regions poor health outcomes generally, which he said is related to things like poorer education attainment and lower incomes.

Any time youre dealing with populations that have low education levels, have low incomes and have low social status, youre going to run into problems, he said. I will not underestimate the effort.Itll be the law of diminishing returns.

'It's like six Katrinas:' More than 10,000 suspected of dying from COVID in Louisiana A year after the novel coronavirus began surging through the state, Louisiana surpassed a bleak highwater mark Monday after health officials r

The Franklin Foundation Hospital has been around for decades, serving St. Mary Parish. But in the mid-aughts, it got a new facility and a critical access hospital designation, meaning it gets a better federal reimbursement rate in exchange for serving rural populations, where many hospitals have closed over the past several decades.

During the height of the pandemic, about half of the hospitals 22 acute care beds were full of COVID patients. Now, the number is closer to between three and five.

Stephanie Guidry, the CEO, said the hospital was the first in the area to get the COVID vaccine. The share of her staff that has been vaccinated has risen from about 30% at first to over 60% now, she said.

Just like everybody else in the population, theyre waiting to see the effects on people getting them, she said.

As rain drizzled outside Thursday, a few dozen patients filtered into the facility to get their shot. A board room was transformed into a vaccination room, with a tablet serving as translator to Spanish-speaking migrant workers.

Erin Wiggins, 49, was hesitant about the shot. She said she was more concerned about side effects than the risks of COVID. Thursday morning, she decided to get the shot, partly to protect her elderly parents, and traveled the 20 minutes from Berwick to the hospital to get it.

My parents are older, so I needed to do it for them, she said.

Jerry Marcotte, a 60-year-old oilfield retiree, said hes been getting the flu shot for 20 years, with great results. He sees no reason not to trust the COVID vaccine. He and his wife, Chris, go on a cruise every year, a treat the pandemic has halted.

COVID variant on the rise in a recovering Lake Charles; demand for vaccinations slackens An increase in cases of the more transmissible U.K. coronavirus variant in southwest Louisiana has added urgency to vaccination efforts there.

If this is what it takes to get back to a normal life, were ready for it, he said. We miss our cruises, we miss social situations. Having to go around with a mask ... if this is what it takes to get it over with, lets do it.

On Franklins Main Street, Politos Cafe was open but empty Thursday around noon, save for a regular who came in to play video poker. The place smelled faintly of cigarettes. Brittanie Picard, an employee, said the governors COVID restrictions hadnt had much impact, because the bar rarely saw more than a handful of customers.

Picard said she has an immunocompromised 9-year-old daughter whom shes been home-schooling during the pandemic. Still, shes in no hurry to get vaccinated. She doesnt like shots to begin with, and she thinks they rushed the development.

Even still, Picard said the vaccines are giving her hope.

I do think were moving in the right direction, she said. I just dont want to get a vaccine that was rushed until I know what the side effects are.

Staff writer Jeff Adelson contributed to this story
Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

24 Hour Access
Valtteri Bottas could not join Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in the fight for first position. The Finn finishes in third place at the Bahrain Grand Prix and claims the fastest lap bonus point.

"It's disappointing. As a team, we scored good points. My strategy was a lot more defensive instead of attacking, which surprised me," Bottas said after the race.

Read more Full results Bahrain GP | Verstappen sees Hamilton take lead in World Championship

Problems in the pits

Bottas experienced significant problems with his second pit stop. The right front wheel didn't come off the car which cost him a lot of time. "It wasn't ideal and then I had a slow pit stop that took even more chances away from us. The pace was good," continued the Mercedes driver.

"We had two cars on different strategies that could fight. But there was more in it today," Bottas concluded.
Gov. Brian Kemp said that there's 'nothing Jim Crow' about Georgia's new voting law and blasted Joe Biden and 'his handlers' for not having read it after the president accused it of being 'un-American.'

Kemp had signed an 'election integrity' bill into law on Thursday that Biden had blasted in a statement from the White House as 'Jim Crow in the 21st Century' while urging Congress to pass national voting acts favored by Democrats.

'It is obvious that neither President Biden nor his handlers have actually read SB 202, which I signed into law yesterday,' Kemp said in a statement.

'There is nothing 'Jim Crow' about requiring a photo or state-issued ID to vote by absentee ballot  every Georgia voter must already do so when voting in-person.'

He continued: 'President Biden, the left, and the national media are determined to destroy the sanctity and security of the ballot box.'

Gov. Brian Kemp said that there's 'nothing Jim Crow' about Georgia's new voting law

Biden had blasted a new Georgia voting law as 'Jim Crow in the 21st Century' while urging Congress to pass national voting acts favored by Democrats

Kemp, a Republican, became governor in 2018 after he won in a race against Stacey Abrams, a powerful Democratic lawyer who many credited for the Democrats win during the runoff election for Georgia's two U.S. Senate seats in January.

He had previously served as 27th Secretary of State of Georgia from 2010 to 2018 before he was elected governor.

'As Secretary of State, I consistently led the fight to protect Georgia elections against power-hungry, partisan activists,' Kemp said in the statement. 'As Governor, I won't back down from keeping Georgia elections secure, accessible, and fair.'

Kemp continued railing against Biden's comments in an appearance on Fox News on Saturday when he briefly compared Georgia's law to that of Biden's home state of Delaware.

'I don't think the president or his handlers compared the Georgia voting law to the state of Delaware where he's from because we have a lot more opportunities for people to vote early in the great state of Georgia than in Delaware,' Kemp said.

Kemp claimed that the Georgia law will expand the opportunity for people to vote early in Georgia again and added the ability for people to vote on select Saturdays and Sundays.

'It is further securing the absentee ballot process by simply adding a photo ID requirement or number from your ID that will actually speed up the absentee balloting by mail process that was very slow after the last election,' Kemp said.

When asked by Fox News about Democratic concerns that the bill will disenfranchise black and minority voters, Kemp asked voters 'to simply find out what's in the bill.'

'I would urge them to do just that and ask themselves, who is being truthful here,' Kemp said.

'Is it the governor and the legislature that just voted on this bill? Or is it a lot of these third party groups that are making millions of putting this false narrative out there? Or the president who obviously doesn't know what his own voting laws are in his own state.'

Protesters gather to voice their opposition to a far-reaching overhaul of the Georgia's election laws. Voting rights groups say the new law will target black residents who make up roughly a third of the state's population

The bill was signed into law by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and has restrictive measures, including elimination of mobile voting vans that reduced long lines on Election Day, and criminalized distribution of food or water to anyone waiting in lines to vote

Voters are seen casting their ballots in the U.S. Senate run-off election, at a polling station in Marietta, Georgia on January 5

Volunteers with Democracy Delicious handing out food and refreshments to voters lining up outside a voting center in Austell, Georgia. The state's new law has criminalized the distribution of food or water to people waiting to vote

Kemp reiterated his statements about how photo IDs are already required for voting in person.

'We already have that requirement in our law for when you go vote in person. Before our last election an average of 95 percent voted in person so people are used to using the ID to vote in Georgia,' Kemp said.

'So it's not a big deal like people are making it out, and if you dont have an ID then well give you one for free.'

Kemp then addressed claims from critics of the law who allege that it removes the ability to use drop boxes for voting.

'That was never in the law. That has never been in the state law of Georgia. We did that in this bill, were just going to make sure its a secure process and that those drop boxes are monitored,' he said.

In Biden's statement, the president claimed the new law will 'deny people the right to vote.'

'More Americans voted in the 2020 elections than any election in our nation's history,' Biden said.

'In Georgia we saw this most historic demonstration of the power of the vote twice  in November and then again in the runoff election for the U.S. Senate seats in January. Recount after recount and court case after court case upheld the integrity and outcome of a clearly free, fair, and secure democratic process.'

Biden then accused Republicans of rushing through an un-American law to deny people the right to vote.

'Among the outrageous parts of this new state law, it ends voting hours early so working people cant cast their vote after their shift is over. It adds rigid restrictions on casting absentee ballots that will effectively deny the right to vote to countless voters,' Biden claimed.

'And it makes it a crime to provide water to voters while they wait in line  lines Republican officials themselves have created by reducing the number of polling sites across the state, disproportionately in black neighborhoods.'

The contains a number of restrictive measures including elimination of mobile voting vans, which reduced long lines on Election Day in heavily Democratic areas, and criminalizing the distribution of food or water to people waiting to vote.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa fired Zanu PF political commissar Victor Matemadanda over accusations that he was fanning factionalism and was becoming too ambitious.

Matemadanda was fired during a Zanu PFs politburo meeting in Harare last week and is now earmarked for a diplomatic posting.

This means that he would lose his other powerful posts such as that of Defence deputy minister and being a Zanu PF politburo and central committee member.

The firebrand Gokwe Central MP will also likely lose his parliamentary seat and his position as Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association secretary-general.

Zanu PF insiders told The Standard that Matemadanda was victim of a factional war that pitted him against Mnangagwas allies in his home province of Midlands.

He was also accused of manipulating party structures to position himself ahead of the 2023 elections.

Matemadanda, Zanu PF insiders revealed, was also accused of being big -headed and not respecting senior party deployees at the headquarters.

These include secretary for administration Obert Mpofu, secretary for finance Patrick Chinamasa, administration director Dickson Dzora and Zanu PF school of ideology director Munyaradzi Machacha.

Matemadanda was working with some senior party members from the Midlands province, said the senior party official, who requested to remain anonymous.

These include Larry Mavima (Midlands Provincial Affairs minister), Daniel Mackenzie (Zanu PF provincial chairman for Midlands) and Zanu PF youth chairman for Midlands Edmore Samambwa, among others.

They called themselves Gokwe Boys and their mission was to destroy July Moyo and Mudha (Owen Ncube) so that they become close to Mnangagwa. They considered themselves as super Lacoste, more important than others.

He added: They were cooking up stories to create a divide between the two and Mnangagwa.

They desperately wanted July Moyo to be removed from Local Government and were backed by some top officials from Harare, who also do not like July.

They were also manipulating the district coordinating structures for the 2022 congress as well as positioning their backers as candidates in the 2023 general elections.

Another official said there were many reports against Matemadanda over the manner in which he mishandled the district coordinating committee elections last December that culminated in violence in some provinces.

He failed to unite the party and the leadership was also unhappy with his utterances that embarrassed the party in the eyes of the international community, the official added.

He was also accused of mingling with former backers of former vice-president Joice Mujuru and G40 under the guise of recruiting for the party. The party felt he was doing it for his own selfish interests, not the party.

The party was not happy when Matemadanda had a graduation luncheon, he was surrounded by those people from Mujuru and G40.

Matemadanda and Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo were not reachable for comment yesterday.

Zanu PF has battled factionalism since the days of its late leader Robert Mugabe, who was toppled by the military after the infighting in the ruling party got out of hand. Standard
Theres no doubt music is a universal language that we all understand and are so connected to. While different sounds trigger different emotions in us, the involvement of tech just makes it more personal and pleasurable. And what can make music more personal and immersive than some good headphones that justify the tunes and make us hear them on repeat. We are talking about the three most popular headphones in the market right now - Sony WH1000XM4, Bose 700 Noise Cancelling Headphones and Sennheiser Momentum 3. These are the flagships and fall in the same price segment - which also makes them each others arch rivals.

So, we decided to test them out based on design, audio performance, noise cancellation with other features and battery performance. Heres what we found.

Official prices on the website:

-Sony WH-1000XM4 - 29,990.

-Bose 700 Noise Cancelling Headphones - 31,050.

-Sennheiser Momentum 3 - 34,990.

Design

If you are out there searching for the best one in terms of design, you should also consider the weight and the materials used. Sony WH-1000XM4, being the latest by the firm, goes with a tried and tested look with your usual wide bands from one ear to another, connecting the classic looking left and right cans. These are made of plastic, which also makes them light on the head. The cans are much and the large touch sensing area is where the fingers fall naturally. You also get these in White but we personally like Black since it is more subtle. However, since a lot of functions can be carried out using touch gestures, we hardly found ourselves using the actual buttons here.

Bose 700 Noise Cancelling Headphones are, however, a bit more modern looking mainly due to the band that slims-out to the sides. The weight is nearly the same and the overall footprint is low. We found it a bit less durable although it is also made of plastic and is lightweight. The head positioning and balance is great and theres no stress on hearing them for long sessions. One of the downsides here is that it doesnt have a large touch sensing area as the band goes down through the cans, dividing the touch area on each of them, letting you operate in just half of it. Nonetheless, the buttons are more in this one but easy to get used to.

Sennheiser Momentum 3. (HT Tech)

Sennheiser Momentum 3 might look like the heaviest of them all and if you are someone who travels a lot and wants something portable and light on your head, these may understandably not be your first choice. But thats not the case. We didnt feel any extra weight after hours of listening sessions in this one. But while that might be good news, whats not so good is that due to its band design, which goes over the earcups, theres no touch gesture. You will have to completely rely on the buttons placed on the right ear cup. But if you ask us which one was the lightest and most comfortable in the trio, we would go with Sony WH-1000XM4. These fit well and dont slide off due to the band weight like what we encountered while using the Momentum 3.

Bose is not bad when it comes to fitting and comfort but one of the downsides here is that the earcups dont fold unlike whats there in Momentum 3 and 1000XM4. This can be an issue while travelling as Bose might end up taking a bit more space in your bag. But in case, you want a more professional looking headphone and comfort or weight is not the top priority, the Momentum 3s exposed metal bands and cables, along with larger ear cups might be right up your alley.

Also read: Jabra Elite 85t review: Earbuds done right

Audio performance

Heres where the titans face the real battle. To be frank, all three sound great and unique in their own ways. If you are here to know which one is the clear cut winner, let us tell you right now that there isn't one. So, the question boils down to which headphones are the best for you? Heres the deal.

The WH-1000XM4, as compared to its predecessor, has more balanced audio when it comes to three pillars - bass, mids and highs. All these can be altered using the equaliser in the Sony Connect app. Theres a 40mm driver, which is good enough to deliver the most precise and detailed audio. We were able to distinguish between instruments easily, without any muddiness when played alongside vocals. The soundstage is also impressive as what we heard with Orinoco Flow by Enya. We didnt find any loss in detail when playing at full volume, which is one of the good signs for a capable headphone. The mids and treble were clear this time and did not get suppressed with bass.

Sony WH-1000XM4. (HT Tech)

Bose 700 Noise Cancelling Headphones come really close to 1000XM4 in terms of handling bass, mids and highs. In specific, the bass notes are handled well here as most of the time they dont push back the vocals (as we heard in Sedona by Houndmouth). The highs are not the best but fortunately, they dont go harsh. As for mids, we could hear the instruments in Jay-Z's "Bam," clearly enough, in addition to the vocals. The overall audio came out refined and we are confident that this will be able to handle different kinds of tracks in a balanced way, without stressing much on mids or delivering muddy bass. If we have to compare it with 1000XM4s, wed say the Bose 700s sound tighter while the XM4s have more oomph to it since it is warmer and works slightly better with hip-hop and electronic music.

With 42mm transducers, Sennheiser Momentum 3 tries its best to replicate the accuracy that you get during studio recording. We noticed the bass in this one is much smoother than what you get in 1000XM4. Like the Bose 700, the thump was somewhat missing here. But the instruments and vocals were all good and to the point. Wed say the Momentum is surely there in the tonal balance department but the musicality and enthusiasm are more when listening to XM4s. We are not saying that Sennheiser is not good. They sound amazing, even by Sennheisers standards. And the stereo separation is as good as it gets in all three. However, the audience is slightly different for each and theres no clear winner here.

Also read: Hey, bud! How does 2021 sound to you?

Noise Cancellation and other features

You cant miss the Noise Cancellation tech in these three. They are the best you can get in headphones right now. However, what matters is how effective they are in cutting outside sound and how brands have played with this piece of tech.

Sony WH-1000XM4s have a really good history when it comes to noise cancelling. In the past, we have seen how effective they can be and in 1000XM4s, they dont disappoint. You can enable or disable it from the app and manually change the level of ambient noise volume from the dedicated button on the headphone as well. We usually kept it at the minimum for better isolation. The firm claims its HD QN1 chipset and the AI are the reason for cutting the outside sound. You can control it via the dedicated button on the headset or the app. But thats not all. The list of features is a long one with XM4s.

The key feature here is the ability to remember your sound profile based on the location where you are. That is something we are yet to see in other headphones. In addition, you get a host of touch gesture functions here such as picking up/hanging up calls, accessing voice assistant, controlling volume, skipping through next/previous tracks, play/pause a track and optimising the audio based on the noise around you. You can even activate a feature that lets ambient noise in once it auto-detects you talking to someone. Adding to this is the ability to cover the entire right ear cup (Quick Attention Mode) with your palm to let ambient noise come in. It goes back to noise cancellation once you remove your hand. And finally, you get a custom button on the headphone, which you can map with any functionality you want, using the app. All these do score brownie points.

Bose 700 Noise Cancelling Headphones. (HT Tech)

In Bose 700 NC headphones, the features are not so much. As a starter, there are three clickable buttons on 700 NC and just one of them is marked with a Bluetooth icon. The other two are just plain, icon-less buttons, giving you a slightly difficult time to figure out what their basic functions are. Of course, you will get used to it once you start using it. (Note: Bluetooth button is also the power button here). You don't get anything like Quick Attention Mode or custom button mapping. However, the basics are not missed including 10 noise cancellation levels and connecting with two devices and all the basic gestures to control audio playback and calls. There are some additions here as well, such as muting an ongoing phone call, tap and hold to hear the battery level anytime and a Conversation Mode that works in a similar way as XM4s Quick Attention Mode.

Although the app is simple to use, the equaliser is hidden under the Settings option instead of being there on the main screen. Not a deal-breaker but something to take note of. Whats good here is that you can even customise after how many minutes the headphone can switch off automatically.

For a headphone that has Noise Cancellation in its name, Bose 700 does a fairly good job. The NC tech comes really close to what XM4 delivers. At their highest levels, it gets really difficult to differentiate which one is quieter. It is also possible to move between your favourite noise cancellation levels (Zero, 5 and 10 by default) using the dedicated button. You can use the app for more controls.

When it comes to Sennheiser Momentum 3, things get as simple as they can. There are absolutely no touch gestures here so all you have are the buttons on the right ear cup to control everything from calls to audio playback and voice assistant. And in a way, the traditional way seemed easier as clicking buttons is anyway more assuring and then touch gestures. Like others, you can toggle between three noise cancellation modes - Off, Max/Anti pressure and Transparent Hearing. The next three buttons, two of which are for controlling the volume while the centre one is to play/pause tracks, skip or move to previous tracks and take calls. There is also a dedicated button to access the voice assistant.

Also read: JBL Quantum 400 gaming headphone review: A promising first attempt

While the basics are sorted and the app is really clean, it still lacks a whole lot of nifty features that are offered by Sony and Bose. We really expect Sennheiser to catch up with the Momentum with the next iteration. That said, while both Sony WH-1000XM4 and Momentum 3 have a 3.5mm slot, Bose uses a rather unusual 2.5mm slot.

But the Noise Cancellation here is almost at par with the other two. Almost. But not quite there yet. However, you can still hear your music at peace. Whats interesting here is that you get both pressure-based noise cancellation as well as digital-based noise cancellation. Using the Sennheiser Smart Control app, you can switch the degree of noise cancellation from Max, which is the highest level of noise cancellation, to Anti-Wind which cancels noise partially and Anti Pressure, which is nearly as good as Max but does it without creating uneasiness. In addition, you get Transparent Hearing mode that is similar to Bose and Sonys tech.

Sennheisers Noise Cancellation might not be as good as Sony or Bose, but it does give you the flexibility to choose between different modes without making things complicated by giving more customisations. Again, not a deal-breaker, just a different crowd with different likes and dislikes. The cherry on top here is the built-in Tile tracking functionality (in case you misplace your Momentum).

Sennheiser Momentum 3. (HT Tech)

Battery

Like the sound quality and Noise Cancellation, you cant ignore the battery performance of these three headphones. All three boast hours and hours of playtime with ANC and even more when the tech is disabled. However, in our testing, hands down, 1000XM4s got the edge over Bose 700 NC and Sennheiser Momentum 3. Although the firm claims 30 hours of playback with noise cancellation tech-enabled and 38 hours without NC. However, with mixed usage through iPhone 12 and Windows laptops, we were able to achieve around 23-25 hours, which is commendable considering the features are more than before and the battery life has stayed untouched. A good part of the credit also goes to the precise wear recognition and how the headphone stops streaming music seconds after they are taken off, saving battery life.

Bose comes at the second position here. The company officially claims 20 hours of playtime but we were able to stretch it to 13 hours approx, which is again, not bad at all. But then it's not as good as XM4 either. The usage and battery life is obviously subjective here and you may end up getting more juice out of it. Switching off the NC tech will also help you extend the battery by a couple of hours. One of the nifty features we liked here was how it reveals the number of remaining hours instead of the battery life, whenever you switch it on. You can even tap and hold the touch gesture area to get info on the battery anytime.

Sennheiser Momentum 3 was able to deliver some 15-17 hours of playback time on mixed usage. This is almost at par (or a bit more) than what Bose delivers but still behind Sony. However, if you really want these headphones and want some more battery life out of it as well, better switch off the ANC. Nonetheless, this is anyway enough for long haul flights, or if you are out the entire day. In case, you are an average user who listens via headphones 2-3 hours a day, this may go on for 4-5 days easily.

Thankfully, all three come with fast charging tech. While the XM4s claim to run for 5 hours after 10 minutes of charge, we were able to run it for 2 hours (with ANC). It is not bad at all, considering the brand seems to have found a way to win the battery game in headphones and earbuds. Bose 700 NC headphones are not there yet as they promise to deliver 2 hours of playback in 15 minutes of charge. We were able to run it for almost an hour. In the case of Sennheiser Momentum 3, you get almost the same playback time in 10 minutes of charge.

Verdict

It will be wrong to say that there is a clear cut winner. Although the Sony WH-1000XM4, Bose 700 Noise Cancelling Headphones and Sennheiser Momentum 3 fall in the same price segment, they are a bit different from each other. The looks are different, features are different, the audio quality and battery performances are varied too.

Sony WH-1000XM4. (HT Tech)

But what we largely gather from the audio quality, feature set, looks and battery performance, the 1000XM4s definitely give you the most value for money. Yes, they havent changed at all in terms of looks but when it comes to the number of features, warmer audio tones and punchy mids with well-balanced bass, and the massive battery performance with NC, these tick the most checkboxes.

In case you are all-in for more modern looks, slightly less but still fairly good battery life and are ok missing out on some of the features, Bose might be the right one for you. The audio quality is almost the same here and so is the Noise Cancellation. In addition to Gray and Black, which is there in XM4s as well, you get this one in dual-tone SoapStone colour variant, which does look unique. The price difference is also not a lot ( 2,000 approx).

Sennheiser Momentum 3 seems specifically for those who like industrial design headphone. And if you dig the pearl-blasted stainless steel sliders, these will appeal to you the most. It may not look like they can blend well with other lifestyle products, but they do offer good audio quality and noise cancellation. The feature set is nearly the same as what you get with Bose. Momentum 3 also goes with classic button reliability instead of touch gestures, which might work for some, and has built-in Tile tracking functionality as well, which the other two dont.
Cash-strapped Sudan clears overdue payments to World Bank

The Sudanese government said Friday it cleared all of its overdue payments to the World Bank, a move that gives the highly-indebted country access to new types of international financing for the first time in decades.

This development allows Sudan to resume normal relations with the World Bank after nearly 30 years of suspension, according to a statement released by Sudans Cabinet. The World Bank said that by clearing its debts, Sudan will have access to nearly $2 billion in grants for poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Sudan accumulated more than $60 billion in foreign debt under dictator Omar al-Bashir, who ruled the country until his ouster in 2019. Sudan had been named a pariah state. The country is now ruled by a joint civilian military government.

This victory belongs to the Sudanese people who have shouldered the burden of the economic reforms, which have been made difficult by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cabinet said in a statement. It is also a significant achievement for Sudans Transitional Government as it implements its economic program to realize economic stability, equitable growth, opportunity, and jobs for all Sudanese people.

ADVERTISEMENT

Since al-Bashirs ouster, Sudan has been seeking better ties with the West but has been struggling with a huge budget deficit and widespread shortages of essential goods  including fuel, bread and medicine. Last year, Sudan embarked on an economic restructuring program that had been approved by the International Monetary Fund, a backing deemed essential at the time for eventual debt relief by official creditors.

This is a breakthrough at a time when Sudan needs the worlds help to support its development progress, said World Bank Group President David Malpass, referring to the clearance of Sudans arrears. He said the steps will put Sudan on the path to substantial debt relief, economic revival, and inclusive development.

The U.S. Treasury said Friday that it had provided same-day bridge financing of approximately $1.15 billion to help Sudan clear its arrears, at no cost to U.S. taxpayers.

Its an action that will move Sudan one step closer to securing much needed-debt relief and help the nation reintegrate into the international financial community, said Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen

Earlier this year, Sudan has signed an agreement with the United States to normalize ties with Israel. In return, the Trump administration removed Sudan from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

The Sudanese government said that it shall soon discuss with the World Bank the schedule for the disbursement of total grants of $2 billion over the next two years. These grants will be earmarked to finance sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, and agriculture, the Cabinet said.
(Natural News) With Covid-19 lockdowns slowly but surely falling off, the newest push is for vaccine mandates. We havent heard too much about it from the federal government but state and local governments are looking into things like vaccine passports and other ways to mandate compliance with Covid vaccination protocols. Meanwhile, private businesses have already started initiating their own version of get the jab to get a job policies.

(Article by JD Rucker republished from NOQReport.com)

All the while, mainstream media is pushing the vaccines hard. But Big Tech has been the most egregious with their own iterations of vaccine lockdowns as many of the bigger players are suppressing discussions about them. YouTube is the most draconian of the Big Tech tyrants so far, deleting videos and suspending accounts that dare to ask valid questions about the efficacy, necessity, or safety of Covid vaccines.

Were not alone. Apparently, many others who are asking questions are being hit hard by YouTube. According to One News Now:

At the Bringing America Back to Life Convention in Cleveland earlier this month, Dr. Alan Moy of the John Paull II Medical Research Institute and Sarah Quale of the Personhood Alliance gave a presentation on the science and ethics of COVID-19 vaccines.

YouTube removed the video of our presentation because they said it was medical misinformation, Quale reports. Thats a label that theyve been using a lot more often lately, particularly in terms of COVID information, and particularly information about COVID vaccines.

Quale stresses that people need to hear the pros and cons in order to make an informed decision on whether they should obtain a vaccine.

This really should disturb everybody, regardless of what they think about vaccines, she tells One News Now. Were no longer permitted to offer any other data or perspective or conclusions than what is put forth by the government and the media outlets who agree with them, and that is including Big Tech.

On the latest episode of NOQ Report, we talked about the YouTube policies as well as other types of narrative suppression happening across the board on Big Tech platforms. YouTube may be the most obvious culprit, but Facebook, Twitter, and other Big Tech tyrants are starting to flex their anti-anti-vaxx muscles. It should be noted that I am not an anti-vaxxer. If someone wants to take the vaccine, they should be able to without being shamed. Im a big fan of vaccine transparency and vaccine choice. Take it if you want. Try to be as informed as possible. Participate in discussions just apparently not on Big Tech platforms.

If you really want to see yourself get censored by Big Tech, just mention The Great Reset and its association with Covid-19 and vaccines. Youll be done in minutes.

The crackdown by YouTube and other Big Tech tyrants should worry everyone, anti-vaxxer or not. Theyre not just suppressing opposing views. Theyre extinguishing discourse on the subject. George Orwell would be proud.

Read more at: NOQReport.com
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday greeted the Hindu community on the occasion of Holi.

The festival is being celebrated in Pakistan on Sunday and Monday.

"Wishing all our Hindu community a very happy Holi, the festival of colours," the prime minister tweeted.

Wishing all our Hindu community a very happy Holi, the festival of colours.  Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 28, 2021

Several other leaders, including National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, also wished the Hindu parliamentarians and the community at large on their special occasion.

"This festival of light and colours provides an opportunity to spread happiness," he said, praising the role of the Hindu community in the upliftment of Pakistan.

Qaiser said all minority communities have the right to openly celebrate their religious festivals in Pakistan.

Hindus form the biggest minority community in Pakistan. According to official estimates, 75 lakh Hindus live in Pakistan.

Holi is a Hindu spring festival, which is celebrated predominantly in India and Nepal, but has now spread across other parts of the world. The festival has become popular amongst non-Hindus as well.

.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  One of Albuquerques long-running debates may finally have come to an end  in Santa Fe.

State lawmakers this month passed legislation guaranteeing all private-sector workers paid sick leave by 2022, potentially capping a yearslong battle in New Mexicos largest city.

Advocates have repeatedly tried to get a paid leave ordinance on the city of Albuquerques books. A ballot initiative narrowly failed in 2017, and a few attempts to legislatively implement a mandate died without getting to a full City Council vote.

The push never ended, however.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Albuquerque City Councilors Lan Sena and Pat Davis were in the midst of another attempt to pass a paid leave ordinance late last year, with their proposal reviving arguments both for and against such a measure. Supporters deemed it essential so that workers, particularly the lowest earners, could afford to take off when they are ill  and possibly contagious  while opponents said it represented a new cost some businesses might not be able to afford.

But with an impending state legislative session, the City Council in December decided to postpone any action on the Sena/Davis bill until seeing what happened when state lawmakers convened.

New Mexico legislators ultimately advanced an even more generous bill  the Healthy Workplaces Act  than what Sena and Davis had proposed. It passed the House of Representatives and the Senate and is now on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams desk.

A vocal supporter of paid leave, Sena said she watched the Healthy Workplaces Act make its way through the Legislature and even gave testimony as a cancer patient during committee meetings in the hopes it would pass.

Its a lot different (from the citys proposal), but really, for me, just the concept of sick leave itself is really important, Sena said.

If Lujan Grisham signs the act into law, Sena said, she will withdraw the city-level bill and turn her attention to helping Albuquerque employers implement it, perhaps through workshops and other training opportunities.

The state legislation would allow workers to take up to 64 hours of accrued paid sick leave each year and would apply to private businesses of any size starting July 1, 2022.

The bill Sena and Davis had introduced in Albuquerque last fall would have entitled workers to earn and use up to 56 hours of paid leave per year, and was designed so that smaller businesses had a year longer than their bigger counterparts to comply.

ENERGY EXPLORATION: Albuquerque has contracted with Yearout Energy to audit 50 of its facilities in search of potential updates that could result in energy or water savings.

The audit will cover buildings with a combined 2 million square feet of space and assess components such as lighting, HVAC, electrical and irrigation systems.

The audit itself will cost $300,000, Mayor Tim Keller told the City Council in a recent memo. It will run through 2021, according to a city news release.

Yearout Energy and city staff will work together during the audit to determine which upgrades should be made, and the city intends to use Yearout to complete them.

The city would have to pay to make the improvements, but would eventually recoup the costs through guaranteed future energy savings, a spokeswoman said.

Jessica Dyer: jdyer@abqjournal.com

Representative Image

Thimphu [Bhutan], March 27 (ANI): Bhutan initiated its nationwide Covid-19 vaccination program on Saturday.

A 30-year-old woman was the first one to get a jab of Covishield vaccine on Saturday morning in Thimphu city, reported Xinhua

Bhutan Prime Minister, Lotay Tshering, took his jab right after returning from Bangladesh a day before and is currently in his quarantine period, according to an update from Prime Minister's office.

In order to spread awareness about the safety of the Covid-19 vaccine and that it far outweighs the risk of the COVID-19 virus, the prime minister decided to get vaccinated on the first day along with his family of 50 members.

Cabinet ministers have also been inoculated along with other parliament representatives.

Vaccines have been distributed to all 20 districts across the country, as the country expects to run the mass vaccination within a week's time.

Earlier, Bhutan thanked the people of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending consignments of Covid vaccine that would cover its population of slightly over 533,500.

Bhutan was the first country to receive India's gift of the COVID vaccines, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII). Bhutan received the first consignment of 1.5 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccine Covishield as a gift from India in January. Earlier this week as it received a gift of additional 400,000 doses of Covishield from India.

Bhutan is likely to be one of the first countries to protect its entire population against Covid-19, with assistance from India, according to a release.

According to Johns Hopkins University data, Bhutan has reported 869 coronavirus cases and one death so far. (ANI)
And here's the key to this trio's appeal, their biggest asset for a successful long-term run as a comedy collective and not just as a brief anti-Trumpian backlash oddity held up by Northern progressives as a representative of what Southerners should be, by gosh: their willingness to tackle both sides with equal vehemence, defending the honor of their fellow rednecks (even as they disagree with them) and mocking urban liberals (even as they share most of their political ideals).
A video of a woman being dragged behind a pick-up for several metres in Kenya's western city of Kisumu has gone viral on social media.

People have condemned the incident as barbaric.

The pick-up belonged to county guards, who are known to carry out raids to clear the streets of hawkers selling their wares without valid permits.

The woman who was dragged by the pick-up was 39-year-old Beatrice Atieno Magolo, a divorced woman with four children.

While she admitted that she didn't have a valid permit to sell her goods, she recalled the moment of the incident, saying she begged the guards to let her go.

People who witnessed the incident shouted at guards, urging them to let Magolo go, she said.

Her sister, Mary Achieng' Magolo, who was supposed to be with her selling fruits on the street, said she was left very angered by the incident.

It wasn't the first time county guards warned Magolo about selling goods without a valid permit.

But with four children to support, she had no choice but to keep doing it to make a living.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Woody Allen has addressed accusations of pedophilia leveled at him by his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow, in his first television interview for three decades.

'I believe she thinks it,' Allen, 85, told CBS Sunday Morning reporter Lee Cowan. 'She was a good kid. I do not believe that she's making it up. I don't believe she's lying. I believe she believes that.

'It's so preposterous, and yet the smear has remained,' Allen said. 'And they still prefer to cling to if not the notion that I molested Dylan, the possibility that I molested her. Nothing that I ever did with Dylan in my life could be misconstrued as that.

'There was no logic to it, on the face of it. Why would a guy who's 57-years-old and never accused of anything in my life, I'm suddenly going to drive up in the middle of a contentious custody fight at Mia's country home (with) a 7-year-old girl. It just  on the surface, I didn't think it required any investigation, even.'

The second episode of Allen v. Farrow, which aired earlier this month, featured home video footage of then-seven-year-old Dylan accusing her adoptive father Allen of 'touching her privates'.

Woody Allen's first television interview for three decades has been made available on Paramount Plus

CBS Sunday Morning special was recorded before the release of Allen v. Farrow this year

In the film, Dylan alleges Allen touched her inappropriately on two occasions when the pair were alone.

According to the documentary, Allen was caught kneeling on the floor with his head buried in Dylan's lap in August 1992.

The then-seven-year-old did not have any underpants on after the incident, Mia claims.

A second alleged incident took place in the attic, after Allen asked his adopted daughter: 'What about some father-daughter time?'.

In the video, Dylan, prompted by Mia, claims Allen touched her private parts while they were in the attic together.

'He touched your front part?' Mia asks again, to which Dylan replies: 'yeah'.

In another part of the video Mia asks: 'Do you wanna tell me what things daddy said in the attic when you were in the attic?'

Dylan replies saying he had told her: 'Do not move, I have to do this.'

Allen allegedly told Dylan he would take her to Paris and give her roles in all his movies before he sexually assaulted her.

In February, HBO released footage of Dylan Farrow recounting with clarity an incident in which Allen is said to have asked 'What about some father-daughter time?' with her

Dylan Farrow is asked on a 1992 video recording about what happened when she was alone with her adoptive father, Woody Allen

The interview with Allen was conducted last July but never made it to air.

It was finally made available as part of a larger package on the new subscription video on-demand service Paramount Plus on Sunday.

The special was recorded several months before the release of Allen v. Farrow earlier this year in which his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow speaks on camera about her alleged sexual abuse.

Allen has continued to maintain his innocence and has never been charged with a crime.

Allen told CBS he would like to reach out to Dylan Farrow but has not spoken to her since the allegations surfaced.

During the early '90s, Mia Farrow who was still Allen's girlfriend at the time, learned that he had struck up a relationship with her 21-year-old adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn.

Allen was 56 at the time and Mia Farrow ended their relationship soon after.

'The last thing in the world that anybody wanted was to hurt anybody's feelings,' Allen said. 'What we wanted to do was to eventually make it known that we had a relationship.'

Allen noted he was 'totally surprised' at the onset of his relationship with Previn claiming to have initially had 'no interest in her whatsoever,' but 'she turned out to be the deepest relationship in my life.'

The special was recorded in July 2020 before the release of Allen v. Farrow earlier this year

Soon-Yi Previn was adopted by Mia Farrow (pictured) in 1978 and began dating Allen in 1992

Allen and Soon-Yi are pictured in Venice shortly after their wedding in the city, in 1997

He was asked if he ever considered a relationship with his girlfriend's adopted daughter to be inappropriate.

Allen said 'no,' adding 'there was never a moment that it wasn't the most natural thing in the world ... it didn't give me pause, because the relationship with Soon-Yi was very gradual. It wasn't like I went out with her one night and kissed her.

'I would say of the many women I've dated in my life, many women, they were all what the appropriate police would call appropriate  age appropriate,' he said. 'Diane Keaton, Mia Farrow, Louise Lasser, my first wife; until Soon-Yi, which is unusual for me.'

Allen added: 'If you'd have told me I was going to wind up married, and happily married, to an Asian woman much younger than me, not in show business, I would have said 'the odds of that are very slim. I don't think you're going to be right.' But that's what happened.'

Allen and Farrow with their adopted daughter Dylan Farrow and biological son Ronan Farrow

Dylan Farrow, now 35, is pictured in Allen v. Farrow but will also appear in the new special in an interview she did in 2018

Mia Farrow told her side of the story in the four-part HBO series Allen v Farrow

Farrow had seven children with Andre Previn when she began a relationship with Allen

TIMELINE OF THE WOODY-MIA SAGA 1977: Mia Farrow and her second husband, composer Andre Previn, adopt Soon-Yi, who was seven years old at the time, from South Korea. The couple already had three biological sons - Matthew, Sascha, and Fletcher - and two adopted daughters - Lark and Daisy. 1979: Woody Allen and Mia Farrow, who recently divorced from Previn, meet for the first time. July 1982: The first of 13 films in which Allen and Farrow starred together, A Midsummer Nights Sex Comedy, is released. 1980: Mia Farrow adopts Moses Farrow, 2, from South Korea. Moses is Mias seventh child and first adopted after she divorced Previn. July 1985: Mia Farrow adopts infant daughter Dylan, who was born in Texas. December 1987: Mia Farrow gives birth to a son, Satchel, who eventually is known as Ronan. Allen is presumed to be the father though rumors have swirled that the child actually belongs to Mias first husband, singer Frank Sinatra. December 1991: Allen officially adopts Dylan and Moses. January 1992: Mia Farrow discovers nude photographs of Soon-Yi in Allens apartment. August, 4 1992: Dylan claims Allen sexually abused her on August 4 when she was seven years old. Mia Farrow films her daughter on camera discussing the alleged abuse. August 13, 1992: Allen files suit against Mia Farrow seeking custody of Ronan, Dylan, and Moses. August 17, 1992: Allen gives a statement to the press confirming his relationship with Soon-Yi. August 18, 1992: Allen denies child molestation allegations, calling them false and outrageous. September 18, 1992: The last film Allen and Farrow did together, Husbands and Wives, is released in the United States. June 1993: Mia Farrow wins custody of Ronan, Dylan, and Moses. Allen is denied visitation rights with Dylan. September 1993: Connecticut state attorney says there's 'probably cause' to charge Allen but declines to do so in order to spare Dylan the trauma of a court appearance December 23, 1997: Allen and Soon-Yi wed in Venice, Italy. February 1, 2014: Dylan writes open letter accusing Allen of sexually assaulting her. February 5, 2014: Moses defends his father in an interview with People magazine and accuses his mother of physically abusing him as a child. He also alleges Dylan was coached by Mia as a vengeful way to pay him back for falling in love with Soon-Yi. Advertisement

Allen and Previn, who is now 50, have been married for 23 years and have raised two adopted college-age daughters. Allen claims this is proof of his innocence: 'They don't give two baby girls to someone they think is a pedophile.'

During the interview Allen was asked how he feels about others in Hollywood and the wider public who have condemned him? 'They're well-meaning but foolish,' he said, accusing them of 'enabling this lie' against a 'perfectly innocent person.' But he says he ultimately isn't bothered by what others think about him.

'Do I care that some guy sitting at home or some woman is thinking? 'I don't care what investigators say, I still believe he's a pedophile'? It's as meaningful as a person sitting at home saying 'I believe him and he's a wonderful guy and he's gotten a raw deal,'' he said.

Before Allen v. Farrow premiered, Woody and wife Soon-Yi Previn's rep said in a statement that the documentary makers 'had no interest in the truth,' adding, 'Instead, they spent years surreptitiously collaborating with the Farrows and their enablers to put together a hatchet job riddled with falsehoods.'

'As has been known for decades, these allegations are categorically false,' the statement continued. 'Multiple agencies investigated them at the time and found that, whatever Dylan Farrow may have been led to believe, absolutely no abuse had ever taken place.'

The second episode of Allen v. Farrow featured home video footage of Dylan at age 7, telling her mother about the alleged abuse.

Before it aired in February, Dylan tweeted, 'My fear in letting this tape come to light is that I am putting Little Dylan in the court of public opinion. While I have been able to take the stones thrown at me as an adult, to think of that happening to this little girl is stomach-churning.'

'But I decided to let them share it in hopes that Little Dylan's voice might now help others suffering in silence feel heard, understood, and less alone,' she continued. 'And that my testimony might also help parents, relatives, friends, loved ones and the world in general understand first-hand how an abused child might speak and interpret these horrific events.'

Dylan added, 'I hope this tape helps us all find ways to allow painful secrets to come safely out of their closets so we all can heal and move forward in strength and peace. No longer ashamed, buried, scared, sad, and silent.'

In another new part of the special, Erin Moriarty explored how the public views and treats controversial artists have been alleged 'to have acted in a morally questionable manner.'

CBS explained the delayed release of the Allen interview in a statement.

'Lee Cowan sat down with Woody Allen in July 2020 following the release of his memoir for what would be Allen's first significant television interview in nearly three decades,' CBS News said.

'The interview, which occurred last summer during an active news cycle, is being presented now given the renewed interest in the controversy surrounding the filmmaker.'

The statement continues: 'The exclusive for Paramount Plus offers the ability to explore Allen, his career, and the allegations in context and with the depth that this story demands.'

The couple are seen in New York City, where they live, during the pandemic
The head of Anglicare Sydney has been summoned to appear before a NSW parliamentary inquiry into aged care to explain its handling of the deadly COVID-19 outbreak in Newmarch House.

Grant Millard, chief executive of the Anglicare-owned aged care facility in western Sydney, will give evidence on Monday to the inquiry investigating registered nurses in aged care homes.

Nineteen residents at Anglicares Newmarch House died from COVID-19 during one of Australias earliest outbreaks. Credit:Edwina Pickles

The inquiry follows the release earlier this month of the final report into the royal commission into aged care, which found unacceptably high levels of substandard care in the crisis-plagued sector.

Even though the NSW inquirys main focus is on nurses, Mr Millard will be pressed on Newmarch Houses handling of its COVID-19 outbreak, in which there were 71 cases in residents and staff and 19 deaths over a two-month period from April 11.
An Indonesian cathedral was rocked by a suicide bombing Sunday that wounded 20 as worshippers celebrated the start of Holy Week, an attack slammed by the countrys president as an act of terror.

Two suspects behind the powerful blast were killed as they rode a motorbike into the compound of the church in Makassar city on Sulawesi island, authorities said.

A suicide bombing occurred at the cathedral in Makassar, Indonesias chief security minister Mahfud MD told reporters in the capital Jakarta.

The two (bombers) died.

Authorities had not previously confirmed that the bombing, which happened around 10:30 am local time (0330 GMT), was a suicide attack.

Twenty church officials, congregants and security staff were injured by debris from the blast, authorities said.

A church security guard tried to prevent the two perpetrators  who have not been identified  from entering when the explosion occurred, they added.

One witness described hearing two very strong blasts and then seeing plumes of smoke.

There were several injured people on the street. I helped one woman who was wounded and covered in blood, Yosi, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told AFP.

Her grandchild was also injured. There were body parts everywhere.

It was not clear if the victims wounds were life-threatening.

We were finishing the service and people were going home when it happened, Pastor Wilhelmus Tulak told reporters.

Forensic investigators have been poring over body parts scattered at the scene in a bid to determine the attackers identities.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Churches have been targeted in the past by extremists in Indonesia, the worlds biggest Muslim-majority nation and home to several religious minorities including Christians, Buddhists and Hindus.

 Act of terror 

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he strongly condemned this act of terror.

Terrorism is a crime against humanity, he said.

I call on everyone to fight against terror and radicalism, which go against religious values.

Amnesty International said the bombing showed complete contempt for human rights.

The explosion at the main Catholic cathedral in Makassar  a port city of about 1.5 million  happened just after congregants finished celebrating Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, which commemorates Jesuss entry into Jerusalem.

It comes a week before Easter.

In his mass for Palm Sunday, Pope Francis said he prayed for all the victims of violence, especially those of this mornings attack in Indonesia, in front of the Cathedral of Makassar.

Sundays attack follows the arrest in recent months of dozens of militants suspected of planning terror attacks, according to Indonesias counter-terror squad.

Indonesia has seen a string of attacks by Islamic extremists over the past two decades, including the 2002 Bali bombings which killed more than 200 people, mostly foreign tourists.

The bombings were Indonesias deadliest terror attack.

In 2018, a dozen people were killed when a family of suicide bombers driving motorbikes blew themselves up at churches during Sunday services in Indonesias second-biggest city Surabaya.

The family  including two daughters aged nine and 12  and another family of five, which carried out a suicide bombing on a police headquarters, all belonged to the same Koran study group.

They were also linked to local extremist network Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

JAD, which has not claimed responsibility for Sundays attack, gained notoriety in 2016 for a gun and suicide bomb attack in the capital Jakarta that killed four civilians and four attackers  including one who blew himself up at a Starbucks outlet.

It was the first attack claimed by Islamic State in Southeast Asia.

str-hrl/pb/axn

Starbucks
Holy Week begins this morning with the observance of Palm Sunday, when Christians carry palm branches to recall the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem before his crucifixion.

Here are five things to love about Palm Sunday:

The Palms

Commemorating Palm Sunday with palm branches goes back to the early Christian church. It remains a favorite among parishioners, who are handed palm branches as they enter the church at many services. Palms were a symbol of royalty and nobility in Jesus day. Those welcoming him to Jerusalem expected a messiah who might overthrow the Romans. The palm is a symbol of the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem just before his crucifixion, as crowds waved palm branches, sang 'Hosannah,' and covered his path with the branches. Jesus was later crucified by the Romans with crowds shouting approval, according to Gospel accounts.

Donkeys

Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem. Unlike the Roman emperors, who rode horses and led military parades, Jesus rode in on a donkey in a statement of peace, humility and solidarity with the people.

Processions

Jesus led a procession into Jerusalem before his Crucifixion, so many Christians take part in processions to commemorate his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. At many churches, parishioners will carry palms in outdoor processions, if weather allows.

Holy Week begins

Palm Sunday begins the most holy week on the Christian liturgical calendar, leading to Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples. Good Friday marks the day of the crucifixion. Easter will be celebrated April 4.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York) is calling on the federal government to tackle the threat of untraceable and undetectable firearms known as ghost guns.

Schumer said Sunday that under current law, the Department of Justice (DOJ) in concert with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) can do something right now to tackle ghost guns.

These guns are sold in pieces or kits and come without background checks, serial numbers, or anything else the law demands of legally purchased firearms. He added that only a few simple steps are required to turn these unfinished pieces into fully functional weapons.

Amid the pain of another senseless shooting in this country, Americans are clamoring for the feds to do something, and so Im calling for DOJ and ATF to use their existing authorities to act, said Schumer. The lights are flashing red on the issue of ghost guns and the rising threat posed by these totally unregulated, available-to-anyone, no-background-check-required weapons. That is why we are demanding the feds take action now, before these easy-to-use assembly kits result in another foreseeable and preventable tragedy.

The senator said New York has already seen these firearms used in crimes and Attorney General Letitia James has taken strong action to prevent their flow in the state. But using existing authority to close the federal loophole allowing these weapons across the country is a commonsense action the federal government can take, Schumer said.

In September 2019, James sent cease and desist letters to companies behind a number of websites selling ghost gun kits to New Yorkers that can be assembled into illegal assault weapons. And in July 2020, James announced that those companies complied and ended the sale of these weapons to New Yorkers.

But Schumer said more work needs to be done across the United States.

Ghost guns pose a grave threat to communities across this country, said James. We know that these untraceable and undetectable weapons can cause the same immense destruction and harm as traditional firearms, yet they are not subject to the same regulations. My office has successfully shut down companies that provide access to these weapons and taken action to regulate them, but far more is needed to protect our families and our children. I thank Senator Schumer for taking the stand that is desperately needed to protect New Yorkers and all Americans.

Schumer called on the DOJ and ATF to immediately take the following steps to address this threat:

Amend the definition of firearm frame or receiver in 27 C.F.R. section 4 78.11 such that it applies to any part of a firearm which provides housing for the trigger group, including any such part (1) that is designed, intended, or marketed to be used in an assembled, operable firearm; or (2) that, without the expenditure of substantial time and effort, can be converted for use in an assembled, operable firearm. Provide all available data on the frequency with which federal authorities are encountering these so-called ghost guns and efforts on the part of your respective agencies to collaborate with state and local law enforcement within 30 days. Should this information not be readily available, explain why and describe strategies on how to improve collaboration, monitoring, and data collection.

FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

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 people in these photos are of interest and may be able to provide police with information about these offences. These images are released for identification purposes only. The subjects may or may not be responsible for the crimes indicated. If you are able to identify either person, contact Winnipeg Crime Stoppers at 786-TIPS (786-8477), text @ TIP170 & (your message) to CRIMES (274637) or leave a secure tip on line @ www.winnipegcrimestoppers.com
As office work transitioned from in person to online during the pandemic, the evolving workplace dynamic also created a dual-edged sword for people with mental and physical disabilities.

Remote work with flexible schedules means increased accessibility for some disabled employees, now wondering why they were told for so long they couldnt telecommute. For others who thrive on human contact, working at home poses problems of isolation, a possible barrier to productivity and, quite possibly, fewer opportunities.

There are other potential problems looming for disabled workers.

Many businesses are increasingly using algorithm-based hiring tools to sift the flood of online applications from unemployed workers. This type of automation may exacerbate existing inequities and potentially discriminatory practices.

Thats a concern to people like Robert Stack, founder and CEO of Princeton-based Community Options, which operates about 700 group homes and other businesses for the disabled in New Jersey and 10 other states.

Disabilities are part of life, Stack said. Were going to be your neighbor. Were going to be in your community. Disabilities dont care about your financial status, your religion, your race, sex or age. You get a disability, youre just going to have it.

The ranks of the disabled also now include COVID patients with lasting symptoms and protracted recoveries. The long haulers will add to New Jerseys 890,000 residents that the Centers For Disease Control says have physical or mental disabilities.

More disabled people in the workforce means businesses must confront legal and moral questions of how to recruit, retain and accommodate disabled workers as never before. Coronavirus and remote work make this an immediate, urgent concern.

A survey published earlier this year by the English medical journal BMJ, found that 72% of 3,700 COVID patients who fell ill at the start of the pandemic had not returned to work or were working reduced hours. An eye-popping 97% reported chronic symptoms beyond 90 days of their COVID diagnosis. They may face resistance at work or were pushed out when it became clear to employers that their recovery would exceed two weeks.

There is evidence that people are not functioning at the level they did before they went on a ventilator or had a long hospital stay, Stack said. Recovery from having been put on a ventilator, in particular, can be a lengthy process.

A small number of these so-called long-haulers face debilitating brain fog and have remained sick for months and months, plagued by memory problems and an onslaught of varied symptoms. As they navigate doctors appointments and mounting medical bills, many are simultaneously losing months of pay or fighting for alternate work arrangements so they can stay afloat financially.

Community Options, one of the biggest non-profits in New Jersey and a major employer of physically and cognitively disabled workers, was founded 30 years ago by Stack. It has nearly 5,000 employees in a dozen states. In New Jersey, workers answer telephones, do cleaning and shredding of documents at a network of temporary rental office facilities.

While hundreds of Community Options clients and employees contracted the virus, only seven cases were fatal, Stack said.

Thankfully, the pandemic has not exempted New Jersey businesses from employment laws. Last year, the New Jersey Legislature passed amendments to the Family Leave Act (NJFLA), the Earned Sick Leave Law (ESLL), and the New Jersey Millville Dallas Airmotive Plant Job Loss Notification Act, commonly referred to as the New Jersey WARN Act. Many updates strengthened employer notice and posting requirements.

Not a moment too soon as the algorithm-based hiring tools are coming in vogue.

A study by the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) found that many employers use electronic resume screeners, while 76% of companies with 100 employees ask job candidates to take personality and aptitude tests.

Remote work and machined-aided screening mark a worrisome trend for the disabled and alter the human element between employers and workers.

We all work for money, but we also work for relationships. What remote has done in some cases is create one more barrier of isolation that the disabled encounter, Stack said. Its just another way of people not talking to each other, physically. For people with disabilities, many of us benefit from interfacing with other people.

George Jordan writes a weekly column on business and development in New Jersey. He may be reached at george@griotmediaworks.com
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 28) -- Barangay captains in areas under enhanced community quarantine could face charges if they fail to implement health and safety protocols in their communities, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Martin Dino said Sunday.

Dino said erring barangay chiefs could be sanctioned under Republic Act 11494, or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, if COVID-19 cases in their communities rise due to negligence.

Wag niyong pabayaan 'yung inyong kanya-kanyang lugar. Definitely, kakasuhan ko kayo based on the Bayanihan 2. Nakalagay diyan sanction to all government officials  from governor, mayor, down to the punong barangay. Sa akin kayo mananagot, said Dino in an online forum.

[Translation: Do not neglect your respective areas. Definitely, we will charge you based on Bayanihan 2. It is stated there that we can sanction all government officials -- from governor, mayor, down to the barangay captain. You will be answerable to me.]

Aside from barangay captains, Dino said violators of health and safety protocols in areas under ECQ could also face charges.

Sabi ko nga, ang gagawin na lang namin kung hindi sila pwedeng i-detain, kasuhan na lang muna. So meron silang pending case sa barangay at kung hindi sila um-attend sa webinar o hindi sila sumunod pa rin, palagay ko sa fiscals office na para meron silang pending case lahat, he said.

[Translation: Like I've said before, what we could do if we cannot detain them is to just file charges. So they will have a pending case in the barangay and if they fail to attend the webinar or follow the rules, I think the cases should go to the fiscals office.]

President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to place Metro Manila and the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal under ECQ to slow down the rise in COVID-19 cases.

The ECQ, which is the strictest form of lockdown in the country, will last from March 29 to April 4.

Dino said 89 barangay captains had been suspended when ECQ was first imposed in Metro Manila last year. He added that they are building cases against some 500 barangay chiefs for being remiss in their duties amid the pandemic.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 22:30:29|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

WUHAN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Over 3,000 captive-bred sturgeons were released into the middle reaches of the Yangtze River Sunday to revive the wild population of the endangered Chinese sturgeon and Dabry's sturgeon.

The release of 2,020 Chinese sturgeons and 1,000 Dabry's sturgeons took place in the city of Jingzhou, central China's Hubei Province.

In recent years, China has stepped up efforts to rescue the Dabry's sturgeon and other endangered endemic species in the river, such as Chinese sturgeon, said Wei Qi of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences that jointly launched the event.

Dabry's sturgeon, also known as the Yangtze sturgeon, has lost its natural ability to reproduce since 2000 due to overfishing and crowded rivers, among others. Nicknamed "aquatic pandas," Chinese sturgeons have existed for more than 140 million years. The size of the population of the flagship species in the Yangtze, however, plummeted in the late 20th century due to intrusive human activities.

According to Wei, about seven million captive-bred Chinese sturgeons have been released in the Yangtze sturgeon since 1983. Enditem
Green power: Data centres should be moved away from major cities and closer to the sources of green power, says the Echelon report. Photo: Bord na Mona

Data centres are not optional if we want to keep living the modern lives to which we have become accustomed, the boss of one of the countrys biggest data centre developers has said.

Echelon Data Centres has committed to working towards using 100pc renewable resources to power its facilities but its CEO, Niall Molloy, said halfway house solutions would be needed.

The growth of the sector in Ireland has become increasingly controversial because of the huge energy resources needed to power each facility.

A new Echelon report on sustainability argues that one gigawatt facilities are on the way: The only question is: how does the industry address the issue of powering them sustainably and cleanly? it said.

The company has six facilities under development in Ireland and the UK with potential combined capacity of 500mw. Its DUB10 site at Clondalkin in Dublin is expected to come online later this year.

Data centres should be moved away from major cities and closer to the sources of green power, with on-site generation from wind, solar, biogas or hydrogen, said the report.

Ireland can be a model for this. Much of its thousands of kilometres of coastline is ripe for wind farming.

Echelon has a deal with SSE Renewables to co-locate grid infrastructure.

Molloy told the Sunday Independent that suggestions for limiting the growth of the dataverse are not viable. Society is accustomed to smartphones, to 5G, to internet shopping, to video conferencing, to content streaming, to virtual assistants (AI) and to early applications of the Internet of things.

Echelon would in the short-term, use halfway house solutions  such as onsite energy centres, powered by gas, and onsite biogas production facilities  neither of which are wholly green but which are significant improvements on diesel backup power generators, and which will smooth the transition to 100pc renewable energy, he said. In the medium- to long-term it would use new technologies such as liquid cooling, battery tech and green hydrogen.
Alex Salmond faced anger yesterday after he suggested Scots could take to the streets to force another independence referendum, before urging Nicola Sturgeon to bury the hatchet and work with him to obtain one.

The former First Minister turned up the temperature in the ferocious debate by mooting 'street demonstrations' if Boris Johnson refused to agree to another vote on splitting the UK.

The comments came as a second SNP MP announced they are defecting to Mr Salmond's new Alba party amid the brutal civil war with Nicola Sturgeon.

Neale Hanvey, who represents Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath at Westminster, declared that he is joining Alba and will be a candidate at Hoylrood elections in May.

Former SNP justice secretary Kenny MacAskill had already said he was jumping ship.

Mr Salmond made clear this morning that he has not 'forgiven' Ms Sturgeon for the bitter row over the Scottish government's handling of harassment complaints against him. He was awarded more than 500,000 and later cleared at a trial.

But he admitted that she is the 'only viable' candidate to be First Minister after the elections in May, and said the drive to split up the UK would be his priority over 'personal differences'.

'I'm not saying forgive. I'm saying these sorts of things - when it's the future of a country at stake - you have to put the past behind you, and campaign for the future,' he told Times Radio.

Mr Salmond was also accused of a 'dog whistle' to independence extremists by suggesting 'peaceful street demonstrations' could be held if Westminster denies a referendum.

Kenny MacAskill MP (left) announced yesterday he was deserting Nicola Sturgeon to stand for the newly-launched Alba party in May's Holyrood elections. Neale Hanvey (right), who represents Kircaldy and Cowdenbeath at Westminster, has also declared that he is joining Alba

Alex Salmond announced on Friday that he is forming Alba to get a 'super majority' for independence at Holyrood

Nicola Sturgeon struggled to hide her frustration at the situation on the campaign trail yesterday

Scots Tories renew plea for unionist pact The Scottish Tories have accused Labour and the Liberal Democrats of 'ignoring the elephant in the room' by refusing to make a unionist coalition. Douglas Ross renewed his offer to coperate despite Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar telling him to 'grow up' and Lib Dem MP Alister Carmichael dismissing him as 'divisive'. Mr Ross said: 'They are ignoring the elephant in the room that while we will all agree that the focus has to be on our recovery from Covid-19 and rebuilding from the pandemic, we can't do that while the nationalists are determined to take us through another divisive and damaging independence referendum. 'It's naive in the extreme of Anas to suggest that we can somehow ignore the threat that is being posed by the SNP and the Alba Party. 'We should be focused on getting through the health pandemic and taking on the emergency that will follow, and have the Scottish Parliament 100% laser-focused on our recovery and rebuilding. 'The nationalists want to take us back to the division of the past. 'All pro-UK parties have to recognise that and that's why I continue to make the offer to Scottish Labour and Scottish Liberal Democrats to work with us.' Advertisement

Mr Salmond said he hoped that the election will produce a majority of MSPs in favour of breaking up the UK.

'We should be negotiating as a parliament as quickly as possible using that array of independence supporting parties in that parliament to give the authority to say Scotland's parliament, newly elected, representative, Scotland's people want you to start negotiating about Scotland's independence,' he said.

'And then we'll see what comes out of that negotiation, whether it be a section 50 referendum, whether it be a plebiscite organised by the Scottish Parliament, whether it be mobilising international opinion and international legal opinion, on Scotland's right of self determination.

'Whether it be peaceful street demonstrations, whether it be the galvanization of Scottish opinion. Any and all of these things are tactics to achieve the strategy, which is to achieve Scottish independence.'

Former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said on Twitter: 'There's the dog whistle to the zoomers, right there.

'We need to rebuild after a pandemic which has left no person or street or shop or business untouched. Use your vote to counter this Sturgeon/Salmond psychodrama once and for all.'

In a statement overnight, Mr Hanvey - elected to Gordon Brown's old seat in 2019 - said: 'Like so many, I have been angered by our powerlessness in the face of Brexit and share the frustration of many who feel the aspirations of the independence movement are being ignored.

'The Alba Party provides a tonic for our movement with an unashamedly optimistic vision for Scotland's impending transition to an independent European nation.'

Scottish Labour campaign co-chair Neil Bibby said the SNP was in 'utter disarray' and both defectors should stand down so voters can elect 'politicians more interested in guaranteeing Scotland's recovery than endlessly refighting yesterday's war'.

But Mr MacAskill said he would not be standing down to allow a by-election.

He told Sky's Ridge on Sunday: 'I'll be doing what has been done before.

'At the outset of the Scottish Parliament, Donald Dewar and Labour MPs exercised a dual mandate.

'During the Parliament I served in, Alex Salmond and indeed John Swinney, the deputy first minister of the Scottish Parliament, stood on a dual mandate and represented both Westminster and Holyrood.

'So I'll be seeking to represent Holyrood as well as containing and continuing to serve my constituents in East Lothian.'

In an extraordinary escalation yesterday, the SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford said Mr MacAskill's departure was 'somewhat of a relief' and demanded he resign his seat to trigger a by-election.

Mr MacAskill then shot back at Mr Blackford's 'dispiriting' attack - and accused him of damaging the independence cause.

Meanwhile, Ms Sturgeon called Mr Salmond a 'gambler' who has 'serious questions to answer'.

The long-standing feud between the two SNP big beasts has reached a new level as the crucial Holyrood election campaign kicks off.

He is the first high profile SNP figure to jump ship after the former first minister launched his rival pro-independence party yesterday.

Announcing his move, he said: 'I will be joining the newly formed Alba Party to deliver that supermajority for independence through the list vote which I believe is essential to achieving our national independence.'

Mr Salmond today conceded that Ms Sturgeon is the 'best' candidate for First Minister in May - but suggested that was because she is the only 'viable' option to lead a pro-independence government.

'I have no ambition to be in government. I am not standing to be First Minister, I am standing for the Alba Party on the list to build an independence super-majority,' he told the Sunday Mail.

He added on Times Radio today: 'Whatever personal differences have come entirely second, and I'm saying that is what I would do.

'And incidentally I believe that's exactly what Nicola Sturgeon would do as well.

'Because some things are a lot bigger than personalities or individual disagreements and the future of a country is certainly one of these.'

In a brutal retort at Mr MacAskill yesterday, Mr Blackford said: 'He has been an increasing embarrassment to many in the SNP and his departure is somewhat of a relief.

'That he is joining a party with serious questions to answer about his leader's suitability for public office is no surprise.'

He called on Mr MacAskill to resign his Commons seat to allow his constituents to elect someone who will 'focus on their interests, rather than self-interest'.

Mr MacAskill hit back by telling Sky News: 'I think that's very dispiriting from Ian Blackford. The Yes movement encompasses not just the SNP, not just the Alba party, but people of no party. They support the cause of independence which transcends everything.

'I think that's what Ian Blackford should be fighting for, and not opposing those who are also fighting for that cause.'

He dismissed demands that he ought to resign from the Commons, saying he was seeking a dual mandate by standing in May's Scottish elections.

Mr Neale had a controversial career with the SNP. Last month he was removed as vaccine spokesman after posting a message on a crowdfunder page raising money to bring a defamation action against Aberdeen North MP Kirsty Blackman and others.

Mr Hanvey was previously suspended by the SNP for using anti-Semitic language on social media.

He apologised for any offence caused in the days following his suspension, and was later reinstated.

Ex-SNP MP Corrie Wilson is also joining Alba, fuelling with more disillusioned nationalists believed to considering abandoning Ms Sturgeon.

Scotland operates a version of proportional representation, and Alba is only fielding 'list' candidates rather than standing in the first-past-the-post constituency contests that could have inflicted more serious damage to the nationalists.

Pollsters say that means it is more likely to hurt opposition parties, who typically end up with most of the list seats.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said Mr MacAskill's departure was 'somewhat of a relief'

Scotland operates a version of proportional representation, and Alba is only standing 'list' - or 'additional' MSP - candidates rather than running in the first-past-the-post constituency contests that could have inflicted more serious damage to the nationalists. Pollsters say that means it is more likely to hurt opposition parties, who typically end up with most of the list seats. The chart shows the result from the last Holyrood election in 2016

The return of Mr Salmond to the political front line risks causing major problems for Ms Sturgeon, who is trying to use the vote as a platform for pushing to get another referendum as early as this year.

Her extraordinary public battle with her predecessor as SNP leader has already hammered support for breaking up the UK, which had been surging to record highs before the explosive inquiries into bungled handling of harassment allegations.

The prospect of Mr Salmond mounting a high-profile campaign over the next six weeks will dash Ms Sturgeon's hopes of moving on from the infighting after she was controversially cleared of breaching the ministerial code and survived a confidence vote.

But Scottish Tory sources warned that the 66-year-old re-entering the fray also 'heightens the threat' of a majority at Holyrood for holding another referendum on breaking up the UK, pointing out because of the electoral system north of the border Alba could end up with 20 seats on a relatively small share of the vote.

Scotland operates a version of proportional representation, and Alba is only standing 'list' candidates rather than running in the first-past-the-post constituency contests that could have inflicted more serious damage to the nationalists.

Pollsters say that means it is more likely to hurt opposition parties, who typically end up with most of the list seats.
Maputo  The French oil and gas company Total has announced that it is suspending resumption of work on building natural gas liquefaction plants in the Afungi Peninsula, in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado.

Total heads a consortium exploiting the offshore natural gas resources in Area One of the Rovuma Basin. The project, known simply as "Mozambique LNG", involves foreign investment of over 20 billion US dollars.

Total halted construction work and pulled many of its staff out of Afungi following a terrorist attack on 1 January in the resettlement town of Quitunda, a new town built to house people resettled from the areas of the Peninsula where the two planned gas liquefaction plants will be built.

Total and the government then drew up a plan of action to strengthen security around the site. The government declared Afungi a special security zone, and set up a 25 kilometre security perimeter. Improved security was supposed to allow the gradual return of the workers who had been evacuated, and the resumption of construction activities.

But on Wednesday afternoon, within hours of the Total announcement, terrorists linked to the self-styled "Islamic State" launched a three pronged attack against the town of Palma, 15 kilometres from Afungi, and well within the security perimeter.

Although details are still sketchy, since the terrorists cut off all Palma's communications with the outside world, the targets seemed to be government buildings and the civilian population. No attempt was made to attack the Total complex.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Total said it has suspended plans to resume construction at Afungi, and is reducing the work force at Afungi to the minimum necessary. It confirmed that nobody working on the Afungi project was harmed in the Wednesday attack.

"The absolute priority of Total is to guarantee security and protection of the people who are working on the project", the company said.

It added that it is "following the situation attentively, together with the authorities and local teams", and reiterated its "confidence in the Mozambican government, whose public security forces are working to retake control of the area".
WE had a magical day from start to finish. So said newlyweds Claire OConnell and John OConnor, who live in the Old Head of Kinsale.

Claire, who is originally from the Old Head, and John, from Greenmount, were married on January 2, 2021, in Holy Trinity Church in Ballinspittle.

This is not the grooms first time appearing in The Echo, as his wife Claire explained: John worked as an Echo Boy and was featured on the front page of the first edition of the paper when it changed to tabloid.

BEAUTIFUL VISTA: The couple were engaged in County Clare, in 2019, where they enjoyed their first holiday together.

He was pictured as the youngest Echo Boy with the oldest. He wore the older mans cap after negotiating 5 to do so! This was mentioned in the best mans speech.

The couple were engaged on December 14, 2019, in the Burren, Co. Clare, where they had visited previously on their first holiday together.

They were wed at the Ballinspittle church earier this year by Fr Michael OMahony, followed by the reception in Fernhill House Hotel, Clonakilty.

THE WEDDING PARTY: The reception was hosted in Fernhill House Hotel, Clonakilty.

The bride wore an a-line, v back and front, beaded/sequin detail, bought in Brides of Eire, Clonakilty. The blue suits were from Tom Murphy on Patrick Street. The bridesmaids and flowergirl dresses were from the Princess Rooms, Cobh, Johns sister-in-law Sarah OConnors business.

Immediate family and a few close friends attended the wedding. Claires sister Brenda and husband Stephen, Johns sister Tracey, partner Richard and their daughter Caoimhe joined the ceremony via Zoom from Australia and The Netherlands.

The bridal party was Helen Murray and Carol Byran (Claires Friends), Darran OConnor (Johns brother and best man), Brendan OLeary (Johns brother-in-law and groomsman), Emily OLeary (Flowergirl and Johns niece).

Special mentions were given by the couple to Cork Wedding Cars, who provided a 1964 Rolls Royce to allow them travel in style. TheFlowers were by Daisychain, Kinsale, while the wedding cake was by Trace of Cakes, Ballincollig.

They also hired photographer Ted Murphy who was described as so professional, friendly and made us feel at ease and relaxed, always on the lookout for a great shot. We really enjoyed the experience.

The videographer was Michael Heaney, and Claire said: Another great experience, would hardly have known he was there.
Cayuga County officials have scheduled a vaccination clinic and a COVID-19 testing clinic for this upcoming week.

The health department is holding a first-dose Moderna COVID-19 vaccination clinic from 10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, at Fingerlakes Mall, 1579 Clark St. Road, Aurelius.

This clinic is accessible only through the exterior entrance at the back of the mall between the movie theater entrance and the RV store. Access will not be permitted from inside the mall.

The clinic is open to anyone falling under Phase 1a or Phase 1b of the New York state guidance. If you have a qualifying health condition, you will need to provide a doctors note.

See the full list of those who qualify at covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov.

Appointments are required to receive a vaccine at this clinic. To register for an appointment, visit cayugacounty.us/health.

Also, a COVID-19 testing clinic for people who do not have symptoms is scheduled to be held in Owasco.
HARRISBURG  The Wolf administration is refusing to disclose details of wasted coronavirus vaccine doses, including how many have been discarded by each provider, citing a decades-old law that it has frequently used to shield the public from scrutinizing its pandemic response.

The state Department of Health recently denied a public records request by Spotlight PA seeking documentation of vaccine doses that providers did not administer because of expiration, damage or other factors. The request did not seek any patient information.

Providers are required to self-report to state health officials whenever a dose of vaccine is compromised, and explain why. Those discarded for any reasons other than expiration or broken vials must also be accompanied by an incident report.

State health officials declined to provide any of those records in response to Spotlight PAs request, citing the Disease Prevention and Control Law.

The 1955 law gives the state broad authority to keep information on contagious diseases confidential, such as details that could potentially identify individuals. But legal experts said it also gives the state discretion over what records to make public in the interest of transparency.

Whats really important to note here is that the DPCL grants the Department of Health considerable discretion to release anything when it serves the public interest, said Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel at Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. They are choosing not to do that. And they have never justified that in the context of a Right-to-Know denial.

Spotlight PA plans to appeal the states decision.

A spokesperson for the state Health Department said just 1,589 of the more than 2.3 million doses administered as of Feb. 26  or just 0.06%  were reported by providers as wasted, mostly due to vials broken in handling, syringe issues, such as bent or broken needles, or clients refusing after the vaccine dose was drawn.

Information released by the state does not reveal which providers were responsible for the wasted doses or if any were responsible for a disproportionate share. The spokesperson declined to elaborate on why more details could not be made public.

A report by ProPublica published in January found inconsistent reporting requirements to document wasted doses across the states, and no enforcement of the federal reporting mandate, leaving providers with little incentive to comply.

State health officials across the country have generally played down wasted doses, according to an Associated Press report last week. The federal government has so far declined to provide a total number of wasted doses nationally, according to the report.

Gov. Tom Wolf has come under scrutiny for his handling of the vaccine rollout, even among his most ardent Democratic supporters. And while Wolf has long said government transparency was a priority of his tenure, his administration has repeatedly used the Disease Prevention and Control Law, with little explanation, to block the release of records related to its pandemic response.

In the first days and weeks of the pandemic, then-state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine cited the law as a reason for withholding the number of COVID-19 tests the state was conducting and the number of cases in each nursing home. Under pressure, the state later reversed course, raising questions about its original reliance on the law to block the information.

Numerous news organizations have been denied records related to the administrations response because of its reliance on the law. As a result, the public might never have a complete understanding of the administrations at-times inconsistent statements and secretive decisions, Spotlight PA reported in August.

Last May, Nicole Brambila, then a reporter with PublicSource in Pittsburgh, filed a records request with the Health Department seeking county-level numbers of pneumonia and influenza deaths since 2015.

The request was denied, and the department cited the Disease Prevention and Control Law. The state Office of Open Records upheld the decision. Brambila and PublicSource are challenging the determination in Commonwealth Court and are being represented by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press as part of its Local Legal Initiative.

In a bid last year to boost transparency, the legislature passed a bill requiring Pennsylvania agencies to process Right-to-Know requests during emergency declarations, specifying that data state agencies use to inform their actions during such moments should be considered a public record. Though he initially criticized the legislation, saying it unnecessarily endangered the health of state employees, Wolf allowed Act 77 of 2020 to become law.

Some lawmakers have suggested revising the 1955 law to address transparency concerns, but so far those efforts have not advanced.
Adipurush: Kriti Sanon Opens Up About Working With Prabhas; Says Once We Started Chatting, We Were Unstoppable

Who will be portraying the role of Sita in Om Rauts Adipurush was undoubtedly one of the biggest mysteries of 2020. While South superstar Prabhas will be seen as Lord Rama in the mythological film, Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan is playing the role of Ravana. Earlier this month, the team finally revealed that the gorgeous Kriti Sanon has been roped in to play the role of Sita in Adipurush, whereas Sunny Singh will be portraying the role of Lakshmana. They even looked like one happy family in their announcement post!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Om Raut (@omraut)

Well, fans are quite excited to see Kriti in this wonderful new avatar on the big screen. The actress, on the other hand, feels overwhelmed. In a chat with Mid Day, she shared, I am overwhelmed and grateful that I am playing such an iconic character. The role comes with a lot of pressure because we dont want to [portray] anything that is not [true to] the part. Peoples sentiments are attached to the character. Talking about her co-actor Prabhas, Kriti revealed, When I first met him, I thought he was shy, but once we started chatting, we were unstoppable. He is a foodie, and loves feeding his co-stars.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prabhas (@actorprabhas)

Other than Adipurush, Kriti has many other exciting projects in the pipeline including Laxman Utekars Mimi, Bachchan Pandey co-starring Akshay Kumar and Jacqueline Fernandez and Hum Do Hamare Do opposite Rajkummar Rao. Kriti will also share the silver screen with Varun Dhawan in horror comedy Bhediya. After spending time on Adipurush sets for the next few days, Kriti will head to Arunachal Pradesh for a 15 day schedule of Bhediya. She will then resume another schedule of Adipurush. Busy busy!
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
By Park Ji-won







Logo for a virtual festival to mark World Piano Day by Universal Music / Courtesy of Universal Music

A free online concert featuring pianists Cho Seong-jin and Yiruma will be shown online at 11 p.m., KST, Sunday, to mark World Piano Day which falls on the same day.







Under the theme, "Abandoned Pianos," the 150-minute video showing up to 17 pianists will be available free on Deutsche Grammophon's (DG) YouTube channel for 72 hours after its release, showing them performing in multiple concert halls this year that had not been used due to the hiatus created by the infectious disease.







In addition to Cho and Yiruma, renowned pianists Lang Lang, Balmorhea, Jan Lisiecki, Maria Joao Pires, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Rudolf Buchbinder, Daniil Trifonov, Katia & Marielle Labeque, Joep Beving, Alice Sara Ott, Kit Armstrong, Rui Massena and Chad Lawson will play iconic classics and contemporary works, Universal Music said in a press release.







Cho will play Chopin's Impromptu No. 1, while Yiruma provides his three pieces, including the romantic "Room with a View."







Last year, Cho appeared in a livestreamed concert from home to mark the day amid the pandemic. He performed with baritone Matthias Goerne.







World Piano Day was founded in 2015 by German musician Nils Frahm. It takes place on the 88th day of every year, symbolizing the number of keys on a full-sized piano.


.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

During the month of February, the Santa Fe Police Department launched the For your Health and Safety operation to help ramp up public health order compliance in the city.

Officers focused on enforcing public health orders, including wearing masks in public, social distancing and business capacity limits. The operation resulted in seven warnings for mask violations, according to records obtained through a public records request.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

The department didnt issue any citations or warnings for mask violations in January, and only one in December, based on a Journal review of police records.

And now, Santa Fe County has reached the least restrictive turquoise level of the governors color-coded reopening plan, just as the tourist season begins to draw more people into town. Police say theyll continue to enforce the public health orders to help keep Santa Fe at turquoise.

Generally speaking, a written warning is sufficient to obtain voluntary compliance  which is the overall goal, Capt. Matthew Champlin said via email. If someone were to refuse to put on a face covering, a citation would be issued summonsing the violator into court.

Mostly compliant

So far this month, the police reported 14 mask violations. Last July, police reported 122 mask violations at the height of the pandemic, Champlin said. But not all the violations resulted in tickets.

During the operation, officers said most problem areas of town were in retail locations where theres a large public presence. Most citations and warnings occurred in the downtown area around the Plaza and Railyard Park.

Only one person ticketed during the operation had an out-of-state address. Everyone else either had a Santa Fe address, or was local to the area, records show.

In the beginning of the pandemic, officers had more interactions with people who were against the wearing of the face covering, Champlin said. As time has progressed and more information became available, and the recommendations for mask-wearing became more widespread, we have seen most people complying with the law voluntarily, as it is a well-known requirement at this point.

Champlin said officers didnt encounter anyone getting hostile over refusing to wear a mask. He said the goal was to get people to voluntarily comply with public health orders.

Records show that, in the first four days of the operation, officers observed several public health order violations. Through 11 days, officers noted a drop in violations that eventually dwindled to zero.

Given the goal of the operation, Champlin said he considers it a success and a positive achievement for the city.

Juan Rios, media coordinator with the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office, said deputies are focused on educating people and reminding them to wear masks  not necessarily writing citations or warnings. However, the decision to cite someone is up to the deputy.

Rios said deputies havent encountered a lot of people refusing to wear masks, but deputies are more focused on other priorities. He said deputies are addressing mask violations on a case-by-case basis.

Keeping safe

Tourist season isnt in full swing yet, but its coming. And city and county officials want to make sure that Santa Fe remains at the turquoise level, which is accomplished by qualifying for the green level during two consecutive biweekly updates. The green level is designated by no more than eight COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people, and a test positivity rate of 5% or less.

Randy Randall, tourism director for the city of Santa Fe, said its important tourists are informed about the mask requirement when they come into town.

Were reaching out to all of our industry partners  to remind people if they see them without a mask that, in fact, mask-wearing is part of the requirements that New Mexico has to keep people safe, Randall said.

Theyll occasionally run into a person who says theyve been vaccinated and dont have to wear a mask, he said. Its important to remind them that not everyone has, and they should continue to wear a mask. Randall said its difficult to differentiate between people who have and havent been vaccinated.

Once informed of the mask requirement, most people comply voluntarily, Randall said. This year, industry partners havent reported difficulty getting people to wear a mask like they did last year, he said.

We have to work very hard to keep ourselves in turquoise now that weve gotten here, and its something that I worry a little bit about, that we will lull ourselves into a little bit of a contentment, he said.

Randall said people need to continue to remain vigilant and obey public health orders to maintain the turquoise rating. But he said he thinks its possible to keep the rating, even as the city gets busier.

Santa Fe Councilor Signe Lindell said its incumbent on the community to continue to wear masks to uphold the turquoise rating.

Lindell said she met with hotel and merchant groups Thursday morning, and businesses and hotels are letting people know about the COVID-19 health order requirements at the check-in level. She said the turquoise level is important to help the citys economy, but its also worth noting that Santa Fe County has done a good job.

Santa Fe County Commissioner Anna Hansen said the county is thrilled to have made it to turquoise and hopes people will continue to wear masks, because not everyone is vaccinated. She said that, if the community wants to reopen entirely, its important to stay safe.

There is a concern that, as the county gets more crowded with tourists, it will see another spike, she said, and people need to continue to be responsible and respectful of their fellow human beings.

She added its important to have widespread testing as things opens up, especially for people coming into the state.

Its an accomplishment for the citizens of Santa Fe County, and lets maintain it, she said.

Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Toll collection will resume on Hanoi Highway in Ho Chi Minh City next month after an over three-year hiatus.

Starting 10:15 pm on Saturday, the tollgate on the artery road has resumed operations, but passing vehicles are only charged an artificial sum of VND0 until the end of March.

This test run is designed to allow drivers time to reacquaint themselves with the restarted toll collection, slated to officially begin on April 1.

Ho Chi Minh City Infrastructure Investment JSC (CII), the tollgate operator, said the new toll serves to refund its VND4,905 billion (US$212.44 million) investment into expanding Hanoi Highway as part of a BOT (build-operate-transfer) contract with the city administration.

The expansion work commenced on April 2, 2010, allowing the 15.7km road to now accomodate 16 lanes at its widest.

In addition to the main route, the project included the construction of two parallel roads running 10.3 kilometers and 11.5 kilometers on each of its sides.

Hanoi Highway starts from the Saigon Bridge and ends at the Tan Van Intersection in the southern province of Binh Duong.

According to a toll collection scheme approved by the municipal Peoples Committee, cars under 12 seats and trucks under two metric tons will be charged VND30,000 per turn.

Buses with 12-30 seats and two-metric-ton trucks will be charged VND45,000 per turn while buses with 31 seats or more and trucks from four to under ten metric tons will incur VND60,000 per turn.

The toll for trucks from ten to 18 metric tons and 20-foot container trucks will be VND120,000 per turn and for trucks above 18 metric tons and 40-foot container trucks will be VND170,000 per turn.

Residents on either side of the highway will enjoy a 50-percent discount, applicable to non-business cars under 12 seats.

If toll collection had begun on October 1, 2018, the payback period would be 17 years and nine months, Nguyen Thanh Nam, deputy executive director of the Hanoi Highway expansion project, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper in October last year.

For every [delayed] year, the fee-collection period is extended by six years due to incurring bank interest, Nam said.

The tollgate on Hanoi Highway was previously shut down from January 1, 2018 after CII had finished collecting payback for another project to construct the new Rach Chiec Bridge.

($1 = VND23,200)

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
In a major development in the Kerala gold smuggling case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) submitted a document, in which the accused Swapna Suresh asserted that the State Assembly Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan used to call her to his flat for some 'personal dirty intentions'.

The Speaker rejected the allegations made in a document submitted by the ED in the Kerala High Court, alleging that "fake propaganda" is unleashed against the Left organisations and its leaders.

In her statements given to the ED officials, Suresh stated that Sreeramakrishnan had called her to the flat in Marutham apartment in Pettah twice and told her that it was his "hideout". "I went there to meet him along with Sarith (another key accused in the gold smuggling case). However, as I did not agree to his personal interests, the role offered to me in the Middle East college was also dropped," the statement said quoting Suresh.

Kerala gold smuggling case: According to a document submitted by ED in Kerala High Court, accused Swapna Suresh said that State Assembly Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan used to call her to his flat for some 'personal dirty intentions'  ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2021

Relief for ED

Only a few days back there were reports that the ED officials who questioned Suresh on August 12 and 13 last year fabricated evidence, in relation to which the Crime branch filed FIR. Filed under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 167 (public servant framing an incorrect document with intent to cause injury), 192 (fabricating false evidence), 195-A (threatening any person to give false evidence) among others of the IPC, it accused ED officials of "forcing" gold smuggling scam accused Swapna Suresh to give statements against CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

In response to the FIR, a plea was filed by the Deputy Director of the ED assailing the FIR, on which a single-judge bench of the Kerala High Court on March 24 directed the state police to not take coercive action against them until March 30.

Gold smuggling scam probe

The Vijayan-led government in Kerala has also been facing heat in the gold smuggling scam ahead with the opposition seeking the CM's ouster. On July 5, 2020, Customs officials seized 30 kg of gold worth Rs.15 crore at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport from a diplomatic cargo addressed to a person in the UAE Consulate. Sarith PS who worked at the UAE Consulate was apprehended in this regard. Subsequently, Swapna Suresh, an ex-Consulate employee working as the manager of the Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited and M Sivasankar, the ex-Principal Secretary to Kerala CM were also arrested in this case.

In January 2020, the NIA filed a charge sheet before the Special Court. Claiming that the conspiracy started in June 2019, the agency alleged that the aforesaid persons raised funds and smuggled 167 kg of gold between November 2019 and June 2020 through the import cargo addressed to diplomats at the Consulate General of UAE in Thiruvananthapuram. Moreover, it added that the main accused had planned to smuggle more gold from countries such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. Holding them responsible for threatening the "economic security of India", the agency revealed that the probe against absconding persons and others who facilitated the crime is underway.

(With inputs from PTI)
London: On March 4, 2020, when there were just 84 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UK, Professor Sharon Peacock recognised the country needed to expand its capacity to analyse the genetic make-up of the new coronavirus causing the illness.

The Cambridge University microbiologist understood that genomic sequencing would be crucial in tracking the disease, controlling outbreaks and developing vaccines. So she began working with colleagues around the country to put together a plan. Within a month, the government had provided 20 million ($36 million) to fund their work.

Professor Sharon Peacock FMedSci CBE is the Executive Director and Chair of the COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) consortium. Credit:Gov.uk

The initiative helped make Britain a world leader in rapidly analysing the genetic material from large numbers of COVID-19 infections, generating more than 40 per cent of the genomic sequences identified to date. These days, their top priority is finding new variants that are more dangerous or resistant to vaccines, information that is critical to helping researchers modify the vaccines or develop new ones to combat the ever-changing virus.

Theyve shown the world how you do this, said Dr Eric Topol, chair of innovative medicine at Scripps Research in San Diego, California.

Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Abducted Nigerian Christian girl Leah Sharibu gives birth to second baby in Boko Haram captivity Leah Foundation urges Nigerian President Buhari to secure her release

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Leah Sharibu, who was among 100 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants in 2018, gave birth to her second child in captivity, according to reports.

The report was initially circulated by the Washington, D.C.-based U.S.-Nigeria Law Group, which told The Christian Post on Saturday that a trusted source had confirmed that Sharibu gave birth to two children last year.

However, Emmanuel Ogebe, convener of the U.S.-Nigeria Law Group, said in a statement reported by the Daily Post on Tuesday that while the update about Sharibu came from a "usually knowledgeable source," they "have not corroborated this by multiple sources."

Sharibu was kidnapped on Feb. 19, 2018, by Boko Haram militants who raided the Government Girls Science and Technical College Dapchi, Yobe state. While 104 of the girls were released within a month, Sharibu is the only one of the Dapchi girls who has continued to be held against her will because she refused to renounce Jesus Christ and adhere to the militants' version of Islam. Boko Haram has pledged to enslave her for life.

According to a statement released by Sharibu's parents, Nathan and Rebecca, and signed by their spokesperson, Gloria Puldu, president of the Leah Foundation, the family feels abandoned by President Muhammadu Buhari, who many have accused of doing little to protect Christians from kidnappings by terrorist groups operating in Nigeria.

The statement, released to the Daily Post and other news outlets, reads in part: Morning of March 23 was another very difficult day as we woke up to the very sad and heartbreaking rumors that Leah Sharibu, who is still in captivity for three years, has given birth to a second baby in captivity.

It is a very big shame on General Buhari and his entire government. He has abandoned this young child in captivity. ..."

Executive director of Save the Persecuted Christians Dede Laugesen said the latest update about Sharibu, who's 17 years old, is both sad and difficult.

If true, someone knows where Leah is and how shes faring  she should be free! If untrue, it is devilish deceit, Laugesen said in a statement shared with CP.

Little information flows out of the terrorist dens of Sambisa Forest, long the domain of Boko Haram and their ISIS-affiliated splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa, who reportedly holds Leah captive," she added.

In February, American missionary Abu Zacharia traveled to Nigeria in an attempt to negotiate with Boko Haram for Sharibus release in exchange for himself, according to Nigerian Canadian News.

Ogebe referenced Zacharia's efforts in a statement shared by the Daily Post, noting that despite the offer, "there has been no tangible response from her captors."

That notwithstanding, intelligence received on the status of Leah indicates that she has delivered a second child in captivity, Ogebe added. This means both children were born in 2020 as the terrorists announced her childbirth earlier in 2020. We are still investigating this."

Puldu added in the statement that the government's failure to rescue Sharibu from her captors is shameful.

[The Nigerian president] has abandoned this young child in captivity. Leah Sharibu represents the face of women and girls in all forms of slavery and captivity in Nigeria, Puldu said.

That is why a #FreeNigerianSlaves campaign was started in the United States of America due to Sharibus plight, to advocate for the freedom of every Nigerian  especially women and girls in any form of slavery, she continued. We call on all well-meaning Nigerians not to remain silent but speak up against the injustice against our children.

Puldu noted that Nigerians saw the United States government rescue one American citizen abducted in Niger because it values the life of every of its citizen.

Yet Leah, a minor, has been abandoned and forgotten by her government. We know that the American government has recently offed to assist Nigeria in its fight against insecurity if the Nigerian government request for its assistance, Puldu said. Leah's parents are calling on General Buhari to please accept the American offer of assistance to secure the release of their daughter, especially if his current successful negotiators are not able to secure her release as they did with the recent school abductions.

In January 2020 it was reported that Sharibu delivered a baby boy who is the son of a top Boko Haram commander. In response to the news of Sharibus first child, Puldu said at the time that the reports were "just a rumor as far as we are concerned."

What we even desire is to see a proof of life so that we see Leah by ourselves. If they are able to have Leah safe, we will understand, Puldu said.

The most important thing is that we want her to be alive. And if she is alive, we will praise God for that. They should release her, despite whatever condition she is in. That is all; it doesnt matter whether she is pregnant or with a baby," Puldu continued.

On International Womens Day, Sharibus parents renewed pressure on Buhari to rescue Sharibu by releasing an open letter to the president who promised them their daughter would be released.

Sharibus parents noted the Nigerian government recently secured the safe return of nearly 300 abducted schoolgirls on March 2 and secured the release of other mass kidnappings but has failed to release their daughter after over three years of bondage.

Over 100 of the Chibok schoolgirls also remain missing after more than seven years.

Puldu and Rebecca Sharibu visited Washington, D.C., in June 2019 to urge then-President Donald Trump and Congress to help rescue Sharibu.

Shortly after meeting Sharibu, then-Vice President Mike Pence called Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to the White House to raise questions about the rise in terrorism and abductions, especially those involving Christians.

Osinbajo assured at the time that the Nigerian government was doing all it could to secure Sharibus release.

Due to widespread mass kidnappings, attending school is often dangerous for children in Nigeria. Due to the risks associated with going to school, around 10.5 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 do not attend school, according to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.

In northern Nigeria, where Sharibus kidnapping occurred, some 53% of children attend school.
Businesses have been left frustrated after temporary rules put in place enabling electronic signatures on documents during Covid-19 expired meaning many are having to revert to paper and pen.

The rules enabling companies to electronically execute documents under section 127 of the Corporation Act expired on March 21 and there are concerns they will not be reinstated until May at the earliest, if at all.

Venture capital firm partner Niki Scevak of Blackbird Ventures said investing deeds were used in almost every transaction the startup industry and having to print out documents and sign them added unnecessary red tape.

The use of electronic signatures boomed during COVID-19. Credit:Tanya Lake

It is Chinese water torture, each layer of red tape adds so much friction that does not need to be there, he said. We are in 2021 and electronic signatures are not valid, it is just an indication of how backwards Australia is in technology terms.
China's decision to sanction a Conservative MP as well as a Parliamentary subcommittee is an attack on freedom of speech regarding human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday.

Conservative member of Parliament Michael Chong rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, March 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

China's decision to sanction a Conservative MP as well as a Parliamentary subcommittee is an attack on freedom of speech regarding human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday.

"China's sanctions are an attack on transparency and freedom of expression  values at the heart of our democracy," Trudeau said on Twitter.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau called China's actions against Tory MP Michael Chong and on the subcommittee on international human rights "unacceptable."

"The Government of Canada stands with parliamentarians and all Canadians as we continue to work with partners in defence of democracy and freedom of speech and will continue to take action when international human rights obligations are violated," Garneau said in a statement.

Earlier on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China said in a news release it has banned Chong from entering the country and prohibited any Chinese citizen from doing business with him. The sanctions also targeted the federal subcommittee on which Chong sits, which is studying the situation of the Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in China's Xinjiang region.

China said its actions were in response to sanctions levied by Canada on Chinese officials regarding the situation in Xinjiang.

"The Chinese government is firmly determined to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and urges the relevant parties to clearly understand the situation and redress their mistakes," the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.

"They must stop political manipulation on Xinjiang-related issues, stop interfering in China's internal affairs in any form and refrain from going further down the wrong path. Otherwise, they will get their fingers burnt."

Canada joined other countries on Monday in imposing sanctions against four Chinese officials and a Chinese entity. Global Affairs Canada said mounting evidence points to state-led abuses by Chinese authorities against more than one million Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities on the basis of their religion and ethnicity. The department said the abuses include "political re-education, forced labour, torture and forced sterilization."

Trudeau said Monday the sanctions were imposed on China over "the gross and systematic human rights abuses taking place in the region."

Chong, the Tories' foreign affairs critic, said Saturday he has a duty to call out China's "genocide" of Uyghur Muslims. "We who live freely in democracies under the rule of law must speak for the voiceless," Chong said on Twitter.

"If that means China sanctions me, I'll wear it as a badge of honour."

China also said Saturday it imposed sanctions against the chair and vice chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedoms.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2021.
Imperial Valley News Center

Former Oil Trader Pleads Guilty to Commodities Price Manipulation Conspiracy

Los Angeles, California - A California man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a multiyear conspiracy to engage in commodities price manipulation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Emilio Jose Heredia Collado, 49, of Lafayette, was employed as a trader at Company A, an oil trading company, and later at Company B, a multinational commodity trading company, after it had acquired Company A. Between approximately September 2012 and August 2016, Heredia conspired with other employees at Company A, and later at Company B, to manipulate the price of fuel oil bought from, and sold to, a particular counterparty, Company C, through private, bilateral contracts.

The defendant and his co-conspirators unlawfully manipulated the fuel oil market for their own gain by creating artificial prices that undermined the legitimate forces of supply and demand in one of our nations key commodity markets, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. This prosecution demonstrates the departments commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute individuals who would seek to manipulate commodities benchmark prices while trading in the open market.

Individuals profiteering, through the manipulation of daily price assessments of a valuable commodity, fuel oil, prior to the purchasing or selling of it, goes against the most fundamental concepts of a supply-and-demand market economy, said Assistant Inspector in Charge Raimundo Marrero of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Criminal Investigation Group. These fraudulent practices have no place in the international marketplace. This guilty plea showcases the U.S. Postal Inspection Services tenacity to hold individuals accountable for their dishonest actions and the resolve to continue to protect consumers and businesses. To criminals out there, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our federal partners will ensure your criminal endeavors are brought to justice.

Heredia and his co-conspirators sought to unlawfully enrich themselves, Company A, and Company B by increasing profits and reducing costs on the fuel oil contracts with Company C. The price terms of the contracts were set by reference to the daily benchmark price assessment published by S&P Global Platts (Platts) for intermediate fuel oil 380 CST at the Port of Los Angeles (Los Angeles 380 CST Bunker Fuel) on a certain day or days plus or minus a fixed premium. As part of the price manipulation conspiracy, Heredia directed his co-conspirators to submit orders to buy and sell (bids and offers) to Platts during the daily trading window for the Platts Los Angeles 380 CST Bunker Fuel price assessment with the intent to artificially push the price assessment up or down.

For example, if Company A or Company B had a contract to buy fuel oil from Company C, Heredia directed his co-conspirators to submit offers during the Platts window for the express purpose of pushing down the price assessment and hence the price of fuel oil bought from Company C. The bids and offers were not submitted to Platts for any legitimate economic reason by Heredias and his co-conspirators, but rather for the purpose of artificially affecting the Platts Los Angeles 380 CST Bunker Fuel price assessment so that the benchmark price, and hence the price of fuel oil that Company A or Company B bought from, and sold to, Company C, did not reflect legitimate forces of supply and demand.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is investigating the case.

Acting Principal Assistant Chief Avi Perry and Trial Attorney Matthew F. Sullivan of the Justice Departments Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

The Criminal Divisions Fraud Section plays a pivotal role in the Justice Department's fight against white collar crime around the country and is the national leader in prosecuting fraud and manipulation in the U.S. commodity markets.
LA County Boosts Police Funding by $36 Million, Months After Budget Cuts

Officials in Los Angeles County voted on March 25 to increase funding to local law enforcement by $36 million through the end of the year, less than a year after the Los Angeles Police Departments budget was cut by $150 million.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authoritys board unanimously agreed to increase funding to its five-year contract with the LAPD, the Long Beach Police Department, and the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department.

The board includes Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a Democrat.

The authoritys CEO, Phillip Washington, said before the vote that he wanted to find a balance between people complaining about law enforcement and those who wanted increased funding.

Our hope is that of the public and the board understands that were trying as a staff to get to a good balance, to get to a good balance here in terms of policing on our system, trying to get to a happy medium here understanding both perspectives, he said.

And I do understand both perspectives from a lived experience. And as an African American male, I understand completely what we are saying about policing. But also, as someone who reviews every incident report on the system, I do believe we need some level of security on the system.

Several members of the public disagreed.

I dont think that safety is something that should be balanced. I think when the board votes, they should vote for what they think is the safest thing, whether thats all ambassadors or all police. We dont want to look for a balance. I dont think the public is necessarily the best skill to weigh in on that, one told board members.

And I did want to mention, I dont know if it was mentioned, but the LAPD, I ride the bus and the train and I see them on the bus in the train, and they represent Los Angeles, they look like Los Angeles, they look like me. They look as much like Los Angeles as this board, if not more.

The decision on the funding increase was originally planned for last month, but the board decided to postpone it. The increase was originally proposed as $111 million. The original contract, approved in early 2017, was $645.7 million. It represented a new approach, bringing on the LAPD and Long Beach police after Metro previously only contracted with the countys sheriff.

In addition to approving a lower amount than requested, Garcetti and several members amended the motion to direct Metros CEO to use at least $40 million in the next budget to invest in transit ambassadors and other alternatives to using law enforcement to police public transportation.

The increase in funding was requested to cover significant costs incurred  to (1) augment outreach services to the unhoused population, address crime trends, sexual harassment; and (2) enhanced deployments to cover special events, employee, and customer complaints, or other unforeseen circumstances, according to a board report.

The Los Angeles City Council in July 2020 slashed $150 million in funding from the LAPD, cutting the number of officers by 231. Los Angeles, like most major cities, saw an increase in murders last year.
Massive 400-meter (1,300-foot) container ship lodged lengthways in the strategic route of Suez Canal, one of the key shipping lanes from where 12 percent of the worlds goods cargo and oil tankers transit, has left the global trade in turmoil. It is costing $400 million an hour in goods for the world's trade, according to Lloyds List's calculations. Moreover, Refinitiv shipping data found that hundreds of goods vessels waiting to pass through the crucial maritime passageway for Asia and Europe have now been docked at the anchorages as rescue missions for the 224,000-ton Ever Given vessel, so tall as an Empire State building, is underway.

Late Thursday, the Suez canal authority deployed a dredger that was seen removing sand and mud from the side of the ship bow, however, it may take days before the vessel might be able to sail again. "In addition to the dredgers already on site, a specialized suction dredger is now with the vessel and will shortly begin work. This dredger can shift 2,000 cubic meters of material every hour," Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) the Taiwan-operated vessel's technical manager said in a statement.

The gigantic vessel has stalled maritime traffic both ways for over 3 days, blocking transit for 165 vessels, of which there are 24 crude oil tankers, 16 LNG and LPG carriers, and 15 goods cargo, incurring a $16 million loss for global trade per day. The vessel itself has sustained hull and machinery damage worth up to $100-140 million, causing huge losses and flaring oil barrel prices. The vessel bound for the Netherlands has stopped nearly $10 billion worth of goods while theres no alternative shipping lane to reroute those goods carrying ships.

The global supply has already started to suffer a hit as a Brazilian company that exports a third of global supplies of hardwood pulp told Bloomberg that Suez Canal blockade has caused supply snags and there might be a risk of shortage of goods such as toilet paper. Producers robusta coffee, used in Nescafe, have reported a similar disruption as vessels are stationed at ballast. Coffee beans are reportedly exported from East Africa to Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal, whose chokepoint is now completely non-commutable.

13 million barrels of oil halted

According to Weforum, the incident has already halted the passage of 13 million barrels of oil as approximately 1.25 billion tonnes of cargo, about 19,000 ships are impacted from the closing of the worlds one of most important waterways creating vulnerabilities in the global trading systems. There are also fears of backlogs and collisions as the 93km of canal witnesses speeding convoys on tightly scheduled slots sailing with essential commodities that are time-sensitive.

Consumer goods to and from Persian Gulf and India to Europe, naphtha from Europe to Asia and crude from the Persian Gulf to US Gulf, and crude oil for the United States from Saudi Arabia, equivalent to an Aframax cargo is in line of major impacts for as long as the Panama-flagged mammoth Ever Given vessel is lodged on the maritime passageway. Crude oil from North Sea fields exported to Asia will be held back. Some vessels have already begun to transit through the African Cape with global trade risks looming large.
Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business.
When members of First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo gather for the Holy Week services, it will be the first time in months the congregation will be together under the same roof.

Like most congregations across Michigan, its been unsettling year for First Presbyterian.

The church moved to online services last spring at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. They transitioned to in-person worship at the church for a few weeks in the summer, but when coronavirus case numbers started to rise, they switched to outdoor services. In November, the church reverted back to online services, which have continued since.

Its hard. Its weird, said the Rev. Seth Weeldreyer, head pastor of First Presbyterian. Our faith is an embodied faith; its not just about ideas but how we live it with other people. And when you cant be with other people, it makes it hard.

He said hes happy that technology has allowed worship services to continue. Something is better than nothing, and Im grateful for the conversations that I can have on Zoom or FaceTime or whatever, he said. But its not the same.

As with many other aspects of society, the coronavirus pandemic has created tremendous upheaval among Michigans religious institutions.

Although houses of worship were exempt from Michigans lockdown orders last spring, most congregations moved their worship services and other interactions completely online during that period.

Some have yet to resume in-person services. Others have returned to their buildings, but have had to enact rules about masks and social distancing. Activities such as giving communion and singing have had to be rethought and adapted. At many places, social hours and church dinners are now a memory. Ceremonies such as funerals, weddings and baptisms have been severely downsized, if theyre held at all.

I would call it disorienting, Weeldreyer said. At the same time, its been a clarifying experience that makes us think about whats really important. Weve had to explore new ways of loving people and trying to keep that at the core of everything we do. Life is a pilgrimage journey, and thats what this is.

Dr. Fran Bruder Melgar, a parishioner at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Kalamazoo, is among those who very much missed attending church in person during the initial weeks of the lockdown.

I live alone so I was really missing that, she said. Then she volunteered to be one of the readers at Sunday Mass, which allowed her to be one of a handful of people in the church while it was being livestreamed.

It was a powerful experience to have that sense of community again, she said.

I experiencing communion in a way I had never experienced it before, having been kind of deprived of it for the two months or so, Melgar said. It was so powerful to receive that gift in a very difficult time. It was really a blessing for me to be in that space.

When St. Toms did resume in-person services, seating was limited and people had to reserve a spot in advance, she said.

But still, for awhile, there were many, many people not comfortable with doing that and who continued to watch the service online, she said. Its only recently, as people have gotten vaccinated, that St. Tom parishioners are returning in larger numbers to attending Mass in person.

While First Presbyterian and St. Toms are large congregations with hundreds of members, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Jackson has 62 members. Before the pandemic, attendance at Sunday service ranged from 25 to 35, Pastor Karen Kelley says.

Since the pandemic, the church has mainly worshipped online, although there were a couple of outdoor service, the last in September. The next one will be an Easter morning service next weekend.

But for most Sundays for the past year, its Kelley leading a service on Zoom.

The recommendations for people who were doing online worship have to make the services more simple, because peoples attention spans online are only so long, she said. But the leadership of this congregation really wanted to keep it as much the same as possible.

So we do, right down to the time where we would normally greet each other with handshakes and whatever, we still say the same words of greeting to each other. We just arent here in person.

As shes preaching, Kelley said, she can see a list of who is watching. Thats partly so if somebody accidentally unmute themselves I can mute them, she said, but also it helps me to feel like Im actually preaching to those people.

Its hard not see people in person, Kelley acknowledged. And there are some people we have found, who even with the phone option, are still not able to connect. So thats an issue. And there are some people who dont like the Zoom. They say, It just doesnt do anything for me. "

There are people who feel the same at First Presbyterian, Weeldreyer said. But there also are people who say health concerns outweigh the downsides of online worship.

An undercurrent in this whole thing is the levels of stress and anxiety among members anytime we have questions about: Are we going to open? Are we not going to open? How are we going to do this? How are we going to do that? Weeldreyer said. Everybody is anxious about getting sick or not wanting to make things worse for other people.

But at the same time, he said, different people have different risk tolerances, so coming to consensus as a congregation with hundreds of members is stressful.

Our power is very much a shared power situation, he said. We meet and we talk about it and we try to trust the wisdom of the Spirit as the group meets.

But when the group does not agree -- and when there are strong differences that are exacerbated by all the other partisan stuff going on in our culture at the moment -- it makes it really hard because everything gets interpreted through that lens, he said. Our faith gets really tested. How do we build one another up in love when were anxious, and when we have strongly different opinions? Thats one of the biggest impacts that I have seen and felt.

Yet another issue for churches this past year is the impact on community outreach and ministries.

Kelley said her church has had to revamp a program that offered non-food essential items such as toiletries and cleaning products, since most of her members involved in that program were senior citizens who have been quarantining. The church also suspended a program that involves visiting residents of a medical care facility who lack family.

Weeldreyer said that First Presbyterian always has prided itself on community outreach, and thats been severely distributed by the pandemic.

One thing thats pretty distinctive about our congregation is that we have a lot of outside groups that use our building for meetings, and of course, that has not been able to happen, he said.

The church also had a Wednesday night program that offered dinner to anyone who showed up. Thats been changed to offering takeout meals that are distributed outside the building, he said.

Both Weeldreyer and Kelley said they havent lost membership in their churches, and neither congregation has experienced a financial crisis because of the pandemic. But those have been issues in some congregations.

A survey of U.S. Catholic bishops last summer by Georgetown University found a number expressing concerns about the financial implications of the pandemic.

The most common area of concern is the missed weekend collections that the parishes have been unable to have due to not celebrating Masses publicly (or online only), said a report on the survey results. Also parishioners financial health due to unemployment, a poor rural economy, or a great deal of poverty among parishioners. Other difficulties encountered include paying the salaries and wages of parish staffs.

Likewise, almost half of U.S. Protestant pastors say their finances dropped in 2020, including 5% who say the downturn was significant, according to a November survey conducted by Lifeway Research, which is based in Nashville.

And even in churches that had returned to in-person services, most pastors say their congregation has less than 70% of their pre-COVID crowds, Lifeway Research said.

Moreover, a Pew survey and a survey by the Public Religion Research Institute found that one-third or more of those who had previously attended church regularly were not bothering to watch online services.

Theres a sense the pandemic will have a long-term, permanent impact on religious institutions, experts say. But its still unclear exactly what that will mean.

In response to the pandemic, many religious institutions initiated or expanded their social media presence, video capabilities and systems to allow members to pay their contributions online. Those changes are likely to stay in place, and some are likely to continue to livestream their worship services, now that they found a way to engage members who are homebound, snowbirds or who move away.

A bigger question is how the pandemic might impact the secularization of America, in which a growing sector of the population does not belong to a religious congregation. Now that many people are out of the habit of attending Sunday services in person, will the pandemic accelerate the trend of secularization? Or, conversely, will the pandemic make Americans put greater value on the sense of community that religious congregations can offer?

Its clear the assumptions of what it means to be church and how we do church will not be exactly the same as we go back, Weeldreyer said. Does that mean that people find, Yeah I dont need it. I can do without it. Sure.

But that doesnt mean other people will be searching for something more meaningful in life. Thats possible too, he said. I really think thats a totally open question I dont know whats going to happen.

What wont change, Weeldreyer said, is the fundamental identity of who we are. Well just keep trying to be that in new ways.

Read more on MLive:

6 reasons that Michigans COVID-19 numbers are surging

How to find a COVID-19 vaccination appointment in Michigan

Pharmacies help ramp up coronavirus vaccines in Michigan
Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Sunday said according to the feedback received from the ground, the saffron party will win 26 of the 30 seats that went to polls in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election.

Similarly, he said the party has got clear-cut indications that it will win 37 of the 47 Assembly seats in Assam that went to polls in the first phase on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference at his residence here, Shah said the peaceful polling and the high voter turnouts are positive signs for the two states and thanked the voters.

He also expressed gratitude towards the Election Commission (EC) for conducting peaceful elections in Assam and violence-prone West Bengal.

According to the feedback received from the party workers on the ground, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will win 26 of the 30 seats in West Bengal and 37 of the 47 seats in Assam in the first phase of polling, Shah said.

He exuded confidence that the saffron party will register a massive electoral victory in West Bengal by winning more than 200 seats in the 294-member Assembly and also improve its tally in Assam.

Shah also appealed to the people of Nandigram, from where West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee is contesting the polls, to vote for change and a better future of the state.

Rejecting the TMC's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh, he said the visit is to strengthen bilateral ties and has nothing to do with elections.

(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.)
There have been 13 more deaths and 604 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed in Ireland.

Of the deaths reported today, 12 occurred in March, the Department of Health said.

The median age of those who died was 77 years.

There now has been a total of 4,666 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland.

There is now a total of 234,541 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.

Of the cases notified today, 299 are men, 298 are women and 77% are under 45 years of age. The median age is 27 years old.

Of the cases, 224 are in Dublin, 45 in Donegal, 36 in Kildare, 34in Limerick, 26 in Tipperary and the remaining 239 cases are spread across 20 other counties.

As of 8am today, 322 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 66 are in ICU. There have been 18 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

It comes as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Coveney said the decision by the Beacon Hospital to give vaccines to teachers was a slap in the face to so many people,

The minister said he expects the board of the private hospital to hold individuals to account over the incident and said the decision to suspend vaccine operations at the hospital was a clear signal of how the Government feels on the matter.

This is such a slap in the face to so many people and thats why people are so angry about this. So many people have loved ones that are vulnerable to the virus and are waiting patiently to be vaccinated, Minister Coveney said today on RTE Radios This Week programme.

While Mr Coveney said it would not be a good precedent for a senior minister to be on the radio calling for people to resign, he said the board of the Beacon Hospital have a responsibility now to ensure that individuals are held to account.

Mr Coveney also said the board have a responsibility to ensure the credibility of the vaccine programme is upheld.

I do expect the board to ensure that accountability is there in decisions that theyre going to make in the coming days.

What Im saying is pretty clear on what the board should be doing, Minister Coveney said.

Expand Close Simon Coveney (Julien Behal Photography/PA) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Simon Coveney (Julien Behal Photography/PA)

The Foreign Affairs Minister said he agreed with Health Minister Stephen Donnellys decision to end the rollout programme at the Beacon in light of what occurred and said it is a fairly clear signal from Government on the decision process here that has resulted in the Beacon not complying with the protocol that should be in place.

Minister Coveney said Minister Donnellys first impression was to do nothing that slowed down the rollout but said on the back of the public anger on the issue, he made the right call to ensure the reputation of the vaccination programme.

Minister Coveney said there must be consequences to decisions such as the one the Beacon took in vaccinating people outside the sequencing document.

HSE Chief Paul Reid said the Beacon informed the HSE itself on Thursday that it had vaccinated teachers and creche workers.

Mr Reid said that he communicated to the Beacon that this was a complete breach of the sequencing document that the hospital should have been adhering to and labelled the hospitals actions a real body blow.

Close to 800,000 people will have been vaccinated by the end of Sunday, Mr Reid said, 570,000 first doses and 220,000 second doses.

Read More

The vaccination programme in April and May will largely be focused on finishing the over-70 age groups, vaccinating the medically vulnerable people most at risk from Covid aged 16-69 and then moving on to the 65-69 year olds.

As we roll into May and June, we reach out into the wider population for vaccination through our GPs, hospitals and mass vaccination centres, Mr Reid said.
User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale

Contribute:

Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it.

Flag as inappropriate.

Mark as helpful or interesting.

Send your own user report!

Tabubil (46.8 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 1-2 s : A distant bomb like explosion was heard then movement of the buildings was felt few seconds later and lasted about 1-2 seconds. | 6 users found this interesting.

Tabubil, Western Province, Papua New Guinea / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : I was surprised by not too worried as the quake was not for long. Even my dog noticed the quake and gave me a panicked expression on its face. | 3 users found this interesting.

Tabubil / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : THE SHOCK STARTED WITH A SUDDEN SLOW INCREASE OF VIBRATION AFTER APROX 2-3 SECONDS THEN IT SHOOCK INTENSELY 3-5 SECONDS AND CUT OFF IMIDIATELY | 2 users found this interesting.

Mining Township Tabubil. NORTH OF KIUNGA, WESTERN / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Started, slow shake then get more | 2 users found this interesting. I felt the quake / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Tubuli / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Tubuli | One user found this interesting.

Tabubil (41.9 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s

Tabubil (44.3 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Tabubil, North Fly District, Western / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating

Tabubil Western Province, Papua New Guinea / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I was so scared

Tabubil / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s

Tabubil, Western Province / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 2-5 s

Tabubil / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Tabubil, building shaking. / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Tabubil / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s
The top military officer from the United States and nearly a dozen of his counterparts are set to condemn the deadly use of force by Myanmar's security forces and say the country's military has lost credibility with its people.

The joint statement, obtained by Reuters ahead of its planned release this weekend, is a rare declaration by the most senior military commanders from countries around the world, including in Asia and Europe.

It came after news reports and witnesses said Myanmar security forces killed 114 people on Saturday, including some children, on Armed Forces Day - the bloodiest day of its crackdown on pro-democracy protesters since last month's military coup.

'As Chiefs of Defense, we condemn the use of lethal force against unarmed people by the Myanmar Armed Forces and associated security services,' read the draft statement.

Tires burn on a street as protests against the military coup continue, in Mandalay, Myanmar March 27

It was signed by 12 chiefs of defense from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States.

Diplomats from these countries have already condemned the bloodshed by Myanmar's military, making the statement largely symbolic. Myanmar's military has so far ignored criticism of its violent crackdown on dissent.

While the draft statement did not explicitly condemn the Feb. 1 coup, which ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government, it said that a professional military must follow international standards for conduct 'and is responsible for protecting - not harming - the people it serves.'

It said the country's military must 'cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions.'

Statement came after news reports and witnesses said Myanmar security forces killed 114 people on Saturday, including some children, on Armed Forces Day

Myanmar's junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the elected government in a coup on February 1, presides an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27

Myanmar's military has said it took power because November elections won by Suu Kyi's party were fraudulent, an assertion dismissed by the country's election commission.

Suu Kyi remains in detention at an undisclosed location and many other figures in her National League for Democracy party are also in custody.

The deaths on Saturday, Myanmar's annual Armed Forces Day, which commemorates the start of resistance to Japanese occupation in 1945, would take the number of civilians reported killed since the coup to more than 440.

Military personnel participates in a parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27

Military personnel participate in a parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27

This screengrab provided via AFPTV and taken from a broadcast by Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) in Myanmar on March 26, 2021 shows Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin (L) meeting Myanmar armed forces chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw

New U.S. and European sanctions this week increased external pressure on the junta. But Myanmar's generals have enjoyed some support from Russia and China, both veto-holding members of the U.N. Security Council that could block any potential U.N. action.

Russia's deputy defense minister Alexander Fomin attended a parade in Myanmar's capital Naypyitaw on Saturday, having met senior junta leaders a day earlier.

Diplomats said eight countries - Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand - sent representatives to the Armed Forces Day parade, but Russia was the only one to send a minister.
New Delhi, March 28 : High voter turnout during the first round of Assembly polls in West Bengal on Saturday has once again given a chance to political pundits to speculate if it is a sign of anti-incumbency in the Trinamool Congress-ruled state.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a press conference on Sunday, also asserted that that his Bharatiya Janata Party is going to win 26 out of 30 Assembly seats on which polling took place in the first phase of the elections.

A high voter turnout is usually seen as a sign of anti-incumbency. The argument is that anti-incumbency, which usually manifests itself as anger among voters, encourages more people to cast votes.

In a majority of Assembly elections in the past, a similar trend has been seen. But it is not that straightforward. High voter turnout could also be a reflection of a strong pro-incumbency sentiment; when voters feel strongly in favour of the incumbent government, they like to come out in large numbers and express their support.

Political analyst Abhay Kumar suggests that high voter turnout in maximum cases turned out as anti-incumbency move, while acknowledging that there are a few examples of pro-incumbency.

Sharing data, Kumar said there was 45.96 per cent voter turnout in the 2007 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh but the regime changed after the 2012 Assembly elections when 59.40 per cent voter turnout was registered -- a hike of only 13.44 percentage points.

It was this time when the Samajwadi Party, giving the lie to most of the exit polls which were pointing to a hung assembly, secured a comfortable majority of 224 in a house of 403, outperforming the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party as well as the Congress and the BJP.

Similarly, there was 59.45 per cent voter turnout in 2007 Assembly polls in Uttarakhand but the regime changed in 2012 with 66.17 per cent voting - a difference of only 6.17 per cent more voting.

Giving example of the Punjab Assembly elections in 2007 when 75.45 per cent voter turnout was registered, Kumar said the regime continued after the 2012 Assembly polls when 78.20 per cent electorate cast their votes. It was a marginal difference of only 2.75 per cent but the electorate went for pro-incumbency.

In Himachal Pradesh, he said there was 71.61 per cent voter turnout in the 2007 Assembly elections but the regime changed after the 2012 Assembly polls when the poll percentage was recorded at 72.69 percent -- only a 1.08 per cent rise.

In Goa, there was 70.51 per cent voter turnout in 2007 Assembly polls but the government changed after the 2012 Assembly elections that recorded 81.73 per cent voter turnout-- a hike of 11.22 per cent turnout.

But in Gujarat, Kumar said a total of 59.77 per cent voter turnout was noted in 2007 Assembly polls in the state but the regime continued in 2012 even after a 71.30 per cent voter turnout -- a hike of 11.53 per cent voter turnout.

There was less turnout in Manipur in 2012 compared to 2007, but the regime continued. in 2007, the turnout was 86.73 per cent, while the voter turnout in 2012 Assembly polls was 79.17 per cent -- a decline of 7.56 per cent.

In Meghalaya, Kumar said 88.99 per cent voter turnout was registered in the 2008 Assembly elections, and decreased to 86.82 per cent in the 2013 polls, but the government continued in the state.

In Tripura, there was 91.22 per cent voter turnout in 2008 Assembly polls but the regime continued in 2012 when the polling increased to 91.82 per cent, rising by 0.6 per cent.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 12:40:00|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ISLAMABAD, March 28 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and 12 others injured when a bus collided with a trailer on Sunday in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, local media reported.

The road accident happened in the wee hours of Sunday in the Sheikhupura district of Punjab, the reports said, adding that the victims have been shifted to hospital.

Road accidents are quite frequent in Pakistan mainly due to poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and unprofessional driving. Enditem

Two passenger trains have crashed into each other leaving more than 30 people dead and more injured.

A collision between two passenger trains in central Egypt on Friday left at least 32 people dead, the Egyptian health ministry said.

A statement from the Egyptian health ministry confirmed that "32 people were killed and 66 injured" and transported to the hospital.

Three passenger cars were flipped over in the collision. Videos from the scene depicted people still trapped inside.

A photo shared on Twitter showed people gathering around a derailed train carriage.

Dozens of ambulances raced to the scene of the crash in the Tahta district of Sohag province, around 460 kilometers (285 miles) south of the capital Cairo.

Egypt's railway authority said that the accident was caused by an unknown individual applying the emergency brakes in the first train which was subsequently hit by the train behind, causing two carriages to derail, Reuters reported.

"The trains collided while going at not very high speeds, which led to the destruction of two carriages and a third to overturn," a security source told Reuters.

Egypt's history of deadly train accidents

Egypt has a history of train accidents caused by poorly maintained equipment and bad management. Official figures recorded 1,793 train accidents in 2017.

One of those accidents left 43 people dead when two trains collided near the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria.

More than 300 people were killed in Egypt's deadliest train accident when a speeding train caught fire in 2003.

In 2018, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said that the government needed around 250 billion Egyptian pounds ($14.1 billion, 11.97 billion) in order to bring the country's run-down railway system up-to-date.

Egypt has one of the oldest and largest railway networks in Africa.

ab/msh (Reuters, AFP, AP)
The Egyptian President today ordered emergency crews to start offloading containers from the cargo ship

Japanese-owned vessel got wedged in crucial trading passage last Tuesday, disrupting global shipping

Two heavier tugboats joined efforts to free Panama-flagged vessel in Suez Canal in Egypt after it got stuck

Rescue teams shifted 220,000-ton Ever Given container ship by nearly 100ft (30m) in major breakthrough

Advertisement

Rescue crews desperately trying to free the container ship blocking the Suez Canal today said they have made a breakthrough and had managed to move the skyscraper-sized vessel by nearly 100ft.

Two heavier tugboats joined efforts to free the Ever Given, a 220,000-ton Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned ship which has been wedged across the crucial waterway in Egypt since Tuesday.

The vessel, which carries cargo between Asia and Europe, is disrupting global shipping valued at more than 6.5billion per day and is exacerbating the global economic crisis triggered by Covid-19.

However, in a major breakthrough, rescue crews reportedly told NBC News foreign correspondent Raf Sanchez they have managed to move the enormous carrier by around 98ft (30m).

Hopes have been raised that the cargo ship could be freed today after emergency crews were ordered to start offloading containers. Experts previously budged its stern and get its rudder and propeller working.

The Dutch-flagged Alp Guard and the Italian-flagged Carlo Magno, which were called in to work alongside tugboats already on scene, reached the Red Sea near the city of Suez earlier today.

They will now help nudge the Ever Given as dredgers continue to vacuum up sand from underneath the vessel and mud caked to its port side. They have so far shifted 27,000 cubic metres of sand around the ship to reach a depth of 60ft (18m) , the authority said in a statement.

Tonight a newly arrived specialist tug also joined efforts to float the giant container ship, the vessel's technical manager Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) said in a statement.

'Further attempts to re-float the vessel will continue this evening once the tug is safely in position along with the 11 tugs already on site,' the statement said.

An additional dredger will also arrive from Cyprus by March 30, it added.

Workers planned to make two attempts on Sunday to free the vessel coinciding with high tides helped by a full moon on Sunday night, a top pilot with the canal authority said.

Rescue crews desperately trying to free the container ship blocking the Suez Canal today said they have made a breakthrough and had managed to move the skyscraper-sized vessel by nearly 100ft

An aerial view taken on March 27, 2021 from the porthole of a commercial plane shows stranded ships waiting in queue in the Gulf of Suez to cross the Suez Canal at its southern entrance near the Red Sea port city of Suez

The massive Ever Given (pictured), a Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned ship that carries cargo between Asia and Europe, got stuck on Tuesday in a single-lane stretch of the canal

A tugboat near the Ever Given container ship which ran aground in the Suez Canal, Egypt, March 28, 2021

Two heavier tugboats sped to Egypt's Suez Canal on Sunday to join efforts to free a skyscraper-sized container ship wedged for days across the crucial waterway. Pictured: Dredgers attempt to free the stranded ship on Sunday

Rescue reportedly told NBC News' Raf Sanchez they have managed to move the enormous carrier by around 98ft

The plan is for the tugboats to nudge the 400-meter-long Ever Given as dredgers continue to vacuum up sand from underneath the vessel and mud caked to its port side, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, which manages the Ever Given, said

Authorities have so far been unable to remove the vessel and traffic through the canal - valued at more than 6.5billion a day - has been halted, further disrupting a global shipping network already strained by the coronavirus pandemic

A handout satellite image made available by MAXAR Technologies shows excavation around the bow of the Ever Given and dredging operations in progress, in the Suez Canal, Egypt, March 28, 2021

Satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies shows the container ship in the Suez Canal on the morning of March 28

The full moon offers a spring tide, or king tide, in which high tides are higher and the low tides are lower because of the effects of gravity during a straight-line alignment of the Earth, the moon and the sun.

'Sunday is very critical,' the pilot told the Associated Press. 'It will determine the next step, which highly likely involves at least the partial offloading of the vessel.

'Taking containers off the ship likely would add even more days to the canal's closure, something authorities have been desperately trying to avoid.

'It also would require a crane and other equipment that have yet to arrive.'

Taking containers off the ship would likely add even more days to the canal's closure, something authorities have been desperately trying to avoid.

It would also require a crane and other equipment that have yet to arrive.

This weekend it was revealed that ships containing livestock and IKEA furnishings had been left stranded in the maritime traffic jam.

Gerit Weidinger, EU coordinator for NGO Animals International, told The Guardian: 'My greatest fear is that animals run out of food and water and they get stuck on the ships because they cannot be unloaded somewhere else for paperwork reasons.'

Meanwhile IKEA said it had 110 containers on the stricken Ever Given and on other ships.

'The blockage of the Suez Canal is an additional constraint to an already challenging and volatile situation for global supply chains brought on by the pandemic,' an IKEA spokesperson said.

On Saturday, the head of the Suez Canal Authority told journalists that strong winds were 'not the only cause' for the Ever Given running aground, appearing to push back against conflicting assessments offered by others.

Lt. Gen. Osama Rabei said that an investigation was ongoing but did not rule out human or technical error.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement maintains that their 'initial investigations rule out any mechanical or engine failure as a cause of the grounding.'

However, at least one initial report suggested a 'blackout' struck the hulking vessel, which is carrying some 20,000 containers, at the time of the incident.

Rabei said he remained hopeful that dredging could free the ship without having to remove its cargo, but added that 'we are in a difficult situation, it's a bad incident.'

Rescue crews have managed to move the skyscraper-sized vessel by nearly 100ft after it found itself wedged across the crucial waterway in Egypt

Workers planned to make two attempts to free the vessel on Sunday, coinciding with high tides, a top pilot with the canal authority told The Associated Press

On Saturday, the head of the Suez Canal Authority told journalists that strong winds were 'not the only cause' for the Ever Given running aground, appearing to push back against conflicting assessments offered by others. Lt. Gen. Osama Rabei (pictured) said that an investigation was ongoing but did not rule out human or technical error

Stranded ships are now waiting in a queue in the Gulf of Suez after the container ship blocked the waterway

The Dutch-flagged Alp Guard and the Italian-flagged Carlo Magno were called in to assist the tugboats already in the canal and had reached the Red Sea near the city of Suez early on Sunday, according to satellite data from MarineTraffic.com. Pictured: Two boats are seen at the entrance of the Suez Canal on Sunday

Asked about when they expected to free the vessel and reopen the canal, he said: 'I can't say because I do not know.'

Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd., the company that owns the vessel, said it was considering removing containers if other refloating efforts failed.

On Friday, Peter Berdowski, CEO of Boskalis, the salvage firm hired to extract the Ever Given, said that the company hoped to pull the container ship free within days using a combination of heavy tugboats, dredging and high tides.

Berdowski told the Dutch current affairs show Nieuwsuur that the front of the ship is stuck in sandy clay, but the rear 'has not been completely pushed into the clay and that is positive because you can use the rear end to pull it free'.

Berdowski said two large tugboats were on their way to the canal and are expected to arrive over the weekend.

'The combination of the (tug) boats we will have there, more ground dredged away and the high tide, we hope that will be enough to get the ship free somewhere early next week,' he said.

The Ever Given is wedged about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) north of the canal's Red Sea entrance near the city of Suez.

A prolonged closure of the crucial waterway would cause delays in the global shipping chain.

Some 19,000 vessels passed through the canal last year, according to official figures. About 10 per cent of world trade flows through the canal.

Rescue crews descended upon the scene in an effort to free the container ship blocking the Suez Canal today

The Japanese-owned ship is disrupting global shipping valued at more than 6.5billion per day and is exacerbating the global economic crisis triggered by Covid-19

Emergency crews were ordered to start offloading containers off the enormous carrier and workers plan to make two attempts on Sunday to free the vessel

Hopes that the cargo ship could be freed were given a boost today as emergency crews started offloading containers from Ever Given

Rescue teams arrive to the scene as dredgers continue to vacuum up sand from underneath the vessel and mud caked to its port side

Workers at the site have so far shifted 27,000 cubic metres of sand around the ship to reach a depth of 60ft

The closure could affect oil and gas shipments to Europe from the Middle East. Syria has already begun rationing the domestic distribution of fuel.

The country, which has been mired in a bloody civil war since 2011, faces a severe economic crisis. In March, it announced a more than 50 per cent rise in the price of petrol.

As of early Sunday, more than 320 ships were waiting to travel through the Suez, either to the Mediterranean or the Red Sea, according to canal services firm Leth Agencies.

Dozens of others still listed their destination as the canal, though shippers increasingly appear to be avoiding the passage.

The world's biggest shipping company, Denmark's A.P. Moller-Maersk, warned its customers that it would take anywhere from three to six days to clear the backlog of vessels at the canal.

The Ever Given is wedged about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) north of the canal's Red Sea entrance near the city of Suez. A prolonged closure of the crucial waterway would cause delays in the global shipping chain

Ships and boats are seen at the entrance of Suez Canal after it was blocked by the stranded container ship Ever Given

The firm and its partners already have 22 ships waiting there.

'The current number [of] redirected Maersk and partner vessels is 14 and expected to rise as we assess the salvage efforts along with network capacity and fuel on our vessels currently en route to Suez,' the shipper said.

Mediterranean Shipping Co., the world's second-largest, said it had already rerouted at least 11 ships around Africa's Cape of Good Hope to avoid the canal.

It turned back two others, and said it expected 'some missed sailings as a result of this incident.'

'MSC expects this incident to have a very significant impact on the movement of containerized goods, disrupting supply chains beyond the existing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,' it said.
Gardai in Laois have arrested a driver on the Dublin Cork Limerick M7 motorway after he failed a drugs test after being stopped for speeding on the busy road.

The guards made a statement after the individual was detained.

"Laois Roads Policing Unit earlier today (Saturday) stopped a car travelling at 167 km ph on the M7 motorway. The driver subsequently failed a roadside drug test when they tested positive for cocaine," they said.

The gardai said the driver was arrested and taken to Portlaoise Garda Station for a blood test.

They added that a court appearance would follow for the motorist.
New Delhi, March 28 : A large container ship, 'Ever Given' remains stuck in Egypt's Suez Canal, the busiest waterway in the world.

The ship, a vessel named the 'Ever Given', ran aground after strong winds and a sandstorm caused low visibility and poor navigation, the Suez Canal Authority said in a statement. The ship was en route to the Dutch point of Rotterdam when it was knocked off course, CNN reported.

The Ever Given, at 400 meters (1,312 feet), is almost as long as the Empire State Building is tall.

The Suez Canal accounts for about 30 per cent of global container ship traffic each day. The report said if the Ever Given isn't freed soon, the logjam could impact the oil market, shipping and container rates, leading to a rise in the cost of everyday goods.

BBC reported that a giant container ship remains stuck across Egypt's Suez Canal after attempts to dislodge it on Saturday's high tide failed.

Canal officials said, however, that some progress had been made, and that they hoped the ship could be afloat again by Sunday evening.

The Ever Given has been wedged in the canal -- one of the world's busiest trade routes -- since Tuesday, BBC said. More than 300 ships are stuck on either side of the blockage. Some vessels have had to reroute around Africa.

On why the Suez Canal is so important, BBC said about 12 per cent of global trade passes through the 193 km (120-mile) canal, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea and provides the shortest sea link between Asia and Europe.

An alternative route, around the Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip of Africa, can take two weeks longer.

According to data from Lloyd's List, the blockage is holding up an estimated $9.6 billion of goods each day -- or $400m an hour.

BBC reported that on Saturday about 20,000 tonnes of sand was dredged, and 14 tugboats pulled and pushed the Ever Given in order to try to dislodge it.

Although strong tides and winds complicated efforts to free the ship, the tugboats managed to move it 30 degrees in two directions.

General Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, said that water had started running underneath the vessel.

"We expect that at any time the ship could slide and move from the spot it is in," he told a press conference.

Initial reports said the 400m-long (1,300ft), 200,000-tonne vessel ran aground due to high winds and a sandstorm that affected visibility.

However, Rabie said weather conditions were "not the main reasons" for the ship's grounding.

"There may have been technical or human errors," he told reporters, without giving details. "All of these factors will become apparent in the investigation", BBC reported.

The Ever Given is operated by the Taiwanese firm Evergreen Marine and owned by Shoei Kisen of Japan. Yukito Higaki, president of Shoei Kisen, said on Friday that the ship did not appear to be damaged.

BBC said if digging the sand away and pulling the ship with tugs fails to move it, Rabie said rescue teams might have to remove some containers.

John Denholm, president of the UK Chamber of Shipping, earlier told the BBC that transferring the cargo to another vessel or the canal bank would involve bringing in specialist equipment, including a crane that would need to stretch more than 60m (200ft) high.

"If we go through the lightering process, I suspect we're talking weeks," he said.
You have to be pretty stupid to opine publicly about the race/ethnicity of a mass shooter before his race/ethnicity is known. You have to be very stupid to base such an opinion on the obviously false claim that mass shooters are always of a particular race/ethnicity. And you have to be world-class stupid to risk your professional career on such an assertion.

But thats what Hemal Jhaveri, then the diversity and inclusion editor at USA Today Sports, did following last weeks mass shooting in Colorado. She tweeted, Its always an angry white man [who does this]. Always.

Unfortunately for Jhaveris career, the Colorado shooter was Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, an Arab-American who was born in Syria. As anyone who pays attention knows, this guy is not the only man of Middle Eastern heritage to have gone on a shooting spree. Recall Omar Mateen, the Florida nightclub gunman and Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood killer. Jhaveri also overlooked Floyd Lee Corkins, a Black who tried to shoot up a Washington, D.C. think tank.

USA Today fired Jhaveri. She promptly played the victim card, including pathetic moans about microaggressions she allegedly experience at USA Today.

Doubling down on stupid, Jhaveri complained: There is always the threat that tweets which challenge white supremacy will be weaponized by bad faith actors. But Jhaveris problem wasnt her challenge to white supremacy. I take it that USA Today paid her to regurgitate such challenges.

Her problem was that the tweet about the Colorado shooting exposed her as a fool with a high degree of animosity towards white males.

Because Jhaveris beat was diversity and inclusion, her firing was fully justified. If Jhaveri had been, say, an attorney in a law firm, it would have wrong to fire her (though her colleagues would be justified in wondering how the firm ever hired anyone this dumb). Firing her from most jobs for her tweet would have been cancel culturist.

But Jhaveris job was, in essence, to write about race and ethnicity. I wont say it was to write intelligently about these subjects because this beat typically is devoted to promoting the mindless woke narrative.

Ironically, though, this sad reality made it all the more imperative that USA Today let Jhaveri go. By displaying her stupidity and anti-white male animus, she lost her viability as a race monger for a newspaper that claims to be serious. She needed to be replaced by someone equally woke who hasnt beclowned herself.

Those concerned with maintaining traditional standards of journalism couldnt support employing a writer as biased and injudicious as Jhaveri. Those concerned with promoting wokeism couldnt support employing someone whose cover was so badly blown.
I watched the presidents news conference, and have to ask, where was the transparency and unity that was promised? Also, the entire open border situation is atrocious! In the two months Biden has been in office, utilities, groceries, gas at the pump and taxes have gone up, and it isnt going down anytime soon. Are all you liberal Democrats happy, because you voted in the most incompetent, lying, crooked man they call their president, who absolutely knows what he is doing to destroy our great country! I am old enough to remember Biden was never a good man, and will go down in history as the worst president ever!
As state lawmakers in Austin wrap up the latest legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday threatened to withhold their pay by vetoing a line item in the states budget because a Democratic walkout killed his priority elections bill. No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities, Abbott tweeted. Should the governor veto Legislature funding?

You voted:
Mount Greylock School District Tightens Mask Policy

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  When Williamstown Elementary School and Lanesborough Elementary School throw open their doors to pupils next month, they will have some new rules on face coverings.

The Mount Greylock Regional School Committee on Thursday updated the policy the district put in place last summer to clarify what constitutes an acceptable face mask and when those masks must be worn.

"As we are preparing to welcome students back at the elementary level on April 5, and as we see numbers creep up in the Berkshires relative to COVID positivity, we, working together collaboratively with the union through our [Joint Labor Management Committee] were looking at several layers of how we could be more protective," Superintendent Jason McCandless told the committee. "One of the areas that was suggested to us was to revisit face coverings."

The updated policy retains language requiring students at the district's three schools to wear face coverings while on school grounds or school transportation regardless of whether social distancing is maintained.

But after Thursday's 7-0 vote, the face coverings worn "must be either multiple-layer fabric masks, including N-95 and/or KN-95 masks, with a tight weave, or paper surgical masks."

The prior policy "strongly encouraged" such masks but allowed for alternative face coverings that gained popularity in the spring and summer of last year.

The updated policy specifies that "bandanas, neck gaiters and buffs, and masks with exhalation valves" are "not acceptable" in the district.

The district's policy also was updated to remove two exceptions to the mandatory mask requirement. Students no longer will be able to shed masks while outside (except during specified mask breaks) or during physical education classes.

The policy allows for students to seek exemptions to the mask mandate if they have medical, behavioral or other challenges. Those exemptions need to be approved by the building principal in consultation with the school nurse or local Board of Health.

School Committee member Curtis Elfenbein raised concerns about language in the existing policy that Elfenbein feared might allow families to request exemptions for less specified reasons.

"Folks are not looking for outlandish exceptions in my five months here," McCandless said.

Throughout the first seven months of the school year, the district has been able toggle back and forth between fully remote learning and a "hybrid" model of remote learning coupled with half-time in-person instruction depending on the public health metrics.

That comes to an end on April 5.

That is when this month's edict from the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education goes into effect.

After months of Baker Administration officials pressuring school districts to return to full in-person instruction, Commissioner of Education Jeffrey Riley got the board to vote, 9-3, to order local districts to take that step, starting with K-5 classrooms on April 5.

"As much as that's a day we have some concerns over and working hard to make real in a way that's safe, a core part of every educator's approach to this is one of excitement," McCandless said. "We are welcoming back the very reasons all of us do what we do."

Although the state mandate is for K-5, the Mount Greylock district's two PreK-6 elementary schools will be open to all grades for in-person instruction starting on April 5. The state board's decision continues to require schools to provide a remote option for families who choose not to send their children for in-person instruction.

McCandless said the state has not announced when it will require high schools to go fully in person, but his vision is to fully open Mount Greylock Regional School to students on or close to April 28, the date the commissioner specified for full in-person instruction for middle schools.

"We do continue preparations for this return to full in-person school," he said. "We're doing so by providing N-95 masks to any educators who want or need this level of protection. We continue to work together and be as communicative and supportive as possible for as many of our educators to get vaccinated as is possible.  We continue to prepare classrooms and school public spaces. We are providing very specific plans for eating as safely as possible, traveling through hallways, etc., once we're all back together. And part of our lunch plan is including the use of tents at both of our elementary schools.

"We do continue to ask and borderline beg everyone in our communities to remember that so much of our ability to come back to school in safe ways depends on choices we make every minute of every day. We have the power to protect one another. We have the power to keep school in person."
Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission

Hyderabad, March 28 : An interesting battle seems to be on cards in April 17 by-election to Nagarjuna Sagar Assembly seat in Telangana.

Upbeat following its victory in two graduates' constituencies of State Legislative Council, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is determined to retain the seat while opposition BJP and Congress will go all out to prove a point.

Stakes will be high for all three major parties in the by-poll. TRS, which managed to put brakes on BJP's winning march by wresting one Council seat from the saffron party and retaining the other, will be keen to continue the winning streak.

BJP, whose Mission 2023 received a jolt with the defeat in Council polls, will take the Assembly bypoll as another chance to project itself as the only viable alternative to TRS.

After wresting Dubbak Assembly seat from TRS in November last year and putting up an impressive performance in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) polls in December, BJP had emerged as the main opposition and had gone aggressive in taking on TRS.

The saffron party is expected to give a tough fight to show that its win in Dubbak and impressive performance in GHMC was not a flash in the pan.

After the surprise defeat at the hands of BJP in Dubbak, TRS will be treading cautiously in Nagarjuna Sagar. Political analysts say the ruling party will take no chances this time. Realising that overconfidence led to the debacle in Dubbak, TRS leadership is carefully evolving its strategy in Sagar.

The bypoll is necessitated by the death of sitting legislator Nomula Narsimhaiah of TRS in December last year.

In 2018, Narsimhaiah had defeated his nearest rival Jana Reddy of Congress by a margin of 7,771 votes. While Narsimhaiah polled 83,655 votes, Jana Reddy secured 75,884 votes. Niveditha Reddy of BJP could get only 2,675 votes.

In Dubbak, TRS had fielded S. Sujatha Reddy, widow of S. Ramalinga Reddy, whose death had caused the by-poll. As the sympathy factor did not work for the ruling party, it is reluctant to pick Narsimhaiah's son as the candidate in Nagarjuna Sagar.

The defeat in Dubbak was the first for TRS in any by-election in Telangana since formation of separate state in 2014. TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is holding wider consultation with party leaders in Nagarjuna Sagar constituency to decide the party candidate.

March 30 is the last day for filing nominations for the bypoll and KCR, as Rao is popularly known, is likely to announce the candidate late on March 29.

KCR has reportedly shortlisted some names, including late Narsimhaiah's son Nomula Bharat. According to the party leaders, he will take a decision based on the outcome of five surveys which the party conducted this month on its position and the likely candidates.

Even before announcing the candidate for the by-poll, TRS has launched the campaign in the constituency. Some party legislators have already rushed to the constituency in Nalgonda district to begin campaigning for the party.

Both KCR and his son and TRS working president K. T. Rama Rao had stayed away from campaigning in Dubbak. This time both the leaders are likely to address election rallies in Nagarjuna Sagar.

BJP, which was waiting for TRS to announce its candidate, received a jolt on Friday after Niveditha Reddy, who contested the same seat on BJP ticket in 2018 election, filed her nomination even though the party did not announce her candidature.

Niveditha's action came even as BJP state president Bandi Sanjay Kumar was meeting senior leaders to decide the party candidate. The saffron party, which had roped in central leaders in the campaigning in GHMC and Legislative Council polls, is likely to run an aggressive campaign.

Political observers say a win in Nagarjuna Sagar could strengthen BJP, which is working with a mission to come to power in 2023.

Unhappy over BJP leadership considering the names of some leaders who joined the party recently, Niveditha Reddy filed her nomination as the party candidate without waiting for the party decision. This has caused embarrassment to the party leadership.

BJP leaders are reportedly divided over the choice of candidates. While party's central leader in-charge of BJP's affairs in Telangana is in favour of Niveditha, the state leaders feel that she will not be able to give a fight as she polled less than one per cent votes in the last election.

Some see the Nagarjuna Sagar contest as a direct fight between TRS and Congress. The battle will be interesting as Congress has fielded its veteran leader and former minister K. Jana Reddy.

Jana Reddy is a seven-time MLA. He was earlier elected five times from Chalakurthy constituency, which became Nagarjuna Sagar in the delimitation exercise in 2009.

The by-poll may become a do or die battle for Congress party in the state. Analysts say Jana Reddy will shoulder the heavy responsibility of reviving the party's fortunes in the state.

Congress suffered a series of setbacks since 2018 Assembly polls. It not only lost a dozen MLAs to TRS but also suffered defeat in by-election to Huzurabad seat, which was vacated by state Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy following his election to Lok Sabha in 2019. TRS captured the Congress stronghold.

The humiliating defeat in Dubbak, GHMC and elections to rural and urban local bodies threw Congress into total disarray.

Jana Reddy has already started campaigning in Nagarjuna Sagar. Addressing a public meeting, he claimed that the development done by him in Nagarjuna Sagar Assembly constituency, formerly known as Chalakurthi, was far more compared to what has been done in Gajwel, Sircialla and Siddipet by KCR, KTR and Harish Rao respectively.

"I will show my name along with former CM N T Rama Rao and other Congress CMs on the foundation stones of numerous irrigation and other projects," he said slamming TRS for its allegation that he has done nothing for Nagarjuna Sagar.

Jana Reddy claimed that Nagarjuna Sagar is the only constituency in Telangana where irrigation water is being provided to two lakh acres, 963-km BT roads, which are more than those in the constituencies of KCR, KTR and Harish Rao.
Makers of The Crown have boasted that the fifth season of the Netflix drama will be 'juicy' amid growing criticism of their portrayal of the British Royal family.

Royal correspondent Michael Cole predicted the series, which is expected to cover Diana's relationship with Dodi Fayed and her death in August 1997, will contain plenty of 'dramatic material and startling revelations'.

The show has already faced widespread criticism over its 'twisted' depiction of the Firm, which portrays Prince Charles as callous and self-serving and his mother the Queen as cold.

Emma Corrin, 24, played Princess Diana in the fourth series of The Crown and is set to be replaced by The Night Manager star Elizabeth Debicki, 30, for the final two seasons.

Speaking to the Sunday Express, Martin Childs, production designer on The Crown, said while he couldn't divulge details, scripts for the forthcoming series are 'juicy'.

But royal author Hugo Vickers told the publication: 'In my view all 40 episodes are [unpalatable]. And as they approach the present day, they seem to be getting worse. There was quite a backlash against season four.'

The sixth season of The Crown is is expected to cover Diana's relationship with Dodi Fayed and her death in August 1997. Pictured, the royal in Bosnia the month of her death

Emma Corrin, 24, played Princess Diana in the fourth series of The Crown and is set to be replaced by The Night Manager star Elizabeth Debicki (pictured), 30, for the final two seasons

The Crown's makeup designer Cate Hall added: 'Oh they're juicy. All the major people you would expect to be in there, are there.'

However, speaking about series four and five, former BBC royal correspondent Mr Cole suggested the screenwriter 'had over egged the pudding'.

The next phase of the show will cover the early 1990s, including the Windsor Castle fire and end of three of the Queen's children's marriages.

Netflix are yet to announce who will take over from Josh O'Connor playing Prince Charles in the upcoming two final series.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Pryce, 73, will take over the role of Prince Philip and portray the royal through the 1990s and Imelda Staunton, 65, will play the Queen.

Emma Corrin (pictured right on screen) portrayed the late Princess of Wales in the fourth season of Netflix's hit royal drama The Crown. Pictured left, Diana in 1982

Scenes in the fifth season of the show showing Diana gorging on food before vomiting into a toilet are so graphic that they carry on-screen warnings

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden demanded in November last year that Netflix make clear the royal drama is 'fiction'.

He claimed viewers should be warned at the start of each episode that it was not 'fact' after mounting concern that fabricated scenes in the drama series were so damaging to the Royal Family.

'It's a beautifully produced work of fiction, so as with other TV productions, Netflix should be very clear at the beginning it is just that,' he told The Mail on Sunday.

'Without this, I fear a generation of viewers who did not live through these events may mistake fiction for fact.'

The fourth series of The Crown, which premiered last November, shows Charles meeting and marrying an innocent Diana while maintaining his affair with the then-married Camilla Parker-Bowles.

The Night Manager star Elizabeth Debicki has been cast as Princess Diana for the final two seasons of The Crown

The Two Popes actor Jonathan Pryce, 73, is taking on the role of Prince Philip in The Crown's final two seasons

Elsewhere, scenes showing Diana gorging on food before vomiting into a toilet are so graphic that they carry on-screen warnings.

Controversy over invented scenes prompted the Princess's brother to add his voice to the calls for a disclaimer.

Earl Spencer told ITV: 'It would help The Crown an enormous amount if at the beginning of each episode it stated that, "This isn't true but is based around some real events". Because then everyone would understand it's drama for drama's sake.'

Corrin, who plays Princess Diana, has previously admitted that the controversial fourth series is 'fictionalised to a great extent'.

During a series of interviews, she said the story-lines were invented and the members of the Royal Family depicted in the new series were 'characters' created by Peter Morgan.

The fourth series of The Crown, which premiered last November, shows Charles meeting and marrying an innocent Diana while maintaining his affair with the then-married Camilla Parker-Bowles. Pictured Corrin and Josh O'Connor in The Crown

In February, Prince Harry defended Netflix, with whom he has a multi-million pound contract, despite the show facing widespread criticism over its depiction of the Firm.

The Duke of Sussex, 36, gave his seal of approval to the Netflix show, saying the show 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'.

Meanwhile, Joanna Lumley revealed that she will never watch or appear in The Crown because she thinks it's 'awful' that viewers don't know it's 'mostly made up.'

The Absolutely Fabulous star, 74, who's been close to the heir to the throne for years as an ambassador for The Prince's Trust and attended his 2005 wedding to the Duchess of Cornwall, said she wouldn't watch the hit Netflix show because she's concerned some viewers don't know it's 'mostly made up'.

Speaking on Chopper's Politics podcast for The Telegraph, the actress said: 'Lots of people love it and lots of people know it's mostly made up, but lots of people don't know it's made up which is awful.'

MailOnline has contacted Netflix for comment.
Photo: Alanna Kelly Engel & Volkers, a real estate company in downtown Victoria.

New troubling allegations are surfacing online claiming a third Victoria real estate agent allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted a woman.



The allegations are being raised by a community member and were posted on Instagram on Friday night by the Survivor Stories Project claiming the alleged incident occurred in October 2018.

Engel & Volkers Vancouver Island released a statement on Saturday saying the individual is no longer with the company.

Recently we became aware of social media allegations involving a real estate professional working under the Engel & Volkers Vancouver Island banner, says Scott Piercy, brokerage owner. The allegations are disturbing and deeply troubling.

In a detailed post, the woman claims to have been invited to a luxurious mansion on Beach Drive and was allegedly sexually assaulted by a wealthy real estate agent while attending a party.

I thought this to be a safe place as there were many people there, including some friends of my friends, the post reads.

The post goes on to say a man offered her and her friends drinks.

It was around 9 p.m. and I was not drunk at all. The next recollection I have is around 5 a.m. and I am being picked up off the laundry/bathroom floor (the same one I was pulled into and groped) and someone is pulling up my pants and doing them up, reads the post.

In the post, the woman says she was carried out to a waiting cab as she could not walk.

To this day I know that I was drugged, the post reads. I had the forensic exam done at the hospital.

In the post, the woman alleges she contacted police.

The woman claims in the post I could feel my vagina was so sore and swollen, and when I went to the bathroom, I sat on the toilet and pulled my pants down, and realized that my underwear were off and bunched up around my ankle at the bottom of my pants.

No one has been charged in connection to these allegations, which have also not been tested in court.

Engel & Volkers Vancouver Island confirms that the agent has returned all real estate listings to us and no longer has any responsibilities with Engel & Volkers Vancouver Island.

The company would not comment if the individual has been fired or left the company on his own.

This has been difficult for our community, our industry and our staff. In addition to todays action, we have arranged sexual harassment counselling, trauma support and sensitivity training for our entire team along with ongoing resources, says Piercy.

All images and information about the individual have been removed from the company's website as of Saturday afternoon.

Glacier Media has reached out to Saanich Police for a comment about the incident.

Earlier this week, two Victoria real estate agents were fired following sexual assault allegations made against them.

The allegations were also raised by a community member and were first posted to a social media account Wednesday night.

At the time of the alleged 2018 incident, both men worked for Engel & Volkers real estate company. The two individuals were employees at The Agency, a luxury real estate brokerage and lifestyle company, until Thursday, when they both were fired.

None of these allegations have been tested in court and no one has been charged in connection to these allegations.





By Lee Hyo-jin







A Japanese man threw money worth around 900,000 won ($795) out of the window of a hotel at Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, where he was staying under self-quarantine.





According to Yongin Dongbu Police Station, Sunday, the man in his 60s threw a bunch of banknotes out of the window of a room on the 13th floor of the hotel, around 10:40 a.m., Saturday.



The hotel was a designated 14-day self-isolation facility for overseas entrants, part of the government's anti-coronavirus measures.





He threw a dozen 50,000 won banknotes, six 10,000 won banknotes, one 5,000 won bill, and three 10,000 yen banknotes, adding up to around 900,000 won in total.







It is thought the man, who had checked in the day before, threw the cash out of anger after an argument with hotel staff as he was required to make a payment of some 1.6 million won in advance of the stay.







Police collected most of the cash from the street, and returned it to the hotel staff who will in turn return it to the man when he checks out.




Space News space history and artifacts articles Messages space history discussion forums Sightings worldwide astronaut appearances Resources selected space history documents





advertisements



Wright stuff on Mars: Flyer fabric to take flight on Ingenuity helicopter



March 29, 2021  A small swatch of fabric is set to take flight on a first-of-its-kind aircraft more than a century, and a world away, from where it first made history.



The strip of muslin, which was once part of a wing on the Wright brothers' 1903 Flyer  the first successful heavier-than-air powered aircraft  is now on Mars, affixed to Ingenuity, the first aircraft to attempt powered flight on another planet.



"This fabric is from the original aircraft that flew at Kitty Hawk," said Bob Balaram, chief engineer for NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter. "With all our high tech materials and carbon fiber skins and exotic metals, we're very proud to honor that experimental aircraft from long ago by carrying a small piece of [its] fabric."



The Flyer fabric is wrapped around a cable located underneath the helicopter's solar panel, held in place by insulative tape.



Ingenuity, which landed on Mars with the Perseverance rover, is intended as a technology demonstrator. If successful, the helicopter could lead to future aircraft assisting robotic and human missions on the Red Planet.



"It is in the long tradition of experimental aircraft that started all the way from the Wright brothers, who were able to bring aerial mobility as a dimension for us to be able to travel here on Earth. In the same way, we are hoping that Ingenuity also allows us to expand and open up aerial mobility on Mars," said Balaram in a press conference held March 23 at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California.



First flights



The Wright Flyer ushered in the aerial age on Earth with a 12-second flight on Dec. 17, 1903. With Orville Wright as its pilot and Wilbur Wright running alongside, the Flyer traveled 120 feet (36 meters) over the sand-covered Outer Banks of North Carolina.



The Flyer made three more flights that day before it was damaged beyond repair. It was later restored and is displayed by the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.



The Ingenuity Mars helicopter is slated to attempt its first flight on or about April 8, after it has been deployed by Perseverance within a flat area of Jezero crater that will serve as its airfield. Like the Flyer, the first flight of the rotor-powered Ingenuity will be brief. If all goes to plan, the helicopter will ascend to 10 feet (3 meters) high and hover for up to 30 seconds before turning and touching down.



Controlled flight is difficult to achieve on Mars. The planet's gravity is about one-third that of Earth's, but its atmosphere is just one percent as dense at the surface.



"The first flight is special. It is by far the most important flight that we plan to do," said Havard Grip, Ingenuity's chief pilot at JPL. "We will declare complete mission success if we do this first flight that we're going to attempt."



Ingenuity's on board avionics will take the place of Orville Wright as pilot, but like Wilbur, Perseverance will be watching from the side. The rover will receive data and possibly film the helicopter's flight from "Van Zyl Overlook," an area named for Jakob van Zyl, a leader of solar system exploration at JPL, who unexpectedly died about a month after Perseverance and Ingenuity launched to Mars.



Far-flung Flyer fabric



It was Orville Wright who removed the Flyer fabric that is now on board Ingenuity. He was preparing the aircraft for its first public exhibition when the "Pride of the West" unbleached muslin was replaced in 1916. Later, he and his brother found another use for the material.



"The Wright brothers were auctioning pieces of it to raise money for their future efforts," said Balaram.



NASA worked with Carillon Historical Park, home to the Wright Brothers National Museum, to source the fabric.



"Our mission includes 'inspiring the world.' We hope this partnership with NASA helps do just that  inspiring our world by reaching beyond it," said Brady Kress, president of Carillon Historical Park, in a statement.



This is not the first time that fabric from the Wrights' 1903 Flyer has left Earth. In 1969, the Wright family gave Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong pieces of the muslin and a splinter of wood from the plane's left propeller to fly on the first moon landing mission.



Fragments of the lunar-flown Flyer artifacts are now on exhibit at museums across the U.S. and in private collections, the latter after being auctioned for as much as $275,000.



A different piece of the 1903 Flyer's fabric flew aboard the space shuttle Discovery, accompanying former Mercury astronaut John Glenn on his 1998 return to orbit.



The same orbiter, Discovery, lofted yet another fragment of the first airplane two years later on behalf of North Carolina's First Flight Centennial Commission. The muslin, which was flown to the International Space Station, was launched in celebration of the then-upcoming 100th anniversary of the Flyer and STS-92, the 100th space shuttle mission.



Now, Flyer fabric has not just reached Mars, but is ready to take a history-making flight... again.



"Wilbur and Orville Wright would be pleased to know that a little piece of their 1903 Wright Flyer I, the machine that launched the Space Age by flying barely one quarter of a mile, is going to soar into history again on Mars!" Amanda Wright Lane and Stephen Wright, Wilbur and Orville's great grand-niece and nephew, said in a statement. "The NASA Mars Perseverance team has found a way to coax another 330 million miles [530 million km] out of the original Pride of the West fabric that Wilbur and Orville thought they retired from their Flyer's broken wings on Dec. 17, 1903."



A small swatch of the muslin that covered one of the wings of the Wright brothers' Flyer during its first flight in 1903 is affixed to the Ingenuity Mars helicopter. An insulative tape was used to wrap the small piece of fabric around a cable located under the helicopter's solar panel. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)







NASA's Ingenuity helicopter is seen exposed on the underbelly of the Perseverance rover after its debris shield was released on Mars on March 21, 2021. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)







"Pride of the West" muslin that once covered the Wright Flyer for its first flight at Kitty Hawk on Dec. 17, 1903. (Carillon Historical Park)





NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter will attempt to be the first powered aircraft to take flight on another planet carrying with it a piece of fabric from the Wright brothers' 1903 Flyer, the first successful heavier-than-air powered aircraft. (NASA/Smithsonian / montage by collectSPACE)



 2021 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.
Mathura : , March 28 (IANS) A scuffle broke out between supporters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and police in the Kumbh region of Vrindavan after an RSS member accused the police of assaulting a pracharak.

Several policemen were later thrashed in public while a video of the incident went viral.

The scuffle took place on Saturday after some policemen allegedly misbehaved with RSS Zila Pracharak Manoj Kumar, while he was taking a bath in Yamuna river at the Kumbh fair of Vrindavan.

Soon after the incident, a video of the alleged incident went viral on social media, purportedly showing some youths entering into an altercation with two or three policemen and one of them hitting a policeman on his back with a helmet.

Following the incident, local Bharatiya Janata Party activists, went on dharna in protest against the alleged misbehaviour of the policemen, necessitating the intervention of senior administrative and police officials in the matter.

The RSS activists called off the dharna only after Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Grover and District Magistrate Navneet Singh Chahal promised action against the erring policemen.

An aide of Manoj Kumar has been booked for assault of four policemen, including a Sub-Inspector.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) worker Bacchu Singh has demanded legal action against those who assaulted and abused RSS officials in the Kumbh region.
The top military officer from the United States and nearly a dozen of his counterparts are set to condemn on Saturday the deadly use of force by Myanmars security forces and say the countrys military has lost credibility with its people.

The joint statement, obtained by Reuters ahead of its planned release this weekend, is a rare declaration by the most senior military commanders from countries around the world, including in Asia and Europe.

It came after news reports and witnesses said Myanmar security forces killed 114 people on Saturday, including some children, on Armed Forces Day  the bloodiest day of its crackdown on pro-democracy protesters since last months military coup.

As Chiefs of Defense, we condemn the use of lethal force against unarmed people by the Myanmar Armed Forces and associated security services, read the draft statement.

It was signed by 12 chiefs of defence from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States.

Read more:

Diplomats from these countries have already condemned the bloodshed by Myanmars military, making the statement largely symbolic. Myanmars military has so far ignored criticism of its violent crackdown on dissent.

While the draft statement did not explicitly condemn the 1 February coup, which ousted Aung San Suu Kyis elected government, it said that a professional military must follow international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting - not harming - the people it serves.

It said the countrys military must cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions.

Myanmars military has said it took power because November elections won by Suu Kyis party were fraudulent, an assertion dismissed by the countrys election commission. Suu Kyi remains in detention at an undisclosed location and many other figures in her National League for Democracy party are also in custody.

The deaths on Saturday, Myanmars annual Armed Forces Day, which commemorates the start of resistance to Japanese occupation in 1945, would take the number of civilians reported killed since the coup to more than 440.

New US and European sanctions this week increased external pressure on the junta. But Myanmars generals have enjoyed some support from Russia and China, both veto-holding members of the UN Security Council that could block any potential UN action.

Russias deputy defence minister Alexander Fomin attended a parade in Myanmars capital Naypyitaw on Saturday, having met senior junta leaders a day earlier.

Diplomats said eight countries - Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand - sent representatives to the Armed Forces Day parade, but Russia was the only one to send a minister.

Article courtesy of Reuters
Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, is encouraging residents to enjoy quarantine free travel on arrival into Seychelles and Maldives with the launch of its latest sale.



Valid for today (March 25) only at etihad.com, customers can fly from Abu Dhabi to Seychelles in Economy for just AED995 ($271) return, with Maldives offers valid until 31 March from AED1,995 return. Guests who book between March 25 and 31, 2021 will enjoy return fares starting from AED1,995 in Economy to both Seychelles and Maldives. Travellers can jet off any time until June 30, 2021.



As Etihad continues to gradually resume services to more destinations across its global network, Nairobi will recommence on May 4, 2021 with a twice weekly service.



Flying to, from, and via Abu Dhabi is supported by the airlines fully redesigned sanitisation and safety programme, Etihad Wellness, which ensures the highest standards of hygiene are maintained at every stage of the customer journey.



This includes specially trained Wellness Ambassadors, a first in the industry, who have been introduced by the airline to provide essential travel health information and care on the ground and on every flight, so guests can fly with greater ease and confidence. All passengers travelling with Etihad receive complimentary Covid-19 insurance, which was recently extended until September 30, 2021.



Etihad is the only airline in the world requiring 100% of its passengers to show a negative PCR test before departure, and on arrival in Abu Dhabi.  TradeArabia News Service


Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has urged the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) to improve the mechanism for school monitoring and evaluation of projects.

He said this would promote quality education in the country.

The governor made the statement when the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education, Julius Ihonvbere, led other members on a courtesy visit to him on Saturday in Ado Ekiti.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee, as part of its oversight functions, was in the state to inspect basic schools and ensure that funds released by the Federal Government for execution of projects were judiciously utilised.

The governor also informed the committee on the need for the Federal Government to suspend counterpart funding as part of the basic requirements for states to access Federal Governments UBEC funding.

Mr Fayemi lamented that the backlogs of funds domiciled in the UBEC account was a function of the inability of some states to raise counterpart funds to access it.

He added that the process, if successful, would enable states to take more accelerated actions that would substantially improve the condition of schools and the quality of learning received by scholars.

Mr Fayemi said: It is necessary to step down counterpart funding in order for states to access the money that is just sitting there and the president has agreed with us.

That would enable states to take more accelerated actions on schools but it will now be more of a programme for results arrangement rather than counterpart funding arrangement.

I know how important this Committee is. I want to plead with you to really continue to impress it on the UBEC and the FME to pay more attention to the quality of education and to the monitoring and evaluation exercise.

He stressed the need to get school environment safe and secure, noting that it was the responsibility of government to ensure that the security of schools went beyond the traditional measure of installing perimeter fencing.

He said schools would need to adopt more effective measures that would guarantee safety of students, particularly at a time the country was faced with security challenges.

The governor, as requested by the committee, promised to lend his voice to campaign against out-of-school children.

He explained how his administration in two years had been able to improve students enrollment in both basic and secondary schools through free and compulsory education and the enactment of the Child Rights Act.

The Act prohibits school age children from being on the street during school hours, without genuine reasons.

Earlier in his remarks, Mr Ihonvbere said the committee was in Ekiti as part of its constitutional responsibility to assess the extent to which states have utilised the Federal Government UBEC grants.

He commended the Fayemi administration for injecting passion and commitment to repositioning and refocusing basic education in the state, as against what it was during the previous administration.

He said: Giving that we are very conversant with the distorted legacy inherited by the governor in the area of basic education, we are satisfied that there is passion, there is commitment, there is focus, there is burning desire to protect our children and ensure they get the best in basic education.

ADVERTISEMENT

(NAN)
The Jack London I learned about in grade school was a seafaring adventurer. High school teachers taught me about his prolific pen and penchant for weaving together intoxicating descriptions of elemental sensations.

It wasnt until adulthood that I realized London was more complicated than his reputation. While he was noted for being a progressive socialist, London was also adept at dystopian race-baiting and published horribly xenophobic prose, including about Asian people. Some of his writing also revealed an affinity for white supremacy.

Whenever I find myself at Jack London Square these days, I cant help but wonder how a statue dedicated to the man, located on a beautiful waterfront property also bearing his name, can exist a few blocks from Oaklands Chinatown.

Its time to rename Jack London Square. Its time to remove the statue. There are less problematic Bay Area figures worthy of the honor.

The idea was inspired by a 2017 essay my Chronicle colleague Janelle Bitker wrote while working for the East Bay Express. There arent many pieces of journalism that cast a critical gaze at Londons past work, but Bitker had no trouble exhuming numerous examples where London vaunted English-speaking Anglo-Saxons as a superior race, condoned the genocide of lesser breeds and stoked fears about the rise of imperial China.

Thousands of Bay Area residents are also aware of this.

Two online petitions emerged during the peak of the countrys social unrest last summer calling for the renaming of Jack London Square. One petition advocated for the property to be named after Barbara Lee, a beloved congresswoman representing the East Bay. It also called for the Jack London statue to be removed. Another petition called for the property to be renamed after Bobby Seale, who co-founded the Black Panther Party in Oakland. Both petitions admonish London for being a racist.

As of Friday, both petitions had yet to reach their signing goals. And its unclear whether the Port of Oakland will seriously consider any proposal to decouple Oaklands tourist-attracting waterfront from a semi-native son. (London was born in San Francisco.)

The ports director of communications, Robert Bernardo, said talks about the petitions stopped once the pandemic started.

(T)he discussions could continue once we are less focused on business recovery, Bernardo wrote me in an email. Our Board had this on their radar. ... I know they wanted a broader discussion on this topic.

Im torn. While its nice to hear that the Port of Oakland is interested in the publics input, the fact that its board has no specific plans to address that input makes me think a brush-off might be happening.

Nick Cho thinks theres no time to waste.

Whatever the process is that needs to happen to change that name, it makes me sad that it would take a petition to get here, said Cho, who in 2019 was one of the leading voices behind the push to change the name of North Berkeleys Gourmet Ghetto neighborhood. Cho is Korean American and has a popular TikTok account under the name Your Korean Dad.

The people who are responsible for these things should have already seen this moral and ethical and historical (decision) that is staring them in their face, he added.

Last year we saw red states like Texas, Louisiana and Alabama remove statues and names associated with racial injustice. Confederate monuments were torn down in New Orleans and Birmingham. The same fate met many statues of people who mistreated Native Americans. Racial justice movements have finite timelines before the white populace grows fatigued with them. This moment could be gone tomorrow. Thats why Jack London needs to go now.

The thought of evicting London from Oaklands waterfront is more nuanced for Catherine Ceniza Choy, a UC Berkeley professor of ethnic studies and a Filipina American. She told me she isnt against the idea but would rather see efforts to educate visitors about the authors full body of work, including placing plaques on the property acknowledging Londons views about Asian people.

Some of his viewpoints were racist and problematic, and so many people of his generation were racist, Choy said. Im not against renaming, but it goes back to this thing. ... Its so tricky to name something after anyone in some ways because over time our ideas change.

Memorializing historical figures with statues and architectural dedications is inherently problematic. Still, the Bay Area boasts plenty of historical figures with less questionable legacies.

London was a generational talent. He also espoused anti-Asian rhetoric and wrote pieces with a white supremacist perspective. All of these things are true. But we should pay closer attention to the latter.

As Bitker wrote in her 2017 essay, London described killing millions of Chinese people as though it were a heroic feat. Keeping his name and face at one of Oaklands most popular destinations is, in essence, an acceptance of his anti-Asian views.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Justin Phillips appears Sundays. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JustMrPhillips
Supports of the Baloch National Movement (BNM) carried out protest March in Germany, Holland and South Korea on the occasion of March 27.

New Delhi [India], March 28 (ANI): Supporters of the Baloch National Movement (BNM) carried out several protest marches across the world, in cities in Germany, the Netherlands and South Korea on Saturday.

On March 27, 1948, the Pakistan Army forcibly occupied the Eastern Part of Balochistan. Since then the Baloch nation has been struggling for its freedom.

A huge number of Baloch men women and children joined the protest held by BNM in Hannover, Germany to mark March 27 as Black Day.

"The aim of the program is to spread awareness --- how Pakistan illegally occupied Balochistan on March 27, 1948. Since then, we have fought for our freedom struggle. And this protest is part of that struggle. We will continue to hold such protests," said one of the protestors.

Another protester said, "Today the Baloch activists gathered to hold a demonstration against the forceful and illegal occupation of Balochistan by the Pakistan state. On March 27, 1948, Pakistan state attacked Balochistan and forcefully occupied it."

Similarly, a huge number of activists joined the BNM protesters in Amsterdam.

Another protest by BNM was held in South Korea in which a huge number of activists were present.

Moreover, the activists of the Free Balochistan Movement also ran a Twitter campaign using the hashtag #PakistanQuitBalochistan and demanded the immediate withdrawal of occupying forces of Iran and Pakistan from Balochistan.

Pro-freedom political activists including women and children also rally to record their protest against ongoing Pakistan and Iranian state crimes in Balochistan. (ANI)
Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser has deleted her 'tone deaf' tweet advising people on how to prevent auto theft after days of silence about UberEats driver killed in a carjacking in the city.

Bowser's official Twitter account posted a Metropolitan Police Department video about preventing car thefts on Sunday with the caption: 'Auto theft is a crime of opportunity. Follow these steps to reduce the risk of your vehicle becoming a target. Remember the motto, #ProtectYourAuto.'

The tweet drew outrage from critics who called it tone deaf in light of the death of 66-year-old Mohammad Anwar. Anwar died last Tuesday when he was ejected from his Honda Accord after two teenage girls allegedly tasered him and tried to steal his car.

The tweet was deleted late Sunday.

One critic tweeted: 'Horrible timing on this clearly scheduled tweet. And even if Mohammed Anwar wasn't dead, carjackings are a plague in DC  there isn't a lot you can do [with regard to] risk reduction besides simply not driving a car.'

Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser (left) came under fire for posting a tweet advising people on how to prevent auto theft after days of silence about the death of Mohammad Anwar (right), an UberEats driver who was killed in a carjacking in the city last week

Bowser's official Twitter account posted a Metropolitan Police Department video about preventing car thefts on Sunday. It has since been deleted

Another wrote: 'A Pakistani immigrant was just murdered in DC & your response is to call this a "crime of opportunity"?

'I hope the immigrant community is paying attention to how democrats, like you, react to this.'

Several critics accused Bowser of 'victim blaming' and noted that she has yet to speak publicly about Anwar's death.

'Are we victim shaming now, Mayor?' a third critic asked. '#mohammedanwar was doing his job and picking people up and/or delivering food so he could put food on the table. This is all you have to say? Advice to avoid being carjacked? Nothing to commemorate this man?'

Bowser's tweet drew outrage from critics who called it tone deaf in light of Anwar's death

The backlash over Bowser's tweet followed graphic new video shared on social media has shown the events leading up to Anwar's tragic death as well as the moment the suspects attempt to run away as he lay motionless on the sidewalk.

A father-of-three from Springfield, Virginia, Anwar was making deliveries for UberEats when the two teens, aged 13 and 15, approached his car and tasered him in an attempt to steal the vehicle.

The 90-second clip begins with Anwar struggling to regain control of his car after the two girls have already made their way inside.

'They're thieves,' he is heard saying as he attempts to pull the girl out of the driver seat of the parked car. 'This is my car!'

The teen suddenly accelerates, sending the car speeding down the 1200 block of Van Street SE with Anwar still clinging on to the driver side's door.

Disturbing video footage shows two teenage suspects climbing out of the wreckage on Tuesday after crashing a car they allegedly attempted to steal from Anwar

Video shows the teenage girls attempting to run away as Anwar lay motionless on the sidewalk after being ejected from the car. National Guard troops detained suspects, aged 13 and 15, until police arrived

At one point, the car is seen smashing into a metal fence from its left side, crushing the delivery driver between the barrier and car door.

As the car continues to speed off into the distance, a screeching sound is heard followed by a loud crash.

The bystander filming the incident runs over to the site of the crash to find the car rolled over and the two girls climbing out of the wreckage.

Anwar's body can be seen lying motionless on the corner on the sidewalk, as witnesses scramble to get help.

Two National Guardsmen who were in the area removed the juvenile suspects from the overturned car and detained them until police responded to the scene and arrested them.

Anwar was eventually rushed to a hospital but could not be saved. He was ejected onto the sidewalk and sustained fatal injuries, including head trauma and broken bones.

The Metropolitan Police Department described the suspects in the felony murder and armed carjacking as a 13-year-old girl from Southeast DC, and a 15-year-old girl from Fort Washington, Maryland. They have not been named because they are juveniles.

The graphic video clip begins with Anwar attempting to pull one of the suspects out of the driver seat

The girl then accelerates while Anwar is still hanging off from the left side of the car, sending the vehicle speeding down the road. At one point, the car is seen smashing into a metal fence (right) from its left side, crushing the delivery driver between the barrier and car door

Family members said Anwar immigrated to the US from Pakistan in 2014 and worked in food delivery to provide for his wife, three adult children and four grandchildren.

'The family is devastated by this senseless crime,' relatives said in a statement. 'Mohammad Anwar was a father, a grandfather, a husband, a brother, and uncle beloved by many here in the United States and in Pakistan, his birth country.'

The two suspects made their initial court appearance on Wednesday, reported WUSA9.

Prosecutors claimed that the teenage girls got into Anwar's Honda and set the gear into drive while the victim was wedged between the driver's seat and the door.

The car then sped down Van Street SE as Anwar was hanging from it. According to prosecutors, when the Honda struck something, the door swung back and hit Anwar.

When the car made a sharp right turn onto North Street SE, Anwar became airborne and landed on the ground before his Honda crashed into two parked cars.

The Honda flipped on its side after hitting something and causing Anwar to be ejected onto the sidewalk

National Guard troops pulled the girls, ages 13 and 15, from the victim's overturned car. One of them is pictured in an orange sweatshirt just steps away from the victim's body

A judge concluded that the two teen girls pose a threat to the community and are a potential flight risk, and ordered them detained pending their next court appearance scheduled for March 31.

Meanwhile, the victim's niece has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for a traditional Islamic funeral for him. As of Thursday morning, more than $85,000 has been raised.

'Words can not describe how our family is feeling currently,' Lehra Bogino wrote in the campaign's description.

'Devastation, confusion, shock, anger, heartache, and anguish are just a few that come to mind. We will carry him with us always, but it doesnt take the pain away of losing him so tragically and so unexpectedly soon.'
A funeral for one on Saturday turned to bloody mayhem after security forces shot live bullets at the mourners gathered in the town of Bago, near Myanmars commercial capital Yangon. The incident unfolded just a day after the troops killed 114 citizens on Myanmars Armed Forces Day in one of the bloodiest attacks on anti-coup protesters. Following Sundays shooting, no one was immediately reported injured as the crowd shielded themselves from bullets. Family members of the demised were all accounted for, sources told local Burmese press.

Myanmar largely remained silent as of Sunday and no large-scale demonstrations were scheduled, including in the second most populous city Mandalay, as the country reeled from deaths caused by soldiers firing the night before at several protests near the capital Naypyitaw. Funerals were being held in many places. Sources of news service Myanmar Now, however, have revealed that some of the protesters returned to the streets and confronted the police officers in the aftermath of mounting fatalities that now includes several children below 16 years of age, with the youngest gunshot wound death of a seven-year-old. Since the February 1 coup, more than 420 civilians have sustained fatal bullet wounds from Myanmar's armed forces personnel rifles and have died while staging defiance against the authoritarian military regime.

[Anti-coup protesters are seen behind their makeshift barricade that protesters burn to make a defensive line during a demonstration in Yangon. Credit: AP]

[Military vehicles parade during the national Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Credit: AP]

12 countries' military chiefs denounce Myanmar's army

Saturdays bloodshed and use of lethal force against the citizens pushed the military chiefs of at least 12 nations to issue a joint statement against Myanmars army. A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting  not harming  the people it serves, the defense chiefs stated.

We urge the Myanmar Armed Forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions, the statement issued by defense chiefs of Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States further read. The situation in Myanmar worsened on Saturday after civilians, as a defensive act, took to streets with bow and arrows, batons, and other objects to retaliate to the troops in what appeared like a scene of rioting in the footages that emerged.

(Image Credit: AP)
C-17's 'Sightseeing Tour' Over Ireland That Drew Complaints from Locals Was Pre-Approved, Base Says

The C-17 made headlines overseas after aircraft spotters noticed the massive aircraft moving through Irish airspace.
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.
Addis Abeba  The Federal first instance court, Arada Bench, yesterday rejected a request by the defense team of former and current senior TPLF officials in Abraha Tekeste's file for the replacement of the judge presiding over the file. The defense team presented an argument that suggested that the judge could have been influenced after following the preliminary investigations for the past 4 months.

On March 22, 2021 the defendants arraigned in court for the commencement of witness hearing. On that day the defense team complained about not being able to consult with their clients before witness hearing and the lack of implementation of previous court orders about the medical treatment of Sebhat Nega and Ambassador Abay Woldu. The court ordered that the two defendants receive medical treatment at a private hospital of their choosing. The defendants also asked for more days for family visitation outside of weekends. The judges gave an alternative appointment for the following day.

Earlier in March, the police handed over the preliminary investigation of 20 defendants to the federal prosecutors who then charged them with terrorism on the bases of attempts to dismantle the constitutional order. The defendants were accused of a range of crimes related to the recent conflict in Tigray and other alleged crimes committed during TPLF's stay in power. Veteran TPLF members Sebhat Nega and Kidusan Nega were accused of various ways of contribution to the conflict in Tigray while Tekleweyni Assefa, Ambassador Abadi Zemu, Tewodros Hagos (PhD) and Gebremedhin Tewolde were accused of preparing three months worth food stocks for Tigray Defense Forces (TDF), alongside Tekleweyni who was accused of embezzling 50 million ETB from the Endowment Fund for the Rehabilitation of Tigray (EFFORT). Other defendants who were accused of participating in the Maikadra massacre were also added to the file making the total number of defendants 42.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ethiopia Legal Affairs Arms and Armies 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.

In the court hearing that took place on March 23, 2021, the defendants requested to be tried in a court in Tigray region. The prosecutor argued that the crimes that the defendants are accused of took place at several places across the country, recalling the rocket attacks in Bahir Dar and Gondar as well as the alleged crimes by Addisalem Balema while he was a member of the executive committee of TPLF.

In addition to their request to be tried at a court in Tigray region, the defendants requested the replacement of the judge. The reason behind this request is that the same judge should not continue during witness hearing as he could have been influenced while following the preliminary investigations for the past 4 months. The defendants also requested for their cases to be seen at Lideta Federal High Court, to allow for a safer accommodation for all of the attendants of the court in light of Covid-19.

On March 26, Nine out of the 42 defendants including Solomon Kidane (PhD), Ambassador Abadi Zemu , Ambassador Abay Woldu and Mulu Gebre Egziaber, former federal minister of transport did not appear in court due to worsening health conditions. The court passed decisions on the requests filed by the defendants. As for shifting the court hearing to a bigger hall, the court explained that it is an administrative procedure that is not under the judges mandate. And the replacement of the judge was also not to be decided by this court, the judges explained, unless the defendants file a complaint to another court. The prosecutor's witness hearing will proceed once the issue when the issue of the replacement of the judge is settled by another judge. AS
Holidaymakers are expected to spend an astonishing 62 billion on staycations this year, according to travel industry experts.

Hotels, cottages, campsites and caravans are booked up months in advance amid uncertainty over foreign travel being allowed.

Robin Hutson, chairman of the Pig Hotels and Limewood Group chains, said: Weve been overwhelmed with demand for staycations since the beginning of the year. We are currently 92 per cent booked till the end of September.

Hotels, cottages, campsites and caravans are booked up months in advance amid uncertainty over foreign travel being allowed. Cottages are seen above in Lower Slaughter, the Cotswolds

Bosses at Center Parcs report very strong demand for both summer and autumn breaks, with a spokesman adding: We are seeing bookings further out as well.

Four out of five Britons are planning a 2021 staycation, according to holidaycottages.co.uk.

Meanwhile, research by Visit England shows that 20 per cent of people are confident in the ability to take a domestic break in May, rising to 38 per cent in June, 52 per cent from July to September and 62 per cent from October onwards.

Bosses at Center Parcs report very strong demand for both summer and autumn breaks, with a spokesman adding: We are seeing bookings further out as well'. The outdoor rapids at Center Parcs Longleat is seen above

With Bank of England economists estimating families have stashed away an extra 170 billion due to Covid-19 restrictions, industry insiders are hoping they will spend a little more than usual.

Daniel Thompson, general manager of Mullin Cove in Cornwall, said he has noticed customers adding extras on to their stay, explaining: People do seem to be splashing out a bit more  our higher standard rooms were booked out before our standard rooms.

He added: We are turning people away. We are at 100 per cent occupancy until mid-September.

Peter Ducker, chief executive of the Institute of Hospitality, said: If four out of five people are going to enjoy a staycation this year, that will be a godsend because it will inject desperately needed revenue. Staycations may be the only choice people have right now for a holiday.

Visit England estimate 62 billion will be spent nationwide and director Patricia Yates said: Our latest research shows that the South West of England leads for staycations for spring this year.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
For a decade, expectant mothers on the Southeast Side have had to travel at least 8 miles to give birth at a hospital.

Starting in August, however, soon-to-be moms in that area will have access to top-notch technology closer to home when the Baptist Health System opens a new labor and delivery unit at its Mission Trail hospital, just inside Interstate 37 and Southeast Loop 410.

South San Antonio deserves a great place to have a baby, have excellent care and have it be in the community where theyre going to raise their child, said Michael Cline, CEO of Mission Trail Baptist Hospital, one of five San Antonio hospitals owned by Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare.

The new unit is part of a $10 million renovation and expansion of womens services throughout the systems hospital campuses in San Antonio.

System officials say a thorough review of hospital use patterns found that more than 75 percent of residents living in the primary service area near Brooks City Base must leave their community to receive obstetrics care.

They have no choice.

The closest hospital with a maternity ward is Southwest General Hospital, 8 miles away. There are three OB programs downtown, 10 miles away. Eight other hospitals with labor and delivery units are in the Medical Center and throughout the North Side.

Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

The Southeast Side hasnt had a hospital with labor and delivery services since Southeast Baptist Hospital closed in June 2011.

Cline said its a burden not only on the pregnant women, but on their families, to drive miles away from their neighborhoods to access prenatal, labor and delivery services.

On ExpressNews.com: Investigation into childbirth in Laredo where experts say something isnt right

That will change this summer, when experienced OB staff from Baptist Medical Center in downtown San Antonio relocate to Mission Trail Baptist Hospital. The new program will feature nine private labor and delivery rooms, seven post-partum suites, two dedicated C-section suites, an eight-bed neonatal intensive care unit and an OB emergency department.

Baptist Health System CEO Matt Stone grew up on the South Side and graduated from McCollum High School, which is part of Harlandale Independent School District. But his parents had to drive downtown for his birth.

Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

Its a social justice issue to make sure the services are provided where the need is, he said. It makes a world of a difference for the whole experience of childbirth just being able to have care where you feel comfortable.

Stone said moving OB services from the systems downtown hospital makes good business sense, but it also feels good to be able to invest in medical services on the South Side.

Mission Trail Baptist Hospital opened nearly 10 years ago and was the first building at Brooks City Base, a former U.S. Air Force base thats now a fast-growing hub for shopping, dining and medical education.

Under its previous owners, the Baptist system operated a hospital on East Southcross, but shuttered it to build the $100 million one at Brooks. A decade later, that acute-care facility is still the newest hospital in the area.

On ExpressNews.com: Mission Trail Baptist Hospital opens its doors

Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

Connie Gonzalez, director of strategy and community relations at the Brooks development, said adding maternity services nearby is a big deal for the more than 2,300 residents who live on the campus.

She said when she found out about the plans for the added services, she texted friends and quickly started getting back celebratory emojis in response.

One of those friends, Jessica Ruiz, had her son 14 months ago at Brooke Army Medical Center because of her military ties. Her husband recently retired from the U.S. Navy and they live near the tiny town of Elmendorf.

If I had the option, I would have wanted to have him at Mission Trail, she said, adding that its more convenient to be closer to home and work. Shes the director of community relations at the San Antonio State Hospital, on South New Braunfels Avenue near Southeast Military Drive.

Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

Ruiz takes her son to pediatric appointments on the Northeast Side and is supposed to have her own primary care visits at a clinic downtown. But she ended up canceling her last two appointments because she couldnt make the drive out there.

Cline says the culture of Mission Trail is family oriented and hospital employees often see each other off the clock at weddings, quinceaneras and funerals. Theyre particular about who is hired  many of the employees are from the surrounding neighborhoods or small towns nearby.

Chief Nursing Officer Kristen Fox, who lives in Floresville and worked on the South Side for the past 26 years, said during COVID-19 the hospital accommodated patients and their families by scheduling in-person appointments wearing full personal protective equipment.

Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

Zoom or FaceTime just wasnt going to cut it in this part of town, where the digital divide is more pronounced.

A lot of people did have the technology, but theyve never used it before, Fox said. Their loved one was really sick and we werent going to ask them to learn how to use their phones during a crisis. We werent comfortable doing that and we were fortunate the way our units are set up, that we were able to do in-person visits.

Hospital administrators said Wednesday was the first anniversary of the day Mission Trail received its first COVID-19 patient. During the course of the year, the medical staff has treated 1,244 patients infected with the coronavirus.

On ExpressNews.com: Before COVID, Southwest ISD community leaned on school-based clinic to keep healthy

The relocation of the womens labor and delivery program from downtown to Mission Trail has the added benefit of increasing capacity at Baptist Medical Center for other medical services.

Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

The downtown hospital will convert its current labor and delivery area into a telemetry and medical/surgical unit with 32 beds, enhancing the hospitals cardiovascular and high-acuity medical specialty care.

And upgrades of womens services are planned at other Baptist hospitals.

North Central, one of the primary hubs for maternal and neonatal services within the Baptist system, will get upgrades by the end of the year and recently received a new surgical robot for advanced gynecological oncology and other surgeries. Stone Oaks maternity unit also will see renovations.

St. Lukes Baptist Hospital in the medical center is redesigning its womens tower and has established a midwifery-centered program with two rooms designed to support a more natural birthing experience.

In Westover Hills, Baptist plans to open a new womens and childrens center to serve the growing demand for maternal and pediatric services in that area. The center located near 1604 and Culebra is expected to open later this year.

laura.garcia@express-news.net
Chennai, March 28 : The BJP's central leadership is eyeing to garner power in Puducherry as the BJP, AINRC and AIADMK alliance is sitting pretty in the Union Territory.

With several opinion polls predicting a landslide victory for the NDA coalition in the upcoming Assembly elections, the BJP's national leadership has exuded confidence that the combine will emerge victorious at the hustings.

Single phase polling to 30 seats in Puducherry is slated for April 6. The All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) is contesting 16 seats, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 9 seats and the remaining 5 seats by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

The NDA had announced N.Rangaswami, former Chief Minister and President of AINRC, as the Chief Ministerial candidate and ever since the BJP alliance has been hitting the right chord.

In the 30-member Assembly, the saffron party has hardly a member but has always been backed by 3 nominated members.

The election manifesto of the NDA alliance was released by the Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Meanwhile, a galaxy of senior party leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will be attending the electioneering in Puducherry.

Union Ministers Amit Shah and Irani are the two senior leaders who will be attending the public programmes in the UT.

Prime minister Narendra Modi will be attending the NDA public programme at 5pm on Tuesday at the Anglo- French stadium.

BJP leader in-charge of Puducherry, Nirmal Kumar Surana told IANS, "The NDA alliance is led by former Chief Minister N Rangaswamy of the AINRC and he knows the in-and-out of the state. We are leaving no stone unturned and the NDA combine is heading for a comfortable majority. With the arrival of senior national leaders of the party, the BJP campaign will gain momentum and we are in course of a huge electoral victory in this assembly elections."
Labors thumping victory and a raft of retirements could see taxpayers fork out upwards of $4.6 million to outgoing West Australian MPs, some of whom will receive more than $100,000 as they transition out of politics.

Thirty-one MPs will get a transitional allowance payment which  according to the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal  is to help with things like resettlement advice and services, financial and re-employment counselling, and training costs.

Outgoing WA politicians will get a share of about $2.6 million. Credit:Nathan Hondros

Parliamentarians are given a lump sum based on how long they served, with one term earning them $39,134, two terms $78,268, and three or more terms $117,402.

The base salary of a WA politician is $156,536 annually.
A Vietnamese coronavirus patient described as the most critically ill in Vietnam has been discharged from hospital after making a full recovery from the disease, doctors said on March 27.

The 79-year-old patient leaves Da Nang hospital for Ho Chi Minh City where doctors will treat her underlying illnesses.

The 79-year-old woman dubbed patient 1,536 has tested negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus nine times during his 70-day stay at Da Nang Lung Diseases Hospital.

The patient who returned from the United States was admitted to the hospital on January 15 following positive tests for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

She was diagnosed with severe pneumonia due to the novel coronavirus plus other underlying illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes (type II), heart failure, and blood clotting disorders.

During treatment, the patient suffered from respiratory failure, forcing doctors to put her on a ventilator and prescribe her ECMO intervention in order save her life.

Leading Vietnamese specialists have held a total of seven national consultations to examine the best treatment therapy for the patient.

To doctors surprise, the patient recovered day by day and stopped using the ECMO therapy after 26-day extensive treatment.

The patient was on March 27 transferred to Cho Ray hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for treating the underlying illnesses at her familys request.

VOV
Sri Lanka in the dock; needs to come to terms with realpolitik View(s):

The results of political and (un)diplomatic grandstanding in Colombo were seen in Geneva this week at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Sponsors of a new Resolution on Sri Lanka forced the International Community to take sides and eventually succeeded in having it passed.

In a vote of 47 representative countries, there were no outright winners in a sense. The sponsors of the Resolution calling for scrutiny of the military campaign against a terrorist group and for matters of more current trends received less than half the votes. Sri Lanka could muster less than a quarter. According to the new maths calculations of the Government, however, repeating the imbecile logic first propounded some years back by a professorial ex-Foreign Minister no less, Sri Lanka has defeated the Resolution simply by adding the Abstentions to its total.

Three groups in which Sri Lanka has membership, viz., the Commonwealth, SAARC (South Asian) countries and NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) were split; Sri Lanka unable to garner even their support.

Sri Lanka paid the price for pussyfooting with its own appointed Commissions of Inquiry in the backdrop of persistent pressure from the UNHRC. The C.R. De Silva-led LLRC, the Judge Maxwell Paranagama Commission and the Desmond De Silva QC-led report recommendations were only partially implemented with no sense of urgency, giving the handle for further prosecution by hostile nations and placing the country in peril at world fora.

Coupled with erratic domestic political decisions recently and loose talk on the eve of last weeks election, the Government committed diplomatic hara-kiri. Sri Lanka could have turned some Abstentions to favourable votes if it was more politically astute, and diplomatically smart and prudent, but it also failed to pick up mitigating proposals by certain friendly and empathetic nations. It was almost as if it was on the Governments wish list to crash their case in order to feed from it as an integral part of its domestic nationalistic agenda.

The lead-up to the vote saw various country delegates who had the vote make sometimes amusing remarks, given this was a serious debate with far reaching consequences for Sri Lanka. The British delegate, for instance, spoke of decades of human rights violations in Sri Lanka  not the centuries of them under their watch. The Indian delegate referred to all the good work India had done after the northern insurgency in Sri Lanka ended in 2009, not about who started it all. The Pakistani delegate could not resist referring to the external elements involved in that insurgency (with no prizes for guessing which country he was referring to), that trained, financed and provided succour to the local terrorist groups used as its cats paw to do its bidding in destabilising Sri Lanka.

It was not just the Resolution against Sri Lanka, but the entire UNHRC system that was reeking with political intrigue with the West pushing its agenda on the World Order against Syria, North Korea, Nicaragua etc., and the rest throwing the can back at the West in equal measure.

In Moscow this week, the Russian Foreign Minister has just announced his country was reconsidering its ties with the European Union while aligning itself again with its one-time co-partner in spreading the Communist Doctrine turned bitter adversary. They have ganged up to challenge the West dominating the world scene. Ghosts of the Cold War of yesteryear are turning up the heat once again.

Whatever chest-thumping claims Sri Lankas Ministers make about the outcome of the UNHRC, they must have surely heard the pronouncement at the end of the voting by the Fijian lady President of the Council sessions, that the Resolution against Sri Lanka had been adopted. The wheels of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will now begin to roll from that mandate.

This means, plainly, that Sri Lanka will be in the international dock, probably to be drawn and quartered and open-ended. It has created a virtual Prosecutors Office in Geneva which can collect, preserve and pass on evidence to those countries wishing to exercise the concept of universal jurisdiction through their respective legal systems against Sri Lankan individuals, mostly top brass military personnel and high-level politicians.

Make no mistake, it was one of the most humiliating defeats in the history of the countrys multilateral diplomacy. And the sooner Government leaders stop kidding themselves about the outcome of the UNHRC Resolution, the better. They may think they can hoodwink the masses, but if they start believing their own lies, the country is going to be in dire straits.

This Resolution may mean different things to different groups; perverse satisfaction for those who delight in seeing the country hauled over the coals; then those who think the Government bravely stood up to the powerful West; and possibly the silent majority  those who dont like the Wests bullying and yet believe this country is drifting towards unhealthy authoritarianism and needs to be reined in, even externally, if it cannot be done, internally.

The West has been clinging to this campaign of oversight on Sri Lanka for some time now like a dog with a bone. This is, no doubt, inspired, at least in part by its own domestic electoral pressures from a vocal Sri Lankan Diaspora that is refusing to put their money where their mouth is in developing the North. If the former Government co-sponsored the Resolution (30/1) without proper negotiations with the sponsors, this Government first refused to engage, then engaged and eventually didnt know what they were doing, resulting in what has become an even more virulent Resolution against the country.

The UNHRC vote is an indicator of the bigger picture of how the world views Sri Lanka. The Resolution and the vote were a textbook case of sickening double-standards by countries with horrific human rights records of their own and skeletons aplenty in their own cupboards. But the realpolitik is something else. They won the day, and the Government will have to come to terms with the scheme of things in world affairs in all its duplicity, to come out of the hole it has dug itself into.

Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
An abandoned warehouse near a school gives local parents the creeps. Here's worthwhile follow-up on a tragedy in the making . . . Read more:

JOHNSON COUNTY, KS (KCTV) - - An abandoned building in Johnson County, Kansas has not only been considered an here sore for residents, but also a dangerous hangout spot for kids. Tucked away in the woods in Johnson County is a hidden building that attracts many area kids.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Sunday left Accra on Sunday for Madrid in Spain to attend the "Focus Africa 2023" Conference, being held in Madrid.



Focus Africa 2023, an in-person Conference, defines Spanish foreign action in Africa until 2023, and forms part of the Spanish Foreign Action Strategy 2021-2024.



It includes the specific actions the Spanish Government intends to take with key stakeholders in Africa, including Ghana, and it is aligned with the realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Unions 2063 Agenda.



The President was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, and officials of the Presidency and Foreign Ministry.



The President will return to Ghana on Tuesday and in his absence, the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, shall, in accordance with Article 60(8) of the Constitution, act in his stead.

Source: Daily Graphic









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines has reached North Macedonia. Western diplomats observed the arrival of the vaccines at Skopje International Airport on March 28. It is the first COVID-19 vaccine delivery that the Western Balkan country has received under the international vaccine-sharing program COVAX. Serbia donated some Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines to North Macedonia in mid-February, while Skopje also bought Sputnik V vaccines from Russia in early March.
Advertisement

Lisa Ling took to the streets along with hundreds of fellow protesters on Saturday at the Stop Asian Hate rally.

The CNN newscaster and documentarian, 47, attended the rally with her husband, physician Paul Song, in the Koreatown section of Los Angeles, California.

They were surrounded by fellow demonstrators holding signs and wearing T-shirts brandishing messages such as 'I am not a virus' and 'stronger united'.

The rally, organized by the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles in partnership with 20 community-based organizations, was one of many across Los Angeles and the US, including Detroit, Boston and Washington DC.

In Koreatown, Los Angeles: Lisa Ling took to the streets along with several community members on Saturday, in a show of support of the Stop Asian Hate cause

Stronger together: The CNN newscaster, 47, attended the rally with her husband, physician Paul Song, 52

Demonstrating: The mother of two held a sign which read 'Unity today + everyday' on one side, and 'I U' on the other side

Lisa wore a black T-shirt displaying the slogan 'Phenomenally Asian'.

The mother of two held a sign which read 'Unity today + everyday' on one side, and 'I U' on the other side.

She also wore a black N95 face mask with a gold chain, a black-and-white Keith Haring-inspired fanny pack and Vans slip-ons.

Her husband, 52, wore a yellow face mask with the words 'Stop Asian hate' on it.

He also held a yellow sign which said, 'Hate is a virus!'

On his T-shirt was a picture of noted Japanese-American civil rights activist Yuri Kochiyama.

Rallies such as this have been cropping up all over the country of late, in light of the March 19th mass shootings in two Atlanta area massage parlor spas which resulted in the deaths of eight people, including six women of Asian descent.

Last weekend, a diverse crowd gathered near the Georgia state Capitol to demand justice for the victims of recent shootings at massage businesses and to denounce racism, xenophobia and misogyny.

Hundreds of people of all ages and varied racial and ethnic backgrounds gathered in Liberty Plaza in Atlanta, and in similar rallies across the country, waving signs and chanting slogans.

In Atlanta, they cheered U.S. Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, and Georgia state Rep. Bee Nguyen, the first Vietnamese American to serve in the Georgia House.

'I just wanted to drop by to say to my Asian sisters and brothers, we see you, and, more importantly, we are going to stand with you,' Warnock said to loud cheersas passing drivers honked car horns in support.

Robert Aaron Long, a 21-year-old white man, is accused of killing four people inside two Atlanta spas and four others at a massage business about 30 miles away in suburban Cherokee County. Six of the eight people killed Tuesday were women of Asian descent. Another person was shot but survived.

Investigators have said Long confessed to the slayings but said they weren't racially motivated. He claimed to have a sex addiction, which caused him to lash out at what he saw as sources of temptation, according to authorities. Police have said they're still working to establish a motive, including looking into whether the attacks can be classified as hate crimes.

A couple hundred people gathered in a separate Atlanta park and marched through the streets to join the larger rally, chanting 'Stop Asian hate' and 'We are what America looks like.'

Bernard Dong, a 24-year-old student from China at Georgia Tech, said he came out to the protest for the rights not just for Asians but for all minorities. 'Many times Asian people are too silent, but times change,' he said.

Dong said he was 'angry and disgusted' about the shootings, and the violence that persists in 2021 against Asians, minorities and women.

Similar rallies were held from coast to coast. In San Francisco, hundreds gathered in Portsmouth Square, in the middle of Chinatown, to grieve the victims and to call for an end to racist and sexist violence against Asian Americans. The participants waved signs reading 'stop Asian hate.'

In Pittsburgh, hundreds also rallied, and videos posted to social media showed former Grey's Anatomy actress and Golden Globe Award winner Sandra Oh speaking to the crowd.

'I will challenge everyone here  If you see one of our sisters and brothers in need, will you help us?' she said, later yelling into a megaphone: 'I am proud to be Asian! I belong here!'

In Chicago, about 300 people gathered and in New York City, hundreds marched from Times Square to Chinatown, news outlets reported.

The rallies sprung up after the Atlanta mass shooting combined with a major uptick in anti-Asian violence worldwide since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. They are part of a renewed focus on protecting Asian members of the community from discrimination and hate crimes.

Ling has been particularly active both on social media and in the industry at large in promoting anti-Asian Hate causes, including co-launching the #StopAsianHate campaign which has seen contributions totaling over $7 million from companies such as AT&T and WarnerMedia.

Taken at the rally: Ling documented sweet moments at the demonstration, adding them to her Instagram account

Washington, DC, March 17th: Rallies such as this have been cropping up all over the country of late, in light of the March 19th mass shootings in two Atlanta area spas which resulted in the deaths of eight people, including six women of Asian descent

Protester places flowers at a make shift memorial at steps during Stop Asian Hate Rally in Boston

Phoebe Yang, 6, marches alongside Xuemei Li during the second consecutive weekend of Stop Asian Hate protests, Saturday March 27, 2021, on Woodward Avenue in Detroit

People take part in the second consecutive weekend of Stop Asian Hate protests, Saturday March 27, 2021, on Woodward Avenue in Detroit

Performers and demonstrators march at the 'Stop Asian Hate March and Rally' in Koreatown on March 27, 2021 in Los Angeles

People march during the second consecutive weekend of Stop Asian Hate protests, Saturday March 27, 2021, on Woodward Avenue in Detroit

People demonstrate at the 'Stop Asian Hate March and Rally' in Koreatown on March 27, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. March 27 is the #StopAsianHate National Day of Action against anti-Asian violence

People demonstrate at the 'Stop Asian Hate March and Rally' in Koreatown on March 27, 2021 in Los Angeles, California

Other celebrities who have spoken up on Instagram for #StopAsianHate include Olivia Munn, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ken Jeong.

It comes soon after Lisa recently spoke out in defense of The Talk co-host Sharon Osbourne, herself embroiled in a scandal involving alleged racial slurs and hate speech.

Saying she is 'not a fan of cancel culture,' Lisa added she believes Sharon should be given a chance to redeem herself after she left the beloved daytime talk show this week amid claims of racist behavior.

Active: Ling has been particularly active both on social media and in the industry at large in promoting anti-Asian Hate causes

Speaking out: It comes soon after Lisa recently spoke out in defense of The Talk co-host Sharon Osbourne, herself embroiled in a scandal involving racial slurs and hate speech
(CNN) -- Two top UN officials condemned Myanmar's military junta on Sunday in the wake of the bloodiest day of protests yet against the military coup that overthrew the country's elected government.

At least 114 people were killed Saturday during demonstrations in 44 towns and cities across the country, according to a tally by the independent Myanmar Now news outlet.

In a joint statement, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, and Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, urged the Myanmar military to "immediately stop killing the very people it has the duty to serve and protect."

The officials also "strongly condemned the Myanmar military's widespread, lethal, increasingly systematic attacks against peaceful protesters, as well as other serious violations of human rights since it seized power on 1 February 2021."

Myanmar security forces opened fire Sunday at people gathered for the funeral of one of those killed the previous day, witnesses told Reuters.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in the firing on the funeral in the town of Bago, near the commercial capital Yangon, according to three people who spoke to Reuters.

"While we are singing the revolution song for him, security forces just arrived and shot at us," said a woman called Aye, who was at the service for Thae Maung Maung, a 20-year-old student who was shot on Saturday. "People, including us, run away as they opened fire."

Two people were killed in firing on protests on Sunday in separate incidents elsewhere, witnesses and news reports said, according to Reuters. One person was killed when troops opened fire overnight on a group of protesters near the capital Naypyitaw, Myanmar Now news reported.

So far on Sunday there were no reports of large-scale protests in Yangon or in the country's second city, Mandalay, which bore the brunt of the casualties on Saturday, Myanmar's Armed Forces Day, Reuters said. Funerals were held in many places.

At least six children between the ages of 10 and 16 were among those killed on Saturday, according to news reports and witnesses.

According to the latest tally by the nonprofit Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, at least 423 people have been killed in Myanmar since the military coup on February 1.

CNN has been unable independently to confirm the number of people killed.

The bloodshed Saturday drew renewed Western condemnation. The UN Special Rapporteur for Myanmar said the army was carrying out "mass murder" and called on the world to isolate the junta and halt its access to weapons.

Foreign criticism and sanctions imposed by some Western nations have failed so far to sway the military leaders, as have almost daily protests around the country since the junta took power and detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

"We salute our heroes who sacrificed lives during this revolution and We Must Win This REVOLUTION," one of the main protest groups, the General Strike Committee of Nationalities (GSCN), posted on Facebook.

Air strikes

Saturday also brought some of the heaviest fighting since the coup between the army and the ethnic armed groups that control swathes of the country, according to Reuters.

Military jets had killed at least three people in a raid on a village controlled by an armed group from the Karen minority, a civil society group said on Sunday, after the Karen National Union faction earlier said it had overrun an army post near the Thai border, killing 10 people. The air strikes sent villagers fleeing into the jungle.

Fighting erupted on Sunday between another armed group, the Kachin Independence Army, and the military in the jade-mining area of Hpakant in the north, according to Reuters. The Kachin forces attacked a police station and the military responded with an aerial assault, Kachinwaves media reported.

There were no reports of casualties.

A junta spokesman did not answer calls from Reuters seeking comment on the killings or the fighting.

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the junta leader, said during a parade to mark Armed Forces Day that the military would protect the people and strive for democracy.

'Mass murder'

Countries including the United States, Britain and the European Union strongly condemned Saturday's violence.

UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews said it was time for the world to take action -- if not through the UN Security Council then through an international emergency summit. He said the junta should be cut off from funding, such as oil and gas revenues, and from access to weapons.

"Words of condemnation or concern are frankly ringing hollow to the people of Myanmar while the military junta commits mass murder against them," he said in a statement.

Nderitu and Bachelet called the killings "shameful, cowardly, brutal actions of the military and police, who have been filmed shooting at protesters as they flee, and who have not even spared young children."

"This situation has also put at further risk the already vulnerable ethnic and religious minorities in Myanmar, including the Rohingya," their joint statement said.

They called on the international community to act, adding: "The international community has a responsibility to protect the people of Myanmar from atrocity crimes."

The top military officer from the United States and nearly a dozen of his counterparts said in a statement that a professional military must follow international standards for conduct "and is responsible for protecting -- not harming -- the people it serves."

The military took power saying that November elections won by Suu Kyi's party were fraudulent, an assertion dismissed by the country's election commission.

Suu Kyi remains in detention at an undisclosed location and many other figures in her party are also in custody.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "UN officials condemn Myanmar junta after 100-plus civilians killed in one day"
Our parliaments need to represent the Australian people. Women have faced discrimination for generations and the best way to change that is for the people who have lived through that discrimination to serve in our parliaments. But its more than that. We need to have our best people in parliament and we arent doing that while more than half the population is chronically under-represented. The Liberal Party has tried to improve female representation without quotas and it hasnt worked. Its time we changed. Quotas are a fast and effective way to get the Liberal Party to better reflect the community we seek to serve. It was great to hear the Prime Ministers statement in support of quotas for women. It was important and overdue. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in an emotional press conference last week, said he was open to the idea of quotas. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer The great Kathryn Greiner made the point on The Drum that you dont recruit women to fix the culture. Shes dead right. The onus is on every MP in every parliament  male and female  to create and sustain a professional and respectful party culture. We should recruit more women because having a balance between men and women candidates will bring us closer to voters and the issues they care about and that will help us win elections. Quotas are just a fast way to get us there. Ever since the ALP introduced electoral quotas for women in 1994, Liberals have used the idea of merit to argue that the problem will fix itself. All else aside, blind faith in merit has failed. You only have to look at the numbers of women Liberals in the state and federal parliaments to see that we are a long, long way from parity and worse, a long way behind Labor. The first step to fixing the problem is to recognise it exists.

Merit is in the eye of the beholder. Preselection is not some Solomonic process that objectively weighs the individual qualities of the candidates. Qualities and qualifications matter, but preselections are multi-faceted contests. Geographical, numerical and yes, factional considerations come into play in determining who puts their names forward and who gets preselected. Theres no shame in admitting that. The Liberal Party is a broad church and there is a natural tension between its wings. Contesting preselections is a process that helps keep the competing philosophies within the party balanced. It also helps make sure our overall approach is centred on the mainstream. But we have to acknowledge that its also a process that has failed at getting capable women into parliament. The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. If the Liberals cannot win back women voters, they cannot win elections. Credit:Janie Barrett John Howard once said that politics is remorselessly governed by the laws of arithmetic. Howard was referring to the existing quotas which determine how many Nationals serve in the federal Coalition cabinet but it is just as relevant to a consideration of womens voting patterns. The Australian National Universitys election study has pinpointed the steady drift over the past two decades in womens votes from the parties of the right to the parties of the left. At the 2019 federal election, while 45 per cent of men gave their first preferences to the Liberal Party, just 35 per cent of women did so. The arithmetic is undeniable: if we cant reverse this trend, we cant simply win elections. Women candidates and women MPs arent the whole answer. Weve still got to pull together the right policies. But weve got a much better chance of creating policies with broad appeal if weve got candidates with broad appeal. You cannot be chronically under-representing half the population and still have the best candidates and the best policies.
LIBREVILLE, GabonIncreasing threats of poaching and loss of habitat have made Africas elephant populations more endangered, according to a report released Thursday by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The African forest elephant is critically endangered, and the African savanna elephant is endangered. The two species had previously been grouped together as a single species and were classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.

The number of African forest elephants has fallen by more than 86 percent over a 31-year period, while the population of savanna elephants dropped by more than 60 percent over a 50-year period, according to the IUCN, which rates the global extinction risks to the worlds animals.

Africa currently has 415,000 elephants, counting the forest and savanna elephants together, according to the IUCN.

The savanna elephants prefer more open plains and are found in various habitats across sub-Saharan Africa, with Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe having high concentrations. The African forest elephantssmaller in sizemostly occupy the tropical forests of West and Central Africa, with the largest remaining populations found in Gabon and Republic of Congo.

In Gabon, the fight against elephant poaching is more than just fighting for nature. Its fighting for the stability of our country, Lee White, Gabons minister of water and forests, told The Associated Press.

We have seen countries like Central African Republic, where poachers became bandits, became rebels and destabilized the whole country, White said, attributing the bulk of poaching and ivory trafficking to international cross-border syndicates.

Eighty to 90 percent of our ivory goes to Nigeria and ends up funding (the jihadist rebels) Boko Haram. So its very much a cross-border fight against organized crime and even against terrorism, he said.

The battle to protect Gabons forest elephants is a war, he said. We have transformed biologists into warriors, White said. We have transformed people who signed up to watch elephants and work with nature and the national parks into soldiers who have gone to war for the survival of the elephants.

Criminal networks working with corrupt officials are a significant problem in central and western Africa, Rudi van Aarde of the University of Pretorias zoology department told The Associated Press.

Most of the ivory that leaves this continent for Asia is from central and western Africa. The population is suffering more because of the illegal trade in ivory instead of environmental issues like deforestation, said van Aarde.

Sub-Saharan Africas elephants suffered a huge knock with a spike in poaching between 2008 and 2012. A worrying trend is that a substantial amount of that poaching occurred in East and Southern Africa where an estimated 100,000 savanna elephants were killed in northern Mozambique and southern Tanzania, during that period, he said.

Africas elephants play key roles in ecosystems, economies and in our collective imagination all over the world, IUCN Director General Bruno Oberle said, lamenting the reduced numbers of Africas elephants.

Todays new IUCN Red List assessment of both African elephant species underlines the persistent pressure faced by the iconic animals, Oberle said. The results quantify the dramatic extent of the decline of these ecologically important animals.

With persistent demand for ivory and escalating human pressures on Africas wildlands,  concern for Africas elephants is high, and the need to creatively conserve and wisely manage these animals and their habitats is more acute than ever, said Kathleen Gobush, lead assessor in the IUCN team compiling the list.

By Farai Mutsaka and Mogmotsi Magome
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Kwasi Amoako-Atta, has refuted media report linking him to a statement that suggests he had blamed drivers for the significant increase in road accidents in the country.



"The attention of the Ministry of Roads and Highways has been drawn to a media report attributing to the Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah that, drivers are to be blamed for the significant increase in road accidents.



The statement signed and issued by Isaac Agyei Kwakye, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, in Accra, said the Minister never made that statement.



The statement further explained that the Minister indicated that the construction of good roads will lead to more fatalities due to driver indiscipline and overspeeding.



To emphasize what Mr Amoako-Attah said, the statement explained that, research and evidence showed that over 90 per cent of road accidents could be attributed to human factor.



In Ghana, research has shown that improvement in the road networks, the more we record motor accidents because most drivers take the opportunity to over speed.



The Minister, making a statement on the floor of Parliament, therefore, called on his colleague members of Parliament, to assist in educating their constituents on road safety issues.



The statement said the reportage by a section of the media suggesting that Mr Amoako-Atta had blamed drivers for causing accidents as misleading and must be ignored.



"We hereby entreat the general public to disregard the attribution to the Minister, it said

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
Shortly after the inauguration of President Joe Biden, officials added an easter egg to the code of whitehouse.gov  it said , If youre reading this, we need your help building back better.It was a small, mildly gimmicky thing aimed mostly at encouraging technologists to apply to the United States Digital Service, which soon thereafter noted it had been inundated with interest. The easter egg, however, was just part of a deliberate effort to emphasize the importance of gov tech as the new administration arrived. In addition, the Biden transition team included experienced technologists on its agency review teams, and within Bidens flurry of early executive orders, more than a dozen had specific language related to mechanisms for service delivery, a core area of government tech work.What it all speaks to  according to stakeholders who have worked in and around federal government tech efforts for years  is a renewed and very public surge of interest from private-sector technologists in working with the federal government supported by the new administration.This interest can be quantified, too. For example, Coding It Forward is a nonprofit group that aims to create new ways for young technologists to make a social and civic impact. One of the chief ways Coding It Forward accomplishes this is through its Civic Digital Fellowship , which connects students with federal government tech internships, having placed more than 200 participants within 12 different federal agencies since launching in 2017.Rachell Dodell  the groups co-founder and executive director  said that interest has been strong from the start. A spike has occurred, however, with the arrival of the Biden administration. The last two cycles of fellowship applications under Trump numbered 800 and 1,000, respectively, while the first cycle following Bidens election netted roughly 1,700 applicants.Dodell credited the new administration for working to channel the energy of young Americans with inclusive messaging, while also noting that the COVID-19 crisis has starkly emphasized the need for better governmental service delivery online  a powerful motivating factor.Its not very hard to go online and see a news article about broken insurance sites, vaccine registration, unemployment delivery, etc. Dodell said. The crisis has put a big spotlight on the work that needs to be done at all levels of government.Indeed, the vast and clear need for help is the other major component of the surge of interest in gov tech work right now. Essentially, there is a new administration in the White House being more proactive about recruiting and empowering technologists, while at the same time the nation fights to come back from a crisis that starkly illustrated the real world implications of government digitization struggles. Amanda Renteria  CEO of Code for America (CfA), a nonprofit and nonpartisan group at the forefront of the American civic tech movement  also pointed to both the Biden administration and the lessons learned from COVID-19 as flashpoints for the countrys government technology ecosystem. Renteria said she was thrilled to see the new administration include so many technologists on its transition teams, which could hardly have come at a better time.Over the past year, Renteria noted a surge of interest in the work that Code for America helps enable at all levels of government too, fueled by increased political awareness and a shared sense of responsibility in communities nationwide. One of Code for Americas chief endeavors is its network of localized brigades, which carry out tech projects at the community level.We were worried our brigades would get tired right now, Renteria said, and were seeing exactly the opposite.The reason is that government at all levels has opened to technologists who want to help, greenlighting digitization efforts in days that used to take months or years to be approved. The community at large also has a heightened expectation of what can and should be done by the government with technology.From Renterias perspective, a major transition has happened, moving from the days when she had to explain CfAs vision to a new time where the work is widely expected. People, she noted, used to think it was impossible to expect a text saying your tax return has arrived, but now they are in large numbers using government websites to register for vaccine appointments.Im not painting a vision anymore, Renteria said. This work has become really tangible to people.All of this is not to discount work done at federal tech agencies during the Trump administration within government organizations like the United States Digital Service as well as 18F Angelica Quicksey  who has worked in public sector tech for more than a decade and has experience with local gov tech in San Francisco and Boston  said there is a resurgence of interest with reinforcements coming into the federal gov tech ecosystem, yet the work never stopped under Trump as many stuck around to support essential services that had to be delivered regardless of who was the president at the time.There were a lot of other different headlines the last four years that had nothing to do with building these systems, Quicksey said, but there were still people at USDS and 18F doing the work.Waldo Jaquith joined 18F in September 2016, weeks before Trumps election win. Jaquith worked as a procurement technologist with the group until April 2020.If we had any less competition for open positions at 18F [during the Trump administration], Jacquith said, I was not aware of it, and there was definitely a strain of people saying now is a really important time to serve.What did seem to change, he noted, was the number of tech positions overall within 18F during those years, which by his estimation decreased between 2016 and 2020. After departing 18F, Jacquith went on to serve on the Biden transition team. Jacquith said that every single agency review team within the transition had at least one experienced technologist on it, which was amazing.He and others interviewed for this story said that the Biden administration has worked hard to include technologists at the table throughout, and they do not expect that to change, potentially facilitating better cooperation between agencies, an expansion in the number of tech jobs within the federal government and a sharing of successful federal gov tech projects across agencies as well as with state leaders.There are a bunch of things that are really valuable that have been hidden, not intentionally, Jacquith said, but theres been no sense of, oh my god, this is useful and how do we pre-emptively make this available to everybody? That could change.If the government does expand its cooperation and its number of overall tech jobs, those who train the technologists of tomorrow are ready to funnel talent to the public sector today. Cori Zarek is the executive director of the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University, and she said she has seen an incredible interest and demand for public-sector opportunities from students graduating Georgetowns programs.If the federal government continues to rethink how it recruits technologists while also demonstrating tangible results and stoking inclusive interest  even with something as simple as an easter egg in its code  this could all make for a bright and powerful future for government technology work.Sha Hwang  chief operating officer and co-founder of the gov tech company, Nava Public Benefit Corporation  lost one of his colleagues to the new administration, Rebecca Piazza. Piazza was formerly Navas vice president of program delivery, and she will now be serving as senior advisor for delivery in the U.S. Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services.Hwang said the loss of Piazza was bad for Nava but very good in terms of what it suggests about the administrations commitment to tech work moving forward.Its really encouraging to me as a citizen, Hwang said, that the Biden administration is creating roles like adviser for delivery, recognizing not just policy but how we will keep promises at the business level within the lived experiences of the people who are affected.Government TechnologyGoverning
Mr McGowan said the extensive testing regime in Queensland had so far not shown significant community spread of the virus but he was not willing to take chances and would not hesitate to enforce an even tougher border control. If there is a requirement for us to lift that to a medium rating, which basically means only exempted people would be allowed in from Queensland  and thats Commonwealth officials, defence officials, people of that nature  well, then thats what well do, he said. But at this point in time, we have had no advice that that is required. It comes after Queensland Health had originally reported one of the COVID-19 positive men had held a gathering of 25 people, only to later be corrected by police who said there were only five other people at the mans house on the night in question, most of whom were his housemates. Mr McGowan said the border restrictions were enforced on the basis of the two brothers moving around the community in Brisbane, not the alleged party.

Theres no timeline on it now, he said. If they get community spread of the virus in Queensland in coming days obviously wed need to reconsider that with a view to making the border tougher. Mr McGowan didnt have figures on how many people travelling from Queensland had arrived in WA but he expected the number to significantly drop. On Friday, Health Minister Roger Cook announced travellers who had entered WA since March 20 and had visited nine potential exposure sites in Brisbane would be affected.

Mr Cook said the government had assembled two health teams to test the 1000 daily arrivals from Queensland at Perth Airport but travellers would also be given the option to get tested at COVID clinics at the citys major hospitals. Weve got a number of people who have come into the state from Queensland. I know of only one case that had been to any of those [exposure sites] but obviously, we need to wait for more details to come through, he said. If youre travelling to Queensland, you are taking a risk and we just simply want you to be aware of those risks and make sure that you take the necessary actions to protect yourself and your family. Mr Cook said WA would receive about 80,000 doses of the first batch of the domestically-produced AstraZeneca vaccine from the Commonwealth next week which would allow for a ramp-up of vaccination efforts. Mr McGowan encouraged West Australians to get vaccinated, particularly hotel quarantine workers.

Dont be frightened, dont be nervous, he said on Sunday. The vaccination program is proven to be effective, and to work and to keep you and your family safe. When asked whether it was time to make the vaccination mandatory, Mr McGowan said not at this point because it was a difficult thing to enforce. Its better to work with people to roll out the vaccine in the first instance, he said. Weve got pretty big coverage of lots of people working in hotel quarantine. Weve actually put in place a system now, whereby where you go to get your daily saliva testing, you can get vaccinated at that location.
Government must answer for the creeping Myanmar-isation of the state View(s):

If the Government of Sri Lanka wants to congratulate itself which it seems to be desperately seeking to do on the (inevitable) passing of United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 46/1 in Geneva this week, it may do so for having irrevocably internationalised the prime duty of the State to protect its citizens in accordance with the Constitution.

Pervasive hammer blows aimed at the Constitution

This is precisely what we are at, make no mistake. By each and every act, the Government has flaunted contempt for constitutional safeguards, the upholding of basic liberties of citizens and pushed the minorities to the wall. This ranges from an amendment to the Constitution (20th Amendment) erasing constitutional checks and balances to an unwarranted fracas over cremation of the Muslim covid-19 dead. Let us also not forget the unconscionable demoralisation of the legal process by a politically motivated Commission of Inquiry which went so far as to order the Attorney General to submit to its dictates regarding prosecutions of politically powerful persons.

It was almost as if this administration did all it could to give ammunition to Resolution 46/1, so deep and so pervasive were its hammer blows aimed at the law and the Constitution. Well if so, it has got its wish. Resolution 46/1 faithfully follows the chequered path of this Government and most awfully pronounces on the singular inability of legal and the judicial systems to perform their constitutional role. The core of the Resolution is premised on the potential for recurrence of grave human rights abuses and serious violations of humanitarian law. Notably, the insistence in earlier Resolutions that these must amount to crimes against humanity, a specific legal doctrine mandating international intervention, is absent.

Instead we have the emphasis on the accelerating militarisation of civilian government functions; the erosion of the independence of the judiciary and key institutions responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights; ongoing impunity and political obstruction of accountability for crimes and human rights violations in emblematic cases; policies that adversely affect the right to freedom of religion or belief; increased marginalisation of persons belonging to the Tamil and Muslim communities; surveillance and intimidation of civil society; restrictions on media freedom, and shrinking democratic space; restrictions on public memorialisation and so on and so forth. Is this the Mad Hatters tea party?

Indeed, the breadth of this Resolution is extraordinary. It far surpasses the focus on wartime accountability in the closing stages of the conflict between government troops and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009 which formed the central premise of previous Resolutions. In Resolution 46/1, the Rule of Law is a central premise, going beyond the guarded language of its predecessors. And it is no answer to this Resolution to bleat that, electoral mandates in 2019 and 2020 enabled subversion of the law and the Constitution. We are long past the time of the Weimar Republic where Herr Adolf Hitler and his storm troopers justified the killing of millions on the basis that they were given the mandate by the citizenry.

Dangerously in consequence of what the Government has done and is doing, even reasonable safeguards well within the province of a State to enforce, such as the regulation of islamist madrassas, the conducting of elections and the independent functioning of courts have become bargaining tools, exposed to outside scrutiny, trade-offs and competing geopolitical pressure. We saw this when the refusal to allow Muslims to cremate their dead was lifted in the wake of pressure by the visiting Prime Minister of Pakistan. Meanwhile the Minister of Public Security holds forth on ban the burkha only to backtrack almost immediately thereafter.

Is this the Mad Hatters tea party or a Government holding the reins of State? The circus of mad follies aptly referred to in the spaces of this colunm last week continues without pause. Reportedly, the Foreign Affairs Minister has declared that Resolution No 46/1 (adopted on 23rd March 2021) is illegal. This awakens mischievously mocking ghosts of 2006 when an ex-Chief Justice of Sri Lanka held that the Presidential act of accession to the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) amounted to an unconstitutional exercise of legislative power. This was on the basis that the Human Rights Committee had been conferred with judicial power within Sri Lanka, (Nallaratnam Singarasa v AG, 2006, per SN Silva).

The national and the international operates separately

Both claims reflect, of course, a fundamental legal error. The international and the domestic operates within their own spheres of influence. In 2006, that (exceedingly flawed) thinking of the Supreme Court was directed at an international treaty which had no immediate domestic impact though it unmercifully lampooned this country in the eyes of the world. In 2021, this claim by the Foreign Affairs Minister of the illegality of UN Resolution 46/1 makes us a laughing stock, to put the matter bluntly. It also serves to throw dust in the face of the electorate. By Resolution 46/1, the Office of the High Commissioner has been authorised to collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence of gross violations of human rights or serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The Office has also been tasked to advocate for victims and survivors, and to support relevant judicial and other proceedings, including in Member States, with competent jurisdiction. This delegation of power has direct consequences. Henceforth, the Sri Lankan Government will be called upon to think twice when awarding plum diplomatic postings to individuals implicated in gross human rights abuses. Cases launched on the basis of universal jurisdiction in the past in foreign courts by private bodies citing Sri Lankans have had little success. That will not be the case any longer. That potential applies across the board and beyond the military and the political levels, let me add.

Classically, prosecutions on the basis of gross violations of humanitarian law on the basis of universal jurisidiction have extended to other state officers in prosecutorial and bureaucratic roles implicated likewise. That caution may best be kept in mind. And at this point, tired refrains of (former) colonial nations subjugating the (formerly) colonized nations may be dispensed with. Certainly it is sheer foolishness to talk of moral rights restraining the backers of this Resolution. The United Kingdoms moralising against Sri Lanka in Geneva has rich irony even as it seeks to bring an Overseas Operations Bill in its legislature designed to safeguard British troops from prosecutions for crimes committed overseas following the lapse of five years.

This dangerously riotous comedy must stop

Never mind that this Bill would violate numerous principles of international law by providing near-immunity to its armed forces. The double standards thereto is indisputably breathtaking. But perhaps this is what the Sri Lanka Government is contemplating as it floats yet another harebrained idea claiming that it will legislate to give immunity to military officials. Whether it was a case of too much sun on that day afflicting governing legislators, it was also asserted ridiculously that this law would confer international immunity on the military.

Again, the Government should be given a crash course on what constitutes international law and what, domestic law to avoid gaffes that follow one after the other, like a riotously bad comedy. But surely, at least now, Sri Lankas strategy must go beyond foolish talk, rein in crackpots masquerading as Ministers, recognise the gravity of what has ensued and engage in course correction. The other path that we can go down is the Myanmar-ization of the State. Where will this end? In the rampant shooting of civilians, dissenters, monks, the complete breakdown of the economy and state structures and the international blackening of the nation which Myanmar reflects?

Is this what we want?
NEW DELHI, March 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Athina Global Health (www.athinaglobalhealth.com) in partnership with Liberty International Tourism Group is launching its Global Medical Value Travel services. Under the leadership of Mr. Hanish Bansal, Athina Global Health is now opening its doors to an international populace to provide them with the best preventive and health conducive treatment clubbed with an exploration of the destination country under their domain.

With a vast network of Tertiary Care Hospital and Super Specialty Hospitals, Athina Global Health work speaks for itself. Accessible and immaculate healthcare for everyone being their raison d'etre; Athina healthcare is in a relentless pursuit to provide world-class healthcare to an entirety of the population.

Liberty International Tourism Group is a Global Destination Management Company with a global footprint in 90+ countries. With 30 years of experience under its belt, Liberty International strives to provide ideal travel solutions and impeccable service to its clientele in its destinations.

The joint venture between Athina Global Health and Liberty International was conceived and executed by a healthcare industry veteran, Mr. Hanish Bansal, having worked for more than 20 years in managing a chain of specialty hospitals, and Hospitality veteran, Mr. Prashant Yadav.

The venture is a part of Mr. Bansal's apex goal to provide seamless, and coherent medical treatment along with impeccable tourism and exploration options available for everyone.

"I aspire to bring seamless operation, better patient experience, and world-class healthcare with technology, know-how, and empathy. I aim to bring world-class healthcare closer to people irrespective of where they are through our medical tourism services," Mr. Bansal answered when asked about the new services.

Athina's medical value travel will include end-to-end medical and travel services with fixed-cost packages ranging from economy to deluxe category. Utmost priority will be given to the traveler with all of their hospitals guaranteeing a COVID-free environment.

Spearheaded by Mr. Hanish Bansal, the joint venture between Athina and Liberty International will include partnering with leading surgeons and hospitals in India, Turkey, Malaysia, Korea and Singapore to provide a seamless medical-travel experience to an international clientele.

SOURCE Athina Global Health
A young man has tragically died after crashing a car into a power pole in Sydney's southwest suburbs.

Emergency services were called to Horsley Road in Panania near the intersection of Carson street about 6.40pm on Sunday after reports a Holden Commodore had hit a power pole.

Police said the driver, a 23-year-old man, suffered serious head injuries and fractures.

Emergency services at the scene on Horsley rd, Panania on Sunday night

The Holden Commodore hit a power pole

He was treated at the scene by first responders but was unable to be revived due to the severity of his injuries, police said on Sunday.

Bankstown police are investigating the crash and will prepare a report for the coroner.

Police have asked the public to help: anyone with any information about this crash is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574.

Community Perspective

Send Community Perspective submissions by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Submissions must be 500 to 750 words. Columns are welcome on a wide range of issues and should be well-written and well-researched with attribution of sources. Include a full name, email address, daytime telephone number and headshot photograph suitable for publication (email jpg or tiff files at 150 dpi.) You may also schedule a photo to be taken at the News-Miner office. The News-Miner reserves the right to edit submissions or to reject those of poor quality or taste without consulting the writer.

Letters to the editor

Send letters to the editor by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707), by fax (907-452-7917) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Writers are limited to one letter every two weeks (14 days.) All letters must contain no more than 350 words and include a full name (no abbreviation), daytime and evening phone numbers and physical address. (If no phone, then provide a mailing address or email address.) The Daily News-Miner reserves the right to edit or reject letters without consulting the writer.
Colorado baker Jack Phillips back in court after refusing to make gender transition cake

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Colorado baker Jack Phillips was back in court Monday in a lawsuit brought by a transgender activist attorney who alleges Phillips violated state law by refusing to make a cake celebrating a gender transition.

Filed in state court, a transgender-identified male named Autumn Scardina attempted to order a birthday cake celebrating a gender transition on the same day in 2017 that the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Phillips previous case, a dispute litigated in federal court which centered around his refusal to bake a custom cake for a same-sex couple in 2012.

Phillips eventually won his case at the Supreme Court in a 7-2 victory on narrow grounds in 2018 in Masterpiece Cakeshop, LTD et al. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission.

During virtual opening arguments Monday, Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Sean Gates said the baker's refusal to make Scardinas cake was about the content of the message, not about Scardina, according to The Associated Press.

Scardina reportedly told the court that the call was placed to Masterpiece Cakeshop after hearing Phillips say that he opposed making the cake because it involved a gay wedding but would sell any other product.

Scardinas lawyer Paula Greisen asked if the call was a setup. Scardina denied that notion.

It was more of calling someones bluff, Scardina was quoted as saying.

In the 2018 ruling, the justices held that the state government agency did not show religious neutrality toward Phillips under the states anti-discrimination statute, stating that the CCRC had shown clear and impermissible hostility.

The high court did not rule, however, on the larger issue of whether businesses and other places of public accommodation can invoke religious objections to refuse services to LGBT-identifying people.

ADF has represented Phillips since his legal battles began. Gates argued his client could not create a cake containing a message he felt violated his religious convictions.

The message would be that he agrees that a gender transition is something to be celebrated, Gates stressed, subsequently noting that the Colorado bakery owner had also declined to make other items he objects to, such as Halloween-themed products.

Before filing a lawsuit, Scardina filed a complaint with the CCRC. The state commission found probable cause to continue the matter as state law protects from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

In response, Phillips filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Colorado, arguing that the state government is on a crusade to crush him. Both cases were dropped in March 2019 under a settlement that permitted Scardina to file a case as an individual.

The Alliance Defending Freedom said this week that Colorado has created a hostile environment for people like Phillips.

Eight years is a long time to live under the weight of constant litigation that threatens the business you built and the people you love. During his first case, Jack lost a big part of his business and more than half of his employees, ADF noted Monday in a blog post about his latest legal battle.

Over the years, he and his family have also endured hate mail, nasty phone calls, and even death threats. This most recent lawsuit is a blatant attempt to punish Jack, banish him from the marketplace, and intimidate him out of business just for living according to his beliefs.

Commenting on the case Tuesday on his Facebook page, evangelist Franklin Graham urged people to pray for Phillips.

"Jack is a humble, kind, and caring guy  and as a Christian, he also believes he has the right to live by his strongly held religious beliefs...His lawyer is right  'Today it's Jack. Tomorrow it could be you.' Think about that America," he wrote.
Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. traffic deaths soared after coronavirus lockdowns ended in 2020, hitting the highest yearly total since 2007 as more Americans engaged in unsafe behavior on U.S. roads, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday. For all of 2020, 38,680 people died on U.S. roads - up 7.2% or nearly 2,600 more than in 2019, even though Americans drove 13% fewer miles, preliminary data showed. In the second half of 2020, the number of traffic deaths was up more than 13%.




The government and the ruling party decided to push for new legislation obligating all public officials to declare their assets, a lawmaker said Sunday, amid a public uproar over a land speculation scandal involving employees of the state housing developer.







Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon, acting chairman of the ruling Democratic Party, also said after a meeting with officials of the government and the presidential office that the government will make sure to confiscate all illegal gains made from real estate speculation.







Retroactive legislation, if necessary, will be pushed for to confiscate illegal profits, he said.







The move came as the government and the ruling party are grappling to assuage the public outcry over the allegations that the employees at the Korea Land and Housing Corp. (LH) bought large plots of land using insider knowledge.







"We will elevate the level of institutionalization to root out the speculative land deals by public officials during the April parliament sessions," Kim said. "We will put forth additional legislation so that every public servant discloses their property."







The LH scandal has emerged as the biggest headache for the Moon Jae-in administration ahead of key mayoral by-elections in Seoul and Busan next month, with public discontent running high over soaring home prices.







Moon is set to preside over an interagency policy meeting Monday, in which he is expected to unveil measures to eradicate the real estate speculation by public officials.







Among the measures under consideration are confiscating all illicit gains and instituting fines equivalent to three to five times the amount illegally earned, according to government officials. (Yophap)


Bangladesh security forces have opened fire and used tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters who were enforcing a nationwide general strike they called to denounce violence at a previous protest over a visit by Indias prime minister.

At least one man was shot in Sanarpara in Narayanganj district after thousands of protesters, mostly students from Islamic schools, blocked a major highway connecting Dhaka with the south-eastern port city of Chattogram, said Mohamamed Zayedul Alam, the areas police superintendent.

The man was rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment, he said.

Witnesses said scores of people were hurt in clashes with police, which started after protesters set fire to a number of vehicles.

Protesters vandalise buses in Narayanganj (Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP)

Mohammed Russel, a duty official at the control room of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, said by phone that they dispatched several units of firefighters after information that some passenger buses and a truck had been torched.

But our teams could not reach the scene as the protesters blocked the approaching roads, he said.

Similar clashes took place in Sarail in the eastern district of Brahmanbaria when protesters attacked security officials, the Bengali-language Prothom Alo daily reported.

It said after the clash two bullet-ridden bodies were recovered from the scene.

Security was tight during Sundays strike and traffic was thin on Dhakas usually clogged streets. Authorities deployed paramilitary border guards to the capital to keep order.

Sundays violence followed days of tension and clashes over a visit by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday and Saturday.

At least four people were killed and scores injured on Friday in clashes between protesters and security officials. The violence continued on Saturday.

Narendra Modi met Sheikh Hasina on Friday (Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi/Twitter/AP)

Critics accuse Mr Modis Hindu-nationalist party of stoking religious polarisation in India and discriminating against minorities, particularly Muslims.

In recent weeks, demonstrators in Muslim-majority Bangladesh had urged the Indian leader not to visit and criticised prime minister Sheikh Hasina for inviting him.

The Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam, which has a network of Islamic schools across Bangladesh, announced the nationwide general strike for Sunday, to protest against Fridays events, in which its members were blamed for attacking government structures.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party headed by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, an arch rival of Ms Hasina, did not support Sundays strike directly, but said the call for it was logical.
(Natural News) The Supreme Court on Thursday, March 25, expanded the ability of people to sue police officers for excessive use of force in a five to three decision.

In 2014, Roxanne Torres, a woman from New Mexico, was sitting in her car in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Albuquerque when officers from the New Mexico State Police approached her vehicle with their guns drawn to question her. She fled the area because she believed they might be carjackers, despite the fact that the officers claimed their badges were prominently displayed and they were wearing police vests.

As Torres was fleeing, the officers fired 13 shots, hitting her twice in the back. Despite her injuries, she was still able to drive off and admit herself to a hospital where she was arrested.

Torres pled no contest to three violations, but filed a civil rights claim in federal court against the officers who shot at her  Richard Williamson and Janice Madrid  arguing that the shooting was unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendments protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The officers argued that they feared for their lives when they fired at Torres, and that the incident did not qualify as a seizure since she was not immediately detained or seized.

In its ruling, the court determined that it is not necessary for a plaintiff to be physically seized by law enforcement in order for an incident to qualify as excessive use of force under the Fourth Amendment.

We hold that the application of physical force to the body of a person with intent to restrain is a seizure even if the person does not submit and is not subdued, wrote conservative Chief Justice John Roberts in the ruling.

Roberts stressed that the ruling will not automatically turn every physical encounter between police officers and civilians into a Fourth Amendment seizure. The decision also said nothing about the use of other forms of police force, such as lasers, pepper spray and flashbang grenades. (Related: Armed bounty hunters raid a home without a warrant in Buffalo, New York as police officers watch and do nothing.)

Roberts was joined by fellow conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh, as well as the courts three liberal justices: Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer. Three of the courts four remaining conservative justices dissented. Justice Amy Coney Barrett did not participate in the ruling because she has not joined the court yet when the case was initially brought before it in Oct. 2020.

Dissenting justices say majority seeks to equate criminal arrests with mere touches

Justices Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented. In their written opinion, Gorsuch criticized Roberts ruling, arguing that the Fourth Amendment has always recognized a seizure as taking possession of someone or something.

The courts conclusion that intent alone is enough to judge whether an action counts as excessive use of force is as mistaken as it is novel, argued Gorsuch.

The majoritys need to resort to such a schizophrenic reading of the word seizure should be a signal that something has gone seriously wrong. Today, for the first time, the majority seeks to equate seizures and criminal arrests with mere touches, attempted seizures and batteries.

Jeffrey Bellin, a professor and Fourth Amendment specialist at William and Mary Law School, said that the Supreme Courts decision will make it easier for people with grievances against the police to sue them for excessive use of force during a time when the country is increasingly concerned with instances of police violence.

The ruling that a seizure occurred in this case means that more unjustified police shooting and other uses of force can be found to violate the Constitution.

When Torres first filed her case in a federal court in New Mexico in 2016, the judge dismissed it. According to the judge, there could be no excessive use of force because no seizure had occurred. Torres tried to appeal the decision with the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which came to the same conclusion in 2019. This is what led Torres to try her luck with the Supreme Court.

Torres case will now return to the lower courts, where the state police can still get the lawsuit dismissed by arguing against it on different grounds, including qualified immunity. This is a doctrine that can protect police and other government officials from litigation under certain circumstances.

Learn more about similar instances of police overreach by reading the latest articles at PoliceViolence.news.

Sources include:

Reuters.com

NBCNews.com

NYPost.com

Edition.CNN.com
International

Bangladesh militants set fire to central library

DHAKA, MAR 28 (IANS) | Publish Date: 3/28/2021 1:08:18 PM IST

Hefazat militants on Sunday set fire to the central public library in Bangladeshs Brahmanbaria district, the birthplace of legendary Indian sarod player and multi-instrumentalist Allauddin Khan, during a dawn-to-dusk nationwide strike.

The strike by Hefazat-e-Islam is underway in Dhaka, Norshingdi, Narayanganj, Brahmanbaria, Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi and other districts.

No long-route buses were plying on the roads, but movement of rickshaws and auto-rickshaws was normal.

Narayanganj Madaninagar madrasa students put up a barricade on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway by burning tires, disrupting the capital citys road communications with Chittagong and Sylhet.

In Sylhet, Jamaat-e-Islam activists behind the banner of Hefazat-e-Islam brought out processions in different parts of the city including the Court point after the Friday morning prayers.

The militants set two stationary buses of state owned Bangladesh Road Transport and Corporation (BRTC) on fire at Rajshahi Truck Terminal in the citys Amchattar area on Sunday.

Saiful Islam Khan, officer-in-charge of Shah Makhdum Police Station, said police are investigating the incident.

The fire fighters rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze. No casualties have been reported so far.

Hefazat-e-Islam leaders announced the day-long nationwide strike at a press briefing at Purana Paltan in the capital on Friday night.

A clash involving Hefazat supporters and police left four people dead and at least 50 others injured at Hathazari in Chittagong on Friday.

In Dhaka, at least 50 people, including several journalists, were injured in a clash between radical force supporters and police in the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque area on Friday afternoon.

Clashes erupted when police barred people from bringing out a procession after the noon prayers on Friday protesting against the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Wrexham man lands dream job running new super bakery

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Mar 28th, 2021

A homegrown high-flyer is hungry for more success after landing his dream job running Europes most modern bakery.

Ashley Dawson, 30, has been appointed as the manager of The Village Bakerys new super bakery on Wrexham Industrial Estate thats due to open this summer.

The promotion comes six years after he joined the Village Bakery as their business sustainability and improvement executive when he masterminded a series of energy and water saving initiatives to make the company more environmentally friendly.

Since then Ashley, who comes from Wrexham and is a former pupil of Welsh speaking high school Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, has risen swiftly through the ranks, learning every aspect of production  most recently as manager of the bakery dedicated to making bagels.





His appointment to run the new super bakery comes at an exciting time for the fast-growing family firm.

It was recently announced The Village Bakery has secured an investment deal to fuel major expansion plans which will create 115 new jobs.

The Jones family have retained a majority share in the company and the business is still being run by the original management team, headed by Robin Jones, the managing director, and his brother Christien.

The new chairman is food industry big hitter Andrew Taylor who was part of the team from Limerston Capital, the UK private equity firm thats invested in the Village Bakery.

The new bakery on Ash Road has been designed and built with growth in mind and at 140,000 sq feet is more than three times the size of the one its replacing following a devastating fire in August 2019.

As well as housing the companys headquarters, the new premises will also be home to their pioneering Baking Academy and Innovation Centre  both twice the size of the original versions  to train a new generation of bakers and develop new products.

Ashley said: I am incredibly proud and excited to be given this opportunity. It is a massive privilege.

The new bakery will be awesome. It is going to be jam packed with the best possible equipment which we have sourced from around the world.

Allied to that we will be using the best ingredients and our skills as craft bakers to make the finest products on the market in the volumes that our growing customer base needs.

The Village Bakery has a grow-your-own tradition of rewarding people who work hard.

The vast majority of the supervisors and bakery managers started out as apprentices.

Weve got a very keen eye for the right type of people, people who are hardworking, who can also work smart and if thats you, then youll do really well here.

Another homegrown high-flyer whos been given a promotion is Florence Roberts, who has been appointed as the Group New Product Development (NPD) Manager.

Florence, or Floss as shes known, joined the Village Bakery straight from the University of Chester where she graduated with a masters degree in health and nutrition.

The 29-year-old, who hails originally from Oswestry and now lives near Shrewsbury, worked as an assistant in the NPD when she first came.

Most recently she has been working to develop new products for the companys gluten-free bakery, Gluten Freedom.

She said: The main thing about working at the Village Bakery is that you never get bored. Its fast-paced and every day is different.

We can make things happen really quickly and our customers love that about us.

Im really thankful to the Village Bakery. I dont think there are many other companies that I could have gone to and progressed to where I am now. Ive been really well looked after.

The development of new and exciting products is always a priority here and that is something that sets us apart from our competitors. Were always trying to stay one step ahead of the market.

We are raising the bar again with the new bakery and the new NPD centre is fantastic. Its twice the size of the one its replacing, and we are aiming to take things to a whole new level.

Its going to be a high-class facility where we can bring customers on site and wow them with our fantastic test bakery and our innovative new products.

Managing director Robin Jones said: The great thing about Ash is that hes seen the opportunity and grabbed it with both hands.

Hes a local lad and hes chosen his career with us and I think weve reciprocated by giving him the opportunity and to give him our flagship bakery at the age of 30, thats tremendous.

Were very proud of what he has achieved so far but the best is yet to come when hes running one of the largest craft bakeries in the UK which will also be one of the most modern in Europe. Its a huge accolade and thats down to his grit and determination.

Floss is the same. Ive taken great pleasure in watching Floss blossom and develop, from her initial role as a spec writer to an NPD Manager to now Group NPD Manager.

Thats a fantastic achievement and again, shes a pleasure to work with, the customers enjoy Flosss positivity and can-do attitude. All credit to her, she has done an amazing job.

Chairman Andrew Taylor added: The appointments of Ash and Floss to these key roles herald the beginning of an even brighter future for the Village Bakery.

They have energy, drive and commitment and they are Village Bakery people to their very core.

Under the fantastic leadership of the Jones family, it has always been a hugely innovative bakery where quality is king.

They are already renowned for producing the highest quality baked products and they had a clear vision to expand capacity and reach new customers.

The new investment will provide extra momentum to the growth strategy, creating 115 new jobs and provide a boost to the economy of Wrexham and the wider region.
PARIS (Reuters) - European Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said on Sunday that he hoped Europe will have a summer tourist season this year, supported by a ramp-up in its COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Breton, who heads the European Union's executive's vaccine task force, reiterated on RTL radio and TV channel LCI that the European Union should deliver 420 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines by mid-July, enough to allow the bloc to reach collective immunity.

"We have to shift to the next gear," he said of the EU's vaccination campaign.

"This will be the price for having a tourist season that I hope will be comparable to last year's, which in the end wasn't so bad in the context we're in."

The planned introduction of a common EU vaccine certificate in June would support the resumption of travel, he added.

The tourism and travel sectors have been hammered by the year-old coronavirus pandemic, despite a partial revival last summer between the first and second waves of the virus in Europe.

The EU has blamed big shortfalls of AstraZeneca doses for its slow vaccine roll-out, in a dispute that has created tensions with former EU member Britain.

Breton reiterated that the EU will ensure that coronavirus vaccines produced by AstraZeneca within the bloc stay there until the company returns to fulfilling its delivery commitments.

(Reporting by Gus Trompiz. Editing by Jane Merriman)
Businesses will soon be able to distribute free coronavirus home testing kits to their employees in the latest victory for The Mail on Sunday's Tests at Work campaign.

Thousands of firms have begun screening asymptomatic staff under a Government scheme which pays for free lateral flow tests until the end of June.

Staying safe: Home test kits will be available to firms with more than ten workers who cannot set up on-site testing due to a lack of space or because they operate across multiple sites

From April 6, home test kits will be available to firms with more than ten workers who cannot set up on-site testing due to a lack of space or because they operate across multiple sites. Regular rapid testing, alongside the vaccine rollout, is seen as key to rebooting the economy.

Work is also under way to allow staff of small firms to order tests online to be sent to their homes.

The Mail on Sunday's campaign has called for employers to use testing to get staff safely back into factories and offices.

More than 60,000 firms have joined the Government scheme since the campaign launched. The deadline to sign up for free test kits has been extended from March 31 to April 12.
DMK MP A Raja has been booked by



the city police over a complaint from the ruling AIADMK for allegedly making vulgar personal remarks against Chief Minister K Palaniswami, a senior official said on Sunday.

The case was filed based on a complaint to the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) which was forwarded to the Greater Chennai Police, Commissioner Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal told reporters here.

"On the basis, the case was filed under Indian Penal Code and Representation of People Act," he said, without divulging details.

Earlier, Raja courted a controversy after he allegedly made vulgar personal remarks against Palaniswami during an election campaign, with the AIADMK knocking the doors of the EC with a plea to debar him from campaigning for the April 6 Assembly elections.

Meanwhile, AIADMK workers staged protest against Raja, a former Union Telecom Minister, in Salem and Karur districts on Sunday, with activists burning his effigy in the former, also the native district of the CM.

AIADMK ally BJP had also hit out at Raja for his comments, with Union Minister Smriti Irani alleging "DMK is such a political party that does not respect women."



DMK president M K Stalin without mentioning anyone's name, had said on Saturday that during campaign, partymen must make dignified comments, saying rivals would distort and edit speeches.

(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 search is underway to contact more than 20,000 travellers who arrived into New South Wales from Queensland as the state battles another Covid-19 outbreak.

NSW Health will contact those who flew into NSW between March 20 and 26 and urging them to get tested and isolate if they visited venues of concern listed by Queensland Health.

Anyone who caught flights during those dates will be sent an email and a text message.

However, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was not concerned about the recent outbreak in an interview with the Today Show on Monday.

NSW Health is contacting more than 20,000 travellers who have arrived in the state from Queensland between March 20 and 26. Pictured: a health care worker testing people at a COVID-19 drive through testing clinic at Murarrie in Brisbane

'Nine close contacts in NSW have been identified so far,' NSW Health said in a statement.

'They have been instructed to undergo a COVID-19 test and to self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result. These people will receive regular follow-up contact from NSW Health during this time.'

Entry declaration forms were introduced Saturday for those who spent time in Brisbane City Council or Morton Bay Regional Council areas since March 11.

More than 3800 people have already filled out the form, which provides information to help NSW Health contact travellers if needed.

NSW Health urges anyone in the state who arrived from the areas of concern since March 11 to monitor for even the mildest symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat or runny nose, and get tested immediately if they develop.

They are also advised to avoid non-essential visits to hospitals and residential aged care facilities and disability residential care services until further notice.

Entry declaration forms were introduced Saturday for those who spent time in Brisbane City Council or Morton Bay Regional Council areas since March 11. Pictured: a woman at Sydney Domestic Airport

It comes as Brisbane recorded three new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, including a new case of community transmission related to a man who tested positive on Thursday.

The locally-transmitted case has been confirmed to be the brother of a 26-year-old Stafford man who tested positive earlier last week.

He is believed to be the 'missing link' between the most recent outbreak and a doctor who tested positive earlier this month.

The cluster has sparked a lockdown of Brisbane City and Moreton Bay council area hospitals, aged care facilities, prisons and disability services providers.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the state's two active cases were both in hospital and while it was too early to relax, she was pleased testing efforts had not uncovered further examples of community transmission.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is seen during a press conference in Brisbane as the state battles another Covid-19 outbreak

Authorities backtracked on incorrect information released by Queensland Health on Saturday that a new case had hosted a Strathpine house party for up to 25 people despite being told to isolate after being tested.

'We were told at the time there were 25 people that attended the residence,' Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said on Sunday.

Ms D'Ath added officials acted on what they understood to be true at the time and told reporters she became aware of the new information on Sunday morning.

'It is extremely unfortunate that what has been discovered over the last 24 hours, that it wasn't 25 people, but as I understand it this is the information that was received from this gentleman himself,' she said.

'Whether the health officials misunderstood what he said, I wasn't there, I didn't hear the conversation, but this is the information that they believe that he had provided them at the time.'

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said she was pleased testing efforts had not uncovered further examples of community transmission

Further investigations by police and health authorities suggest the people who attended were limited to the man's four housemates and one other person.

Late on Sunday, Queensland Police cleared the Strathpine man in his 20s - who tested positive on Friday after contracting the UK strain of COVID-19 from a male friend in Stafford - of any wrongdoing.

'Police conducted inquiries into the allegations but are satisfied the occupants of the house did not breach the health directions, and people from outside the residence were not involved,' a statement said.

'Police investigators have not found any evidence to warrant action being taken against a man following reports of a house party involving people in quarantine at Strathpine.'
As taut as a violin string" was the phrase used to describe the state of the budget and public debt. After five years of applying flexible solutions, the situation has now become different.

The Government has submitted to the National Assembly a report on state budget income and expenditures in 2020 and the deployment of the 2021 state budget estimates.

In the 2016-2020 period, the total receipts of the state budget were VND6,890 trillion, while the total expenditures were VND7,660 trillion.

The average state budget expenditure was 28.8 percent of GDP (it was 29.5 percent in 2011-2015). There were changes in the expenditure structure with spending on investment and development accounting for 30 percent (higher than the targeted proportion of 25-26 percent), and regular expenses accounting for 63 percent of total expenditures (the target was below 64 percent).

The state budget overexpenditures in the last five years represented 3.45 percent of GDP, lower than the target of 3.9 percent of GDP as stipulated in the National Assemblys Resolution 25/2016.

Commenting about the public debt, the Government said there are more bright signs.

By the end of December 31, 2020, the public debt was equal to 55.3 percent of GDP, Government debt was 49.1 percent of GDP, and the countrys foreign debt to GDP was 47.3 percent.

These levels were lower than the ceiling of 65 percent, 54 percent and 50 percent of GDP, respectively, stipulated in the National Assemblys Resolution 25 on the national finance plan for 2016-2020.

Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung, reviewing the last five years of state budget management, said he now can "sigh with relief".

By the end of December 31, 2020, the public debt was equal to 55.3 percent of GDP, Government debt was 49.1 percent of GDP, and the countrys foreign debt to GDP was 47.3 percent.

The continued fairly high budget collections amid Covid-19 shows the resilience of the economy and enterprises, and affirms the effectiveness of the Governments solutions that aim to fight the pandemic but also maintain socio-economic activities.

However, the Government warned that if the pandemic cannot be controlled soon, state budget collections will be affected in coming months.

Support for people, businesses

In 2020, the State adopted a series of financial policies to help businesses and people overcome difficulties caused by Covid-19, worth VND128.33 trillion.

Of this, exemption and reduction of tax, fees and charges, and payment deadline extensions totaled VND111.5 trillion. Meanwhile, VND16.83 trillion was spent to prevent and fight the pandemic, and to support the public.

The government said pandemic control depends on the effects and usage of vaccines. Some experts believe that the pandemic will only be contained in 2022. Other countries are continuing to launch big bailouts to support their economy.

In Vietnam, natural calamities, epidemics, climate change, drought and saline intrusion remain problems affecting production and peoples lives.

The third Covid-19 outbreak showed that there are risks for community transmission. Moreover, it is still difficult to access Covid-19 vaccine supply sources globally and develop the vaccine in Vietnam.

Vaccinations are being implemented in accordance with the priority order and actual conditions.

In such a situation, the Government believes that continuing to implement monetary and fiscal policies to support enterprises and people is a necessity.

The Government has proposed continued extension of tax and land rent payment deadlines in 2021 for those affected by Covid-19.

For enterprises, the payment deadline for VAT will be extended for five months, and three months for Q1 and Q2 corporate income tax.

For business households and individuals, it plans to extend the deadline for payment of VAT and personal income tax in 2021; and extend the deadline for the first-period land rental payment for businesses, organizations, business households and individuals.

In addition, the Government will continue to reduce different kinds of fees and charges to help reduce input costs for enterprises and business households.

Luong Bang

2020: over-expenditures increase, public debts still within safety line Because of over-expenditures, the public debts in 2020 are estimated at 56.8-57.4 percent of GDP and the governments debt 50.8-51.4 percent of GDP, within the safety line set by the National Assembly.
Health Minister Zwele Mkhize has outlined a new plan to rapidly speed up South Africas COVID-19 vaccination efforts to reach herd immunity by early 2022, the Sunday Times has reported.

According to the newspaper, Mkhize on Saturday briefed top ANC members on the plan during the partys national executive committee meeting (NEC).

The rollout is expected to start around mid-May, after the arrival of the first batch of 2.8 million Johnson & Johnson vaccines in late April.

During the mass vaccination phases we will need to be targeting about 200,000 per day nationally, with variations across provinces because of the differing concentrations of populations, said Mkhize.

It includes using more than 2,000 identified sites at hospitals, churches, shopping centres, and stadiums for vaccinations.

According to Mkhize, the sites will be grouped by size, with the following vaccination capabilities at each type:

1,200 small sites  100 vaccinations each per day

 100 vaccinations each per day 500 medium sites  300 vaccinations each per day

 300 vaccinations each per day 50 large sites  1,000 to 2,000 each vaccinations per day

The first phase of the new plan will see the completion of the vaccination of South Africas 1.5 million healthcare workers which is currently underway.

The second phase which will include the vaccination of senior citizens over 60, those with comorbidities, and essential workers will begin at the same time as phase one, Mkhize told The Sunday Times.

All other adults which fall outside of the categories described in phase one and phase two will only begin receiving vaccines in mid-November as part of phase three. This is unless the required doses arrive sooner than expected.

This means that South Africa is expected to reach its target of vaccinating 40 million people  or 67% of the population  in early 2022.

15 years to reach herd immunity

News of the revised plan comes as South Africa is expected to miss its initial COVID-19 vaccination targets by a long shot.

At the start of 2021, Mkhize said the government aimed to vaccinate 67% of the population against COVID-19 by the end of this year in order to reach herd immunity.

Only 231,002 people have received COVID-19 vaccines to date, however, which works out to around 7,000 per day., since the arrival of the first Johnson & Johnson vaccines in February.

At the current rate, Media Hack Collectives Vaccination Calculator showed that it would take South Africa over 15 years to vaccinate 67% of the population.

This represents less than 0.4% of South Africas total population of around 60 million people.

While South Africa has secured more 40 million vaccines doses from Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and the COVAX group, only a handful of these have been delivered to date.

Government has been accused of a lackadaisical approach in its negotiations for vaccines, while President Cyril Ramaphosa has blamed wealthy countries for buying vaccines in bulk and hoarding them.

However, it appears that even less affluent African countries are showing better progress than South Africa.

By Friday Ghana had already vaccinated about 420,000 people  or 1.4% of its population  while Rwanda had dosed 349,000 people  or 2.7% of its citizens.

Now read: Warning about alcohol ban as Easter lockdown looms
Next Game: Penn State 3/27/2021 | 30 Mins. After End of Game One BTN+ KRNU

The top of the order powered another strong offensive performance for the Nebraska softball team Saturday, as the Huskers took game one of a doubleheader against Penn State by a score of 8-2.The first three hitters in the Husker lineup  senior, freshmanand senior combined to go 8-for-10 with a double, a triple, two home runs, six runs scored and five RBIs. Edwards was 2-for-3 with a double, and she scored twice. Andrews finished 3-for-4 with a triple, a homer, two runs scored and three RBIs, setting career highs in hits, runs and RBIs while slugging her first career home run. Ybarra was perfect with a 3-for-3 day that included a walk, a homer, two runs and three RBIs. Freshmandoubled, drove in a run and had an RBI, while juniorwas 1-for-2 with an RBI.In the circle, junior right-handertossed a three-hitter to earn the victory. Wallace (4-2) allowed two runs and retired 10 straight batters at one point.Kylee Lingenfelter (0-5) took the loss for Penn State (0-14), allowing four runs on six hits in 3.0 innings.Penn State threatened to grab an early lead in the top of the first. A leadoff double and a walk put Nittany Lions on first and second with no outs. A force out put runners on first and third with one out when a pitch got away from catcher. But Riley quickly recovered and threw to Wallace at home to tag out the Penn State runner attempting to score.Nebraska then opened the scoring in the bottom of the third. Edwards lined a one-out double down the right field line beforedelivered an RBI triple. The Huskers made it 2-0 when Andrews scored on an RBI single from Ybarra. Then with two outs, Gray doubled off the top of the fence in right center to plate Ybarra and push the lead to 3-0. Glatter followed with an RBI single up the middle to cap the four-run frame.In the fourth, Edwards reached on a two-out single beforelaunched a two-run homer to right. Andrews' first career home run gave Nebraska a 6-0 lead. Ybarra made it back-to-back home runs to push the lead to 7-0.Penn State cracked the scoreboard in the top of the fifth on back-to-back two-out, RBI doubles.Leading 7-2, Nebraska added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. With the bases loaded and one out, freshmanscored sophomore pinch runnerwith an RBI ground out to close out the scoring.
Californias farm labor shortage is getting tougher, according to results of a new survey that says the situation worsened this year for most 
A Birmingham man was killed early Sunday in a Lowndes County crash.

Alabama State Troopers identified the fatality victim as TaJuan Dionte Gosha He was 26.

Authorities said Gosha was the passenger in a 2010 Chrysler Sebring driven by 21-year-old JaLyn DaUndrea Smith of Dolomite. The vehicle left the roadway, struck a culvert and then a tree.

Gosha was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Smith was injured but authorities said her injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

The crash happened on Interstate 65, two miles south of Letohatchee in Lowndes County. The investigation is ongoing.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
LATEST: All seven crew members of a stricken fishing boat near Castletownbere have been airlifted to safety, following a nerve-racking ordeal that lasted almost two days.

A major rescue operation was coordinated by the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination centre at Valentia, who initially tasked a Coast Guard Helicopter to the scene.

Incident Update 4: Fishing Vessel ELLIE ADHAMH began taking water while under tow by @naval_service Naval ship LE George Bernard Shaw, IRCG Helicopter R117 winched the crew onboard and brought safety to Cork, footage of crew from R115 earlier today in rough Sea conditions. pic.twitter.com/qkY8sUxckR  Irish Coast Guard (@IrishCoastGuard) March 27, 2021

"Late this afternoon in light of deteriorating weather conditions and concern over the stability of the Irish fishing vessel Ellie Adhamh, it was decided to evacuate the seven person crew," a Coast Guard spokesperson said. "The Waterford and Shannon based Coast Guard Helicopters who were on standby of the South West coast were re-tasked to the scene by Valentia Coast Guard, who were coordinating the operation.

"With support from the LE George Bernard Shaw and Castletownbere RNLI all weather lifeboat the crew were successfully airlifted onto R117 and brought safely to Cork. The crew are understood to be in good spirits.

"In light of the prevailing conditions the evacuation proved to be extremely challenging and the successful outcome is testimony to the skill and professionalism of all involved."

Initial attempts to save the vessel were unsuccessful after the alarm was raised at around 7am yesterday.

The Castletownbere-registered boat had lost power before drifting off West Cork.

A tug was brought to the scene in attempts overseen by Valentia Coastguard. However, efforts were hampered by a wave that shattered three windows in the vessel's wheelhouse.

While efforts to save the boat are ongoing, a spokesperson for Castletownbere RNLI - who were also involved in the rescue operation - said the most important thing is that lives were saved.

"The vessel was taking some water and it was decided to airlift the seven crew by helicopter," he said. "The empty vessel is still being towed by the navy and our lifeboat has been stood down and will be due back in around an hour."

He said that every rescue operation is different adding.

"There is never anything usual about these situations. This was considered the safest thing to do. The crew members safety is now guaranteed and this is what is most important. The vessel is still being towed.

"The helicopter put down some pumps on the vessel this morning but it was taking some water so this was the best and safest option."



Naval ship LE George Bernard Shaw and Ellie Adhamh. Picture: Irish Coast Guard.

EARLIER: A SPOKESPERSON for the RNLI has revealed it will take up to nine hours before the crew of a stricken fishing boat near Castletownbere can be safely brought to shore.

The organisation was up against the clock to save the vessel, which has been drifting at sea for more than 24 hours.

Ellie Adhamh. Picture: Irish Coast Guard.

A tow has now been secured on the boat, which got into difficulty approximately 70 miles West of Bantry Bay.

The response is being coordinated by the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination centre at Valentia, who initially tasked a Coast Guard Helicopter to the scene.

The crew declined an offer to have some of the crew evacuated from the vessel but are said to be in good spirits.

Castletownbere-registered, Ellie Adhamh, had lost power before drifting off West Cork.

Initial attempts to save the vessel were unsuccessful, after the alarm was raised at around 7am yesterday.

A tug was brought to the scene in attempts overseen by Valentia Coastguard. However, efforts were hampered by a wave that shattered three windows in the vessel's wheelhouse.

Naval ship LE George Bernard Shaw and Ellie Adhamh. Picture: Irish Coast Guard.

The Irish Naval Service's LE George Bernard Shaw is now at the scene of the stricken trawler.

A spokesperson for the Castletownbere RNLI spoke with cautious optimism.

"The vessel is under tow from the navy and our guys are standing by in case the tow snaps," he explained. "It's going to take eight or nine hours before they get back into Castletownbere.

"At the moment things are looking positive. The only worry is that there is a gale coming behind them. They are only moving at about five or six knots at the moment. This is as positive as it can be.

"Hopefully, it will all work out okay. Everything seems to be much better than it was a couple of hours ago."

The vessel is expected to reach Bantry Bay later this evening, where arrangements will be made to have the vessel taken into port.
The temporary $3,000-plus Child Tax Credit approved in President Joe Bidens $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill should remain permanent, Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren and more than three dozen Democratic senators recently argued.

The expanded credit  from $2,000 to $3,000 per child aged 7 to 17 and $3,600 for every child under 6  will go to parents of 83 million American children, including 1 million in Massachusetts. Biden says the move cuts U.S. child poverty in half; Rep. Jim McGovern, another Massachusetts Democrat who supports making the expansion permanent, recently noted the provision will lift 55,000 Bay State children out of poverty.

In a joint letter Friday led by Sens. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Michael Bennet of Colorado, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Ron Wyden of Oregon, Markey and Warren pressed Biden to make the expansion permanent and spread out in monthly payments instead of once annually during tax season. The Internal Revenue Service already said it may not be able to pull off the monthly payments this year, with resources stretched thin amid stimulus disbursement and a tax filing deadline extended to May 17.

The lawmakers called on Biden to hammer out a monthly disbursement plan with the IRS. This year, the IRS was meant to start sending monthly payments in July and allow parents to claim the remainder of the benefit on their 2021 tax returns.

The senators also pushed Biden for a permanently expanded Earned Income Tax Credit for about 17 million lower-wage childless taxpayers, which the American Rescue Plan almost tripled from $534 to $1,502. The legislation also expanded eligibility to those under 25 and over 65; the lawmakers called on Biden to keep the minimum age at 19 and eliminate the maximum age altogether.

We must not allow these critical expansions to expire after one year, the 41 senators wrote. Doing so would result in a significant spike in child poverty, after we have made historic strides to end it. It would mean that millions of struggling adult workers would once again be taxed into poverty. That is wrong and unacceptable. Reducing child poverty, strengthening the economic security of low-wage workers, and reducing racial income disparities through these two important tax credits must be a core part of the Recovery Plan Congress considers later this year under your leadership.

.@SenTinaSmith and I secured more than $50 billion to stop our child care system from collapsing. But we cant just stabilize an already broken system. I spoke with @amy_matsui from @nwlc about why our next recovery bill needs to guarantee affordable child care for every family. pic.twitter.com/jOz0tLrpD6  Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) March 28, 2021

Sen. Chuck Schumer recently called for the permanent expansion of the Child Tax Credit, but he was not among those who signed the letter.

The press for permanent relief comes as Biden prepares to announce sweeping recovery efforts focused on infrastructure, energy and the environment, education and child care.

On Sunday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told Fox News Chris Wallace that two proposals were in the works: an infrastructure-based bill Biden will discuss in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, and another proposal centered on child care and education in April.

Its a crisis right now the number of women whove left the workforce, he wants to work to address that, Psaki said. The total package were still working out, but hes going to introduce some ways to pay for that. Hes eager to hear ideas from both parties as well.

The New York Times reported on Sunday that Bidens recovery plans may cost between $3 trillion and $4 trillion. The president wants to invest in rebuilding roads, bridges and new green infrastructure that he says will create jobs, along with child care and education including universal preschool and free community college.

Tax hikes on the wealthy and corporations may pay for about $2.5 trillion of the overall package, and the Biden administration will likely seek to borrow funds for some one-time expenses as well, the Times reported.

Bidens initial plans call for expanding the child tax credit for several years, but there is no hard timeframe yet and the proposal is subject to change, according to The Washington Post.

The Child Tax Credit has historically been available for single parents earning $200,000 or less or couples filing jointly who earn $400,000 or less. The updates approved in Bidens package force the credit to phase out for individuals earning more than $75,000 annually or couples earning more than $150,000 combined. The $200,000 and $400,000 cutoffs remain in place.

Another temporary update is the removal of an earnings floor; in previous years, taxpayers had to earn at least $2,500 to be eligible to receive the credit.

The expansion stemmed out of the House Ways and Means Committee chaired by Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts. The pandemic is driving families deeper and deeper into poverty, and its devastating, Neal told MassLive earlier this year. This money is going to be the difference in a roof over someones head or food on their table. This is how the tax code is supposed to work for those who need it most.

Biden and congressional Democrats will face a stiff fight from Republicans, none of whom voted for the American Rescue Plan. With an evenly-split Senate, Biden must maintain support from all 50 Democrats if he wants to make the tax expansions permanent and move forward with his aggressive infrastructure plans.

Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, one of the conservative Democrats who successfully pushed for concessions in Bidens costly COVID-19 relief bill, recently indicated hes on board with raising taxes on the wealthy for the infrastructure package. He said the Trump administrations tax cuts in 2017 were weighted in one direction to the upper end, and that he didnt think its reasonable to invest in infrastructure without covering costs through taxes, the Times reported.

Related Content:
Its no secret Connecticut residents pay among the highest electric bills in the country, although the reasons why are more of a mystery to many customers.

John Blair, an energy expert with the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, said electric customers often do not understand what they are paying each month.

People are aghast at what goes into their energy costs, Blair said.

Connecticut residents pay the highest electric bills in New England  $147 a month on average, compared to $128 in Massachusetts and $88 in Maine.

In fact, the Nutmeg State has the highest electric rates in the contiguous United States, and the third highest in the nation, topped only by Alaska and Hawaii, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

So why are electric costs so much higher in Connecticut  a geographically small state with few natural obstacles to drive up the cost of delivering power?

A variety of experts pointed to the states historically high taxes and cost of doing business, past deregulation of the power industry, using electric rates to fund social programs and renewable energy, carbon reduction goals and the distance from natural gas supplies.

Patrick McDonnell, vice president for regulatory affairs for United Illuminating, said high electric bills in Connecticut is nothing new.

Connecticut is a high-cost state to operate in, McDonnell said.

McDonnell said there are many reasons why electric rates differ from state to state, including New Englands position at the end of the natural gas pipelines that supply the Northeast, which adds transportation costs and increases rates.

Where New England is predominately nuclear and natural gas, Michigan is mostly coal, McDonnell noted. Thats the first place to start.

Coal is a cheaper way to produce electricity but its also considered far worse for the environment and a driver of climate change.

When you look at the tax rolls, the number one or two taxpayer (in Connecticut towns) is the utility, McDonnell said. That is not uniformed across the country. We pay a gross receipts tax that is almost as much as the property tax.

Examining the bill

A close look at a Connecticut electric bill reveals charges that have nothing to do with the cost of electricity. The money is used to fund social and energy programs created by state lawmakers.

For example, ratepayers pay a 0.1 cent per kilowatt hour each month to the states Renewable Energy Investment Fund, which helps fund renewable energy projects.

Other so-called public benefit charges fund financial assistance and education programs for low-income customers, provide fuel assistance for needy families, help replace aging boilers and pay for conservation and energy efficiency programs.

State officials estimate that an average $150 a month electric bill includes $20 in fees mandated by public benefit charges.

They dont have to pass those programs, said Blair, the CBIA official, referring to lawmakers. They think its important public policy but they have to understand it comes with a cost.

Blair also pointed out that renewable energy is more expensive than oil and gas fired electricity, and Connecticut discourages development of new pipelines and transmission lines.

Connecticut requires that electric companies purchase a percentage of renewable energy. Gov. Ned Lamont recently mandated that Connecticut buy only carbon free power by 2040.

Other states have not added so many components to the delivery charge, such as getting to zero carbon, Blair said. Its a laudable goal but getting there quickly is likely to add more costs to an already costly state.

State Sen. Norm Needleman, D-Essex and co-chairman of the energy committee, acknowledged renewable energy sources initially cost more to build than traditional oil or gas-fired electric plants.

But Needleman said over time non-carbon sources, such as wind and solar, become less expensive to operate.

Any power source that doesnt have a fuel is going to do better when you get to the point that you can use it for baseline power, he said.

Connecticut has been aggressive in securing contracts for renewable energy, recently inking deals for 252 megawatts of power. That includes the Revolution Wind venture set to provide 200 megawatts of electricity from a wind farm off Rhode Islands coast.

Other New England states are pursuing renewable energy, although at varying speeds. Maine expects that 80 percent of its power will come from renewable sources by 2030; Massachusetts 35 percent; and Connecticut 44 percent.

In a statement on its website, ISO New England, which operates the regional grid and oversees the energy market, said the race is well underway to buy renewable energy, while noting it comes with a cost.

Because large-scale renewable resources typically have higher up-front capital costs and different financing opportunities than more conventional resources, they have had difficulty competing in the wholesale markets, the agency said.

Contributed /

Competitive with neighbors

The Regulatory Assistance Project, a Vermont-based think tank dedicated to clean energy, pointed out in a 2019 paper that the average household in Massachusetts pays 34 percent more for electricity than the average Maine household, while the average household in Connecticut pays 60 percent more.

This variation in electricity bills is greater than in any other U.S. region, RAP noted. This does not make sense.

RAP considered a variety of factors  geography, transmission lines, labor costs, utility performance, wholesale prices, monthly usage and the renewable energy mix  in assessing why New Englands electric rates vary greatly from state to state. Their conclusion? They couldnt figure it out.

The answers may be historic and particular to each utility and jurisdiction, which is even more unsatisfying because these are real prices people face every day, RAP said.

Acknowledging and defining a problem is the first step toward addressing it, the group said. Perhaps adopting rate and efficiency benchmarks and examining utility performance for what customers pay is a good place to start.

Marissa Gillett, chairwoman of the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, said there are numerous factors involved in why Connecticuts electric bills are higher.

There are three different driver components of the bill: supply, delivery and state and regional cost, Gillett said.

We are competitive (on supply) with our neighbors but not with rest of the country and on delivery we are competitive with our neighbors but not the rest of the country, she said. The public policy (charge on bills) is something that the state has leveraged, and not every state has chosen to do that.

Gillett pointed out that PURA sets only about 30 percent of the states electric rates.

The biggest component in the price of electricity  the cost of buying power  is set by the market. Other fixed costs include federal state mandates and the public benefit charges.

Still, Gillett said a more aggressive PURA can use its authority to limit electric rate increases.

I think there is room for improvement in how PURA holds utilities accountable and the degree we apply our oversight role should have downward pressure on the distribution side of the bill, Gillett said.

PURA is considering new performance standards to judge the states electric companies and change the criteria that must be met to obtain a rate increase. The new standards would apply to all aspects of their business, from restoring power after big storms to day to day operations.

You reward a profit based on how well or not they performed, Gillett noted.

Deregulation

Needleman, the state senator, pointed to deregulation as a major factor in high electric rates.

Twenty years ago, electric companies in Connecticut and most of New England  Vermont did not deregulate  were prohibited from operating power plants and the generation responsibility was transferred to the private sector. Consumers were given the choice of buying electricity from a traditional electric company or a third-party provider.

The overlying theory was that increased competition for production and electric contracts would drive costs down.

Ive met very few who think deregulation was a good idea, Needleman said. Most of us say this has not worked the way people thought.

Needleman said that while energy prices fell after deregulation, most of that decrease is attributable to a huge drop in natural gas prices.

When you say you can no longer make the product you sell, the guy making it is going to make the profit, Needleman said. It has not offset the cost of distribution. They (utilities) can only make money on that.

Mitch Gross, a spokesman for Eversource, the states largest electric company, said Connecticuts distribution cost  the price for delivering electricity to homes and businesses  is in line with utilities across the country.

Roughly half of New Englands electricity is produced using natural gas, and since were at the end of the gas pipeline, the transportation costs to get that fuel here drives prices up, Gross said.

He said there are mandated state policies that must be included in the electric rates and that the rates reflect expensive rebuilding of lines and other improvements designed to increase reliability and resiliency.

Connecticut has also experienced a reduction in its large and commercial manufacturing customers, which results in less revenue and higher rates, Gross added. We pay a significant amount of state taxes, including property and sales taxes.

bcummings@ctpost.com
The NSW Liberals most powerful faction will take a proposal for quotas to its governing body in a bid to get more women elected to Parliament amid a furore over sexual assault and harassment.

The moderate faction, which has the majority on the partys state executive in NSW, will push for the mandatory targets as well as insist that 50 per cent of moderate candidates are women.

Matt Kean, the NSW leader of the moderate faction, said nothing else had worked and quotas had to be tried. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

Energy Minister Matt Kean, the NSW leader of the moderate faction, said nothing else had worked and it was clear quotas had to be tried.

He said a proposal for quotas would be presented to the state executive. Other key factional leaders in the NSW Coalition have also said they are not opposed to quotas.
The teacher at the centre of the Prophet Muhammad cartoon controversy was yesterday praised by his Muslim next-door neighbour for always showing great respect towards Islam.

Described as a rugby-loving, burly Yorkshire lad, the religious education teacher received death threats after showing images of the prophet  which first appeared in French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo  to Year 9 pupils at Batley Grammar School in West Yorkshire. He is now in hiding with his wife and young children.

But married father-of-three Jamal Al-Terk, who has lived next door to the teacher for eight years, said: He is not Islamophobic at all. This has to be a misunderstanding. I doubt he has shown these pictures deliberately to offend.

Scores of parents protested outside Batley Grammar School last week

'He and his family, they knock on our door and give us Eid cards when its Eid. His children have also drawn pictures of a beautiful mosque with lights around it and given them to my kids.

They also gave us halal sweets for Eid, and we have exchanged food during Ramadan. His children play with my children.

The airport worker, who moved to Britain with his family to escape the civil war in Syria, added: You can ask any Muslims in the local community, he is a really nice person. He would never offend Muslims deliberately. This is why I think its a misunderstanding.

I hope things calm down and people realise he is a nice person.

Mr Al-Terk, 42, said the teacher and his family fled their home three days ago and he has not been able to contact him.

The furore erupted when scores of angry Muslim parents protested outside the school last week and called for the teacher to be sacked.

Angry Muslim parents have called for the teacher to be sacked

It was later announced that he had been suspended and headteacher Gary Kibble issued an unequivocal apology, adding: It is important for children to learn about faiths and beliefs, but this must be done in a respectful, sensitive way.

The demonstrations triggered a national outcry, with Ministers and celebrities among those condemning the protesters. A petition demanding that the teacher is allowed to stay in his job has been signed by more than 48,000 people. But the threats to the teachers life continued throughout the week, particularly after his name was leaked on social media.

Hours after Mr Al-Terk spoke to The Mail on Sunday, neighbours spotted three Asian youths going to the teachers house and knocking on the door several times. They peered through his window and left after about ten minutes.

A local pensioner, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: It was dark, but the area is well lit with street lighting and I had a clear view from my window.

One was on a bike and two were walking. One was wearing a hoodie. I watched them until they left. They knocked on the door a few times and they also tried the handle a couple of times.

The teacher has suspended and headteacher Gary Kibble issued an unequivocal apology

There were frequent police patrols in the area yesterday.

Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday that the teacher defended his right to freedom of speech during a heated conversation with the father of a Muslim pupil. He phoned back after the angry parent left a message for him at the school.

Last October, a French teacher, Samuel Paty, was beheaded outside his school near Paris after showing the same images to his pupils.

In January 2015, Islamic terrorists killed 12 people and injured 11 at the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris after the magazine published the cartoons.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 28)  New COVID-19 cases in the Philippines breached 9,000 for the third consecutive day on Sunday.

The Department of Health reported 9,475 more people nationwide contracted the virus, bringing the cumulative count to 721,892. This does not yet include data from seven testing laboratories which have yet to submit their reports.

Of the total infected, 105,568 or 14.6% are active cases, the DOH said. At least 95.5% exhibit mild symptoms, 2.5% have no symptoms, 0.7% are critical cases, 0.8% are severe, and 0.43% are moderate.

The bulletin showed a daily positivity rate of 19.8% as of noon of March 27. This refers to the percentage of those infected out of all tested in a single day. The World Health Organization recommends that the number be kept below 5%, and experts said a higher percentage suggests more widespread transmission and that there are likely more cases which have not yet been detected.

Recoveries also surged to 603,154 after 22,000 more were cleared of the infection. It is the highest daily rise since Sept. 6. Another 11 lost their lives, however, with the death toll reaching 13,170.

After final validation, the DOH said it reclassified as deaths four cases previously tagged as recoveries and removed 25 duplicates from the total count, including three recoveries.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it received no new COVID-19 reports among Filipinos abroad. Cases remain at 16,068 with 9,738 recoveries and 1,047 deaths.
By Shlomo Ben-Ami





TEL AVIV  Former U.S. President Donald Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran utterly failed to enhance regional or global security. His successor, Joe Biden, must not make the same mistake.



The centerpiece of Trump's Iran policy was his unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)  widely known as the Iran nuclear deal  in 2018. This move, directly and aggressively promoted by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, enabled the U.S. to re-impose severe sanctions on Iran.



At the time, Iran was in full compliance with the JCPOA's conditions, and it remained in compliance for a full year after Trump's decision took effect, to give Europe a chance to uphold its pledge to bypass U.S. sanctions. But Europe didn't follow through, so Iran began to break the rules.



Now, as an outgoing deputy chief of Mossad recently noted, the situation is worse than it was when the JCPOA was signed. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken believes that Iran is only months away from being able to produce enough fissile material to build a nuclear weapon. If the country continues to raise limits imposed by the JCPOA, it could get there in "a matter of weeks."



And yet, far from learning its lesson, Israel  together with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates  wants Biden to maintain Trump's failed policy. In January, Israel's military chief, Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi, warned the Biden administration against rejoining the JCPOA, even if its terms were toughened. He also announced that Israeli forces are stepping up preparations for possible offensive action against Iran this year.



For Iran's neighbors, a U.S.-Iran detente that does not address the Islamic republic's ballistic-missile program and support for proxies across the Middle East is a nightmare scenario. They fear that once tensions with Iran are defused, the U.S. is likely to shift its focus away from the Middle East. The forthcoming Global Posture Review, now being prepared by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, will likely reaffirm this prospect.



Against this background, it would be unwise to pursue French President Emanuel Macron's suggestion that Saudi Arabia and other regional actors be involved in any new negotiations about the JCPOA. Of course, Saudi Arabia  which, along with the UAE, has demanded the Gulf states' involvement  welcomed Macron's call. But, as Iran recognizes, this is a sure route to diplomatic failure and the perpetuation of conflict.



Without these countries acting as spoilers, there is a chance of success. To be sure, domestic politics will limit Iran's ability to accept changes to the original agreement. Years of devastating sanctions  together with America's assassination of General Qassem Suleimani, Iran's most powerful military commander, in January 2020 and Israel's covert operations inside the country  have boosted Iran's hawks, who performed strongly in last year's parliamentary election.



In fact, days after the Suleimani strike, Iran launched missiles at U.S. forces in Iraq, wounding more than 100 troops. Similar rocket attacks were launched this month, following U.S. strikes on Iran-backed militias at the Syria-Iraq border. This, together with persistent attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, suggests that Iran has no intention of allowing the showdown over the JCPOA to hamper its regional power plays.



All great revolutions aspire to secure their legacy through expansion. For Iran, the imperative is to protect the Islamic Republic's credibility not only among its citizens, but also among the proxies that channel its influence in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. That is why so many powerful voices in Iran will oppose returning even to the 2015 agreement: nuclear capabilities are regime insurance. The U.S. doesn't wage wars against nuclear powers.



Yet Iran has hardly shut the door on the JCPOA. On the contrary, it recently signaled its enduring willingness to compromise, by agreeing to hold for three months recordings from monitoring equipment installed at nuclear sites by the International Atomic Energy Agency. If the U.S. rolls back sanctions within that timeframe, the recordings will be released. (Iran had previously decided that, unless U.S. sanctions were lifted by Feb. 21, intrusive checks of its nuclear sites would be banned.)



The Biden administration should use this window of opportunity to secure a straightforward agreement: the U.S. lifts sanctions in exchange for Iran's compliance with JCPOA restrictions on its nuclear activities. This would significantly bolster the moderate President Hassan Rouhani's position vis-a-vis his hardline challenger, Hossein Dehghan, in this June's presidential election.



But this would not be enough to mitigate the risk of a region-wide conflagration. For that, the U.S. would have to negotiate a "phase two" agreement that addresses Iran's ballistic-missile program and support for non-state actors across the Middle East, in addition to the JCPOA's "sunset clause," which would lift restrictions on Iran's nuclear enrichment program after 2025.



Given China's massive investments in  and energy dependence on  the Middle East, it could be a useful ally in this effort. Already, China has proposed establishing a designated forum, in which Persian Gulf countries can address regional security issues, including compliance with the JCPOA.



There is reason to think that Saudi Arabia and the UAE  which, despite their large military budgets, cannot afford a full-scale war with Iran  would be willing to reach some kind of negotiated regional settlement within such a forum. As both countries set their sights on nuclear power, a non-proliferation scheme may also be a possibility.



Israel, however, would be excluded from this forum. In any case, it is highly unlikely to engage in negotiations with Iran. Responsibility for reining it in thus falls to the U.S. To that end, Biden should address Israel's security concerns and expand the multilateral process to address Israel's core strategic interests in Syria and Lebanon.



None of this will be easy. But a two-phase agreement is the best bet for the U.S., the region, and the world.





Shlomo Ben-Ami, a former Israeli foreign minister, is vice president of the Toledo International Center for Peace. He is the author of "Scars of War, Wounds of Peace: The Israeli-Arab Tragedy." This article was distributed by Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org).


NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Big Idea Ventures LLC , the global leader in early-stage alternative protein investing, announces the launch of the Generation Food Rural Partners (GFRP) fund, and has selected NC State University as its inaugural collaborator. GFRP is a $125 million target fund that will fuel economic development in rural communities across the United States through the commercialization of food and agricultural technologies, protein innovation and other university intellectual property.



Big Idea Ventures was founded to solve the worlds greatest challenges by backing the worlds best entrepreneurs, said Andrew D. Ive, founder and managing general partner. This new fund will widen our scope to capture breakthrough technologies from world-class universities that will impact the global food supply chain. The goal is to drive job creation and entrepreneurship in rural communities hungry for economic development and have them continue to be the centers of food innovation and production for generations to come.

The GFRP fund will establish at least five venture centers to facilitate collaboration with multiple leading U.S. universities. BIV venture center staff will work with the universities to identify and evaluate new developments with the strongest commercialization potential and the fund will then invest in new companies formed around the groundbreaking research. These new companies will be headquartered in rural communities near the collaborating universities and the GFRP team expects the first of these new companies to be established in North Carolina.

We are excited to launch Generation Food Rural Partners with NC State as our first university collaborator, said Tom Mastrobuoni, chief investment officer for Big Idea Ventures. We chose NC State because of its forward-looking investments in plant science and plant-based food innovation and its historical excellence in plant breeding and agricultural research. We want to help universities like NC State benefit from the formation of these new businesses while demonstrating the commercial value of university research. We believe GFRP will drive more scientists to pursue additional research and encourage other entrepreneurs to establish their companies near our venture centers in rural America.

NC State is a top-ranked land-grant university globally recognized as a research powerhouse. Researchers in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alone were awarded $96.5 million in grants last year and exceeded $130 million in research expenditures in more than 600 active research programs in on-campus labs, field labs, farm fields, and in the states network of 18 research stations.

We are thrilled that Big Idea Ventures has recognized NC States world-class agricultural research capabilities, and this opportunity aligns perfectly with our mission to create prosperity for our state and reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of this university. With our Think and Do mindset, we believe research has its greatest value when its at work in the real world creating opportunities and solving problems. Were delighted to be working with this team from the very beginning, said Wade Fulghum, assistant vice chancellor for research commercialization.

North Carolina has the third most diverse agricultural economy and the most entrepreneurial farmers and agribusinesses in the nation, said Richard Linton, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. With their investment in NC State research and programs such as the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative and the North Carolina Food Innovation Lab, we believe we have a complete innovation ecosystem to attract and support the best researchers and food entrepreneurs in the world.

Venture support is critical to the further development of rural businesses and infrastructure, said Sen. Brent Jackson, N.C. Senate. Bringing food manufacturing companies directly to the source of the agricultural products they need will be a game-changer for our farmers, our rural communities, and the entrepreneurs who take advantage of this opportunity. Only 20 percent of the states agricultural GDP comes from food manufacturing. Expanding the states food manufacturing capabilities in rural communities is a key area of focus for the North Carolina General Assembly.

This cutting-edge venture reflects the potential for innovation to help bridge the urban, rural economic divide, said Sen. Paul Newton, N.C. Senate.

This exciting opportunity is a recognition of the incredible natural and human resources we enjoy in our state, and Im proud to support ongoing entrepreneurial collaborations that benefit our citizens, said Rep. Kristin Baker, N.C. House.

About Big Idea Ventures

Founded in 2018, Big Idea Ventures is solving the world's greatest challenges by supporting the worlds best entrepreneurs. We're a venture capital fund investing in and partnering with the most innovative companies and founding teams to bring big ideas to the world. For more information visit www.bigideaventures.com.

Media Contacts

Big Idea Ventures | Worth Sparkman, worth@bigideaventures.com, 479-236-0674

NC State University | Richard Campbell, rtcampbe@ncsu.edu, 919-513-3128
(Natural News) A rare daytime fireball rippled across the sky above the United Kingdom and France on Saturday, March 20. At 2:50 p.m., the fast-moving rock produced a loud sonic boom that was reportedly heard from southwest England to Wales all the way to northern France.

Most people initially thought that the noise came from a fighter jet, but the U.K.s Ministry of Defence disputed this. Meanwhile, a number of people online said that they had seen a bright flash of light across the sky, which satellite images later confirmed to be a fireball.

Richard Kacerek of the U.K. Meteor Observation Network, a community of amateur astronomers, said that the meteor belonged to a class of meteors called bolides, which are the largest and brightest type of fireballs. He added that last Saturdays meteor must have been very large to be visible during the day.

Fireball hunters asked people in southwest England to be on the lookout for any meteorite, though some experts suggested that the fireball might have landed in the sea in the Bristol Channel.

What are fireballs and why are they so bright?

According to the American Meteor Society (AMS), a fireball is an extremely bright meteor that radiates light equal to or greater than that of Venus in the night sky. It burns so brightly because of its size and speed. As a fireball enters Earths atmosphere, it slows down due to friction and heats up, releasing energy in the form of visible light.

The biggest and brightest fireballs, such as last Saturdays bolide, can be seen during the day. They also often create a sonic boom before breaking apart because they enter the atmosphere traveling faster than the speed of sound, which is about 761 miles per hour (mph).

While thousands of meteors of fireball magnitude hit the Earth everyday, daytime fireballs are rare. According to AMS, a fireball thats brighter than Venus usually appears once every 200 hours of meteor observing. Meanwhile, dimmer fireballs often make their way to the planet every 20 hours or so.

Most fireballs go unnoticed because they are not bright enough to be seen during the daytime. Additionally, they occur over the ocean and other uninhabited areas during the night.

Large meteors cause disastrous meteorite impacts

On Friday, March 19, a fireball reportedly exploded over Cuba in the middle of the night. Cuban authorities said that satellites registered the flash as a possible bolt of lightning but the sky was clear at the time. Scientists later said that a small space rock likely broke apart as it hit the atmosphere, causing the bright explosion.

Last February, a large nighttime fireball brightened the sky over the U.K. It was seen as far as the Netherlands and was reported to have generated a sonic boom. Experts estimate that the meteor was traveling at around 30,000 mph when it entered the atmosphere. (Related: Rare fireball illuminates the night sky in China.)

Sonic booms usually indicate that a meteor was large enough to survive the extreme trek through the sky and land on the planet as a meteorite. After the February fireball, for instance, a family in southwest England found a meteorite on their driveway.

Normally when you hear that, its a good sign that you have got rocks that have made it to the surface, said Ashley King from the UK Fireball Alliance (UKFall), a group of experts on the hunt for meteorites.

Its incredibly exciting and Im a bit stunned, King added, referring to last Saturdays meteor.

Meteorites hold great scientific value because they provide insights into how the solar system has formed. At the same time, meteors that are big enough to survive as meteorites pose a threat to life on Earth. In 2013, for example, an asteroid the size of a six-story building broke over the city of Chelyabinsk in Russia. The meteorite impact generated shockwaves that shattered windows and injured 1,200 individuals.

Learn more about past meteorite impacts and how they affected life on Earth at Space.news

Sources include:

LiveScience.com 1

AMSMeteors.org

GRC.NASA.gov

Express.co.uk

LiveScience.com 2

Space.com
By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top military officer from the United States and nearly a dozen of his counterparts are set to condemn on Saturday the deadly use of force by Myanmar's security forces and say the country's military has lost credibility with its people.

The joint statement, obtained by Reuters ahead of its planned release this weekend, is a rare declaration by the most senior military commanders from countries around the world, including in Asia and Europe.

It came after news reports and witnesses said Myanmar security forces killed 114 people on Saturday, including some children, on Armed Forces Day - the bloodiest day of its crackdown on pro-democracy protesters since last month's military coup.

"As Chiefs of Defense, we condemn the use of lethal force against unarmed people by the Myanmar Armed Forces and associated security services," read the draft statement.

It was signed by 12 chiefs of defense from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States.

Diplomats from these countries have already condemned the bloodshed by Myanmar's military, making the statement largely symbolic. Myanmar's military has so far ignored criticism of its violent crackdown on dissent.

While the draft statement did not explicitly condemn the Feb. 1 coup, which ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government, it said that a professional military must follow international standards for conduct "and is responsible for protecting - not harming - the people it serves."

It said the country's military must "cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions."

Myanmar's military has said it took power because November elections won by Suu Kyi's party were fraudulent, an assertion dismissed by the country's election commission. Suu Kyi remains in detention at an undisclosed location and many other figures in her National League for Democracy party are also in custody.

Story continues

The deaths on Saturday, Myanmar's annual Armed Forces Day, which commemorates the start of resistance to Japanese occupation in 1945, would take the number of civilians reported killed since the coup to more than 440.

New U.S. and European sanctions this week increased external pressure on the junta. But Myanmar's generals have enjoyed some support from Russia and China, both veto-holding members of the U.N. Security Council that could block any potential U.N. action.

Russia's deputy defense minister Alexander Fomin attended a parade in Myanmar's capital Naypyitaw on Saturday, having met senior junta leaders a day earlier.

Diplomats said eight countries - Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand - sent representatives to the Armed Forces Day parade, but Russia was the only one to send a minister.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum were the picture of style on Sunday.

The television personalities showcased their fabulous fashion sense while kicking off season sixteen of America's Got Talent in Los Angeles.

The upcoming season of the talent contest series will be the second to air under modified protocols, which have been put in place due to the onset of the global pandemic.

Back for work! Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum were spotted arriving for the taping of the first episode of America's Got Talent's sixteenth season on Sunday

Vergara looked ready for the day's work as she wore a brown-and-white patterned long-sleeve with a matching set of pants.

The 48-year-old tied off her outfit with a pair of heeled shoes and carried a light brown leather bag with her while heading to the show's taping.

The Chef actress' gorgeous dark blonde hair fell onto her shoulders and backside as she strutted down the city's sidewalks.

Klum kept it much more casual as she wore a slightly oversized white t-shirt by Dolce And Gabbana which featured the phrase '90's supermodel' printed across its front.

Looking good: Vergara wore a brown-and-white patterned long-sleeve blouse and a matching set of pants as she arrived at the show's taping

Good to be back: Klum appeared to be happy to be returning to the set of the talent contest show, which underwent a troubled production process last year

She paired her top with a pair of ever-so-slightly distressed gray jeans and a set of heeled black leather shoes while carrying a large bag to store her belongings.

The 47-year-old accessorized with a pair of large sunglasses, two rings worn on her left hand and a small set of hoop earrings.

The bright shade of the former Victoria's Secret Angel's gorgeous blonde hair contrasted well with the flatter tones of her outfit.

The third host to arrive at the show's taping was Howie Mandel, who appeared to be enthusiastic to get back to work.

Taking it easy: The former Victoria's Secret Angel was seen wearing a slightly oversized t-shirt and gray jeans as she arrived at the show's taping

There he is: Howie Mandel was also seen showing up for work alongside his co-hosts

The 65-year-old comedian kept it casual in a set of overalls worn on top of a black t-shirt and a pair of pink sneakers.

The noted germaphobe notably wore a large plastic-faced helmet to keep himself extra protected from COVID-19 while stepping out in public.

While relaxing before the show's taping, Vergara and Klum posed together for a mirror picture that was later posted to the former's Instagram account.

The Modern Family actress expressed her enthusiasm for the taping of the first episode of the series in the post's caption as she wrote, 'We r readyyyyy.'

Extreme precaution: The noted germaphobe wore a large head covering while arriving at the taping's venue

Backstage fun: Vergara later posted a photo to herself wearing Dolce And Gabbana to her Instagram account showing her and Klum spending time together before the start of the taping

The two switched out of their previous outfits for the shot, with the Machete Kills actress wearing a striking red dress.

She also made two posts to her Story, the first of which showed her standing in front of a neon sign; the text added to the post read 'We r back!!!!'

Vergara's second entry showed her holding up a cupcake with a small decoration bearing the face of Simon Cowell, who had to leave last season early due to suffering a back injury part of the way through filming.

The sixteenth season of America's Got Talent was confirmed last month after the fifteenth set of episodes underwent a troubled production process.

Big announcement: The Chef actress' first Story post showed her standing in front of a neon sign bearing the talent contest show's name

Back in business: She also posted a photo showing her holding a cupcake bearing longtime host Simon Cowell's face; the show's creator had to leave the series early last season due to suffering an injury

As the global pandemic grew worse, the show's producers decided to stop allowing audiences to attend auditions, before production was shut down entirely and the series was placed on a hiatus.

The program's filming eventually resumed, with further health-minded restrictions in place for the shooting of the remaining episodes.

All of last season's judges will return for its newest set of episodes, along with longtime host Terry Crews.

The sixteenth season of America's Got Talent is set to premiere on June 1st.
BJP released alleged audio recording of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee. TMC has attacked back by posting an alleged recording of BJP leader Mukul Roy. Also, the first phase of assembly elections in West Bengal has ended with polling on 30 assembly seats. More than 73 lakh voters determined the fate of 191 candidates in this round.

On the first day of the West Bengal assembly elections, an audio clip exploded in politics. First, the BJP released an alleged audio recording of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee stating that she requested election support from a BJP worker. Now, TMC has attacked back by posting an alleged audio recording of BJP leader Mukul Roy. According to the TMC, Roy is reportedly addressing manipulating the Election Commission in this discussion. Although, the audio clips are not confirmed yet.

According to media sources, Mukul Rai says in the audio that the Election Commission should issue an administrative order enabling any Bengal voter to function as a booth agent in any of the states booths.

According to the Trinamool Congress, Mukul Roy and Shishir Bajoria are said to be speaking in the audio file. Mukul Roy advises Bajoria to contact the Election Commission and insist that the rules be amended to enable outsiders to work as booth agents. Only local people should not be appointed as BJP booth agents; the party has the capacity to assign agents to each booth.

Also Read: First phase of elections LIVE updates: Voting underway in West Bengal and Assams poll-bound constituencies

Also, the first phase of assembly elections in West Bengal has ended yesterday, with polling on 30 assembly seats. More than 73 lakh voters determined the fate of 191 candidates in this round. According to the Election Commission, 79.79 percent of voters had cast ballots as of 6 p.m. Prime Minister Modi and Mamta Banerjee had earlier urged voters to turn out in large numbers. JP Nadda, the BJPs president, urged people to vote while protecting themselves from the coronavirus.

Voting underway at a polling booth in Contai in the first phase of polling for West Bengal Assembly elections pic.twitter.com/58NgxCe2rJ  ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2021

East Midnapore had the highest voter turnout of 82.51 percent, accompanied by Jhargram with 80.56 percent, West Medinipur with 80.12 percent, Bankura with 79.90 percent, and Purulia with 77.07 percent. On the other hand, violence at polling stations had an effect on the election process in certain places. Voters protested outside a polling station in the Kanthi South constituency of East Medinipur district, alleging that EVM machines were malfunctioning. The protestors blocked the road outside the polling station in Majna, stating that the VVPAT leaflet revealed that the vote was given to a different party than the one for which they voted.

First phase of West Bengal and Assam polls witnesses 79.79 per cent and 72.14 per cent voter turnout, respectively: Election Commission of India  ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2021

Also Read: PM Modi in Bangladesh amid Bengal polls: Know all about Bangladeshs Bengal connection
China's industrial profits accelerate rebound in first two months

Xinhua) 09:22, March 28, 2021

BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Profits of China's major industrial firms saw accelerated growth in the first two months of this year as the economy further firms up from the COVID-19-induced woes, official data showed Saturday.

Industrial firms with an annual business turnover of at least 20 million yuan (about 3.06 million U.S. dollars) saw their combined profits surge 179 percent year on year during the Jan.-Feb. period to 1.11 trillion yuan, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed.

When compared with the first two months of 2019, the figure represented a rise of 72.1 percent. The average growth rate in the past two years stood at 31.2 percent, NBS data showed.

The notable rebound was a combined result of recovery in both domestic and external demand, a low comparison base and longer production hours by firms as workers "stayed put" for the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday this year, NBS senior statistician Zhu Hong said.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, China's major industrial firms saw their profits decline by 38.3 percent year on year in the first two months last year.

The country quickly adopted a string of measures to coordinate epidemic control and production resumption. According to previous NBS data, all major indicators of consumption, investment and industrial production posted double-digit year-on-year growth in the first two months this year.

In a breakdown by ownership, state-controlled industrial firms saw their profits surge 182 percent from a year earlier while profits of private industrial firms jumped 137 percent year on year, NBS data showed.

Meanwhile, foreign-invested industrial firms saw their combined profits surge 219 percent from a year ago.

Profits in 38 of the 41 surveyed industrial sectors rose from the previous year, and profits of 24 sectors have more than doubled, according to the NBS.

The manufacturing sector made an impressive comeback, with profits in equipment and high-tech manufacturing sectors jumping more than 700 and 300 percent from last year, respectively. Thanks to surging demand for vaccines and anti-epidemic supplies, the pharmaceutical industry saw profits rise 95.4 percent year on year.

While major industrial firms continued a sound momentum of recovery, there remained challenges such as external uncertainties and unbalanced improvement across different sectors, said Zhu, urging efforts to consolidate the recovery.

China aims to expand its gross domestic product by over 6 percent year on year in 2021, with more efforts on reform, innovation and high-quality development, according to this year's government work report.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Scott Taylor needed to do something.

A crisis was unfolding in the Highland Park schools, setting off alarms in the district office just 10 weeks into the new school year.

Three times as many students failed at least one class at Highland Park Middle School than during the 2019-20 first marking period. Failing grades more than doubled at the high school. Even many of the districts reliable students were struggling after an all-remote start in September, said Taylor, the Highland Park superintendent.

Worried that the situation would only escalate as kids fell further behind, Taylor decided to throw a Hail Mary. The district abandoned letter grades below Cs, hoping to prevent students from giving up and completely disengaging during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We performed triage, said Taylor, who converted Ds to pass and Fs to incomplete. Its not necessarily the kids fault that they failed these classes. Its not the teachers fault either. Its just the circumstances of being in all-remote learning all of the time and dealing with the mental health stresses that come with the pandemic.

One year after New Jersey ordered all schools to close, the state has yet to release comprehensive data revealing the depths of learning loss during the pandemic. But early returns from districts such as Highland Park  along with results from an optional state exam  show what almost everyone expected: More students are failing classes, falling behind academically or ghosting teachers altogether as the coronavirus disrupts a second school year.

Children are suffering both emotionally and academically, to the point that Gov. Phil Murphy recently urged schools to open as quickly as they can before more students fall away.

It started off well, but slowly got worse and worse, said Christopher DelVecchio, a New Milford sixth grader whose once sterling marks plunged to Cs, Ds and Fs under remote learning. Most of the time I was thinking, I dont think I was as smart as I thought I was. Maybe I got dumber.

If the pandemic tested schools ability to teach under the worst possible circumstances, what comes next will be a colossal challenge when they are at their best. With the vaccination of teachers in full swing and Murphys expectation that all schools will reopen by the fall, local officials are already preparing for another unprecedented  and some might say impossible  task.

Can the school system Murphy touts as Americas finest  bolstered by $2.8 billion in recent federal rescue aid  get all 1.35 million students caught up?

The education of a generation of New Jersey students is at stake.

Weve had (learning loss) before, but never to this extent, and never in the way that were having to deal with it right now, said Suzanne McCotter, dean of The College of New Jerseys School of Education. What theyve lost is not only academic progress, but also social-emotional progress. And were not going to be able to increase that learning until we deal with where they are as human beings.

Educators and state leaders are not entirely in lockstep regarding the best way to close the learning gap.

Some say students face a years-long climb that will produce results if districts revise curriculum and temporarily reconsider grade-level expectations. A combination of summer school, afterschool programs and targeted interventions will then help raise students back to pre-pandemic learning levels.

Others think plenty of students will eventually recover, but its unrealistic to expect the pandemics damage can be fully repaired.

If schools attempt to hold students to existing standards right away, it could be even more detrimental to their learning, said Tanya Maloney, a professor of teaching and learning at Montclair State University.

I dont think this is any small thing that we can say, Oh, it will just take a couple of years, and we will all be back, Maloney said. We are looking at a long period of time. I would say at least a generation. When we think about the children who are currently in elementary school, I would be very curious to see where they will be by the time they are in high school.

However, learning loss should be a secondary concern at a time when families are struggling to keep kids emotionally intact, leaders in the state education community say. Schools are more than capable of re-teaching concepts students should have already mastered, while also forging ahead with the curriculum this fall, said Patricia Wright, executive director of the New Jersey Association of Principals and Supervisors.

But several state lawmakers worry that students will be left behind, especially kids in low-income communities where many children were struggling before the pandemic.

A proposed state law giving parents the right to hold their children back next school year  even over objections from administrators  has already won support from the Senate Education Committee. The New Jersey Education Association, the states largest teachers union, opposes the bill.

We are burying our head in the sand by maintaining that everybody is receiving a thorough and efficient education, said state Sen. Shirley Turner, D-Mercer, who sponsored the bill. Because they are not.

Are students really learning?

Boose is supposed to teach a class of 19 third graders at East Oranges Benjamin Banneker Academy. Instead, she sees a Zoom screen, where 18 of the 19 students regularly log on. Only 13 of them typically stay engaged throughout the entire day, while the others get distracted by computer games or YouTube clips, she said.

Booses students usually tell her they understand the math concepts she is teaching. But she cant walk the aisles to check their step-by-step progress like she would in the classroom. Its only after they submit their work that she finds out the truth.

Then I realize, Wow, many of the kids didnt get this, said Boose, who has taught third grade for eighth years. I thought I taught a great lesson.

The states rushed foray into remote instruction was never meant to last this long. Even after a summer dedicated to improving distance learning, its still not effective for many children  which parents have screamed loudly enough for everyone to hear.

It has been a nightmare because every kid has a different learning style and different needs, said Miriam Velasco, a New Milford mother of four boys whose schools were closed for most of the winter because of COVID-19.

Luke Apergis, her eighth grader, and James Apergis, her sixth grader, saw their typical As and Bs turn to borderline failing grades. Her youngest son, Owen Apergis, needed her to sit with him and rewrite the words and numbers from his computer screen onto a white board just so he could follow along with his first grade lessons.

Velascos third grader, Nate Apergis, repeatedly burst into tears and slammed his computer shut because he felt like he was falling behind his classmates.

There is no way that they got everything they were supposed to get, Velasco said. I am really worried about what this is going to mean for next year.

The New Jersey Start Strong assessments, an optional exam administered to about 90,000 students in the fall, found one-third of kids in grades 4-10 could need strong support in both English and math. In science, which typically involves more hands-on learning, 57% of students tested across grades 5, 8 and 11 could also need strong support, the state Department of Education found.

Officials cautioned against making any sweeping judgments from the small sample size, but some districts are already flagging concerning results from their own assessment data.

In Millville, a district where 70% of students are economically disadvantaged, about 45% of kindergarteners were reading on grade level in January 2020. When the same students returned for first grade in September, just 15% still met that benchmark.

The numbers improved by January 2021  about 25% were reading on grade level  but still fell far short of the same point last school year.

Whats even more concerning is the dramatic rise in Millville students who need intensive help in reading. That number ballooned from 28% last January when the students were in kindergarten to 72% in September when they started first grade. In January 2021, the district found 61% of them still needed intensive reading support.

In raw numbers, that means 90 additional Millville children in first grade alone will need significant help just to develop reading skills.

The loss of learning, although its crucial at all levels, it is more profound at the younger grades, Millville Superintendent Tony Trongone said.

But benchmark testing reveals only part of the story while children are still at home.

Some of Booses third graders dont use punctuation or capitalize letters when they submit online writing assignments. Is that because they havent learned that they need to? Or is it because they dont know how to do it on the keyboard?

The truth of the matter is these kids are at home, and they could be looking up answers on the computer or have parents and siblings and aunties and uncles around who may be assisting them with their work, Boose said. There is really no way to know right now who really knows what and who is performing at what grade level.

After the chaos of remote learning last spring  when an estimated 350,000 students lacked computers, internet access or both  schools promoted many children to the next grade, even if they had stopped completing assignments. The thinking was students shouldnt be blamed for circumstances out of their control, especially when research suggests retaining them increases the odds they will drop out.

But some districts have reported major attendance problems even after closing their digital divides. A few saw students effectively disappear early in the school year. Camden Public Schools told the State Board of Education in December that roughly 25% of students were failing to log on to virtual classes each day.

Now that the pandemic has kept more than 300,000 students out of the classroom for at least a full calendar year in districts such as Newark, Paterson, Jersey City and beyond  lawmakers are beginning to question whether that approach should apply in 2021.

Turner has heard horror stories from parents who say their children havent learned anything since schools closed in March 2020. Parents have always been able to request that a student repeats a grade, but her proposal would take the final decision away from administrators and let families choose.

These are students who are left hopelessly behind. Many of them were behind before the pandemic, Turner said at a hearing earlier this month. This is an opportunity for those children to catch up and have a do-over year.

Education groups, including the NJEA and the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, said parents should trust that their schools can and will get students caught up.

I think there may be gaps, but I do think we need to give students and educators enough credit to say that learning did go on this year, Wright said.

The stigma associated with retention could weigh heavily on students who have already endured a traumatic year, according to McCotter.

Every kid is going to be in the same boat, she said. Teachers in schools have a herculean task to figure out how to deal with this. But theyre going to figure out how to deal with this.

Now what?

Christopher DelVecchio couldnt focus  not with his parents away at work, social media one click away and the familys playful dogs yearning for his affection.

The 11-year-old middle school student tried to follow along on the computer, but staying engaged with his remote schoolwork became harder each day, he said. His two older brothers were both busy with their own assignments, so there was no one to force him to pay attention.

I would get distracted the whole time during class, and I wouldnt be able to focus that much, he said. So I would be pacing around the room petting my dogs and stuff.

Christopher had been a good student in elementary school, but suddenly was averaging Cs and Ds as uncompleted assignments mounted. He lost confidence and worried he was letting down his mom, he said.

He eventually pulled up most of his grades, especially once he returned to in-person learning in February. He still has a C+ in math, which was always his favorite subject. Hes hopeful he can catch up, but his mother is concerned.

I feel like maybe he is not going to be where he needs to be when he gets to seventh grade, Brooke DelVecchio said. I dont think its just Christopher. I think there are more kids than not who really are behind.

Indeed, schools will have thousands of Christophers.

The old rule of thumb is a student who has a poor teacher for one year will need two years to catch up, McCotter said. But no one really knows if that timeline applies after the unprecedented impact of the pandemic.

One of the big challenges is that because every kid is going to be coming in at such a different place, teachers arent going to be able to teach a class of second graders the way they usually would, McCotter said.

The state Department of Education declined to predict how long it will take students to catch up, saying acceleration is likely to look different for every student. But New Jersey districts are suddenly flush with federal money, which they plan to use to launch an aggressive response to offset the damage of the pandemic.

The state recently directed $1.2 billion in federal aid to school districts for COVID-related needs. President Joe Bidens administration announced another $2.8 billion for New Jersey schools in the American Rescue Plan, giving districts an opportunity to hire additional staff and increase instructional time.

Schools are talking about extensive one-on-one or small group tutoring, the possibility of Saturday academies and expanding before and after school programs. Yet its fair to wonder if the path forward will be as contentious as the road that led here.

Almost every issue in education has spilled into a fight over the past 12 months, from closing schools, to the quality of remote learning, to bringing teachers back into classrooms. Parents have lost patience with school leaders. School boards and teacher unions have tangled in court. One recent study found 38% of teachers nationally said the stress of the pandemic has made them consider changing jobs.

State Sen. Teresa Ruiz, chair of the Senate Education Committee, questions whether the education establishments approach lacks urgency.

New Jersey sometimes celebrates its school systems accolades  including a No. 1 ranking from U.S. News & World Report  to a fault, she said.

That is not a truth for every single student in the state of New Jersey, and it almost becomes an egregious title that we hang onto, Ruiz said earlier this month. It is disrespectful for communities who have been most vulnerable and impacted in this time frame.

Existing disparities in schools will likely widen as districts with more students who have fallen behind will struggle to catch up. Parents in affluent districts can pay for tutors and educational summer camps that other families cannot.

Here is where the government has to come in and say, We are not going to let this be a wider gap in our public school system, Ruiz said.

In Millville, the first safety net is summer school, Trongone said.

The district is preparing a program unlike anything it has offered before. Larger enrollment. A longer school day. Maybe even a focus on field trips  whatever it takes to make sure kids are also having fun.

I think 50% of them need it, Trongone said of his students in the early grades. This could be a pretty large undertaking.

Summer school has traditionally been a small operation for students in dire need or high school students who must make up credits to graduate. But district leaders see this summer as a chance to re-teach foundational math and literacy skills and reacclimate younger students to the classroom.

In Highland Park, Taylor envisions doubling or even tripling summer school enrollment by blending academics with intramural sports, yoga and meditation.

But schools cant require students to attend, officials said, so how many students will participate remains an open question. Will parents be desperate to get their children back into the classroom? Or will they want to give them a normal, stress-free summer after the pandemic threw their lives into disarray?

We have to build it so they come, Trongone said. That is why the federal government is giving us the support. To build it so they come.

Even so, hes not sure what to expect.

We are really in uncharted territory as far as what parents are going to want to do with their kids, Trongone said.

Many students could benefit from summer school, but the biggest concern is taking care of their mental health needs, said Marie Blistan, the NJEA president. Schools need to invest in nurses and counselors to make sure children have the support they need, she said.

I can tell you if a kid comes into my classroom upset about something, I dont care if Ive got the best lesson in the world, the kid isnt tuning in, Blistan said.

In Highland Park, counselors found many students felt overwhelmed by schoolwork, the pandemic and their emotions after remote learning, Taylor said. Kids in pre-K through fifth grade now attend school five days a week for four hours a day, while middle and high school students attend two days a week.

In addition to counseling support, Taylor wants the district to rethink how it grades students. He wants teachers to stop grading compliance assignments  a nice way of saying they should no longer tie grades to what parents have long considered busy work.

Teachers can begin repairing academic loss once they have evaluated how much social and emotional work students need, he said.

I am only going to know what the fallout is going to be once I get lots of kids together again in person, Taylor said, so I can observe how they are relating to each other.

Boose, a veteran, has trimmed her virtual instruction lesson plans to the core materials and combines two days of lessons into one when possible. Shes a bit behind where she should be in the curriculum, but not too far, she said.

I have to get right into the nitty gritty of the lessons, because we dont have a lot of time, she said. For newer teachers and teachers new to a certain grade level, I cannot imagine the challenge that would come with teaching in this virtual world.

Experts agree that educators are going to need help. Rather than pulling individual students out for remedial work, schools should think about bringing as many specialists into the classroom as possible, said Lesley Sylvan, a certified speech-language pathologist and professor at Montclair State University, who researches support systems in schools.

It is a really big task for a classroom teacher to think about all of this while also teaching the curriculum for the year, she said.

The federal funding can be used over the next two school years, so Trongones goal is to get Millvilles students caught up within that time frame, he said. Teachers will have an opportunity to reteach basic skills to those who need it, while also building on them by the end of the school year.

It is going to be a lot of work, Trongone said. It is not going to be easy, but we are going to do our best.

Yet the what-ifs linger in the back of almost everyones mind. What if children are not vaccinated by the fall and come to school sick and cause an outbreak? What if vaccines are not effective against the highly contagious variants?

I dont think we can assume that just because were beyond this particular set of circumstances that the kids are all going back to school, McCotter said. I dont think were done with the same kinds of needs that weve had this school year. I think wed be foolish to think that.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Adam Clark may be reached at aclark@njadvancemedia.com. Have a news tip or a story idea about New Jersey schools? Send it here.
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.
Four days after Scott Kell and his family evacuated their Wisemans Ferry property via an old bush track as floodwater inundated the region, he returned to find his entire life floating in the living room.

It was actually mind-boggling. It was pretty emotional, Mr Kell said on Sunday afternoon.

You cannot fathom your life just floating around like that.

Zahra Kell and her cousin Mischa survey the flood damage at Wisemans Ferry on Sunday. Credit:Dean Sewell

Mr Kell, who owns a wakeboarding school on the southern bank of the Hawkesbury, said he was cut off by floodwater on Sunday evening a week ago. On Monday morning, he and his family travelled by four-wheel-drive through a bush track on a neighbouring property to reach safety.
A tent encampment near the Coyote Creek Trail in San Jose, Calif., on March 24, 2021. (David Lam/The Epoch Times)

San Jose to Remove Homeless Camps for Trail Renovation

SAN JOSE, Calif.Homeless people who live along the Coyote Creek Trail in the San Francisco Bay Area may soon need to relocate, as the city of San Jose is planning to remove their encampments.

The Coyote Creek Trail in San Jose stretches about 19 miles. Many homeless individuals have made part of this trail their home.

Along the creek, several tents are set up. Less than 20 feet away, theres a trail thats designed for hiking and biking. However, there has been less activity recently due to the increased number of homeless people.

A portion of the Coyote Creek Trail in San Jose, Calif., on March 24, 2021. (David Lam/The Epoch Times)

The city plans to sweep the tents out so the area will be used more by the general public again.

San Joses goal for its Trail Safety Plan is to ensure public safety and sense of security.

The city has expressed concern about children walking past the camps. Water pollution from the camps is also an issue.

This is a students walk to George Shirakawa Sr. Elementary in Rock Springs neighborhood, San Jose Councilmember Maya Esparza said during a public meeting on March 23.

Photos from a presentation given during a San Jose City Council meeting on March 23, 2021. (The Epoch Times/Screenshot)

The city began taking down tents and other makeshift homes and removing homeless individuals last week.

Alternative shelter may be offered, but it will be based on availability.

Opponents of the sweep are against destroying tents and property. They want the homeless people to have a place to go.

One speaker during the public comment period of the meeting said: It is immoral. There are children out there. There are people who have nowhere to go. We need to help people. We need to know where theyre going first, before we decide to kick them out.

The underside of a bridge along the Coyote Creek Trail in San Jose, Calif., on March 24, 2021. (David Lam/The Epoch Times)

A nearby resident told NTD Television he thinks the renovation is a good thing. But if the population isnt properly housed, hes afraid they may relocate to another area or highway.

One biker, San Jose resident Bunrith Sar, says hes never seen any problems with the encampments.

It doesnt bother me at all, Sar told NTD Television.

He saw more tents pop up in another part of the city.

Recently, a couple days ago, I see a lot in  Story Road, before [Highway] 101, Sar said. Theres a lot of tents. They relocated somewhere. Ive never seen that on that side before, Sar said.

Even though San Jose is in Silicon Valley, which is considered a wealthy area, homelessness is still an issue despite the citys attempts to find solutions.

Part of the trail is scheduled to be renovated and cleaned up by August, and the whole length is to be completed and connected next fall.
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.
Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
HYDERABAD: After trying bio-remediation methods, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has decided to try remediation to eradicate the foul smell, stop the growth of algae and improve water quality at the Hussainsagar.

HMDA officials have floated global tenders of Rs 10 crore for the job. The bio-remediation attempted so far is a process that treats contaminants by altering environmental conditions and stimulating growth of microorganisms that degrade pollutants. In remediation, water will be tested and external chemicals used for neutralisation, which could arrest bad odour and improve water quality.

Last year, the HMDA had entrusted bio-remediation to Matrix Environment Inc. for a period of six months after floating global tenders. Matrix reportedly started work in Mar-ch 2020 and continued till August, as the agreement period was for six months. Authorities contended that they terminated the work of Matrix as rainwater expected into the lake in the monsoon would wash away contaminants.

Prior to that, the HMDA floated global tenders and accorded the project to city-based Ezox Environment LLP. Expressing satisfaction over the pilot project, the Ezox, in collaboration with Matrix Environment, a Ca-nada-based firm with exp-ertise in controlling water pollution and removing sediments in water bodies, was given the project.

However, HMDA expressed displeasure with the work and terminated the project. The reason was not disclosed but official sources said that the firm was registered in a mechanic shed at Mir Alam Tank Road opposite the Nehru Zoological Park at Bahadurpura in the city. When asked about this, Param Jyothi, executive engineer, said the HMDA had never agreed to engage Ezox Environment LLP to take up the Hussainsagar cleaning project. The official refused to answer further queries.

In 2018, the Hussainsagar cleaning project was handed over to NACOF, a Bengaluru-based company. It treated the lake water using effective microorganisms (EM) technology, sprayed EM solution and introduced Bokashi balls (EM mud balls) in the lake. The outcome was satisfactory for a while, as the water quality improved. The foul smell reduced while dissolved oxygen (DO) ranged from 3.6 to 6.4 mg/l and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) ranged between 30 and 36 mg/l. The agreement was signed with the company for 12 months and Rs 3 crore was spent.

However, a heavy downpour brought the condition of the lake back to square one.

HMDA is now going in for remediation of Hussainsagar. It invited requests for proposal (RFPs) on March 22 from proven technology companies, which provide in-situ treatment using bio-remediation or equivalent technology to remove algal blooms and minimise odour generated from the water body. The main objective of the project is to reinstate the natural ecosystem and improve water quality by increasing the dissolved oxygen (DO) level.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Anyone who wondered, during this past annus horribilis, whether many Americans no longer grasped the meaning of democracy, could find plenty of stats to back that dismal conclusion.

In 2018, only around a third of Americans could pass a basic U.S. citizenship test modeled on the one required of immigrants for naturalization, according to a survey released by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship foundation. And that was before the Trump administration made the immigration test harder.

And, in 2019, the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania found that only 39% of American adults could name all three branches of our federal government. In 2020, that number jumped to 51%, perhaps because the first impeachment of Donald Trump provided a short course in civics.

But as antidemocratic trends threaten our country, this level of civic ignorance has revived bipartisan interest in civic education. Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, have just introduced the Civics Secures Democracy Act, which would fund educators, nonprofits and state agencies to strengthen civics education for K-12 students. The idea is to ensure sustained federal support for a civics curriculum developed by districts and states.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Before this bipartisan bill gets bogged down by partisan attacks, I suggest all sides take a look at Germanys deep experience with civic education, and the role it plays in combating extremism and racism. There are important lessons to be learned.

Germany has a long tradition of civic education, I was told by Daniel Koehler, director of the German Institute on Radicalization and De-radicalization Studies in Stuttgart. Given the countrys history of fascism, the German federal democracy set a goal of spreading basic knowledge of democracy, rule of law, and history of past conflicts, Koehler said.

We call it political education, and it is very established in our primary and secondary schools, including a history of the Shoah (Holocaust), the reign of the Nazis and national socialism, and World Wars I and II. When I went to school, we had to visit several concentration camps.

Beyond Germanys particular history, political education includes the basics of how democracy works, how a law is made, how elections work and why democracy today is the way it is, says Koehler. That includes discussing democracys current problems in Germany and elsewhere. (Civic education, available for adults and kids, hasnt prevented actions by far-right extremists. But it well may have contributed to sliding support for the far-right Alternative for Deutschland party, which won 12.6% of votes in the most recent federal election).

And here is the most critical part for Americans to ponder: Germany has a Federal Agency for Civic Education, along with civic education centers in each of its 16 states, that is considered nonpartisan. That means they focus on producing books, workshops and materials for teachers based on the values  in our constitution, says Koehler.

Teaching materials are augmented by a vast array of nongovernmental organizations, including foundations funded by each political party. There is a strong focus on the need for pluralism and lessons on how to tell fake news from real.

Sound too good to be true? Koehler says not. There is no partisan conflict over (federal and state) civic education centers, he says. They are more or less independent in choosing their topics and have academic expert advisory groups. Each state, he adds, has its own focus points, different cultural and political issues, but they try to follow the basic template.

However, and here comes the key: What is controversial in society must be presented as controversial, explains Koehler. In other words, students must be presented with all sides of a controversy and then given the chance to argue it out in the classroom.

The idea is so they can make their own views. There must be no conversion on political issues. This protects political education from political overreach.

Is such a concept even imaginable in todays America? In the last months of 2020, the Trump administration called for patriotic education. His presidential 1776 commission promoted a pro-American civic curriculum that would downplay the role of slavery in American history. President Joe Biden has already disbanded the commission as overtly political.

Yet, the fact remains that, as of 2018, only nine states and the District of Columbia required a full year of civics. (In 2018, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a vague act requiring schools to give one civics test between grades 7-12 that could be based on the citizenship test for immigrants.)

Led by Judge Marjorie Rendell, Philadelphias Rendell Center has had the brilliant idea of holding mock trials in elementary classrooms based on characters in the literature the kids are reading; the students play lawyers, judge and jury. A great way for youngsters to learn the meaning of rule of law, but dependent on teachers having the will and time to integrate the trials into their curriculum.

To go wider, there needs to be political consensus and funding for civic education that teaches kids about the meaning and value of democratic institutions  with all their warts and historic baggage.

And that hopefully incorporates the German approach of letting kids debate the controversies.

If Sens. Coons and Cornyn (with White House backing) can convince the public that civic ed is possible, without partisan hysteria, they will truly deserve the countrys thanks.

Trudy Rubin is a columnist and editorial-board member for the The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Dear Annie: Im in my mid-60s and have worked for the same hotel chain for almost five years. I have worn every hat imaginable there and have rarely missed a day of work. When the pandemic first started, a lot of co-workers just stopped coming in, so a few of us picked up the slack. I pulled any and all shifts just to keep the hotel up and running. I am a salaried employee, so I didnt get overtime for the extra hours that I was putting in.

In October 2019, my fiance was admitted to the hospital due to illness. He ended up staying there for months and contracted COVID-19, which he eventually died of in March 2020. While he was sick in the hospital, I visited him every night but never missed a day of work.

I ended up getting COVID-19 myself a few weeks ago. Fortunately, Ive recovered, and the doctors gave me my release letter, stating that its safe for me to return to work. My problem is that I dont want to get sucked into the same routine as before -- working 12- or 14-hour days. I have high blood pressure, prediabetes and spinal stenosis. Also, I have another job offer that could provide health insurance and other benefits that this hotel job doesnt offer. How should I tell my bosses that Ive had enough? -- Overworked and Over It

Dear Overworked: Im so sorry for the loss of your fiance. As for your work situation: I have a feeling youre the type to silently shoulder the world and never mention when your back is getting tired. Well, Atlas, its time to speak up.

If you want to stay with the hotel, then tell management you will only be doing the standard eight-hour days from here on out. If they give you trouble, you can look into employment law in your state. In some states, even salaried exempt employees are entitled to overtime compensation.

On the other hand, if youve already made up your mind to take this new job, then congratulations! Type up a dated letter of resignation addressed to your supervisor, noting your final day. And when you start your new job, be careful not to work yourself too hard. It sounds as though you might be your own worst boss.

Dear Annie: Why do so many restaurant servers use the same cloth to wipe off tables and chairs and even spills on the floor? It happens in fast-food restaurants and in fine dining establishments. I would feel much better if one cloth was used for tables and another color cloth for seats. I know restaurants are stressed right now and I dont want to add more to their plates, but each time I see that cloth go from table to table and seat to table I wonder how many germs went with it. Yuck! -- Grossed Out

Dear Grossed Out: The damp cloth is likely being continuously soaked in a strong sanitizing solution that kills virtually all germs. And for what its worth, your food should be on a plate and your silverware on a napkin -- not in direct contact with the table. But if it bothers you, I encourage you to bring sanitizing wipes with you so you can run over the table yourself for peace of mind. I think a lot of us will be taking such extra precautions for many years to come.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM
At last, the Sun is shining both literally and figuratively. This is Happy Monday as another phase of lockdown comes to an end and we can meet in groups of two families. Or so we were told a while ago. But the Covid situation keeps changing like the London weather, and strict international travel bans come into force.

Earlier last week, India was headlined on the front page  fortunately, in a way, it was a compliment, not a criticism. But now the news that our vaccine supply may be interrupted because the new wave in India will impact vaccine exports to the UK has spread gloom. We have had only the fantastic success of the vaccination programme thus far to cheer us. By now, 32 million doses have been delivered catering to 43 per cent of the population, Second only to Israel. All adults were due to be vaxxed by the end of April. Now we are not sure and have to wait.

There is awe and wonder at how the Serum Institute has become the largest supplier of vaccines with special features on Adar Poonawala appearing in the media every day. (Makes a change from debates on farmers protests being discussed in Parliament.)

And so now we have stories on the prince of vaccines, with a fortune of 11 billion pounds, hiring a mansion on Mayfair for 50,000 pounds a week. We also know all about his property portfolio including the homes in India and about his fleet of 35 luxury cars which includes a Mercedes redesigned as a batmobile Of course, it may be modelled on the vehicle owned by the fictional superhero, Batman, but with Covid, bats have a special significance, wouldnt you say, hmm? But to be honest, while he vaccinates the world, Adar has become a superhero as well who can grudge him his reported collection of Picasso and Dali? Well deserved  as lives have been saved after Adar took a risk and invested in the Oxford vaccine, long before anyone else thought of it.

The country remains obsessed by vaccines. On the news channels, in newspapers in daily conversations, Covid and vaccines dominate, as now we await the Covid annual booster jabs just like we have for flu.

We are also eagerly awaiting our final release in end-June. Even so, Boris Johnson keeps on hedging his bets. Twice bitten, three times shy is his story. People are demanding a final decision but no luck. The angry ones want an inquiry into the mistakes made over the last fifteen months but Boris is in no hurry. These inquiries take so long that he may have retired by the time they give their report.

The half-serious speculation is that Boris will quit being Prime Minister  not because he cant win  but because he cant afford it. Compared to what he made as a columnist (at 2500 per column) the Prime Minister only gets a low six-figure salary. The house at No. 10 Downing Street has just the top floor flat for living purposes. There is no government budget for decoration.

So when they moved, his fiancee decided that the place needed redecoration. There was no money from the government kitty. So private donations had to be made to buy a decent sofa and repaint the walls. This created another scandal, which has been running for some time Where did the quarter-million come from? This must be the only country where the citizens dont want their rulers to spend money officially on their homes but also dont approve if they help themselves to their friends money. So what can a poor Prime Minister do? Unlike in India, no one here gets huge budgets to redecorate their homes when they shift into an official residence. But in India  politicians to bureaucrats  everyone is entitled to a redecoration spree.

Perhaps the saddest event of the week has been the accidental death of a seal, who had made his home in the Thames. Freddie, as the locals called him, had washed up from colder climes into the river some time back and decided to settle down. He had become a much-loved attraction. Alas, the other day, a woman, QC no less, was walking her dog by the river when the dog escaped her control and mauled poor Freddie. Freddie died but there are no guilty parties. The dog owner was helpless, as the dog would not let go. It was as if they had known each other and had a score to settle. Seals may be cute but the English treasure their dogs. After all, we are told that highly placed advisers to the Prime Minister have been transferred for being rude to Dilyn the Number 10 dog.
(Natural News) President Joe Bidens $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package has kept thousands of people who lost their jobs fed and comfortable thus far amid the pandemic. On March 6, the Senate voted to approve that package, which included a federal jobless benefit supplement of $300 per week until Sept. 6.

But the stimulus package is hurting small businesses. Small business owners said it is now difficult to get people to go back to work or even call in for an interview because of the generous federal aid.

Mark Owens, who owns an insulation and a trucking company in Indiana, said the inability to hire people has put a burden on his businesses during a virtual roundtable hosted by Rep. Jackie Walorski on March 24.

[Nobody] wants to come and work, said Owens. He said his businesses ran roughly 150 job advertisements from December last year until Feb. 15. Only three people showed up for an interview during that time, and Owens said they only came to get a proof that they were looking for a job so that they could claim benefits. Some candidates that really wanted the job never showed up again, added Owens.

He said this inability to hire people has been an emotional rollercoaster for many small business owners like himself.

Jobs are available, but few are calling

Small business owners have trouble hiring workers even though there is no shortage of jobs. In fact, a monthly survey by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) showed that job openings in February reached an all-time record high, with 40 percent of businesses saying they are struggling to fill openings.

In contrast, only seven percent of businesses said they struggled to fill job openings during the 2009 recession, said Holly Wade, executive director of the NFIB Research Center. Meanwhile, Walorski and several other Republican lawmakers said businesses shouldnt be made to compete with unemployment benefits.

Walorski said the pandemic has destroyed peoples work ethic, and the weekly stimulus checks only add to the destruction. According to American Action Forum (AAF), 37 percent of workers could make more from unemployment benefits than by returning to work.

Chris Roth, president of a manufacturing company specializing in irrigation systems and technology in Nebraska, said they saw a surge in business over the past few months. However, they still struggled to get their open job positions filled.

Roth said during the roundtable discussion that they had to bring in employees from other states. He said they even paid for the employees stay in the local motels. Eventually, they bought a local motel that they could renovate and turn into an employee housing building.

Mike Williamson, operations manager of a seafood restaurant in Washington, said he hasnt even received any applications. Like other business owners in the area, Williamson has jobs available but few people are responding to the online job postings and Help Wanted signs on store windows.

Williamson has been looking for workers since indoor dining restrictions are more relaxed. He said hed prefer to have experienced workers in some positions but not all. At this point, he said he has no problems getting high school students to work at the restaurant.

Civil Knox, general manager of a local shopping center in Washington, said their tenants are short-staffed despite actively looking for helpers. Its because theres free money out there, she said. You keep giving free money, why work? Its beyond sad.

Ron Smith, operations manager at a mall in Pennsylvania, agreed with Knox. He argued that people dont want to work because they keep getting government money. He said they have had instances where candidates would skip their scheduled interviews or would hang up when hed call to schedule their interviews.

David Lamatrice, owner of a steakhouse in Washington, had similar complaints. He said they have had trouble with people who would ditch their scheduled interviews once they have fulfilled requirements proving they are seeking work. The requirements allow them to claim unemployment benefits.

I think some people are happy to get their unemployment [benefits] and make it last, said Lamatrice.

Republican lawmakers to file bill that will help businesses

Republican lawmakers, including Texas Rep. Kevin Brady announced plans to introduce a bill to help business owners having trouble hiring workers. The bill would allow states to convert unemployment benefits into a one-time hiring bonus to encourage people to pursue work.

At the virtual roundtable, Alex Adams, budget director for Idaho, said Idahos unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the country because they implemented return-to-work incentives. The state paid each person who went back to work $1,500 as a bonus. Overall, Idaho spent $36 million in bonuses to get people to work.

If lawmakers can pass a bill that incentivizes work on a nationwide scale, more people may look for work in their area and support struggling businesses in the process. (Related: Bill Gates warns US entering worst phase of pandemic, thinks closing restaurants is appropriate.)

Go to Pandemic.news to learn more about how the coronavirus pandemic has affected small businesses.

Sources include:

CNBC.com

TheEpochTimes.com

Observer-Reporter.com
She returned to work earlier this month following her holiday at the Malliouhana Auberge Resort in Anguilla.

And Kimberley Garner treated herself to some more relaxation as she took a dip in the sea during a trip to the beach in Miami on Wednesday.

The swimwear designer, 30, showcased her gym-honed figure as she slipped into a black criss-cross swimwear set by her eponymous line.

Bikini babe: Kimberley Garner treated herself to some more relaxation as she took a dip in the sea during a trip to the beach in Miami on Wednesday

Looking every inch the bikini babe, the former Made In Chelsea star caught the eye in the two-piece, which featured a triangle-style bralet with straps and a matching thong.

The businesswoman proved less is more as she accessorised with just a silver necklace.

With her locks drenched in water, the bombshell displayed her naturally radiant complexion by going make-up free.

Off she goes: The swimwear designer, 30, showcased her gym-honed figure as she slipped into a black criss-cross swimwear set by her eponymous line

While international travel is currently prohibited from her native Britain, the blonde beauty has been able to fly without restriction after basing herself at her second home on the Florida coast.

Kimberley has been sunning it up in Miami with her boyfriend since late December, after spending Christmas in Barbados.

But it hasn't all been carefree partying as she took to Instagram to defend herself from backlash over her international travel.

Keeping up with Kimberley: The former Made In Chelsea star has been updating her fans on her day-to-day activities on social media

The TV star said she jetted out of the UK on December 14  a week before London moved into Tier 4  to 'check on my apartment'.

The London native said at the time: 'I bought my place here this time two years ago. It was a massive achievement, still really can't believe it sometimes. I run a business - I'm not an influencer.

'I am here, but I am very very strict still. I see people in Tulum and all over going to parties and it doesn't feel right to me.

'I haven't been out to any parties and turned down invites from friends as feel it's just not right to be in a crowd - it's not OK at the moment.

'I'm really lucky to be in the sun and outdoors, and am valuing that totally, but not going to live normally as it's not a normal world at the moment.

'I really think and feel for everyone home at the moment, it really sucks, please be brave, please be kind to each other.'
New Delhi, March 28 : Popular as the 'Tree Man', Marimuthu Yoganathan, a bus conductor in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore city, on Sunday accumulated admiration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his extraordinary initiative to encourage people in planting trees.

Yoganathan gives free saplings to the bus travellers along with the ticket and he has spent a large portion of his income for this purpose.

The bus conductor is learnt to have planted over three lakh saplings in the last 30 years using his own money.

Besides, getting praise from Prime Minister, Yogananthan has been honoured with "Eco Warrior" award by Vice President M.Venkaiah Naidu, 'Unsung Hero' award by wildlife filmmaker Mike Pandey and film actor John Abraham in "Timberland" function held in Delhi. He has also garnered appreciation on social media too.

While addressing the country in the 75th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat', the Prime Minister said there is Marimuthu Yoganathan who works as a bus conductor in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

"Yoganathanji while issuing tickets to the passengers of his bus also gives a sapling free of cost. In this way, Yoganathanji has got planted of innumerable trees! Yoganathanji has been spending a big chunk of his salary towards this work.

"Now after listening to this story, who as a citizen will not appreciate the work of Marimuthu Yoganathan? I heartily congratulate his efforts, for his inspirational work," Modi said. Yoganathan is employed as a bus conductor in the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation. He is known as eco activist and Yoganathan visited around 3,743 universities, colleges, schools and industries and took classes to raise environmental awareness.

The 52-year-old conductor, who has been conferred with the title 'Sutru Suzal Seyal Veerar' by the Tamil Nadu government, reportedly uses 40 per cent of his monthly salary towards buying saplings and educating children.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-29 02:34:04|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

CAIRO, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed on Sunday the controversial Ethiopian grand dam built on the Nile River, the recent developments in Libya, and counter-terrorism efforts.

During a phone conversation, both presidents also discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in many fields, especially at the economic and military levels, said Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady in a statement.

They also talked about the activities of the French companies working on various development projects in Egypt, the spokesman added.

President Sisi touched on the latest developments of the Libyan issue and Egypt's firm strategic position in this regard, stressing his country's efforts to support the new interim executive authority in Libya.

Sisi also affirmed the necessity of evacuating Libya from mercenaries and preventing illegal foreign interference in the Libyan affairs.

The two presidents also exchanged views on the developments of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Grand Dam (GERD) built on the Nile River, Rady said.

Sisi affirmed that Egypt gives this issue the utmost attention within the framework of defending Egypt's historical rights in the Nile waters through reaching a comprehensive and legally binding agreement by the three countries of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on the rules of the filling and operation of the dam.

Macron, for his part, expressed his aspiration to reach a solution that serves the interests of all parties as soon as possible.

The French president also praised Egypt's vital role in resolving the Libyan crisis, which led to the political path to a solution of the Libyan issue, stressing France's keenness to continue intensive cooperation and coordination with Egypt in this regard.

The two presidents also agreed to intensify joint efforts to combat terrorism in the Sahel region, in light of the mutual keenness to support the countries of the region in restoring security and stability and achieving desired development.

They also stressed the challenges posed by terrorism to regional security as a whole.

Both leaders expressed keenness to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields, especially at the economic, investment, development, security and military levels. Enditem
Billy Murray has said that his former EastEnders co-star Steve McFadden should be knighted for his hard work on the soap.

Steve, 62, notably portrays the role of Phil Mitchell, who made his first appearance in Albert Square in 1990.

Billy, 79, who played gangster Johnny Allen between 2005 and 2006, believes that his past colleague deserves a honour for being in the BBC One soap for so long.

'He should be Sir Steve': Billy Murray has said that his former EastEnders co-star Steve McFadden should be knighted for his hard work on the soap (pictured in 2019)

He told The Mirror: 'Steve McFadden should be knighted. He works so hard. He should be Sir Steve.

'He has been in EastEnders forever and it is tough working in a soap Robert De Niro wouldn't do it, the big actors wouldn't.

'You get a script, learn the lines and then it all changes. It takes a lot of your energy.'

Phil Mitchell is arguably one of EastEnders' most iconic characters, and has been involved in many high-profile storylines over the years.

Long-running character: Steve, 62, notably portrays the role of Phil Mitchell, who made his first appearance in Albert Square in 1990 (pictured in 2003)

Way back when: Billy, 79, who played gangster Johnny Allen between 2005 and 2006, believes that his past colleague deserves a honour for being in the BBC One soap for so long (pictured in 2005)

One of his most famous plots saw him shot by an unknown character in 2001, who was later revealed to be his ex-girlfriend Lisa Shaw (Lucy Benjamin).

Phil quickly became rivals with Billy's on-screen character Johnny Allen, with things escalating during the soap's Get Johnny Week in early 2006, which also saw the return of Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp).

Johnny was later killed off in October 2006, in which he died of a heart attack while serving time in prison.

In recent scenes broadcast in the series, Phil's ex-wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) revealed that she wants to become involved in his money laundering scheme.
A year ago this week I put up a tweet that probably changed the course of my farm forever.

Weve got beautiful flowers still furiously blooming here... just need to get them to customers. So were trying a special 20 Easter bouquet delivered nationwide to your door! Taking orders now, along with a photo of a bunch of tulips and daffodils.

Despite its cheery tone, it was actually a desperate attempt to keep the flower business afloat as all my usual outlets cancelled their orders amidst the first Covid lockdown.

I had spent the previous two years experimenting with new flowers, installing second-hand poly-tunnels, and canvassing florists in an effort to extend our growing season and range of flowers.

The tulips, iris, camassia and allium were all bursting into flower, gloriously oblivious to the financial and social turmoil that was unfolding around them.

My idea of trying to flog a few bouquets was pitched at a barely break-even price as I scrambled to simply recoup the cost of the bulbs and labour that went into the plantings.

But I was so poorly equipped for online selling that I hadnt even considered a method of taking a credit card payment across the phone.

The next few days had a series of fateful events.

National newspapers picked up on the tweet, which then was name-checked on Morning Ireland and Ryan Tubridys programme on RTE radio. The phone started to hop and the emails piled up.

Read More

There were many moments over the next few days when a more sensible individual wouldve posted that we were overwhelmed and unable to take any more orders.

But chance had just opened the door for my business to jump into the internet revolution, and I was determined to hold on.

Twelve months later, a website that cost 5,000 to build has generated over 200,000 of sales.

It sounds like a licence to print money, but believe it or not, well probably have little or no profit out of our first year online.

The first flaw was that I was trying to sell and deliver flowers far too cheaply. I thought we could bang hundreds of bunches into cardboard boxes, tape them up and slap a label on them and wave them off.

Then I realised that the message people want with their flowers is often as important as the flowers themselves.

We also discovered that online sales is largely about data and logistics. That involves lots of frustrations over things that are outside your control  sloppy couriers and confused recipients combine to make refunds part of the overheads.

So is marketing, that awful nebulous thing that ends up sucking your entire being into an Instagram and Facebook app.

It all makes me slightly nostalgic for the simpler days when we fired a couple of thousand bunches of flowers on a pallet and waved them off to some faceless buyer for peanuts.

The difference in transport costs alone is an eye-opener. It costs me about 8 to send a bouquet 10 miles up the road by courier, while I pay about 0.61 for the same value of flowers to travel 1,000km to the Netherlands.

But lets not lose sight of the big picture here.

A year ago I was dependent on a handful of wholesale buyers who, on a whim, could decide the fate of my business.

It was a very uncomfortable and unsustainable model, but I knew of no other way to sell flowers.

Now we have the pleasure of connecting thousands of new customers with their loved ones and brightening up the never-ending lockdowns with a little slice of natures beauty.

Customers love the fact that not only are they supporting an Irish business, but one that is displacing imports that are often unsustainably flown around the world.

Even if we lose some of them every year, the business can keep going.

Whats not to love? And to think that it all started with a tweet. Welcome to the digital revolution.

Darragh McCullough runs a mixed farm enterprise in Meath www.elmgrovefarm.ie
The Nine Network has been the target of a cyber-attack, disrupting its live programming out of Sydney.

The Australian broadcaster confirmed there was a cyber-attack on its systems after it was unable to air its Weekend Today and Sunday Sport programs on Sunday morning.

In a note to staff, Nine's director of people and culture Vanessa Morley told all employees across the country to work from home until further notice.

Weekend Today host Richard Wilkins (middle) announced on Twitter that the Nine Network was experiencing technical difficulties. It later emerged the network had been hacked

'Our IT teams are working around the clock to fully restore our systems which have primarily affected our broadcast and corporate business units,' she wrote.

'Publishing and radio systems continue to be operational.'

Ms Morley said office workers can expect to 'experience disruption to the Nine IT network', although emails did not appear to be impacted.

Nine's National Rugby League coverage, 6pm news bulletins and Sunday evening coverage including 60 Minutes and Married At First Sight are going ahead as planned after the company enacted 'several contingencies'.

A Channel Nine employee shared images of the error screens in the control room, as the network is forced to abandon its weekend programs

Earlier, the Australian media giant - the owner of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers - said it was responding to 'technical issues'.

Shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers described the situation as 'serious'.

'These are very concerning reports,' he told reporters in the Brisbane suburb of Springwood.

'What we're hearing about here is a serious, and sophisticated, targeted attack on a media organisation.'
Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Caveat: Mormonism is a false religion. Many have been deceived with a belief system that includes Jesus Christ plus the revelation that came through Joseph Smith. But they do some things so well, and we as Christians would be wise to emulate them. Let me explain.

At age fifteen, my parents divorced, I moved from my childhood home to an apartment with my father. Every semblance of my former life was over. Even my Methodist church, where Id gone since a baby, didnt reach out to me. Perhaps it was my small towns gossip mill, but since my parents both had friends at church, when they split, the church split from us.

Fifteen. I wasnt old enough to drive, but vulnerable enough to become a wayward girl  if the right circumstances happened. Fortunately, I had three girlfriends who became extra encouraging during this awful season of adjustment. They invited me to their homes, they studied with me after school, they were good listeners.

It was a few months into my new life, when they invited me to church  the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I recognized my seventh grade English teacher, and my eighth grade History teacher in the gathering. My girlfriends sat with me, or I should say, we sat with their families. Large families, with lots of kids  many pregnant young moms with toddlers at their sides. But the dads were always close by to help.

I was fascinated at the togetherness  families, couples, singles, teens, all with helpfulness abounding. After church I listened to the mom group (Relief Society) organizing meals for several families, while another set of women volunteered to do the hospital service delivering sandwiches and cookies to those in waiting rooms and bringing a small goodie bag to the one hospitalized. The men were working on several projects themselves. Brother Hank needed help with his roof. It would be done by five volunteers that week. Someone else noted that even though Brother Steve wasnt there, they knew his car had broken down, Brother Joe would head over with his tools on Monday.

I kept coming back to church. Id lost my own family, but I was surrounded by dozens of intact families. They enjoyed church, and fellowship meant helping others  knowing that everyone eventually needs help.

Their church had been constructed with their own labor and the women cared for the flower beds, while teen boys mowed the lawn. My three friends were learning church doctrine before school during a 6 am class three days a week. They also enjoyed helping with the food preparation and the classes taught by the older moms on food preservation and home management (read: caring for lots of kids, while simultaneously cooking three meals a day on a strict budget).

Yes, the Mormons cared for their own and made sure their offspring were truly indoctrinated into the tenets of their beliefs. Oh sure, there were a few slackers, but they were always included in activities and encouraged to keep coming.

The Mormon moms were often elementary school classroom helpers. Mormon dads were the ones lending a hand on those community volunteer efforts. It was all about making new connections.

They were on the lookout for those who might become Mormons. If a family moved into the neighborhood, it wasnt just a plate of cookies and a warm welcome  it was an offer to help unpack, bring dinner for the whole family several times in the first weeks, and getting to know them by name. While many Mormons are born into the religion, others have been drawn in through these acts of kindness and generosity.

And lets be honest, when you want family and the closeness of fellowship, the Mormons offer both. In a couple years I graduated and moved away. My three girlfriends all eventually married, had large families, and have remained married. They embrace their Mormon lifestyle. I never did. But I will always remember their support.

My father-in-law, a devout conservative Baptist, lamented that the Christians he knew lacked the interest in serving that would draw people in like the Mormons. He was fascinated by their approach and admired their steadfast conservatism. He wondered how they could be so off-base spiritually, but so successful in proselytizing.

There are over 16.3 million Mormon members worldwide, and 2.4 billion Christians. Sadly, unless Mormons truly honor Christ alone, all their amazing works are in vain, and they remain unsaved and condemned. But I wonder if Christians could embrace the Mormons all-out helpfulness, what a difference it would make in our homes and communities  and perhaps then, Christians could proselytize their Mormon friends and save them.
An important training 'Iron Fist' will not be organized in the IAF operations due to the growing dispute with China in Ladakh this year. This biggest exercise of the Air Force is organized every three years to showcase India's strength in the sky and this year also the event was to be held at Pokhran in Rajasthan this month, but it has been removed from this year's training ceremony.

The same decision has been taken to save the flying hours and protect the aircraft due to the continuous deployment of the IAF in eastern Ladakh. Iron Fist is an important exercise to show the valor of Indian air, which tells us how capable our Air Force is at present or how much its strength has increased. But this year, these exercises are not being conducted because this year has been very busy in Ladakh for the IAF, where Air Force personnel and aircraft were on alert for several months.

The event is organized every three years by the IAF in which the Air Force demonstrates firepower to the world. The fighter aircraft rehearse the war. The first edition of Iron Fist was held in the year 2013. It was held in 2016, the third year after the 'Iron Fist' held in February 2013. In this day-night exercise, 103 fighter jets out of 181 of the Air Force were participated, where the capacity of more than 30 weapon systems was tried along with the fighter aircraft.

Also Read:

Union Minister Ratan Lal Kataria gets corona positive

Indian Air Force's firepower to increase by 10 new Rafale fighter aircraft

CM Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor urged people that...


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
NurPhoto / Getty Images

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops stood against the creation of the National Suicide Hotline.

The group opposed the hotline in 2019 because it provided resources to LGBTQ+ people.

Leadership of the organization stood against the Violence Against Woman Act using the same argument.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops lobbied against the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, which would create a national suicide prevention hotline, in 2019 because it included LGBTQ+ resources.

According to the National Catholic Reporter, the bill allocated funding to LGBTQ+ suicide prevention programs in addition to creating a national, toll-free suicide hotline. The organization, an assembly of Catholic leadership in the US, opposed the legislation behind the scenes and attempted to prevent it from passing.

But it wasn't the first time the USCCB opposed legislation that expanded the rights of LGBTQ+ people.

LGBTQ Nation reported the USCCB used the same logic to oppose the 2013 Violence Against Women Act, which would provide more funding to prosecuting cases of violence against women.

"All persons must be protected from violence, but codifying the classifications 'sexual orientation' and 'gender identity' as contained in S. 47 is problematic," the organization wrote in a statement about the Violence Against Women Act.

"These two classifications are unnecessary to establish the just protections due to all persons. They undermine the meaning and importance of sexual difference."

Most recently, the USCCB spoke out against the 2021 Equality Act, which expands protections for LGBTQ+ people from workplace discrimination.

The organization stood against the policy supported across party lines and by President Joe Biden because it "dismiss[es] sexual difference and falsely presenting 'gender' as only a social construct" by supporting transgender rights, according to a statement.

"The bill is well-intentioned but ultimately misguided," the USCCB wrote. "The Equality Act discriminates against people of faith, threatens unborn life, and undermines the common good."

Read the original article on Insider
People attend mass at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral in Montreal, Sunday, March 28, 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. Up to 250 people can now attend mass as certain health and safety restrictions have been eased. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Police divers have found the body of a 16-year-old boy who was swept off rocks on Saturday.

Ahmad Alfarhan was swept into the ocean along with four others after being hit by a wave at Browns Beach, off South Australia's Yorke Peninsula.

Emergency services were called to the Innes National Park around 2pm on Saturday after the teenager was the only swimmer not to make it back to shore.

South Australian Police have said Ahmad Alfarhan was killed after he and four others were swept from rocks at Browns Beach, off South Australia's Yorke Peninsula on Saturday

A desperate search for the Paralowie teenager followed, with local fishermen, Sea Rescue, state emergency service, Country Fire Service and national park crews assisting police.

The search was called off around 7:45pm due to fading light, with police issuing a statement that said 'grave concerns' were held for Ahmad's welfare.

Police continued the search at first light on Sunday morning with the help of specialist divers.

The 16-year-old's body was tragically found in the area he was last seen at about 11:30am on Sunday, with a report to be prepared for the coroner.

A GoFundMe page has raised nearly $30,000 for the Alfarhan family, which will be used to cover the costs of the teenager's funeral.

Organiser Lena Allouche described Ahmad as 'a beautiful year 11 student' and said his family were 'overwhelmed with the amount of support they have received'.

'While the funeral has been covered as you all know the emotional, physical and mental health of all his family and friends will be strained for a significant amount of time, so all your donations will help to support them in need.'
Mobiistar, Vsmart and Bphone in recent years have been trying to enter the world market, but their stories and results have varied.

Vsmart's products are available in Spain

Nguyen Tu Quang, CEO of BKAV, on March 22 said the first consignment of BPhone has been exported to Europe. BKAV targets a niche market selling security-specialized phones.

Quang, described as an ambitious businessman, has even expressed the hope that a European head of state may use Vietnams smartphones in the future.

Prior to that, BKAV affirmed that it had sold BPhones to Dubai and Myanmar.

Vsmart also stated its products are present in Europe and the US.

In fact, BPhone and Vsmart are not the first Vietnamese smartphone brands appearing in the world market. This was done by another brand  Mobiistar.

In May 2018, Ngo Nguyen Kha, CEO of Mobiistar, showed a picture of his partners at an office in India. Kha then said that Mobiistar would set up office in the country.

At that moment, Mobiistar mostly sold low-cost smartphone models with a focus on the camera for selfies.

With moderate capability, at first, the company followed Xiaomis way by selling its products on e-commerce channels, competing with strong rivals in the market, including Xiaomi, Oppo and Samsung.

In the domestic market, Mobiistar products were available at retail channels, but the long-lasting smartphone brand was overwhelmed by Chinese brands.

Kha once used the phrase ra di de tro ve (leaving to come back) to describe the way Mobiistar penetrateed foreign market and then returned to consolidate its position in Vietnam.

However, in mid-2019, Mobiistar announced its departure from the Indian market because V-Sun, a partner of Mobiistar, declared bankruptcy. And Mobiistar also disappeared from the domestic market.

The difference between Mobiistar and Vsmart and Bphone is that Mobistar is a Vietnamese brand but its products were made overseas, while the latter two are truly Vietnamese as they are manufactured at the factories in Vietnam.

Just four months after making its debut in the domestic market, Vsmart appeared in Spain in March 2019.

In May 2019, Vsmart turned up in Myanmar under the cooperation with local partners and Mytel, belonging to Viettel. In October of the same year, it hit the Russian market through TFN Trading.

Vsmart earlier this year successfully entered the US market. Three models that Vsmart makes for AT&T have been selling at the network operators shops and Walmart stores at the price of $39-89.

Vsmart has revealed its plan to manufacture 5G phones for the US market.

BKAV had said in the past that the company might sell BPhone Gold in Dubai, but there has been no further information.

Hai Dang

Making cars and smartphones, Vietnam moves to top ASEAN countries Vietnams industry has seen the fastest upward movement in ranking in global competitiveness among Southeast Asian countries, coming closer to the top 4 ASEAN countries.
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.
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.
Nagpur: Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Sunday (March 28) revealed that a retired judge of the high court will be conducting a probe into the allegations of corruption levelled against him. These allegations on the Maharashtra Home Minister were levelled by former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh.

The truth will come out after a probe into the matter, Deshmukh told reporters at the Nagpur airport. "In the last Cabinet meeting, I had asked the chief minister to investigate the allegations levelled against me by the former Mumbai Police commissioner. He has agreed to it and the probe will be done by a retired high court judge. The truth in the entire matter will come before the people," Deshmukh said at the Nagpur airport.

Earlier, on March 20, former Mumbai top cop in his eight-page letter to CM Uddhav Thackeray had claimed that Anil Deshmukh, a member of NCP, is involved in a massive corruption ring. In his letter he had alleged that the Maharashtra Home Minister has set a monthly target of collecting Rs 100 crore from bars and hotels in the financial capital.

Maharashtra CM has decided that the allegations levelled against me by former Mumbai Police Commissioner will be probed by a retired high court judge: Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh pic.twitter.com/CHys7KV5Ou  ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2021

However, the deputy CM, in support of the Maharashtra Home Minister, accused Singh of lying, making the false accusations as part of a conspiracy hatched to discredit Deshmukh and the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. He had also added that the former top cop was trying to save himself from any action in the SUV case and the case related to the death of Mansukh Hiren.

Meanwhile, Anil Deshmukh had also trashed the allegations against him.

Deshmukh on Sunday said he had asked Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to initiate an inquiry into the allegations made against him by Param Bir Singh so that the truth can be out.

"The chief minister and the state government have decided that a retired judge of the high court will conduct a probe into the allegations against me. Whatever is the truth will come out," he said.

Additionally, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's had claimed that Deshmukh was made the state home minister accidentally

Deshmukh got the home ministers post by accident. Jayant Patil and Dilip Walse-Patil refused to take responsibility. That is why Sharad Pawar selected Anil Deshmukh for the post, Raut wrote in his weekly column.

Raut also added that Deshmukh got the post after senior NCP leaders like Jayant Patil and Dilip Walse-Patil refused the responsibility.
Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. traffic deaths soared after coronavirus lockdowns ended in 2020, hitting the highest yearly total since 2007 as more Americans engaged in unsafe behavior on U.S. roads, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday. For all of 2020, 38,680 people died on U.S. roads - up 7.2% or nearly 2,600 more than in 2019, even though Americans drove 13% fewer miles, preliminary data showed. In the second half of 2020, the number of traffic deaths was up more than 13%.
Ioan Gruffudd's estranged wife Alice Evans stepped out for lunch in Los Angeles on Friday amid her ongoing divorce drama.

The actress, 49, sought support from her friend Lady Victoria Hervey, 44, as they engaged in conversation during a girls' day out.

Earlier in the week, the screen star claimed their daughters Ella, 11 and Elsie, seven, 'cry every day' as she accused Ioan, 47, of 'abandoning them' after he 'walked out' on them in January.

Brushing aside the drama: Ioan Gruffudd's estranged wife Alice Evans stepped out for lunch in Los Angeles on Friday amid her ongoing divorce

The mother-of-two cut a chic figure as she teamed a cropped jacket with a maxi skater skirt.

Strolling across the streets of California in style, the blonde wore monochrome sandals and an orange bumbag.

Back in January, Alice revealed she and the actor they were breaking up after 20 years in a shock Twitter statement and claimed he 'mentally tortured' her.

The thespian has been taking to social media regularly to update fans on the split and, in her most recent post, shared a picture of an columnist article on her page.

In good company: The actress, 49, sought support from her friend Lady Victoria Hervey, 44, as they engaged in conversation during a girls' day out

'Their dad abandoned them': Earlier in the week, the screen star claimed their daughters Ella, 11 and Elsie, seven, 'cry every day' after the actor, 47, 'walked out' on them in January

Family: The estranged couple married in 2007 and share daughters Ella, 11 and Elsie, seven, together (pictured in June 2018)

The piece slammed her for opening up about her painful break-up from Ioan so publicly and commented on how it could affect her children in the years to come.

Hitting back, Alice said her daughters have no idea about her and Ioan's public profile and 'probably never will'.

She penned: 'You know what they ARE upset about though? That their Dad walked out and abandoned them out of the blue. Without explanation.

'Yes that's what they cry about every day. Will their Dad ever come back and play in the pool or the yard with them? Will they ever have a family again?'

Split: Back in January, Alice revealed she and the actor they were breaking up after 20 years in a shock Twitter statement and claimed he 'mentally tortured' her (pictured in happier times)

Explaining why she has been so vocal about her split, she continued: 'I choose to share the details of my divorce because a) I am lucky enough to possess the gene that enables me to not give a s**t about what people think of me and b) I have realised that there are thousands, if not millions of women out there going through the same thing, who, during this endless pandemic, believe that they are completely alone. I want them to know they are not.

'Peace and love Alice. Xxx'

MailOnline has contacted Ioan's representatives for comment.

Fury: Last week Alice accused the actor of 'winding the s**t up me' as she posted a vitriolic video about their 'collaborative divorce' talks

Last week, Alice accused Ioan of 'winding the s**t up me' as she posted a vitriolic video about their 'collaborative divorce' talks.

She said: 'I have been served with a petition for divorce and it's came out of the blue and I won't cry. But we've been 20 years together, we have two amazing kids. I don't know why.

'At the moment we're doing something called collaborative divorce which is somewhere between a really kind way of doing divorce and a phenomenal scam.

'Because in one way it's "okay, let's hear what you would want and take it to the court afterwards" and in another way it's like, people in the acting business will know when an agent says to you "we just can't find you the roles".

'It's a bit like, I'd like my daughter to stay with me on Saturday nights, "it's just not within our possibilities".

The TV and film star then insisted he misled her with collaborative divorce, adding: 'And then I read nothing is binding in collaborative, absolutely nothing.

'So if I want my daughter to stay one more night in my house, the court hasn't said anything so I can do it. So my husband is winding the s**t up me, saying what he says is the law, well we haven't got to the law yet.

'Lawyers aren't the law. Lawyers are there to f*** the law. That's what I always said. Anyway I may have some more thoughts later

Ioan's divorce papers cite irreconcilable differences as the reason behind his split from his wife of 14 years, Alice.

Fury: Last week, Alice accused Ioan of 'winding the s**t up me' as she posted a vitriolic video about their 'collaborative divorce' talks

Heartbreak: In another post, the TV star alleged that Ioan had changed her Twitter password

The couple met on the set of 102 Dalmatians in 2000, when Alice was in a relationship with Pablo Picasso's grandson Olivier.

The pair became engaged six years later after she gave him an ultimatum about their relationship, and tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Mexico in September 2007.

Ioan recently stepped out without his wedding band for the first time.

The document, which was filed Los Angeles Superior Court on March 1, also reveals the former couple separated on New Year's Day - a month before they went public with their relationship status.

The papers state the exes are in a 'collaborative process and intend to resolve all issues including spousal support by written agreement' - which mirrors their joint statement about their shock break-up.

Last month, they said: 'As you can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for our family and we remain committed to our children. Thank you for respecting our privacy.'

Up and down? In February, Alice insisted she and the actor 'are still friends' and confirmed that they were pressing ahead with discussions over a 'legal separation' (pictured in 2018)

Open: The thespian has been taking to social media regularly to update fans on the split

In January, Alice said the actor had walked out on the family in a shock Twitter statement, in which she accused the Liar star of 'mentally torturing' and 'gaslighting' her.

The Blast claims that it is 'unclear' whether Ioan and Alice signed a prenuptial agreement or if the actress will ask for child or spousal support.

News of the split came following Ioan's return from Australia, where he has been shooting season three of Harrow alongside Ella Newton, 30, and Anna Lise Phillips, 46, who plays his ex-wife.

Ioan has spent three long spells in Australia filming the TV drama Harrow.
The Vietnam-Chile relations have seen firm and intensive development during half a century with many ups and downs in history. Based on this positive foundation, the State, Government and people of Vietnam will continue to work with Chilean friends and partners to expand and deepen the Vietnam-Chile friendship and comprehensive cooperation, thus serving the interest of the two countries people and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in both regions, the message of Nguyen Phu Trong read.

In his message, the Chilean President expressed admiration of the bravery and strength of Vietnam in the cause of national development as well as the hospitality and pride of the Vietnamese people.

Chile and Vietnam have built a firm relationship with cooperation, mutual trust and the will to bolster bilateral ties in not only economy-trade but also other aspects, he wrote.

He stressed that the bilateral cooperation will continue to be promoted, thus strongly supporting the cooperative ties between Vietnam and the Latin America, and between Chile and Southeast Asia.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh also exchanged a congratulatory message with Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs Andres Allamand Zavala.


Ever Given, a Panama-flagged cargo ship, that is wedged across the Suez Canal and blocking traffic in the vital waterway is seen Saturday, March 27, 2021. Tugboats and a specialized suction dredger worked to dislodge a giant container ship that has been stuck sideways in Egypt's Suez Canal for the past three days, blocking a crucial waterway for global shipping. (AP)

SUEZ: Two additional tugboats sped Sunday to Egypts Suez Canal to aid efforts to free a skyscraper-sized container ship wedged for days across the crucial waterway, even as major shippers increasingly divert their boats out of fear the vessel may take even longer to free.

The massive Ever Given, a Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned ship that carries cargo between Asia and Europe, got stuck Tuesday in a single-lane stretch of the canal. In the time since, authorities have been unable to remove the vessel and traffic through the canal  valued at over $9 billion a day  has been halted, further disrupting a global shipping network already strained by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Dutch-flagged Alp Guard and the Italian-flagged Carlo Magno, called in to help tugboats already there, reached the Red Sea near the city of Suez early Sunday, satellite data from MarineTraffic.com showed. The tugboats will nudge the 400-meter-long (quarter-mile-long) Ever Given as dredgers continue to vacuum up sand from underneath the vessel and mud caked to its port side, said Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, which manages the Ever Given.

Workers planned to make two attempts Sunday to free the vessel coinciding with high tides, a top pilot with the canal authority said.

Sunday is very critical, the pilot said. It will determine the next step, which highly likely involves at least the partial offloading of the vessel.

Taking containers off the ship likely would add even more days to the canals closure, something authorities have been desperately trying to avoid. It also would require a crane and other equipment that have yet to arrive.

The pilot spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as he wasnt authorized to brief journalists.

On Saturday, the head of the Suez Canal Authority told journalists that strong winds were not the only cause for the Ever Given running aground, appearing to push back against conflicting assessments offered by others. Lt. Gen. Osama Rabei said an investigation was ongoing but did not rule out human or technical error.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement maintains that their initial investigations rule out any mechanical or engine failure as a cause of the grounding. However, at least one initial report suggested a blackout struck the hulking vessel carrying some 20,000 containers at the time of the incident.

Rabei said he remained hopeful that dredging could free the ship without having to resort to removing its cargo, but added that we are in a difficult situation, its a bad incident.

Asked about when they expected to free the vessel and reopen the canal, he said: I cant say because I do not know.

Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd., the company that owns the vessel, said it was considering removing containers if other refloating efforts failed.

The Ever Given is wedged about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) north of the canals Red Sea entrance near the city of Suez.

A prolonged closure of the crucial waterway would cause delays in the global shipment chain. Some 19,000 vessels passed through the canal last year, according to official figures. About 10% of world trade flows through the canal. The closure could affect oil and gas shipments to Europe from the Middle East. Already, Syria has begun rationing the distribution of fuel in the war-torn country amid concerns of delays of shipments arriving amid the blockage.

As of early Sunday, over 320 ships waited to travel through the Suez, either to the Mediterranean or the Red Sea, according to canal services firm Leth Agencies. Dozens of others still listed their destination as the canal, though shippers increasingly appear to be avoiding the passage.

The worlds biggest shipping company, Denmarks A.P. Moller-Maersk, warned its customers that it would take anywhere from three to six days to clear the backlog of vessels at the canal. Already, the firm and its partners have 22 ships waiting there.

The current number (of) redirected Maersk and partner vessels is 14 and expected to rise as we assess the salvage efforts along with network capacity and fuel on our vessels currently en route to Suez, the shipper said.

Mediterranean Shipping Co., the worlds second-largest, said it already had rerouted at least 11 ships around Africas Cape of Good Hope to avoid the canal. It turned back two other ships and said it expected some missed sailings as a result of this incident.

MSC expects this incident to have a very significant impact on the movement of containerized goods, disrupting supply chains beyond the existing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it said.
(Natural News) A new study published March 24 in the journal Science Advances shows that an overlooked strand of the southern San Andreas Fault is more likely to rupture than any other secondary faults in the region.

Called the Mission Creek strand, the segment spans the cities of Indio, Desert Hot Springs and San Bernardino. It has gone mostly unnoticed because it is thought to be one of the least active sections of the southern San Andreas Fault. But the new study indicates that the strand is actually the fastest moving fault in the region.

This particular strand of the San Andreas failure has been interpreted to be not very active, said Kimberly Blisniuk, an associate professor of geology at San Jose State University and the lead researcher of the study.

Its actually very active and is the fastest slipping fault for the San Andreas in Southern California. Therefore it has the highest likelihood of a large magnitude earthquake to occur on it in the future.

The bulk of San Andreas Faults strain is concentrated in Mission Creek

The San Andreas Fault is an 800-mile strike-slip fault in which the Northern Pacific plate slides laterally past the North American plate. Seismic activity along the famed fault is associated with occasional large earthquakes, such as the disastrous San Francisco quake in 1906 and the deadly 1994 rumbler centered in the Los Angeles suburb, which occurred along one of San Andreas larger secondary faults.

All eyes are currently on the southern San Andreas Fault because this region hasnt ruptured in nearly 300 years. Recent data also shows that it has already accumulated enough strain. However, it has been unclear which of the regions multiple segments carries the bulk of this strain and therefore has the highest risk of a high-magnitude earthquake.

To that end, Blisniuk and her colleagues calculated the slip rates of the Banning and Mission Creek strands. Past estimates showed that the latter is less likely to rupture than the linkage comprising the Banning and Garnet Hill segments and the San Gorgonio Pass fault zone.

The researchers went to Pushawalla Canyon in Indio to gather records of fault motion that had been preserved over time in nearby landforms. They found evidence of geologically recent slips from the faults at the area, including streams carved out from rocks and gullies that date back to the Pleistocene Epoch.

Using these slips as data points, the researchers determined that the Banning strand accounts for only 2.5 millimeters per year (mmPY) of the San Andreas Faults annual slip rate of 24.1 mmPY. Meanwhile, the Mission Creek strand accounts for 21.5 mmPY, which is considerably higher than a previous estimate of 14 mmPY. (Related: Gooey rocks deep within the San Andreas fault generate silent earthquakes, study finds.)

Intense earthquakes may strike along Mission Creek strand

Sally McGill, a geology professor at California State University, San Bernardino who was not part of the study, said about the findings: Their study is in a region where the San Andreas Fault is quite complex. This is a substantial step in improving our understanding of how the southern San Andreas Fault works.

Indeed, the Mission Creek strand receives less attention than the faults around Banning, Garnet Hill and San Gorgonio Pass, but knowing that the strand has a higher risk of major earthquakes can change that.

Higher slip rates on faults mean more risk, said Morgan Page, a researcher at the U.S. Geological Survey who was not part of the study. It means stress is accumulating faster on that fault and you would need basically either more earthquakes or larger earthquakes over centuries to relieve that stress.

According to CoreLogic, Inc., a California-based financial services company, a magnitude 8.0 earthquake along the southern San Andreas Fault can damage up to 3.5 million homes and result in reconstruction costs of more than $289 billion.

Visit Disaster.news to learn more about earthquakes and other natural disasters.

Sources include:

StrangeSounds.org

Britannica.com

EurekaAlert.org

WorldPropertyJournal.com
For the first time, insurgents are specifically attacking foreigners in the on-going fighting in Palma. Details remain sketchy, but at least a dozen British, South African and other non-Mozambicans working or contractors on the gas project have been killed. Many Mozambicans have been killed. Many Mozambicans and foreigners are missing, including some UN and NGO staff - most probably fled into the forest. There are reports of bodies in the street.

The Amarula Hotel between Palma town and its airstrip on the northern edge of town has become the preferred hotel for contract and aid workers. It was under seige from Thursday with 180 people trapped inside. Early Saturday afternoon a 17 vehicle convoy tried to break out and get to safety on the beach. But the convoy was attacked with at least seven dead.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated by air and sea, including contract and aid staff, and civil servants including the district administrator. The photo shows a message at the Palma Residence hotel, with people hoping for rescue. South African private military contractor DAG and the Mozambican military have been involved in the rescues.

It appears to have been a very coordinated attack, similar to the one which took Mocimboa da Praia last year. During several days insurgents infiltrated Palma and stayed with local supporters. Three groups attacked on Wednesday and were supported later by more insurgents arriving by truck. Roads to Palma were blocked by insurgents who ambushed vehicles and attacked soldiers trying to reach Palma.

The attackers first attacked government installations such as the police, the hospital, and three banks. Many government and commercial buildings were destroyed. The insurgent force must be at least 150 fighters, with many still in Palma.

The attacks will raise serious questions about the expected development of the multi-billion dollar gas liquification plants on the Afungi peninsula. Funding has been approved, including $1 bn in credits from the UK. British High Commissioner NneNne Iwuji-Eme held a meeting in Pemba on 16 March to say that under the credit British companies are promised 25% of the contracts and thus to promote local British contractors to bid. People at the meeting raised security questions.

One of those killed in Palma was a British man who attended the meeting with the High Commissioner, and was building a staff compound for 2000 workers expected to arrive in Palma. How many of those workers will arrive now?
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Endowments minister A. Indrakaran Reddy launched these initiatives on Saturday and said devotees can book online prasadam from over 1.6 lakh post offices across the country. (Photo: Facebook @Indrakaran Reddy Allola)

Hyderabad: The endowments department will deliver prasadam of 10 famous temples in Telangana to devotees through Speed Post. It has also extended online puja facility to 15 more temples, in addition to the 22 where the service is available.

Devotees can book puja or seva of their choice online through the T App Folio mobile app which will be performed in the name of the devotee. An SMS will be sent on the mobile confirming the performance of the puja or seva.

Endowments minister A. Indrakaran Reddy launched these initiatives on Saturday and said devotees can book online prasadam from over 1.6 lakh post offices across the country. The endowments department has entered into an MoU with the Department of Post to deliver prasadam.

This apart, devotees can also book the online puja facility through post offices in the offline mode. The minister stated that the offline facility was launched for those who are unable to use the mobile app.

Devotees can avail these services at the Yadadri Laxminarasimha Swamy temple, Bhadrachalam Sri Rama temple, Basar Saraswati temple, Vemulawada Rajarajeshwari temple, Kondagattu Anjaneya temple, Komuravelli Mallikarjunaswamy temple, Ujjaini Mahankali temple, Secunderabad Ganesh temple, Balkampet Yellamma Pochamma temple and the Karmanghat Hanuman temple.

On April 7, 2020, the endowments department had launched the online puja facility in 12 temples for devotees who were not able to physically attend and offer puja as entry into temples was restricted due to the Coronavirus lockdown then in vogue since mid-March.
The suicide bombing at an Indonesian cathedral on Palm Sunday was carried out by two members of a pro-Islamic State extremist group blamed for other church blasts, including a deadly 2019 attack in the Philippines, police said.

About 20 worshippers were injured by the powerful explosion outside the church in Makassar city on Sulawesi island as they celebrated the start of Holy Week.

Both suspects in the attack were killed as they rode a motorbike into the compound of the church, setting off what authorities said was an improvised explosive device known as a pressure-cooker bomb.

A church security guard tried to prevent the two perpetrators from entering when the blast occurred, they added.

Late Sunday, National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said both attackers  a man and a woman  were members of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an extremist group also blamed for a deadly church bombing in Indonesias second-biggest city Surabaya in 2018.

Prabowo did not give names or say how they were identified, but forensic examiners were performing DNA tests on body parts scattered at the grisly scene.

There were two perpetrators killed, one is a man and another one is a woman, Prabowo said.

Theyre members of the JAD group which carried out a bomb attack in Jolo in the Philippines.

It was not clear if the pair were a married couple.

An Indonesian militant and his wife  members of JAD  were blamed for two explosions that ripped through a Catholic church on the Philippines Muslim-majority island of Jolo in 2019, killing worshippers at Sunday mass and security forces.

Two other militants linked to that attack were shot dead by Indonesian security forces earlier this year.

One witness to Sundays bombing described hearing two very strong blasts and then seeing plumes of smoke, an attack that wounded about 20 church officials, congregants and security staff.

There were several injured people on the street. I helped one woman who was wounded and covered in blood, Yosi, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told AFP.

Her grandchild was also injured. There were body parts everywhere.

 Act of terror 

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he strongly condemned this act of terror.

Terrorism is a crime against humanity, he said.

I call on everyone to fight against terror and radicalism, which go against religious values.

Amnesty International said the bombing showed complete contempt for human rights.

The explosion at the main Catholic cathedral in Makassar  a port city of about 1.5 million  happened just after congregants finished celebrating Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, which commemorates Jesuss entry into Jerusalem.

It comes a week before Easter.

In his mass for Palm Sunday, Pope Francis said he prayed for all the victims of violence, especially those of this mornings attack in Indonesia, in front of the Cathedral of Makassar.

Sundays attack follows the arrest in recent months of dozens of militants suspected of planning terror attacks.

Indonesia has seen a string of attacks by Islamic extremists over the past two decades, including the 2002 Bali bombings which killed more than 200 people, mostly foreign tourists.

The bombings were Indonesias deadliest terror attack.

In 2018, a dozen people were killed when a family of suicide bombers driving motorbikes blew themselves up at churches during Sunday services in Indonesias second-biggest city Surabaya.

The family  including two daughters aged nine and 12  and another family of five, which carried out a suicide bombing on a police headquarters, all belonged to the same Koran study group.

They were also linked to JAD, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

JAD first gained notoriety in 2016 for a gun and suicide bomb attack in the capital Jakarta that killed four civilians and four attackers  including one who blew himself up at a Starbucks outlet.

It was the first attack claimed by Islamic State in Southeast Asia.

str-hrl/pb/jfx

Starbucks
By Lisa Marie David and Jay Ereno

MANILA (Reuters) - Dozens of Catholics in the Philippines braved the threat of coronavirus on Sunday to attend a mass outside the Baclaran Church in Manila to celebrate Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of the Holy Week.

Wearing face masks and observing physical distancing to protect themselves from COVID-19, they waved their palm fronds as the priest sprinkled holy water on them.

"I hope and pray this pandemic will end. I hope our (living) conditions will get better, especially since there are a growing number of people going hungry," Stephane Silva said after attending mass.

Religious gatherings will be banned from Monday until Easter to comply with stricter quarantine restrictions the Philippine government reimposed in the capital and nearby provinces to slow the sharp rise in COVID-19 infections.

About 80% of people in the Philippines are Catholic.

At the St. Peter Parish in Quezon City, candles were attached to empty pews to represent parishioners taking part in Palm Sunday celebrations outside the church or online.

The Philippines is battling a renewed surge in infections, including those of the new and more transmissible variants, prompting the government to tighten existing curbs in the capital and nearby provinces.

Coronavirus cases and deaths in the Philippines totalled 721,892 and 13,170, the second highest in Southeast Asia, with infections reported in the past nine days accounting for a tenth of the total.

(Reporting by Lisa David and Jay Ereno; Writing by Karen Lema; Editing by Stephen Coates)
The media focus on the recent increase of unaccompanied minors crossing into the country has been, somewhat predictably, on the border itself. There are plenty of images of crowded border crossings and detention centers but not nearly enough coverage of what brought these desperate people north.

The trek from Central America is terribly dangerous. Its long, hot and no sane person would attempt it unless they were desperate. Migrants can fall prey to the sun, the terrain or the cartels before they reach the relative safety of the border. Parents make the trip knowing they have little hope of gaining asylum themselves and send their children across the border alone, sometimes with the phone number of a relative in the country who can sponsor them, sometimes not. These are desperate acts of people fleeing poverty and violence in their home country. The question isnt how do we keep them from coming, its how do we make it easier for them to stay home.

Arguing about what to do with the influx of migrants once theyre already at the border is ignoring the real reasons they come here. 59% of the population of Guatemala lives in poverty. In Honduras, that number jumps to 66%. In any country with crushing poverty like that, gang violence is going to be rampant. Until we address the root causes of the steady stream of undocumented migrants attempting to cross the border to gain asylum will continue, regardless of whos president. For all of Trumps cruelty, he didnt manage to stop the numbers from rising. The only effective deterrent has been the pandemic when it shut down the border completely.

Are the people risking their lives to come here hoping to get better treatment from the Biden administration? Absolutely. Is that why theyre coming? Of course not.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
IF YOU need evidence that the Democratic administration in Washington is hostile to the Granite State, look no further than its disposition toward our states lawsuit against Massachusetts over the Bay States bad faith policy of imposing its income tax on New Hampshire telecommuters who bot
Mumbai, March 28 : Actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Neha Sharma have shot a special video encouraging fans to play Holi while keeping social distancing norms in mind amid Covid-19 pandemic resurgence.

In the special video, while Nawaz blows a melange of colours towards Neha, she takes the fun a notch higher with a water balloon! The two actors show how Holi can be played without any physical contact following the Covid-19 guidelines.

The video aims to spread an important message of "Holi khelo, Magar dooor Se", keeping in mind the importance of 'social distancing' during the festival of colours this year.

Both the actors shot for the video while shooting for director Kushan Nandy's film "Jogira Sara Ra Ra!" in Lucknow.

Talking about how the enthusiasm of his actors also reflects the enthusiasm of his film, Kushan Nandy said: "Since our title is so closely related to Holi and its celebration, we wanted to mark the occasion with something special for our audience. We hope this brings some cheer and joy in these unprecedented times, and we are confident that our film will spread as much happiness and more when it releases."

Latest updates on Holi Festival 2021
MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippine military is sending light fighter aircraft to fly over hundreds of Chinese vessels in disputed waters in the South China Sea, its defence minister said, as he repeated his demand the flotilla be withdrawn immediately.

International concern is growing over what the Philippines has described as a "swarming and threatening presence" of more than 200 Chinese vessels that Manila believes were manned by maritime militia.

The boats were moored at the Whitsun Reef within Manila's 200-mile exclusive economic zone..

The Philippine military aircraft were sent daily to monitor the situation, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement late on Saturday.

Lorenzana said the military will also beef up its naval presence in the South China Sea to conduct "sovereignty patrols" and protect Filipino fishermen.

"Our air and sea assets are ready to protect our sovereignty and sovereign rights," Lorenzana said.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It has said the vessels at Whitsun Reef were fishing boats taking refuge from rough seas and that there were no militia aboard.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte reaffirmed to China's ambassador, Huang Xilian, the Philippines had won a landmark arbitration case in 2016, which made clear its sovereign entitlements amid rival claims by China, his spokesman said last week.

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Vietnam have competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, through which at least $3.4 trillion of annual trade passes.

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Stephen Coates)
Lindsey Graham dared Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to bring a bill with an assault weapons ban to the floor of the upper chamber because he claims it won't pass.

'I would challenge Senator Schumer to bring the assault weapons ban to the floor of the United States Senate. It won't get 50 votes, much less 60,' the South Carolina senator told 'Fox News Sunday' host Chris Wallace.

'At the end of the day if you think an assault weapons ban is what the country needs, bring it to the floor of the United States Senate and vote on it,' Graham said. 'I welcome that debate.'

With a 50-50 split Senate, just one Democrat defector could derail any bill  and if done through reconciliation the party would need to convince 10 Republican senators to join them in voting on restricting gun rights.

President Joe Biden called for an assault weapons and high-capacity magazine ban last week in the wake of back-to-back mass shootings.

Lindsey Graham dared Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to bring a bill with an assault weapons ban to the floor: 'It won't get 50 votes, much less 60'

The White House says they are open to using executive action, but they would prefer Congress act in a more 'permanent' manner on gun control in the U.S.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut said it is more likely to get a bill passed on tightening background checks.

'Right now our best chance to get something passed is universal background checks,' Murphy told NBC's 'Meet the Press' host Chuck Todd on Sunday morning.

He even admitted to one of the GOP's biggest 'slippery slope' arguments, however, that background checks could lead to larger reforms and restrictions on 2nd Amendment rights.

'Once we convince Republicans that the sky doesn't fall for you politically when you support a reasonable expansion of something like background checks, you can move onto other interventions,' Murphy said.

A shooting earlier this month at three massage parlors in the Atlanta, Georgia area by a single gunman left eight people dead  six of whom were Asian Americans, sparking a national debate on racism and violence toward the Asian community in the U.S.

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy said the best way to get the GOP to open up to gun control legislation is passing a background check bill first

Not even a week later, a gunman opened fire at a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, killing 10.

The two shootings have led to renewed enthusiasm from progressives calling on Congress to implement more gun control laws  especially related to so-called 'assault rifles.'

Graham defended Americans owning firearms the left is trying to ban, claiming that if a gang came to his neighborhood, they would target his house last because he could defend himself.

The senator said he does support addressing issues involving those with mental health issues seeking to buy a firearm and implementing and bolstering existing red flag laws.
British journalist Piers Morgan recently scoffed at Meghan Markles claim that she had her passport taken away from when she became a member of the Royal Family. In the controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan had revealed that she had to give up control of her passport, drivers licence and keys to her apartment. All that gets turned over, I didnt see any of them any more, she said.

However, Morgan, in a lengthy article published in Mail On Sunday, Morgan said that he didnt believe even a word of the claims Meghan made in her tell-all interview. Morgan broke his silence on his exit from Good Morning Britain and picked holes at a number of her claims, including that Meghan was stripped of her passport. Morgan wrote, How then did she make all her endless foreign trips?"

Further, the British journalist added that equally implausible was Meghans insistence that she never checked out Prince Harry online when they first met or had much interest in his family. Morgan noted that Meghans old friends had previously revealed how fascinated she had been with the Royals and Diana in particular.

Meanwhile, according to Express UK, royal experts have pointed out that passports of royal members are usually taken away by royal aides. The aides also carry money and payment cards on their behalf during royal excursions. The experts said that as a working member of the royal family, Meghan would have been an international protected person, meaning she was looked after by the State. The experts also added that the move was about keeping the Duchess safe.

Piers Morgan quits talk show

On March 10, Morgan had quit his show. The 55-year-old media personality, who has been a staunch Meghan Markle critic over the years, had a heated argument with his co-host who confronted him about his inconsiderate reaction to Meghan publicly accepting that she had suicidal thoughts. "I understand that you [Morgan] don't like Meghan Markle, you've made it so clear a number of times on this program," said Good Morning Britain co-host Alex Beresford in the live-streamed show. He continued, And I understand that you've got a personal relationship with Meghan Markle or had one and she cut you off. Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don't think she has, but yet you continue to trash her."

That drew criticism from many, including the mental health charity Mind, which said it was disappointed and concerned by Morgans comments on not believing Meghans experiences about having suicidal thoughts. Its vital that when people reach out for support or share their experiences of ill mental health that they are treated with dignity, respect, and empathy," the charity said, as per the BBC.

(Image: AP)
has called for inclusive, cooperative and forward-looking policies to counter the challenge of in the world, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

Responding to media queries, spokesman of the Foreign Ministry Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said on Saturday that remains fully committed to playing its due role in the fight against which is one of the defining challenges, reports Xinhua news agency.

He said that Pakistan's commitment to addressing including landmark initiatives like the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's leadership on this account is well accepted and appreciated around the world.

Pakistan, despite being among the top 10 countries affected by Climate Change, is one of the lowest emitters, with less than 1 per cent of the global emissions, Chaudhri said.

is also meaningfully contributing to shaping the global climate change discourse, he added.

--IANS

ksk/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Marshall County and Southwestern DeKalb County until 6:45 a.m.

At 557 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Strawberry, or near Arab, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include... Albertville, Boaz, Guntersville, Arab, Crossville, Geraldine, Douglas, Lakeview, Union Grove and High Point.

Turn to WAAY 31 for everything you need to know to stay safe during severe weather. Chief Meteorologist Kate McKenna will provide you with the most accurate information on storms by using our StormTracker Early Warning Radar Network.

Stationed in Muscle Shoals, Decatur and Guntersville, the radars provide the best data for all of North Alabama by scanning EVERY community in North Alabama.

See all the radars HERE

Access the Muscle Shoals radar HERE

Access the Decatur radar HERE

Access the Guntersville radar HERE

And download our news and weather apps HERE

Another Victorian Liberal source, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, said it was time for the party to introduce quotas following years of inertia, and place greater emphasis on preselecting women for safe seats. Loading Somethings got to change, the Liberal source said. Some of the deadwood in the party, whove been in Parliament for a long time have got to stand aside now and put a talented woman in their place in the best interest of the party. Everyone is getting a bit jittery [with quotas] because of preselection. Theyre all using this merit-based argument. At the end of the day, they want power and they want their positions, and for a lot of these MPs having quotas is another roadblock to their careers.

The Age in the past week has spoken to several Liberal members from across the factional divide who are calling for quotas. Several have said although it would be difficult to determine what an outcome of a vote at state council would be, there had been a marked shift on introducing quotas to achieve gender equality. The federal Liberal Party has been reeling after accusations of sexual assault emerged over the past month, including allegations by former staffer Brittany Higgins that she was raped by a male colleague in Parliament House. Attorney-General Christian Porter is on leave after he vehemently denied allegations he raped a 16-year-old girl when he was a teenager at a Sydney debating competition. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in an emotional press conference last week, said he was open to the idea of quotas. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer A male Liberal staffer was sacked after videos emerged of him filming himself masturbating over a female MPs desk.

Greens senator Lidia Thorpe claimed a male government senator and another government MP followed her, put their arms around her, made comments about her clothes and eating, and persistently hassled her to go out for dinner. Bowman MP Andrew Laming announced on Sunday he would not recontest the next federal election following a series of reports about his poor behaviour towards women, including an incident in which he allegedly photographed a woman bending over to put items in a fridge. Loading The NSW Liberals Moderates faction, which has the majority on the partys state executive, will push for mandatory targets and insist that 50 per cent of moderate candidates are women. Energy Minister Matt Kean, the NSW leader of the Moderates faction, said a proposal for quotas would be presented to the state executive. Preselections for Victorian state candidates are expected to be held at the end of this year, about 12 months out from the next election.

Long-time MP Kim Wells, who some in the party say should move on, said he would be contesting the 2022 election. He said the party had almost been wiped out in 2018, consequently there were enormous opportunities to get more women and more people from multicultural communities preselected. We have got a prospective candidates school, which I have been strongly pushing for to make sure its skewed towards more women and people from multicultural communities to participate in the program, so when it comes to preselection this year, well have a wider range [of candidates], Mr Wells said. There are dozens of winnable seats coming into play at the next election, and we need to win them in order to form government ... so there will be enormous opportunities for us to get a significant number of women and people from multicultural communities preselected. Labor introduced quotas for women running in winnable seats in the mid-1990s, which has led to almost half the state caucus being female compared with just a quarter for the Coalition. However, it would likely be more difficult for the Liberals to establish female quotas than the Labor Party. The ALP often picks its candidates in deals between factional operatives, meaning those officials can work to ensure enough females are picked. But Liberal candidates are generally chosen in local preselections, where a field of candidates are voted on by branch members.

Individual state branches of the Liberal Party have the power to implement changes such as quotas. The reform would likely need to be voted on at a meeting of the partys state council. Loading Party president Robert Clark had faced significant pressure from rank-and-file members, especially those aligned to the so-called Kroger faction, to hold a state council meeting. In a dramatic intervention last week, Victorian senator David Van  who is aligned with factional powerbroker Michael Kroger and has been pushing for members to dump Liberal office holders  said independent legal advice he received from Wendy Harris, QC, on the partys constitution indicated a state council meeting must be held every year with only the smallest latitude to when it is held. In that email, he also called for the administrative committee  the top decision-making body  to suspend itself, and for Mr Clark to resign as party president.
One entry-level job is advertised for every 48 people relying on JobSeeker payments, with competition set to rise after JobKeeper ended on Sunday, leaving tens of thousands of people at risk of losing their jobs.

New analysis by the University of NSW social policy research centre and the Australian Council of Social Service shows there are eight people who receive the JobSeeker or Youth Allowance payment for every job advertised. The ratio is higher when it comes to entry-level jobs, with 48 people on the social security payments for each advertised position.

The situation is even worse in regional areas, where there are 12 jobseekers for each job advertised and 57 for each entry-level position.

The Australian Retailers Association joined ACOSS in warning that the $50-a-week cut in JobSeeker from April 1 could damage the economy. ARA chief executive Paul Zahra said the number of people on JobSeeker compared with each job advertised was high and the payment should be raised to the same level as the age pension to keep people above the poverty line.
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
By Steven Rogers, 03/28/2021



ADVERTISEMENT

[ Spoilers Warning: This report includes spoilers which reveal if Yara and Jovi are still together and if the couple had a baby.]

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

So did Jovi and Yari get married or break up? And is the couple still together now?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Steven Rogers is a senior entertainment reporter for Reality TV World and been covering the reality TV genre for two decades.

's eighth season has shown Yara Zaya upset about Jovi Dufren 's behavior and saying she would just cancel the couple's wedding plans and return home to the Ukraine if she wasn't pregnant with their first child, so did Yara and Jovi break up or go through with their marriage? And what do the spoilers reveal about if Yara and Jovi are still together now?Jovi, a 29-year-old who works in underwater robotics from New Orleans, LA, met Yara, a 25-year-old makeup artist from Kiev, Ukraine, through a travel app.The couple began traveling the world together, and Jovi also visited Yara in the Ukraine multiple times.Yara got pregnant six months into their relationship, and Jovi admitted he was "dumbfounded" at first and worried Yara was trying to "trap" him and get a ticket to the United States."But after the shock wore off, it actually pulled us pretty closer together," Jovi said.Jovi decided to propose marriage to Yara during a trip to Cuba and then apply for a K-1 visa once he returned to America. However, Yara unfortunately experienced a miscarriage.Yara unfortunately experienced a miscarriage, but Jovi still wanted his life to be with her.Once Yara arrived to America, she and Jovi argued a lot over his partying and how Yara didn't feel she could trust Jovi to stand by her through tough times and be around for their future children.Yara also heard from one of Jovi's friends, Sara, that Jovi used to sleep with exotic dancers and had a wild and crazy side.In addition, Jovi's mother Gwen was pushing for the couple to have a big wedding -- but Yara didn't want any family or friends invited since her own loved ones wouldn't be able to attend the ceremony.Yara then discovered she was pregnant again and vented in shock to the cameras, "I am not ready yet. I don't even know if I want to get married and live here."She later added, "I honestly don't even know if [Jovi] wants to settle down with me and [stop] partying all the time. It just makes me feel crazy."As for Jovi, he said he couldn't picture himself living anywhere but New Orleans and raising his kids there.The pair even fought at their engagement party, with Yara calling Jovi "an alcoholic.""If I was not pregnant, I would be already in Ukraine," Yara said in tears."Not so lucky," Jovi responded."Son of a b-tch," Yara said in tears.Yara felt she deserved more from Jovi and questioned whether he really cared for her at all. She didn't feel taken care of, or that she was Jovi's No. 1 priority.After the party, Yara gave Jovi and ultimatum and said if he wanted to be with her, he needed to stop his frequent drinking.Yara gave Jovi permission to drink on special occasions but not every day or else he'd be visiting with his child on weekends while living apart from her.Jovi agreed to drink a little bit less and take better care of his wife-to-be, and Yara demanded respect."I just want him to show that me and the baby [come] first," Yara told the cameras, later adding that living in the United States was never her dream.Jovi had another work trip coming up soon, so he and Yara had to get married within two weeks. Jovi felt rushed but said he was going to make things work.A few days after their engagement party, Yara said Jovi was doing more and treating her better. Not only did Jovi try to cook for her one night, but he was also spending evenings at home with her.Jovi said he was beginning to understand the stress Yara was going through of being pregnant in a foreign country without any friends or relatives around, and he intended to be more sympathetic and supportive.When Jovi only had 12 days left in New Orleans before another work trip, Yara was starting to feel a little better about staying in New Orleans long-term.Yara enjoyed herself at a parade and Jovi hoped she would stay in this good mood because they were leaving for Las Vegas in just a few days for their wedding."I hope I can keep her in a good mood the whole way until we get married," Jovi said.With eight days until her wedding, Yara went shopping for a wedding dress with Jovi's mother Gwen, and Yara sweetly decided to let Gwen attend the wedding since it meant so much to her.Yara picked out a beautiful form-fitted, long-sleeve sequin dress with an open back.When Yara had eight days left on her K-1 visa, Yara slipped and fell in the street and landed on her back.A doctor told Yara that she was fine and the baby was fine, but Yara wasn't feeling well after her fall.Jovi also felt guilt because his bachelor party was supposed to be that night and he'd have to leave Yara behind. Yara, however, gave him the "okay" to go as long as he promised not to get drunk and be home fairly early.Jovi promised to keep things within reason and stay in control, and Yara hoped her fiance would take it easy and be responsible.But Jovi ended up at the local stripclub, which was Jovi's "home away from home," according to one of his friends. Jovi apparently had a great time and ignored Yara's phone calls as he stayed out late into the evening.At the stripclub, Jovi flirted with a dancer named Carter and his buddy instructed Carter to take Jovi "upstairs" and show him a good time. Jovi joked that his pal was forcing him to interact with the entertainer, but Jovi didn't seem to mind.Jovi insisted he didn't touch the dancer and just had a good time. Yara had asked Jovi to return home at 11PM since she was pregnant and had fallen that day, but he stayed out until 1:26AM.Jovi then only had a few hours to pack for Las Vegas and get in some sleep. Yara told Jovi that he smelled like alcohol and accused him of being drunk, and she was clearly disappointed and angry.Yara was also frustrated Jovi had invited friends to their Las Vegas wedding when she was pregnant and couldn't drink or party with any of them. Yara also hadn't revealed to Jovi's friends that she was expecting, and so she figured they would view her as lame or boring.Yara didn't want to talk to Jovi because she didn't feel like she was his priority. Yara didn't think Jovi cared about her at all."I feel like I want to go back to home... to Ukraine," Yara cried in a confessional.After the couple arrived in Vegas, Yara's frustrations continued.Yara said Jovi made her feel like she's not as important as his friends, and she was frustrated Jovi had invited his friends to the wedding when she had only wanted an intimate ceremony for the two of them and Jovi's mother Gwen."That's how Jovi is. You let him take one bite and he will eat all of your cake," Yara complained.Jovi wished Yara was happy and in a good mood about their nuptials, but Yara was also annoyed Jovi didn't seem ready or prepared for the wedding at all. Not only did he have a suit, but he and Yara also didn't have wedding rings to exchange.Yara said America and Ukraine seemed like "two totally different planets," and she was feeling very lonely.Yara didn't know if she was making the right decision in marrying Jovi because she noted it was hard to feel so alone without any of her friends or family around."I feel like I want to go back to home," Yara lamented to a friend on the phone when she had a minute away from Jovi's crew.Yara insisted she loved Jovi "so much" but wished she had more time to decide."If I was not pregnant, I would just leave everything and go home," Yara said. "But it's not that simple."Yara decided to try to have a nice time in Las Vegas, but she just wanted to relax and sleep in her hotel room the first night.Jovi asked his friends to change and meet him at the hotel lobby's bar, but Yara wished Jovi would want to spend time with her that evening.Yara didn't think Jovi was going to change and realize life was no longer about himself and his own happiness.Yara told Jovi she had sacrificed so much in her life to make him happy and she just wanted him to do the same for her. Yara told Jovi that he paid more attention to his friends and she didn't feel great about getting married, which was apparently "a reality check" for Jovi."This is our only opportunity to get married. If we can't come together and make this work, [Yara] has to go back to the Ukraine. I cannot afford to lose my future wife and my baby," Jovi said in a confessional.Jovi told Yara that he was going to try to make things better for her and he wanted her wedding day to be perfect. Yara asked Jovi to make her his No. 1 priority, and so he decided they should do something romantic, just the two of them."I really hope Jovi will change, but I don't really have the time to figure that out. I am pregnant and Jovi has to go to work soon, so I feel like I have to get married right now," Yara explained.Jovi and Yara got married within the 90-day period that Yara's K-1 visa allowed and the couple appears to still be together.According to a screenshot posted by Instagrammer John Yates, Jovi and Yara obtained a marriage license on February 13, 2020, In Touch Weekly reported.Yara and Jovi reportedly exchanged vows in a wedding ceremony in Las Vegas, NV, that same month.Yara told Us Weekly in January 2021 she was "so happy" upon learning she was pregnant because she hoped her baby would look as "handsome" or "beautiful" as Jovi, whom she gushed about being in love with "so much."Jovi and Yara reportedly welcomed their first child together only a few months before Season 8 of premiered on TLC in December 2020, according to In Touch.It appears Yara delivered the couple's child in September 2020.Before viewers saw Yara take a positive pregnancy test on 's eighth season, pregnancy rumors began floating around on December 31 when Yara posted an Instagram photo that appeared to show two unique ornaments on a Christmas tree she was posing next to. (Eagle-eyed fans also pointed out the tree looked like it was in Jovi's New Orleans apartment).One of the ornaments was a baby and the other was a pink heart with the word "mom" written on it.Yara also reportedly created an Amazon baby registry last year under the name "Yara Dufren," which seemingly provided evidence she and Jovi had tied the knot during her K-1 visa trip to the United States.The baby registry was posted on January 4, 2020, according to In Touch, and the items Yara listed were for a baby girl due in September 2020.The registry has since been removed from Amazon.The latest evidence indicating Jovi and Yara are still together is that they will be starring on the upcoming sixth season of : Happily Ever After? premiering Sunday, April 25 on TLC, according to the @fraudedmedia Instagram account formerly called @fraudedbytlc.It's also apparent Jovi and Yara's relationship is doing well based on their recent social-media activity. For example, Jovi's Instagram profile picture features Yara.And on Yara's Instagram, her description says, "38 country, traveling with my [love]." Jovi has a similar description on his own Instagram page, saying he's been to 57 countries and is "on an adventure to see the world!"As recently as March 2021, Yara hinted she and Jovi's relationship is still in good standing when she posted a picture of a bedside table decorated with candles and flowers. It appeared Jovi may have served Yara cake and coffee in bed in honor of International Women's Day."Happy International Women's Day, my girls, I hope you made your man buy you flowers," Yara captioned her post."In my country, March 8 is a great holiday when women are treated like queens. Women, be sure your man treat you the right way, buy for you flowers, take you to dinner. I do not feel like this is celebrated enough in America."Jovi simultaneously shared a picture of himself on the same day and advised men to treat their girlfriends or wives the way the women deserve to be treated.In mid-December 2020, Yara posted a picture of herself touching her hair, and an Instagram user noticed an engagement ring and wedding ring on Yara's left hand.But when a fan commented, "Ooooooooo a wedding ring," Yara commented, "Not wedding, this is an ordinary ring, I wear it so that the engagement ring does not get lost, because it is big for me."The fan wrote back that Jovi needs to size the ring for Yara, and she replied, "Hahahahah, i was thinking about that, but I newer have time."In early December of last year, Yara posted a photo of herself filming behind-the-scenes and wrote alongside it, "I want Jovi to look at me with the same loving eyes as this woman looks at me in the first photo."Yara also uploaded a photo of herself drinking wine with a cityscape in the background, and Jovi commented with the following flirty response: "Dayummmm. Are you single??"Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
Three teenagers have been charged over a horror crash that claimed the life of a 15-year-old girl.

Police believe an allegedly stolen Subaru Liberty veered off Old Geelong Road in Hoppers Crossing, Melbourne's southwest, and rolled about 6.30pm on Saturday.

The girl was rushed to hospital where she later died.

A teenager inside the car allegedly fled the scene but was arrested by police a short time later, along with two others.

A 15-year-old girl died and three teenagers were arrested after an allegedly stolen car veered off Old Geelong Road (pictured) in Hoppers Crossing and rolled on Saturday night

A 16-year-old boy was later charged with culpable driving causing death, and a girl, 15, was charged with theft of vehicle and theft.

The boy and girl were remanded in custody to appear before a children's court at a later date.

A 17-year-old boy was charged with theft of motor vehicle. He was bailed to appear before a children's court at a later date.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or who has daschcam footage to contact police.
An Ohio philosophy professor who refused to address a transgender student by female pronouns can sue his college for damages after a judge ruled a written warning issued by the school violated his First Amendment rights.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that Shawnee State University violated Prof. Nicholas Meriwether's freedom of speech and religion by punishing him for resisting rules forcing him to address students by terms of their choosing.

Meriwether was reprimanded in 2016 after a transgender student complained that he used 'Mr.' instead of 'Ms.' when responding to her in class and repeatedly treated her like any other biologically male person despite her wish to be addressed as a woman.

The academic, who said the rules did not reflect 'biological reality' and contradicted his devout Christian beliefs, was given a written warning about his conduct, and said he could be suspended without pay or fired for violating its nondiscrimination policy.

Prof. Nicholas Meriwether's (pictured) refused to address a transgender feminine student as 'Ms' rather than 'Ms'

Writing for a three-judge panel, Trump-appointed Circuit Judge Amul Thapar said Meriwether was simply communicating on a 'hotly contested' matter of public concern, whether one's sex can be changed.

He also said Portsmouth-based Shawnee State offered no proof Meriwether's decision not to use feminine pronouns affected his job, hampered school operations or denied educational benefits to the student, known as Jane Doe, who received a high grade.

'If professors lacked free-speech protections when teaching, a university would wield alarming power to compel ideological conformity,' wrote Thapar.

'A university president could require a pacifist to declare that war is just, a civil rights icon to condemn the Freedom Riders, a believer to deny the existence of God, or a Soviet to address his students as 'comrades,'' he added. 'That cannot be.'

He returned the lawsuit to a Cincinnati judge who dismissed it in February 2020. Several interest groups submitted briefs supporting both sides.

The decision clears the way for Meriwether, who had taught at Shawnee State University since 1996, to appeal for damages.

Shawnee State and its lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian conservative law firm based in Arizona specializing in cases involving 'religious freedom, sanctity of life, and marriage and family,' filed the federal lawsuit on Meriwether's behalf in November 2019.

'In January 2018, a male student demanded that Dr. Meriwether address him as a woman because he identified as such and threatened to have Dr. Meriwether fired if he declined,' the lawsuit, the text of which was obtained by NBC News, read.

'To accede to these demands would have required Dr. Meriwether to communicate views regarding gender identity that he does not hold, that he does not wish to communicate, and that would contradict (and force him to violate) his sincerely held Christian beliefs.'

Trump-appointed Circuit Judge Amul Thapar said Meriwether was simply communicating on a 'hotly contested' matter of public concern, whether one's sex can be changed

The lawsuit alleged that the university 'punished' Meriwether for 'expressing views that differ from its own orthodoxy and for declining to express its mandated ideological message.'

'Continuing in their role as the self-appointed grammar police, Defendants threaten to punish him again if he continues to express his views,' the lawsuit read.

'Under their policies, all professors must refer to each student - both in and out of class - using whatever pronouns the student claims reflect his gender identity.'

Meriwether argued in his complaint that 'the number of potential gender identities is infinite' and that there are 'over one hundred different options currently available.'

John Bursch, a lawyer at the Alliance Defending Freedom, praised the decision.

'Nobody should be forced to contradict their core beliefs just to keep their job,' he said.
Days ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, Kerala Chief Minister on Saturday alleged that there is an alliance between the Congress party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.

"Leaders of the Congress and are blaming a CPI M- alliance out of fear that they will not be able to carry out a lie detector test. There is a Kerala-level alliance between the Congress and the It has continued is in this election as well," the Chief Minister alleged.

He further claimed that the opposition is trying to block the functioning of the government through the constant allegations.

"All of their allegations have collapsed miserably. It was the Opposition that opened the door for the Central Government to Kerala. It is through that door that the central agencies carry out vandalism here," he said.

"The judicial inquiry against Enforcement Directorate was announced because there were multiple allegations against them. Do not disturb the judicial inquiry. Why is the Leader of the Opposition coming out more strongly against this probe than the BJP? Why is the Opposition leader upset? This unrest is a continuation of the Congress-BJP relationship. The Opposition should support the inquiry," he added.

This comes ahead of the State Assembly for the 140-member Kerala assembly in 14 districts set to be held in a single phase on April 6. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former Imo Governor, Rochas Okorocha and the Obi of Obinugwu, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, clashed on Sunday aboard an Air Peace flight to Abuja. T...





Former Imo Governor, Rochas Okorocha and the Obi of Obinugwu, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, clashed on Sunday aboard an Air Peace flight to Abuja.

The traditional ruler confronted Okorocha, the Imo West Senator, who was seated next to him.

It was gathered that Ilomuanya hit the politician with his stick in the heat of the argument.

The airline crew, led by the captain, had to re-seat Okorocha to forestall a physical fight.

Ilomuanya was said to have warned the lawmaker to stay away from Orlu, Imos second-largest city after Owerri, the state capital.

There are insinuations that the anger of the monarch may not be unconnected with his dethronement as the Imo Council of Traditional Rulers Chairman by Okorocha.

Ilomunaya was removed in 2011 shortly after Okorocha assumed office as the governor.

The case moved from the Federal High Court to the Court of Appeal Court to the Supreme Court.

In a 2017 interview with the Guardian, Ilomunaya had alleged that Okorocha was vindictive over a political decision the traditional rulers made before he assumed office.

I must confess I have no personal problems with Governor Rochas Okorocha. I have no other option than to honour and respect his person and office. This I have always done, despite his calculated attempts to dishonour me.

But what I oppose in all ramifications is Governor Okorachas dictatorial tendencies. He is playing the god in Imo. This is not good for our people. It is also not good for the image of Imo State.

In late January 2021, some traditional rulers in the state expressed their preference for the return of Ilomunaya as the Chairman of the Council.

Speaking on their behalf, the traditional ruler of Okwudor in Njaba LGA, Eze Anayochukwu Durueburuo, told Governor Hope Uzodinma that his reinstatement will elicit joy among the monarchs and reinvigorate the almost desecrated institution.

Durueburuo noted that Uzodinmas favourable disposition to their request would portray him as a respecter of the judicial pronouncements and the rule of law.

Eze Ilomuanya has several court judgments directing his reinstatement as Chairman, an action which the Presidency, through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) agrees with, he said.
New Delhi:

The Scotland Yards Counter-Terrorism Command arrested a second man on midnight Saturday in connection with the bombing at a London Underground train.

A 21-year-old was arrested by police just before midnight in Hounslow, West London.

Earlier, the police had arrested an 18-year-old man was arrested by Kent police in the port area of Dover on Saturday morning.

Both the suspects have been held under Section 41 of the UKs Terrorism Act and are being questioned at a south London police station.

The Metropolitan Police and its partners across the Counter Terrorism Policing Network have been working around the clock and through the night to identify, locate and arrest those responsible for this cowardly crime, Neil Basu, the Met Polices Senior National Co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said.

At this stage we are keeping an open mind around whether more than one person is responsible for the attack and we are still pursuing numerous lines of enquiry and at a great pace, he said.

Thirty people are known to have been injured during the attack in which an improvised explosive device was detonated on a Tube train at Parsons Green underground station at around 08:20hrs local time on Friday.

Following the first arrest yesterday, Met Police counter-terrorism specialist firearms officers had evacuated buildings as they began searches at a residential address in Sunbury, Surrey, south-east England.

The search remains ongoing as it emerged that the home belongs to an elderly British couple honoured with an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010 for their efforts at fostering hundreds of refugee children.

The 18-year-old arrested is believed to have been one of the children fostered by 88-year-old Ronald Jones, 88, and 71 -year-old Penelope Jones.

Meanwhile, the UK terror threat level remains critical, meaning an attack is expected imminently.

The Islamic State (ISIS) group has said it was behind the bomb but Met Polices Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said it was very routine for ISIS to claim the attack, whether in contact with those involved or not.

The blast, which is being described as a bucket bomb sent a fireball through the Tube causing burn injuries to many commuters.

The main device, which had been fitted with a crude timer using shop-bought fairy lights, failed to detonate, meaning hundreds of people were spared death and serious injury. (With PTI Inputs)

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai and Chinese Assistant to Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao

cut the cake celebrating the 71st anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations (Photo: VNA)

The event drew Chinese Assistant to Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao, representatives of the host countrys ministries, sectors, agencies and localities, as well as the Vietnamese community and businesses in China.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai reviewed the 71 years of the diplomatic ties as well as major cooperation outcomes between the two countries in recent years.

He noted that since the beginning of 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, senior leaders of the two Parties and States have maintained regular meetings with flexible forms, while bilateral partnership in all fields have been promoted, including collaboration in economy, trade and investment.

Vietnam has been the largest trade partner of China among ASEAN member countries with two-way trade hitting 19.2 billion USD in 2020, up 18.7 percent year on year, according to statistics from Chinas Customs. Meanwhile, China was the third biggest investor of Vietnam last year.

Ambassador Mai underlined that 2021 is a year of significant importance to both side as this is the first year that Vietnam implements the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, the socio-economic development plan for the 2021-2025 period, and the socio-economic development strategy for the 2021-2030 period. Meanwhile, this year, China celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China and begins the implementation of the 14th socio-economic planning for the next five years with a vision to 2035, he added.

The diplomat recalled that on February 8, few days before the Lunar New Year, Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and Chinese President Xi Jinping held an phone talk to sketch out major orientations for the development of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic partnership in the future.

Ambassador Mai proposed that both sides fully and effectively implement the common perspectives reached by senior leaders of both countries, strengthen political trust, expand and enhance the efficiency of cooperation in fields, promote people-to-people exchange, control and satifactorily address disagreements on the basis of respecting each others legitimate interest in line with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), thus further boosting the growth of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic partnership in a healthy, stable and in-depth manner, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

During the ceremony, participants had a chance to enjoy Vietnamese traditional dishes./.
It had been getting worse for years and years and I tried hypnotherapy and I just thought, What am I going to do? Ive only got 20 years left, or thereabouts. I was horrified that if this keeps going Im going to waste my time. But I could not stop.

For the last nine years, I have been self-soothing, OLoughlin says. I kid you not, Ive played [mobile] games for 13 hours in a row. Candy Crush and that sort of stuff.

The 57-year-old comedian, who has fought a very public battle with alcoholism, was recently diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. She is now on medication and feels like there has been a seismic shift. Oh, and shes coming out as asexual.

Fiona OLoughlin feels like a new woman. And its not because shes a blonde. Nor has it got anything to do with her new top lip.

The comedian says doctors had previously suggested she might be experiencing ADHD symptoms, but she dismissed them. About three months ago, she went into a clinic to have her brain checked and was diagnosed by accident.

I get my brain checked every few years because of a lot of blackout drinking. Theres a lot of  frontal lobe damage. But thankfully nothing that affects the comedy!

OLoughlins medication has meant she is now able to focus for hours at a time. When she sat down to compose her material for this years Melbourne International Comedy Festival, she ended up with five hours of material. Thats why she has two shows this year.

The first, The Unreliable Witness, is playing at Melbourne Town Hall and will detail how this world, comedy, saved me and nearly killed me. Her other act, No Lies, will be held at Melbournes Imperial Hotel. During the latter, OLoughlin will recount some of her lifes most embarrassing and ridiculous stories. And dont worry, shes promising lots of original material. Quite the feat for someone who has won Im a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! and been featured on the ABCs Australian Story.

This is the first time Ive ever walked onto stage and know whats going to come out of my mouth, OLoughlin says. Ive never written a show. I always catch scraps of paper and, literally, once I had a crumbled piece of paper in my handbag. It was about eight words and that was my show for the year.
AndroidManifest malware. Credit: Zimperium

In recent weeks, Zimperium zLabs researchers revealed unsecured cloud configurations exposing user data across thousands of legitimate Android and iOS applications. Now, zLabs is advising Android users about a clever and malicious new Android app.

This latest malware takes the form of a System Update application in order to steal data, images, messages and usurp control over entire Android phones. After assuming control, attackers can record audio and phone calls, view browser history, take photos and access WhatsApp messages, among other activities.

zLabs researchers uncovered this alleged System Update app after detecting an application flagged by the z9 malware engine powering zIPS on-device detection. An investigation showed this activity to trace to an advanced spyware campaign with intricate capabilities. Researchers sealed the deal after confirming with Google that such an app never existed nor was planned to ever be released on Google Play.

With an extensive list of compromise capabilities, this malware can steal messages off instant messenger systems and their database files using root, examine the default browsers bookmarks and searches, inspect bookmark and search history from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Samsung Internet browsers, search for files with the specific extensions .doc, .docx, .pdf, .xls and .xlsx; examine clipboard data and notifications content, take periodic photos via the front or rear camera, view installed applications, steal images and video, monitor via GPS, steal phone contacts and SMS messages as well as call logs and exfiltrate device information such as device name and storage data. Moreover, the malware can even conceal itself by hiding its icon from the devices' menu.

This malware works by running on Firebase Command and Control (C&C) upon installation from a non-Google third party apps store, listed under the names "update" and "refreshAllData". To enhance its sense of legitimacy, the app contains feature information such as the presence of WhatsApp, battery percentage, storage statistics, type of Internet connection and Firebase messaging service token. Once the user selects to "update" the existing information, the app infiltrates the affected device. Upon dissemination, the C&C receives all relevant data, including the new generated Firebase token.

While the Firebase communication makes the necessary commands, the dedicated C&C server uses a POST request to gather the stolen data. Notable actions that trigger exfiltration by the app include adding a new contact, installing a new application via Android's contentObserver or receiving a new SMS.

Explore further Unsecured cloud configurations expose data across thousands of mobile apps

More information: Yaswant, A. "New Advanced Android Malware Posing as 'System Update.'" Zimperium Mobile Security Blog, Zimperium, 26 Mar. 2021, Yaswant, A. "New Advanced Android Malware Posing as 'System Update.'" Zimperium Mobile Security Blog, Zimperium, 26 Mar. 2021, blog.zimperium.com/new-advance  ng-as-system-update/

 2021 Science X Network
Kate Middleton has revealed she wanted to use the 'power of photography' to create a lasting record of the Covid pandemic through her Hold Still project - as it's revealed the final 100 images will be collated in a new book.

The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, who is a keen amateur photographer, launched the initiative during lockdown and asked the public to submit their images which captured the period.

From over 31,000 images, 100 final portraits were selected and shown in a digital exhibition before being displayed across the UK as part of a community exhibition.

Today Kate and the National Portrait Gallery announced the new book, Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020, will be available in UK bookshops and online from Friday 7 May, one year on since the project was first launched.

Kate Middleton has revealed she wanted to use the 'power of photography' to create a lasting record of the Covid pandemic through her Hold Still project - as it's revealed the final 100 images will be collated in a new book. She shared this photo - believed to have been taken during the Cambridge family Christmas card shoot - to mark the occasion

Today Kate and the National Portrait Gallery announced the new book, Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020, will be available in UK bookshops and online from Friday 7 May, one year on since the project was first launched

Mother-of-three Kate is seen posing with her Fujifilm X-T3 camera in jeans and a burgundy knit jumper over the top of a white shirt with a frill collar in a photo taken by royal photographer Matt Porteous shared to mark the occasion.

It's the same outfit Kate wore for the Cambridges' Christmas card photo, also shot by Porteous in the grounds of their Norfolk country home Amner Hall, where they spent much of last year during lockdown. It's likely this photo was taken during the same autumnal shoot.

The Duchess wears simple hoop earrings and natural make-up, with her hair pulled over to one shoulder in the candid shot, in which she's seen grinning to the left of the camera, possibly at William and their three children.

The new book includes an introduction from Kate, in which she explains why launching Hold Still was so important to her. She writes: 'When we look back at the COVID-19 pandemic in decades to come, we will think of the challenges we all faced  the loved ones we lost, the extended isolation from our families and friends and the strain placed on our key workers.

The new book includes an introduction from Kate, in which she explains why launching Hold Still was so important to her

Mother-of-three Kate is seen posing with her Fujifilm X-T3 camera in jeans and a burgundy knit jumper over the top of a white shirt with a frill collar - the same outfit she wore for the Cambridges' Christmas card photo (pictured), also shot by Porteous in the grounds of their Norfolk country home Amner Hall, where they spent much of last year during lockdown. It's likely this photo was taken during the same autumnal shoot

'But we will also remember the positives: the incredible acts of kindness, the helpers and heroes who emerged from all walks of life, and how together we adapted to a new normal.

'Through Hold Still, I wanted to use the power of photography to create a lasting record of what we were all experiencing  to capture individuals' stories and document significant moments for families and communities as we lived through the pandemic.'

She goes on: 'For me, the power of the images is in the poignant and personal stories that sit behind them. I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak to some of the photographers and sitters, to hear their stories first-hand - from moments of joy, love and community spirit, to deep sadness, pain, isolation and loss.

'A common theme of those conversations was how lockdown reminded us about the importance of human connection and the huge value we place on the relationships we have with the people around us.

'Although we were physically apart, these images remind us that, as families, communities and as a nation, we need each other more than we had ever realised.'

The announcement comes after the UK marked the one-year anniversary of the first national lockdown earlier this week. Pictured: an image from the new book

She concludes by thanking everyone who took the time to submit an image, adding: 'Your stories are the most crucial part of this project. I hope that the final 100 photographs showcase the experiences and emotions borne during this time in history, pay tribute to the awe-inspiring efforts of all who have worked to protect those around them, and provide a space for us to pause and reflect upon this unparalleled period.'

The announcement comes after the UK marked the one-year anniversary of the first national lockdown earlier this week.

Net proceeds raised from the sale of the book will be split between the mental health charity Mind and the National Portrait Gallery. The funds will help to support arts and mental health projects across the UK, including Mind's work in local communities and the National Portrait Gallery's education and community projects.

As well as showcasing the final 100 images and the stories that accompany each of them, the book - which has been put together with support from the Co-op - will look back at highlights from the community exhibition which took the portraits to billboards and outdoor poster sites in 80 towns, cities and areas in October 2020.

Net proceeds raised from the sale of the book (pictured) will be split between the mental health charity Mind and the National Portrait Gallery

Over the course of the project the Duchess shared a number of her favourite images on the Kensington Royal Instagram page, including a Black Lives Matter protester holding a sign reading: 'Be on the right side of history.'

Another of the snaps was a black and white image showing a man embracing his daughter, while one shows a child kissing their godmother through a window.

Meanwhile others featured a student holding her exam qualifications, and a young girl seen drawing a huge rainbow onto a window pane.

Dr Nicholas Cullinan, director of The National Portrait Gallery said: 'The public response to Hold Still, which was spearheaded by our Patron, the Duchess of Cambridge, has been phenomenal.

Over the course of the project the Duchess shared a number of her favourite images on the Kensington Royal Instagram page, including one of a young girl seen drawing a huge rainbow onto a window pane, which made it into the book (pictured)

As well as showcasing the final 100 images and the stories that accompany each of them, the book - which has been put together with support from the Co-op - will look back at highlights from the community exhibition which took the portraits to billboards and outdoor poster sites in 80 towns, cities and areas in October 2020

'The photographs submitted have helped to create a unifying and cathartic portrait of life in lockdown. We are honoured to have been able to share a selection of these photographs with the nation, first through the online and community exhibition and now through this new publication.

'The proceeds raised from the book will help us to continue to care for and share our national Collection and to provide free access, inspiration and learning, through the work we do at the Gallery and our UK wide community and education projects.

'Hold Still is an important record of this extraordinary moment in our history  expressed through the faces of the nation  and we hope will remain so for generations to come.'

Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, added: 'The coronavirus pandemic is a mental health emergency as well as a physical one. The devastating loss of life, the impact of lockdown, and any recession that lies ahead means there has never been a more crucial time to prioritise our mental health.

'This inspiring collection of portraits illustrates the impact of the pandemic in all its complexity, but also how creativity, art and human connection can help us find meaning in unprecedented challenges.

'Thank you to everyone who submitted a portrait to tell such a moving and deeply human story of the pandemic. And to the National Portrait Gallery and The Duchess of Cambridge for choosing Mind as a joint beneficiary of proceeds from the sales of this book.'

For more information or to pre-order a copy of the book, visit the National Portrait Gallery's website.
Dhaka, March 29 : At least 500 people were injured as violence swept Bangladesh amid a nationwide dawn-to-dusk shutdown called by Islamist groups Hefazat-e-Islam and the banned Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday, officials said.

An official of the Ministry of Home Affairs said at least 500 innocent people injured by the militants' attacks, while a case accusing 500 Hefazat members of violence was filed on Sunday evening, but no one has been arrested yet, Abu Bakar Siddique, officer in charge of Paltan Police station, told IANS.

The shutdown was enforced by Hefazat-e-Islam in Dhaka, Sylhet, Chittagong, Kishoreganj, Norshingdi, Narayanganj, Brahman Baria, Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi and other districts.

Narayanganj Madaninagar Madrasha students blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway by burning tires from Sanarpar to Shimrail crossing in the morning, disrupting road communications to Chittagong and Sylhet.

In Sylhet, Jaamat members, moving under the Hefazat banner, brought out processions in different parts and several crude bombs were also exploded. Four people were arrested, but police declined to comment.

Due to the countrywide strike, no buses left Sylhet bus stand since the morning, while Hefazat activists, sporting sharp weapons, bamboo staffs and iron rods, obstructed traffic at every entrance point.

According to four injured journalists of Noakhali, the Hefazat brought out a procession in support of the shutdown at Chaumuhani Chowrasta and suddenly attacked the office of Noakhali TV Journalists Forum.

More than 50, including 10 policemen and nearly two dozen members of the ruling Awami League, were injured in Kishoreganj, during the protest. Hefazat attacked the party office on Station Road, and vandalised it, including its signboard and the photos of Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina.

Police lobbed teargas shells and fired blank shots to disperse the clashing groups, and additional personnel of police, the BGB and RAB have been deployed in the district.

Reports of vehicles being set afire were also received.

Talking to IANS, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said: "When we pull the strings, we see that the leaders of these militant groups have been leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami before. Banned outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad, Ansar-Ullah Bangla Team, whatever... the main leadership of all of these outfits has come from Jamaat-Shibir - who were the auxiliary force of the Pakistan army in 1971. And the militants of Jamaat-e-Islami behind the screen planned all the tactics, and involvement of Basherkella makes it clear that the militant outfits that always create terror and anarchy have been newly incorporated. We are looking into all the issues. No matter where they are, no one will be spared.

"The situation is being instigated by spreading false rumours and video through social media through Basherkella and some other pages run by the Jamaat. We are treating these as sabotage and a stance against the state." A Ministry of Home Affairs statement said that in the last two days, some "unruly individuals and groups have destroyed government property in Chattogram's Hathazari, Brahmanbaria Sadar, Sarail and Ashuganj upazilas in a religious frenzy".

Among them, the Upazila Parishad, the Thana Bhaban, government land office, police outpost, railway station and houses of politicians have been damaged, it said, urging all concerned to stop all "disorderly conduct", "otherwise, the government will take a strict stand to protect the lives and property of the people".

It also said that the government was watching with concern, a group of orphans and children taking to the streets to destroy government property and cause casualties.

Noting untruths and rumours are being spread through social media, the statement warned that those involved will be identified and face stern action.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq warned that the government would take stern action against those who try to disturb law and order.

"Those who are trying to spoil the celebration of the golden jubilee of the country's independence are surely not showing any respect or affection towards our motherland. Government is very aware about upholding freedom of speech and press freedom. We would not stop any small section of the society from giving their speeches, but would take strong action if they try to hinder law and order," he said.
ANSONIA  Pre-K students were sent home early Friday after police said they received a tip from the FBI about a person threatening to blow up the middle school.

Police said a search of the building did not reveal anything suspicious, and an investigation later determined the threat was not substantiated.

Ansonia police spokesman Lt. Patrick Lynch said police were notified by the Federal Bureau of Investigations that the agency had received a complaint about a person threatening to blow up the school.

After consulting with the Ansonia Board of Education, a decision was made to send home the Pre-K students, all other students were on a remote learning day, Lynch said. The decision to send the students home was done out of an abundance of caution.

Police searched the school and grounds, including with the use of bomb-sniffing dogs, but nothing was found, Lynch said.

Through the help of state police and the FBI, everyone involved was located and interviewed by law enforcement.

Lynch said the incident began with an ongoing neighbor dispute with one claiming the other threatened to blow up the house and middle school during an argument.

The accused neighbor cooperated with the investigation and denied making any statements about blowing up the school, Lynch said. No evidence was found to substantiate the initial claim and no arrests have been made.
Huntington, WV (25701)

Today

Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is threatening to sue the federal government if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doesn't allow cruises to restart by the summer.

Why it matters: Florida is at the heart of the U.S. cruise industry, with Miami, Port Everglades and Port Canaveral among the busiest ports in the world. Millions of passengers pass through in a typical year. It's worth billions of dollars for the state's economy, per AP.

A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted.

Driving the news: DeSantis appeared alongside Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) and the leaders of Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney and Norwegian cruise lines a Port Canaveral news conference Friday to make the case for lifting the no-sail order.

"They did the No-Sail Order in March of 2020 ... and it's never been really to the point where they're making an effort to really get it back," DeSantis said.

"This has a kind of ripple effect throughout all businesses," he said. "When they're sailing, there is more economic opportunity for people across a wide range of businesses. It affects a lot of jobs. What we need is a way forward."

"Is it OK for the government to idle an industry for a year with no end in sight?"

 DeSantis

For the record: The CDC implemented a no-sail order after COVID-19 cases spiked on cruise ships early in the pandemic.

Last October, the public health agency replaced its "no-sail" order on U.S. cruises with a less restrictive "Conditional Sailing Order," setting the stage for the phased resumption of passenger cruise line travel  which DeSantis criticized for being "totally unrealistic."

Moody said if a lawsuit were filed, it'd challenge this order as he said it's based on out-of-date medical information that's no longer valid.

Of note: University of Florida epidemiologist Cindy Prins told AP it's "too early" for cruises to resume, given the higher risk of the virus spreading among passengers mingling on ships for long periods.

She noted "testing and symptom screening are not perfect methods of prevention."

Prins added companies would have to limit passenger numbers, with crews required to show they're fully vaccinated in order to lower the risk of the virus spreading  something DeSantis opposes and no industry leader addressed at the news conference, AP notes.

The big picture: Florida became one of the world's epicenters for the virus last July, forcing DeSantis to pause the state's first round of reopening.

He fully lifted restrictions on restaurants last September, as part of a commitment to reopen the economy, saying "we're not closing anything going forward."

The state was averaging about 2,700 new daily cases at the time.

The CDC did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

By the numbers: Florida has confirmed over 5,000 cases a day since last Monday, including 5,688 on Friday, according to the state health department.

There had been at least 3,689 COVID-19 or coronavirus-like illness cases on cruise ships in U.S. waters, "in addition to at least 41 reported deaths," the CDC said last October.

Go deeper: Florida's pandemic response gets a second look from the national media
SPRINGFIELD  Two victims of a Friday night shooting remain hospitalized while police detectives continue to investigate the crime and neighborhood residents and city officials debate on how to end the latest spate of gun violence.

The shooting is the third to take place this week, leaving six people injured in six days.

We believe gangs are involved, Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood said on Saturday. The victims are both known gang members.

Fridays shooting occurred at about 8:25 p.m. on Quincy Street and both victims suffered serious injuries.

One of the victims was driven to Police Headquarters on Pearl Street in a private vehicle and then brought by ambulance to Baystate Medical Center. Police located the other at the shooting scene and he was also taken to Baystate by ambulance, said Ryan Walsh, police spokesman.

The shooting was the second in two days. A man was wounded at about 3:50 p.m., Thursday on Dartmouth Street, which is about a half-mile from Quincy Street. The victim received injuries that were not life-threatening, Walsh said.

On March 20, three people were injured in a shooting that occurred at about 4:25 p.m. near the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Waldon Street. None of the three suffered life-threatening injuries, Walsh said.

Police are also continuing to investigate the homicide of William Parker, 22, who was killed the week before in a shooting that occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on March 16 near the intersection of College and Shattuck Streets.

All three shootings could very well be related, Clapprood said.

They all have validated gang ties and that works against us too because they dont want to talk to us. Their mentality is to take care of it themselves and with their gang, Clapprood said.

She and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno again complained about judges releasing people who are caught with unlicensed guns on low bails or with assigning short sentences to those who are convicted.

What happens when they are not holding people the gang members are feeling much more comfortable having their weapons in their cars with them, Clapprood said, explaining short sentences give the members little reason to worry about being arrested.

When they are armed and see someone from a rival gang that they are after they start shooting. That is why there are multiple shootings in different neighborhoods that are connected, she said.

Last year police confiscated a record 275 firearms and so far this year officers have seized 28 guns, Walsh said.

A press conference on gun violence organized by Ward 4 Springfield City Councilor Malo Brown and held near the scene of the shooting on Dartmouth Street disintegrated into a shouting match after Sarno repeated his long-standing complaint about judges releasing repeat offenders on low bails.

He said it may be time for residents to protest at the homes of judges and legislators to show how concerned residents are.

But he was then shouted down by several neighbors who argued that the city cannot continue to arrest its young Black and Latino men and officials instead need to focus on improving the schools, providing job training, mental health services and other community programs.

City Councilor Tracye Whitfield, who recently formed the Gun Violence Elimination Alliance, a non-profit she hopes will serve as an umbrella organization to work with a variety of groups fighting violence in the city, interrupted Sarno while he was speaking to say there are other solutions than locking up people.

While she said she believes repeat offenders do need to be locked up, the city also needs to focus on a positive message of helping people as they leave jail to find a job, housing and educational opportunities.

If we do not help them and they dont have any money and a place to live you are going to revert to the life they had before, she said. We cant just arrest, arrest, arrest our way out of this.

Brown, who organized the press conference with the McKnight Neighborhood Council, said he supports police and wants to see properly-trained officers working in the neighborhood to deter shootings.

It is not about locking up people. It is about locking up killers, he said. Everyone has a right to be safe in their own community and no one has the right to kill.

During the meeting, Clapprood said pro-active community policing has declined for a variety of reasons recently. She agreed to have police park their cruisers in the neighborhood while they are doing paperwork to help deter some of the gun violence as one measure.

Having that police presence and having a quality-of-life officer assigned to the neighborhood that homeowners know and can contact at any time they see a reoccurring problem has helped in the past, said Walter Kroll, president of the McKnight Neighborhood Council.

Resident Liz OGilvie said she feels the councilors, the police, the politicians and police, especially those of different races, have to find a way to have a civil discourse to work out their differences and find some solutions.

While not for defunding police, she said she wants to see a stronger focus and support for education, which will give children a chance for a good life.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Searing pain, sciatica, vomiting, fatigue and blackouts - just some of the symptoms dismissed by doctors who accused model Hannah Devane of 'starving herself' when she sought help for debilitating periods.

The Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model finalist first began experiencing life-altering symptoms when she was in her twenties.

It would take dozens of appointments with doctors and endless self-advocacy for the top model to be diagnosed with endometriosis.

Expand Close Hannah in an online exhibition alongside portraits of 17 other women to coincide with Endometriosis Awareness Month. Ester Keates series explores the illness through a images which include close-up photos of the womens faint surgical scars / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Hannah in an online exhibition alongside portraits of 17 other women to coincide with Endometriosis Awareness Month. Ester Keates series explores the illness through a images which include close-up photos of the womens faint surgical scars

The debilitating condition affects one in ten women and occurs when tissue grows outside of the uterus, and can cause chronic pain and infertility in some cases.

Shockingly, in Ireland the waiting time for diagnosis is up to nine years.

Clinic

Last week a dedicated treatment clinic for women with endometriosis was launched in the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital.

Hannah says it's one small step for women who have been forced to suffer in silence.

"Unless you are living with endometriosis you will have no idea about how much it can impact someone's life. I feel quite passionate about speaking out about it so women, at the very minimum, will know they're not alone."

Speaking of the condition which ravaged her life, Hannah, who now lives in London with her husband who she wed in an idyllic ceremony in 2018, said: "I get this really deep, aching pain right through my abdomen to my back and down my legs, it's a stabbing all-consuming searing pain.

Expand Close Hannah had to battle for years to get a diagnosis of endometriosis / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Hannah had to battle for years to get a diagnosis of endometriosis

"I have fainted on trains and have had to remove myself from public transport to vomit. I experienced swelling in my lower abdomen, pain when urinating and extreme fatigue.

"In my twenties I had to take painkillers just to get through the day. I used all my energy to get through my working days. When I came home I had to go to bed with a hot water bottle. I wasn't doing what normal twentysomethings do, I missed out on a lot.

"For a long time, I didn't know what was going on and why this was happening. I thought it was part of being a woman, at least that's what I was told."

When Hannah could no longer function, she sought counsel from doctors and was unanimously dismissed.

"I had quite a hard time being listened to and taken seriously. I am naturally very tall and thin, I always have been.

"Doctors told me, 'you must be putting your body under strain, are you starving yourself? Are you over exercising?'

"Neither of which was the case. I've had doctors tell me I was in pain because I had a stressful job and that it was all in my head. It was always put back on me.

"I do think if a man went in with a level of pain and symptoms that it would be taken more seriously.

"There is this kind of issue in society that we're seen as overly sensitive or overly dramatic and that's not the case. There's so many women that are highly functioning through so much pain and that should not be the case, we shouldn't have to suck it up.

"Not being believed and being patronised by a lot of doctors was extremely difficult."

The social media influencer, who hopes to spread awareness of the condition and is looking to schools to educate about periods, also felt betrayed be her own body.

"I did feel a lot of almost resentment towards my own body because I thought 'why am I struggling? Why is my body not cooperating?' Now I see it in a different way, my body is resilient, it carried me through.

Expand Close Hannah shares her post-op pictures / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Hannah shares her post-op pictures

Urging women to seek help, Hannah pleads: "If you don't get the proper care from somebody, get a second opinion, get a third opinion, get a fourth opinion until you find somebody who's going to give you the treatment you deserve.

"I knew there was something going on. I was told to go to a pain clinic and even at one stage referred to a pain psychologist.

"I would constantly have the same tests, antibiotics and painkillers. I felt like it was just like putting a band-aid on a broken neck - nobody wanted to get to the root of what was actually going on."

When the newlywed finally found a doctor in London who took her symptoms seriously she received a diagnosis of endometriosis.

"I underwent laparoscopy, a surgical procedure used to examine the organs inside the abdomen, that's the only way to confirm diagnosis.

Expand Close Hannah shares her post-op pictures / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Hannah shares her post-op pictures

"I was treated with ablation which destroys the lining of the uterus but it is a very superficial treatment.

"It burned off superficial lesions but they just grow back. After surgery my pain came back and I wasn't taken seriously again."

Determined to find a resolution, Hannah found a specialist in excision surgery where the scar tissue and the roots of adhesions are removed.

"I underwent the treatment nine months before I got married, that was a real driving factor for me.

"I just wanted to be able to dance on my wedding day and be pain free, that was so foreign to me, and I got my wish, my wedding day was a dream come true. I've had really, really brilliant results from that it has truly changed my quality of life."

Expand Close Hannah on her wedding day / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Hannah on her wedding day

The surgery may have been a success but Hannah adds: "It doesn't have a definitive cure. These are all treatments to improve your quality of life. They can't guarantee that it's not going to come back.

"I'm glad to see a shift in Ireland with the opening of this endometriosis clinic but I still think we have a long way to go.

"I just hope that we can get to a point where we value women's health enough to give us the treatment that we deserve, which is proper excision surgery and earlier diagnosis so women don't have to suffer. It's time that the medical world listens to women."






remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Cook expressed concern that students in Indiana do not learn enough about democratic governance before they reach high school. That makes students ill-prepared for their their responsibilities as citizens, lawmakers argued, including voting in elections.
Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt has offered prayers for the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor as he embarks on a mission to rescue the nation's lands and resources from destruction.



The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources believes an all-hands-on-deck approach is one of the surest ways of eliminating the activities of illegal mining and environmental degradation.



Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, during a visit to Asantehene Otumfou Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace, Ashanti Region, reiterated governments commitment to protect the countrys natural resources.



The President [Nana Addo] has tasked me to go around the country and see to myself the situation on the ground and work on it....the Akufo-Addo government is committed to the fight against illegal mining and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that mining activities are duly regulated, he said.



Speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Kwesi Pratt noted that the natural resources which are being mined are non-renewable and therefore should the mining companies continue their illegal activities, years on, the country's resources will be depleted and posterity will suffer.



''They're non-renewable natural resource.So, as we are daily mining to foreign countries, if, in 50 years time; it finishes, what will become of our life? Even today that we have them, look at the abject poverty that has gripped us. So, if we keep mining them and they finish, how will our living be? That is my worry!'', he stated.



He described the Minister's taks as herculean but prayed he succeeds in his endeavor.





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
IF YOU GO

What: Screenings of Lee Isaac Chung's Oscar-nominated film "Minari" for frontline healthcare workers, first responders, educators, nonprofit leaders, government officials and others

When: April 1-11

Price: Free; vanguardskin.com/minari

Something else: "Minari" also is available at local theaters and streaming online at Amazon.com and Apple.com
Trinity College, Kandy  International A/Ls Open Day View(s):

Trinity College, Kandy conducted an Open Day for its International A/L section on 19th March 2021 at the IAL premises. A large number of potential students and their parents attended this event to gather insight about the Edexcel portfolio at Trinity.

Addressing the gathering, the Principal of Trinity College, Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara said, introducing IALs 3 years ago was a very ambitious as well as a progressive move to facilitate the ever-changing educational needs of the millennial student, whose world view is beyond the local curriculum and mere passing an examination. With a view of enhancing creative educational opportunities of the students who join IALs, Trinity has upgraded the infrastructure at the IAL section, extended the regular co/ extra-curricular activities of the college to the IAL students and even provide refurbished hostel facilities to those who need such facilities. 

During the last 3 years College has invested on IAL driven human and infrastructural resources extensively, and these investments are now reaping results in the form of Trinity IAL students securing excellent pass rates at international exams. At the Oct. 2020 and Jan. 2021 examinations, Trinity IAL students secured pass rates beyond 94%, reinforcing the age-long Trinity tradition of achieving excellence in whatever they do.

The Vice Principal Mr. Krishanthan Antonydas, Co-Vice Principal Mr. Ananda Marasinghe, Head of the IAL section Mr. Jason Wijeyeweera and the Regional Director, Edexcel Asia Mrs. Pramila Paulraj graced the occasion.

Admissions for the 2021/22 academic year is now open and applications can be now downloaded by clicking the link - https://www.trinitycollege.lk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/trinity-college-kandy_ial-admission-form-2021-application.pdf
Moroccan Ambassador to Vietnam Jamale Chouaibi (Photo: VNA)

The commemoration is an opportunity to celebrate the friendship between the two countries people, to assess the progress of cooperation between our two countries and to reflect on the best ways to strengthen and broaden the scope of this cooperation, the diplomat said.

Noting that relations between Morocco and Vietnam existed long before the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1961, he said the shared interest in strengthening collaboration between the two countries reflects their common desire to promote and consolidate South-South cooperation, and respond to global economic, political, social and environmental challenges, mainly through the sharing of experiences and good practices, and the promotion of knowledge and expertise among developing countries.

In terms of politics, Morocco and Vietnam share several fundamental principles relating to their external relations, and pledge to implement the principle of settling disputes through dialogue, negotiation and mediation.

The two countries political ties have been also strengthened via increasing the exchange of high-level delegations, at government and parliamentary level.

The visit by National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to Morocco in March 2019, and the tour of Vietnam by President of the House of Representatives of Morocco Habib El Malki in December 2017 were milestones in fostering political and parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, he said.

Morocco and Vietnam have maintained regular consultations, through the Joint Committee mechanism. The two countries have so far held four joint committee meetings and five political consultation sessions. The 5th meeting of the Joint Committee and the 6th session of bilateral political consultations are scheduled for next November in Rabat, he added.

On the economic aspect, the positive development of bilateral cooperation is reflected by an increase in trade of nearly 50 percent during 2015 and 2019. Vietnam is currently Moroccos second largest trading partner in ASEAN.

Bilateral economic relations have been strengthened by the signing of trade agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the ministries in charge of trade. A trade agreement was recently signed between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy of Morocco to promote cooperation in many areas of common interest, such as renewable energies, textiles, clothing, electronics and mechanical industries, chemical industry and fertiliser production.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to Morocco (R) welcomed by President of the House of Representatives of Morocco Habib El Malki during the former's visit to Morocco in March 2019 (Photo: VNA)

A MoU between the two ministries in charge of trade was also signed recently on the establishment of a subcommittee on trade and industrial cooperation with the aim of promoting bilateral trade and supporting SMEs.

Meanwhile, he noted that the two sides are determined to strengthen and expand their bilateral partnership. This is evidenced by the growing number of agreements signed between the two countries, which cover a wide range of sectors such as trade and investment, energy and mining, banking, education and training, air services, as well as MoUs between several universities and cities of the two countries.

Although bilateral trade has yet to reach its potential and met both sides expectations, it is growing year by year, he said.

Moroccos upcoming appointment an Honorary Consul in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to give new impetus to trade and business opportunities between the two countries, he said, adding that plans and visions both are looking towards in terms of renewable energies, digital transformation, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure and logistics, industrial and technological acceleration, with the aim of becoming leading emerging economies in their respective regions, should be opportunities for Morocco and Vietnam to share their experience, expertise and know-how through the establishment of joint sectoral committees in the areas.

The ambassador highlighted a virtual photo exhibition on historical and remarkable landmarks since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The exhibition has been organised by the Moroccan Embassy in Hanoi the VNA.

A series of economic and cultural events will be held through 2021 with the participation of heads of ministries and departments as well as experts, scientists and researchers, he added.

He held that Vietnam is now one of the few countries to successfully achieve the dual targets of combating COVID-19 pandemic and boosting economic development.

He attributed the success to the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam in applying measures to combat the pandemic and encouraging the involvement of all people in the fight./.
Mumbai, March 28 : Holi is here with all its colours and fervour. However, with the recent rise in Covid cases, actors are urging their fans to stay indoors and play Holi with their families.

Actress Monica Dogra, who is part of the show "The Married Woman", said that she will be celebrating the festival with a special dinner at home.

"Festivals for me is about sharing little joys and I can't wait to do it again this year. Even if it's just a couple of my closest people for dinner. Quality time is everything after all. I hope the world also pushes for celebrating this festival in the most eco-friendly way possible," she said.

Actor Ankur Bhatia, who is part of the shows "Aarya" and "Crackdown", said that he is making sure to be indoors this year.

"As we are very well aware of the ongoing crisis the world is battling now, hence Holi will be very much from homes now and I will stay indoors and have fun with my family and I would humbly request everyone to stay indoors and stay safe," he said.

Actress Subha Rajput, who is seen as Anaysha in "Bekaaboo 2", said that everyone needs to stay home to appreciate the fact that they are healthy.

"Since the pandemic continues this year, I shall choose to see the silver lining, and I hope that we are all safe and sound in these times of distress by loving and supporting each other through everything," she said.

Actor Namit Das, who is seen in the show "A Suitable Boy", said that he will catch up with his family on Holi.

"Since we cannot go out due to the pandemic, I will be at home this Holi. I think it's great as this gives us the time to actually have fun with our families. This is what I will be doing. I urge everyone else also to not step out," he said.

Actor Chandan Roy Sanyal, who has been part of series such as "Forbidden Love" and "Aashram", also requested people to follow Covid protocols.

"I would request everyone to stay at home, celebrate the festival by eating Gujia, put some gulal in your home Mandir, make rangoli, and play it with your family inside your home. I wish everyone happy Holi, but it stays happy as long as you are indoors abiding by the social distancing norms," he said.

Actress Nyra Banerjee, who plays Angelina in "Helllo Jee", urged people to be act responsibly this Holi.

"This Holi marks one year since the world went into lockdown. It was difficult to contain our celebrations then, and it will be this year too, considering we all love festivals. I just hope we all remember to be responsible for the sake of the greater good, and hopefully, we won't have to do another festival indoors again," she said.

Actor Sahil Vaid, who is part of the show "Silence...Can you Hear It?", said: "Holi is not going to be a safe affair if spent in my traditional ways, so I have decided to spend it with my family."

Latest updates on Holi Festival 2021
Actor Sam Neil and political journalist Laura Tingle appeared to put rumours they had split to rest on Friday night by attending the opening of famed Italian opera La Traviata together.

The pair looked extremely happy while posing for several pictures on the red carpet.

Jurassic Park star Sam, 73, smiled and laughed in the company of ABC 7.30 presenter Laura, 59, as they joined several other celebrities for the event at the Sydney Opera House.

Putting the rumours to rest! Hollywood actor Sam Neill and ABC presenter Laura Tingle attended the opening of Italian opera La Traviata together after reports last month that the pair had quietly 'split' after three years together

Sam looked dapper in a sharp black suit, while Laura wore a chic little black dress.

Their attendance at the star-studded opening comes just weeks after unconfirmed reports emerged that the pair had split.

According to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald's Private Sydney, the couple had quietly gone their separate ways after three years together.

Having a ball: Jurassic Park star Sam, 73, smiled and laughed in the company of ABC 7.30 presenter Laura, 59, as they joined several other celebrities for the event at the Sydney Opera House

Dapper: Sam looked dapper in a sharp black suit, while Laura wore a chic little black dress

Split rumours: Their attendance at the star-studded opening comes just weeks after unconfirmed reports emerged that the pair had split. According to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald's Private Sydney , the couple had quietly gone their separate ways after three years together

They managed to keep their romance relatively private over the years, but appeared together in public at the 2018 Mid Winter Ball at Parliament House and the 2019 AACTA Awards in Sydney.

Sam recently praised Laura's Quarterly Essay called The High Road: What Australia can learn from New Zealand, in an Instagram post.

He shared a photo of the publication and gushed over her work, writing in the caption: 'This is a MASTERPIECE, reads like a thriller. A must read.'

Private: They managed to keep their romance relatively private over the years, but appeared together in public at the 2018 Mid Winter Ball at Parliament House (pictured) and the 2019 AACTA Awards in Sydney

'A must read': Sam recently praised Laura's Quarterly Essay called The High Road: What Australia can learn from New Zealand, in an Instagram post

Flirty exchanges over Twitter between Laura and Neill began in March 2017.

They met through friends in late 2017, and began dating publicly in January 2018, Daily Mail Australia reported at the time.

Neill tagged her in a post where he claimed he was not allowed into Malcolm Turnbull's victory party after the election.

'Perhaps the Libs have a thing about beards', he lamented, as he shared a photo of himself with actor pals Hugo Weaving, Mel Gibson and Joel Edgerton.

Where it began: Flirty exchanges over Twitter between Laura and Neill began in March 2017. They met through friends in late 2017, and began dating publicly in January 2018, Daily Mail Australia reported at the time

'Evidence suggests they have a thing about talent,' she cheekily responded.

In 2018, a friend of the couple told The Australian the relationship was 'serious', and that the pair had met through mutual friends.

However, The Brisbane Times reported the pair had met after Neill reached out to the Insiders regular after he saw her on television.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
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.
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.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 10:18:22|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- On various occasions, Chinese President Xi Jinping has expounded on his insightful vision on safeguarding global peace and China's role in advancing the cause of world peace.



"As long as the idea of peace can strike deep roots and the sail of peace can be hoisted in the hearts and minds of people all over the world, a strong defense will be built to prevent and stop war," Xi said in 2014 at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris.

Seven years later, Xi's words are still enlightening as the world is facing profound changes unseen in a century and rising uncertainties compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as increasing bullying and unilateral acts.

Chaos, displacement and violence are still afflicting people in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan and other countries in turmoil.

Anita Kiki Gebe, deputy joint special representative of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), awards UN peace medal to a soldier of the 2nd China Medium Utility Helicopter Unit (CMUHU02) in El-Fashir, Sudan, July 17, 2019. (Xinhua)

"Throughout the centuries, people have yearned for lasting peace, but war has haunted mankind every step of their progress. As we speak, many children on this planet are subjected to the horror of armed conflicts," Xi noted in the speech.

In January, the United Nations Children's Fund issued a statement, reminding all parties to the conflict in war-torn Syria of their obligations to protect children.

Ten years into the conflict, children continue to be the hardest hit by unprecedented destruction, displacement and death. They have lost their lives, homes and childhoods, said the statement.

Seven years ago, Xi said at the UNESCO headquarters that "we must do our utmost to keep war as far away as possible from mankind so that children across the world can grow up happily under the sunshine of peace."

The stone wall at the entrance to the UNESCO headquarters carries the inscription of one single message in several languages: Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.

Quoting the message, Xi stressed the importance of letting the idea of peace strike deep roots in people's hearts and minds.

"People hoped to promote inter-civilization exchanges, equality of educational opportunities and scientific literacy in order to dispel estrangement, prejudice and hatred, and spread the seeds of the idea of peace," Xi said.

Guided by Xi's wisdom, China has been making great contributions to regional and global stability, development and prosperity.

Photo taken on Feb. 15, 2021 shows COVID-19 vaccines donated by China at Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare, Zimbabwe. (Photo by Chen Yaqin/Xinhua)

In his National Day speech in 2019, Xi said "China will stay on the path of peaceful development."

"We will continue to work with people from all countries to push for jointly building a community with a shared future for humanity," said Xi.

Last November, Xi delivered a speech via video at the third Paris Peace Forum, emphasizing the need to adhere to peaceful coexistence, as well as the need to respect other countries' right to development and their independent choice of development paths and models.

"We need to uphold multilateralism, oppose unilateralism, hegemony and power politics, and reject all forms of terrorism and acts of extreme violence," Xi said, stressing joint efforts to safeguard equity, justice, peace and security in the world.

Noting that China follows an independent foreign policy of peace, Xi said it is committed to the path of peaceful development. 
By Alistair Smout

LONDON (Reuters) - A trade union called for Deliveroo's UK riders to strike when the meal delivery service floats on the stock market next month, saying on Sunday the action would highlight dissatisfaction with the company's business model and approach to workers' rights.

Deliveroo, whose turquoise-uniformed couriers delivering chicken kormas and American hot pizzas are a common sight in many British suburbs, is set for Britains biggest stock market debut in nearly a decade after setting a share price range that values it at up to $12 billion.

But some investment firms have said they will not participate in the initial public offering (IPO). Insurer Aviva for instance highlighted a lack of rights for riders as an investment risk as the company might be forced to change its business model.

Deliveroo said investor demand had continued to build since its roadshow began on Monday, and said the views of the union which announced the strike, the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB), did not represent the vast majority of riders.

The IWGB previously lost a legal challenge to Deliveroo in 2018. The case sought to secure rights such as the UK minimum wage for riders, but the court ruled riders were self-employed.

"Investing in Deliveroo means associating yourself with the exploitative and unstable business model," IWGB President Alex Marshall said in a statement, adding the strike was planned for April 7, to coincide with the IPO.

The rights of people who work in the so-called "gig economy" have been an increasing focus in Britain. Ride-hailing app Uber gave its workers more entitlements earlier this month after losing a Supreme Court case.

Deliveroo said job satisfaction levels among its 50,000 self-employed riders in Britain was at an all-time high, and that the flexibility they had was a big attraction.

"Thousands apply to work with us every week, reflecting the strong demand for our on-demand model," a company spokeswoman said.

(Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by David Holmes)
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Southeastern Colbert County, Eastern Franklin County and Western Lawrence County until 3:45 a.m.

At 308 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Russellville, moving east at 60 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include... Russellville, Moulton, Phil Campbell, Town Creek, Littleville, Leighton, Courtland, Belgreen, North Courtland and Posey Loop.

Turn to WAAY 31 for everything you need to know to stay safe during severe weather. Chief Meteorologist Kate McKenna will provide you with the most accurate information on storms by using our StormTracker Early Warning Radar Network.

Stationed in Muscle Shoals, Decatur and Guntersville, the radars provide the best data for all of North Alabama by scanning EVERY community in North Alabama.

See all the radars HERE

Access the Muscle Shoals radar HERE

Access the Decatur radar HERE

Access the Guntersville radar HERE

And download our news and weather apps HERE
The Duchess of Cambridge has said a book of 100 photographs illustrating the past year of the pandemic will serve as a 'lasting record of what we were all experiencing'

The Duchess of Cambridge has said a book of 100 photographs illustrating the past year of the pandemic will serve as a 'lasting record of what we were all experiencing'.

Launched by Kate and the National Portrait Gallery, Hold Still: A Portrait Of Our Nation in 2020, features images of key workers and people isolated from family and friends, as well as moments of joy.

Its publication follows the anniversary of the first national coronavirus lockdown on March 23, and it will be available from bookshops and online from May 7.

The Hold Still initiative was launched by the duchess and the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) last year and invited people of all ages from across the UK to submit a portrait they had taken during the first lockdown.

The Duchess of Cambridge has announced a new book with the National Portrait Gallery

Launched by Kate and the National Portrait Gallery, Hold Still: A Portrait Of Our Nation in 2020, features images of key workers and people isolated from family and friends, as well as moments of joy.

Its publication follows the anniversary of the first national coronavirus lockdown on March 23, and it will be available from bookshops and online from May 7.

From more than 31,000 images submitted, 100 portraits were selected and shown in a digital exhibition before being displayed across the UK in communities.

Writing in the introduction, Kate said the portraits illustrate a collection of 'poignant and personal stories' from the past year.

The duchess said: 'Through Hold Still, I wanted to use the power of photography to create a lasting record of what we were all experiencing - to capture individuals' stories and document significant moments for families and communities as we lived through the pandemic.'

She added: 'For me, the power of the images is in the poignant and personal stories that sit behind them.

'I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak to some of the photographers and sitters, to hear their stories first-hand - from moments of joy, love and community spirit, to deep sadness, pain, isolation and loss.

'A common theme of those conversations was how lockdown reminded us about the importance of human connection and the huge value we place on the relationships we have with the people around us.

'Although we were physically apart, these images remind us that, as families, communities and a nation we need each other more than we had ever realised.'

Dr Nicholas Cullinan, director of the NPG, said the images have created 'a unifying and cathartic portrait of life in lockdown'.

From more than 31,000 images submitted, 100 portraits were selected and shown in a digital exhibition before being displayed across the UK in communities

Dr Nicholas Cullinan, director of the NPG, said the images have created 'a unifying and cathartic portrait of life in lockdown'

He said: 'The public response to Hold Still, which was spearheaded by our patron, Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge, has been phenomenal.

'The photographs submitted have helped to create a unifying and cathartic portrait of life in lockdown.'

He added: 'Hold Still is an important record of this extraordinary moment in our history - expressed through the faces of the nation - and we hope will remain so for generations to come.'

Proceeds from sales will help support mental health and arts projects around the UK, and will be split between mental health charity Mind and the gallery.

Mind chief executive Paul Farmer thanked the duchess for supporting the charity, and those who submitted photographs

Mind chief executive Paul Farmer thanked the duchess for supporting the charity, and those who submitted photographs.

He said: 'The coronavirus pandemic is a mental health emergency as well as a physical one.

'The devastating loss of life, the impact of lockdown, and any recession that lies ahead means there has never been a more crucial time to prioritise our mental health.

'This inspiring collection of portraits illustrates the impact of the pandemic in all its complexity, but also how creativity, art and human connection can help us find meaning in unprecedented challenges.'
Theres no reason emergency services worker Jake Mackay shouldnt be able to find a rental in Perth  he has a stable, full-time job and a reasonable income.

But for 2 months, the 24-year-old kept getting knocked back by every landlord and outbid by other prospective tenants with deeper pockets.

Perth emergency services worker Jake Mackay at his Subiaco home. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola

Mr Mackay can recall an instance where he was visiting a three-bedroom home in Victoria Park and another renter offered an additional $80 a week on top of the advertised price off the cuff.

I didnt know what I could do to even have a fighting chance, Mr Mackay said.
A teenager allegedly caught doing burnouts surrounded by crowds of partying youths on the Gold Coast has had his bright green Ford Falcon ute impounded.

Shocking video of the stunt was captured by police who were called to the industrial suburb of Stapylton, about 11.30pm on Saturday night.

As police drove down Burnside Place, the footage shows large numbers of youths standing in groups blocking access to the road, looking at something ahead.

Wheels locked to the tow truck, the green ute was impounded the next day

In the distance a pair of headlights can be seen revolving in the middle of the road, as the smoke of burning rubber glows under the street lights, clouding the vision.

As the police sirens activate, a bright green ute can be seen skidding out of the smoke and driving off down the road through crowds of cheering youths.

Queensland police said on Sunday they had charged an 18-year-old man from Greenbank in Logan, 60km northwest of the Gold Coast, with hooning offenses.

'On arrival, police observed a green Ford Falcon ute allegedly driving dangerously in the middle of the road and attempted to intercept it,' police said in a release.

'The ute allegedly sped off from police and was later located at a residence in Ormeau.'

A bright green ute can be seen skidding out of a donut and driving off about 11.30pm Saturday

Ormeau is 35km northwest of the Gold Coast, on the way to Logan.

The Greenbank man will face Beenleigh Magistrates Court on April 21 charged with dangerous driving and evasion.

The green Ford Falcon ute was impounded.

Queenslanders have been urged to report hooning on Policelink 131 444 or the Hoon Hotline on 134 666.
A series of strategic arrangements on adhering to innovation-driven development strategy and building new development advantages were made in China's Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, mapping out a new blueprint for the country's innovative development.

The outline emphasized the core position of innovation in the country's modernization drive, and takes the commitment to independent innovation in science and technology as strategic support to national development. It says the country's research and development spending is expected to grow by over 7 percent annually in the next five years.

According to the outline, China will also work for major breakthroughs in core technologies and build itself into one of the top innovative countries.

International observers said the outline mirrors the high attention placed by China on sci-tech innovation, and releases a clear signal that the country will push for high-quality development in a new stage of development.

Science, technology and innovation is a key engine for human progress, a powerful weapon in tackling many global challenges. "The impact of science and technology on a country's future and the people's wellbeing has never been so profound as today," said Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic that comes with profound impacts, as well as the world economic downturn and climate change, must be taken seriously. To discover momentum for development in science and technology, and to find solutions to global challenges through sci-tech innovation shall be a common pursuit of all countries. By expediting the development of the country into a leading sci-tech power, China is showcasing its wisdom and responsibility.

China always takes innovation as the primary force of development, and is pursuing innovation to achieve high-quality growth driven by domestic demand with concrete efforts.

According to a recent survey of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), China filed 68,720 patent applications last year, up 16.1 percent from those in 2019, remaining the largest patent applicant of the world for another year.

As sci-tech innovation is generating new drivers for high-quality development, China has been turned from a world factory into a patent factory, foreign observers commented.

To benefit the whole mankind with technology and seek scientific breakthroughs for humanity from open cooperation has always been a pursuit of China. The outline further points out that China will implement more open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial strategies for international sci-tech cooperation, and stay more positive about integrating into global innovation.

Practices tell us that openness leads to progress, and open cooperation in sci-tech innovation remains an important impetus driving common development of the world. China has conducted joint research programs with over 50 countries and regions and joined a series of international big science research projects including the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. Under the "Belt and Road" Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, over 8,300 foreign young scientists came to China for work and 33 joint research labs were established.

To build a community with a shared future for mankind, China is committed to coordinated innovation of global technology, taking an increasingly bigger part in global science and technology governance, and offering broad platforms for open global cooperation on science and technology. These efforts are welcomed by the international society.

Embarking on a new journey, China still maintains sci-tech development as a priority, and will give play to the crucial role of sci-tech innovation. It will definitely make more breakthroughs.

It is believed that through sincere cooperation with the rest of the world and by taking full advantage of sci-tech innovation, China is bound to inject more positive energy into economic and social development of mankind.
SHENANDOAH  St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church celebrated the Feast of Palm Sunday, called Flowery Sunday in the Ukrainian tradition, Saturday with the blessing of pussy willows and palms.

We have the blessing of pussy willows and palms to celebrate our Lords entry to Jerusalem, Monsignor Myron Grabowsky said.

At this time last year the church was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Winnie Mohutsky, of Shenandoah Heights, said Masses were still celebrated, but the parishioners were not able to attend in person.

I feel good, Mohutsky said. Its nice to be back.

The church is following health and safety guidelines including pews closed off to allow for social distancing and signs reminding people to wear masks.

Carol Kalavage, of Shenandoah, who works to clean the church, said cross stickers inside the pews mark where people can sit 6 feet apart. Kalavage also said regular weekly Masses have been held in person on Sundays, but not Saturdays aside from this week.

For Ann Swaldi, of Ringtown, attending Mass in person on Saturday was emotional. Swaldi said she had not been attending church during the pandemic because of health concerns, but after getting vaccinated, she was glad to be back.

This is my life, Swaldi said. I felt like I was missing out. I wasnt whole.

Swaldi said her family has been attending St. Michaels for years, and she has been active in traditions such as the Easter basket blessings. However, Swaldi said she will be moving out of state, so having the chance to return to church was important to her.

Were going to be moving south, and Im not sure if there will be a Ukrainian church, Swaldi said. That would break my heart.

After blessing the palms and pussy willows, Grabowsky emphasized the value of prayer during these difficult times.

We all need some kind of assurance in this world, Grabowsky said.

St. Michaels is holding Palm Sunday Masses at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, 8 a.m. Monday, 8 a.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. Thursday. Holy Thursday Masses will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, 2 p.m. Friday and 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Easter Sunday Mass will be at 10:30 a.m.
I spoke where opinions should be given, Nancy Shukaitis told the former Easton Express in 1966, at official hearings and not over the back fence.

Those opinions saved the Delaware River.

At a time when widespread environmentalism was just starting to gain a mainstream foothold, Shukaitis was a central figure mobilizing fierce opposition against the controversial Tocks Island Dam, a massive project that would have turned the river north of the Delaware Water Gap into a 37-mile lake and introduced a host of new problems.

Shukaitis, one of the Delaware Rivers staunchest defenders, died on March 4, one day after her 96th birthday, at Moravian Hall Square in Nazareth.

She founded local environmental stewardship organizations, was the first woman on the Monroe County board of commissioners, and continued to weigh in on river-impacting projects for decades, penning op-eds in newspapers including The Express-Times.

Her spark lit their torches and they in turn lit others, including National Park Service employees who are now stewards of the river, said Kathleen Sandt, a spokesperson for the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the 70,000-acre national park that was created to surround the lake.

The river remains free-flowing because Shukaitis and others in the 1960s and 70s stood up to federal bureaucracy and relentlessly questioned plans about the Tocks Island Dam.

A colorized map of the Delaware River looking north from the Delaware Water Gap shows parkland boundaries and the proposed location of the Tocks Island Dam.Photo courtesy of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Tocks Island, 5 miles upriver from the scenic water gap and part of what is now Hardwick Township in Warren County, previously had been considered for a dam.

This time, the Army Corps of Engineers gained approval from Congress and most local politicians following the disastrous and deadly flood of 1955, when two hurricanes slammed the region back to back.

Damming the river would, in theory, provide a safeguard against future floods. So the federal government invoked eminent domain to acquire property and force people to relocate from family farms, clearing the way for the eventual lake and creating what is now the national park.

Shukaitis researched the local geology and argued the ground beneath the river was unsuitable to support the dam. And she determined that it would have done nothing to prevent the deadly flooding in 1955: All 100 deaths, she found, happened on tributaries, not the main river itself.

An artist's rendering of the Tocks Island Dam proposed in the 1960s and '70s on the Delaware River, just north of the Delaware Water Gap.Photo courtesy of the Delaware River Basin Commission

It took more than a decade, but the dam was defeated in 1975, thwarted by a ballooning budget, worsening public opinion and growing environmental awareness. Shukaitis rallied others and forced questions to be answered at a time when congressional representatives griped at having to flit around holding hearings in the areas most affected by their projects (and when, in a regrettable sign of the times, even an Express-Times profile about her activism referred to her as an attractive housewife.)

Shukaitiss obituary asks that memorial donations be given to the Delaware Riverkeeper Network. It lists numerous accomplishments: Founding the Delaware Valley Conservation Association and the Save-the-Delaware Coalition; getting solar panels installed on the Monroe County Courthouse; preserving a rail bed between Scranton and Morris County, New Jersey.

Canoers on the Delaware River protest the proposed Tocks Island Dam project in this undated photo.Photo courtesy of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Most of all, shell be remembered for stopping Tocks Island Dam. She was awarded an environmental stewardship award from the National Park Service for a lifetime of public service.

Most of the 4 million-plus annual visitors who come to the park each year to enjoy the river and the surrounding ridges and valleys dont know how close we came to losing it nearly 50 years ago or how much was sacrificed so that we could have what we have today  a stunning national park and a free-flowing river, Sandt said. For that, the NPS is grateful to all of those who fought to protect the river, as we as an agency continue to do today.

The Tocks Island Dam project dominated the front page of the Easton Express on Sept. 27, 1971, the first day of a weeklong series exploring both sides of the controversial project that would have permanently altered the Delaware River. Express-Times archives via Easton Area Public Library

***

Below are excerpts from an Aug. 17, 1966, Easton Express profile on Nancy Shukaitis. It was headlined Mrs. Shukaitis is leading recreation area opponent and illustrates her dedication. At the time, it appeared likely that the dam would still go through. But Shukaitis was still confident it would not. It took nine more years before she was proven right.

This photo of Nancy Shukaitis ran with a profile on her opposition to the Tocks Island Dam project in the Aug. 17, 1966, edition of the Easton Express. It has been edited to counter the darkness of the microfilm. The original caption reads: "Mrs. Nancy Shukaitis and friend relax on the lawn of her house at East Stroudsburg R.D. 1, which will be included in the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area if Tocks Island Dam is built. Mrs. Shukaitis is chief unofficial opponent of both projects."Express-Times file photo

Mrs. Nancy Shukaitis  must be considered the unofficial leader of the opposition. This attractive housewife who lives with her husband, three sons and daughter in a modest ranch-type home within the boundaries of the recreation area has rallied support from hundreds of residents on both sides of the Delaware.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Shukaitis said, few of them wrote to their congressmen to express their views where they count.

Mrs. Shukaitis almost single-handedly gained enough signatures to petitions and presented them to a congressional subcommittee considering the authorization of the National Recreation Area in 1965. As a result, the committee came to East Stroudsburg to hold a local hearing on the matter. Mrs. Shukaitis said it was ridiculous for a hearing to be held on this in Washington.



She became interested in the construction of the dam late in 1963. She attended a hearing in January 1964 on the Tocks Island and Beltzville Dams projects at Philadelphia.

I can still recall Mayor George Smith of Easton testifying about the loss of 100 lives on the Delaware, Mrs. Shukaitis said. He showed slides of bodies covered with sheets. These were the people who died in the 1955 flood. When I returned home, I wrote to all community officials between Port Jervis and Trenton and my opinion was confirmed. There were no lives lost on the mainstream of the Delaware only on the inland tributaries. So this is where the emphasis should be placed.



She says she is convinced there will be no dam, hence the recreation area will be affected as well. I dont think they can tackle the dam because of the geological structure, she reported. Of course, the Corps of Engineers has volumes of proof saying that a dam can still be built on Tocks Island.

Despite her different viewpoint Mrs. Shukaitis said she has never been harassed by public officials. A member of the subcommittee which came to East Stroudsburg to take testimony on the park project lost his temper when Mrs. Shukaitis asked U.S. Rep. Fred B. Rooney (D-Pa.) to introduce legislation making local public hearings mandatory in projects of this nature. The congressmen felt that committee members should not be required to flit around the countryside to hold hearings.

Mrs. Shukaitis does not regret her efforts against the dam and park. I feel very healthy mentally and physically, she said, because I spoke where opinions should be given  at official hearings and not over the back fence. More people should find out what their government is doing.

As far as the future, Mrs. Shukaitis said she will continue to speak out when she feels it is justified.

Nancy Shukaitis, one of the Delaware River's staunchest defenders, died in March 2021 at age 96. She is seen here in the Delaware Water Gap in March 2010.Amanda Brown | NJ Advance Media file photo

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
Foreign Minister calls the Resolution illegal after its adoption

A new Secretariat in Geneva to probe future violations of human rights

India abstains disproving Foreign Secretary Colombages claims

Lack of professionalism in diplomacy a main cause

The worst ever resolution on Sri Lanka by a world body, since the countrys independence 73 years ago, passed muster at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday.

That the document (L.1 /Rev.1) titled Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, would pass was foregone though a Minister and a bureaucrat made Sri Lankans believe otherwise. In the light of the deadly serious text, the fact that Sri Lanka walked blindly in diplomatic darkness with no cohesive strategy to lower or lessen the impact is deeply distressing. That too by telling Sri Lankans that the Government has rejected the UN Human Rights Commissioner Michele Bachelets report and the resultant Resolution. Click for the full text of the approved resolution co-sponsored by 41 countries.

In Geneva, however, Sri Lankas Permanent Representative C.A. Chandraprema, officially acknowledged the resolution and negotiated directly at the highest level over it, and what a hash it was. Now, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament on Thursday that the resolution was illegal but did not seem to give reasons. Why negotiate on an illegal resolution? This is in marked contrast to Sri Lankas previous Foreign Ministers who did not take up such an untenable position.

In fact, during the negotiating process one of the core group members expressed surprise to the Foreign Ministry mandarins on the absence of Sri Lanka proposing alternate language to take care of concerns. This is when Chandraprema took part in informal consultations. Additionally, Sri Lanka could have done the same through proxy countries, that too by providing specific alternate language with a view to reducing the sting of the provisions. This is particularly with special reference to the Operative Paragraph 6 which dealt with developing further strategies for future accountability issues. Such a strategy has escaped the Sri Lankan side judging from the discussions at the informal consultations where the official transcript runs into more than 70 pages. To say there was no professional expertise on the Sri Lankan side, both in Geneva and in Colombo, is to mildly identify the reason. Little wonder a nation and its people were let down so badly by their own side.

Permanent Representative Chandraprema, in his final speech before the resolution was adopted, wound up with an interesting remark. He lamented that Sri Lankas request for changes had not been heeded and declared that therefore the country was rejecting the resolution. At first it was a case of official engagement. Then came the declaration of a rejection, which obviously is now the government policy. With that defiant stance, what would be the position of Sri Lanka be when the Human Rights Council meets for the 48th session in Geneva in September, where this issue is listed to be taken up as provided for by the resolution. How would Sri Lanka act in this instance? Can the Government discuss what FM Gunawardena said is an illegal subject? Would that not, if the argument is cogent, infringe on the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity?

Twenty-two countries voted in favour  Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cote dIvore, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Fiji, France, Germany, Italy, Malawi, Marshal Islands, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Korea, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Uruguay. This is the lowest vote against Sri Lanka since 2009 when 12 countries voted. Subsequently in 2012 there were 23 countries that voted against, 25 countries in 2013 and 23 countries in 2014. There was no voting in 2015, 2017 and 2019 when Sri Lanka co-sponsored a rollover by consensus.

On an overall basis, Tuesdays outcome demonstrates the difficulty to consolidate geopolitically, to which the proponents of the Resolution should pay heed. Sri Lanka should seek to work with those countries that abstained in a bid to secure their full support, which may be needed in the future. For this, there is no gainsaying that persons with an extremely high degree of professionalism are required.

Here again, member countries do have foreign policy considerations. Take for example Venezuela, which is strongly opposed to western nations. As a matter of principle, Cuba does not support country specific resolutions, its delegate told the Council. Sri Lanka has consistently supported Cuba when being a member of the Human Rights Council and also in the UN General Assembly.

Ambassador Chandraprema worked a quid pro quo deal by voting in favour of the east African state of Eritrea on an adverse resolution against it over human rights violations. Eritrea in turn voted for Sri Lanka. During the separatist war in Sri Lanka, Eritrea was used by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a transhipment base to move military hardware to Sri Lanka. They even refused to host a Sri Lankan envoy in the country forcing the Foreign Ministry at that time to station Major General Amal Karunasekera, a former Director of Military Intelligence, at the Sri Lanka diplomatic mission in Cairo (Egypt) to overlook Eritrea.

Foreign Secretary Colombage last week broke protocol to visit the Russian Embassy in Colombo to urge Russia to prevail upon Uzbekistan to support Sri Lanka. The episode is akin to the Peter Sellers comedy Pink Panther and reminds one of Inspector Jaques Clouseau. This fictional Inspector blunders but achieves his end. Yet, Uzbekistan was magnanimous and principled on its part, considering that Sri Lanka failed to vote in favour of it in the Human Rights Council. Bangladesh has withstood pressure from within the South Asian region and crowned Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa on his visit to Dhaka last week with its support. China, Pakistan, and the Russian Federation continued their traditional support for Sri Lanka. Bolivia also favoured Sri Lanka in the past.

The countries that abstained were Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, India, Indonesia, Japan, Libya, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Senegal, Sudan, and Togo. It is noteworthy that though Japan abstained, it constructively engaged in the informal consultations. This is notwithstanding the Governments withdrawal of the Japanese-funded Light Rail Project and the East Container Terminal together with India.

The governments first reaction came within hours of the resolution being adopted. Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena declared at a hurriedly convened news conference that This is an incredibly happy moment for us. The session is a victory for Sri Lanka. Only 22 countries out of 47 have voted in favour of the resolution. Those who had abstained were 14 countries. That he argued meant that the votes for Sri Lanka and the abstentions were more. He said that the resolution is not binding on Sri Lanka. That brilliant theory in maths was first proclaimed by Professor and Minister G,L, Peris in 2014 when Sri Lanka lost a resolution. Here again, Gunawardena appears to be taking up the position that the issues arising from the resolution would end there. Would that also mean there would be no more dialogue with the Human Rights Council, particularly in view of the 48th UNHRC sessions in September?

Further, would such a standoff attitude on the part of Sri Lanka give rise to the core group to push the issue into the UN Security Council (UNSC) at a later stage? As is well known, the UNSC is the only body which can dish out decisions that are legally binding. Whilst veto power can be used on UNSC Resolutions, to foist a country on the agenda of that august body requires the support of eight countries. Being on the agenda of the UNSC has much negative ramifications. This also raises the issue of professional expertise to avoid the issues related instead of using amateurs with megaphone diplomacy.

In trying to suggest at his news conference that the total vote for Sri Lanka and the abstentions (11 + 14 = 25) outweigh the votes in favour of the resolution is a silly misnomer. Not even a three-wheeler scooter driver will believe in such a claim. Going by FM Gunawardenas skewed logic, one could argue, tongue in cheek, that Sajth Premadasa won the November 2019 presidential elections and not Gotabaya Rajapaksa. In fact, Premadasa pointed this out after interrupting FM Gunawardena during his speech in Parliament. This is if all the votes the other opposition candidates received and those who were registered but did not cast their votes are added together. Of course, Gunawardena would not have been in a position then to say it was the happiest day for Sri Lanka.

Not even the Governments political backers will believe in such a puerile argument. It is an insult to the intelligence to any citizen of this country. How this result could be termed a victory by Foreign Minister Gunawardena is misplaced, considering the far-reaching provisions of the Resolution. With regard to the vote numbers all that can be said is that the proponents were unable to clinch the real majority of 24. Sri Lankas illustrious Foreign Ministers like the late Lakshman Kadirgamar and even A.C.S. Hameed, if they were living, would have been ashamed at the pathetic conduct of the countrys external relations today. The sooner the alliance leaders realise this the better it is for them and the people of Sri Lanka.

Some of the other countries that abstained also had their own reasons to do so. Take for example Bahrain, a member of the Organisation of Islamic Countries, to which government leaders personally spoke, was showing its unhappiness over what its perceive as ill-treatment of Sri Lankas Muslim minority. So are Libya and Sudan. However, Pakistan and Bangladesh, which are also Muslim nations, voted for Sri Lanka. Pakistan made a firm commitment after the government heeded a request by its Prime Minister Imran Khan to allow burials of Muslim Covid-19 victims. The Government also halted a move to ban Burqa and Niqab and a clampdown on Madrasas or Muslim religious schools.

Ahead of Premier Mahinda Rajapaksas visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh agreed it would vote against the resolution. South Asian solidarity ended there when Nepal abstained. South Korea appears to have forgotten Sri Lankas support for its World Trade Organisation candidature. Fiji too appears to have forgotten Sri Lankas strong support when the Commonwealth considered punitive action against it after a coup in that country. It is also pertinent to note that Sri Lanka was once pressured to be one of six UN member countries to support a resolution against the UK. This was after its invasion of Falklands (Malvinas) in 1982 in what was widely seen as a flagrant violation of Argentinas territorial integrity. The late President J.R. Jayewardene directed that the UK be supported. Such support was extended despite affirmation of double standards by the UK.

Why is Tuesdays resolution much more serious than all previous ones? It is better explained in the words of Bob Last, Counsellor at the UK (the main sponsor) at his countrys Geneva mission. He presided over informal consultations that began on March 1. Giving an overview when the sessions began, he said there had been six resolutions on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka. They date back to 2012.

From 2012 to 2014, Last said, there were three successive annual resolutions. This culminated in the Human Rights Council establishing an international investigation in 2014, on alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights by the two sides to the conflict which ended in 2009. It was headed by Marzuki Darusman, a former Indonesian Attorney General. Following that investigation, the Council adopted by consensus the landmark 30/1 resolution which Sri Lanka itself co-sponsored.

The co-sponsorship was announced in Geneva by the then Foreign Minister, Mangala Samaraweera. It did come without the approval of the then President Maithripala Sirisena or the Cabinet of Ministers. One source said the then Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, had given his consent to the move. Samaraweera may now be chuckling over the unsavoury developments that have come. Other than the approval aspects, while he could argue that he is now vindicated, one would wonder for how long the half-hearted action vis-a-vis the original resolution would have been acceptable to the proponents. Further, it is difficult to exonerate himself for in effect through co-sponsorship he had sold out the security forces who fought the separatist war.

If the sponsorship itself was a controversial move, withdrawal from it was much worse when looked at retrospectively. There was only a consensus vote in 2015, 2017 and 2019  all during the previous yahapalana government.

In 2020, Foreign Minister Gunawardena, however, told the Human Rights Council that Sri Lanka was withdrawing from resolution 30/1. This was a turning point. That prompted the core group to take up the position that they would still remain committed to the key principles underpinning resolution 30/1. The Government rejected Human Rights Council moves to continue any further with this Resolution. Observers contend that if it were accepted, the debate would have centred largely on matters related to a hybrid court to hear alleged war crimes. There was some room to negotiate its composition and persuade the sponsors though one cannot say they would have ended positively. Sri Lankan judges who are now serving abroad could have been suggested, like it had been mooted by the previous government in line with the co-sponsorship. Like the co-sponsorship, the withdrawal also was more for political reasons with no study of the nuances in both cases.

This withdrawal led to the birth of the new and harder draft resolution, being adopted by the UNHRC last Tuesday. It did have the usual concerns of accountability and political obstruction to prevent accountability for past crimes and human rights violations, militarisation of civilian functions, intimidation of media, civil society and marginalisation of Tamil and Muslim communities. This Resolution has metamorphosised into an all-encompassing dictate. One can only hope the Government will put into place an accountability process on the abuses of the LTTE, as stressed in Operative Paragraph 4 of the Resolution. This would call in the proving of the bona fides of the supporters of the Resolution who are welcoming home the LTTE rump. Adele Balasinghams residency in the UK is a case in point.

However, the resolutions most explosive part is new and twofold: (1) to further strengthen the capacity of the Office of the UN Human Rights Commissioner to consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence. This goes hand in glove with the proposed International Court in 30/1. It is therefore evident that the end game of both these Resolutions is the same  the prosecution of persons, targeting specially the military and the political leadership at any cost. (2) to develop strategies for future accountability processes. As is clear, this is far more serious and deals with issues in the months and years to come. The trajectory ahead is clear. Government leaders have to take serious cognisance of them. Sections of the government believe their leaders have not taken the implications of the new resolution quite seriously.

In order to give effect to this part of the resolution, Goro Onojima, Secretary of the Human Rights Council, on Tuesday circulated among member countries of the Council the budget implications. They are to set up a 13-member Secretariat and require US$ 2,856,300 for the current year. The Secretariat will comprise investigators and lawyers, among others. Provision is also to be made for three years thereafter. The allocations from the regular budget are decided by the UNs Fifth Committee.

Such a Secretariat will collect evidence for use by countries which exercise universal jurisdiction. In effect this may result in military personnel  who fought bravely in the separatist war against the LTTE, the worlds deadliest terrorist outfit  face the risk of being arrested when they are overseas and tried in foreign courts. The same threat would also apply to political and civil leadership linked to the separatist war. A far more damaging consequence would be the outcome of the Resolution acting as a deterrent to foreign investment. Therefore, the argument that the resolution is not binding on Sri Lanka is very hollow. Economically speaking, tariff benefits in the US market, the GSP plus benefits from the European Union too could face a threat depending on the Governments delivery of the contents of the resolution. Already initial action on such measures has been fuelled by the Governments rejection and Foreign Minister Gunawardena calling it illegal.

It is further exacerbated since this prescribed action seems to be the commitment of United States judging from a tweet from its Permanent Mission in Geneva. It said that the Resolution adopted highlights continuing impunity for serious crimes and abuses and authorizes collection of evidence for future prosecutions, which is in line with provisions of Operative Paragraph 6. The target for future prosecutions could be to a great extent military officers who conducted the separatist war as well as politicians and bureaucrats.

It is ironic if not tragic that experienced officials in the Foreign Ministry or those in the Permanent Mission in Geneva did not seek to mount a concerted campaign. They could easily have called for a separate vote on that clause last Tuesday. A clause-by-clause vote is allowed. This could have lessened the sting. There would have been member countries who would have empathised on this subject and supported it. Sadly, it was a stone left unturned due to the absence of a well-considered strategy and the acute lack of professionalism.

A significant feature of the voting at the Human Rights Council was Indias abstention  a fact which was projected in the Sunday Times (Political Commentary) of February 28. However, last week Foreign Secretary retired Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage declared in Colombo that India would support Sri Lanka. This was merely based on an articulated position that India would not go against Sri Lankas sovereignty and territorial integrity. It turned out to be what is diplomatically called a terminological inexactitude or simply untrue. It seemed a transparent ploy of seeking Indias support for Sri Lanka through media pressure.

That it embarrassed the Indian Government is one thing. The other is a bigger question of why statements which are not factual are often repeated on behalf of the Government and the country, something which no other Foreign Secretary had done in the past. Unfortunately, the Governments credibility, both domestically and internationally, has taken a nosedive, in addition to calling into question the Foreign Secretarys own integrity. That those gaffes have cost the country very dearly is no secret. Also laughable in this context is Foreign Minister Gunawardenas claim of those who abstained had voted for Sri Lanka. Does this mean India too voted in favour?

Sri Lankas conduct of external relations has been so appalling that it had not been able to win back two friendly neighbours  India and Nepal. The spectre of injustice comes to haunt the perpetrators of Sri Lankan (alleged) war crimes, said the Kathmandu Post, a national newspaper in Nepal. India voted in favour of Sri Lanka in 2009, 2012 and 2013. In 2014, it abstained and during the next three years the voting was by consensus. Historically, Indian governments have always given primary consideration to local compulsions. In both 2012 and 2013, the then Congress government was in coalition with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhakam (DMK). The Tamil Nadu based party threatened to quit the coalition in New Delhi. That compelled India to vote for the resolution.

The haphazard way the proposed award of the Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) to India and Japan was cancelled shattered New Delhis confidence in Colombo. It was done despite a promise and with little or no warning. Another was the energy project in Delft Island being given to a Chinese company. Colombos explanation was that the award followed an Asian Development Bank (ADB) tender. Yet, there has been no intimation to New Delhi in advance thus creating apprehensions. This clearly shows that there has been no dialogue with Sri Lankas closest neighbour and, as pointed out many times the High Commissioners post has remained vacant for 15 months. This is with the closest neighbour of Sri Lanka.

South Indian political leaders reacted angrily to Colombages remarks. INDIA TODAY quoted DMK leader Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, as saying he was shocked to hear the Sri Lankan Foreign Secretarys statement that he expected India to stand by Sri Lanka ahead of the UNHRC meet on the island nations rights and accountability record. In Tamil Nadu, several political parties had urged the Centre to vote in favour of the resolution tabled at the UNHCR, saying that a Sri Lankan official had declared India would support Sri Lanka, said the Times of India. Added the HINDUSTAN TIMES: Indian Premier Narendra Modis silence has caused shockwaves to Tamils around the world and in Tamil Nadu after Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Jayanath Colombage had said that India would support his country. Similar accounts appeared also in the Tamil media in Tamil Nadu.

These reports have embarrassed the officials in the External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi. It is no secret that Foreign Minister Gunawardena and Secretary Colombage are at variance on different issues. However, both seem to share a penchant for confusing the public through a numbers game. Minister Gunawardena is on record as saying 18 countries would support Sri Lanka whilst Secretary Colombage said 21 countries. They did not identify how many were Council members. One is not sure whether this was due to their own ignorance or simply playing out a strategy of keeping the Sri Lankan polity at bay. Of course, the international community would have seen through this approach of the Foreign Ministrys leadership. Unless the Government ensures a high degree of professionalism in the Foreign Ministry and key diplomatic missions overseas there will be more damage caused. Besides there being no head of mission in New Delhi for 15 months, there are also no envoys in Ottawa (Canada), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Rome (Italy) and Canberra (Australia).

Apart from the demands contained in the Human Rights Council resolution, India had also unreservedly extended an open ultimatum to Sri Lanka, based on the implementation of the 13th Amendment to fulfil commitments on political devolution. A statement from the Indian government was read out ahead of the voting. It said: Indias approach to the question of human rights in Sri Lanka is guided by two fundamental considerations. One is our support to the Tamils of Sri Lanka for equality, justice, dignity, and peace. The other is in ensuring the unity, stability, and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. We have always believed that these two goals are mutually supportive and Sri Lankas progress is best assured by simultaneously addressing both objectives.

India supports the call by the international community for the Government of Sri Lanka to fulfil its commitments on the devolution of political authority, including through the early holding of elections for provincial councils and to ensure that all provincial councils are able to operate effectively, in accordance with the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution.

At the same time, we believe that the work of OHCHR should be in conformity with mandate given by the relevant resolution of the UN General Assembly.

We would urge that the Government of Sri Lanka carry forward the process of reconciliation, address the aspirations of the Tamil community and continue to engage constructively with the international community to ensure that the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all its citizens are fully protected.

That statement was read out by Third Secretary Pavan before the commencement of last Tuesdays vote. Even that did not contain the countrys position on the vote. It is accepted diplomatic practice that in the event countries with whom a strong bi-lateral relationship is shared would seek to make known the voting position to the country concerned at least through a confidential discussion. They will make known the basis and their concerns for such action, especially if it is not possible to extend a supportive vote. In this instance, that was not to be. Was this an act to demonstrate Sri Lankas untrustworthiness following its questionable behavior? This could very well be.

Indias call to Sri Lanka to engage constructively with the international community in ensuring the human rights of all the citizens are fully protected. Such dictates seem to emanate from a displeased India. It is high time the Government had a hard inward look into the conduct of its foreign policy, which is abysmal at present. The need for specialised skills must be recognised. The need of the hour is well-trained career officials to be better engaged by the political authorities when formulating positions and in the conduct of foreign relations. If not, the entire country will be at sea in this sphere. Let not Sri Lankas external relations sink in the current turbulent international waters. There are able lifeguards in the foreign service.

It is important to note that the two main bodies which backed the resolution on Sri Lanka  the London based Global Tamil Forum (GTF) and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)  had better coordinated strategy. In the past years, their representatives travelled to different world capitals to meet those in the corridors of power to garner support. This time, however, all that was done virtually via online. It also succeeded in obtaining support from the New York University to co-host a webinar to highlight the issues before the Human Rights Council. We have no diplomats, High Commissioners or Ambassadors. We have no missions. Yet, we did what was needed to bring the issues affecting the Tamil people before the Human Rights Council, said Suren Surendiran, spokesperson for the GTF. He added the GTF and their affiliates in different countries stand united to achieve their goal in seeking justice.

There are plenty of lessons to be learnt from the outcome of last Tuesdays Human Rights Council adoption of the resolution on Sri Lanka. What is foremost and urgent is for the government to ensure that future issues are placed in the hands of experienced professionals instead of amateurs who have already done colossal damage. The our man syndrome that prevents such measures would only cause a diplomatic calamity. So will the advisory bodies that are pushing their own agenda be it for Covid-19, economy, or foreign policy on the wrong path. The writing is on the wall.

What the voting pattern shows Government ministers described last Tuesdays resolution on Sri Lanka, adopted by the UN Human Rights Council, as the handiwork of the United States and western alliance against the Global South. However, the voting pattern clearly suggests otherwise. Here are some salient features: Only seven of the 22 countries which voted for the resolution are from Western European and Others Group (WEOG).

Five of the eight Latin American and Caribbean Group of countries voted for the resolution.

Five of the six Eastern European Group of countries voted for the resolution.

Majority of the African Group and the Asian Group either voted for or abstained from voting. Of the 13 African countries, nine abstained and two voted for the resolution. One of the six core group members, Malawi voted in favour.

Five of the 13 Asian Group members abstained with three voting for the resolution.

Ten of the 14 Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) abstained. Note: It is mainly related to issues which they perceive were discrimination of the Muslim minority.

Eighteen of the 47 member countries of the Human Rights Council voted against Sri Lanka for the first time as new member states.
Deadly oil readied for sale though toxins remain By Niranjala Ariyawansha View(s): View(s):

Thirteen containers of crude coconut oil containing cancer-causing aflatoxin, which caused considerable controversy when detected late last year, have allegedly been refined in contravention of Customs law.

Importers are prohibited from making any changes to imported goods until analytical sample reports are provided to Sri Lanka Customs subsequent to a quality control test being performed by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) and the Food Control Administration Unit (FCAU) of the Ministry of Health.

Refining was carried out despite the FCAU sending Customs analytical sample reports stating that the coconut oil was not suitable for human consumption.

The head of the FCAU emphasised that even if the oil was refined, the aflatoxin it contains does not get destroyed.

It takes more than one week for the FCAU to provide sample reports and it is during that time that the stock of coconut oil was put through a refining process.

According to FCAU findings all 22 containers of crude coconut oil brought in by the importer contain aflatoxin. Coconut oil from 13 of the 22 containers has been refined.

A container can hold up to 18 metric tons of crude coconut oil. Responding to an inquiry by The Sunday Times, the Director-General of Customs, Major-General (ret.) Vijitha Ravipriya, said he would hold an inquiry. If it is revealed that any importer has engaged in an illegal activity, legal action will be taken against that person, he said.

On March 24, he said that stocks of oil from the containers in question were released to private warehouses of importers on permission granted by SLSI.

But, we got to know on March 4 that two businessmen had imported 183,055 kilograms of coconut oil containing the carcinogenic, aflatoxin. I informed both these companies in writing on that same day to re-export these stocks of oil, he said.

A media statement issued on Friday by the SLSI Director-General Dr. Siddhika Senaratne said contrary to some media and social media reports neither the SLSI nor any other authority had given approval for the sale of the oil to consumers.

The Consumer Affairs Authority is also carrying out a stringent watch on these imports, the statement said.

The statement named four oil importers  Ali Brothers Pvt Ltd, Sena Mills Refineries, Edirisinghe Edible Oils and Katana Refineries  for importing the stocks.

The Sunday Times contacted these companies but was told they would respond later.

FCAU Director Dr. Thilak Siriwardena said the authorities had known since last December that the containers of coconut oil had aflatoxin.

The normal procedure is that as soon as imported goods arrive at the harbour the SLSI and FCAU obtain samples of these items and then provide quality reports.

Normally, when stocks of oil are released to private warehouses of importers, Customs obtains a bank bond from the importers.

Customs internal sources said that once such a bank bond is obtained, Customs bears a strong responsibility to keep account of the goods at importers warehouses.

We obtain a bank bond and then only release goods to private warehouses, with the trust and certification that importers will not make any changes regarding these goods, a senior Customs official said on condition of anonymity.

As Customs, we have to focus strong attention on whether these importers are doing something illegal to these goods.

Customs Officers have not fulfilled their responsibilities regarding this. That is why importers have had the opportunity to refine these stocks of oil, the official said.

The Director-General of Customs said if the oil had been refined illegally, steps would be taken to confiscate the importers bank bonds.

Director (Consumer Affairs and Information) of the Consumer Services Authority Asela Bandara said no quantity of the carcinogenic oil from the containers had been released to the market as yet.

During the past few days, we inspected the private warehouses of the relevant importers. We observed that the stocks of coconut oil remain there. Therefore, there is no reason for people to get excited, he said.

FCAU sources said to date only three importers had agreed to re-export oil stocks they had brought into the country. One importer has rejected the order to re-export his stocks of oil, saying he cannot accept the FCAUs quality control reports and is requesting another report. This importer is also reported to have stated that aflatoxin is destroyed when the oil is refined.

This is incorrect, Dr. Siriwardena said, saying aflatoxin in coconut oil cannot be removed through refinement. Health officials pointed out that there was no other alternative to destroying foods that contain aflatoxin.

The President of the Public Health Inspectors Union, Upul Rohana, said inspectors, as is normal procedure, obtain samples of coconut oil from across the island and current collection is underway. What remains for us to do is only to send the coconut oil samples we collect to the Government Analyst. Their report is due to be received within a month, he said.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Health workers at an abandoned school in Gilsang village in Incheon's Ganghwa Island on March 27 escort salespersons from a water purifier company to a hospital. Ganghwa District Office said 29 employees of the company, who were living together inside the building and elsewhere nearby, were tested positive to COVID-19. Yonhap



South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases fell back below 500 on Sunday, a day after reaching a 36-day high of 505, as rain caused fewer people to take the virus tests amid lingering woes over a rise in new infections.



The country reported 482 more COVID-19 cases, including 462 local infections, raising the total caseload to 101,757, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.



The country added one more death from COVID-19, increasing the total to 1,722.



After hitting the highest tally of 505 on Saturday since the 561 new patients reported on Feb. 19, Sunday's caseload dropped below 500.



Over the past week, new cases have been above 400, except for a brief fall to 346 on Tuesday.



To contain the continued rise in the new infections, health authorities extended the current Level 2 social distancing rules in the greater Seoul area, where more than half of the country's overall population resides, and Level 1.5 for the rest of the country for another two weeks until April 11.







Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
HOLYOKE  For months Digna Almonte has found it difficult to keep six feet distance from the young children she works with every day because they need hands-on help and dont understand they can spread COVID-19.

On Saturday Almonte, a teaching assistant who works with children from kindergarten to grade two at Donahue School, joined about 600 of her fellow educators to get vaccinated at a Saturday clinic held by Holyoke Health.

I work one-on-one with kids so it is good that I feel healthy so I can provide a better service to them and I can be healthy for my own family, she said. If everyone gets vaccinated, we have a better chance to go back to a normal world.

With elementary schools preparing to return to full-time, five-days-a-week classes on April 5 and the state declaring teachers are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, the Holyoke Health Center decided to step in and hold a weekend clinic to get as many educators vaccinated as possible, said Jay Breines, chief executive officer.

Some teachers have been working in-person with children who are considered high-risk and would have difficulty learning remotely as early as September and some are teaching under a hybrid system that has children attending in-person classes some days and then switching to remote education other days.

Holyoke Health Center was designated as one of the 250 centers in the country to receive federal vaccines directly from the government because Holyoke, was designated an underserved community due to residents disproportionately affected by COVID-19, Breines said.

After teachers were put in the priority category for vaccines by the state, Breines said he was able to secure 600 doses for school staff because he said it is vital to get city children, many of whom the center serves, back in the classroom.

I want my kids to graduate with a good education so they can get good jobs, go to college and get out of poverty, he said. I want them in classrooms. Kids need to be in school for their health.

Janet Morales, an English as a Second Language teacher at Holyoke High School North, has had some students in-person since September and said it is more effective to be teaching her students in the classroom, especially those who have limited English because it is hard to see gestures and other things over the computer.

She said she is hoping to have even more students in-person soon.

Im looking out for my safety and the safety of my students, she said after receiving the vaccination.

Acting Holyoke School Superintendent Anthony Soto speaks with U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield and Holyoke School Committee Chairman Devin Sheehan at a vaccination clinic for city educators. (Jeanette DeForge/Republican staff)

Breines said Holyoke Health Center learned they would be eligible for 600 doses of the Moderna vaccine from U.S. Richard E. Neals staff several weeks ago. He then rushed through the logistics of setting up a one-day clinic at William J. Dean Technical High School that would serve school staff.

The about 1,000 school staff  including custodians, cafeteria workers and vice principals  were sent a survey asking if they wanted a vaccine and slightly more than 600 responded to sign up for the clinic. Others declined the shot or had already received one, said Lori Lewicki, chief pharmacy officer at Holyoke Health Center.

The Center also included staff at parochial and private schools in the city, he said

They then made appointments, giving each educator a time to show up between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. On April 26 those same educators will return at the same time for their second dose, she said.

The school nurses and a Board of Health nurse joined by personnel at Holyoke Health Center to ensure there were enough people to administer the vaccinations and all paperwork was completed before Saturday, said Cynthia Carbone, director of health, wellness and nursing for Holyoke Public Schools.

We want to make it easier for our staff and what better way than to offer them a COVID vaccination clinic, she said.

Breines said his biggest concern was that the promised doses would not arrive and he would have to cancel the clinic. He said he went back-and-forth with Neals office to make sure the clinic was possible until mid-week when the doses arrived.

Neal visited the clinic on Saturday, talking with acting School Superintendent Anthony Soto, School Committee Chairman Devin Sheehan and many of the teachers who were being vaccinated.

This is about community. No one is abandoned, no one is left behind, Neal said.

In making a public statement, Neal said President Bidens stimulus package includes $50 billion for testing and reminded people that they should not be lulled into a false sense of security and to get tested if they feel ill or may be exposed to someone with the virus to ensure they do not spread it.

I am thrilled to see these federal resources in action here in Holyoke today, he said. Community health centers like Holyoke have been on the frontlines of this pandemic for over a year now and the work that they do to ensure that our populations are vaccinated does not go without notice.

Related Content:
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Death has landed at the doorstep of one of the most sordid Statehouse scandals of our time.

The apparent suicide of powerful lobbyist Neil Clark might not cause voters to focus on the enormity of the alleged wrongdoing. But it should, as the House Bill 6 scandal has stained Ohios reputation, wrecked FirstEnergys, and is a blemish on the otherwise excellent record of Gov. Mike DeWine.

Indeed, the 82-page U.S. Justice Department criminal complaint against former House Speaker Larry Householder and four connected Republican operatives is breathtaking in the scope of the criminal behavior it alleges  behavior that was allegedly part of a $60 million scam to benefit FirstEnergy and its spinoff, FirstEnergy Solutions (now known as Energy Harbor).

If there are more indictments, if prominent Republicans are sent to prison, the image of the wrongdoing might reflect on Ohios governor and create problems for DeWine with voters next year. His saving grace might be his genuine concern for Ohioans health during the COVID-19 crisis and his willingness to side with science over the sizeable crackpot wing of his own party.

DeWine did more than sign House Bill 6, the bailout bill at the heart of this scandal, which requires ratepayers (taxpayers) to finance a $1.6 billion subsidy for the two nuclear power plants FirstEnergy pawned off on FirstEnergy Solutions. Indeed, as extensively reported by The Plain Dealer, cleveland.com, the Dayton Daily News and others, DeWines deep and disturbing ties to FirstEnergy have earned him a mountain of campaign cash from the Akron-based utility.

To date, theres been not a hint suggesting DeWine is implicated in any wrongdoing. But the residual political damage might make his re-election campaign, at the very least, harder than a Republican should expect in a red state. DeWine faces a possible Republican primary challenge from former Rep. Jim Renacci and a likely general election race against one of two Democrats, either Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley or Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.

Consider some damning circumstantial evidence reported by Ohio news organizations:

*FirstEnergy and FirstEnergy Solutions spent more than $1 million to help elect DeWine governor in 2018. Logic dictates they expected a return on that investment.

*On Oct. 10, 2018, DeWine met with FirstEnergy executives at a fundraiser in Columbus hosted by the Republican Governors Association, a group often used to legally funnel contributions to Republican candidates. The next day, FirstEnergy Solutions donated $500,000 to the RNC. Coincidence? Only if you believe in fairy tales.

*A nonprofit funded by FirstEnergy gave more than $100,000 to a dark money group supporting the 2019 campaign of DeWines daughter, Alice, for Greene County prosecutor. She lost the election. FirstEnergy won lots of brownie points in the governors office.

*Soon after becoming governor, DeWine appointed a former FirstEnergy consultant to head the Ohio Public Utilities Commission. Sam Randazzo resigned that position after it was revealed FirstEnergy had paid him $4 million in consulting fees in early 2019. Randazzo is an expert on Ohios complex utility laws. But handing the job to someone with deep ties to FirstEnergy, and an apparent hostility to renewable energy, made this DeWines most ethically dubious appointment.

Federal crime-fighters may agree. Late last year, FBI agents armed with a search warrant visited Randazzos Columbus area home.

*FirstEnergys obsession with harming potential competitors, even ones that pose little threat, dates back decades. So, it should have come as no surprise last May, when the Ohio Power Siting Board, a PUCO related body chaired by Randazzo, kicked Cleveland in the teeth by inserting a poison pill into a $150 million wind energy project proposed for Lake Erie. That project was supported by Ohio Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown. who clearly understand the importance of investments in renewable energy.

DeWine uttered not a peep in protest over the anti-Cleveland decision. Four months later, the siting board, facing withering criticism, reversed itself.

The House Bill 6 scandal isnt the biggest in state history. That honor still belongs to the 17 years state officials spent pouring more than $1 billion down a rat hole known as the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow, considered by some the nations worst charter school.

When John Kasich was governor, the state finally forced ECOTs closure. But DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, Attorney General Dave Yost and State Auditor Keith Faber were among those who for years received generous campaign contributions from ECOT officials. But because no one was ever charged with a crime, voters never connected them with the enormous waste of tax dollars.

ECOT, Householder, and the seedy payday lending industry were all recent beneficiaries of Neil Clarks lobbying talents. For years, many of Clarks clients seemed not the least bit interested in good public policy.

Death probably spared Clark the humility of a trial against a U.S. Justice Department that wins a whole lot more public corruption cases than it loses.

But no matter what the outcome of the House Bill 6 trials, one can think of no better example of how unsavory corporate interests have bent a government, governor and legislature to their will.

POWER MASTER:

His father farmed cotton. His mother, a great lady he thinks about every day, raised eight children. And his lifes journey brought him from the poverty of segregated Memphis to the pinnacle of power in Clevelands government and politics.

George Forbes didnt wield that power gently. There were triumphs, brushes with trouble and more than a few controversies during a nearly 17-year run as the citys first Black council president.

But about Forbes place in history there is no doubt. He was easily the most influential and consequential person to ever hold that job.

Forbes contemporaries, his longtime friends and allies, were Carl Stokes, brother Louis Stokes and Arnold Pinkney. And on April 4, Easter Sunday, Forbes turns 90, the sole survivor of an era that changed Clevelands politics forever.

Brent Larkin was The Plain Dealers editorial director from 1991 until his retirement in 2009.

To reach Brent Larkin: blarkin@cleveland.com

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions, comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.
An actor in hit RTE drama Smother has revealed he was terrified locals in the town where the show was filmed would think he was a real-life paedophile.

Danish star Thomas Levin, who plays Carl Jensen in the show, insisted that posters used in the drama - which carried an image of his face with the word 'Pedo' printed on it - be removed from the area when filming ended.

In the show, Carl and his onscreen daughter Ingrid (Hazel Doupe) were seen removing the posters from the windscreens of cars and also cleaning up graffiti on their home, when 'Pedo' is sprayed onto the front of the house in large red writing.

The scenes were filmed last year in Lahinch, Co Clare, and centred on the fact that Carl was questioned in Denmark about the alleged sexual abuse of a female teenage student before he moved to Ireland.

Carl, who is in a relationship with Dervla Kirwan's character, Val, was also brought in for questioning to the local garda station after an anonymous letter was sent to them, which included a newspaper clipping about the accusation.

He was also suspected of involvement in Denis Ahern's death, after viewers previously saw a heated row between the two.

The local school, where Carl is a science teacher, suspended him after a parent saw him being questioned by gardai, and word soon got out about the Danish accusations.

The fact that he was cleared in Denmark didn't stop locals targeting Carl with the 'Pedo' smears.

"The subject matter is very uncomfortable," says Thomas (42), who in real life lives in Copenhagen with his wife and their two young children.

"It's just a horrible thing and it really provokes strong emotions."

He was terrified someone might find the poster and believe he was a paedophile in real life.

"People don't know me where we were shooting," explains Thomas.

"If somebody found that flyer and I had to go and buy groceries, that would be really uncomfortable because there is a thin line between who I am and who the audience think I am as a character.

"That was just the first time in my life where I had a conversation with the prop department...'please make sure that there is not a single poster left anywhere when we leave shooting'. That was the most freaky part."

Hazel Doupe, who plays 15-year-old Ingrid, said she had no qualms about playing the role of a daughter who supports her father in such circumstances.

"Looking into Ingrid's past with her dad, they have a strong bond and it wouldn't matter to her what other people thought of him," says the 18-year-old Dubliner.

"Obviously, it was going to affect her in ways, but it wouldn't stop her from supporting her father. The usual response for someone in that age is to go with their mother, but she showed a lot of bravery."

Thomas maintains that while the subject matter was dark, he enjoyed playing the role.

"I was interested because I heard about Katie [O'Riordan, the writer], I heard about the production company and the chance to go to Ireland to meet new colleagues," he explains.

"It was nice for me to get a chance to play a father and also where I have a relationship that was not conventional, with Dervla's character. So I guess that was the two main things for me."

Smother continues tonight on RTE One at 9.30pm.




The State's Covid-19 response descended into chaos yesterday as a vaccination programme at a hospital was suspended and three people absconded from a mandatory hotel quarantine facility a day after the system came into force.

As the Government prepares to announce this week that tight public health restrictions will need to remain for much of the next two months, two key areas of its response to the virus faltered.

In a dramatic U-turn, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly yesterday directed the HSE to suspend vaccine operations at the Beacon Hospital after revelations that leftover jabs were given to teachers at a private school. The suspension, coming 24 hours after Mr Donnelly said it would be "counterproductive", means that the 1,000 people a day who were vaccinated at the Beacon will have to be accommodated elsewhere.

The HSE advised members of the public to keep any existing vaccine appointment at the Beacon this week but said other vaccination centres at the Aviva Stadium and City West will now be used instead. "We will scale up capacity in these centres to manage this change in circumstances," the HSE said.

Mr Donnelly has written to the board of the Beacon asking for an account of any other vaccinations that may have occurred outside of agreed protocols. Creche workers caring for the children of staff at the Beacon Hospital also received jabs from the private hospital earlier this month in addition to 20 teachers at St Gerard's School in Bray, Co Wicklow, where, it is understood, CEO Michael Cullen's children attend.

Read More

Taoiseach Micheal Martin upped pressure on the board of Beacon Hospital to remove Mr Cullen last night, saying through a spokesman that he "should be held accountable for his actions by the board of The Beacon Hospital".

Separately, three men, who had arrived on a flight from Dubai, absconded from the new mandatory quarantine facility at The Crowne Plaza Hotel near Dublin Airport while on a smoking break outside.

One of the two missing men who absconded was located and in Waterford and returned to the Crowne Plaza.

The other missing man is believed to be a Northern Ireland native, meaning he may have already left the jurisdiction.

The third missing man reappeared after a couple of minutes and sources say he may not have fled as he came back voluntarily.

Gardai were notified that three people had left the hotel yesterday afternoon and attended the scene. The Garda Press Office said: "An Garda Siochana are this afternoon liaising with the State Liaison Officer at a designated quarantine facility in the Dublin area, in accordance with current protocols."

The Department of Health declined to comment on the incident but said gardai would investigate any suspected offences and enforce the law.

With the incident happening just over 24 hours after the new system came into force, the refusal of the Department of Justice and An Garda Siochana to agree to a permanent garda presence at the facilities is now likely to come under scrutiny.

One Government figure branded yesterday's events a "weekend of chaos" as Ministers are this weekend preparing to sign off on a minor easing of public health restrictions this week. But the country will remain under tight restrictions throughout April and much of May amid growing concerns about a fourth wave of the virus.

Ministers have encountered strong public anger in recent days over the Beacon hospital revelations. Last night, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar told the Sunday Independent: "This really touched a nerve with people, especially older people and the medically vulnerable, who have been waiting to get their vaccine.

"A response was necessary. It was a clear breach of Government rules and simply should not have happened.

The Sunday Independent understands that Mr Donnelly had wanted to suspend operations when the story first emerged. However, he was cautioned by the HSE that it could be counterproductive to the vaccination programme. However, Mr Donnelly and HSE chief executive Paul Reid spoke at length yesterday and are said to have jointly agreed to suspend operations.

St Gerard's has declined to comment on the story.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Irish judges have made hundreds of foreign trips in recent years at a significant cost to the taxpayer, according to internal Courts Service records.

The spending covers more than 1,000 flights for judges and court staff to attend seminars, conferences and events abroad. The outlay does not include the considerable cost of attending foreign conferences and accommodation for those trips.

Meanwhile, a further 127,484 has been spent accommodating judges at the award-winning Ballymaloe House Hotel, where they are provided with bed and breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch while attending court sittings in Co Cork.

New documents and figures obtained by Sunday Independent columnist Shane Ross reveals the level of spending on Ballymaloe stays and foreign travel for judges. Over the past 10 years, judges spent 526 nights at the upmarket hotel renowned globally for its haute cuisine. Judges often stay for five days at a time to allow superior courts to sit in provincial locations close to where parties attending court are from.

These have included High Court Judge Kevin Cross, who incurred three bills in June 2019, totalling 3,135.

In 2018 Court of Appeal Judge Seamus Noonan took up residence at Ballymaloe for three five-day sessions at a total cost of 3,760. Mr Justice Paul Carney has stayed at the hotel 19 times over the past 10 years while attending court sittings.

The Courts Service said it "has always sought and achieved considerably reduced rates for suitable accommodation and board", and regularly reviews hotels used for judges. Courts Service payments for accommodation and food are made in accordance with rates sanctioned by the Department of Finance, but judges may opt to stay in hotels where prices are above the sanctioned rate. They must then pay the excess amount themselves or reimburse the Courts Service.

In 2018 and 2020, excess amounts incurred for stays at Ballymaloe were paid by judges directly to the hotel. Documents show 480 was repaid by judges to the Courts Service in 2019 for excess amounts, including 110 by Mr Justice Cross. There were only two stays at the hotel by judges last year before the pandemic interrupted court sittings. High Court Judges Mary Rose Gearty and Michael Twomey each spent five nights there at a cost of 1,425 each.

Read More

Documents on foreign travel show judges made more than 500 foreign trips between 2015 and the early part of 2020 which have cost the Courts Service almost 180,000. Buenos Aires in Argentina, Chilean capital Santiago, the holy city of Jerusalem, Sydney in Australia and a number of US trips were on the itineraries of some judges.

Chief Justice Frank Clarke has made 36 foreign trips since he was appointed in July 2017. Since 2015 he has made over 50 trips abroad in total on official duty, racking up about 85,000 air miles.

As Chief Justice he has visited Cyprus, Brussels, Lisbon, Prague, Krakow, Estonia, Berlin, Rome, Paris, Strasbourg, The Hague, Vienna, Edinburgh, Karlsruhe, Luxembourg, Warsaw and London. He made two visits to the United States in 2018, first visiting New York in April at a cost of 628.98. The following September he attended events in Chicago and New York. His air fare then was 3,769.95.

A spokesman for the Courts Service said Mr Clarke spoke on law and Brexit at the Irish consulate in Chicago at their request, "garnering much local business and legal world interest".

In New York he gave a similar lecture at Fordham University at an event organised by the Consulate there. He later spoke at the New York Consulate about 'Ireland as a centre for International Arbitration', the spokesman added.

In 2019 Mr Clarke visited Washington on St Patrick's Day to deliver a keynote speech at an event hosted by then Attorney General, Seamus Woulfe. The purpose of his visit was to promote Ireland as an international legal centre. His business class air ticket cost 2,115.53.

He made 15 trips in total in 2019, including five in September. He flew to Paris on September 6 for 229.81 and Vienna three days later for 71.76 to travel to an engagement in the Czech Republic. On September 25 he travelled to Luxembourg before flying to Brussels the following day. The trips cost 208.20 and 278.31 respectively. On September 30 he flew to London on a ticket which cost 947.13. Then Court of Appeal Judge Michael Peart also flew to London on the same date at a cost of 170.54.

Mr Clarke made just two trips last year, flying to Paris twice to attend events in the French capital and Strasbourg. These cost a combined 259.19. Since 2015, Mr Clarke has accumulated 21,505.23 in air fares.

The figures come just days after High Court President, Ms Justice Mary Irvine, asked the Government to nominate up to 20 new judges in anticipation of "a tsunami" of litigation that has built up during the pandemic. There are currently 40 High Court judges, so meeting her request would see this number jump 50pc.

The Department of Justice believes legislation will be required to meet the request and it is currently being examined by the Department of Public Expenditure.

Court of Appeal Judge John Edwards travelled less frequently than the chief justice, but as Ireland's representative on the International Association of Judges (IAJ) he flew to Mexico City, Jerusalem via Tel Aviv, Santiago, Marrakech, and Kazakhstan in the past five years. District Court Judge John O'Connor also travelled to Mexico City. His ticket cost 1,194.21. Mr Edwards's fare was 1,188.54.

Mr Edwards was accompanied at the Santiago conference by District Court Judge Conal Gibbons at a cost of 1,666.76 per person. Mr Edwards also visited Barcelona, Copenhagen, Munich, Amsterdam, Moldova, Berlin ,Croatia and London.

The most expensive air fares for judges came in 2018 when Circuit Court Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain and District Court Judge Patricia McNamara visited Buenos Aires three years ago. Their tickets cost 4,465.50 each. That year, the Courts Service spent 57,719.29 on air tickets for judges and staff.

A Courts Service spokesman said travel restrictions in place for most of last year saw spending on air fares drop significantly.

Last year's spend totalled 5,905.08 and included return flights to Cape Town for Supreme Court Judge William McKechnie.

First class and premium tickets are never used, he added, but business class flights are booked where the duration of the flight is six hours or more.

"Flights for necessary judicial foreign work and travel are booked as economically as possible, generally using available online, economy class flights, and prices as made available through the Government contracted travel agent."

The spokesman also explained why judges travel. "Firstly, the members of the Court attend overseas events in association with the Supreme Court's membership of international judicial networks. The second category relates to bilateral meetings between the Supreme Courts and Courts in other jurisdictions, such as the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights." He said the Chief Justice often makes trips to speak at international events and to perform essential EU functions. "The fourth category involves attendance at events regarding judicial training - as sanctioned by the Committee for Judicial Studies."
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Syracuse, NY  Police made an arrest last week in the murder of a 93-year-old former teacher in her home at the Skyline Apartments, but the discussion quickly turned to this question:

Why was the suspected killer free?

A woman who police say admitted to the February murder of Connie Tuori had been arrested a week prior the death and charged with attacking another elderly woman in the same building. But a judge released her.

Seven days later, Tuori was murdered inside her 12th floor apartment at Skyline, a high-rise building overrun by crime and neglect, Syracuse police say.

Victoria Afet, 23, now faces up to life in prison without chance of parole if convicted of first-degree murder, police Chief Kenton Buckner announced Thursday.

Afet is accused of killing Tuori while trying to steal from her apartment. That led to an additional first-degree burglary charge.

Victoria Afet, 23, of Syracuse, is pictured in this undated selfie.Provided

Despite the arrest, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said Tuoris cause of death remains under investigation. He declined to say if anything was taken from her apartment, saying only that would come out at trial.

Afet was the last person seen with Tuori before her death, Fitzpatrick said. The two women, 70 years apart in age, were not acquaintances, he said.

But Afet, who is homeless, was seen on security camera following Tuori into the elderly womans apartment just before 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, police detective Matthew LaLonde wrote in court papers. Afet was seen leaving two hours later.

Thats the day authorities believe Tuori died.

But her body was not found for another 19 days. During that time, many people came and went from the apartment, as she lay dead inside, Fitzpatrick said, based on security video.

No one at Skyline reported Tuori missing. Her family asked police to check on her March 17 because they had become concerned. Thats when her body was discovered.

It just makes me kind of sad to think about, Fitzpatrick said of the fact no one in the building reported anything.

RELATED: Connie Tuori, 93, survived Afghanistan, Antarctica and African safari, only to be killed in her Syracuse apartment

Connie Tuori

Tuoris killing and an investigation by The Post-Standard have drawn attention to the desperate conditions inside the Skyline Apartments. Local governments have scrambled to take action against the owners, and non-profits are looking to move out their clients who fill the building plagued with crime and filth.

Related: Walsh says hes exploring legal action against Skyline owners: Its public nuisance No. 1

The DA implored those who had been in Tuoris apartment after her death to speak to authorities. Those individuals have already been identified on security video, he added.

Fitzpatrick promised that any witnesses who spoke truthfully would not be charged with entering the apartment, but he vowed to prosecute anyone who refused to talk to the full extent of the law.

A police detective wrote in court papers that Afet made admissions to the murder. But details of that alleged confession remain unknown. Fitzpatrick would only say Thursday that the implicating statements were not made to police.

In a court appearance, defense lawyer Susan Carey protested the suggestion that Afet made admissions, arguing that the criminal complaint outlining that allegation lacked specifics about any admission. A judge allowed the reference to a confession to remain in court paperwork.

Perhaps the biggest controversy surrounding Afets arrest involved what happened before the murder: the suspects release from jail without bail on a robbery charge at the same Skyline Apartments a week before Tuoris death.

Afets robbery charge from the earlier incident is one that cant typically result in jail under the states recent bail reform law. Thats because third-degree robbery  defined as the forcible stealing of property  is not considered a violent felony.

The reform law, however, does have a legal exemption that would have allowed the judge to set bail and hold Afet in jail. The law allows a judge to send a defendant to jail on a new offense during a pending case, if both the new and old cases involve identifiable harm to other people.

As she stood before a judge Feb. 19, Afet already had four ongoing felony cases, a short, failed stint on probation and a misdemeanor larceny conviction, public records show.

Shed been jailed seven separate times in the past three years and had gotten released or bailed out each time, according to records provided by Onondaga County Sheriffs Office spokesman Sgt. Jon Seeber.

In the robbery case, Afet had been accused of robbing a 74-year-old woman at Skyline, stealing $38 and biting her hand, police said in a felony complaint filed in Syracuse City Court. She also had prior ongoing allegations that included, in separate cases from 2020: slamming a womans head against a tree, flashing a serrated knife while threatening someones life and injuring someone with a knife outside a store.

Newly elected Syracuse City Court judge Felicia Pitts Davis in from of Onondaga County Courthouse. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

City Court Judge Felicia Pitts Davis ordered Afet released from jail on pretrial release, akin to probation for those awaiting their day in court.

Its unclear what weighed into Pitts Daviss decision, including how much she knew about the previous pending charges. Judges are not allowed to talk about pending cases.

Still, the record shows that the judge considered and rejected an argument from prosecutors to keep Afet jailed on the bail-reform exemption that involves harm to people.

Afet was let go from jail Feb. 19. A week later, on Feb. 26, authorities say she followed Tuori into her apartment and killed her.

Buckner, the police chief, expressed concern Thursday that someone like Afet, facing multiple violent felonies, was still walking the streets at the time of Tuoris murder.

Thats what jails were built for, the chief said Thursday, while stressing that he wasnt blaming anyone.

Fitzpatrick pointed out that prosecutors had asked Afet to be held in jail on $50,000 bail on the robbery charge, a week before Tuoris death. The judge decided to release her with no bail.

Thats a big difference of opinion, Fitzpatrick said Thursday.

One of us was seriously wrong, the DA said. I think we now know who was wrong.

While questioning the wisdom of bail reform, the DA noted that the judge had the ability to send Afet to jail in the earlier robbery and had decided against it. The same judge would have made the same decision before bail reform, too, he suggested.

The circumstances of Afets release from jail before Tuoris murder were first revealed by Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard on Thursday morning, based on a timeline compiled from public records, sheriffs office jail records and interviews with lawyers involved in the case.

That history was later confirmed by the police chief and DA during the news conference announcing Afets arrest.

The day authorities say Afet killed Tuori she was charged again in an unrelated incident: driving a 2005 Honda Civic that had been reported stolen in DeWitt, said Trooper Jack Keller, a state police spokesman.

She was ticketed and released in that case without going before a judge, records show.

Two days later, on Feb 28, state police found Afet in another stolen car in the Baldwinsville area, Keller said. This time, she was driving a car that had been reported stolen in Syracuse. She was also carrying methamphetamine and hash oil, the trooper said.

That time, Afet was arraigned before a judge. Since Pitts Davis had placed Afet on pretrial release earlier in February, that was another factor that could be considered in sending her to jail.

This time, Clay Town Justice Jeffrey Schiano ordered Afet jailed with no bail, records show. Afet has been in custody ever since.

Including the murder, Afet now has a total of eight pending cases and one conviction, records show:

April 10, 2020: Accused of stealing a Chevrolet SUV from outside a North Side store. She was seen getting into vehicle with a bandaged, bloody hand injury, according to court records. When the vehicle was later recovered, blood inside was matched to Afet, police said. (Afet wasnt arrested until Oct. 22, 2020, after DNA blood analysis completed.)

June 16, 2020: Accused of stealing from the Butternut Street Rite Aid, then flashing a serrated knife at a civilian who tried to stop her; also accused of threatening to kill the civilian. Sent to jail with unknown bail, remained there for a month. That case is still pending in City Court after prosecutors consented to pursuing misdemeanors, not felonies.

July 16, 2020: Pleaded guilty to misdemeanor petit larceny from May, which also closed or reduced several other pending cases. Sentenced to three years on probation, freed from jail for the first time since June 16.

Aug. 16, 2020: Accused of injuring someone with a knife outside a North Side store. That case has been indicted as an assault and is pending in felony court. She faces up to 7 years in prison, if convicted. (Afet wasnt arrested in this case until Oct. 1, 2020.)

Aug. 22, 2020: Accused of slamming another womans head into a tree on Highland Street. That case is also pending in City Court after prosecutors consented to pursuing a misdemeanor.

Aug. 23, 2020: Sent to jail in head-slamming case, with bail set at $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond. Bail is increased as older cases linked to Afet: additional $20,000 bail in head-slamming incident from June; additional $1,000 bail in SUV theft case from April. Remains jailed for nearly next five months.

Sept. 4, 2020: Accused of violating probation from her sentence in the earlier petit larceny conviction. Specific allegations are unknown, though new arrests are considered probation violations.

Jan. 13: Officially taken off probation, resentenced to nine months in jail. Because shed already spent six months behind bars since her crime back in June 2020, shes released from jail Jan. 29. (Under jail rules, an inmate only serves 2/3 of a sentence, assuming theres no problems in custody.)

Feb. 18: Does not show up for felony court for 10:15 a.m. arraignment on indicted assault charge stemming from 2020 knife incident outside store. Around 4:30 p.m. the same day, accused of robbing and biting the 74-year-old woman at Skyline Apartments. Released from jail the following day, after arraignment, on pretrial release. A grand jury is now hearing the Skyline robbery case.

Feb. 26: The day authorities say Afet killed Tuori. Its the same day Afet is accused in DeWitt stolen car case. Ticketed by police and released.

Feb. 28: Accused of driving another stolen car in Baldwinsville. Also charged with drug possession. At arraignment, sent to jail with no bail, based on her prior pretrial release provisions.

March 17: Connie Tuori, 93, found dead by police in her 12th floor apartment at Skyline, 753 James St. Police were checking on her condition after she missed an appointment. Her death ruled a homicide.

March 23: Defense lawyer Susan Carey confirms to Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that she is meeting with Afet in jail that afternoon regarding the Skyline Apartments homicide. Authorities decline comment.

March 25: Afet is officially charged with murder and burglary in Tuoris death. Security camera show Afet following Tuori into her apartment on Feb. 26, the day authorities believe the elderly woman was murdered, and leaving two hours later, police say. A criminal complaint alleges that she admitted to the crime, but details of that apparent confession remain unknown.

Read more

Accused Skyline Apartments killer admitted to murder before body was found, police say

Accused Skyline killer followed 93-year-old victim into her apartment, police say. What happened next still a mystery

Woman charged in slaying of 93-year-old woman in Syracuses Skyline Apartments

Skyline murder suspect was accused of attacking other woman, 74, in same building and freed a day later

Skyline Apartments to hire off-duty Syracuse cops for extra security after womans murder

Walsh says hes exploring legal action against Skyline owners: Its public nuisance No. 1

Elderly murder victims family on Skyline squalor: Did they get away with this because who owns it?

Connie Tuori, 93, survived Afghanistan, Antarctica and African safari, only to be killed in her Syracuse apartment

Family IDs 93-year-old woman murdered in Skyline Apartments

Inside Tim Greens Skyline Apartments: Murder, drugs and filth. Tenants, cops say enough is enough

Woman killed at Skyline Apartments on James Street

Police, tenants push football legend Tim Greens firm to fix nightmare apartments

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070.
Santiago, March 28 : Chilean President Sebastian Pinera warned that the coming days and weeks will be "difficult and painful" due to the critical health situation the country is currently facing, with more than 7,000 daily Covid-19 cases registered in recent days.

"We know that it has been a difficult and painful year, and I want to be very honest: the days and weeks that come will be too," Xinhua news agency quoted the President as saying on Saturday.

"The reappearance of the pandemic has increased the number of infected and more people have had to be hospitalised, which is demanding to healthcare workers and the limit of our health system capacities, and they, despite all the difficulties, continue to provide care that patients need," he said.

The government has significantly increased the number of critical beds and is resorting to "all possible options" to be able to continue treating the sick, the President noted.

"Protecting the health and lives of all our compatriots is definitely our first priority," Pinera added The Chilean Ministry of Health on Saturday reported 7,588 new Covid-19 cases and 66 deaths, bringing the nationwide tallies to 969,913 and 22,653, respectively.
Jeff Orlowski, director of "The Social Dilemma," hosted a roundtable discussion on the film with Mesa County residents at Colorado Mesa University earlier this month.
Africa represents 26 per cent of the world's population but has less than 0.1 per cent of world vaccines production

Speaking at an Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) high-level panel discussion on whether Africa was ready to finance its own vaccines, leading experts felt that Africa needed strong political will and all-round infrastructure to successfully roll out its own vaccines.

World Health Organisation Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told the panel that the development of vaccines in record time in response to COVID-19 had given the world reason for hope but the hope must be for all.

"No country can vaccinate its way out of the pandemic, not even the wealthy ones," Dr. Ghebreyesus emphasized, warning that as long as the virus was circulating, it would mutate. Equitable vaccine distribution the only sure way to stop it.

"Even with the vaccines, we still have a long road ahead," he said, warning that COVID-19 had destroyed economies, disrupted trade, travel and tourism, leaving import-reliant African countries exposed.

Citing the World Bank, Dr. Ghebreyesus noted that for every month that vaccines were delayed in reaching Africa, $13.8 billion was lost in GDP.

"The fastest way to get economies on track is vaccine equity," Dr. Ghebreyesus said, adding, "Ultimately Africa needs to be able to meet its own needs for vaccines and other essential products. That means financing local manufacturing capacity, comprehensive regulation and sustainable supply chains."

Share know-how with Africa

Dr. Ghebreyesus noted that vaccines production needed to be scaled-up in countries where they are being produced with pharmaceutical companies being asked to share intellectual property rights, data and know-how in the manufacture of vaccines with Africa.

The WHO has established the COVID Technology Access Pool (CTAP), to accelerate the development of products, including vaccines to fight COVID-19.

The pandemic has underscored the critical gap in vaccine manufacturing in Africa which represents 26 per cent of the world's population but has less than 0.1 per cent of world vaccines production.

"Ultimately the lesson we can learn from this pandemic is that health is not a luxury but a fundamental human right and the foundation of social and political stability," the WHO Chief said.

Need to ratify African Medicines Agency (AMA)

Dr. Ghebreyesus called on African countries to ratify the treaty establishing the African Medicines Agency (AMA) to regulate manufacturing of home-grown medical products, in addition to supporting a proposal by South Africa and India for Intellectual Property rights waiver at the World Trade Organisation.

"We are one year with this global pandemic and vaccine apartheid is unfolding before us," bemoaned Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

She said a year on, there was no global plan to get COVID-19 vaccines to everyone and to end the pandemic, yet 25 years ago the world acted on ending HIV/AIDS.

"Rich countries are vaccinating people at a rate of one person per second yet the majority of developing countries have not administered even one dose. As of last week, less than 1 per cent of Africans had received vaccines and most of these were in one country."

Ms. Byanyima regretted that Africa's ambition to vaccinate 60 per cent of its population to achieve herd immunity was not handled at the global level.

Rich countries and big pharmaceuticals were not sharing the vaccine know-how while African countries were paying double the price for vaccines than rich countries.

Responding to questions of sharing intellectual property, Susan Silbermann, the Global COVID-19 Task Force Leader and President of Pfizer Vaccines, said Pfizer was ready to work with Africa. It has laid out a plan to share expertise, data and tools publicly in drug development and in manufacturing capacities.

"There are lot of questions about intellectual property, about manufacturing capabilities, about building facilities," Ms. Silbermann explained.

"These things take time. There is not a magic wand, there is not a snapping of the finger. There is not a writing of a big check that it can allow anyone anywhere in the world to do the kind of manufacturing that is required for vaccines such as the one Pfizer has developed."

Stavros Nocolaou, the Senior Executive responsible for Strategic Trade at global pharmaceutical company, Aspen, said the best economic recovery plan for any country was to ramp up vaccinations to achieve desired herd immunity.

He called for long term planning to invest in capacity building and skills. Key to this was for Africa to identify its strengths and to select the right partners to tap into local resources and knowledge.

Africa is ready to produce vaccines because it has produced vaccines for other diseases, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director, Dr. John Nkengasong said.

"We know that vaccines are the fundamental underpinning of the health security on the continent and we have to invest in that," Dr. Nkengasong said, adding that, "If we do not do this, we will move towards the endemicity of this virus on the continent and will have devastating effects going forward."

Benedict Oramah, President of the Africa-Export Bank (Afreximbank), said Africa had no choice but to invest in developing its own vaccines.

The Bank has provided a $2 billion funding for the purchase of 270 million doses of vaccines. Africa needs more than $6 billion to procure vaccines to complement the COVAX facility.

Mr. Omarah said Africa should support its own institutions to finance the development of its own vaccines.

Lessons from Ebola

Drawing lessons from the experience of dealing with the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, Francis Kaikai, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, noted the importance of rolling out vaccines on time and planning for the long term.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Coronavirus Investment 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.

"There has been some reticence in the acceptance of the vaccines. We need to do public education campaigns to deal with misinformation and disinformation especially in rural areas," Mr. Kaikai urged.

His counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has also been hit by the Ebola virus and now COVID-19 with the rest of the continent, Sele Yalaghuli, said bilateral agreements were needed to help Africa procure vaccines.

Dr. Amadou Sall, Chief Executive Officer of the Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal, said urgency was required to solve the pandemic and scale-up the roll out of vaccines.

The Institut Pasteur conducted the first COVID test kit in Africa and isolated the virus for the yellow fever and developed a vaccine for it within ten years.

He told the panel that a coordinated approach was key in vaccine research and development, in addition to good partnerships and having a distribution network to reduce commercial barriers as well as having robust regulations.

"We have the possibility to produce this vaccine on the continent and we could build a new public health order," said Dr. Sall.

The panel agreed that bolstering capacity in Africa to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines would go a long towards helping the continent's recovery.
The on Sunday gifted one lakh doses of made in India anti-COVID-19 vaccines to the Army, according to the sources.

The vaccines brought on Air India aircraft were handed over by the officials to their counterparts from the Army at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

has gifted one lakh doses of made in India COVID 19 vaccines to Army and it will be helpful for the force, according to a source from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

Earlier India, which has provided made in India vaccines to several countries, has provided 1 million doses to Nepal in January.

Previously, India has also provided medicines and testing kits to Nepal.

Nepal has so far reported 276,839 cases of coronavirus and 3,027 deaths related to it, according to my Republica.

(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 partial freedom granted oil giants by Italian courts in the celebrated OPL 245 corruption case will not stop the prosecution of the accused in Nigeria, a foremost global anti-corruption coalition has said.

In a letter addressed to President Muhammad Buhari, the world acclaimed anti-corruption coalition said Nigeria should press on with the corruption charges and should not be cowed by any bully tactics of the oil giants who may see the Italy ruling as a shield.

The coalitions petition was signed by Luca Manes of Re:Common, Nicholas Hildyard of The Corner House, Olanrewaju Suraju of Human and Environmental Development Agenda, (HEDA Resource Centre) and Simon Taylor, Global of Witness.

Eni, Shell and some Nigerian officials were involved in backwater dealings involving billions of illicit funds embezzled.

The Milan Tribunal ruled on 17 March 2021 that the 13 defendants in OPL 245 international corruption trial had no case to answer. But there are prospects of an appeal in Italy.

The coalition said it understands that the Milan Public Prosecutors Office will likely appeal the verdict.

It said unlike in Nigeria and other common law jurisdictions, Italian law does not permit judges to convict on the basis of circumstantial evidence.

The group recalled that the recent Supreme Court rulings have set the bar for international corruption so high that a conviction is difficult unless there is naked evidence of a bribe being paid, captured on camera or on tape.

We fear that the OPL 245 case may have fallen at this hurdle, despite the voluminous evidence submitted by the Prosecutor as to the knowledge of Shell and Eni that bribes would be paid; that the Resolution Agreements were designed by the two companies to use the Federal Government of Nigeria as a shield to protect themselves from making direct payments to Etete; and the meticulous tracing of where the payments ended up.

The coalition said because of the differences between legal systems in Italy and Nigeria, no double jeopardy agreement exists between the two countries, hence, Eni, Shell, Etete, Abubakar and several others who were charged in Milan are also being prosecuted in Nigeria.

We are aware of mischievous, self-serving calls in press from allies of those being charged that the Nigerian prosecutions should be dropped on the basis that Milan has found no case to answer. These calls must be rejected. Italy is not in charge of Nigerias justice system. The judges in Nigeria must be allowed to hear the cases and to judge them on the basis of Nigerian law. Indeed, the world is now watching the Nigerian prosecutions, it said.

The group said the judgment of the international community, already alarmed by the dismal Italian ruling, is likely to be harsh were Nigeria to drop the cases, given the strength of the evidence amassed by the EFCC.

The need to put the Milan judgment into perspective is all the more urgent given allegations that the trial may have been polluted. The Milan Prosecutor sought to admit a statement by Piero Amara, a former outside counsel for Eni, that Eni had conducted surveillance of the prosecutors, key witnesses and the judges in order to discredit witnesses or gain an advantage in the trial.

The anti-corruption group said the full transcript of Amaras statement was not made public, that large parts were blacked out and the judges refused to admit the evidence.

It noted that an Italian newspaper has now reported on the blacked out parts of the statement, which reportedly allege that Enis lawyer had preferential access to OPL 245 judges.

The allegations were investigated by the Italian authorities but were dismissed after Eni denied them. If true, Amaras allegations would constitute strong grounds for a retrial. We, therefore, urge Nigeria, as the victim in the case, to demand that the full text of Amaras evidence is made public so that the Nigerian public  and the wider international community  can be satisfied that there was nothing untoward in the conduct of the trial.

It applauded the stance of Mr Buhari in his letter to Eni of June 14, 2018, in which he stated that there should be no decision on whether or not to award an OML to the companies until extant prosecutions were complete.

We urge you to hold the line and to resist siren calls for negotiations with Eni and Shell in the wake of the Milan trial. We believe that the companies should respect the prosecutorial process in Nigeria and should not use a judgment in Italy to bully Nigeria into making concessions that undermine the rule of domestic law.

ADVERTISEMENT

It said recent arbitration cases filed with ICSID by both companies claiming unsubstantiated and exaggerated damages are a confirmation of their bullying and not respectful attitude towards the Nigerian government and people.

We as civil society organisations and partners in the promotion of accountability in the extractive sector are in solidarity with the Nigerian Government and Italian Prosecutors in ensuring justice is delivered in this and other relevant cases, it said.
New Delhi: In the view of the rising number of COVID-19 infections in the national capital, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government on Saturday (March 27) capped the maximum number of people allowed to attend a weddings celebration in closed spaces at 100 in the state. On the other hand, the maximum number of people allowed to attend a wedding celebration in open spaces has been set at 200.

The Covid-19 situation has been reviewed and it has been decided that status quo should be maintained in NCT of Delhi with regard to permissible/prohibited activities as per aforesaid DDMA orders. However, the ceiling of persons in marriage, banquet halls, other gatherings/congregations and in funeral/last rites in NCT of Delhi needs to be imposed, the Delhi Disaster Management Authoritys statement said.

"ln closed spaces, a maximum of 50 percent of the hall capacity will be allowed, with a ceiling of 100 persons. In open spaces, numbers will be allowed keeping the size of the ground/ space in view with a ceiling of 200 persons subject to strict observance of wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer," the order added.

Earlier, the state government had set the maximum number of people allowed to attend a wedding ceremony in a closed space at 200 while there was no limit for open spaces wedding celebrations.

Adding to this, the Delhi Disaster Management Authoritys statement also added that no more than 50 people can gather at funeral-related events in the national capital.

The new orders will remain in place till April 30.

Earlier, the COVID-19 footprint in the national capital had forced the government

On Saturday, Delhi reported a total of 1,558 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours for the third day in a row, taking the total number of cases to 6,55,834. According to the state health bulletin, as many as 974 people recovered in the state in the said period. With this, the total number of recoveries in Delhi now stands at 6,38,212. There are currently 6,625 active cases in the national capital.

Live TV
Zhong Huijuan, top, and Fan Hongwei / South China Morning Post





China is home to the most self-made women entrepreneurs in the world, according to a new report.

The country minted 24 new female billionaires to start 2021, bringing the total number to 85, said Hurun Research Institute.



China's 85 female billionaires amount to two-thirds of the 130 women billionaires in the world.



While the number of women billionaires grew 30 per cent from last year, the 3,098 male billionaires dwarf the 130 self-made women billionaires.



Rupert Hoogewerf, the chairman and chief researcher at Hurun, told the?South China Morning Post?that the rest of the world needs to "wake up" to the dominance of Chinese women entrepreneurs. Chinese women make up 70 per cent of the world's most successful women entrepreneurs.



People need to study China and see "what's hampering women elsewhere to build businesses of that size," he added.



Hurun Research Institute found nine out of the top ten self-made women billionaires are from China and eight out of ten new faces are from China.



Here are the three wealthiest Chinese women entrepreneurs and how they self-made their billions.





Zhong Huijuan is also married to another billionaire called Sun Piaoyang. South China Morning Post



Zhong Huijuan, 60, CEO of Hansoh, $22 billion



Zhong Huijuan is the 60-year-old executive of the pharmaceutical company Hansoh. She is the world's richest woman entrepreneur for the second year in a row.



Born in the eastern province of Jiangsu, Zhong studied chemistry and started her career as a middle-school chemistry teacher. Her husband, Sun Piaoyang, who was also a billionaire, was a manager at a state-owned pharmaceutical factory and introduced Zhong to the industry.



In 1995, Sun started Haosen Pharmaceutical, an early iteration of Hansoh. Sun decided to put Zhong in charge of the company because he still needed to manage the state-owned factory he worked at.



Zhong decided to shift the company's focus towards making patented medicine instead of generic drugs, a strategy that took the company to new heights.



Two years later, Zhong made her first break by successfully producing an antibiotic drug called Cefalexin, which treats various bacterial infections. Cefalexin became the company's top-selling drug as soon as it launched.



Zhong continued to devote 10 per cent of annual revenue to new drug research and development. By the early 2000s, the company had made 40 new drugs, covering antibiotics, psychiatry and hormonal drugs. These drugs made the company one of the most successful pharmaceutical companies in the country.



Fan Hongwei, 54, CEO of Hengli, $23 billion



Born in the eastern province of Jiangsu, Fan's first job was as an accountant. She is now the CEO of Hengli, a chemical fibre supplier.



Her first opportunity in the industry came from her husband Chen Jianhua, the chairman of Hengli's holding company, also a billionaire.



In the early 1990s, Chen started selling chemical fibre and white factory silk from the back of a bicycle due to an injury from a construction gig.



The peddling turned out to be a lucrative business in a country hungry for raw materials.



In 1994, Chen and Fan pooled their funds and bought a loss-making weaving factory. They convinced the old workers to stay, launched a series of restructurings and turned the factory around in a year.



They kept investing their profit back into the company, upgrading their equipment and expand factory lines. By the early 2000s, the company has grown into one of the world's biggest weaving companies.



In recent years, Hengli championed tightening environmental policies, growing into China's largest fibre producer, used mainly for the apparel industry.





Billionaire Wu Yajun / South China Morning Post
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.
Esta semana anuncie en Huancayo el inicio de la construccion de la #NuevaCarreteraCentral, bajo la modalidad Gobierno a Gobierno, obra esperada por decadas, que conectara Lima con las regiones del centro del pais y contribuira a reactivar la economia. (1/4)#AccionesEnLasRegiones pic.twitter.com/u8R05Zrb1A
Investors hunt for source of fire sale that sent stocks tumbling FT

Questions raised over cause of Ever Given grounding Lloyds List. Final sentence: If it does turn out to be the bank effect, questions will need to be answered over how a ship that was under the control of a Suez Canal pilot was allowed to get so close to the shore. Alternatively:

Is that boat blocking the Suez Canal or is it taking time out for itself as a radical act of self care?  Desus Nice (@desusnice) March 27, 2021

Suez Canal: Effort to refloat wedged container ship continues BBC. Prematurely triumphal tugboats:

THE SHIP MOVED!! Although just 17 metres but this is good indication. The tugboats are all sounding their foghorns in jubilation. #SuezBLOCKED #suezcanel #Suez #Evergreenship #Evergiven pic.twitter.com/YGuJaQv4mQ  Guy With The Digger At Suez Canal (@SuezDiggerGuy) March 27, 2021

Not enough of you tried hard enough:

Anthony Edens barbiturate dream sequence pic.twitter.com/LJ7Aj2QRL9  Hannah Rose Woods (@hannahrosewoods) March 27, 2021

The Chinese Logistical Sublime and Its Wasted Remains The Disorder of Things. From 2015, Container ship ethnography. From the following thread recommending reading on logistics:

Everyone is talking about the big ship getting stuck in the #Suez Canal. Here's a critical logistics reading list on the politics of how we got here -why ships are so huge, why there is a manmade canal cutting through a continent, why global supply chains seem so brittle, & more.  Charmaine Chua (@CharmaineSChua) March 27, 2021

$100 million geoengineering project proposed, to dim the sun Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Easier to imagine dimming the sun than ending capitalism.

#COVID19

China?

Myanmar

Japan to give people a choice on which vaccine to receive Japan Times

Why QAnon Flopped in Japan NYT. Its too naive for our readership, Takeharu Mikami, the editor of Mu [Japans leading purveyor of shadowy phenomena] since 2005, told the Asahi Shimbun newspaper last month.

Syraqistan

How do we talk about rebel groups? Africa Is a Country

UK/EU

Mexicos real COVID-19 death toll now stands at over 321,000 AP

As daily deaths near 4,000, worst may lie ahead for Brazil AP

Biden Administration

Postal banking, alcohol delivery could save the U.S. Postal Service, experts say NBC

Democrats en Deshabille

Democrats loved Katie Porter when she bashed Trump. Now she is making them squirm Los Angeles Times

Why Georgias New Voting Law Is Such A Big Deal FiveThirtyEight

LAffaire Joffrey Epstein

Harvard punishes professor who had ties to Jeffrey Epstein AP

P*ssing on Pedestrians London Review of Books. On Robert Maxwell.

Big Brother Is Watching You Watch

The hidden fingerprint inside your photos BBC

Our Famously Free Press

Alternatives to Censorship: Interview With Matt Stoller Matt Taibbi, TK News. Stoller: The question isnt whether Alex Jones should have a platform. The question is, should YouTube have recommended Alex Jones 15 billion times through its algorithms so that YouTube could make money selling ads? Incoming TNR Editor Lays Out Boring Vision For Magazine In Depressing Meeting With Staff Defector

Health Care

Surprise and shock: Was a key guideline for screening autism wrong for years? Academic Times. The NICE Clinical Guidelines, from the UK.

Black Injustice Tipping Point

Imperial Collapse Watch

Guillotine Watch

A Private Tech City Opens for Business in Honduras MSN (Re Silc). Franchulates?

Class Warfare

Americas first 3D-printed neighborhood is the future of housing The Hill. $595,000 a pop? Really?

The Quest to Tell Science from Pseudoscience Boston Review

Antidote du jour (via):

Bonus antidote:

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
The BJP which tweeted the audio clip lodged a complaint against the CM with West Bengals CEO Ariz Aftab and demanded her resignation

He did not allow me to visit either Nandigram or Midnapore and they ran it like their zamindari, said Banerjee.  PTI file photo

Kolkata: Two-time West Bengal chief minister and Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, who is contesting from Nandigram in the Assembly elections, landed in a tight spot on Saturday after an audio clip in which she is allegedly heard asking a local BJP leader, who was earlier in her party, to work for her victory in the hot seat against her nemesis Shuvendu Adhikari surfaced.

While Ms Banerjee remained silent, her party strongly supported her over the audio clip of two minutes and 52 seconds which appears to be a phone conversation she recently had with Proloy Pal, BJP district vice-president of East Midnapore.

In the evening, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, in a bid to counter the BJP's attack on the CM over her plea, claimed having an audio tape which allegedly has the conversation of two saffron party leaders  Mukul Roy and Sisir Bajoria  about creating pressure on the Election Commission in tweaking the rules for fielding party agents at polling booths which require them to be voters in the particular constituencies first. Mr Roy, however, called it fake".

During her alleged talk with Mr Pal, Ms Banerjee said, "You are a very young chap. You also work very well. I know everything about you. Please help us this time. You will have no problem. Be assured about that." Mr Pal, however, replied, "My family, inspired by you and your ideology, came into politics. The day you took oath as the CM, I performed a yagna inviting five Brahmins to it and took out rallies also. But I feel sad to see myself not getting the president's post (in the district) after doing so much for you, Didi."

To placate him, the TMC chief allegedly argued, "I know everything. But do you know who did it? It was the handiwork of a local leader who once used to be in our party. He did not allow me to visit either Nandigram or Midnapore. They ran it like their zamindari. You know everything brother!"

Mr Pal, however, reasoned, "You may think of anything but I already left the party. I want to work for the present party with dedication. I cannot betray it" The CM still sounded keen and tried to convince him to work for her.

Refusing her politely this time, Mr Pal said, "I thank you a lot for calling up me despite you being such a big leader, Didi! But please forgive me (for not accepting your request)." The BJP which tweeted the audio clip lodged a complaint against the CM with West Bengals Chief Electoral Officer, Ariz Aftab, and demanded her resignation.

Teasing Ms Banerjee, Shuvendu Adhikari alleged, "She has lost her credibility. She is totally bankrupt now. Apart from Proloy, she also warned some senior police officers of not following my words. But they alerted me of her threat then and there."

TMC minister Subrata Mukherjee, however, said, "The CM has done nothing wrong. I am proud of her. Can a top party leader not make a polite appeal to someone who has made an exit? Should that be spread as a canard in the media? Think again where the politics will go down to if such type of tricks are adopted."
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.
Jennifer Arcuri 'admits to Boris Johnson affair' Getty Images

Jennifer Arcuri has described a four-year affair she had with Boris Johnson, to the Sunday Mirror.

The relationship took place between 2012 and 2016, she said.

Johnson, the current UK prime minister, was the Mayor of London at the time.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

The American businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri has given intimate details of a passionate four-year affair with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson when he was London's mayor.

Arcuri, 35, a tech entrepreneur who now lives in the United States, told the Sunday Mirror she had the relationship with Johnson, 56, who was married at the time, between 2012 and 2016.

She said the pair met at an event where he spoke in 2011 while she was a student and again the next year when she volunteered to campaign for him in his 2012 election bid.

They first had sex before he had to rush off to sit with his then-wife, Marina, and Princess Anne at the Paralympics opening ceremony in 2012.

The pair subsequently met regularly at her central London apartment to have sex and exchanged sexual messages, Arcuri said, before the relationship ended in 2016.

"We were in an intimate relationship for four years. I loved him, and with good cause," she told the Sunday Mirror.

Details of a "close friendship" between Arcuri and Johnson were first reported in 2019 when it was revealed that Arcuri had accompanied Johnson on three taxpayer-funded trade missions which he had led.

Arcuri did not confirm the affair had taken place until October last year when she said she was "not going to talk about it."

Arcuri, who set up the tech firm Innotech, also received multiple grants from public bodies, which totaled more than 100,000, including one from an agency set up by Johnson.

Johnson failed to declare the potential conflict of interest despite strict City Hall code of conduct rules.

Accuri told the Sunday Mirror that Johnson was a "cowardly wet noodle" for not standing by her in the row over her presence on foreign trade trips.

Story continues

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said in May last year there was no evidence that Johnson had committed misconduct in public office by failing to declare his relationship with Arcuri.

But it said that a possible "intimate" relationship between the pair could have influenced the decision by officials to send Arcuri on trade missions.

"While there was no evidence that Mr. Johnson influenced the payment of sponsorship monies or participation in trade missions, there was evidence to suggest that those officers making decisions about sponsorship monies and attendance on trade missions thought that there was a close relationship between Mr Johnson and Ms. Arcuri, and this influenced their decision-making," said IOPC's director general Michael Lockwood in a statement in May last year when the decision was announced.

The Greater London Authority is currently investigating whether Johnson breached part of the mayor of London's code of conduct.

Len Duvall, chair of the Greater London Authority committee, which is investigating the claims, told the Sunday Mirror: "Our investigation will consider whether Boris Johnson conducted himself in a way that's expected from anyone in that position.

"It's important we get those answers because Londoners deserve to have their politicians held accountable."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Saturday Night Live returned from a three-week winter hiatus with Maya Rudolph, who is the fourth former cast member to host during the 46th season.

The 48-year-old comedian, who was a featured player on NBC's sketch comedy show from 2000-2007 and returned to portray Vice President Kamala Harris last year, was joined with musical guest Jack Harlow.

Before her monologue, the Emmy winner appeared in a spoof commercial for a new game show, after a fake ad for a series called Spring Break Miami Beach 2021, which teased the 'party don't stop, until the government mandated curfew.'

She's back! Saturday Night Live returned from a three-week winter hiatus with Maya Rudolph, who is the fourth former cast member to host during the 46th season

Rudolph made her entrance wearing a flowing pink and yellow dress and her hair in a scrunchie as she hosted Snatched, Vaxed or Waxed, a show for 'hot infectious singles.'

After introducing herself as Cece Vuvuzela, Rudolph cheekily teased male contestants about being in the 'fourth wave' of COVID-19 before asking them to identify whether they believed a women behind a door was snatched, vaccinated or waxed based on her voice.

While stepping on SNL's main stage to give her monologue, Rudolph wore a structured black dress with bows and looked grateful for the applause.

Too funny: Before her monologue, the Emmy winner appeared in a spoof commercial for a new game show, after a fake ad for a series called Spring Break Miami Beach 2021, which teased the 'party don't stop, until the government mandated curfew'

Contestants: Rudolph made her entrance wearing a flowing pink and yellow dress and her hair in a scrunchie as she hosted Snatched, Vaxed or Waxed, a show for 'hot infectious singles'

Yikes: After introducing herself as Cece Vuvuzela, Rudolph cheekily teased male contestants about being in the 'fourth wave' of COVID-19 before asking them to identify whether they believed a women behind a door was 'snatched, vaccinated or waxed' based on her voice

'Thank you so much, it makes me so happy to be in the place I love! I can't tell you, especially after a year that has been a real kick in the clam,' she began. 'But, it feels like we're starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel.'

She went on: 'People are getting the vaccine, my parents got theirs, I'm very happy to report that. It's spring, so goodbye sweater weather.'

Rudolph noted her four children were in the audience, who she addressed directly at one point to give a little disclaimer.

Grateful: While stepping on SNL's main stage to give her monologue, Rudolph wore a structured black dress with bows and soaked in the applause

Words of wisdom: The Good Place actress invited the new SNL cast members out to give some advice as their 'elder' and sang them a song

'I started on this show in the year 2000, how old were you in the year 2000 Chirpy?' she asked, before having him removed from stage when he answered five-years-old

'Tonight, mommy is going to put on a lot of wigs, okay? And do a lot of weird voices, so it's going to be like a typical day at home, I'll just be wearing a bra,' she quipped.

The Good Place actress invited the new SNL cast members out to share some words of wisdom as their 'elder.'

She began by saying she was a big fan of all of them, before getting their names wrong.

'I started on this show in the year 2000, how old were you in the year 2000 Chirpy?' she asked, before having him removed from stage when he answered five-years-old.

Too hot to handle: The first sketch was a fake show called Hot Ones, where celebrities answers 'hot questions' and eat 'even hotter' wings

Spicy: Rudolph played Beyonce Knowles-Carter in a wavy blonde wig and a low-cut black leather dress with matching elbow-length gloves

'I still can't tell if this is beneath me,' she said of appearing on the show. 'But, my sister Solange loves the show, so I said I'd do it'

Oh no: When the host says they should start with a mild wing, she replies: 'Mild? Come on, now, I'm from Texas, baby. This girl can handle her wings'

Turning to security, Rudolph said: 'You know what, get him out of here.'

'Back in my day things were a lot different. Let me see if I can remember,' she began. 'It was so long ago and my brain's a little foggy because I've been electrocuted one too many times.'

Speaking of the former cast mates, she described herself as 'the shy one' and admitted she 'couldn't look anyone in the eye.'

'Oh my whole head is on fire! Where is my hair stylist?' she asks, before asking her hair stylish to take off her wig and place ice cubs under it immediately

It's over: Kenan Thompson, who plays her hairstylist, is initially hesitant as they are on camera, but agrees, before she ends the interview prematurely

'Rachel Dratch was the princess,' she went on. 'She was so perfect with her red hair and freckles.'

Rudolph then recalled Jimmy Fallon was 'the bad boy' strutting around in his jean jacket and fingerless leather gloves.

'He was 100 percent trouble and 100 percent hot stuff,' she noted, before joking the jock was Emilio Estevez, then describing the end of The Breakfast Club.

Vaccinated: The next sketch is a hilarious anthem about Baby Boomers getting vaccinated first, which opens with Chris Redd rapping

'Baby Boomers, greatest generation, got all the money, and now the vaccination. Crashed the economy three whole times, now when it comes to the vax, we're first in line,' he began

Ballers: Aidy Bryant, dressed as a Baby Boomer, gloats about spending her kid's inheritance as they are able to get safely in restaurants while the unvaccinated eat by the trash cans

The first sketch was a fake show called Hot Ones, where celebrities answer 'hot questions' and eat 'even hotter' wings.

Rudolph played Beyonce Knowles-Carter in a wavy blonde wig and a low-cut black leather dress with matching elbow-length gloves.

'I still can't tell if this is beneath me,' she said of appearing on the show. 'But, my sister Solange loves the show, so I said I'd do it.'

'We're in the booths eating with a flash light,' she raps, before Melissa Villasenor steps up to nail the chorus

The cast rapped about Baby Boomers enjoying some freedom after getting vaccinated

When the host says they should start with a mild wing, she replies: 'Mild? Come on, now, I'm from Texas, baby. This girl can handle her wings.'

He suggests they start with the wings dressed in 'Hitler's anus roasted rear end sauce.'

'I don't love the name, but the wing looks good,' she replies, before taking a bite.

Lucky: The rap centered around Baby Boomers, who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19

Living large: Baby boomers are 57-75 years old and eligible for vaccination in most states

The sketch showed the group returning to eating indoors, dreaming of cruises and hugging their grandchildren

The host asks her to expand on what she meant in a 2006 Vanity Fair article, in which she said performing set her 'free.'

'I was a shy kid,' she began, before struggling with how hot the wings were as she began visibly sweating and her throat began to close.

Unable to finish the question, he moves on to another and serves her an even hotter wing, flavored with the 'devil's diarrhea scorpion sauce.'

Hugs: The footage showed Baby boomers without masks as they hugged loved ones

Jokes: Another quip was how Baby boomers got their first choice of vaccine

While being questioned about the chance of a Destiny's Child reunion, she tries drinking a glass of water, then milk, which she spills on herself.

'My whole head is on fire! Where is my hair stylist?' she asks, before asking him to take off her wig and place ice cubs under it immediately.

Kenan Thompson, who plays her hairstylist, is initially hesitant as they are on camera, but agrees, before she ends the interview prematurely.

Her agent appears to say this 'never happened' and says anyone who leaves without singing an NDA 'will be shot.'

VP: Rudolph comes back to reprises her roles as Kamala Harris in an 'important' announcement, which begins with her addressing America directly about Passover

'Tonight we ask the four questions: 'How's school, did you eat, when are you giving me grandchildren? And what's with that haircut?'

Familiar face: She invites her husband, Douglas Emhoff (Martin Short), to come on stage and they get frisky before their first guest arrives

The next sketch is a hilarious anthem about Baby Boomers getting vaccinated first, which opens with Chris Redd rapping.

'Baby Boomers, greatest generation, got all the money, and now the vaccination. Crashed the economy three whole times, now when it comes to the vax, we're first in line,' he began.

Aidy Bryant, dressed as a Baby Boomer, gloats about spending her kid's inheritance and being able to safely dine in restaurants while the unvaccinated eat by the trash cans.

'Joe Biden gave me a list of Republicans to reach out to, and I'm starting at the bottom,' she said, after the doorbell rings

Insensitive: Ted Cruz (Bryant) steps through the door and starts off the night by saying he had never been to a 'Jewish dinner,' so he brought Israeli flag cupcakes and pig in a blanket

'We're in the booths eating with a flash light,' she raps, before Melissa Villasenor steps up to nail the chorus.

Rudolph comes back to reprise her roles as Kamala Harris in an 'important' announcement, which begins with her addressing America directly about Passover.

'Tonight we ask the four questions: 'How's school, did you eat, when are you giving me grandchildren? And what's with that haircut?'

Model: Kamala Harris's stepdaughter Ella Emhoff (Chloe Fineman) joins them as well as Raphael Warnock ( Thompson)

Ella Emhoff strutted herself and wore a prairie dress

She invites her husband, Douglas Emhoff (Martin Short), to come on stage and they get frisky before their first guest arrives.

'Joe Biden gave me a list of Republicans to reach out to, and I'm starting at the bottom,' she said, after the doorbell rings.

Ted Cruz (Bryant) steps through the door and starts off the night by saying he had never been to a 'Jewish dinner,' so he brought Israeli flag cupcakes and pigs in a blanket.

Crawling through the window: Republican extremist Marjorie Taylor Greene (Cecily Strong) crawls through the window at one point, saying for 'Antifa heaquaters' the home looked 'pretty swanky'

All about Joe: Biden (Alex Moffat) finally arrives and asks if they caught his press conference

Stressful: He then asks Harris if she heard he put her in charge of solving 'a little immigration problem down at the Mexican border'

'Well, we can't have pork or bread, so thank you,' Rudolph replies.

She goes on to ask what was going on with his hair, which she described as 'serial killer' from the side and 'bait and tackle shop owner in the front.'

Kamala Harris's stepdaughter Ella Emhoff (Chloe Fineman) joins them as well as Raphael Warnock ( Thompson.)

Biden (Alex Moffat) finally arrives and asks if they caught his press conference.

Vicious: Biden opens the door to bring his dog Major into the home, who immediately bites' Short, who calls the dog a 'hell hound'

The pair stepped away from the group to pack on some PDA

Romantic: After saying she feared the night was not bringing any unity, they share a wish and he says he 'wants her'

He then asks Harris if she heard he put her in charge of solving 'a little immigration problem down at the Mexican border.'

'Yes, I did,' she replied. 'Wow. That you for the opportunity, such a fun solvable problem.'

When she asks what he's in charge of he said,'Giving out checks! Who wants Stimmies? Woo! Make it rain!

Biden opens the door to bring his dog Major into the home, who immediately bites' Short, who calls the dog a 'hell hound.'

Finance: Pete Davidson stars in the next segment, which shows him a superhero suit, and asking about Non-fungible tokens (NFT)

Rapping: A classmate, dressed like Morpheus, interrupts to explain

Making an appearence: He goes on to rap some 'nonsense,' before the janitor ( Harlow) also rap an explanation of NFTs

Playful: Davidson concludes the sketch by shouting: 'Nerds!'

Republican extremist Marjorie Taylor Greene (Cecily Strong) crawls through the window at one point, saying for 'Antifa heaquaters' the home looked 'pretty swanky.'

'I don't trust doors!' she said, prompting Rudolph and Short to speak privately.

After saying she feared the night was not bringing any unity, they share a wish and he says he 'wants her.'

After United States Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen came to present at his Economics class, he raised his hand and broke out into song

'Two Silicon boys we're talking outside, two Silicon boys we're talking outside, talking outside,' he said. 'Now, what the hell is an NFT?' Apparently cryptocurrency, everyone's making so much money... can you please help me make an NFT?'

Pete Davidson stars in the next segment, which shows him a superhero suit, and asking about Non-fungible tokens (NFT.)

After United States Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen came to present at his Economics class, he raised his hand and broke out into song.

'Two Silicon boys we're talking outside, two Silicon boys we're talking outside, talking outside,' he said. 'Now, what the hell is an NFT?' Apparently cryptocurrency, everyone's making so much money... can you please help me make an NFT?'

Unforgettable: Colin Jost and Michael Che opened The Weekend Update by taking a shot at the infamous clip of Biden slipping on a flight of stairs while boarding Air Force

'This week felt like and those stairs, you thought it had to get better, but it repeatedly got worse,' Jost joked.

Latr, Che joked about Biden's first press conference, which last more than an hour: 'Shoutout to Fixodent'

While his professor said he didn't understand a word he just said, Yellen said she did, before a classmate, dressed like Morpheus, interrupts.

He goes on to rap some 'nonsense,' before the janitor ( Harlow) also raps an explanation of NFTs.

Davidson concludes the sketch by shouting: 'Nerds!'

Important: Bowen Yang joined the Weekend Update to tell viewers to 'do more' to stop anti-Asian racism

Sad: Yang said 'things for Asians in this country have been bleak for the past two weeks  and all the weeks before that since forever'

Humorous: He also encouraged others check on their AAPI friends to tell them they're 'so hot' and uplift Asian voices 'who want more Paneras in North Brooklyn'

Colin Jost and Michael Che opened The Weekend Update by taking a shot at the infamous clip of Biden slipping on a flight of stairs while boarding Air Force.

'This week felt like and those stairs, you thought it had to get better, but it repeatedly got worse,' Jost joked.

In the wake of the mass shooting in Boulder, Colorado at a King Soopers supermarket, he said Biden's call for universal background checks for guns sounded like the bare minimum.

Lot to say: He added, others should call senators 'to tell them about the lesbian characters in Sailor Moon!'

On a serious note: After staying light-hearted, Yang admitted he didn't know what to say to help 'how insanely bad things are'

'If someone's personality is punching Asian grandmas, it's not a dialogue. I have an Asian grandma, you want to punch her, there ain't no common ground, mama,' he went on

'Shouldn't we also do current checks?' he suggested, which would investigate how much Call of Duty they played or if they DMed a girl 'Hey' 30 times on Instagram.

Slamming Republicans, he said they 'valued guns more than people' they don't know.

Che quipped he didn't know what Jost was talking about and that he purchased a gun last summer 'when all those white kids starts talking about getting rid of the police.'

Drama class: The next sketch starred Rudolph and Thompson as rival Broadway choreographers, who use to date

Drama: As they reminisce on old times, Thompson says he wants to be with her and they struggle to figure out who will teach the class

'I need to be all over you,' Thompson tells her. 'I want to be on you like food on a plate'

Next, he talked about Biden's first press conference, which lasted more than an hour.

'Shoutout to Fixodent,' he said, nodding to a denture adhesive.

Bowen Yang joined the Weekend Update to tell viewers to 'do more' to stop anti-Asian racism.

Ceremony: The next sketch begins with Strong hosting the 2021 Barfly Awards and drinking a martini

Presenter: Bryant comes to the stage to present an award for 'wildest claim made at a bar'

Yang said 'things for Asians in this country have been bleak for the past two weeks  and all the weeks before that since forever.'

He also encouraged others check on their AAPI friends to tell them they're 'so hot' and uplift Asian voices 'who want more Paneras in North Brooklyn.'

He added, others should call senators 'to tell them about the lesbian characters in Sailor Moon!'

Thanks a lot: Rudolph wins for her claim that she 'came up with the idea of a rolly suitcase' and can 'show you the email'

Grossed out: Rudolph wins again for biggest 'bummer' of a story, which was telling others at the bar her late husband was 'in this jar'

After staying light-hearted, Yang admitted he didn't know what to say to help 'how insanely bad things are.'

'If someone's personality is punching Asian grandmas, it's not a dialogue. I have an Asian grandma, you want to punch her, there ain't no common ground, mama,' he went on. 'I see my friends donating and that's great, but then I also tell them: do more. You're ordering from Chinese restaurants? Great. Do more. Let me know when you feed your white kids chicken feet. You cried during 'Minari'? Congrats. I was sobbing into my boner for Steven Yeun. Do more.'

The Maya-ing: Rudolph returns to the screen walking down a hallway as she is told her car is ready

'Hey, sorry they're still making you wear that uniform,' she tells a page, before asking him to tell the driver to wait as she takes a stroll down memory lane

Old times: He tells her: 'The driver's actually been waiting for like eight hours'

Reminiscing: Still, she goes to look at old photographs, and there's flashback footage of some of her most iconic sketches

Alternate universe: Eventually she stumbles to a bar, which she didn't recall being there

'Good evening, Ms. Rudolph,' a bartender tells her, before serving her a 'beergarita'

'And why are you telling me you tipped your manicurist well?' he continued. 'Let me know when you get on your knees and scrub her feet while she looks at your phone. Do more.'

Yang admitted: 'I don't even want to be doing this Update piece.'

'I'm just a comedian. I don't have all the answers,' he went on. 'But I'm not just looking for them online. I'm looking around me. The GoFundMe for Xiao Zhen Xie, the grandmother who fought back against her attacker raised $900,000, which she immediately gave back to the community. That's where we are as Asians. Now come meet us there.'

Reunited: He tells her that her drinks are taken care of courtesy of Miss. Zelwig, a ghost played by Tina Fey

'Oh my God! You're Gloria Zelwig? You're one of the original writers on the show!' she says, while taking a seat next to Fey

Fey replies: 'Well, I was the first to have the idea that maybe the women could talk'

The next sketch starred Rudolph and Thompson as rival Broadway choreographers, who use to date.

As they reminisce on old times, Thompson says he wants to be with her and they struggle to figure out who will teach the class.

'I need to be all over you,' Thompson tells her. 'I want to be on you like food on a plate.'

Rudolph teases that she also wants to be with him and they end up dancing together for the class, to their dismay.

The Maya-ing, a riff on Stanley Kubricks The Shining, also featured Thompson, who said: 'When you come back to host, you shine'

The next sketch begins with Strong hosting the 2021 Barfly Awards and drinking a martini.

Bryant comes to the stage to present an award for 'wildest claim made at a bar.'

Rudolph wins for her claim that she 'came up with the idea of a rolly suitcase' and can 'show you the email.'

Kristen Wiig played a pair of creepy twins, while Dratch was sitting in the bathtub as explained the water went out in her apartment

Surpsing: Kristen Wiig played a pair of creepy twins, while Dratch was sitting in the bathtub as explained the water went out in her apartment

Way back when: The sketch ended with an old photo of her on set

Rudolph wins again for biggest 'bummer' of a story, which was telling others at the bar her late husband was 'in this jar.'

As she accepts the award, she accidentally spills his ashes, but doesn't seem fazed at all.

Rudolph returns to the screen walking down a hallway as she is told her car is ready.

Saying goodbye: She closed the episode wearing a purple evening dress

'Hey, sorry they're still making you wear that uniform,' she tells a page, before asking him to tell the driver to wait as she takes a stroll down memory lane.

He tells her: 'The driver's actually been waiting for like eight hours.'

Still, she goes to look at old photographs, and there's flashback footage of some of her most iconic sketches.

Night night: Rudolph hugged and gave cast members kisses with her face mask on

Eventually she stumbles to a bar, which she didn't recall being there.

'Good evening, Ms. Rudolph,' a bartender tells her, before serving her a 'beergarita.'

He tells her that her drinks are taken care of courtesy of Miss. Zelwig, a ghost played by Tina Fey.

So good: Harlow rocked his first performance with his rendition of What's Poppin and Tyler Herro

'Oh my God! You're Gloria Zelwig? You're one of the original writers on the show!' she says, while taking a seat next to Fey.

Fey replies: 'Well, I was the first to have the idea that maybe the women could talk.'

'Those were pretty wild times,' replied Rudolph, while Fey, whose character passed away from perm-cancer, wanted to know if people still had sex during HR meetings.

His latest album That's What They All Say came out in December

Wow: Adam Levine made an unexpected appearence alongside Harlow to perform Same Guy

The Maya-ing, a riff on Stanley Kubricks The Shining, also featured Thompson, who said: 'When you come back to host, you shine.'

Kristen Wiig played a pair of creepy twins, while Dratch was sitting in the bathtub as she explained the water went out in her apartment.

'Every time I come back to SNL, I never want to leave,' concluded Rudolph.
One of the things that happens when people believe that they have a cultural wind at their backs is that they get carried away. We may be starting to see that with the incredibly racist anti-racist madness that has been moving through our culture for a while, but got put on rocket fuel when George Floyds overdose death while in police custody made the Black Lives Matter movement the Democrats central issue.

In Boise, Idaho, which is not a state known for being a hotbed of leftism, Boise State University mandated that all students take a series of classes called the University Foundations 200: Foundations of Ethics and Diversity. Once, universities taught students the universal values of the Bible (moral rules applicable to all people), the great philosophers and, of course, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. I can guarantee you that the ethics students at Boise are taught have nothing to do with these universal principles and we all know what diversity means today: lockstep thinking, cancel culture, Critical Race Theory, and aggressive anti-white hatred.

While the university may be woke, the Idaho legislature is not. On March 17, the legislature decided to take $409,000 away from Boise State Universitys annual budget and, instead, give it to Lewis-Clark State College. The decision to do so was based explicitly on the fact that Boise State has gone overboard with spending on social justice programs.

Even as the legislature was debating how to strike back on the Universitys woke curriculum, rumors were circulating that there was a video showing a white student being attacked in one of those diversity classes. While the video has yet to leak, on March 16, Marlene Tromp, the universitys president, issued a memo abruptly suspending the University Foundations 200 program:

We have been made aware of a series of concerns, culminating in allegations that a student or students have been humiliated and degraded in class on our campus for their beliefs and values, states a March 16 memo from President Marlene Tromp to the campus community.This is never acceptable; it is not what Boise State stands for; and we will not tolerate this behavior, Tromp stated. Given the weight of cumulative concerns, we have determined that, effective immediately, we must suspend UF 200. She goes on to note that academic leadership will determine next steps to ensure that everyone is still able to complete the course.

As for the mysterious video, the Idaho Freedom Foundation believes that the video does exist. In addition, Kyle Boggs, a BSU assistant professor tweeted (and then deleted) that a student in a university foundations class taped a zoom discussion on white privilege, in which apparently a white student was made to feel uncomfortable, and sent video to ID state legislature, who are enraged.

Do you really believe that the state legislature was enraged because a student was made to feel uncomfortable? I dont. I suspect that the white student was the victim of extremely hostile, racist attacks. After all, everything weve seen of Critical Race Theory, which underpins all these programs, shows that it is every bit as racist as something the Nazis would say about Jews or the KKK would say about blacks.

Students need to start videotaping these classes. Employees forced to attend programs also need to record them and get screengrabs. In addition, conservatives need to discover lawfare. These classes violate myriad state and federal civil rights laws. Until the left is made to feel the pain, it will not stop. And because leftists are currently certain that nothing will stop it, and are therefore casting aside all restraint, theyre creating myriad opportunities for people to catch them in the act.

IMAGE: Bullying image by rawpixel.com
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
ALBANY  Portions of a whistleblower's lawsuit that was filed in 2017 and accused the company that built the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge of covering up defects in the high-strength bolts used to hold the 3.1-mile twin span in place were unsealed last week in a ruling issued by a state appellate court.

The appellate panel's unanimous 4-0 decision rejected a request by Tappan Zee Constructors, the company that built the bridge, to keep the case permanently sealed.

The company had appealed a Feb. 16 ruling by state Supreme Court Justice Joan B. Lefkowitz ordering the unsealing of some  but not all  of the records in the case. The records that were unsealed late Friday include a 50-page complaint filed in 2017 by a former safety manager that accused Tappan Zee Constructors of falsifying reports and secretly replacing broken bolts to conceal the problem from quality assurance inspectors.

Tappan Zee Constructors, a consortium made up of American Bridge Co., Fluor Corp., Traylor Bros., Inc., and Granite Construction, has denied the allegations but recently agreed to pay $2 million to settle the case with the state. The company had argued in its sealed motion papers that the details of the whistleblower's case should never be made public because of the potential damage to the company's business reputation, including its ability to win future public projects.

The company's arguments for sealing also included an assertion that disclosing the details of the alleged cover-up would make the bridge vulnerable to a terrorist attack. Lefkowtiz had rejected those arguments, ruling: "Although the TZC defendants might prefer there be no publicity about this case, that is not a sufficient basis for sealing."

The whistleblower's allegations, buttressed by expert reports, were detailed in a Times Union story published March 7 that raised questions about the thoroughness of the state's investigations and the long-term structural integrity of the bridge. That story has prompted calls by state and federal legislators for independent investigations by the state Legislature and the U.S. Department of Transportation's inspector general.

Officials with the state Thruway Authority, which oversaw the construction project, have criticized the newspaper's investigation and sided with the company in challenging the legitimacy of the whistleblower's allegations. Jamey Barbas, the Thruway Authority's project director for the new bridge, which fully opened in 2018, contends the bridge is safe and that concerns raised in the whistleblower's lawsuit about any remaining defective bolts are misplaced.

"Upon learning of the allegations of bolt failures in 2016, not only did the Thruway Authority immediately inform the (state) inspector general, we spent more than $1 million and engaged world-renowned subject matter experts, developed a testing program, conducted extensive studies, and tested well over 500 bolts," Barbas said in a recent statement. "The tests confirmed that the bolts met or exceeded the requirements set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials. The very small number of bolts that were broken is not a cause for safety concern on such a large bridge consisting of more than 1 million bolts."

The testing for the Thruway Authority was done by a California-based engineering firm, Alta Vista, that had provided "quality assurance and oversight" for the state on the bridge project.

The Times Union reported March 7 that the state was alerted to the alleged cover-up when the whistleblower, James S. McNall, met at a Colonie restaurant with Ken Riley, a quality assurance inspector with Alta Vista. McNall, who had just been terminated, told Riley that Tappan Zee Constructors may have committed fraud by concealing the fact that large numbers of bolts had been breaking due to either improper installation techniques, manufacturing defects, or both.

At that meeting, McNall played tapes for the inspector of conversations that he had secretly recorded five months earlier while interviewing engineers and ironworkers at the port. The conversations appeared to confirm that the contractor's team had been hiding the matter from the Thruway Authority and its inspectors, who were a mix of state investigators and private contractors.

Riley, according to McNall's account to investigators, said that he believed the recordings revealed potential criminal fraud. Riley, who still works for Alta Vista, reported the alleged fraud to the state inspector general's office. Riley has not responded to a request for comment.

On Friday, McNall's attorneys declined to respond to requests for comment.

Thruway officials said they do not believe Alta Vista's role in the project created a conflict of interest when they were retained to perform the studies affirming the safety of the bridge.

Mazen Wahbeh, the chief executive officer of Alta Vista, wrote a letter to Barbas on March 16 asserting that the company had performed an "in-depth investigation" of the bolt failures and determined the bridge is safe. The details of the company's reports, including an examination of roughly 500 bolts last year, have not been made public.

"The extensive testing that has been performed since April 2017 has determined the cause of failure of bridge bolts and found that, in fact, less than 0.01 percent of the bolts have failed," Wahbeh wrote. "Furthermore, the investigation shows that the rate of bolt failures is decreasing with time  a trend that is expected to continue. Periodic maintenance should identify any additional bolt breaks and allow for replacement of those bolts."

Wahbeh's letter did not identify the "cause of failure" that had been identified or the sampling methodology that had been used by the company to reach its conclusion. He also did not explain his assertion that periodic maintenance "should" identify bolt failures  other experts contend undetected broken bolts could lead to a cascade failure of the splices holding the girders together; that is an assertion Thruway Authority officials dispute.

Some of the ironworkers on the project who were interviewed by the Times Union said the number of bolts they witnessed breaking during the construction of the bridge  the girders were assembled at the Port of Coeymans in southern Albany County  were unprecedented and something they had not seen in decades of doing work in the trade.

Tappan Zee Constructors' top engineer at the port told McNall in early 2016  in a conversation that McNall had recorded  that the problem of the breaking bolts gets blown way out of proportion" and that was why they were concealing it.

"When people like that (at the Thruway Authority) see that its happening, more than not they are going to instantly think that it is a manufacturing defect," the engineer had said.

The engineer, an employee of American Bridge, had noted the same thing happened when he worked on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge  the largest self-anchored suspension bridge in the world. He told McNall that bolts broke on that job because ironworkers over-torqued them and not due to any manufacturing defect.

They freaked out and overreacted. the engineer said. And we dont want the same thing to happen.

In October 2019, Ahmad M. Itani, a structural engineer and professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Nevada, reviewed the states evidence and other information gathered at that time  including an engineering and metallurgical report commissioned by the Thruway Authority.

I find the volume of bolt failures on the bridge to be unprecedented and highly alarming, wrote Itani, who is considered one of the nations foremost experts on bridge construction; he served on the 2013 California Senate Expert Panel for the Bay Bridge. There are no normal or acceptable circumstances that would produce the number of bolt failures that have occurred at the bridge.

Itani based his conclusions, in part, on an initial December 2017 report by Alta Vista.

Itani's report identified a likely culprit: a process known as hydrogen embrittlement, which can be caused by manufacturing defects or from overtightening the 1-inch-diameter bolts. Its caused by hydrogen atoms weakening and expanding tiny fissures in defective bolts. He described the condition as among the most dangerous problems that can affect steel bridges. If the joints holding together the massive I-shaped girders fail, the bridge will collapse, he added.

The deterioration of the bolts can take years and may lead to a failure even before they break, including instances in which the rigid connections begin to sway under the weight of the up to 100,000 vehicles per day  many of them trucks  that travel the Route 287 bridge connecting Rockland and Westchester counties.

State Assemblyman David G. McDonough, the ranking minority member on the Assembly's Transportation Committee, wrote a letter on March 10 to the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Transportation requesting "an immediate investigation into the structural integrity of the bridge, and whether any attempts were made by state officials to prioritize a rushed completion of the project at the expense of safety concerns."

McDonough, who believes all of the court records in the case should be unsealed, shared with the Times Union a response he received to that letter from the public affairs office of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) attesting to the bridge's safety. The Thruway Authority distributed the same statement from the federal office.

Since the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge went into service in 2017, it has been regularly and thoroughly inspected as required by National Bridge Inspection Standards," the statement reads. "These inspections have not revealed any safety issues with the bridge. FHWA is aware of recent allegations of safety issues related to bolt failures, as well as the New York state Thruway Authoritys independent testing and study of these issues. FHWA has reviewed inspection reports and other information from NYSTA and has no safety concerns with these bridges."

The statement from Doug Hecox, a spokesman for the Federal Highway Administration, did not indicate whether the agency had reviewed the expert reports from the whistleblower's team that remain sealed in the court case.

In 2017, the Federal Highway Administration awarded Alta Vista and another company, HDR Engineering, a $50 million contract to provide technical services for the agency's long-term bridge performance program.

Read the unsealed complaint below

Tappan Zee Constructors and its attorneys did not respond to requests for comment from the Times Union prior to the publication of the March 7 story. On March 8, in response to the story, the company issued a statement affirming its position that the bridge is safe.

"TZC unequivocally stands by the quality of our work and the safety of the bridge," the statement read. "The construction companies that make up TZC and its bridge designer have built many of the major crossings in the New York area, including the former Tappan Zee Bridge, and have a long history of excellence. TZC performed additional testing and inspection measures of the high strength bolts on the bridge."

But the company declined to respond to follow-up questions, including how many broken or defective bolts have been replaced on the bridge. The company also declined to say whether its engineers who were implicated in secretly replacing broken bolts  sometimes in the middle of the night to hide the work from inspectors  had been fired or disciplined.

On Sunday, after this story was published online, the company issued a statement through its public relations firm saying that in 2016 it "became aware of and self-reported missing or broken bolts during regular, documented inspections that followed the approved processes."

"TZC has not admitted to any violation and has disputed the claim but elected to settle the disputed claim with the New York attorney generals office to avoid the time, the expenditure of substantial attorneys fees and costs and the distraction of a protracted litigation," the statement reads. "The relator (whistleblower) also executed the settlement agreement in full and final resolution of all claims brought in the name of the state."

However, in the settlement agreement, the company admitted to violating the bolt-inspection plan outlined under their contract when its workers secretly replaced missing or broken bolts and did not disclose their actions in non-conformance reports to a quality-control firm on the job  LiRo Group  or to officials with Greenman-Pedersen, Inc., a quality assurance firm conducting similar oversight.

"TZC personnel replaced these bolts without the knowledge of LiRo and QA (quality assurance) inspectors in violation of the Bolt Inspection Plan and the Bolt QC (quality control) Plan," the settlement states. "TZC personnel did not fill out or issue an NCR (non-conformance report) with respect to the replacement of these bolts, and TZC personnel did not inform the QA agency GPI nor Thruway."
New Delhi, March 28 : After Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party will win with massive margin in West Bengal and bag more than 200 seats, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O Brien said that "mind games won't work" in Bengal.

Reacting sharply to Shah's claim, Brien tweeted: "Mind games won't work, Mo-Sha. Try your seat prediction stunts at the Gujarat Gymkhana. This is Bengal. #KhelaHobe" He further claimed that the TMC will sweep the Phase one polls while Shah claimed that the BJP will win 26 seats in this phase.

Shah in his news conference on Sunday claimed that the BJP is sweeping phase one of elections.

"After discussions with party leaders and booth level workers, I can say that out of 30 seats we will win more than 26 seats in West Bengal," he said.

More than half of the 73-lakh electorate in Bengal's 30 Assembly constituencies have cast their ballot and sealed the fate of 191 candidates who were in the fray for the first day of the eight-phase elections in West Bengal. Polling was held in five districts on Saturday.

The other seven phases of polling for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held on April 1, April 6, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26 and April 29. Results will be declared on May 2.
NASA has long decided this is the way to go for the advancements of its plans. Back in 2018, the agency announced it had selected ten companies that are to conduct initial research into the possibility of ISRU , opening the doors not only on expanded exploration activities, but also on mining asteroids, for instance.The upcoming Artemis missions, and more specifically the planned base on the Moon, will have no choice but to rely on ISRU if they are to succeed.At the end of February, NASA announced the names of 16 technology proposals that are to be funded through the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts ( NIAC ) program. Among them is a project developed by the University of Texas, El Paso, and called ablative arc mining.The biggest challenge ISRU hardware has to face is the ability to extract from the alien world all the materials needed for whatever mission, using the same technology. Technically, one would need a different solution for the extraction of water, propellants, and building materials, but the ablative arc mining should be capable of doing it all.Using electric arcs, the hardware is supposed to create free ionized particles that can then be sorted by mass into material groups and transported to a relevant collector by electromagnetic fields.The Texan idea comes in the form of a mobile surface crawler that houses the ionizing ablation arc, electromagnetic transport and sorting hardware, and collector modules, making it a sort of all-in-one solution. Amelia Greig, the brain behind the idea, envisions a system that could simultaneously extract water, silicon, and nickel.Development of ISRU mining architectures are a necessary component for enabling long-term human exploration missions to the Moon or Mars. An ablative arc mining system that extracts and captures multiple volatile constituents in a single system offers significant improvements over other systems that collect only one constituent at a time, the scientist says.NASA is funding the project for the next nine months, and depending on the outcome of the research it may choose to move forward with it in Phase II. Still, there is no certainty the agency may consider this for a possible mission to another world.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
FLORIDA CITY, Fla., March 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- US-China relations are at their lowest point in decades after the Alaska summit held in March. Major newspapers described the meeting as "contentious," and that the two countries' top diplomats were "trading sharp and unusually public barbs." Some commented that the outcome "further lowers expectations for improvement of relations between the US and China." With the world's prosperity and stability at stake, Genlin, the founder of the World Dog Alliance (WDA), worked with politicians in the US, China, and Japan to campaign for the International Agreement to Prohibit the Eating of Dogs and Cats, with the hope of achieving "animal rights for great peace" through his innovative "Dog and Cat Diplomacy."

World Dog Alliance

WDA has a crucial partner in the US, Congressman Alcee Hastings, who united 30 bipartisan US Representatives to co-sign a letter to former President Donald Trump in February 2020, urging the US to initiate the International Agreement to Prohibit the Eating of Dogs and Cats. Genlin introduced Congressman Hastings to Japanese Senator Fujisue Kenzo, who then united 34 congressmen to co-sign a letter to Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide in December 2020, urging the Japanese government to initiate the same.

In his letter dated 8 March 2021, Congressman Hastings applauded Senator Fujisue's work to advance animal rights in Japan; he also stressed the importance of the US and Japan jointly founding the International Agreement:

"The U.S. is placed in a strong position to partner with other nations such as Japan to make meaningful progress on an international ban.

"I look forward to future collaboration with you and the World Dog Alliance to end this terrible industry once and for all."

Senator Fujisue responded to the letter by suggesting that the US-Japan leader summit in April would be an opportunity for the two countries to co-found the International Agreement:

"If President Joe Biden could propose the co-founding of the International Agreement to Prohibit the Eating of Dogs and Cats in the April summit, not only will this universal and non-partisan effort be welcomed by the American and Japanese people, it will also draw the world's attention to the dog and cat meat issue.

I look forward to working with you and the World Dog Alliance on the International Agreement to save more dogs and cats from the dining table."

On 17 March 2021, Genlin wrote to Congressman Hastings to share his vision on the founding nations coming together to sign the International Agreement:

"In China's Two Sessions this year, there were a record-breaking number of bills related to animal protection.

An online poll revealed that the motion to establish an anti-animal abuse law is supported by 58% of the publicThe result reflects the Chinese people's strong awareness of animal protection.

China co-founding the International Agreement with the US and Japan would attract other Asian countries to join the rank of banning this horrific practice."

After lobbying for the dog and cat meat ban in the US in 2018, Genlin, a China-born Japanese person, successfully called for Shenzhen to become the first Chinese city to outlaw this practice in 2020. In the same year, he founded the political party "Dog Cat Party," and lobbied for the establishment of the Parliamentary League for Animal Welfare in Japan. "As the three largest economies in the world, the US, China, and Japan should seek collaboration on animal welfare topics that are of universal values," said Genlin.

After being proposed by the World Dog Alliance in May 2019, the International Agreement to Prohibit the Eating of Dogs and Cats has garnered support from politicians around the world as it promotes multilateralism and universal values. Should it become a discussion point in the US-Japan summit in April, a light of hope will be shed on the welfare of dogs and cats on the planet.

Related Images

president-biden-with-champ-and.jpg

President Biden with Champ and Major

SOURCE World Dog Alliance

Tiny particles or chemicals can contribute to asthma and allergies

Did you know that, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), air pollution is the biggest environmental risk to public health? If that makes you think of smoggy city streets filled with car fumes, think again.

There is mounting evidence that the air inside our homes can be more polluted than outside. Thats because outside, pollution can disperse but in homes it gets trapped, creating a toxic box. In fact, a recent study from the National Air Quality Testing Services showed that ultra-fine particle pollution was on average 3.5 times higher inside UK houses than outside.

Jonathan Grigg, professor of paediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at the Queen Mary University of London, says we all need to be more aware of indoor air pollution, as the tiny particles or toxic chemicals can contribute to asthma or respiratory problems and allergies  especially in children and the elderly. Poor air can also potentially lead to cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. The good news is there are many things we can do to keep our airways clean.

Cook with care

When we cook, gases and particulate matter are released  especially if we burn anything. And, says Professor Grigg, these can hang around in your lungs for a while. However, this can be dramatically reduced by turning on the extractor fan if it takes the air outside or by opening a window. If youre buying a new stove, Professor Grigg suggests opting for electric over gas, which releases nitrogen dioxide.

Dont start that fire

Despite being cosy, DEFRA says wood-burning fires contribute to 38 per cent of outdoor air pollution and add enormously to indoor pollution. Tips are to make sure that your wood is dry (as wet stuff produces more smoke) and to avoid any painted, stained or treated wood which can release toxic fumes. And dont use coal! It is classified by the World Health Organization as a carcinogen.

Eliminate aerosols

Professor Grigg says the fine cloud-like nature of hairsprays, air fresheners and deodorants are not beneficial to lung health or the environment. Switch to non-aerosol alternatives and use cleaning products that contain fewer chemicals. My go-to surface cleaner, which smells of cloves and uses botanicals, is the All-Purpose Tincture (4.99, tincturelondon.com).

Be mindful of Mould

Dont think that because mould is natural, its not harmful. Professor Grigg explains it produces spores that many can be allergic to. We see many children whose asthma has been made much worse by a mould-ridden environment, he says.

Buy an air purifier

There are now a multitude of air purifiers on the market. Philips has some of the most effective including the Series 3000i (450), which cleans air up to 104 sq m, and a mini desktop version, the Series 800 (150), which purifies air up to 49 sq m. Both have been proven to remove 99.5 per cent of nano-sized particles including pollen, dust, viruses and bacteria (philips.co.uk).

@susannahtaylor_

Im nuts about this

Theres normal peanut butter and then theres Manilife. I discovered it a few years ago at a health event and have been addicted ever since. Containing no palm oil or added sugar (unlike many nut butters), the ingredients list reads just peanuts and sea salt. Available as smooth or crunchy in both Original and Deep Roast, I have to stop myself eating it straight from the jar. 3.99, mani-life.com.





Head & hair self-care

My beauty regime has been a huge source of self-care during lockdown. A part of it that I have been practising weekly is scalp massage. Using one of my favourite products, Fable & Manes Holiroots Hair Oil (29, boots.com), I apply it all over my hair and deeply massage my scalp, which is said to increase blood flow. I leave it on overnight (with a towel on my pillow) then wash it out in the morning. I swear by it for leaving my hair lustrous and shiny.
(@FahadShabbir)

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 29th Mar, 2021) The United Arab Emirates has commended the efforts made by the Arab Republic of Egypt in regard to the ongoing incidental vessel blockage in Suez Canal.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), the UAE valued the diligent work being done by the relevant Egyptian authorities to end the crisis and maintain the stability of the crucial maritime route.

The statement reaffirmed the full solidarity of the UAE with Egypt to put an end to the crisis, emphasising its readiness to provide all necessary support for the efforts made by Egypt in this respect.

Hannah Wells and Braden Currie have claimed victory at Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand, with Wells winning on her Ironman debut.

For Braden, its the Wanaka-based multisport athletes second Taupo title.

Hannah took out her inaugural Ironman title, after coming out second in the swim five minutes behind Rebecca Clarke. Hannah made up the time and more on the bike leg, taking a lead of more than six minutes into the run and going on to finish nearly 14 minutes ahead of Rebecca.

This means so much, I cant even put it into words, says Hannah. Huge thanks to the organisers who have been through many changes, and to my sponsors and family.

I had a plan and I wanted to stick to it, I just wanted to execute my best race. There were always going to be surprises and tough moment. I had a rough swim and the second half of the marathon was tough but Im really stoked to make it to the finish line.

Id like to have another go, I think I can do better. This event is amazing and hopefully I can compete in Cairns in June depending on travel circumstances, says Hannah.

After Rebecca led the swim, Hannah dominated the race with Emily McNaughtan maintaining a steady pace and finishing third.

In the mens event, a tightly fought run saw Braden push hard through the final stages to take the title nearly nine minutes ahead of Mike Phillips. Taupo local Kyle Smith came a close third in his Ironman debut.

Braden was towards the front of the pack all day, finishing the swim leg second to Kyle. Under a second separated the three top male athletes, Kyle, Braden and Mike Phillips, at the end of the bike leg, with Braden taking the lead and dominating through the run.

Thousands of spectators lined the gates of the 2021 Ironman New Zealand home stretch in Taupo yesterday.

I had a really good day and worked really hard on the first lap of the bike, knowing that when the race came together and Kyle and Mike were there with me, as long as I stayed consistent and looked after myself, Id run well, says Braden.



Coming off the bike, Braden powered ahead dominating the run right through until crossing the finish line in 1st place with a time of 7:57:12.



I looked at my watch early in the run and was running a 3:05/km pace and at that point I knew I was going to have a really good run, but I told myself I should probably slow down a bit, says Braden.

After not only winning Ironman New Zealand on debut but also breaking a course record in 2017 the Kiwi husband and father-of-two states it was pretty special to win a race that means a lot to him, again.



That first win here on debut was a bit of a fluke to be honest and I probably didnt give it the credit it deserved at the time, says Braden.

I kind of shrugged it off and thought I must have just had a really good day so its been a solid win today after a few years of fighting for it again. Its a long time since Ive raced well here and Im really proud of how it played out today.

He enjoyed having his family nearby.

Its beautiful to have my family here. My wife and kids have been on this journey with me every step of the way. Bella and Tarn are really starting to understand whats going on; having a Dad as a professional athlete, they probably didnt fully get that as babies. Its nice to show them how the hard work weve all put in can turn into the result I know theyll be super proud of today.

The next focus for the athlete will be the Ironman World Championship.

Ironman results

MEN

1 Braden Currie, NZL, 7:57:12

2 Mike Phillips, NZL, 8:06:38

3 Kyle Smith, NZL, 8:08:53

4 Jack Moody, NZL, 8:18:23

5 Ben Phillips, NZL, 8:19:59

6 Simon Cochrane, NZL, 8:24:39

7 Lucas Duross, NZL, 8:51:26

8 Cameron Brown, NZL, 8:58:47

WOMEN

1 Hannah Wells, NZL, 9:01:49

2 Rebecca Clarke, NZL, 9:15:38

3 Emily McNaughtan, NZL, 9:38:42

4 Melanie Burke, NZL, 10:05:12
JEANERETTE  When Andy Aucoin bought two acres of property on Bayou Teche in western St. Mary Parish in 1996, he envisioned backyard crawfish boils, an outdoor kitchen and a swimming pool where he could entertain friends and relatives under the shade of live oak trees.

But 25 years later, there are no pool parties, no barbecues, no crawfish boils. Aucoin even gave away his patio furniture because the stench and flies from his neighbor's pigs, as many as 50 at a time, sometimes make it unbearable to be outdoors.

We cant do anything at home, Aucoin said.

He has collected bags of flies from under his carport. They land on his cars, doorknobs, in drinks.

We cant even boil crawfish. It stinks and Im worried about catching a disease.

Aucoin said he has had to wear a raincoat to bring his garbage to the curb so he isn't sprinkled with untreated pig urine. His neighbor, Jared Landry, under a Louisiana Department of Agriculture Best Management Practices program, sprays pig waste on his own front lawn, a process often used by large commercial hog farms to dispose of animal waste on crop land.

Landry, in 2005, built a 40-foot by 30-foot pig barn a few yards from Bayou Teche partly in a wetlands area, without local, state or federal permits, discharging pig urine, feces and bedding material into the waterway, according to environmental reports. Three years later he built a second barn, a little farther away from the bayou, but on the property line he shares with Aucoin, again allowing waste to flow into the waterway. He now has three pig barns on property that slopes toward the bayou.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Aucoin collected signatures on a petition from people concerned about the health effects of Landrys pig operation. He attended community meetings, describing the pig operation and possible impacts on drinking water.

Laddy Butler, who lives about six blocks away in Sorrel, said her neighborhood had a fly infestation last year that chased she and her neighbors indoors. Shes also worried about the health effects from the flies and possibly contaminated drinking water.

Its disgusting, she said. I see what Andrew is going through. This is outrageous and nobody should have to live like that.

+7 Lake Martin boat launch reopened, at least temporarily, because of new lawsuit The boat launch at Lake Martin quietly reopened over the weekend to recreational fishers, hunters and photographers for the first time in near

Bayou Teche is a source of drinking water for communities downstream from Landry's property. The city of Franklin and the community of Charenton both have drinking water intakes on Bayou Teche downstream from Landrys pig barns, according to Wilma Subra, an environmental chemist in Jeanerette who is known for helping residents take on polluters.

The section of Bayou Teche where Aucoin and Landry live "is listed as impaired due to high fecal coliform pathogens," a federal Environmental Protection Agency official wrote in a July 2018 email to a Corps official.

Coliform is a bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including people and pigs. Its presence may indicate the presence of other pathogens in water.

A DEQ spokesman said discharges from individual home sewage treatment systems is the probable source of the poor water quality in Bayou Teche.

But the presence of coliform, Subra said, isnt the only concern. People who raise show pigs inject them with a host of chemicals that are shed through urine and feces. Water plants may not treat drinking water to eliminate those chemicals, such as growth promoters and antibiotics.

Aucoin said the underground tanks that capture urine and wastewater from the pig barns overflow during heavy rain, sending untreated pig waste into Bayou Teche.

He has recent photos and video allegedly showing Landry spraying pig urine on his front yard while it is raining, which is prohibited under the state Department of Agriculture Best Management Practices plan because the rain can wash the urine into the bayou.

Landry declined to be interviewed for this story, citing a pending lawsuit filed by Aucoin. A hearing on the nuisance lawsuit, delayed numerous times, is set to be heard in August by 16th Judicial District Court Judge Keith Comeaux.

DEQ punts to Department of Agriculture

It was peaceful, quiet, pleasant, Aucoin said of the early years on his property, which slopes down to Bayou Teche and is shaded by oak trees.

Aucoin and his wife, Peggy, enjoyed their property for eight or so years, building a brick home in which to raise their children, until Landry and his wife, Allison, bought the house next door and, in 2005, erected a pig barn on the far side of his land from Aucoins, just yards from the bayou.

The barn was to be used for pigs his daughters raised to compete in 4H and other agriculture shows, but Landry said in a deposition he houses pigs for other 4-H students, too. They also sometimes sell the pigs for hundreds, even thousands of dollars, using the money to send their daughters to college.

The first line of defense for Aucoin when he suspected Landry of violating health and environmental regulations should have been the St. Mary Parish government.

St. Mary Parish implemented zoning Jan. 1, 2003, before Landry moved next to Aucoin, Tammy Luke, St. Mary Parish director of zoning, said. Under the mixed residential use zone, she said, Landry wasn't required to obtain a building permit before erecting the barns and was allowed to raise pigs.

Employees say new Bayou Vermilion District board members targeting Vermilionville over George Floyd support The Bayou Vermilion District Board voted Tuesday to authorize a second audit, without knowing the cost, from the same Metairie firm that condu

In 2014, the parish adopted a Unified Development Code, Luke said, reclassifying the properties of Landry and Aucoin as Existing Residential Neighborhood 1, one of the strictest zones. But it was too late to do anything about the pig barns, she said. They were grandfathered, allowed to continue to exist in a residential zone because they were there before the zoning was revised.

Aucoin in August of 2016 reported smell, flies and pig waste washing onto his property to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

DEQ inspectors found one of Landry's pig barns, the first one built less than 20 yards from the bayou, was flooded because heavy rainfall had made the bayou rise. A second barn holding 22 pigs was being cleaned, the dirty water discharged directly into Bayou Teche, the inspection report shows.

They visited the property again in November 2016, finding 20-30 pigs in each barn with water contaminated with pig feces and urine being discharged directly into the bayou. They found an additional problem: A pile of pig pen bedding and other debris 20-30 feet wide and six feet tall on the edge of the bayou and falling into the waterway. A report said Landry was in violation of at least two state environmental laws and could face fines.

Instead of shutting down the operation or requiring a water discharge permit, LDEQ officials asked the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to assist Landry with a Best Management Practices plan, which is standard procedure, Joey Breaux, LDAF assistant commissioner of soil and water, said.

The BMP program allows for less regulatory oversight from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality of organic solid waste materials determined to pose no risk or minimal risk to human health and the environment if managed properly, according to department documents.

Was Jeff Landry aide 'joking?' Louisiana sexual harassment training says that's no defense When Attorney General Jeff Landrys office set out to discipline criminal division director Pat Magee over allegations of sexual harassment, i

Breaux approved Landrys BMP plan in February of 2017, allowing him to collect urine and water from the barns in tanks and spray it on his front lawn to prevent the waste from entering Bayou Teche.

The practice is controversial.

Industrial pig farms in North Carolina in recent years were fined millions for spraying pig waste in much greater quantities after neighbors sued over the nuisance, health complications and environmental effects of raw pig waste in the air, in their water, on their yards and on their homes.

Top stories in Acadiana in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Steve Wing, an epidemiologist who died before one of the hog farm trials, testified via videotape that people living near hog farms, which produce much greater quantities of urine and feces than Landrys small operation, suffered asthma, high blood pressure, headaches, nausea and coughing more often than other people.

Possible human health effects from Landrys BMP plan operations, Breaux said, do not fall under the LDAFs purview.

Feces and bedding from the barns are put into a large metal container, uncovered and unlined, elsewhere on the property and occasionally hauled away, according to Landrys BMP plan.

In April 2017, a DEQ inspector said the BMP plan resolved the problem of waste directly entering the bayou, but noted that the potential still existed for leaks and overflows at the barns.

Landry was not fined by the LDEQ for admittedly discharging pig urine and feces directly into Bayou Teche all those years. The department does not issue fines in all cases, Gregory Langley, press secretary, said.

The Departments primary goal is compliance, Langley said in an email. Landry didnt have a history of previous complaints, worked expeditiously, he said, to comply after the initial August 2016 investigation and worked with the LDAF to implement the Best Management Practices plan.

The LDAF is confident, Breaux said, that if Landry is complying with conditions of the BMP, no waste is entering Bayou Teche from Landrys pig barns. But no one from LDAF has inspected the operation since March of 2017, he said, adding they would only inspect when investigating complaints or if the BMP is revised.

Aucoin said he hasnt filed complaints with the LDAF because he doesnt have confidence the department will do anything.

He did file more complaints with the DEQ, as did another citizen. The agency took days, in one instance 11 days, to visit Landrys operation and by then they found no violations, records show.

After the fact state, federal permits

More than a year after Aucoin first reported the pig barns to the LDEQ in August of 2016, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers got involved, providing two opportunities to shut Landrys pig operation down by requiring after-the-fact permits.

In January of 2018, the DNRs Office of Coastal Management advised Landry he had to immediately apply for an after-the-fact coastal use permit for the first pig barn built nearest the bayou. At the same time, the Corps and LDEQ began the process of issuing an after-the-fact permit for the barn and the sewer treatment system Landry installed.

Both the Corps and LDNR are tasked with preservation of wetlands, Patrick Courreges, LDNR communications director, said.

It appeared at first that obtaining an after-the-fact Corps permit for the barn wouldn't be easy. William Nethery with the surveillance and enforcement section of the Corps, in a Jan. 10, 2018, email to Landry, his engineer and attorney, said that it would be very difficult to permit the slab and pen there because there is so much obvious upland alternative and Landry had built the second pen in the upland.

+2 This pending Supreme Court decision inspires dread and hope in Louisiana Notorious former Lake Charles priest Mark Broussards 2016 conviction was a long time coming for the men he sexually abused as children in the

Darrell Barbara, chief of the western evaluation section of the Corps, noted in July of 2018, "There is a lot of concern on permitting this existing after-the-fact pen. Other agencies, locals and non-governmental organizations, he wrote, have expressed great concern.

"We expect to drive hard on removal of this pen on the waterway and push for the non-wetland alternative, if it can be deemed practical," Barbara wrote. "Not only just for avoiding direct impacts to aquatic resources along the riparian zone but also to avoid potential and likely indirect impacts to water quality in the area. If DNR is at a point of mitigation and permit issuing then understood. However, we just want you all to be aware of our ongoing and expected substantial review of this.

The Corps role in relation to the federal Clean Water Act only involves placement of fill in wetlands and waters, Ricky Boyett, chief, public affairs with the Corps in New Orleans, said. The LDEQ oversees air and water quality, he said.

The Corps required Landry to first obtain a state LDEQ Water Quality Certification before the federal agency would approve an after-the-fact permit. In September of 2018, LDEQ acknowledged Landry met the requirements for and was granted a Water Quality Certification.

Landry paid a $50 administrative penalty for unauthorized activities to LDNRs Office of Coastal Management in January 2019. It appears to be the only monetary penalty Landry has paid.

The LDNRs Courreges said the agency is not focused on punishing offenders.

We want the acres back, he said.

The LDNR issued Landry an after-the-fact permit in February 2019. In March 2019, Barbara signed off on the Corps after-the-fact permit, allowing Landry to keep the first barn and sewer system on the banks of Bayou Teche after he purchased 0.1 acre of mitigation credits from the Cypremort Teche Mitigation Bank to compensate for 0.04 acres of bottomland hardwood habitat lost when he built the first pig barn.

The Corps, Boyette wrote, does not assess fines, although it can raise the issue with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which has oversight of the Clean Water Act. The EPA, he said, did not object to approval of the after-the-fact-permit and did not assess a fine.

As for the observations by Corps officials early in the process, Boyette said based on initial information and calls from neighbors, attorneys and nongovernmental organizations, the initial anticipation was an after-the-fact permit was unlikely.

During the permit application evaluation, Boyette said, the Corps coordinated with LDEQ, LDNR, EPA and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries along with the local utility water intake facility on Bayou Teche. None of the agencies objected to the after-the-fact permit.

The LDEQ said the pig barn was in compliance and operating under a BMP plan, and all violations and illegal discharges associated with the project had been addressed, he said.

Nethery investigated the reported violations early on, but does not make the decision to approve or deny an after the fact permit, Boyette said.

Politics at play?

Aucoin said he believes politics played a role in allowing Landry to build his pig barns without so much as a local building permit, then to obtain a BMP from the LDAF and after-the-fact permits from LDEQ, LDNR and the Corps.

Representatives of those agencies said they followed proper procedures in reviewing and approving the pig barns.

No one has coerced me or forced me to say or do anything, Luke, the St. Mary Parish planning and zoning director, said. I dont care who you are, the rules are the rules.

A Jan. 10, 2018, email from a LDNR employee to a LDEQ employee lends some credence to Aucoins claim.

Please note that Mr. Landry is connected from what I am told," Heather Evans with LDNRs Office of Coastal Management wrote.

Courreges, the LDNR spokesman, said it was Evans way of letting folks in DEQ know this person is going to be a name dropper. You know who I am. Makes no difference.

Aucoin said he will continue to look for ways to curtail his neighbor's practices.

My friends dont come here anymore. I could not do anything for my childs graduation, Aucoin said. Im stuck. I cant sell the place.
Rejecting abortion doesn't mean rejecting those who've had abortions: Father Frank Pavone

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

ORLANDO, Fla.  Father Frank Pavone, who was once named among the "Top 100 Catholics of the Century," served as a consultant for the new film Roe v. Wade. While he aims to change the minds of those who are pro-choice, he said its important for the Church not to reject those who've either had abortions or work in the abortion industry.

Pavone, who's also the national director of Priests for Life and president of the National Pro-Life Religious Council, attended the movie premiere of Roe v. Wade held at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 26.

While there, Pavone told The Christian Post that the pro-life film has a powerful message for such a time as this.

The film is based on the lesser-known history of "what happened from 1966 through 1973" that led to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision declaring state laws banning abortion unconstitutional.

Roe v. Wade will hit theaters on April 2 and features a star-studded cast, including Hollywood actors Jon Voight, Robert Davi, Corbin Bernsen, John Schneider, Stacey Dash and Nick Loeb.

"The message is very powerful, Pavone told CP. First of all, understanding how decisions like this come about. We have to demystify the process. When people think about a Supreme Court decision, they think, 'Oh, there must be some big constitutional reasoning behind it.' [It's] very flimsy on the constitutional front, even those who support the outcome  namely illegal abortion  will admit that this is not the result of sophisticated constitutional reasoning.

Roe v. Wade is told from the perspective of Dr. Bernard Nathanson, once considered the abortion king for reportedly performing over 70,000 abortions. He would eventually realize the human value of the unborn and walked away from performing abortions.

"There's another dynamic that comes across in the film, equally important, Pavone continued. That is conversion. Dr. Bernard Nathanson, who was the driving force behind getting this case heard and passed, [he] converted!

Through the science of the unborn child, he became pro-life. And then he had a faith conversion that came afterward, after he rejected abortion, Pavone added. "My mentor, Cardinal John O'Connor of New York, who ordained me to the priesthood, baptized Dr. Nathanson.

It was in those early years that Pavone first met Nathanson while he was still an atheist.

I saw firsthand his conversion to faith in God and faith in Christ, Pavone testified to CP.

The priests advocacy for life has been so renowned that the Vatican asked him to help coordinate pro-life activities throughout the world as an official of the Pontifical Council for the Family. Following the Supreme Courts abortion decision in Roe v. Wade, Norma McCorvey, the Jane Roe of the case, reached out to Pavone and subsequently said that interaction was the catalyst that brought me into the Catholic Church.

The Catechism No. 2271 of the Catholic Church states: "Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law."

Pavone assured that Catechism No. 2271 remains.

"The Church can never change her position on abortion any more than she can change her position on shooting someone in the street or terrorism. It's human life; you can never take an innocent human life, Pavone stressed. "However, he insisted that the Church should also be a support to those who have made that fateful decision."

"The welcoming part ... our ministry, for example, Priests for Life, we run the largest effort in the world to welcome people back to forgiveness after they have had abortions. We even work with ex-abortionists like Bernard Nathanson, who's featured in this film. Of course, while he was still alive, we accompanied him on his journey.

The man of the cloth said he also helped former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson after she walked away from that career and became a vocal pro-life advocate.

"This is one of the key lessons that can come from this film: Rejecting abortion does not mean rejecting those who have abortions. It does not mean rejecting those who support abortion, he declared.

Pavone concluded the interview by emphasizing, "We all have to welcome each other; we've got to treat each other right.

We who proclaim pro-life also proclaim [that] even the lives of those who disagree with us are precious and valuable, and we respect them. We want to change their minds, but we respect them as people, he added.

As previously reported by CP, Roe v. Wade, a Nick Loeb-directed film, encountered several obstacles in the process of filming, including Facebook banning their ads and losing cast members who opposed the film's mission.

The feature film tells "the untold story of how people lied, how the media lied, and how the courts were manipulated" to legalize abortion nationwide, which has led to the killing of more than 60 million Americans, Loeb previously said in an interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Despite many setbacks, the film will be in theaters nationwide on April 2.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington on March 15, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Biden Administration Will Give Media Access to Border Facilities: Psaki

The White House on Sunday confirmed it would allow members of the media to access border facilities that are being used to house unaccompanied minors along the U.S.-Mexico border.

In an interview on Fox News, White House press secretary Psaki faced questions about the lack of access to border facilities in the midst of a surge of illegal immigration. She said that President Joe Biden is absolutely committed to allowing reporters and photographers near the facilities.

We are committed to allowing cameras into Border Patrol facilities, she added, responding to a claim from Fox News Chris Wallace that Bidens administration is being less transparent than the Trump administration.

We want to provide access into the Border Patrol facilities, Psaki said. We are mindful that we are in the middle of the pandemic, we want to keep the kids safe, we want to keep the staff safe.

The administration let a single reporter and camera crew into a federally-run facility in Texas on March 24.

Psaki did not say when more media members would be given access to the Border Patrol facilities.

What were really talking about is children, and were handling that in the most humane  way, Psaki continued. She said of unaccompanied minors who were held by Border Patrol and [Health and Human Services]: It does not mean they get to stay in the United States, it means their cases are adjudicated.

Psaki further stated that the Biden administration is trying to take a different approach than the last administration, in how unaccompanied minorschildren who unlawfully enter the country without an adultare being handled along the border.

This month, several members of the media complained that they were denied access to the border. Among them, Getty photographer John Moore described the lack of access as unprecedented and called on the Biden administration to resume access to the facilities.

I respectfully ask US Customs and Border Protection to stop blocking media access to their border operations, Moore wrote earlier this month. I have photographed CBP under Bush, Obama and Trump but nowzero access is granted to media. These long lens images taken from the Mexican side.

Republicans have said that Bidens policies, including a slew of immigration-executive orders, has led to a spike in illegal immigration, while Bidenduring his first news conference last weeksaid the surge appears to be routine and suggested it is comparable to previous years.

However, the policies have led to a sharp increase in illegal crossings at the border, with over 100,000 recorded in February alone, experts have told The Epoch Times. The influx of unaccompanied minors, in particular, has prompted federal officials to open or convert at least eight facilities to hold them, including three convention centers.

Former President Donald Trump voiced his disapproval for Bidens policies over the weekend, saying he might possibly visit the border in the future.

They want me there, theyve asked me to go, and I really sort of feel I owe it to them. Theyre great people, theyre doing an incredible job. Its impossible now with what [the Biden administration has] done, he told Fox News Saturday.

Trump added, I dont know what theyre doing, and they dont know what theyre doing. Its a very, very dangerous situation. Id love not to be involved. Somebody else is supposed to be doing it.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.

Mary Portas has issued a plea to the Government to lift family-run stores with a 'Shop Out to Help Out' scheme as lockdown is lifted, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The Government's former high street tsar has joined fashion and beauty entrepreneurs Henry Holland and Charlotte Tilbury, throwing her weight behind the scheme as town centre shops prepare to reopen on April 12.

The proposal echoes Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Eat Out to Help Out scheme last August, which attracted customers to cafes and restaurants with subsidised meals.

Plea: The Government's former high street tsar Mary Portas backs high streets

Supporters of the latest proposal for small shops want a very similar deal, with the State covering 50 per cent of the cost of goods bought at independent non-essential retailers, capped at 10.

It would also run for a month in the summer, with discounts available from Monday to Wednesday, as with Eat Out to Help Out. But it would be limited to independent firms with fewer than ten staff, selling in physical stores.

The Government would reimburse retailers with customers able to get one discount per transaction. Sources said the Treasury and MPs were 'receptive' to the proposal.

It is estimated that the initiative could cost roughly the same as Eat Out to Help Out. Revenue & Customs figures show that 50,000 restaurants and food outlets claimed 849million in total last August.

The request comes at a time when high streets are on their knees after months of closures and a decade of decline. Portas said: 'Covid-19 has chipped away at the brilliant diversity of our high streets.'

She welcomed the Chancellor's extension of the business rates holiday to the end of June, with a discount on bills until April 2022.

But she said: 'We need to act now to harness the support, need and love that people have for our high streets.

'These businesses, in the pandemic, have held our communities together. A scheme like this will bring a vital lease of life back to places that mean so much to us.'

Portas led a review of high streets for David Cameron's government in 2011 to address rising vacancies and dwindling footfall, a situation made worse by a rise in online sales since the pandemic began.

Tilbury, the founder of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, said: 'Independent retailers need our support to continue sharing their unique magic.'

Holland, founder of the House of Holland fashion brand, said: 'Independent retailers bring our high streets to life with boundless creativity, unique points of view and a bottomless pit of ideas that you simply cannot get anywhere else.'

The idea is part of a wider campaign to support small firms  from shops to salons  dubbed Save The Street. It is orchestrated by pop-up shop specialist Appear Here.

Boost: The idea is part of a wider campaign to support small firms  from shops to salons  dubbed Save The Street

Appear Here boss Ross Bailey said: 'What's the point of opening up if there's nothing to open up for? The Government seems to think of high streets as Woolworths, Arcadia  big mass retail they think is sadly dead anyway.

'We've seen a rise in brands launching online on places like Instagram and then still wanting to do something physical because they can't get discovered without it. This is about making it possible for those businesses to survive that would have survived had Covid not been with us.'

He added: 'The tech industry has had huge support but most people in the tech sector are of a similar background. Whereas, if you look at our streets, it's every creed, every race, every type of person.'

Bailey said a long-mooted sales tax on online retailers could be used to subsidise high street shops.

But last week Sunak delayed a decision on any levy until autumn. The Mail on Sunday can reveal that this decision came after Nick Beighton, head of Asos, and Roger Burnley, outgoing boss of Asda, lobbied against the tax through the Retail Sector Council.

The council's chairman, Richard Pennycook, who is also chairman of Howdens Joinery, said in a letter to Treasury Minister Jesse Norman in January that it would be 'perverse' for retailers to back a tax on online sales as it would 'tilt the playing field the other way'.

He said corporation tax and VAT should be used to target firms equally.

Campaigners say the Treasury could pay for the small shops scheme from the 1.8billion in business rates relief returned by large retailers able to stay open during the pandemic.

Sen Lindsey Graham has lashed out at President Joe Biden after he called Georgia's new election law as an 'atrocity' and 'Jim Crow in the 21st Century'.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed an 'election integrity' bill into law on Thursday which gave the GOP-controlled state legislature greater influence over a board that regulates elections and empowers it to remove local election officials deemed to be underperforming.

Biden immediately condemned the bill, arguing that Kemp was directly hurting minority voters with a slew of roadblocks, including restrictions on mail voting and shorter voting hours.

'What I'm worried about is how un-American this whole initiative is,' Biden said of voter suppression in Republican states. 'It's sick. Sick.'

Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, attacked Biden's rhetoric in an interview with Fox News on Sunday.

'What's sick is for the president of the United States to play the race card continuously in such a hypocritical way,' Graham said.

Sen Lindsey Graham lashed out at President Joe Biden after he called Georgia's new election law as an 'atrocity' and 'Jim Crow in the 21st Century'

Watch the latest video at foxnews.com

Fox News Privacy Policy

'Any time a Republican does anything, you're a racist,' Graham continued. 'If you're a white conservative, you're a racist. If you're a black Republican, you are either pop or uncle Tom.

'They use the racism card to advance the liberalism agenda.'

The senator went to criticize Democrats' proposed legislation to overhaul elections, the 'For The People' Act, also known as House Resolution 1.

H.R. 1, which passed in the House earlier this month, includes several voting rights efforts that have largely been rejected by Republican politicians, including the expansion of mail-in balloting.

It would also make Election Day a federal holiday across the United States.

Mail-in voting was a central target of Donald Trump's accusations of voting fraud during the 2020 presidential election, despite a lack of evidence tying fraud to mail-in voting, which was expanded due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In his Fox News interview on Sunday, Graham called H.R. 1 'the biggest power grab in the history of the country'.

Host Chris Wallace then directed the conversation back to the Georgia bill, noting that it would ban people from being given water while they wait in line at the polls.

'Well, all I can say is that doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I agree with you there,' Graham replied.

'But in Georgia, you had an explosion of mail-in balloting. The Carter Baker Commission in 2005 looked at our election system and they had two warnings for us: Absentee mail voting is rife for fraud and ballot harvesting where an individual can collect ballots on behalf of other people is a threat to democracy as we know it.

'Both of those provisions are in H.R. 1, so if you don't like what they're doing in Georgia, you can go to court and stop them.

'But what they're doing with it H.R. 1 is destroying the ability of any state to run elections, doing away with voter ID, changing the federal election commission to make it part of and institutionalizing national ballot harvesting, which would be a disaster to our elections.'

Protesters gather to voice their opposition to a far-reaching overhaul of the Georgia's election laws. Voting rights groups say the new law will target black residents who make up roughly a third of the state's population

The Georgia law contains a number of restrictive measures including elimination of mobile voting vans, which reduced long lines on Election Day in heavily Democratic areas, and criminalizing the distribution of food or water to people waiting to vote.

It also standardizes voting hours from 9am to 5pm with a maximum of 7am to 7pm, and requires a state-issued ID to request a mail-in ballot. The law also bans handing out water and food to voters waiting in line at the polls and limits ballot drop boxes.

Gov Kemp defended his bill in a statement on Saturday.

'It is obvious that neither President Biden nor his handlers have actually read SB 202, which I signed into law yesterday,' Kemp said.

'There is nothing "Jim Crow" about requiring a photo or state-issued ID to vote by absentee ballot  every Georgia voter must already do so when voting in-person.

'President Biden, the left, and the national media are determined to destroy the sanctity and security of the ballot box.'

Gov Brian Kemp said there's 'nothing Jim Crow' about Georgia's new voting law

Kemp, a Republican, became governor in 2018 after he won in a race against Stacey Abrams, a powerful Democratic lawyer who many credited for the Democrats win during the runoff election for Georgia's two US Senate seats in January.

He had previously served as 27th Secretary of State of Georgia from 2010 to 2018 before he was elected governor.

'As Secretary of State, I consistently led the fight to protect Georgia elections against power-hungry, partisan activists,' Kemp said in the statement. 'As Governor, I won't back down from keeping Georgia elections secure, accessible, and fair.'

Kemp continued railing against Biden's comments in an appearance on Fox News on Saturday when he briefly compared Georgia's law to that of Biden's home state of Delaware.

'I don't think the president or his handlers compared the Georgia voting law to the state of Delaware where he's from because we have a lot more opportunities for people to vote early in the great state of Georgia than in Delaware,' Kemp said.

Kemp claimed that the Georgia law will expand the opportunity for people to vote early in Georgia again and added the ability for people to vote on select Saturdays and Sundays.

'It is further securing the absentee ballot process by simply adding a photo ID requirement or number from your ID that will actually speed up the absentee balloting by mail process that was very slow after the last election,' Kemp said.

Voters are seen casting their ballots in the U.S. Senate run-off election, at a polling station in Marietta, Georgia on January 5

When asked by Fox News about Democratic concerns that the bill will disenfranchise black and minority voters, Kemp asked voters 'to simply find out what's in the bill.'

'I would urge them to do just that and ask themselves, who is being truthful here,' Kemp said.

'Is it the governor and the legislature that just voted on this bill? Or is it a lot of these third party groups that are making millions of putting this false narrative out there? Or the president who obviously doesn't know what his own voting laws are in his own state.'

Kemp reiterated his statements about how photo IDs are already required for voting in person.

'We already have that requirement in our law for when you go vote in person. Before our last election an average of 95 percent voted in person so people are used to using the ID to vote in Georgia,' Kemp said.

'So it's not a big deal like people are making it out, and if you dont have an ID then well give you one for free.'

Kemp then addressed claims from critics of the law who allege that it removes the ability to use drop boxes for voting.

'That was never in the law. That has never been in the state law of Georgia. We did that in this bill, were just going to make sure its a secure process and that those drop boxes are monitored,' he said.

In Biden's statement, the president claimed the new law will 'deny people the right to vote.'

'More Americans voted in the 2020 elections than any election in our nation's history,' Biden said.

'In Georgia we saw this most historic demonstration of the power of the vote twice  in November and then again in the runoff election for the U.S. Senate seats in January. Recount after recount and court case after court case upheld the integrity and outcome of a clearly free, fair, and secure democratic process.'

Biden then accused Republicans of rushing through an un-American law to deny people the right to vote.

'Among the outrageous parts of this new state law, it ends voting hours early so working people cant cast their vote after their shift is over. It adds rigid restrictions on casting absentee ballots that will effectively deny the right to vote to countless voters,' Biden claimed.

'And it makes it a crime to provide water to voters while they wait in line  lines Republican officials themselves have created by reducing the number of polling sites across the state, disproportionately in black neighborhoods.'
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is celebrating his 67th birthday on Sunday. Right from eminent politicians to noted celebrities, the PM has been poured in with birthday wishes from all quarters of the society. Every Prime Minister who occupied the countrys top executive office had something unique to offer and PM Modi has been second to none in leaving a distinct mark of his own.

Since assuming office 3 years ago, the PM has been known in political circles to be a master orator who has the knack of connecting exceptionally well with the citizens of the country through his well-articulated thoughts and power packed speeches. While PM Modi has laid a great emphasis on strengthening diplomatic ties and economic cooperation with nation across the world, he has an underlying vision to take India forward by striking a right balance between economic and social development.

While his Made in India campaign aims to boost indigenous manufacturing, his governments Smart Cities initiative envisages balanced economic development. Under Modi's leadership, the country has witnessed path-breaking economic reforms like the GST and demonetisation which aim for a cleaner and transparent economy.

So, here is a look at the 10 major decisions taken by PM Modi led Government to take India forward on the political, economic, and social fronts.

Goods and Services Tax Goods and Services Tax (GST)



The Narendra Modi government played an important role in revolutionizing the indirect tax regime of the nation by rolling out the Goods and Service Tax (GST). The GST, touted as One Nation One Tax, was introduced with an underlying objective to reduce the cascading effects of the prevalent indirect taxes and thereby reduce the tax burden on the ultimate consumers. After the GST bill got passed in both Houses of the Parliament, it was formally rolled out in the economy on July 1, 2017. Make in India Make in India



Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his flagship initiative Make in India on September 25, 2014, with a clear-cut objective to boost indigenous manufacturing in India and reduce dependency on overseas imports. The campaign encourages and motivates multi-national and national companies to manufacture their products in India. Devised to transform India into a manufacturing hub, the drive shall also help in generating employment opportunities in the core manufacturing sectors. Demonetisation Demonetisation



On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes of the Mahatma Gandhi Series. The economic drive was undertaken with an aim to flush out the black money from the financial system and make the economy clean and transparent. The government claimed that the action would curtail the undesirable parallel economy and crack down on the use of illicit and counterfeit cash to fund illegal activities, Naxalism, anti-national activities, and terrorism. Digital India Digital India



Modi government launched the 'Digital India' campaign, a flagship programme with a vision to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.



A major thrust is required to ensure e-Governance in the country to promote inclusive growth that covers electronic services, products, devices, and job opportunities. Moreover, electronic manufacturing in the country needs to be strengthened. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Swachh Bharat Abhiyan



With an aim to kickstart a massive cleanliness drive to improve the general hygiene and sanitation levels across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign on October 2, 2014. The campaign envisages clean streets, roads, and infrastructure across the nation. The objectives of Swachh Bharat are to reduce or eliminate open defecation through the construction of individual, cluster, and community toilets. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP)



Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao is a social campaign of the Government of India that aims to generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services intended for girls. The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme was launched on 22 January, 2015, by PM Modi. It aims to address the issue of the declining child sex ratio image (CSR) and is a national initiative jointly run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Jan-Dhan Yojana Jan-Dhan Yojana



Prime Minister Narendra Modi kick-started the Jan-Dhan Yojana to make each and every citizen financially inclusive in the economy. The scheme provides easy access to banking services. Under the scheme, an Indian citizen can open the bank account with zero balance. According to the Finance Ministry, 28.23 crore accounts have been opened as on April 5, 2017. Bullet Trains Bullet Trains



Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe finalized the deal for a high-speed bullet train that will run between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The high-speed train that will cut travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad by at least five hours is expected to cover 508 km at an operational speed of 320 kmph. The project is expected to cost Rs 1.08 lakh-crore. Smart Cities Smart Cities



The Modi government started the Smart Cities mission under which 109 well-planned and sustainable cities will be developed across the country. The town planning of the cities shall be done with an aim to maximize employment opportunities to the local workforce and thereby curtail their migration to the metros, which are already jam-packed with an excess workforce. The mantra behind developing smart cities is to have sustained and balanced economic development across the nation. Surgical Strikes Surgical Strikes



In a one of its kind move, the Indian Army gave a befitting reply to terrorist organizations operating from across the border by conducting surgical strikes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir on September 29, 2016. The Indian Special Forces commandos were airdropped at the Line of Control, from where they entered into the Pakistani occupied side. The commandos destroyed 7 terror launch pads and killed 38 terrorists including 2 Pakistani soldiers. The strikes were viewed as the perfect counter by our security forces to the brazen terror attack unleashed by terrorists on an Army Camp along the LoC at Uri in North Kashmir just a few days back.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.

Egg-freezing is experiencing a pandemic boost  with soaring numbers of women putting motherhood on ice during the Covid crisis.

One clinic saw inquiries about the procedure almost triple last year compared with 2019.

Experts suggest the difficulties of dating in person during lockdowns have made women more concerned about running out of time to settle down and start a family.

Celebrity hairstylist Ondine Cowley (pictured) froze her eggs at the start of the second lockdown in England

Care Fertility, one of the UKs largest fertility groups, reports an 11 per cent rise in the monthly average number of women freezing their eggs in London last year compared with 2019.

Dr Alison Campbell, director of embryology, said: Anxiety levels are running high at the moment, and it is possible that women are contemplating having less time to go out and meet a potential partner.

CASE STUDY Celebrity hairstylist Ondine Cowley froze her eggs at the start of the second lockdown in England. She had already been considering the procedure after her now ex-partner said he had changed his mind about having children. Then the pandemic hit and made it difficult to date and get to know someone properly, which made egg-freezingseem even more sensible. Covid also provided time off from work, during which the 36-year-old was able to prepare and recover from the procedure. Miss Cowley, who has worked for stylist Nicky Clarke for 21 years, said: It is not realistic to date during lockdowns. You cant tell how a man really is in the real world  for example, you dont see how someone speaks to people in restaurants or at the airport. I was with someone for eight months during the pandemic and only when we finally got to go on holiday did I fully realise that we werent right for each other. You need experiences like that to really get to know someone. Miss Cowley, who has worked at the Bafta awards and travelled to countries including Dubai, Kuwait and India to style peoples hair for weddings, was in no particular rush to have children in her early thirties. But during a long relationship with someone who said he wanted children, she assumed it would happen. When he then changed his mind, she was left struggling to pick up the pieces. She says she froze her eggs, at the Fertility Partnerships Boston Place clinic in London, to feel empowered and take control over her future. However, she hopes to start a family without the frozen eggs. The stylist, from north-west London, said: I was with someone older who said all the way through our relationship that he wanted children, and it was a lie. I also feel as if Covid has taken a year away, and removed that from my biological clock, as do many of my friends. It is frustrating that women have to pay to freeze their eggs, but I feel very positive that I have done it and think it should be seen as much more normal. Advertisement

For women in their thirties, egg-freezing certainly seems to be a hot topic towards the front of their minds.

In terms for planning having a family, the pandemic could be a spanner in the works, which may lead women to want control over their future and an insurance policy.

But clinics have a responsibility to explain the procedure and the likely

success rates so women have all the right information and are fully informed before doing this.

Create Fertility has seen almost three times the number of inquiries about egg-freezing in the first three months of this year.

Some 116 women got in touch between January and March, against

just 41 in the first three months of 2020.

Meanwhile London Womens Clinic said it saw a 30 per cent rise in women seeking and undergoing egg-freezing cycles between June and August last year, compared with the same period in 2019.

The process involves taking drugs to stimulate the ovaries so that they produce more than the usual one egg a month.

The average woman produces 15 eggs, which are removed under general anaesthetic or sedation.

These are then frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen.

There is currently a ten-year limit for women to keep their eggs, after which they must be used for fertility treatment or destroyed, but the Department of Health and Social Care is considering whether to

extend this.

Experts have raised concerns that some women see egg freezing as an insurance policy, without properly understanding the success rates of using the eggs.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority says there is only a 27 per cent chance of a baby being born through IVF when a woman freezes her eggs under the age of 35, but that falls to a 13 per cent chance for eggs frozen over the age of 35.

The average cost of having eggs collected and frozen is 3,350, with medication costing up to 1,500 extra, and storing the eggs costing up to 350 extra a year.

Sarah Norcross, of fertility charity Progress Educational Trust, said: For some women, egg-freezing will be a positive reproductive choice giving them a feeling of control at a time of great uncertainty, but it must be made clear by the clinic that egg-freezing is not a guarantee of a baby, and women should go armed with questions about the success rates and the overall cost.
President Joe Biden (L), with Secretary of State Antony Blinken (2nd L), meets virtually with members of the "Quad" alliance of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on March 12, 2021. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

Quad to Compete With Chinas Vaccine Diplomacy in Indo-Pacific

NEW DELHIThe Quad nationsUnited States, India, Australia, and Japanare pushing back against the Chinese regimes vaccine diplomacy.

At the first leadership summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue on March 12, the nations announced a partnership to end the pandemic, expand vaccine manufacturing with facilities in India, and provide assistance to the countries in the larger Indo-Pacific region with vaccination and with existing multilateral mechanisms.

Together, Quad leaders are taking shared action necessary to expand safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing in 2021 and will work together to strengthen and assist countries in the Indo-Pacific with vaccination, in close coordination with the existing relevant multilateral mechanisms, including WHO and COVAX, the White House said in a fact sheet released after the summit.

Experts said that the larger agenda of the informal strategic forumto forge a union of democracies against authoritarian governmentsis making itself visible in the partnership for vaccines, and that India has emerged as a viable and stable alternative to the Chinese vaccine supply chain.

They pledged to expand and accelerate production in India of safe, accessible, and effective vaccines and partner at each stage to ensure that vaccines are administered throughout the Indo-Pacific region into 2022, Joe Chalil, a health care executive and the author of the book Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic: Envisioning a Better World by Transforming the Future of Healthcare, told The Epoch Times.

The partnership includes Australia supporting the delivery of vaccines to hard-to-reach communities in Southeast Asia, contributing $77 million. Australia has already committed $407 million to supply vaccines and for security to insure full vaccine coverage to nine Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste.

Japan will assist vaccination programs of developing countries such as the purchase of vaccines and cold-chain support, including through the provision of grant aid of $41 million and new concessional yen loans, ensuring alignment with and support of COVAX, the White House said.

The existing vaccine programs will be leveraged by the United States, according to the release. The Quad partner will provide $100 million toward regional efforts focused on immunizations.

They decided to combine their scientific ingenuity, financing, formidable productive capacity, and long history of global-health partnerships to surge the supply of life-saving vaccines in close collaboration with multilateral organizations, including the WHO and Covax Facility, Chalil said.

President Joe Biden, while answering a question about the meeting of democracies in his first official press conference on March 25, highlighted the need to counter autocratic regimes.

It is clear, absolutely clear  that this is a battle between the utility of democracies in the 21st century and autocracies, he said.

Chalil said the comments are extremely straightforward as Biden points out a battle between democratic and autocratic regimes and the partnership for vaccines has to be looked at in this context.

His administration sees the U.S. and other democratic nations locked in an ideological competition with China, Russia, and other totalitarian states for global influence, he said.

Michael Kugelman, the deputy director of the Asia program at the Washington-based Wilson Center, told The Epoch Times that the goal of the Quads vaccine partnership is to push back against Chinas vaccine diplomacy.

Its quite clear that the Quad wants to draw on these supply lines that are available through the networks of Australia and Japan and also India to push back against Chinas supply lines. This idea for the four countries to work together to develop and produce and to distribute vaccines around the region, is essential to push back against what China has been doing with its own vaccine diplomacy in the region, Kugelman said.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (2nd R) speaks during the virtual summit of the leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, a group known as the Quad, at his official residence in Tokyo, on March 12, 2021. (Kiyoshi Ota/Pool via AP)

Soft Power

Jeff M. Smith, a research fellow specializing in South Asia at The Heritage Foundation, told The Epoch Times in an email that the vaccine partnership allows Quad to exercise some soft power in a time of crisis.

The Quad had its origins in serving as first responders and providing humanitarian aid/disaster relief services in the immediate aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Coordinating vaccine distribution is a similar way for the Quad to leverage its capabilities to provide global public goods while demonstrating that it is capable of more than security-focused discussions and military exercises, Smith said.

He added that itll also be a good opportunity for the four nations to gain functional experience cooperating on an issue where each of the four countries can leverage their respective strengths in service to a larger goal.

The Quad leaders also decided to create a senior-level Quad Vaccine Expert Group, consisting of top scientists and officials from the four democracies. The group will work to design an implementation effort, identify hurdles, work to expand financers and production facilities for wider distribution of vaccines, coordinate delivery to hard-to-reach communities, and make recommendations before the year ends, the White House said in its fact sheet.

The leaders decided that the Quad Vaccine Expert Group will also strengthen and support the life-saving work of international organizations, including the WHO, COVAX, Gavi, CEPI, UNICEF, the G-7, ASEAN, and governments, and call on other countries to do the same.

Chalil said the decision to assemble an expert group is the beginning of calling all democracies for a coordinated effort that excludes China and Russia.

Will the Quad shift from a pandemic manufacturing alliance to a new NATO of the future? Time will tell, he said.

The vaccine partnership is a good way to leverage on the threat of the moment, the pandemic and China isnt in a position to push back against this initiative, Kugelman said. He cautioned, however, that China, which has the ability to develop, manufacture, finance, and distribute vaccines, will always find a market.

I think its important to point out here that even though there may be a rising consensus among the world, countries are not going to cut off their commercial ties with Beijing because [China is] one of the worlds biggest economies, he said.

A box of AstraZeneca/Oxford Covid-19 vaccine vials are pictured at the Pontcae Medical Practice in Merthyr Tydfil in south Wales on Jan. 4, 2021. Indias Serum Institute is producing an Indian version of the AstraZeneca vaccine called Covishield that Brazil is buying. (GEOFF CADDICK/AFP via Getty Images)

Manufacturing in India

The Quad partners are collaborating to achieve expanded manufacturing of vaccines in Indian facilities, as authorized by the Stringent Regulatory Authority (SRA). SRA, initially developed by the WHO Secretariat and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, is widely used by the international regulatory and procurement community.

Quad partners will address financing and logistical demands for production, procurement, and delivery of safe and effective vaccines, the White House said in the fact sheet.

Quad partners will work to use our shared tools and expertise, through mechanisms at institutions including the United States Development Finance Corp. (DFC), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and, as appropriate, Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC), as well as others.

The United States has decided to work with Biological E Ltd., an India-based, privately held biopharmaceutical company, to support the goal of producing 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine by the end of 2022.

Japan, through JICA, is in discussions to provide concessional yen loans for the Government of India to expand manufacturing for COVID-19 vaccines for export, with a priority on producing vaccines that have received authorization from WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) or Stringent Regulatory Authorities, the White House fact sheet states.

Chalil said: This is an intelligent move from the U.S. and its allies in the Quad. They see India as a viable and stable alternative to China in vaccine production.

He added that the Indian government has provided free vaccine doses or doses at very low cost to 75 countries around the world.

India is leveraging its manufacturing capabilities to launch its initiative to bolster its global image as the pharmacy of the world,' he said.

The Serum Institute of India, the worlds largest vaccine factory, now produces 2.5 million doses of AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines daily, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Vaccine Maitri (Hindi for vaccine friendship) humanitarian initiative in January.

President Biden announced in February 2021 that United States intends to provide $4 billion to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to support developing countries vaccination using COVAX manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, Chalil said.
Three cheers for Rutgers University leading the nation by requiring its students to get vaccine shots as a condition of returning to classes in September. It will save lives by limiting the spread not just within the university, but in its hard-hit host cities of New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden.

By stepping out front, Rutgers is also paving the way for other colleges that have been more timid, each waiting for one school to step forward and test the reaction. Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway was taking calls until 10 p.m. Thursday night from fellow college presidents who are considering the move, a sign that this decision could have national impact.

A snap survey by the student newspaper, the Daily Targum, found ready support for the move among students, who see this as the quickest pathway back to normal campus life. Finally being able to go back is awesome, said Deep Parekh, a sophomore. This will definitely promote a safe environment on campus for all students to meet each other and have fun.

The staff at Rutgers is not included in this order, mainly because it would have to be negotiated with the 22 unions who represent various staff at the university. But that could be next, and should be. Students face much higher rates of infection from Covid-19, but a fully vaccinated staff is obviously an important leg of the stool.

The decision is bound to kick up passionate resistance among those who oppose even childhood vaccines that have been proven safe over decades of use. And the cause is drawing new support from followers of QAnon and white supremacist groups, according to a recent New York Times report that examined social media postings.

Holloways rational leadership is a tonic to all the crazy out there. Rutgers students are already required to get vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella, so in a sense this move breaks no new ground. It applies basic principles of public health, which depend on everyone doing their part. By making it a requirement, Holloway is doing what he can to protect his flock. Good for him.

More: Tom Moran columns

Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
I just read the new book by Bill Gates on climate change, and it inspired me to take action.

I headed to the local butcher shop and bought some ground beef. When I got home, I fired up the barbecue and grilled up some burgers. With some lettuce and tomato on top, the medium-rare meat tasted just great.

I got the idea after reading this sentence in How to Avoid a Climate Disaster:

Ill admit that veggie burgers havent always tasted great, he writes, adding, Buying these products sends a clear message that making them is a wise investment,

Maybe for you, Bill. Ill stick to investing in beef.

The book, which is subtitled The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need, is jam-packed with such suggestions. I got interested in reading it after I was driving along listening to an interview with the Microsoft co-founder on National Public Radio.

Gates ran through a list of predictable suggestions for cutting carbon-dioxide emissions. Then he said something unpredictable: If were serious about cutting carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050, the only way to do so is with a massive investment in nuclear power.

This seemed to shock the host, who made the usual objection that nuclear is too dangerous. Nope, said Gates. Nuclear energy has caused far, far less deaths than coal or natural gas, he said.

That made me want to read the book. When I did, I found Gates making a number of points that seem to elude the alternative-energy crowd.

On wind and solar, for example, Gates writes that they are nice but limited by both space and consistency constraints.

Tip: If someone tells you that some source (wind, solar, nuclear, whatever) can supply all the energy the world needs, find out how much space will be required to produce that much energy, he writes.

As for consistency, the wind doesnt always blow and the sun doesnt always shine, he writes.

Optimists say you could store that energy in batteries. Gates  who said Ive lost more money on battery companies than anyone - writes that batteries are already a mature technology and cant be greatly improved.

Inventors have studied all the metals we could use in batteries, and it seems unlikely that there are materials that will make for vastly better batteries than the ones were already building, he writes.

That leaves us with the nukes: Heres the one-sentence case for nuclear power: Its the only carbon-free energy source that can reliably deliver power day and night, through every season, almost anywhere on earth, that has been proven to work on a large scale.

And the world is going to need lots of power.

The world will be building the equivalent of another New York City every month for the next 40 years, he writes.

But if the world is really going to add 8 million people a month  most of them in the developing world  its hard to imagine any strategy, even including lots of nukes, that will bring us down to net-zero CO-2 emissions by 2050. But we must get there, Gates writes.

Thats the first part of the answer to the question Why do we have to get to zero?because every bit of carbon we put into the atmosphere adds to the greenhouse effect. Theres no getting around physics, he writes.

No, theres not. But Gates is not a physicist.

Will Happer is. Happer is an emeritus professor of physics at Princeton University who recently served as an advisor to the Trump administration.

When I called him, Happer said the physics shows the atmosphere is already near its saturation point for CO-2. His calculations show the greenhouse effect of doubling CO-2 would likely cause global temperatures to rise by no more than 1 degree centigrade. (This becomes very complicated very quickly because of the role greenhouses gases may play in cloud formation.)

Meanwhile CO-2 has a positive effect on plant growth, he said. Thats why its pumped into literal greenhouses.

But Gates is right about the need for nuclear power, he said.

Germany is burning a lot more coal because of shutting down nuclear plants, Happer said. Its dirty coal from East Germany that emits real pollutants like fly ash.

Neighboring France wisely kept its nukes, he said.

France is about 75 percent nuclear and theyre extending the life of their nuclear plants, he said. They have a self-confidence we lack, We discovered radiation, Madame Curie and all that. They have a different view.

Its a view that American environmentalists will have to accept if theyre serious about reducing CO-2 emissions.

With this book, Gates has made a major contribution toward getting that debate started.

BELOW - BILL GATES EXPAINS HIS VIEWS:

(Above that is environmentalist Michael Shellenberger explaining why renewables wont work.)
Over 21 million tons of toxic coal ash at Alabama Powers Plant Barry sit at an unlined pond surrounded on three sides by the Mobile River, a short distance from Mobile Bay, wetlands, and the larger Mobile Tensaw Delta that feeds it. The Delta is a network of waterways that contains cypress swamps, bottomland forests, and bogs, aptly called North Americas Amazon.

To contain the coal ash, Alabama Power seeks to use an option called cap-in-place. Coal ash will be stored in an unlined pit which allows toxins to leach into the groundwater and eventually into surrounding waters and wetlands. In considering the implications of this option, it is important to recognize that groundwater moves through sites horizontally as well as vertically. This is particularly relevant for areas built around existing streams and wetlands.

Coal ash threatens the respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological health of people living near coal ash dump sites. Coal ash contains contaminants like mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. Arsenic and mercury are among the most toxic metals. These poisons can pollute our rivers, streams, ground water, drinking water, and the air, and indeed are already polluting the Delta. In a report compiled by Alabama Power, the coal ash at Alabama Powers Plant Barry is already seeping arsenic into the groundwater water at levels 806 percent above the legal limit.

Alabama has the most toxic coal ash of any state in the US. According to the EPA, people living next to coal ash have a risk of 1 in 50 of getting cancer from drinking water contaminated by arsenic.

There are, then, two main issues related to Alabama Powers request to use a cap-in-place option to address their toxic coal ash. The first is the health of Alabamas citizens. The second is the health of Alabamas environment. Clearly, Alabama needs to pay attention to health and protect the wonders of its environment. In Americas Health Rankings for 2020, Alabama ranked 48 in the country. In biodiversity, Alabama can be proud of moving up this year to a number 4 ranking in the US. Unfortunately, this achievement is coupled with the sad ranking of number 3 in the US for the highest number of endangered species, that is, those species at risk of complete extinction forever from the earth. Many of these threatened species are in the Mobile Tensaw Delta.

I feel for my neighbors who live in close proximity to the Barry Plant. I live a few miles away on the Mobile Tensaw Delta and I feel for all of us. They are at highest risk, but all who live in or around the Mobile Tensaw Delta have increased health risks as a result of coal ash seeping into our water from this unlined pit. Our opportunity to slow the destruction is slipping away. We must protect our fellow citizens health and the incredible environment of this special place. A utility in North Carolina finally agreed to remove 124 million tons of coal ash from sensitive areas, several times the amount located at Plant Berry. But that decision came only after disaster in which 39,000 tons of the toxic waste poured into a river system. We can and should learn that lesson here in Alabama.

Urge the Alabama Department of Management (ADEM) to deny Alabama Powers request to cap-in-place. Let us join together to do the right thing and reverse the downward trend of poor health in Alabama and strengthen the beautiful resources of the State. The Mobile Tensaw Delta is at a tipping point. Each of us plays a part in tipping it toward health, viability, and quality of life for all who enter and thrive.

Editors note: Alabama Power is holding a series of public meetings this coming week on its plans to reduce the dangers proposed by several coal ash ponds. The hearing regarding this particular site is Tuesday.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 28)  There will be no letup in San Miguel Corporation's push to help people even as the government has put several areas under general community quarantine until April 4.

In a statement released Sunday, SMC president and COO Ramon Ang said they would continue to distribute food donations and step up food drives that would benefit poor communities in Metro Manila.

"While our food donations for poor communities never really stopped since last year, we are again ramping up our food drive, through all Metro Manila LGUs. We have already started initial deliveries of over 148,000 packs of nutribun, and are also set to distribute 86,400 canned goods to benefit 17,280 families," said Ang.

LIST: One-week ECQ in Greater Manila area explained

Ang added the food drive was to help boost the government's efforts to help Filipinos whose income would be affected by the tighter restrictions.

""From our experience last year, we know that providing food is a big help to many Filipinos, especially those who live on daily paid work. If they're unable to work, they won't be able to put food on their tables. This is our way of helping at least narrow that gap and help keep people from hunger," Ang said.

Last year, when the pandemic first struck, SMC mounted the largest food donation drive in its history, with over 516 million worth of food donated.

Ang said the company was "fully prepared" for the stricter ECQ, adding there would be no disruption in providing essential products, giving assurance that there would also be stable power supply and expressways would be operational.

Assistance would also be available to SMC's employees as well as third-party contractors.

"I have asked our business units to coordinate with their respective service providers to ensure their employees are taken care of for the days they are not able to work," said Ang.

On Saturday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal will once again revert to stricter stay-at-home rules for a week starting March 29 up to Easter Sunday, April 4.

Among the restrictions to be enforced in the ECQ areas are a curfew, and there would be no religious gatherings and staycations until its lifting.
WESTLAKE, Ohio

Drug arrest: Sperry Boulevard

An officer at 12:30 p.m. March 23 stopped a vehicle for traffic violations on Sperry Boulevard.

The officer noticed drug paraphernalia in plain view when talking to the driver, a 26-year-old Elyria woman. The officer learned that the woman also had a loaded semi-automatic handgun and suspected methamphetamine, according to police.

Police charged the woman with several felonies, including carrying a concealed weapon, having weapons under disability due to prior felony drug cases, possessing criminal tools and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Car theft: Center Ridge Road

A representative of Enterprise Rent-a-Car filed a stolen-vehicle report on March 19 at the Westlake Police Department.

The company had rented out a Toyota Camry on Oct. 28, 2020, and the renter agreed to return the car by Nov. 4, 2020. The car was never returned and was still missing.

Officers entered the vehicle into police databases. On March 22, Lakewood police found the vehicle parked on Madison Avenue. The car was intact and was turned back over to Enterprise.

Westlake police have asked for warrants for the renter of the vehicle, a 36-year-old Lakewood man.

Assault and drug abuse: Clemens Road

DoubleTree hotel staff called police at 3:45 p.m. March 20 regarding an unwanted guest and suspected drug dealing from a room.

Staff led the officers to the problem room, which was occupied by two people. Officers spotted signs of suspected drug use.

One of the occupants, a 49-year-old Cleveland man, fought with officers who attempted to detain him. A 38-year-old Garfield Heights woman tried to interfere with the arrest, according to police.

Officers charged the man with attempted aggravated robbery, assault on a police officer and felony drug abuse. They charged the woman with obstructing official business, resisting arrest, possession of drug abuse instruments and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were taken to the Cuyahoga County jail.

Officers confiscated suspected methamphetamine and pills from the room.

Prowlers: Regency Place

Officers at 2:15 a.m. March 12 responded to a report of subjects attempting to enter parked cars.

A resident looking at a video surveillance system saw two men wearing hoodies trying to open car doors in their residential driveway. The resident locked up their property, and the duo of would-be thieves ran from the area.

Officers checked the area, but could not locate the prowlers.

Felony assault warrant: Sperry Drive

An officer at 1 p.m. March 13 learned that a man staying at the Super 8 motel was wanted for felony assault out of the Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Office.

After watching the area for a bit, the officer spotted the man running away from the scene. The officer arrested the suspect on the warrant without further incident, and the department transported the 35-year-old Cleveland resident to the county jail.

Read more news from the West Shore Sun.
A beauty pageant contestant from Myanmar used her brief moment in the spotlight on Saturday to appeal for international help for her country, on the worst day for bloodshed since the military took power two months ago.

In the final show and coronation of Miss Grand International 2021 in Bangkok, Myanmars Han Lay fought back tears as she spoke about the worsening situation in Myanmar following a military coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi from power on 1 February.

The Yangon University student began her speech by saying, I deeply feel sorry for the people who [have] lost their lives on the street, before she pleaded for international help to establish democracy back in Myanmar.

She added: If the situation is happening somewhere, people around the world try to find a solution and help them.

The beauty contest coincided with the deadliest day of the crackdown that followed the coup, which left 114 people dead, Myanmar Now reported.

Read more:

Today in my country Myanmar, why I am doing a speech on this stage, there are so many people [who have] died, Ms Lay continued. More than 100 people died today.

She added that while those on the streets in Myanmar are calling for democracy, she was using her time on the stage to do the same.

Please help Myanmar. We need your urgent international help right now, she said, before thanking Miss Grand for the opportunity to speak about the situation in her home country.

More than 420 people have been killed since the coup and the death toll is steadily rising as the ruling junta grows more forceful with their suppression of opposition to the militarys takeover.

Among the reported fatalities on Saturday were several children under 16 years old, including a 13-year-old girl.

On Sunday, protesters returned to the streets of Myanmar to continue their call for a return to democracy, despite Saturdays atrocities.

Demonstrations were held around the country, including its two biggest cities Yangon and Mandalay.

Some protests were once again met with police force.

Additional reporting by Associated Press
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th March, 2021) Panama is restricting the entry of foreigners from all South American countries starting Wednesday, after a case of the Brazilian variant was confirmed in a patient who had traveled to Brazil, Panama's Health Ministry has announced.

"We are temporarily suspending the entry into the country of any person who has stayed or transited through any South American country in the past 15 days, except for nationals and residents of Panama, who upon entering must take a #COVID19 test and enter quarantine," the ministry said on Twitter on Saturday.

The new restrictions on travel will come into force on Wednesday, March 31, the ministry specified, adding that the measures were prompted by the discovery of the Brazilian strain in the country.

"The P1 Sars Cov-2 variant was detected in the country in a positive patient from Brazil," the ministry said, adding that the foreigner had been living in Panama, but traveled to her country of origin and tested positive for COVID-19 upon her return to Panama from Brazil.

According to the latest health ministry data, Panama has a total of 353,497 confirmed coronavirus cases, while the country's COVID-19 death toll stands at over 6,000.
The following excerpt is from Timothy P. Sewards book Ultimate Guide to Amazon Advertising. Buy it now from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound or click here to buy it directly from us and SAVE 60% on this book when you use code MARKET2021 through 4/24/21.

When considering Amazons scope, one critical fact is hidden from the average consumer: Amazon only makes about half their sales as a first-party retailer. As of Q3, 2018, 53 percent of all paid units on the site were sold by third-party marketplace sellers.

So Amazon takes half the deck and then splits the other half among roughly 2 million sellers competing in their marketplace. If you want to know how to get a piece of either deck, you should understand how the infrastructure for selling on or to Amazon caters primarily to brand owners.

Stacking your deck

The first step toward stacking the revenue growth deck in your favor is to realize that consumers are loyal to brands, not retailers or sellers. Resellers make one-off sales. Brands can create loyal customers. So youre already one step ahead if your company owns one or more brands.

If you are a reseller of products in a specific category, why not begin the journey toward building your own brand?

In our hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, the month of May kicks off the summer concert season. There are so many bands and artists to see. The energy and excitement that comes from hearing your favorite music performed live by the original artist while youre surrounded by friends and neighbors is almost indescribable.

But for every top performer who is hugely successful at what they do (and rich because of it), there are thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of musicians who are struggling, pounding the pavement, and working gigs at small clubs hoping to hit it big.

The same is true in business generally and brand commerce specifically. For every Apple, Staples, Amazon, and Macys, there are thousands more companies that are just doing OK.

As you consider how best to build your brand on Amazon, think broadly about your game plan for optimal success. Here are a few key strategies to help you focus your efforts on finding even greater success in commerce -- whether youre celebrating your fifth year in business or your 50th.

Related: How To Win in Today's Amazon World

Key 1: You understand the mind of the buyer

You sell products and services where you keenly understand the mind of the buyer. The more you understand the buyer -- their needs or desires, what theyre willing to pay good money for, why they buy -- the easier it will be to make great decisions. If you dont know what they want, then survey them until you do.

At ROI Revolution, were always asking questions to better serve our clients, and you should do the same. We ask questions like:

Would you recommend us to your friends and colleagues?

What about your business keeps you awake at night?

What was the specific pain you wanted to address just before you hired us?

What enabled you to eventually trust us?

What other marketing services do you need or want?

Think of questions to ask customers or potential customers so you can better address their needs and wants.

Key 2: Youre doing something you have intense enthusiasm for

Have you ever studied the tour calendar for a major band or artist? Lubbock, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Lafayette, Louisiana; St. Louis, Missouri; Noblesville, Indiana; on and on it goes as they crisscross the country in their tour buses and big rigs. Night after night, its the same performance, the same songs, again and again and again.

But when your favorite band comes to play, even if its the 37th stop of the tour for the artist, for the audience, its magic. Its as if they came to play just for you and your friends. How do they stay fresh?

In two words: intense enthusiasm. A talented artist bemoans the end of the tour. Make sure youre doing or selling something for which you have, or can develop, an intense enthusiasm for. And if youve already created success but lose enthusiasm for your work, the success soon leaves you.

For your brand, develop and market products you truly believe in and are excited about.

Related: Advertising Is Growing Amazon's Business, So Let Amazon Help Grow Yours Too

Key 3: You build and promote your own brand

Virtually every artist starts out performing covers of other artists songs in small clubs. However, name one major band or artist who makes performing other bands popular songs their core repertoire. You cant. Sure, most artists perform some songs by other bands, but its not their whole act.

The same rule applies to products. Its fine if you start off selling other companies products, but focus on getting to the point where youre selling your own trademark-protected products (i.e., under your own brand or label).

A well-designed Amazon brand strategy does three things:

It controls pricing and product distribution (because if you sell products to distributors, youll likely find some or all of them on Amazon, even if you dont deal with Amazon directly). It enhances product listings so your brand is well-represented and consumers are fully informed of what your brand offers. It accelerates sales (on and off Amazon) with advertising.

Did you enjoy your book preview? Click here to grab a copy todaynow 60% off when you use code MARKET2021 through 4/24/21.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
[March 28, 2021] Viakoo Awarded Patent for Cyber Security of Remote IP Devices

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMMEDIATE ALERT, this release supersedes the Friday, March 26th press release. Please refer to the content in this release. Viakoo , a leading provider of solutions for managing and securing distributed IoT devices, has been awarded a patent for their innovative method of remotely updating and managing a multitude of IP connected devices regardless of whether they reside on isolated networks, local networks, or wide area networks. Unmanaged and IoT devices increase the risk of cyber vulnerabilities and other operational challenges when they are using outdated firmware or lack certificate management. This innovative Viakoo solution specifically addresses a critical growing cyber-physical system security challenge for organizations that have large numbers of both managed and unmanaged IoT devices across their enterprise infrastructure.

Modern IP networks have enabled valuable improvements in the capabilities, management and operational controls across almost every industry, and every size of organization, said Bud Broomhead, Viakoo CEO. Viakoo offers solutions that allow every organization to dramatically mitigate risks while maintaining complex enterprise installations employing myriad managed and unmanaged IoT devices. Many organizations have installed a broad range of IP devices over time, including security cameras, access controllers, sensors, printers, and scores of unmanaged IoT devices. As a result, these organizations employ numerous devices from different manufacturers, many of which are undetected on the network. Keeping track of exactly what devices are installed and where they reside on the network presents a considerable challenge. Even more challenging is managing critical cyber-hygiene functions, such as firmware updates, managing certificates, and ensuring operational integrity. Until now, it has been quite common for technicians to manually heck each device to confirm their status, make firmware updates, or log into unique consoles for each manufacturer. Because of the onerous nature of these tasks, many firms do them rarely, delegate them to contractors, or even neglect to do them at all. In particular, the lack of timely firmware updates leaves organizations vulnerable to multiple known threats. Those that do maintain their IoT devices often resort to default or common shared passwords to simplify the update effort, defeating corporate governance. Despite widespread use of certificates (TLS or 802.1x) to secure traditional IT systems, they have not been widely used for IoT devices due to lacking an effective way to remotely connect to the device. The result of not being able to address comprehensive cyber hygiene is a growing attack surface from unmanaged and IoT devices.



This patent provides a mechanism to update several functions at the device level regardless of where the devices reside on the network. Using Viakoos remote management capability it is now possible to implement an improved and more scalable solution that maintains software updates, manages certificates, and enforces password policies for large numbers of IoT devices across multiple distributed networks, thereby improving both operational outcomes and organizational security. Most important, the new Viakoo solution does not rely on any shortcuts  maintaining maximum security in protocols, passwords, and verifications. For more information on Viakoo, visit www.viakoo.com or email sales@viakoo.com.

About Viakoo

Viakoo makes things work securely. Viakoos vision is for every connected enterprise device to be 100% visible, operational, and secured. The agentless Viakoo Action Platform keeps distributed unmanaged and IoT environments secure and continuously operational at the lowest risk and cost. Automated device cyber hygiene is reliably updated at scale with firmware, passwords, and certificates to elevate security posture and system performance to enterprise IT expectations. Viakoo Inc. is a leader in cyber hygiene for connected devices, located in Mountain View, California, USA. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a0d8645-bec8-42bd-84a4-932c95e18ebd EDITORIAL CONTACT

Miguelina Diakite

LRG Marketing Communications

203-252-2173

Mdiakite@LRGmarketing.com



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
New Delhi:

Five security personnel were killed after a remote-controlled bomb went off at a roadside at Pakistans northwestern tribal region sharing borders with Afghanistan on Sunday.

A Pakistani officials told the media that the incident occurred in Bajaur Agency's Loye Mamond area.

He added that the blast place in the town of Mamoond, around 25 kilometres from Khar  one of the country's seven semi-autonomous tribal districts where the army has been battling Taliban.

The official further added that five Levies personnel were patrolling in Garigal area when the vehicle was targeted with a remote-controlled explosive device. All five personnel sitting in the vehicle were killed in the incident site.

Also Read: Pakistan: Quetta blast kills 5, injures several other near IGP office



One of the five killed in the bomb blast has been identified as the local Tehsildar Fawad Ali.

Pakistani Army have launched a massive search operation in the area to nab the blast executors and have cordoned the area.

Also Read| Balochistan blast: Death toll rises to 25 in suicide attack, Senate deputy chairman Abdul Ghafoor Haideri escapes with injuries



The Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the explosion. The outfit in a statement said It wanted to eliminate the black infidel democratic system in Pakistan and impose Islamic justice system.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
ST. PETERSBURG  City officials canceled this Thursdays City Council meeting because of a coronavirus outbreak inside City Hall.

It will be the first time a council meeting was canceled due to COVID-19 since that body resumed in-person meetings last fall.

We had a few cases on the second floor of City Hall (where council members and the mayoral administration have offices), and just in an abundance of caution, it made sense to go ahead and cancel next weeks meeting, Council Chair Ed Montanari said Sunday.

He said it was his call to cancel the meeting after officials received confirmation of three cases in the building. The councils administrative officer, Cindy Sheppard, circulated an email Friday afternoon announcing the cancellation.

Montanari did not release any information about those who tested positive, citing privacy concerns. He said no elected officials were among the group.

Ben Kirby, the spokesman for Mayor Rick Kriseman, said that any city employees with direct or prolonged exposure to positive individuals will be following protocols.

The council went on hiatus for several weeks when the virus first took hold last spring, then started holding virtual meetings.

In November, by order of Gov. Ron DeSantis, local governments were forced to resume in-person meetings. City workers installed plexiglass dividers to separate council members on the dais and officials implemented a host of safety measures to ensure members of the public who attended meetings could do so while remaining distanced.

All the items on the April 1 agenda will be bumped to April 8. Montanari said city attorneys confirmed there are no legal issues with delaying this weeks agenda.

Among those items bumped from the April 1 meeting to April 8: A request filed by Council member Robert Blackmon asking the council to terminate Krisemans state of emergency, which he declared a year ago, by passing a resolution making findings concerning the absence of an immediate danger to the public health, safety, or welfare of the city with respect to COVID-19.
The boss of AstraZeneca is to fly back to Europe from his Australian home as he battles a public relations crisis over the firm's Covid vaccine.

Pascal Soriot has spent three months Down Under, where his family lives, after spending Christmas there.

He remained in Sydney due to lockdown restrictions even as his UK company became embroiled in its row with the EU over supplies of the jab.

Questions: A source at AstraZeneca said Pascal Soriot would return to Britain as soon as lockdown restrictions lift

It is said to have prompted questions about whether the chief executive was spending enough time in Britain. Allies insist he is managing the firm effectively remotely.

A source at the firm said Soriot, 61, would return to Britain as soon as lockdown restrictions lift.

It comes after European politicians, including French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Angela Merkel, criticised AstraZeneca for failing to deliver millions of vaccine doses it was said to have promised. Some even accused it of 'dishonesty' and favouritism towards Britain.

The firm, which said it would not make a profit from the vaccine, has rejected this and insists it is doing all it can to produce the bloc's doses.

French-born Soriot has been running the drugs giant from his home and an office at one of its plants nearby.

He is a naturalised citizen of Australia and moved there with his family in 1990. It is where his two children and grandchild live.

Insiders at AstraZeneca said Soriot was working 'European business hours' and his ability to manage the firm was not hampered by having to communicate by video-conference or phone. Although he is thought to have the support of the board, he has faced calls from other quarters to resign.

Peter Bach, director of the Center for Health Outcomes at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, warned that disputed figures in vaccine data published by AstraZeneca could undermine confidence in the firm's jab and cause a public health 'catastrophe'.

Top-20 shareholder Royal London has rallied to Soriot's defence, however, saying his efforts during the pandemic had been 'heroic'.

One unnamed investor said the firm was being 'treated unfairly', and the row was sure to 'blow over'.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 28) -- Progressive groups from different sectors called on President Rodrigo Duterte to step down, saying he has not done enough to address the pandemic.

The groups said they disagree with the imposition of new enhanced community quarantine restrictions, saying that aid be given to affected sectors instead.

"Para po sa interes ng masang anakpawis at sambayanang Pilipino, ang hiling namin Pangulo, ay mag-resign na kayo," said Danilo Ramos, chairperson of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, at an online press conference on Sunday,

[Translation: In the interest of workers and all Filipinos, we ask Mr. President, that you resign.]

At the same event, Kilusang Mayo Uno secretary general Jerome Adonis said workers continue to denounce the government for its alleged failure to address the crisis despite the extended lockdowns.

Adonis said the strict protocols merely prevent people from going about their daily activities but leave them with little to eat. He added that their criticism of the government had put their lives at risk after state forces linked them to rebel groups.

He said the lack of clear direction from the government may lead to what he called an "unlimited ECQ."

"Gagamitin 'yung paulit-ulit na rason na lumalaki 'yung bilang nung infected kaya mauuwi tayo sa posibleng unlimited ECQ...at hindi po tayo dapat pumayag sa ganitong sitwasyon," added Adonis.

[Translation: The issue of the rising number of infections will be repeatedly used, so there's a possibility that we'll end up with unlimited ECQ...and we shouldn't agree to this situation.]

Delen De la Paz, chairperson of Health Alliance for Democracy, said the pandemic is a health crisis and that the response must be based on science.

"We are willing to do our part but the government must do its job," she said.

Representatives from Kadamay, Piston, Migrante Philippines, Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Health Alliance for Democracy, Gabriela Women's Party-list, Anakbayan and Gabriela all voiced their dissatisfaction with the government, saying not enough help was given to the poor.

Malacanang has not issued a statement on the matters raised by the groups.

On Saturday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal will once again revert to stricter stay-at-home rules for a week starting March 29 until Easter Sunday, April 4.
University of Kelaniyas 116th General Convocation held under COVID guidelines View(s):

The 116th General Convocation of the University of Kelaniya was held on March 16 at the Senate Room in the University of Kelaniya.

Degrees were awarded to graduands who have completed degree programmes at the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, degrees were awarded in absentia.

During the convocation nine graduands of the Doctor of Philosophy Degree, sixteen graduands of the Master of Philosophy Degree, nine graduands of the Master of Science Degree, five graduands of the Master of Social Sciences Degree, six graduands of the Master of Human Resource Management Degree, five graduands of the Master of Business (Finance) Degree, one graduand of the Master of Business (Accounting) Degree, 12 graduands in the Master of Business Administration Degree, 22 graduands in the Master of Arts (two-year) Degree, five in the Master of Science (one-year) Degree, 101 graduands in the Master of Arts Degree, four graduands of the Postgraduate Diploma, thirty five graduands of the Master of Arts (Special) Degree, one graduand of the Business Management (Special) Degree in Human Resource Management, one graduand of the Business Management (Special) Degree in Accounting, one graduand of the Master of Arts (Honours) Degree, one graduand of the Bachelor of Naval Studies Degree

in Maritime Warfare were given

their certificates.

University of Kelaniya Vice Chancellor Nilanthi de Silva, Registrar W. M. Karunarathne and the Deans of the faculties were among the participants of this special ceremony.

(By Nilanthi Wickramasinghe)

News

Washington, DC - A Minnesota woman pleaded guilty Friday to one count of delivering national defense information to aid a foreign government.

According to court documents, Mariam Taha Thompson, 63, formerly of Rochester, Minnesota, worked as a contract linguist at an overseas U.S. military facility where she was entrusted with a top secret government security clearance. Thompson pleaded guilty to transmitting highly sensitive classified national defense information to a foreign national who she believed would provide the information to Lebanese Hizballah, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Thompson jeopardized the lives of members of the U.S. military as well as other individuals supporting the United States in a combat zone when she passed classified information to a person she knew was connected to Lebanese Hizballah, a foreign terrorist organization which intended to use the information to hurt this country, said Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers for the Justice Department's National Security Division. To describe this conduct is to condemn it. She will now be held to account for this disgraceful personal and professional betrayal of country and colleagues.

The United States entrusted the defendant with highly-sensitive classified information regarding one of its most critical tools  human intelligence in an active combat zone, said Acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips for the District of Columbia. The defendants complete betrayal of that trust placed the lives of American men and women on the battlefield, and their allies, in grave danger. Thompsons arrest and prosecution demonstrate that those who intentionally compromise classified information that is entrusted to them will face swift and dire consequences.

Its astounding that an American working for the U.S. military overseas would abandon her country in favor of terrorists, said Assistant Director Alan E. Kohler Jr. for the FBIs Counterintelligence Division. The FBI and its partners placed a high priority on this case because the defendant provided classified defense information to a foreign terrorist organization, information that put members of the U.S. military in harms way.

Todays plea is an example of the FBIs work and commitment to protecting the United States and our national defense information, said Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. DAntuono for the FBI Washington Field Office. Holding a top secret government security clearance bears a responsibility and commitment to our nation, and betrayal of that trust will not be tolerated. The FBI is charged with safeguarding our nations information and will work diligently, along with our partners, to protect intelligence and national security information and relentlessly pursue those who choose to betray their country."

During todays plea hearing, Thompson admitted that, beginning in 2017, she started communicating with her unindicted co-conspirator using a video-chat feature on a secure text and voice messaging application. Over time, Thompson developed a romantic interest in her co-conspirator. Thompson learned that the unindicted co-conspirator had a family member who was in the Lebanese Ministry of the Interior, and that the unindicted co-conspirator claimed to have received a ring from Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Lebanese Hizballah.

In December 2019, while Thompson was assigned to a special operations task force facility in Iraq, the United States launched a series of airstrikes in Iraq targeting Kataib Hizballah, an Iranian-backed foreign terrorist organization. These airstrikes culminated in a Jan. 3, 2020, strike that resulted in the death of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force commander Qasem Suleimani, as well as the founder of Kataib Hizballah, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Following Suleimanis death, the unindicted co-conspirator started asking Thompson to provide them with information about the human assets who had helped the United States to target Suleimani. Thompson admitted that she understood them to be Lebanese Hizballah, including an unnamed high-ranking military commander.

After receiving this request for information in early January 2020, Thompson began accessing dozens of files concerning human intelligence sources, including true names, personal identification data, background information and photographs of the human assets, as well as operational cables detailing information the assets provided to the U.S. government. Thompson used several techniques to pass this information on to the unindicted co-conspirator, who told her that his contacts were pleased with the information, and that the Lebanese Hizballah military commander wanted to meet Thompson when she came to Lebanon.

When she was arrested by the FBI on Feb. 27, 2020, Thompson had used her access to classified national defense information to provide her co-conspirator with the identities of at least eight clandestine human assets; at least 10 U.S. targets; and multiple tactics, techniques and procedures. Thompson intended and had reason to believe that this classified national defense information would be used to the injury of the United States and to the advantage of Lebanese Hizballah.

Thompson faces a maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only. The sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Todays guilty plea was the result of the significant cooperation between law enforcement, the Department of Defense and the intelligence community in the successful resolution of this investigation led by the FBI Washington Field Office.

National Security Division Trial Attorneys Jennifer Kennedy Gellie of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Jennifer Levy of the Counterterrorism Section, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia John Cummings are prosecuting the case.
View the circumstances as an opportunity to put in place procedures and infrastructure to modernise our approach: CA judges By Ranjith Padmasiri View(s): View(s):

The countrys judiciary must resolve to do its part in forging a modern, efficient system that rivals its rich legal heritage, new Court of Appeal (CA) President Arjuna Obeyesekere said.

Speaking during the Ceremonial Sitting held at the Superior Court complex on Tuesday (23) to welcome him and seven other CA Judges, Justice Obeyesekere noted that owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ceremonial Sitting was being held more than three months after their appointments, and after nearly a term had passed since the Judges commenced sittings.

Whilst we should, no doubt, be sympathetic to the litigants and lawyers who have languished due to the pandemic, I believe the correct approach should be to view the circumstances as an opportunity to put in place procedures and infrastructure to modernise our approach, he opined.

He noted that due to the efforts of the Digitisation Committee appointed by the Minister of Justice, systems are now in place so that virtual proceedings could be carried out in the event of any exceptional circumstances in the future.

Meanwhile, prisoners were not being brought to court as a COVID-19 precautionary measure. Nearly 900 appeals filed by those convicted by High Court were piling up in the CA. Once again, technology came to the courts assistance, with facilities being made available in four prisons, for appellants to watch live court proceedings in the three Courts of Criminal Appeal to hear their appeals, Justice Obeyesekere noted.

We are now in the process of introducing several new features to the website of the Court of Appeal. By the end of April, lawyers and litigants will be able to access the daily court list which will contain several options to search their case by Court, case number, time of hearing or by purpose  i.e. whether it is fixed for support, mention, argument etc. One would also be able to search Judgments by keywords, case number, topic or date, and access journal entries of all cases after February 15, 2021. Any person would also be able to see the numbers and names of parties in all new cases that have been filed in 2021. In addition, lawyers and litigants would be able to make a request via email for certified copies and have them posted to their address, thereby negating the need to call over at the Registry. We also plan to introduce a Mobile Application so that lawyers can access the above while on the move, he further explained.

Justice Menaka Wijesundera remarked that during her eleven and half year career as a High Court Judge, she served in many provinces in the country and observed the cultural and social differences from province to province. This variation influenced the nature of cases pending in the courts I presided, she observed.

She noted that they were gathered for the Ceremonial Sitting under very unusual circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We all know the impact it has had on our lives. We, as members of the legal fraternity, are trying our level best to function in the court system as normal as possible.

Upon such a demanding situation, we have gathered here today, and I take this opportunity to remind myself of the onerous duty that is cast upon me by being appointed to this bench, and I, pledge to uphold the rule of law and weigh the scales of justice accordingly, she added.

Justice D N Samarakoon meanwhile, stated that his aim as a Judge was to do justice to the contenders of the dispute presented to him for adjudication, not forgetting the fragrance of just mercy.

The character of our nation is not reflected in how we treat the rich and the privileged, but how we treat the poor, the disfavoured and the condemned, he said. Justice Samarakoon opined that this was the best way to achieve natural justice and just mercy for humans.

Justice Prasantha De Silva recalled that during his short spell as a CA Judge, he came across a situation where applications are being made for postponements of arguments by the Junior Counsel, on the ground that the Senior Counsel is held up in the Supreme Court or in the Presidents Court in the Court of Appeal.

He requested Senior Counsels to allow their retained Juniors to argue cases in the Court of Appeal to prevent the laws delays.

Justice De Silva also noted that during his judicial journey, there were instances where Judges had to face embarrassing and unpleasant situations that attempted to tarnish our images through social media and other means, and be victimised with the motive of damaging our credibility to jeopardise the professional prospects of our careers. He said the Attorney General and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka should intervene in this respect and take necessary precautions to safeguard the rights of judges.

The Judiciary and the Bar must remember that they all have a common goal to achieve, which is to dispense justice to the litigants who come before courts seeking redress, Justice Mohamed Laffar pointed out. Whatever may be the obstacles that stand in our way to do justice, we should continue to stand committed to deliver justice both to the citizens and the State without fear or favour.

The Judiciarys conduct must be transparent and there shouldnt be any room for any doubt of compromise. Where the lawyers are concerned, they must guide and advise those who sit in Judgment, he added.

To achieve this end, we need a strong Bar. As often said, strong Bar begets a strong Bench, he stressed.

The issue of laws delays is much discussed in judicial circles and there are various reasons for them, Justice Pradeep Kirtisinghe said in his address.

I have come across many partition actions pending in the District Courts for more than 20-25 years. It is my view that the Judges in the Minor Judiciary can play a very important role in resolving such disputes within the framework of the law. The methods of alternate dispute resolution should be improved. The lawyers have a very important role to play in settling cases. Free Legal Aid should be provided for the poor, he explained.

Firstly as a lawyer, and more importantly as a Judge, I realise the value of giving a fair hearing to parties before deciding on a matter, which is of fundamental tenet and of vital importance, and also the necessity of delivering the judgments without undue delay, a practice I have always strived to follow, Justice Sampath Abayakoon told the gathering.

Justice Abayakoon assured that he would do his utmost to uphold the dignity and the standards of the high judicial office he holds by dispensing justice fairly equally and expeditiously to all, and to the best of his ability.

The duty of a judicial officer is sacred, and the sacrosanct character of the office could be maintained only upon public confidence, said Justice Sampath Wijeratne.

During my career as a member of the bar and in the judiciary, I have witnessed how the public respects the judiciary. It is left to the members of the judiciary to maintain that respect and confidence, he added.

I have at all times made every endeavour to maintain the publics confidence and the confidence of the bar. I look forward to continuing the spirit of cooperation and confidence in the future, Justice Wijeratne added.

Attorney General Dappula De Livera and outgoing Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Kalinga Indatissa also addressed the gathering.

The Ceremonial Sitting for seven other CA Judges  S U B Karaliyadde, Ratnapriya Gurusinghe, Dhammika Ganepola, Khema Swarnadhipathi, Mayadunne Corea, Prabaharan Kumararatnam and Neil Iddawala was held on Wednesday (24). Their speeches will be carried in next weeks issue of the Sunday Times.

See for full speeches for Tuesdays ceremonial sittings:

1. Justice Arjuna Obeyesekere

2. Justice Menaka Wijesundera

3. Justice D.N. Samarakoon

4. Justice Prashantha De Silva

5. Justice Mohamed Laffar

6. Justice Pradeep Kirtisinghe

7. Justice Sampath Abayakoon

8. Justice Sampath Wijeratne
Chiles Casillero del Diablo makes move into Spain

Chilean wine brand Casillero del Diablo is entering the Spanish wine category in the UK with the launch of a varietal Tempranillo wine.

The wine was sourced by Max Weinlaub, lead winemaker on the project at brand owner Concha y Toro, from Bodegas Ignacio Marin in the small northern Spanish region of Carinena.

The region doesnt feature on the label as the wine is being bottled in the UK, falling outside of the Carinena DO.

Weinlaub said he had first looked at making the wine in La Mancha.

I visited many different wineries and tasted wines but I was not very happy with the quality for this particular wine, he said.

Rioja was a natural option but why do we need to make more Rioja wine when we want to make a Tempranillo with the Casillero del Diablo style?

The bottle comes with a neck band in the Spanish colours of red and yellow describing it as smooth Spanish Tempranillo.

Alex Price, category and insights controller at CyT UK, said the companys research had showed an opportunity for a branded Spanish Tempranillo to challenge Campo Viejo Rioja and own-label.

Outside of those we found the category was highly fragmented and lacked any other scaleable brand in mass market distribution, she said.

We discovered there was big gap for a smooth, easy drinking, more premium positioned mass market brand to really drive some scale within the category. It is a natural evolution of the Casillero brand.

Spain is a growing category but its growth is being slowed by switching losses to other categories, where shoppers take their spend from Spain and spend it anther category. Chile is one of the countries that is benefitting from this.

She added that consumers see a link between Chile and Spain driven by their strong cultural connections, and that its research had shown that a small number of consumers already assumed that Casillero del Diablo was a Spanish brand.

The new wine will feature in Casillero del Diablos ongoing sponsorship of Sky Cinema, and will be supported by outdoor advertising, digital activity and in-store POS.

The wine will be available in all off-trade channels with an rrp in line with other Casillero del Diablo wines, at 8 off-promotion and 6 on-promotion.

Related articles:
A top private school whose A-list alumni include Orlando Bloom, Helena Bonham Carter and Brooklyn Beckham has called in police to investigate a claim of sexual misconduct against a male pupil.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that female pupils made a number of allegations to staff at the 22,000-a-year Fine Arts College in Hampstead, North London, earlier this month.

It is understood that a male pupil has been suspended pending an investigation by the police and school authorities, which the school yesterday confirmed was ongoing.

Parents of the school's 200 pupils, who are aged between 13 and 19, have been informed and a number of female pupils are understood to have been spoken to by officers.

The allegations come as investigations continue at three other London fee-paying schools  Latymer Upper, Highgate and Dulwich College  after claims of rape and sexual assault.

A top private school whose A-list alumni include Orlando Bloom, Helena Bonham Carter and Brooklyn Beckham has called in police to investigate a claim of sexual misconduct against a male pupil

One source connected to the Fine Arts College said: 'It's been quite a shock for the students and is very much the talk of the school, but everyone, including the parents, has been impressed with how swiftly the staff have acted.

'There has been full transparency and the priority is to keep these youngsters safe from any harm.'

The Fine Arts College boasts a long list of showbusiness celebrities among its former pupils, most recently Brooklyn Beckham, 21, eldest child of David and Victoria, who studied photography there.

His peers include Rafferty Law, the son of actors Jude Law and Sadie Frost, and Anais Gallagher, daughter of Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher and ex-wife Meg Mathews.

The allegations come as investigations continue at three other London fee-paying schools  Latymer Upper, Highgate and Dulwich College (pictured)  after claims of rape and sexual assault

Hollywood star Bloom attended the college in 1993 to study A-levels in drama, photography and sculpture.

Keith Allen's actor son Alfie Allen was also a pupil as were supermarket heir Alex Sainsbury and the rock star Johnny Borrell of Razorlight.

Specialising in creative subjects such as arts and the media, the school was founded in 1978 by artists Nicholas Cochrane and Candida Cave, who is now Principal.

It offers more than 25 A-level subjects in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and 15 subjects at GCSE. Its website describes the ethos as 'encouraging self-discipline and self-motivation'.

Last night, a spokesman for Fine Arts College said: 'We understand the police are investigating allegations of sexual misconduct off school premises made against a student.

'The College takes reports of unacceptable behaviour extremely seriously and we have been guided by our safeguarding policy relating to such allegations, involving external agencies as appropriate.'

Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop.

Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News

Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time.

Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up!

Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.
US forces Xinjiang forced labor narrative on enterprises, industry agencies

Global Times) 16:05, March 28, 2021

Photo taken on Oct. 17, 2020 shows a machine harvesting cotton in a field in Wenjiazhuang Village, Manasi County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

Using the pretext of "forced labor" to pressure and sanction other countries' companies has been an old trick of the US, which is now exerting extreme pressure on companies in cotton-related industries in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Apart from coming up with lies about "forced labor" to contain China, anti-China forces in the US and the West have also released reports, held hearings and taken other measures to slander China's Xinjiang policies. They have also tried to draw US and European companies, including Adidas and Nike, into their campaign. They have also persuaded the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), a nongovernmental organization with head offices in Geneva and London that aims to promote better standards in cotton farming, to suspend licensing in China's Xinjiang region, even though it contradicts the results of its own Shanghai office's investigations.

How the lies began

The current systematic slandering of China's policies in Xinjiang started with the hyping of the education and vocational training centers in the region. The Information Office of China's State Council released a white paper in August 2019, explaining that the training centers had been set up to root out terrorism and extremism, and that trainees' rights and interests were protected. Since then, anti-China forces in the West and the US began to create "new weapons" - the issue of "forced labor" - to continuously defame China's Xinjiang, analysts said.

The Associated Press released a report on December 18, 2018, claiming that after looking into the sources of Badger Sportwear, a leading supplier in Statesville, North Carolina, and Hetian Taida Apparel in Hotan Prefecture in southern Xinjiang, it found that many products exported to the US were made through "forced labor."

The AP report gave the US more excuses to interfere with China's policies in Xinjiang. US Customs and Border Protection then released a statement, saying that the AP report "for the first time appears to link the internment camps identified in Western China to the importation of goods produced by forced labor by a US company."

On December 2, 2020, the US Homeland Security Department announced it would seize all cotton and cotton-related products from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) at all US ports, as the XPCC may be using "forced labor."

While the media pushed the "forced labor" issue and the US government took its measures, NGOs and anti-China politicians appeared to further burnish these lies. In January 2020, the US Fair Labor Association (FLA) released a report titled "Forced labor risk in Xinjiang, China."

In March, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), an Australia-based organization, released a report titled "Uyghurs for sale," claiming that Uygurs were being forced to work in factories in the Xinjiang region and other cities across China.

The Global Times has learned that in response to questions on "forced labor," the Shanghai office of the BCI and Chinese yarn producer Huafu Fashion, a company that has frequently appeared in Western media's reports, organized investigations into the issue.

The "Huafu" brand has been around for 27 years and the company started doing business overseas 25 years ago, and has dealings with more than 900 BCI members. When the hyping of the "forced labor" issue began in March 2019 and some Western media, including the Wall Street Journal, claimed that Huafu had been involved in "forced labor," the company responded by taking active moves, including inviting a foreign third-party investigation team to carry out a survey of its factories in Xinjiang. Nothing abnormal was reported.

The Global Times has also visited companies in cotton-related industrial chains - from cotton plantations and ginning factories to yarn plants and garment factories, and found nothing pointing to the use of "forced labor." The entire industrial chain in Xinjiang has achieved mechanization, requiring fewer workers in recent years.

BCI and 10 of its members that are textile companies in Xinjiang also conducted surveys to determine if its affiliated factories were involved in "forced labor." The result was No.

The Global Times has learned that BCI's surveys in Xinjiang were carried out by its Shanghai office, which has direct communications with companies in Xinjiang. The investigations included field surveys of companies in Xinjiang, online surveys, organizing companies to complete self-evaluation forms and a third-party evaluation.

Wu Yan, head of the BCI Shanghai office, led a team to Xinjiang and confirmed with the Global Times that the office has regularly sent personnel to evaluate their program with Xinjiang companies for years and found nothing that violated "decent labor" principles.

In may 2020, Wu and her colleagues went to visit four cotton-related companies in the Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture and Urumqi to talk to farmers and employees about their living and working environment, salaries and accommodation. They found nothing that bore any relation to what some Western media claimed was "forced labor" and gave affirmative evaluations of these companies' contributions to local communities.

Based on what they learned in Xinjiang, the Shanghai office submitted several reports to the BCI head office, reaching the conclusion that "no forced labor" related issues have been found.

An employee works at a cotton factory in Manasi County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

'Conclusion' before investigation

However, the BCI head office seemed less than "satisfied" with the results. The head office also invited Verite, an organization that "provides businesses with tools that help to eliminate labor abuses," to investigate cases in Xinjiang.

The Global Times has learned from sources that members of Verite who were responsible for the "investigation" never went to Xinjiang to carry out any surveys. Instead, they obtained all their information by searching online and citing information from the US Congress, anti-China forces, including the World Uyghur Congress, and biased US-based organization Human Rights Watch. The Verite report called this "flawless data," thus reaching "flawless" conclusions.

Under great pressure from the US, some international companies were forced to pick sides in the "forced labor" stunt. The Global Times has learned that many BCI members, including Adidas and H&M, have organized investigations in Xinjiang. H&M also said in a release that although they did not purchase in Xinjiang, they went to factories in Aksu Prefecture and found no "evidence" of "forced labor."

After that, H&M came under pressure from the BCI head office. On September 15, 2020, the US Customs and Border Protection Bureau announced a ban on imports from five Chinese companies and a manufacturer over "forced labor." H&M then announced it would "phase out our indirect business relationship" with Huafu Fashion on September 16, 2020.

The US-based FLA has more than 100 member companies, including Adidas, Nike and Vetta. China is Adidas' second largest market globally, with sales in the country making up 20 percent of its global market. China is also Adidas' first market to see a recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources told the Global Times that after the ASPI report, Adidas sent two groups of people to related companies in Xinjiang but did not release the results, as they went against the BCI head office's findings.

On March 12, 2020, the New York Times released a report titled "US lawmakers propose tough limits on imports from Xinjiang" and noted that the Fair Labor Association, citing "credible reports of forced labor and other violations of fundamental human rights in the Xinjiang region," had asked its affiliates to investigate and identify alternative sources. Nike, Patagonia and other member companies answered FLA's call to cut purchases of Xinjiang products.

From March 2019 to February 2020, Huafu attended several online meetings of the BCI head office and reiterated that no "forced labor" existed in its companies. Wu Yan of BCI's Shanghai office also confirmed Huafu's findings.

None of this changed the attitude of the BCI head office.

On October 21, 2020, BCI released a notice on its website, announcing that it had taken the decision to cease all field-level activities in the region and had suspended licensing and assurance activities in Xinjiang.

Aerial photo taken on Oct. 17, 2020 shows a machine harvesting cotton in a field in Wenjiazhuang Village, Manasi County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

Source of bias

Why is the head office of the BCI so biased against China's Xinjiang? Sources who are familiar with the matter told the Global Times that out of the 10 BCI Council members, Huafu is the only one from China, and apart from one member from the BCI office, the other eight Council members are from the US. As membership fees are the only source of income for the BCI, companies from the US, including Levi's, have a greater voice and influence in the BCI Council.

The US Agency for International Development has also been found to be supporting and participating in BCI activities.

The Global Times has learned from sources that due to the tough attitude toward China and the BCI chairman's preference for the US, Huafu was forced to resign from the BCI council.

The executive group is headed by CEO Alan McClay, along with COO Lena Staafgard and directors Damien Sanfilippo, Alia Malik and Amy Jackson.

Influenced by the council team, the BCI head office set up a special team on April 1, 2020 to investigate "forced labor" in Xinjiang, which included 11 member retailers, consulting companies and civil organizations, such as Shelly Heald Han from the FLA, Komala Ramachandra from Human Rights Watch, and Allison Gill from International Labor Rights Forum.

Many of these people have engaged in anti-China activities. The investigation team also worked further with human rights organizations from the US and the UK and held meetings with BCI's leading team, exerting continued influence on BCI's judgements on the issue of "forced labor."

On June 3, 2020, BCI held a meeting with civil society organizations. In addition to members of the investigation team, the meeting was also attended by Louisa Greve, who is responsible for the Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP), a main project of the US-backed World Uyghur Congress. The project was funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which granted the UHRP a "whopping $1,244,698 between 2016 and 2019," according to the US-based news outlet The Grayzone.

The Global Times has learned from sources that the decision to suspend licensing in China's Xinjiang region was made during the meeting. The investigation team also required that any institutions that want to know about Xinjiang have the right to obtain information from BCI, and that BCI should tell the public that none of its decisions were related to the investigation team.

"Currently, BCI's activities in Xinjiang have been suspended, which means it has lost nearly 90 percent of its business in China - it is cutting off its own limbs," an insider who requested anonymity told the Global Times.

Although BCI has continuously made compromises to the US and helped to burnish the lies of "forced labor," the US has not softened its attitude in pressuring the organization. Since 2019, the US media has continued to mention BCI in its reports by questioning its credibility in setting criteria for cotton spinning industries.

In July 2020, the US Department of Agriculture established the US Cotton Trust Protocol, and asked all US companies to join the system. By using the excuse of "violating" US sanctions, the US also filed a lawsuit against BCI, as it was eager to take the lead in the making of rules in the international cotton and textile industries.

"BCI may currently remain the main player in making sustainable cotton standards, but the US is eroding its global stake," the anonymous insider said.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)
A young financial services worker who spotted a technical glitch in an online banking system and manipulated it to steal almost 25,000 has been given a three year suspended sentence.

Prince Joseph Ncube (24) was working in a separate financial institution in April 2017 when he became aware of a way to manipulate Bank of Irelands online banking system allowing him to create what are termed notional credits in his own bank account.

He opened up four deposit accounts in April 2017 which allowed him to transfer the funds between the various accounts to facilitate the theft.

Detective Garda Shane Fitzsimons told John Byrne BL, prosecuting, that the crime involved Ncube exploiting a sequencing and timing anomaly within the online banking system and began with him transferring 48 from one account to two separate accounts using two separate devices.

This then created a notional credit in one of the accounts meaning that it was credited to the tune of 48 even though the cash was not actually in the account. Ncube then transferred this 48 to another account again, creating more notional credits and thereby doubling the initial 48 to 96.

He continued in this manner, completing a large number of transfers between his bank accounts over a short period, until he had built up a notional credit balance in excess of 24,500.

Det Gda Fitzsimons agreed that Ncube only managed to withdraw 14,500 in cash before the bank became suspicious and the account was frozen. It was examined by a senior fraud investigator with Bank of Ireland and 10,000 was recovered.

The gardai were alerted in May 2017 and the bank provided officers with the documentation used to open the four deposit accounts the previous month. This led to Ncube being identified as a suspect and his arrest. He made limited admissions during subsequent garda interviews.

Ncube of Parnell Green, Ladyswell Road, Mulhuddart, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to theft from Bank of Ireland in April 2017. He has two previous convictions for road traffic offences but has not come to garda attention since.

Det Gda Fitzsimons agreed that given the sophisticated nature of the fraud Ncubes plea of guilty was valuable to the prosecution of the case.

He accepted a suggestion from Oisin Clarke BL, defending, that his client claims he gave the money he stole to a third party but he said he was not in a position to dispute this claim.

Judge Martin Nolan said Ncube was a a bright young man who spotted a gap and exploited this gap by stealing before he described it as a complicated and sophisticated way to steal.

He accepted Ncubes admissions, lack of relevant convictions, education and work history before he handed down a three-year sentence which he suspended in full on condition that Ncube pay 14,500 to the investigating garda for onward transmission to Bank of Ireland within six months.

Mr Clarke told Judge Nolan that his client was from a hard-working family and was currently working himself while studying part-time for a certificate in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Manufacturing in Tallaght Institute of Technology.

A letter from his mother and himself expressed his remorse and their disappointment in his behaviour. He had 7,000 in court which he had borrowed from his mother to compensate the bank and counsel said if he was given a number of weeks he would be able to get together the balance of 7,500.

His youth didnt allow him to think through the consequences of his actions at the time, Mr Clarke said, reminding Judge Nolan that his client was 20 years old at the time of the offence.

He was a very young man who did a very stupid thing but he has seemingly put it behind him, counsel said before he suggested that he didnt think it would benefit society to have Ncube in custody.
Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription.

Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service.
A 31-year-old man is in custody after authorities say he held his mother hostage during a nine-hour standoff with police in Luzerne County.

The incident started around 11 a.m. Saturday in Newport Township, where police say Robert Bond barricaded himself inside the home with his mother, WNEP reports.

Officials say shots were fired at one point in the home on Vandermark Road, but no one was struck, reports indicate.

The area was blocked off for hours, and some neighbors were not able to return home during the standoff, WBRE/WYOU is reporting.

According to reports, Bond had a shotgun and a revolver.

Police were able to negotiate with him, and he let his mother leave around 7:30 p.m., reports indicate. He surrendered about an hour later and was charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and kidnapping, according to reports.

I cant say enough about how they put themselves in harms way, to clear the neighboring residents to protect the civilians in the surrounding area and eventually successfully rescued the mother and the gunman himself, District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce told WNEP about the responding police. I am extremely proud of the work they did. We stand by them. But for that, this could have ended in tragedy.
President Joe Bidens first live Q&A with the media generated plenty of coverage but not much news. Critics complained that Biden consulted his briefing book, which provides the gallerys lead cartoon this week from Michael Ramirez of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Mike Luckovich drew the president clearing the low bar of not making a gaffe.

The president was asked repeatedly about the flood of unaccompanied minors crossing the Southern border, another hot topic in this weeks editorial cartoon gallery. Biden was pressed to permit media coverage of overcrowded holding facilities.

The weeks other big news story was a mass shooting at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado, which claimed 10 lives. Among the dead was Boulder Police Officer Eric Talley. The shootings came on the heels of another mass shooting in Atlanta targeting women of Asian descent. Biden renewed his call for a federal ban on assault-style weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. Cartoonists noted there is little appetite in Congress for gun legislation.

Other news items making their way into the cartoons this week include controversial Georgia laws regulating voting; crowds of young people on spring break in Florida; more discussion of eliminating the filibuster in the Senate; and proposed cutbacks in service at the U.S. Postal Service.

Cartoons were drawn by Nick Anderson, Bill Bramhall, Dan Wasserman, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and A.F. Branco, Mike Luckovich and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate.

View more editorial cartoon galleries.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 28)  Vice President Leni Robredo reiterated her call for a stronger coordination between the national government and local government units to better address the rising COVID-19 cases in the country.

In her radio show on Sunday, Robredo claimed LGUs are the "strongest link" in controlling the variant-driven surge in numerous regions, but they need further assistance in improving testing capacity, as well as quarantine and treatment efforts.

She called on the government to use the enhanced community quarantine period to fill the gaps in its pandemic response and assist LGUs in taking action.

"Iyong pinaka-strongest link iyong LGUs, pero kailangan kasi nilang tulungan. Kailangan din tulungan ang LGUs, kasi marami ding bagay na iyong national government iyong may capacity," Robredo said. "Kaya para sa akin, iyong sa week na ito, tingnan na iyong mga capacities ng LGUs. Iyong kulang ay punuan na, para naman buwelo sila."

[Translation: LGUs are our strongest link, but we need to help them. We also need to help LGUs because there are many things that only the national government has the capacity to do. So for me, let's take advantage of this week to look into the capacities of LGUs. All the gaps must be filled so they can fully respond.]

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has recommended placing Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal under a stricter enhanced community quarantine from March 29 to April 4 to curb infections.

READ: Metro Manila, four provinces shift to stricter ECQ for one week

Targeted testing needed

In her social media posts, Robredo also recommended a targeted testing approach among regions, noting that Metro Manila alone needs about 90,000 tests per day with its 20.17% positivity rate. This means for every five COVID-19 tests, one person yields a positive result.

"[It would have been] better if by LGU but there is no disaggregated data available per town/city/province on the tests conducted," she said.

The World Health Organization says the standard positivity rate should be kept below 5%. But the country recorded a 17.3% positivity rate and nearly 10,000 new COVID-19 cases on March 26.

Robredo showed a table from that day indicating samples tested, the positivity rate, and the ideal individual tests needed to reach a 5% positivity rate.

"Right now, were conducting between 30,000-50,000 tests per day all over the country. But if you look at this table, the positivity rates for some regions are so high that the number of tests we are conducting are no longer enough," she added.

The Office of the Vice President will launch on Monday its "Swab Cab" project, a free mobile antigen testing program to help localities detect COVID-19 cases.

On Saturday, the country recorded 9,595 new COVID-19 infections, pushing the total to 712,442. It was also the second consecutive day that the country logged more than 9,000 new cases. Active cases or currently ill patients also reached a new all-time high of 118,122, which is 16.6% of the case total.

READ: PH tallies 9,595 more COVID-19 infections as active cases reach new all-time high
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to investigate alleged misuse of the N4.5 billion donations, loans and support the Kogi State government obtained from the Federal Government, including N90,720,000 reportedly spent on software to track COVID-19 cases in the state.

PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported how the Kogi government spent over N90 million for a COVID-19 tracking software that the developers now sell for N300,000.

A Kogi official also admitted that the state government actually spent less than N1 million on the project and could not explain how the states official record showed the state spent N90.7 million for the software.

Read the full statement by SERAP calling for an investigation into the matter below.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to investigate alleged misuse of the N4.5 billion donations, loans and support the Kogi State government obtained from the Federal Government, including N90,720,000 reportedly spent on software to track COVID-19 cases in the state.

SERAP stated that if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence, anyone suspected to be involved should face prosecution, as appropriate.

In the letter dated 27 March 2021 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: Directing the Attorney General of the Federation and appropriate anti-corruption agencies as recommended is constitutional, and would be entirely consistent with your promise in your inaugural speech to ensure responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country.

SERAP quoted Buhari as promising in his inaugural speech on 29th May, 2015 that: The Federal Government would not fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments. It will ensure that the gross corruption at the local level is checked. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch.

SERAP stated: As you have correctly stated, the obligations of your government to combat corruption in Nigeria extend to all the three tiers of government, namely, the federal, state and local governments.

The letter, read in part: Although primarily a matter of concern for Kogi State, the allegations of misuse of COVID-19 funds drawn from the Federal Government have assumed such a proportion as to become a matter of concern to the federation as a whole, and therefore, to your government.

SERAP is concerned about growing allegations of corruption and mismanagement of public funds in several of the 36 states of the Federation, and the apparent lack of prompt, thorough, independent and transparent investigations into these allegations, allowing suspected perpetrators to frequently escape justice.

Taking prompt action to probe the allegations would promote transparency and accountability, serve the common good, peace, order and good government of the federation (which includes Kogi State). It would help to enhance your governments fight against corruption and contribute hugely to improving the public confidence and trust in your commitment to combat grand corruption.

We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request.

SERAP also believes that given the history of corruption in Nigeria, especially several unresolved allegations of grand corruption involving many of the 36 state governments, your government cannot and should not look the other way regarding the allegations of misuse of COVID-19 funds involving the Kogi State government. Such allegations in any state of Nigeria are of concern to every Nigerian, and should therefore be of concern to your government.

Taking the recommended measures would also show that your government is concerned with the overall well-being of the federation and willing and able to enforce important constitutional principles.

According to our information, the Kogi State Government in 2020 allegedly spent N90,720,000 on COVID-19 software. The software was reportedly approved Governor Yahaya Bello, for tracking COVID-19 cases and prevent the spread of the disease in the state. However, the company that developed the software has reportedly stated that it costs only N300,000.

The software has reportedly stopped functioning just one year after it was installed. The N90,720,000 spent on COVID-19 software is part of the N4.5 billion donations, loans and support, which Kogi State reportedly obtained from the Federal Government.

Ensuring the investigation and prosecution of the allegations would also be entirely consistent with the provisions of section 15 subsection (5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], which requires your government to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power, regardless of the state where such practices are taking place.

ADVERTISEMENT

Section 15 specifically defines government to include the government of the federation, or of any state, or of a local government council or any person who exercises power or authority on its behalf.

Similarly, the Attorney-General of the Federation has power, conferred on him by section 174(1)(a) of the Nigerian Constitution, and anti-corruption agencies have the powers to act on the allegations of misuse of the N4.5 billion donations, loans and support by the Kogi State government obtained, including N90,720,000 spent on software to track COVID-19 cases in the state.

Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution; the countrys international obligations including under the UN Convention against Corruption, and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, as well as your expressed commitment in your inaugural speech on 29th May, 2015 to check gross corruption at the local level.

The letter is copied to Mr Malami; Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); and Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Kolawole Oluwadare

SERAP Deputy Director
Police officers at all levels now receive family violence education through a Family Violence Centre of Learning. And notably, the language police used has also dramatically changed. In 2017, then Deputy Commissioner, and now Chief Commissioner, Shane Patton deliberately chose to compare family violence to terrorism, which marked another evolution in the Victoria Police response. The ramifications are the same in the long run, he said. We have death, we have serious trauma, we have serious injury and we have people impacted for the rest of their lives. A separate command structure was established to oversee the forces response, a move that its most senior officer, Assistant Commissioner Lauren Callaway, said demonstrates how seriously Victoria Police takes the issue, and its long-term commitment to both address the crime and its base causes, including gender inequality.

Ive been in the police force for 27 years, and I would say the last five years have been the most significant cultural shift in a policing organisation, Assistant Commissioner Callaway said. But theres still work to do. Lauren Callaway is the first woman Assistant Commissioner overseeing Victoria Polices family violence command. Credit:Eddie Jim Agencies supporting at-risk women say police responses are still inconsistent, and an inherent distrust of police from Aboriginal and migrant communities remains. Antoinette Braybrook, the chief executive of Aboriginal family violence prevention service Djirra, said police stations remained an unsafe place for women to report family violence. Our community experiences mistrust of police due to experiences of racial targeting and a long history of child removal, which has increased in Victoria over the past decade, Ms Braybrook said.

Our client experiences are not reflecting any overwhelming improvement in police response for Aboriginal women experiencing family violence. Womens Legal Service Victoria lawyers are in the courts on a daily basis, representing women and their children in family violence intervention order applications. The services acting chief executive Helen Matthews said they were pleased with Victoria Polices willingness to engage with support services, but there were still inconsistent responses on the ground. Some officers, in their applications for intervention orders before the court, were good at identifying women who were in fear and subject to controlling behaviour, even if they hadnt yet been subject to physical violence. But police needed to do more to encourage women to seek legal advice before their court dates, Ms Matthews said.

Worryingly, police were still mis-identifying women as the perpetrator when they attended incidents. We have women who have been experiencing family violence still being called out as the perpetrator and still not getting an opportunity to tell her story to the police because he listens to the male who answers the door when they attend, she said. Assistant Commissioner Lauren Callaway (second from left) pictured this week at the Wyndham Multidisciplinary Centre for Sexual Assault alongside Eleri Butler, CEO Family Safety Victoria (left), Domestic Violence Victoria boss Tania Farha (second from right) and Deputy Comissioner Wendy Steendam. Credit:Justin McManus Tania Farha, head of Domestic Violence Victoria, said the huge increase in reports to police (a record 92,521 reports last year) reflected a level of community confidence in police, but consistency was an issue. [Police] have made a series of efforts to try and build that consistency across the system, but theres so many call-outs its got to be a general response in the first instance and getting 15,000 members to have a consistent response is not easy, Ms Farha said.

Assistant Commissioner Callaway said consistency of practice was a key focus, and agreed more work needed to be done with marginalised communities, including LGBTIQ people, people with a disability and those who are culturally and linguistically diverse. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video These communities, she said, have unique needs and experience additional barriers in reporting family violence to police. Police will also continue, she said, to build greater trust and relationships with Aboriginal people who have experienced disproportionate harm. Weve had some really good practice, weve had some poor practice that still needs to be lifted, she said.

Loading Assistant Commissioner Callaway remembers about a decade ago when there were 25,000 reports a year and now, with more than triple the number family violence call-outs, she is often asked when the numbers will plateau. How many reports are acceptable? She said. I dont know the answer to that. I believe family violence is still under-reported, but community confidence has lifted and stigma has reduced, there is no doubt about it. She said Victoria Police was deeply committed to addressing family violence.
NEW HAVEN  The citys school district is down to three uniformed police officers for its buildings and that leaves Superintendent of Schools Iline Tracey with decisions to make for when high schools reopen April 5.

We are only going to get about three SROs this year, and I have to decide who gets them, Tracey said.

The district previously had nine school resource officers, and the reduction  partly due to city budget cuts  also comes as the Board of Education must consider a proposal to phase out its program of having police officers stationed in high schools.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

The phase-out proposal came from a committee the school board appointed after student activists last summer demanded that uniformed police officers be removed from New Haven schools during a youth-led Black Lives Matter march that drew thousands. As the issue remains a source of debate, the committees recommendation is for the district to wean itself off of uniformed police officers in schools, but without removing them from buildings right away.

It is the responsibility of schools to guard the socio-emotional and academic well-being of students, said committee Co-Chairman Carlos Torre, a former member of the school board and an education professor at Southern Connecticut State University. But, given the circumstances in which were living, you cant do that unless you also take care of the physical safety of students.

Police in schools

Lihane Arouna, a senior at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School who brought the issue to the school boards attention, said the presence of police in schools is seen as detrimental to many students overall mental health and engagement in school.

Many students feel criminalized and overly-monitored by them, she said.

School board member Darnell Goldson, who is Black, said he experienced police misconduct firsthand as a teenager.

They mess with you, they put you in jail, you go to court the next day and they dismiss the charges, he said. Thats happened to me.

As a result, Goldson said he understands why some teenagers feel the way they do.

Brian Zahn/Hearst Connecticut Media

Arouna said she believes the presence of police officers in schools contributes to the school-to-prison pipeline  a concept that Black and brown students experience disproportionately harsher discipline while in school, which subsequently leads to things such as academic exclusion for youths of color and eventually to things such as exposure to the justice system.

The people we do need in schools are mental health professionals, she said, school employees who can take a proactive approach to student discipline instead of a reactive approach.

Circumstances in the past year already had begun to decrease the number of resource officers in city schools. The school resource officers are employed by the city Police Department, but department cuts led to school resource officers being recalled back to the force. This year, the citys budget reduced the Police Departments sworn positions from 434 to 406.

Research

In two surveys of mostly New Haven students and parents commissioned by the committee, more than 60 percent of respondents said they think school resource officers are necessary in schools. More than two-thirds said they were opposed to having school resource officers removed from buildings.

The committee also evaluated district data to understand the prevalence of arrests in schools. The data shows there were 230 student arrests from 2014 to 2020 in New Haven schools, with a 39.4 percent decrease in arrests between the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years. Although one girl was arrested in 2014, by 2020 girls made up half of student arrests. Not all school-based arrests are done by school resource officers.

Michael Pavano, a teacher at the districts alternative high school and a former police officer as well as a co-chairman of the committee looking at the resource officer issue, said the citys number of school-based arrests puts it roughly on par with Stamford, Stratford and Norwalk.

The relationship between the New Haven Public Schools and the New Haven Police Department is governed by a memorandum of understanding from 2011  one that Torre said is outdated. The Register requested a copy of the MOU from the school district, Police Department and city; none was able to produce the document.

Debate

Goldson, though he noted he had had negative experiences with New Haven police in his youth, said he was undecided on the resource officer issue.

I get a lot of calls from people who work in the school system, especially security officers, who say, Please dont take these SROs away, we need them here, he said.

Board member Larry Conaway, a retired principal, said that when he was an administrator, school security guards were my first line of security before involving school resource officers. But he said he believes a lot of the discussion around school security can be muddied by the general public not knowing how to discern between school security  who are employed by the district  and school resource officers, who are uniformed police officers hired to the citys police force.

The discussion around SROs also is being argued at both the state and federal level. State Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, proposed a bill in the current legislative session to phase out school resource officers from schools. Although the General Assembly has not taken up the bill, Winfield said it is an important issue to discuss to prevent more arrests for children of color.

We keep trying to figure out how to make police officers work in schools, and thats not what we need in schools, he said. My opinion overall is, whether its an urban district or not, SROs do not belong in schools and that discipline is in the purview of district administrators. If there are resources needed in the school, that should be expressed.

File Photo / File Photo

Winfield said it should be legislators such as himself who should get to our jobs in providing the necessary resources for schools to address discipline in a way that does not criminalize students.

If we need mentors we should get mentors. If we need counselors, we should get counselors, he said.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., sponsored a bill in the last session to remove all federal funding for school resource officers.

But Torre said such a bill would not impact New Havens SRO program, as it does not receive federal funding. However, he said, it was important for the committee to note the role a Connecticut senator is playing in the national discussion on the issue.

John DeCarlo, director of the University of New Havens graduate program in criminal justice and a retired Branford police chief, said he agrees with those who suggest hiring more school counselors and psychologists, but not to supplant the role of SROs.

SROs dont do counseling, they do security checks, he said. Police do safety, psychologists do psychology and social workers do social work.

DeCarlo said that he believes school officials should be careful about acting too soon to remove school resource officers from schools.

If theres a fight in the hallway or someone comes in with a gun, a psychologist is not going to do anything at all, nor is a social worker; theyre going to be a fellow victim, he said.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media

New Haven Acting Police Chief Renee Dominguez said the department sees the SRO program as essential because of how it ties into the departments stated goal of community policing.

SROs in schools go beyond just providing additional school security in an attempt to prevent violent events that could occur on or around school property, she said.

The SRO program provides positive interactions and mentorship opportunities between students and police officers. Many officers, when asked, will name their SRO who was a positive role model during their schooling and placed them on the path to eventually become police officers themselves.

Recommendations

The Board of Education is expected to vote on the SRO committees recommendations next month. In the final report, the committee outlined 14 action steps. Several relate to acquiring more funding for initiatives to increase mental health and counseling supports in schools, a mission that is already underway according to district staff.

File

Assistant Superintendent of Schools Keisha Redd-Hannans said the district has already been able to identify funding for nine more positions  three counselors, three school psychologists and three social workers  under federal aid grant money awarded to the district as part of its COVID-19 recovery efforts.

The committees action steps also suggest doing more education around the role of SROs and requiring them to provide regular reports to the public.

Torre said he believes some of the action steps should be relatively easy to implement. He said when he spoke with former Police Chief Otoniel Reyes, who served as chief throughout the majority of the five months during which the committee was operational, he agreed that if police visit a school that they could park their cars in the staff lot instead of in front of schools, something that could create the image that there is a police emergency at that school.

Torre said he believes it should also be possible to give SROs a change in uniform, so they do not look as though they are on patrol while working in schools.

Arouna, the student, said she objects to one of the action steps calling for the formation of a formalized mentorship program between students and SROs. She also said she believes the committees final recommendation that SROs should be gradually phased out of schools while promoting and hiring alternatives deserves a timetable.

She said she is opposed to continuing the SRO program in any capacity, although she ultimately supports the committees overall recommendation because of its focus on eliminating the program over time.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

In the late hours of the last days of this recent session of the Legislature, a controversy arose when a senator challenged a piece of legislation. Vigorous debate happens all the time in the Senate, and it did so during the 20 years I served in the Senate  including the eight years I held the position of Senate Pro Tem. Whats different about this controversy is that one of the sponsors of the bill claimed the debate was inappropriate and called it an act of bullying on the part of Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, against a female senator.

I take this very seriously. Senators should maintain a certain decorum in Senate debate. This does not mean, however, that they should roll over. In fact, vigorous debate is the hallmark of our citizen Legislature, and the public expects us to be deliberate and to fight for our positions.

So I went and watched the tape. Our Senate floor sessions are archived, so I could actually see the entire debate on the floor. (nmlegis.gov, webcast, March 18 Senate Meeting 8:19 p.m.-2:44 a.m., starts at 9:44 p.m.) The debate occurred late at night, and members were tired, so I expected some fireworks. I watched the debate to see if the behavior was inappropriate, to see if there was evidence Ivey-Soto was abusive or bullying because the sponsor, Sen. Mimi Stewart, also D-Albuquerque, is a woman. From my perspective, I felt Ivey-Soto, while asking tough questions (about the Healthy Workplace Act and its amendments), did nothing wrong and did not engage in inappropriate behavior.

The bill as it arrived on the floor was about requiring all employers to grant New Mexicans mandatory sick leave. Stewart, however, wanted to amend the bill to remove a Senate Judiciary Committee amendment that would have included public employees. Ivey-Soto believed the bill should include all New Mexicans. He made the argument, why should someone working at a private hospital be included but a similar person at a public hospital be excluded? It was a perfectly legitimate argument. Ivey-Soto and Stewart disagreed as to who should be included in this bill. Therefore, the debate was completely legitimate and Ivey-Soto had every right to press the issue and get answers to his questions.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

I then turned my attention to the next issue, about whether Ivey-Sotos behavior toward the sponsor of the bill was inappropriate or bullying. I watched the tape carefully to see if he crossed the line. I did not feel he crossed the line and his line of questioning, while tough, was completely appropriate. He fought for his position. Thats what we should expect senators to do.

The Senate is a family, or should be, and so when these policy arguments occur, we should make our positions known and then move on. People have to work together. Senators serve on behalf of the citizens of this state, and legitimate policy arguments should not be personal. In fact, bad feelings should be put aside when the next bill comes up.

I support women in politics. I always have. I have fought for the rights of women for decades. During the 20 years I served in the Senate I never felt bullied, but I also never allowed myself to be bullied. If women are to serve in the Senate, we must know our bills, be willing to face tough questions, and engage in serious and fierce debate at times, all without taking policy difference personally.

Having examined this issue, this was tough, passionate senate debate, and should be seen as that. So move on. The next tough issue is around the corner.
More than 30 million people in the UK  over half the adult population  have received their first Covid-19 jab.

The milestone comes as Britain's world-leading vaccination effort gets a lift next month with the arrival of a third vaccine.

But France  despite lagging far behind in its vaccination drive  will catch up with Britain 'in a few weeks', president Emmanuel Macron claimed today.

Confident: President Emmanuel Macron

Just 11.7 per cent of French adults  6.1 million  have received one or more jabs, compared with 57 per cent of UK adults who have received their first jab  some 30,151,287 people.

In addition, 3.5 million Britons have had their second doses.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said last night: 'I'm absolutely thrilled that more than 30 million people have now had the jab across the UK.

'The vaccine is saving lives and is our route out of this pandemic,' he said, adding: 'When you get the call, get the jab.'

Mr Macron said France had significantly ramped up the pace of inoculation and suggested that Britain's campaign could soon struggle.

'In a few weeks we will have completely caught up with the British, who will meanwhile be increasingly dependent on us to vaccinate their population,' he said. He appeared to be referring to stocks of the AstraZeneca vaccine that are produced in EU member states. The EU has threatened to ban pharma firms from exporting coronavirus vaccines to Britain and other well-supplied countries until they make good on their promised deliveries to the bloc  a threat directed mainly at British-based AstraZeneca.

On Friday, French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian suggested Britain, which has prioritised getting first vaccine doses to as many people as possible, would struggle to obtain the second doses they needed for full protection.

But Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden insisted the Government will meet its target of giving a jab to all adults by July. And he said he could guarantee that everyone will get a second dose within 12 weeks of their first.

'We've been planning that all the way through,' the minister told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday.

'It's one of the most important considerations as we've rolled out the vaccine.' On the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, he said: 'You will have seen the ups and downs  we were surging ahead a couple of weeks ago, there's been a bit of a slow-down now.

'But that doesn't undermine our confidence that we will be able to deliver for that crucial group, the over-50s, by the middle of April and then for the rest of the adult population by the end of July.'

Suggestions that the UK will give some of its Covid vaccines to Ireland were played down yesterday on the grounds that there is none to spare. A Government spokesman said: 'We don't currently have a surplus of vaccines, but we will consider how these are allocated as they become available.'

Despite the NHS warning of a significant reduction in jabs available in England next month amid a delay to AstraZeneca shipments from India and EU tensions, the first shipment of the Moderna jab is set to arrive next month, adding half a million doses to the nation's vaccine reservoir.

The Moderna vaccine has been approved for use in the UK and will be the third rolled out after Pfizer and AstraZeneca (File image)

The Moderna vaccine has been approved for use in the UK and will be the third rolled out after Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

Mr Dowden said adding Moderna to existing vaccine supplies would be a relief for the overall rollout.

The situation in France was worsening yesterday as the country recorded an additional 42,619 infections  several times the target of 5,000 daily cases Mr Macron set late last year. It comes a week after a third of the French population were placed under a loose form of lockdown.

Critical care doctors in Paris say surging coronavirus infections could soon overwhelm their ability to care for the sick in the capital's hospitals, possibly forcing them to choose which patients they treat.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Jocelyn Lobato sees the expanded child tax credit as a lifeline for her young family.

Lobato, 28, and her husband, Christopher, 27, had their first child last month. They took out a mortgage on a new home late last year, and they have a monthly payment on a pickup truck.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

They dont hug the poverty line  Lobato said that between her work as an aesthetician and her husbands career as a firefighter they make about $75,000 a year. But they still have worries.

What would happen if there were an unexpected medical bill? Can they afford private school one day for baby Athens? What about college?

Like most New Mexico families, the Lobatos will be getting extra money in the coming months from the expanded 2021 child tax credit included in the American Rescue Plan. And they stand to gain even more if efforts underway by some members of Congress to make the child tax credit expansion permanent are successful.

The 2021 benefit, which was part of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, will provide a couple with one child under age 6, and a household income of $150,000 or less, periodic payments totaling $3,600 per year, or $300 per month. Families with children 6 through 17 would receive a credit of $250 per month, or $3,000 per year per child.

The payments will be phased out for couples making more than $150,000, heads of household making more than $112,500 or single parents making more than $75,000.

Its a nice little sense of security and backup, Lobato said. An extra $300 means  not having to pick if were going to buy groceries this month or put money away for her college. Thats a really hard pick. How do you do that?

Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., said hes trying to move the payments into 2022 and beyond. Last week, he was trying to get lawmakers to sign a letter signaling to the Biden administration that intention.

Some have called this expansion of the child tax credit a sort of childrens version of Social Security because of what it will do to lift children and their families out of poverty, Heinrich said.

The efforts by Heinrich and others who want the child benefit to continue in perpetuity will likely run into some opposition.

No Republican lawmakers supported the American Rescue Plan. Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Marco Rubio of Florida have released their own plans for expanding the credit that ties the benefit to work.

If pulling families out of poverty were as simple as handing moms and dads a check, we would have solved poverty a long time ago, Rubio wrote in an op-ed in the National Review.

Asked for her thoughts on the expanded child tax credit, New Mexicos lone Republican member of Congress, Rep. Yvette Herrell, wasnt dismissive of it, even though she voted against the stimulus package that contained the expansion.

Allowing families to keep more of what they earn is a good thing, Herrell said in a statement to the Journal, adding that former President Donald Trumps tax cuts returned money to many families. My opposition to the Democrats stimulus bill was the permanent policy changes and unnecessary spending the $1.9 trillion bill included. That unprecedented level of spending is gravely concerning  especially the hundreds of millions in earmarks.

The 2021 child tax credit sets up a path for the money to flow directly into a mothers or fathers bank account periodically throughout the year, essentially creating an income floor that no child will live under. The money will go to families even if the parents dont report any income, which is a change from existing tax credits that top out at $2,000 per child per year.

Emma Mehrabi, director of poverty policy for the Childrens Defense Fund, said the money from the expanded benefit could start flowing into parents bank accounts as early as July. The money will technically be considered an advance on their 2021 tax refunds, and the stimulus bill tasks the government with creating an online portal by this summer so families can enter information about their children and income and start receiving their payments.

But the expansion is more than just additional assistance to families, said James Jimenez, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children. He said the expansion also marks a change in how to think about government assistance. Its different from traditional forms of social programs, he said, like food stamps or housing assistance, because it lets families decide how best to use the money.

One of the nice things about doing something like the child tax credit is the notion that families know best on how to support their needs, he said. When you use a tax credit model, it puts the money and the decision power back in the hands of the families.

In New Mexico and across the country, the expansion will have a massive footprint. About 95% of children in the state, or 454,000 kids, will have money directed their way because of the tax credit expansion, according to the Center on Budget and Poverty Priorities.

By some estimates, the monthly payments will lift about half the children who currently live below the federal poverty above it.

The federal poverty level for 2021 is $26,500 for a family of four; New Mexico is one of the poorest states in the nation, with 18.2% of its population living in poverty. The Center on Budget and Poverty Priorities estimates that the direct payments will lift 32,000 New Mexico children above the poverty level by the tax credit expansion. About 39,000 children in the state who live in deep poverty will be lifted closer to the poverty level.

To the families in poverty, it is significant. To the families who are working poor or just above poverty, it is significant, said James Gannon, the CEO of Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico. This will address poverty and serious poverty in the United States.
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.
She recently relocated from Los Angeles to Sydney her husband Sacha Baron Cohen and her family.

And on Saturday, Isla Fisher looked effortlessly stylish as she stepped out for a low-key outing in a red polka dot dress.

The Australian actress appeared to be making the most of her weekend, as she was spotted shopping at an upscale lifestyle boutique in Sydney.

Gorgeous! Isla Fisher, 45, (pictured) looked effortlessly stylish as she stepped out for a low-key casual outing in a red polka dot dress in Sydney on Saturday

The Wedding Crashers star showed off her natural complexion and appeared to be makeup free for the outing.

She accessorised her look with a pair of Paradigm sunglasses.

Isla's outing comes as she discussed making the move across the Pacific from Los Angeles with her family to Stellar magazine last week.

'I just feel so safe, I suppose the word is cosy, when I'm in Australia. It's where I grew up,' she said.

Spotted: The Wedding Crashers star showed off her natural complexion and appeared to be makeup free for the outing

Stylish: The Australian actress showed off her natural complexion and appeared to be makeup free for the outing. She completed her look with oversized glasses and Converse shoes

'I'm the happiest when I'm home. I miss it when I'm not here. I don't feel any pressure when I'm in Australia. I don't have to say or do or be anything. I mean, I don't even have to wear shoes,' the Godmothered star added.

She also briefly touched on motherhood in the interview, a topic which she loves dearly but rarely discusses to protect her children's privacy.

Isla told the publication: 'All parents are just trying to protect their kids. And I feel like if they wanted to be in the public eye that's up to them. If I give any quotes about them, that would haunt them. They will be teenagers one day!'

Moves: The Perth-raised actress recently made the move across the Pacific from Los Angeles with her family last year. She said of being back Down Under: 'I just feel so safe, I suppose the word is cosy, when I'm in Australia... I miss it when I'm not here'

Keeping mum! She also briefly touched on motherhood in the interview, a topic which she loves dearly but rarely discusses to protect her children's privacy. Isla said: 'All parents are just trying to protect their kids... If I give any quotes about them, that would haunt them'

Isla and Sacha first met at a party in Sydney back in 2002.

The couple tied the knot in Paris in 2010 after she converted to the Jewish faith.

Isla shares three children with Sacha.
Chennai: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday (March 28) took a dig at the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami saying that he insulted the Tamil culture by bowing before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Addressing a rally at Salem in Tamil Nadu, Gandhi targeted the RSS as well saying that they want everyone bow before their supremacy.

Palaniswamis bowing and prostrating before Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and the RSS leadership is equivalent to insulting the great Tamil culture, Rahul Gandhi was quoted as saying by IANS.

RSS and Narendra Modi want everyone to be subservient and to bow before their supremacy and they intend to do the same to people of Tamil Nadu, he added.

He further said, They dont know that the great people of Tamil Nadu have never bowed before anyone in history and that they would reciprocate love and attachment given to them twice over.

Gandhi said that his party believes in equality.

We believe in equality and any relationship which is not equal is useless, he asserted.

Exuding confidence in the DMK-Congress alliances victory, Gandhi said that AIADMK-BJP combine will be badly defeated in the upcoming elections.

He called the elections a contest between the AIADMK, Modi, Shah and RSS on the one side and Tamil people on the other side.

"The BJP, RSS have unlimited money. They will try again and again to destroy our nation. The only way to stop them is to defeat them in Tamil Nadu and then defeat them in the Centre," he said.

He alleged that the Modi government brought in an education policy that is designed to harm Tamil Nadu, but the Chief Minister didnt say anything.

"Millions of people in the state lost their livelihood, lost their future, lost their jobs because of demonetisation GST - but the CM didnt say one word," he added.

The assembly elections in the state is scheduled to take place on April 6. The counting of votes will be done on May 2.

Live TV
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that the BJP would win 26 of the 30 seats in West Bengal and 37 of the 47 in Assam where polling was held on Saturday in the first phase of the Assembly polls.

Addressing a press conference at his residence here, he said: "Based on discussions and feedback received from booth level workers and leaders, I can confidently say that the we are winning 26 of 30 seats which went in for polling in the first phase in West Bengal."

"People in West Bengal are unhappy with the (Mamata Banerjee) government. They voted for change in 2011 but nothing changed. The BJP has under the leadership of Prime Minister is committed to 'Sonar Bangla'," he said.

Shah also claimed that women voted in favour of his party.

He noted that it was for first time that West Bengal witnessed violence-free polls.

"After many years, no incidents of violence were reported and I thank the Election Commission for conducting a peaceful election," he said.

In Assam, people voted for the BJP for development and for the commitment for a flood free state, he said, claiming 37 seats out of the 47 would go to the BJP.

He thanked voters of both the states for voting for the BJP. "The massive turnout of shows enthusiasm among voters," he said.
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.

30 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal & 47 Assembly constituencies in Assam on Saturday went to polls during the first phase of polling

Women show their identity cards as they wait to cast votes at a polling station, during the first phase of Assembly polls, in Midnapore on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Thirty Assembly constituencies in West Bengal and 47 Assembly constituencies in Assam on Saturday went to polls during the first phase of polling in the two states. While West Bengal recorded an estimated 79.79 per cent voter turnout till 6.30 pm, nearly 72.14 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Assam, with the polling largely peaceful in both states. West Bengal reported some stray incidents of violence.

In West Bengal, nearly 74 lakh electorate across 10,288 polling stations cast their votes. In Assam a total of 81 lakh electorates registered across 11,537 polling stations cast their votes. Long queues were seen outside polling booths with voters and election officials adhering to Covid-19 protocols.

In West Bengal, where ruling TMC and the BJP have been engaged in one of the fiercest electoral battles, the latter has deployed its senior leadership, including Union ministers, in the poll battle to oust the Mamata Banerjee-led party. In Assam, the BJP has been desperately trying to retain power as the Congress-led Opposition is giving it a tough challenge.

In Assam, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal exercised his franchise around 11 am at Sahitya Sabha Bhavan, a model polling station, in his home town Dibrugarh in upper Assam. As many as 264 candidates were in the fray in the Phase-I polls, along with 23 women candidates and 78 Independents.

The ruling BJP is contesting from 39 seats and its ally AGP on 10, with friendly fights in Lakhimpur and Naharkatiya Assembly seats. From the Opposition camp, Congress is contesting 43, while its partners in the Grand Alliance  AIUDF, CPI(ML-L), RJD and Anchalik Gana Morcha (contesting as Independent)  are contesting one seat each.

In West Bengal, among the five districts that went to polls in the first phase, East Medinipur recorded the highest voter turnout of 82.42 per cent till the end of voting time. Purulia recorded the lowest voter turnout of 77.13 per cent. Jhargram recorded 80.55 per cent, Paschim Medinipur 80.16 per cent and Bankura 80.03 per cent voter turnouts.

While Assam will witness three-phase polls, West Bengal will have eight-phase elections. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

According to a press statement by the Election Commission, the first phase of polling in both states was conducted peacefully and successfully across 21,825 polling stations spread over 77 Assembly constituencies. The EC said it has laid great emphasis on ensuring a transparent and vigilant mechanism for inducement and intimidation free elections.

The Trinamool Congress, eyeing re-election in West Bengal for the third consecutive term, alleged discrepancy in poll turnout and malfunctioning of EVMs as voting began for 30 of the 294 Assembly seats on Saturday morning. A letter was written by MP Derek O'Brien to the Election Commission and a party delegation met the poll panel in the afternoon, ANI reported.

In a tweet, TMC shared voting turnout figures from East Medinipur district and asked, "What is happening @ECISVEEP?! Could you explain how voting percentage drastically reduced to half within a gap of just 5 minutes?! Shocking! @CEOWestBengal, please look into this urgently!"

In another post, the party talked about claims that people were not able to vote for Trinamool. "Shocking claim by voters which must be immediately looked into by @ECISVEEP and @CEOWestBengal. Many voters in Kanthi Dakshin Assembly seat allege that they voted for TMC but VVPAT showed them the BJP symbol. THIS IS SERIOUS! THIS IS UNPARDONABLE!"

The BJP, which is trying to claim victory in the state for the first time, also raised some poll-related concerns.
14/20

Artist Lucy Bleach and curator Nina Miall with Lucy's work titled Attenuated Ground (the slow Seismogenic zone) 2021. The TarraWarra Biennial opens this weekend and the theme is slow time. One of the most bizarre artworks will be a double bass (huge musical instrument) submerged in toffee, which will drip off agonisingly slowly over the 4 months of the exhibition. Credit:Justin McManus
Park Jae-young, left, director general of the manufacturing industry department at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Meritz Securities analyst Kim Ji-ha listen to panelists during The Korea Times' first Bio Webinar held Friday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul



Korea Times webinar addresses tasks to foster personnel, secure raw materials



By Kim Bo-eun



The government affirmed its pledge with major bio companies to foster human resources and secure raw materials for pharmaceuticals, as well as expand the manufacturing base here, in comments made at The Korea Times' Bio Webinar held Friday. This was the first such event held by the English-language daily, organized to discuss means to enhance the competitiveness of the local bio industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic.



Park Jae-young, director general of the manufacturing industry department at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, took part as a government representative, and executives of the country's four major bio companies  Samsung Biologics, SK Bioscience, LG Chem and Celltrion  voiced the needs of the private sector.



Samsung Biologics Vice President and head of contract development organization (CDO) business Ahn Yong-ho, SK Bioscience head of strategic planning division Lee Sang-mok, LG Chem Senior Vice President and head of specialty care division Yoon Soo-hee and Celltrion Vice President Lee Soo-young participated in the discussion. The webinar was moderated by Meritz Securities analyst Kim Ji-ha.





A laptop monitor shows the participants of The Korea Times' Bio Webinar. Clockwise from top left, they are Samsung Biologics Vice President and head of CDO business Ahn Yong-ho, SK Bioscience head of strategic planning division Lee Sang-mok, Celltrion Vice President Lee Soo-young and LG Chem Senior Vice President and head of specialty care division Yoon Soo-hee. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul



Park of the trade ministry vowed support for the bio industry in all phases of development.



"Despite difficult circumstances, we saw annual exports of the bio industry exceed $10 billion for the first time last year," he said. "News of major contract manufacturing deals and technological transfers proves the growth of the bio industry. We, as the government, will provide assistance throughout the developmental stages of the bio industry."



The lack of competent human resources as well as difficulties in securing raw materials for pharmaceuticals have been cited by the private sector as challenges to further growth.



"We are in need of talent in the entirety of stages including commercializing newly developed drugs and producing them," SK Bioscience's Lee said. "Firms developing new drugs are emerging and a lot of attention needs to be paid to the bioprocesses enabling these to be commercialized and mass-produced."




Siddhant Chaturvedi Tests Negative For Coronavirus After Two Weeks In Quarantine

Actor Siddhant Chaturvedi has tested negative for COVID-19, two weeks after contracting the virus. The Gully Boy star took to Instagram late Saturday evening and posted a picture of himself with a caption: "COVID negative but still... Keep your distance."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Siddhant Chaturvedi (@siddhantchaturvedi)

The 27-year-old actor had opened up about his diagnosis on March 14 and informed his fans that he was under home quarantine. Chaturvedi had returned to the city last month after shooting for the horror-comedy Bhoot Police in Udaipur, co-starring Katrina Kaif and Ishaan Khatter.

On Saturday, Mumbai reported 6,130 new COVID-19 cases, taking its caseload to 3,91,791. This was the highest single-day rise in the city since the pandemic began.
I just think it is such a neat way to remember him. I think Ive just always heard the bells, she said, adding she grew up a couple blocks from the church in Whiting. She said the tone now is very different from the original sound of the bell. Gajewski said she looks forward to hearing the original tone again.
The HOME of 'M50 woman' Gemma Greene came under attack from a man known to her on Tuesday afternoon.

Gardai were called to the address on Dublin's northside after the man kicked in the front door at 4pm and tried to force his way into the property.

It is understood both Greene and her mother were in the property at the time.

Our pictures taken yesterday, as the Sunday World called to the address, show how the front window of Greene's home has been smashed in two places.

Expand Close The broken panes in windows of Gemma Greenes house / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp The broken panes in windows of Gemma Greenes house

Read More

Locals yesterday described the event as 'shocking' in the otherwise quite cul-de-sac.

Greene did not answer when our reporter knocked on the front door.

Sources say that although gardai responded to a call-out to the address on Tuesday, neither Greene nor any other occupant of the house has made a formal complaint.

Greene, who has recently set up a page on the adult site 'Only Fans' charging 10 a month for access to pictures and videos of herself, appeared in court on Thursday.

Expand Close Reporter Patrick OConnell knocks on the front door of Gemma Greenes home / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Reporter Patrick OConnell knocks on the front door of Gemma Greenes home

The 24-year-old - who live-streamed videos as she allegedly led gardai on a high-speed chase on the M50 - broke Covid-19 quarantine rules by turning up at the court in person.

She appeared at Dublin District Court in connection with the high-profile pursuit on the M50 on the night of March 1, 2021.

But she was still four days off from completing two weeks' quarantine after a recent holiday.

Judge Treasa Kelly told her to come back on Monday when she will face a Garda request to tighten bail conditions and an objection to legal aid being granted.

Gardai chased a car on the M50 until it stopped at the Hampton Wood Drive area of Ballymun.

Footage was live-streamed on social media with a driver recorded singing to music.

After the incident, she was arrested, charged and granted station bail to appear in court on Thursday.

Profile

Due to the pandemic, defendants are currently not obliged to turn up at the district court in the early stages of cases, once they have instructed legal representation and have a lawyer in court.

Over recent weeks, Ms Greene has gained 14,000 Instagram followers and has set up a pay-per-view 'Only Fans' account to boost her online profile.

She has also given newspaper interviews,and has built up her social media presence with photos from a recent one-week holiday to Spain.

Ms Greene, from Bunratty Road, Coolock, Dublin, is charged with two counts of dangerous driving, on the M50 at Junctions 4 and 9 northbound.

Expand Close Gemma Greene attended court when she should have been in quarantine / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Gemma Greene attended court when she should have been in quarantine

She has not yet entered a plea.

Evidence of arrest, charge and caution were furnished to the judge in a document.

A summary of prosecution evidence has been handed over to her solicitor John Quinn, the court was told. There was CCTV footage and a file has gone to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Garda Jane Keegan told the court there would be an application to change Ms Greene's bail terms.

The court sergeant also pointed out that Ms Greene should be in quarantine as she had recently been out of the country.

Gda Keegan confirmed that Ms Greene returned on March 15 and should have stayed in quarantine for two weeks, until Monday.

She came into the courtroom but remained silent and was told to leave again after the judge agreed she should have stuck to quarantine rules.

Read More

Her solicitor objected to the application to change existing conditions of bail.

He said Ms Greene had answered bail, and the "proof was in the pudding" because she had not tried to avoid court.

Gda Keegan said Ms Greene had a "tendency to leave the country".

Mr Quinn argued the fact that she had come back and answered bail should put to bed any concerns about her not attending court.

Judge Kelly adjourned the case until tomorrow for Ms Greene to complete two weeks' quarantine.

An application for legal aid was made with the court hearing that Ms Greene was not working.

Gda Keegan said, however, that there will be an objection to that request when the case resumes.

Read More








People will have to self-isolate after coming into contact with Covid-19 for many years as the UK learns how to live with this virus, a government adviser has warned.

Mark Woolhouse, a professor of epidemiology, said the test-and-trace system is here to stay  as are some social distancing measures.

He also admitted to being nervous about a full relaxation in June, calling the idea of emerging from the lockdown in one great bound wide of the mark.

I still suspect that looking forward  and I am talking now right through 2021 and into the years ahead  that we are still going to have to be alert to coronavirus, Prof Woolhouse said.

There are still going to be situations where we might need to use personal protective equipment, we might well need to do some kind of social distancing, put some kind of biosecurity measures in place.

Read more:

It would also be necessary to maintain our capacity to test and trace, and particularly to isolate people who are infected, he told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show.

That final thing is going to remain important for the entire future  that, when we get cases of novel coronavirus, that those people are then going to have to be asked to self-isolate and their contacts.

Prof Woolhouse, who sits on the SPI-M modelling group, which feeds advice into the main Sage body, also said vaccine certificates to enter nightclubs and other venues might be necessary.

Its certainly something we have to consider seriously as part of a wider package of measures that are designed to make our activities safe, he warned.

And, on another lockdown, he said: We should regard that as a failure of public health policy if we have to go that route again.

The comments came as a cabinet minister described the worsening Covid situation on the continent as very worrying casting further doubt on hopes for foreign holidays this summer.

Rising cases across the Channel have tended to hit the UK a couple of weeks or three weeks later, Oliver Dowden said  when asked if the go-ahead would be given.

The culture secretary  while insisting the lockdown-easing was currently on track  also warned the public that restrictions might have to stay in place beyond mid-summer.

Of course they could if the situation deteriorates, Mr Dowden said, ahead of the return of groups of up to six being able to meet in England on Monday.

Prof Woolhouse added: I have to say I am a little bit nervous about a full relaxation in June.

This is the particularly important thing, exactly how well are the vaccines performing? If they are going at this rate, I think we can get quite close to a full release.

The idea that we can suddenly emerge from this in one great bound, I think, is a little over-optimistic.
Teachers are concerned about the impact of further Covid-19 outbreaks on the Leaving Cert as they plan for the dual possibilities of schools reopening fully or closing next month.

While primary pupils returned to classrooms alongside fifth- and sixth-year students over the past month, many students were sent home for the Easter break with their school books and learning materials in case they shut again in April.

This came against a background of an increase in Covid-19 infections linked to education settings in recent weeks.

Officials say there are no plans to close schools, and, while there is concern about pandemic outbreaks, there is no sense these are not manageable.

Government sources said they are planning for all students to be back in school by Monday, April 12.

Despite calls from some schools for a phased return to maximum capacity next month, Government sources are adamant all schools will be full on the first Monday after the Easter break.

The roll-out of the plan is dependent on advice, with Nphet due to meet the Government tomorrow to discuss restrictions that have been in place since the turn of the year.

"We are planning ahead as if they [the schools] are going back," said a government source.

"If anything changes in the meantime, the case numbers increase and Nphet get involved, then that alters plans, but at the moment we are planning ahead that everyone is coming back."

Teachers are generally supportive of the move to fully reopen schools.

Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) general secretary Michael Gillespie said: "We are very hopeful the public health advice will allow for a full reopening of schools in the last part of the cautious and phased reopening, but we will be watching very carefully to see what the latest public health advice is.

"We hope there will be no changes over the Easter break."

However, some schools are concerned about coping with the challenge of staying open after Easter.

The most recent HSE figures show there were 110 cases of Covid-19 detected in primary, secondary and special education schools between March 14 and March 20 during a programme of mass testing.

In the week to last Friday, there were 580 new cases on average every day. The figure is much higher than the benchmark that unions and officials had hoped for when they negotiated a return to school last month.

This has created an anxiety last seen before Christmas. Then, as infection numbers increased rapidly in communities nationwide, pupils were sent home with their books and learning materials in case schools were prevented from reopening after the break. They remained shut for three months.

One primary school in Dublin has sent a note explaining its reason for returning pupils' books and other learning materials, which were placed in plastic bags inside the children's school bags, saying it was "purely a precaution" and the school "fully expected" to reopen after the Easter holiday.

Many schools have repeated the move for Easter, but sources suggested this may have been done with other intentions in mind.

"There is a thought that some principals are doing that to keep the schools as quiet as possible while oral exams are happening over Easter, but also that other schools were doing it to give people a bit of a fright so they would remain sensible over Easter, restrict their movements and continue to do their bit to keep schools safe in April and beyond," one source said.

In a letter to principals on Friday, the Department of Education confirmed it intends to reopen all schools on April 12.

In the correspondence, Education Minister Norma Foley said that latest data on Covid-19 in schools is very encouraging and appears to reflect mitigation measures in place and high compliance by school communities.

"As you are aware, the Government decided on a phased return of pupils to school during March and April. As we are now approaching Easter, I wish to reaffirm to you the Government's intention that all students will return to school from Monday, April 12," the letter states.

It adds that the Department of Education and public health authorities are monitoring and reviewing the operation of schools on an ongoing basis.

Despite this, other sources are still concerned about the impact of future outbreaks on the Leaving Cert, saying it is crucial schools are kept safe between now and the June exams.

One source said that any major outbreaks between now and June could threaten the staging of the examinations.

"If there is a mass breakout somewhere in the country, then the Leaving Cert becomes the accredited grade, it becomes the contingency and the exams won't go ahead," they said. "The Leaving Cert is at stake if the numbers aren't kept down."


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
America's North Korea-specializing website 38 North released on March 27 Planet Labs' recent satellite photo of North Korea's Sinpo shipyard where the floating drydock has been repositioned from before (left) to next to the submarine launching quay. Courtesy of 38 North



Satellite imagery of a North Korean shipyard has detected suspicious activity suggesting it may be ready to launch a new ballistic missile submarine in the near future, a U.S. expert website monitoring the communist country said.



38 North reported Friday that recent commercial satellite imagery of the North's shipyard on its east coast indicated that the floating dry dock, normally moored at a nearby pier, has recently been repositioned along the construction hall's submarine-launch quay.



Noting that such an arrangement is not usual, the website said it indicated that "the new ballistic missile submarine, which has been under construction for several years, may be nearing completion or is ready to be rolled out and launched in the near future."




Nobody could remember a rally ever happening outside New Jerseys only womens prison.

Saturday may have been the first.

About 80 people gathered on a grass field in Clinton to protest abuse behind bars, part of a growing outcry since six women said they were severely beaten by officers at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in January.

Some former prisoners at the event said it was their first time back since their release, including Tiera Piercy-Hollis, who wept as she recalled beatings she said she witnessed and received. That violence had permanently scarred her life, she said.

I was supposed to be somebody, Piercy-Hollis said into a microphone.

You are, the crowd shouted back.

Maryann Brown, center, with microphone, a former inmate of Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women speaks of her experience as a coalition of activists, religious leaders and former inmates gather outside the facility in Clinton to protest abuse behind bars. 3/27/2021Keith A. Muccilli | For NJ Advance Media

Eight officers have been charged so far with assault or covering up misconduct, and the January incident has triggered lawsuits, an outside investigation and articles of impeachment against the head of the prison system. State lawmakers plan to launch hearings April 8, and the Senate voted last month to move the approximately 400 women elsewhere.

That resolution was symbolic but the vote, 35-0, was overwhelming.

Shut em down, the crowd chanted Saturday.

The prison sits in Hunterdon County, about 15 miles east of the Delaware River. Down the road from the rally, concrete barriers and a white SUV and Jeep blocked the entrance.

A coalition of activists, religious leaders and former inmates gather outside Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Clinton to protest abuse behind bars. 3/27/2021Keith A. Muccilli | For NJ Advance Media

New Jersey Prison Justice Watch, a coalition of activists, religious leaders and former prisoners, asked attendees to wear red. There were red Air Jordans, red hoop earrings and at least one red doo rag. A man wore a red and white Colin Kaepernick jersey while a woman held a poster with Stop Prison Abuse written in red glitter paint.

Part of the afternoon felt like a family reunion. R&B and Maya Angelou pumped from a portable speaker, and advocates embraced under pine trees.

There was one tense moment when women spotted a man they said worked as an Edna Mahan officer.

We dont want you here, somebody shouted.

The man quietly said he wanted to support the rally. Marshall Justice Rountree, a former prisoner who helped organize the event, told him his presence was too traumatic for survivors of abuse. The man walked away.

Heather Birmingham of Clinton, left, and Lisa Zittis of Stewartsville, right, at the intersection of Rt 513 and Frontage Rd. as a coalition of activists, religious leaders and former inmates gather outside Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Clinton to protest abuse behind bars. 3/27/2021Keith A. Muccilli | For NJ Advance Media

Pressure has been building for years.

State data shows that Edna Mahan has the highest rate of inmate complaints in New Jersey  and the highest rate of staff delays responding to those complaints.

In recent years several officers have been charged with sexually abusing women, charges bolstered last April by a U.S. Department of Justice report that found evidence of rampant sexual abuse behind bars.

Many women are speaking about their experiences for the first time, event organizers said.

During a public Zoom meeting Friday, four shared horrific stories of assault and neglect. More took the microphone Saturday to name women they said died behind bars and list officers they said regularly broke the law.

One also named staff members who had shown her compassion.

Several people said this felt like a rare opportunity for reform. An organizer called on the attorney generals office to also investigate mens prisons, and the crowd demanded Gov. Phil Murphy take a more active role.

Governor Murphy, where are you? Cuqui Rivera, with the Latino Action Network, asked the crowd.

Where are you! dozens shouted back.

Murphy has so far defended the prison commissioner and asked for patience while an outside law firm investigates.

During the protest, about a dozen State Police cars and SUVs sat across a nearby intersection, lights flashing. Troopers directed traffic as people walked to and from the field, and organizers praised the officers for their help.

Emily Parker spent part of the afternoon standing on a corner, wearing a Free Them All face mask and holding a handmade sign that read, Love Safety Justice. Her friend Paige Greenfield held a piece of a cardboard that said, end the complicity. Both used to be classmates at the nearby North Hunterdon High School.

I grew up in Clinton, and Im ashamed at the fact that I was not aware of all that was going on, Parker said.

Our history class didnt cover this, Greenfield added.

A man sitting at a red light scowled at their signs and shouted something drowned out by traffic.

Parker said some people had heckled them, but many seemed supportive.

When a moving truck drove by around the same time, the driver honked and raised his fist.

Speeches wrapped up around 3 p.m. Within a half hour, the last red shirt had left the field.

The Jeep blocking the prison entrance moved aside and the road was open.

15 Protest against abuse at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Blake Nelson can be reached at bnelson@njadvancemedia.com.

Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
DUP MP Ian Paisley has said he fears for Stormont's future stability amid the row over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The North Antrim MP spoke out after Loyalist Communities Council chairman David Campbell, whose group includes representatives of the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando, last week said that the DUP may bring down Stormont if the Protocol isn't scrapped.

Mr Campbell claimed Arlene Foster had told his group that collapsing Stormont "had to be clearly within the DUP's thinking" but now "would not be the time to do that".

However, the DUP insisted that had never been said and demanded that he withdraw his comments, which he refused to do.

In today's Sunday Independent, Mr Paisley would not be drawn on the claims, saying he was not privy to the meetings and "couldn't comment", but on the future of Stormont he said: "I genuinely fear for the stability of the institutions."

Amid growing fears of loyalist paramilitary violence over the Irish Sea border, the politician said the threat "isn't being taken seriously enough" by authorities on either side of the border.

Expand Close An anti-Irish Sea border poster in Larne / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp An anti-Irish Sea border poster in Larne

"I am worried. I am concerned that the police don't appear to have the intel about what's happening within loyalism and younger elements of loyalism. I am concerned they are downplaying it and I am very concerned for safety," he added.

Last weekend, a senior member of the UDA warned that if they return to violence over the protocol, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney could be potential targets.

"If Micheal Martin and Leo Varadkar don't get rid of the protocol they will face the wrath of loyalism," the terror chief was quoted as saying.

"Do I foresee us killing Catholics? No. What about attacking southern politicians? I don't foresee it, I know it  I know it's coming."

Earlier this month, Mr Varadkar's home address was scrawled beside a banner in east Belfast while Mr Coveney's home address was also painted onto a wall.
Sanitation workers spray the disinfectant at the premises of Andhra University Engineering College after a huge spike in COVID-19 positive cases. (Photo: DC/ Narasimha Murthy)

Visakhapatnam: Minister for tourism Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao (Avanti) held a Covid review meeting with Andhra University vice-chancellor in the presence of Mayor G Hari Venkata Kumari at the university registrars office on Sunday.

Officials said the total number of infections at AU rose to 102. Of them, 96 were boys, one a girl student and five faculty members.

The minister said quality treatment was being given to the infected students and added that the parents need not worry. All the 102 were kept in isolation and 200 other students/staff in quarantine. He said 550 super speciality beds were kept ready in CSR Block in King George Hospital and another 600 in VIMS Hospital.

Vice-chancellor Prof PVGD Prasad Reddy, Andhra Medical College principal Dr PV Sudhakar, district medical and health officer Dr P Suryanarayana and university registrar Prof K Krishnamohan were present.

Dr Sudhakar said sporadic cases were being reported from the peripheral areas of Visakhapatnam, which include Madhuravada, Arilova, Pendurthi, Vepagunta and Gajuwaka.

People have lowered their guard and crowd around in public places despite the advisories from the health department. The number of tests are being increased, he said and urged the people to have the vaccination at ward secretariats or other nearest places.

Another official said the fishing harbour market that witnessed a crowd of over 5,000 people on Sunday morning, as also tourist spots, cinema halls and shopping complexes are places where the infection could spread rapidly.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/28/2021



ADVERTISEMENT

[ Spoiler Warning: This report includes spoilers revealing if Brandon and Julia got married or have broken up, and if the couple is still together now.]

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

So did Brandon and Julia split up or is the couple still together now?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

's eighth season has shown Brandon Gibbs with a case of cold feet as his wedding to Julia Trubkina is rushed and quickly approaching, so did the pair get married or did they break up? What do spoilers reveal about their current relationship status?Brandon, a 27-year-old pest-control technician who helps to run his parents' farm in Dinwiddie, VA, entered his first serious relationship with Julia, a 26-year-old go-go club dancer from Krasnodar City, Russia.Brandon felt love at first sight with Julia, and so he flew to Russia after just a few weeks of getting to know her on the phone and through videochat.The couple intended to apply for a Tourist Visa so Julia could visit him in the United States, but once the consulate learned Brandon was her boyfriend, she was told to apply for a K-1 visa instead.The couple then dated for five months long-distance and Brandon invited Julia to join him in Iceland, where he proposed marriage to her and the pair got engaged.After their two families met in France, Brandon was really hurting for cash. He said he had spent almost $10,000 in seven months to pursue Julia.Brandon and Julia ultimately had a "perfect" reunion at the airport, but Julia was upset to learn she'd have to sleep in a separate bedroom from Brandon at his parents' house. Betty was also pushing for Julia to take contraception when Julia didn't want to."I can't control my mother. I can't control how they will interact. They both have really strong personalities, and I just feel like they're going to clash," Brandon lamented in a confessional.Once at the farm in Virginia, it didn't take Julia long to realize she hated the chores -- such as feeding the pigs -- and waking up early every morning."I don't want this. This is not the life [of] my dreams. Brandon say we need to stay here before we marry, but I say to him, 'No, Brandon, this is not going to work.' I need to leave," Julia vented in a confessional.Julia admitted she was ready to go back to Russia after only one day of working at his parents' farm."I wish she would see this as an opportunity and just give life on the farm a chance," Brandon told the cameras.But Brandon and Julia still set a wedding date for May 9, even though Brandon felt torn between Julia and his disappointed parents, who believed Brandon had neglected his responsibilities at the farm."It's not all working like we wanted," Brandon said, asking Julia to try harder around the farm.Julia said she was losing her mind and Brandon wasn't taking care of her because he wasn't fixing the situation or standing up to his parents."I hate this place," Julia complained to Brandon. "I don't want to stay here. I want to leave now."Julia said if they didn't move, she would return to Russia. She complained that Brandon wasn't fixing the problem and that showed he didn't truly, deeply love her. In fact, Julia vented that she hated Brandon out of frustration.Brandon told the cameras that Julia had no idea how lucky they were to be living in a place for free while he was saving money for their future together. Brandon felt like his effort was in vain due to Julia's reaction.Brandon insisted to Julia that he was trying and their situation was just temporary.Brandon said he loved Julia and it hurt him to hear she'd be willing to leave him, but Julia said she had sacrificed her life for Brandon and so he needed to do the same and compromise."It's hard to hear, but I'm going to fix this for us... I'm going to be the man that you want me to be," Brandon said.Brandon was ready to choose Julia over everything, so he told his parents that Julia was unhappy and giving him an ultimatum to move somewhere else or break up.Ron begged Brandon not to "make a stupid decision," and Betty seemed shocked and devastated.Betty hoped to be a family and eventually pass on the farm to Brandon, and she said she had been hoping to gain a daughter and not lose her only son."That's a beautiful world you paint... but I don't think that was the world we were hoping for," Brandon explained. "Either I'm staying here alone or we're leaving together," Brandon said.Betty said the fact Julia was making him choose between her and his parents was "so sad." Betty therefore gave into the idea of Brandon and Julia sleeping in the same room.With a little over 60 days left to wed, Brandon and Julia had a pregnancy scare.Brandon admitted Julia being pregnant would be "a nightmare" because they didn't have enough money to have a big wedding or move out."You guys are getting off on the wrong foot to having a wonderful life," Ron said, before Betty noted she had many sleepless nights over her son's relationship.But Julia found out she was not pregnant, which she and Brandon both found as a relief.Since Julia didn't want to take birth control, Brandon decided it was time to start using condoms, even though he admitted he didn't like them.In March 2020, Julia went shopping for a wedding dress, and Betty and Brandon were both able to tag along.Brandon didn't seem excited or enthusiastic when providing his opinion on the dresses, and Julia and Betty begged Brandon to talk and show more emotion.In April 2020, Julia still had one month to go on her K-1 visa but coronavirus was rapidly spreading and posed a problem.Julia said Brandon had upset her because every time she asked him a question about their wedding, he allegedly didn't want to talk about it or would brush it off.Brandon believed Julia was upset because he "didn't share the female fantasy of a wedding day," and he felt bad about making her cry in the church where they'd be getting married."It's very hard to deal with that I'm always doing something wrong, and I think she wants me to be something I'm not. So with everything going on, we are taking it one day at a time," Brandon explained in a confessional.Brandon's parents Ron and Betty noted that Brandon didn't seem to be happy and that kind of behavior worried them given his wedding was fast approaching.Brandon said it seemed like he and Julia were rushing into marriage -- because they had to due to the K-1 visa -- but they wouldn't be able to sustain a relationship from two different countries."I'm not ready to give up on this relationship... I love her," Brandon told his parents.Brandon noted that when he and Julia weren't fighting, they had so much fun together and that's what he loved about her. Brandon didn't feel he had a choice but to marry Julia right away or else he'd lose her.Ron and Betty later called Brandon and Julia down to the kitchen for a chat. Betty suggested moving up their wedding date in case someone caught coronavirus and the entire household was forced to quarantine for two weeks.Ron asked the couple if they wanted to take chances, and Brandon replied, "No."Julia also agreed she wanted to marry sooner rather than later to not risk her K-1 visa expiring.Betty suggested the pair should have a nice, quick ceremony and she could help Julia find a dress and shoes."This is not the day I want, but we don't have a choice?" Julia said.Brandon admitted this was "crazy" because they were supposed to have a full month left to marry -- and now they were only talking about a few days. Julia was concerned about getting her green card and being able to stay in the United States.Brandon suggested the couple could quickly marry in a simple ceremony and have a big, beautiful wedding later, but Julia was serious about the wedding and wanted her groom to be as well.Julia said they wouldn't have the funds for a big wedding down the road because they'd have to apply for her green card and find a new place for them to live as a couple.Julia wanted her wedding day to be special and accused Brandon of not caring about any of the wedding plans, but he insisted, "I care about you," which didn't comfort or console the crying bride-to-be.Brandon and Julia definitely appear to still be a very happy couple, with photo evidence on social media as recently as late March.In mid-March, Brandon shared a picture of Julia and himself in the hot tub at his parents' house. While it could have been a throwback photo, Brandon made it clear Julia is still in the United States with him and they're still together."I guess you won't see us tonight because we'll be too busy clouding up the tub," Brandon wrote with a smiley face at the end.On March 8, Brandon uploaded an image of Julia and himself with their arms around each other and wrote alongside it, "Happy International Women's Day," along with multiple flower emojis.Earlier in the month, Brandon posted a photo standing next to someone in a grey sweatshirt and captioned it, "Hey Julia... The bus is coming."And Julia posted two photos of herself in a wedding gown around the same time to defend Brandon in light of the fact he had been unenthusiastic and seemingly bored while wedding dress shopping with his fiancee."Bad omens of a wedding. I do not believe in these signs. do you know how many of them? lots of. the whole world must be divorced, since all superstitions cannot be observed. Brandon didn't want to go to the store, but I insisted," Julia wrote.Brandon also posted two selfies with Julia, one of which featured Julia kissing him on the cheek, in late February.Brandon captioned one picture of Julia and himself posing in a hotel room, "I'm just waiting on Sunday. #90dayfiance #brandonandjulia #beautiful."On February 12, Brandon also posted a video on Instagram of Julia kissing him on one cheek while his dog licked his other cheek."Love who loves you back. Happy Valentine's day guys. #90dayfiance #Brandonandjulia," Brandon captioned the video.Around the same time, Julia posted a picture of Brandon hugging her on the beach."I want to congratulate everyone on the upcoming Valentine's day and wish to find a person next to whom you will not need anyone else. #90dayfiance #Brandonandjulia," Julia wrote alongside the image.Julia also took to Instagram in mid-January 2021 and dropped other hints she and Brandon remain a couple.On January 20, Julia posted a hilarious photo with Brandon in which she stuffed her shirt and asked fans to come up with a funny name for the picture. And about a week earlier, Julia also posted a sweet selfie of the couple."Just cute photo #90dayfiance#Brandonandjulia," Julia wrote alongside the January 12 picture with a blowing-kiss emoticon.Several days earlier, Julia uploaded a photo of Brandon giving her a piggyback ride."It seems to me that this week we will not be in the episode. a little positive to you all #90dayfiance #90dayfiance8 #Brandonandjulia," Julia captioned the photo, adding three kissing emoticons.And a photo surfaced on Reddit of Brandon and Julia spending New Year's Eve together in someone's apartment with two male friends.While the picture indicates the group had welcomed 2021 together, many Reddit users commented on how Julia appeared to be photoshopped into the picture and whether the photo was authentic.Julia also conducted a Q&A with her followers on Instagram Stories earlier this year and dropped additional hints that suggest she is still with Brandon and living in the United States."Everything is pretty nice," Julia said of her current life. "It's pretty in my life. I've never had, like, an easy life," Julia said. "I all the time chose a hard life."Julia said her English "is much better than before," probably because she's around English-speaking people all the time."I try to learn everything but it's so hard for me," Julia added.When an Instagram user called Julia and Brandon "the cutest couple," Julia replied, "Thank you so much."Julia also revealed she currently has a great relationship with Brandon's parents, although there is tension between them on the currently-airing season of .A fan asked how Julia essentially puts up with her "parents-in-law," and Julia responded, "I love my parents a lot because my parents want what is best for me. If I could choose other parents I would never choose other parents because my parents are the best and I love them a lot."In addition, Julia said she hopes she can "start working" soon and put her degree in design to good use in either apartments or homes.As far as her favorite experience in the United States goes, Julia revealed, "I like people in America because everyone smiles and everyone tries to help. You never ask for help but people try. This is so cool."When asked whether she likes Russia or America better, Julia said there are some things she likes better in Russia and other things she likes better in the United States.She noted the countries are just "different." For example, Julia said she cannot drive yet in America while she has her license back in Russia.Julia shared excitement, however, when someone mentioned all the states she can travel to in the United States. Julia said she'd love to visit New York especially.Julia told her followers it was "hard to leave [her] house and family" in Russia, but she added, "My parents understand this."But Julia played coy when asked direct questions about whether she married Brandon and is still in the United States and living with Brandon's parents.Julia admitted she doesn't want to "get in trouble" by breaking her NDA contract with TLC.When one fan wrote that it seems like she married Brandon, Julia replied, "I don't know!"And she explained to fans, "I can't say where I stay right now or what I do right now."But Julia did admit her favorite thing about Brandon is that "he is so cute." Julia beamed when talking about Brandon, so it appears unlikely that they've broken up.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
Australia has hit the half a million milestone for Covid-19 vaccinations but is way short of the four million jabs the government planned to be by now.

About 507,000 Australians are vaccinated as of Friday - 329,000 in state and territory clinics, 97,000 by GPs, and more than 80,000 in aged care homes.

Government figures reveal more than 507,000 Australians had received the Covid-19 vaccine as of Friday (pictured, aged care resident Jane Malysiak was the first Australian to receive the Pfizer vaccine on February 21 as Prime Minister Scott Morrison watched on)

'Our GP's have played a vital role in this expansion and have not only been vaccinating over the week, but many practices are continuing to vaccinate on Saturday and Sunday this weekend,' Mr Hunt said in a statement.

However, the government's celebration ignores the fact 500,000 doses is just an eighth of its target for the end of March.

Every adult Australian is supposed to have at least one dose of the vaccine by late October but the sluggish start to the program puts this in doubt.

The government blames it on Australia's overseas vaccine supply being hit by Europe's decision to block some shipments of the AstraZeneca jab.

Jane Halton, from the national Covid-19 commission, warned last year of 'vaccine nationalism'.

Asked on Sky News' Sunday Agenda program if Europe's actions fall into that at category, she said: 'Absolutely.'

'Domestic governments have an obligation to protect their populations. What we can't do is to have that done at the expense of the globe and vulnerable people right around the world.'

Health minister Greg Hunt said 329,000 vaccines administered in state and territory clinics, 97,000 in general practices and more than 80,000 in aged care homes (pictured, aged care resident John Healy who was among the first to be vaccinated)

University of NSW Adjunct Professor Bill Bowtell questioned why Australia was falling behind with the vaccine rollout.

'Developing countries like Bangladesh, Rwanda, Senegal all of whom have much worse societal problems than we do are ahead of us,' he told the Today show on Saturday.

'We have to ask some very serious questions about why we are falling behind, we have got to correct those problems with a laser-like focus from the prime minister and the government.'

However, the government is optimistic about the vaccine the rollout with the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by CSL in Melbourne well underway.

The first of 50 million Australian-made AstraZeneca doses have been distributed and more will be, on an ongoing basis, Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Sunday.

He said the decision to produce the vaccine at CSL has ensured Australia is one of the few countries with 'strong, clear' domestic supplies going forward.

The first of 50 million Australian-made AstraZeneca doses have been distributed and more will be, on an ongoing basis, Mr Hunt said

Ms Halton is also co-chair of the Covax global co-ordination program that helps develop vaccines and ensures they are distributed globally.

So far the program has helped to get 31 million doses to 57 countries and the objective this year is for two billion doses.

There has been debate over which of the two vaccines being used in Australia - Pfizer and AstraZeneca - is more effective.

'One of the things I would say to people about the vaccines in Australia, take the first one you are offered,' she said.

'They are both going to do what we want them to do, which is to prevent severe disease and death.'
As Bangladesh celebrates 50 years since gaining independence, Christians are warning of growing persecution.

When Bangladesh declared independence from East Pakistan on 26 March 1971, the constitution promised that "every citizen has the right to profess, practice or propagate any religion."

In 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated this promise, declaring that "Bangladesh takes particular pride in religious freedom and communal harmony in the region".

But an Open Doors partner in the country is warning of growing persecution - and inaction by the government.

"Persecution is on the rise in our nation and our Government don't seem to be willing or able to confront it," says Brother Ahmed.



"They are being pressurised by extreme Islamic groups and they don't want to stand up to them for fear of being portrayed as 'unIslamic.'"

Bangladesh is home to around 903,000 Christians - around 0.5% of the population - but they face an increasingly hostile climate.

In just the last two years, the country has risen 17 places to number 31 in the Open Doors World Watch Report.

The charity puts the rise down to three factors: widespread attacks on homes and places of worship by Islamic extremists; violent attacks on Christian Rohingya refugees who have faced violent attacks by radical Islamic groups in the refugee camps; and an increase in discrimination and intolerance against converts.



In May last year, a mother and her young daughter were killed in a horrific attack. While 30-year-old Shilpi and her five-year-old daughter, Supria, were sleeping in their room, someone threw a homemade bomb through an open window. They were badly burned and died a few days later.

Converts from Islam tend to suffer the worst persecution and are often forced to worship in secret for fear of attack.

Yet police are slow to act if a Christian reports an incident of persecution.

"When Christian communities report attacks or persecution, local police sometimes respond as late as 24 hours later. The will to protect religious minorities is very low," Brother Ahmed said.

There have also been reports during the pandemic of Christians being left with nothing to eat after being refused emergency aid.

This was the experience of Badol, a church leader trained by Open Doors partners whose family was shunned by the local community after their conversion.

"No one wants to talk, communicate or associate with us," he said.

During the pandemic, Badol and his family have been denied vital food and aid from the local authorities because of their faith.

"I had no work for around two months and it was really difficult to meet the needs of my family," he says.

"We live hand to mouth, so no work means no food."

The prime minister's assurances of religious freedom also seem to be undermined by his own threat to prosecute anyone who pronounces offensive comments against the Prophet Muhammad.

Brother Ahmed said: "Pandering to such sentiments is a deadly game to play; it's time the Government refused to compromise with extremism."
Protests over NMRAs decision to grant waiver to Sinopharm By Kumudini Hettiarachchi, Ruqyyaha Deane & Meleeza Rathnayake Vocal Vaccine Forum urges Health Ministry to strictly follow Expert Panel decision; data submitted not sufficient View(s): View(s):

The waiver granted by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) to allow the import of the Sinopharm vaccine from China on March 19 drew much fire, with the Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Forum of Sri Lanka urging the Health Ministry to strictly follow the unanimous decision of the NMRAs independent Panel of Experts.

The eight-member Panel of Experts on candidate vaccines in its report submitted on March 17 states categorically that it recommends not to use the vaccine until more information is made available and evaluated.

The controversy surrounds the SARS-CoV2 vaccine (vero cell) inactivated, manufactured by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products under the China National Pharmaceutical Group  Sinopharm vaccine.

Echoing serious concerns in the health sector over reports that the NMRAs Acting Chairman has approved the Sinopharm vaccine, the Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Forum points out that the Panel of Experts had met on March 17 and studied the information provided by the manufacturer up to March 15.

They were of the unanimous opinion that the data submitted were not sufficient to decide on immunogenicity, safety and efficacy of this vaccine at present and therefore recommends not to use the vaccine until more information is made available and evaluated, stated the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Forum.

The Sunday Times on March 21, in an article headlined Crisis-ridden NMRA gives waiver of registration for import of Chinas Sinopharm vaccine reported how the Sinopharm vaccine was granted a waiver of registration by Sri Lankas new drug regulator on the night of March 19.

The NMRAs Acting Chairman, Prof. Sisira Siribaddana, said the waiver was granted under Section 109 of the NMRA Act which deals with Emergency and other special circumstances and it was with specific regard to a donation of around 600,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines. He was not sure to whom these vaccines would be administered.

This week, the March 17, 2021 dated Review report No. 4 of the NMRAs Panel of Experts on the Sinopharm vaccine was circulating in the public domain. Of 11 questions posed by the Panel of Experts, according to the document, the Panel has indicated Not answered to nine.

In the report, the Expert Panel points out that the questions to which answers have not been provided include:

Interim analysis of phase 3 data presented until October 31. No data after that. Can the follow up data be provided?

Vaccine efficacy is claimed to be 76.06% and 78.01%. Were participants only followed up for an average period of 22 days after the 2nd dose?

Efficacy data in >60-year-old age group. The sample size inadequate to draw conclusions.

Were anyone with co-morbidities included in the trial?

Phase 3 safety data. What were the side-effects observed?

In conclusion, the Expert Panel states that with data submitted to the NMRA on 01.03.2021 and 15.03.2021 by the vaccine manufacturer, the Expert Panel is of the opinion that the data submitted are not sufficient to decide on immunogenicity, safety and efficacy of the vaccine at present.

Meanwhile, in a letter dated March 19 to the Controller General of Import and Export, the NMRAs Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kamal Jayasinghe, states that as per the board (NMRAs Board Members), the NMRA grants Waiver of Registration for emergency use of the vaccine in terms of Section 109.

Many stressed that Sinopharm has not received emergency-use listing (EUL) by the World Health Organisation (WHO) or a stringent regulatory body such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of America, the United Kingdoms (UKs) Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Others pointed out that it is not the NMRA Boards decision whether or not to grant EUL but the decision of the Technical Evaluation Committee, which, in this case, is the Panel of Experts.

Looking around the world, sources also said that in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a small number was being given the third jab of Sinopharm as they had not developed a sufficient immune response from two doses.

Sri Lanka, so far, based on the expert panels recommendation, has granted EUL to AstraZenecas COVISHIELD vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India and the Sputnik V vaccine produced by the Gamaleya Research Institute in Russia.

In the past few weeks, the NMRA has been plagued by crises, firstly by the lightning sacking of four members of eminence of its board by a State Minister, followed by its Chairman Prof. Asita de Silva submitting his resignation.

Prof. Siribaddana and three others had been appointed as NMRA Board Members by State Minister Channa Jayasumana soon after he sacked the four who were in service.

The sacked members were well-known health expert Dr. Palitha Abeykoon, management expert Dr. Kapila Ranasinghe, accountancy expert M.K. Harshana Karunaratne and lawyer Chamindika Herath. In their place were appointed Prof. Sisira Siribaddana (Management), Raja Goonaratne (Law), Dr. Udayasri Kariyawasam (Accountancy) and Dr. R.I. Wijewantha (Health).

With much opposition to a suggestion that Dr. R.I. Wijewantha who has still not returned from his post-graduate training abroad should be appointed Chairperson, Prof. Siribaddana had been made Acting Chairperson temporarily.

Even though Prof. Asita de Silva had resigned only from the post of NMRA Chairperson but not as the Board Member representing the field of pharmacology, Prof. Sudheera Jayasinghe from the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhuna University had been appointed in his place.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
According to Tanzania's constitution, Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan is now the acting president.

analysis

A major political transition is under way in Tanzania after the laying to rest of former president John Pombe Magufuli. The East African nation's new leader Samia Suluhu Hassan is the country's sixth president and currently the only woman running a country on the continent. We asked Rob Ahearne, who has been doing research in Tanzania for more than a decade, to set out the political context and Hassan's immediate challenges.

What political environment has the new president stepped into?

Magufuli's anti-corruption agenda, emphasis on hard work, fractious relations with multinational mining giants and significant investments in major public works, won praise from some quarters. But it went hand in hand with the severe narrowing of political space (both in public and online) and an increasing authoritarianism. Deep political divisions have been exacerbated by a heavily disputed, possibly fraudulent, election late last year. Magufuli won with a scarcely believable vote share of 84%.

It is this political turmoil and sharp division that Samia Sululu Hassan, affectionally known as Mama Samia, inherits as leader for the next four-and-a-half years.

As Vice President for more than five years she has always been a loyal supporter of the government agenda, though in 2016 she didn't deny rumoured tensions in their relationship.

Nevertheless, she often acted as Magufuli's main overseas representative during her tenure as Vice President. Thus she was cast in a more consensus-driven and diplomatic role that may be replicated as President. Despite arguments that she was principally selected because of the need for a woman to serve as vice president after Magufuli defeated two women to the presidential nomination, she managed to carve out a significant role and level of responsibility.

Two of the leading opposition figures, Tundu Lissu (currently exiled in Belgium owing to safety fears) and Zitto Kabwe have expressed hope that the government will change course under Hassan's leadership. Noted as a calmer and less outspoken than her predecessor, some hope that her government will dampen the populist rhetoric, opposition crackdowns and increasing authoritarianism. This may prove difficult in the short term, as she will need to build a political base within the ruling party before any major policy shifts.

What are the key social and economic challenges she faces?

Tanzania's economic growth over the past two decades has averaged around an impressive 7%. But this fell more dramatically from 5.8% in 2019 to 2% in 2020. There have been job losses in the formal sector, while hundreds of thousands of people are likely to have been pushed below the national poverty line.

Magufuli's response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been accurately described as 'distressing' and 'baffling'.

One decision was not to impose severe lockdown measures to manage the spread of COVID-19. He lauded his economy-first approach by saying:

We have had a number of viral diseases, including Aids and measles. Our economy must come first. Countries [elsewhere] in Africa will be coming here to buy food in the years to come... they will be suffering because of shutting down their economies.

Many now acknowledge that COVID-19 has spread far and wide within Tanzania. The real economic impact of the pandemic will likely be felt more deeply in 2021 and 2022 as firms take precautionary measures against the spread of the virus. There are also likely to be steep declines in production, consumption and exports.

What calls for the new president's immediate attention?

A big issue is what she will do about the country's stance towards COVID-19.

Magufuli declared Tanzania 'virus free' in May of 2020 and failed to take it seriously after initially doing so. He then claimed that COVID-19 had returned with Tanzanians travelling abroad in search of vaccines.

It took until February this year for government officials to finally encourage mask wearing. And there has been no attempt yet made to procure vaccines, despite widespread examples of severe respiratory illness.

The denialism of Magufuli and his regime has clearly had a material impact on public health and preparedness for any rollout of vaccinations.

Hassan's first priority must, therefore, be to procure vaccines and then to address the uphill task of persuading a potentially sceptical public that they are not 'guinea pigs', as Magufuli asserted.

What sets Tanzania apart from its neighbours?

Tanzania is often seen as a beacon of peace and stability in East Africa. It is not exposed to the same political tensions and civil unrest that have beset many neighbouring countries, for example the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda. Building a sense of national unity was central to the project undertaken soon after independence by 'father of the nation' Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, who famously said:

In Tanzania, it was more than one hundred tribal units which lost their freedom; it was one nation that regained it.

The attempt to build a unified nation is reflected in the creation of non-ethnic political institutions and civil service. It is seen in the marginalisation of chiefly power, and spreading Kiswahili as a unifying non-colonial national language.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Governance 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.

It's true the project may not have been perfect. The 1964 revolution in Zanzibar, which gave rise to the republic unifying mainland Tanzania with the islands, was a bloody affair. Also the relationship between the semi-autonomous archipelago and the mainland is often-fraught while ethnic tensions simmer from time to time.

Nevertheless, the narrative of a stable united Tanzania retains a certain logic.

Multi-partyism was implemented in 1995, but the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, retained its dominance for at least a decade. The status quo didn't change until the 2015 elections. John Magufuli - the little-known minister of works at the time - received the lowest vote share (58%) of any Chama Cha Mapinduzi presidential candidate even with the veracity of the ballot questioned.

This is a story replicated in the 2020 election and shows the extent of division within the country. Time will tell, but Mama Samia may prove to be the right sort of politician to usher in a new era of bipartisan politics that is less populist, less authoritarian and more collegial in approach.

Rob Ahearne, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of East London
MOOSE JAW, Sask. - Health officials in Saskatchewan are now urging residents of Moose Jaw to follow the same public health guidelines as Regina due to a rise in the number of COVID-19 variants of concern in the province's south.

Specimens to be tested for COVID-19 are seen at LifeLabs after being logged upon receipt at the company's lab, in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 26, 2020. Health officials in Saskatchewan are now urging residents of Moose Jaw to follow the same public health guidelines as Regina due to a rise in the number of COVID-19 variants of concern in the province's south. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

MOOSE JAW, Sask. - Health officials in Saskatchewan are now urging residents of Moose Jaw to follow the same public health guidelines as Regina due to a rise in the number of COVID-19 variants of concern in the province's south.

The advice, contained in Saskatchewan's daily pandemic update on Sunday, follows a warning from officials a day earlier that variants of concern cases were rising in Moose Jaw, which is about 70 km west of the capital.

Regina remains the area with the most variants of concern cases, with 1,126 of the Saskatchewan's 1,365 variant cases identified so far through screening.

Last week, the province recommended that people avoid travelling into or out of Regina unless it was absolutely necessary, in order to stop the spread of more infectious variants of COVID-19.

Extra restrictions took effect in Regina and surrounding areas Sunday, including a ban on in-person dining in restaurants.

Saskatchewan reported three new deaths and 248 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 28, 2021.
Efforts to dislodge a giant container ship blocking the Suez Canal have allowed its stern and rudder to move, but it remains unclear when the vessel will be refloated, the head of the canal authority was quoted as saying by a Reuters report.

The 400-metre (430 yard) long Ever Given became wedged diagonally across a southern section of the canal amid high winds early on Tuesday, blocking one of the world's busiest waterways.

A combination of dredging material from around the ship and pulling and pushing the vessel with tugboats made minor progress in dislodging the ship on Saturday, two SCA sources said. One source said there had been some movement at the bow of the ship.

Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman Osama Rabie told local TV that water had started running underneath the ship. "We expect that at any time the ship could slide and move from the spot it is in," he told a press conference earlier.

He said that dealing with this ship was difficult as it has a 400 m long and 59 m wide, in addition to an overall loading of more of 223,000 tons, pointing out that the sandstorm was not the main reason for its grounding, indicating that in such big incidents there would be more than a single reason. Rabie denied that Ever Given grounding was deliberate, explaining that there are technical reasons behind the giant container grounding within other reasons and this will not be determined until the investigations are completed.

If the blockage drags on, shippers may decide to reroute their cargoes around the Cape of Good Hope, adding about two weeks to journeys and extra fuel costs. Rabie said the ships that are waiting were free to reroute, but none had yet done so.

He said 321 vessels were waiting to enter or continue their transit through the canal. Those included dozens of container ships, bulk carriers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vessels, according to a shipping source.

Fourteen tugs have so far been involved in efforts to refloat the Ever Given, although Boskalis and Smit Salvage have warned that using too much force to tug the ship could damage it.

There are currently around 30 tankers above 25,000 dwt waiting to cross the Suez Canal.

The US Navy in the Middle East planned to send an assessment team of dredging experts to the Suez Canal as soon as Saturday to advise local authorities, according to two US defense officials.

"We expect most vessels in ballast will decide to wait until the situation clarifies and, if fixed on a charter party, will likely get cancelled by charterers through protection clauses related to missing agreed upon laycan dates. This will no doubt affect vessel supply on both sides of the canal, as well as market rates," said a report from the Signal Group.

Black Sea-Med Aframax seems to be leading the charge with WS170 on subs late on March 26.

Over the coming days and weeks, more vessels are expected to have to decide if they will cross through the Suez Canal or via the Cape of Good Hope. For reference, a vessel currently crossing the Indian Ocean would take 14 days to reach Malta via the Suez versus 33 days via the Cape of Good Hope. The cost for a laden Aframax to pass through the Suez Canal is roughly $300,000.

Analysis of tanker types normally transiting the Suez shows that the most impacted are the Suezmaxes, Aframaxes and LR2 vessels. These vessel types trade through the Suez in both directions.

The LR2 market, being particularly thin, with a very small number of vessels both East and West, will potentially see significant changes on freight rates.

A major shipping lane is clearly closed, but this will most probably have a short-term effect for a few charterers and owners that are trying to carry cargo through the canal at present. Most large crude tankers (VLCCs) have historically taken the route around the Cape when undertaking long East to West or West to East voyages. Mid-sized tankers (Suezmax, Aframax) are more likely to be affected, maybe more so on the carriage of refined products. Low levels of crude oil demand due to the third wave of coronavirus across Europe and the USA are keeping oil prices in check, yet we still saw a 4% rise in prices on Friday, said the Signal Group report.
New Delhi, March 28 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday declined to confirm or deny his purported meeting with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.

"Everything cannot be made public," he said to a question on the meeting during a press conference at his residence.

Gujarati media had reported that Shah met Pawar and senior Nationalist Congress Party leader and former Union Minister Praful Patel in Ahmedabad.

His cryptic comment left everyone guessing even as reports about the meeting had triggered speculations amid the political crisis in Maharashtra in wake of former former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh's serious charges against state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, of the NCP.

The Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government includes the NCP and the Congress.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Since returning home to Tupelo eight years ago after a medical residency in Boston, Dr. Rayford said he had been frustrated by the dearth of health care options and entrenched poverty that saddles African-American residents with some of the highest rates of infant mortality, heart disease and diabetes in the country. Mississippi and Alabama are among the dozen states whose Republican-led governments have rejected Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.

Until we get a better system, we have to come up with these workarounds, but it gets really tiring, Dr. Rayford said.

Public health experts say the $6 billion for community vaccination sites included in President Bidens recently passed relief package will go a long way to addressing the problem, and officials in Mississippi and Alabama say they have made considerable progress over the past month in narrowing the racial gap in vaccinations. They say they are expanding vaccine distribution to community clinics and expect access to accelerate alongside increasing supplies of the vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson, which needs only one dose and can be kept at normal refrigeration temperatures, making it easier to distribute in rural areas.

Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Mississippis top health official, said 38 percent of all vaccines administered in the second week of March had gone to African-Americans, a milestone he said was accomplished with the help of local organizations. The options are increasing very quickly and pretty soon people are not going to have to go to a drive-through site, he said during a news conference last week.

Dr. Karen Landers, Alabamas assistant state health officer, noted that last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranked Alabama among the top 10 states that have vaccinated vulnerable residents  a category that includes racial and ethnic minorities and the economically disadvantaged. But she added that the overwhelmingly rural composition of the state had made the task daunting given Alabamas limited resources.

We listen to the criticism, and we are certainly trying to take any elements of truth that are in that criticism so we can better serve our citizens, Dr. Landers said in an interview.

In a case that's drawing a lot of attention based on the insane level of leniency shown, two 14-year-olds who bullied, murdered, danced on the body of, and filmed a helpless 13-year-old, have been let off with the mother-of-all-slaps-on-the-wrist by a Riverside County Superior Court Justice.

According to local radio station KTLA:

Two 14-year-old Southern California boys who beat a fellow student in 2019, causing his death, wont go to jail but must undergo anger management therapy, a judge ruled. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Roger A. Luebs imposed the therapy as a probation condition before releasing the teenagers to their parents on Thursday, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reported Friday. On Sept. 16, 2019, the teenagers were videotaped attacking 13-year-old Diego Stolz outside classrooms at Landmark Middle School in Moreno Valley, east of Los Angeles. One boy struck the teenager in the head from behind and he fell, hitting his head against a pillar. The boys then continued punching the boy, who died nine days later from a brain injury. Last fall, the boys entered the equivalent of guilty pleas in juvenile court last fall to involuntary manslaughter and assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury. They spent 47 days in juvenile custody.

The helpless 13-year-old orphan had been bullied, brutalized, begged for help from the teachers' unionized school officials whose fat-salaried job was to protect him, and got nothing. They let him get murdered. And early on, they callously blamed the kid's family for his killing, instead of themselves. The case makes one's blood boil.

How can a 13-year-old's life be worth absolutely nothing? The kid was an orphan, living with his aunt and uncle, who are now suing the school district for its lazy indifference. They'll get money no doubt, but the kid still lies dead, robbed of absolutely everything as the killers snigger in remorselessness, a fact noted by the judge in this KTLA passage:

At their sentencing, the judge said psychological reports described the boys as lacking empathy and said they blamed the victim for the attack.

All the same, as City News Service reported, the judge ignored Department of Probation recommendations to throw the book at this pair (and like Jimmy Carter with the Iranian hostage-takers) he said he really didn't think they meant to kill the kid despite their slamming him into a wall, dancing on his head, and videoing their vileness for all their creepy little friends to see.

Parts of his sentencing were obnoxious, too:

Luebs directed that each offender enroll in character development and anger management classes, as well as perform 150 hours community service, not play violent video games, avoid social media and write letters of apology to the Stolz family. They were additionally ordered to permanently steer clear of one another. Luebs warned the pair that any probation violation could land them in deep trouble, possibly resulting in time behind bars.

Why, exactly, are they getting 'one last warning' to behave themselves, when they've already done the worst they could possibly do? These killers should have had their one-last-warning before they moved up to killing people. This didn't happen out of the blue -- one of these plagues-on-society was already on probation when he tried his hand at killing. How seriously are they going to take this latest 'one-last-warning'? The message they've gotten so far is that if they get caught violating probation, all they will get is another one-last-warning. But remember, one more chance.

In the past, killers of this stripe went to juvenile detention up until the age of 26. A few went to real jails with the adults, given the callous nature of their crimes and their demonstrated incorrigibility.

These killers get anger management "therapy," character building courses (what, Upward Bound-style romping on rocks in a Kidz Kamp vacay?), and 150 hours of community service (where they are likely to be a plague again meaning they will get signed off without the hours by the community groups just to get them away from them). No video games, no contact with each other, no cell phones (which they used to plan the killing) and merely 'avoiding' social media, all of which are going to be impossible for authorities to monitor. As for apologies to the family, ugh. Forced apologies are phony and insulting, and rest assured, theirs will have something insulting in it.

What these killers need is actual punishment, not free social services. They got those earlier and look what happened.

The aunt and uncle of the murdered orphan, who pleaded and pleaded with authorities to help him, leaving a trail of evidence of it, are rightly suing the school district for its pattern of indifference to the plight of the kid, who had no choice but to be in that stinking school, like it or not. Yes, they have a case, and if I were on that jury, I'd give them everything they asked for.

The broader problem is that this is criminal justice "reform" in action -- coddling and protecting the killers, and ignoring the victims of murder who can't, after all, vote, lobby, or go to the press -- kind of like unborn babies now. For a helpless orphan, what chance at all did he have against such killers?

Yes, the judge bears some blame for ignoring probation department recommendations and handing out this slap on the wrist. Why he did it is very hard to parse.

Was he a crazy leftist who takes money from Soros? Apparently not. His record shows him to be an apparently moderate Democrat or moderate Republican, donating money to the likes of then-moderate Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Republicans Rep. Ken Calvert and now-former Sen. John F. Seymour during his money-donating days in the 1990s as an attorney. He was appointed judge by then-Gov. Gray Davis, a Democrat, who is a decent man, not a crazy, and quite moderate compared to the lunacy out there now. He's located in the Inland Empire, which is historically one of the more conservative parts of California. He's run unopposed in recent elections according to Ballotpedia and not answered questions about his political views on the same forum. I looked for controversial rulings from him and didn't find any thus far. It's hard to say what happened, but the judge did note that his decision was going to be unpopular. According to KTLA:

I know that my decision will not make everyone happy. In fact, it will probably make some people in the community angry, the judge said. Im sorry there isnt more I could do to address your loss, he told members of Stolzs family.

No kidding. But the judge isn't the main problem here.

A much bigger and better-defined culprit is one-party all-blue legislative California, which did indeed pass some terrible "criminal justice reforms" to effecively nullify all punishment for under-18 killers of orphans. One law, possibly the one cited by the judge, appears to be here, mandating 'least restrictive environment' all to give the felonious youngsters more of a normal childhood, you see, as if that was going to happen given how they responded to such an environment before they went out killing people.

The other thing is, these "reforms" have literally emptied out California's juvenile detention centers.

Here's a list of measures from ten years ago from one of the Soros-style criminal justice reform outfits:

State Drastically Reduces Youth Prison Population Over the past several years, litigation and concern about dangerous conditions in California youth prisons resulted in media attention, stakeholder education about the problematic conditions, advocacy by a broad spectrum of organizations, and increased costs to the state for the confinement of youth. These developments have led to higher numbers of youth being treated by community-based programs in some counties, legislation restricting the types of offenses that can lead to state imprisonment, and budget realignment that redirects funds from state juvenile justice to the counties. These practice and policy changesalong with an unfortunate increase in direct files to adult courthave contributed to a dramatic drop in the population sent to Californias state youth facilities over the past fifteen years. On February 22, 2010, the California Division of Juvenile Justice closed the Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility in Chino, the states largest juvenile prison. The state now has only three youth prisons, down from 11 in 2003. The overall population of Californias youth prisons has declined from a staggering 9,572 in 1996 to 1,082 at the end of 2011, an 89 percent decrease.

In San Diego County alone, which abuts Riverside County, pretty much nobody juvenile goes to jail anymore, no matter how many classmates they kill. Here's a left-slanted 2018 report touting the empty jails in the local Voice of San Diego:

San Diego Countys four detention facilities can hold 855 young people. But on a recent Wednesday, just 311 youths were housed inside the countys prisons and camps, said Chief Probation Officer Adolfo Gonzales. At least five to six wings of the countys juvenile detention space are totally empty at present, he said. Just eight years ago, the number of incarcerated kids was three times as high: The average daily population in lockup stood at 1,008 for January 2010.

The report has a doozy of a graph showing plummeting juvenile detention numbers in multiple California counties, including Riverside. Apparently, nobody goes to jail, no matter what they do and word has gotten out in the thug-American community that the killins' are easy now.

It goes to show that so-called criminal justice reform is a total fraud. Nobody gets punished. And for helpless, 13-year-old orphans like Diego Stolz, nobody gets justice. This is vile, and cries out for reform. The little kid got zero justice. His life was essentially declared worthless by the leftists in power in California. One can only hope that this finally is what it takes to wake up California's voters and make this 'criminal reform' legislation an issue. The only people who benefit here are actual criminals.

Image: Screen shot, YouTube
Leading pump makers Ltd (KBL) is close to be a debt-free company and will continue its growth journey into domestic and international markets, said a top company official.

After being debt-free, the company will focus on cash flow and will not chase topline (revenue) numbers at the cost of profitability, said KBL Director Alok Kirloskar.

"As part of that strategy, we will be a debt-free company. And, if you look at the numbers at the end of this year in March, we are almost debt-free as a company," Alok Kirloskar told PTI.

On a standalone basis, KBL is close to being debt-free and the next objective is to enhance its ROCE (return on capital employed), over 25 per cent and ROE (return on equity) about 20 per cent, added.

"The next objective is, of course, enhancing the profitability and enhancing our growth after we are established to be debt-free because we are not comfortable with having large amounts of debt, which was the case in 2010," he added.

When asked about the growth, Kirloskar said, "We will continue on the CAGR (compound annual growth rate), that is our objective. Even in the times of coronavirus, if you see our third-quarter numbers, we have still shown that we are doing better than last year, even though coronavirus."



In 2019-20, KBL, a flagship company of the USD 2.1-billion Kirloskar Group, had reported a revenue of Rs 2,097 crore.

However, he also added, "Growing the turnover is important but not at the cost of profitability and cash flow. Our first objective No. 1 is cash flow, No. 2 is profitability and No.3 is turnover."



The key sectors in which KBL operate are water and wastewater, irrigation, industrial, commercial building services, and oil & gas.

KBL gets half of its business directly from consumers under the business-to-consumer route, and the rest half from the institutional buyers from business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) channels, Alok added.

The company has made a big shift from a project company to be a product company. In 2010, around 75 per cent of its revenue was coming from projects and the rest 25 per cent from products.

"If you look at our mix as of last year, 97 per cent came from products and 3 per cent came from projects. So, you know we have made a big shift to focus on products in the last 10 years," Kirloskar added.

Over the international business, which contributes over one-third of the KBL's business, the company is now focusing more on becoming a services business rather than in the product business.

The company's fundamentals are strong and have implemented the artificial intelligence system, which has made the front-end of its business automated.

"We have invested in these bad times in 3D-printing. So, we operate the world's largest 3D printers. I would say that technology-wise, we have made big investments.

"And, we have a really strong international business. So, we are not only India's biggest pump manufacturing company but also the UK's biggest pump manufacturing company," he said.

Besides India, the Kirloskar group firm KBL has manufacturing facilities in the UK, USA, the Netherlands, South Africa and Thailand. While in Egypt, it has an assembly facility.

According to Kirloskar, 35-40 per cent of the business of the company comes from outside India.

"We are the UK's largest pump manufacturing company, so we have a manufacturing plant in the UK, the US in Atlanta, the Netherlands, South Africa and Thailand," said Kirloskar, who is also managing director of the UK-based SPP Pumps Ltd.

When asked as to whether KBL is looking to increase the contribution from the global markets, he said, "Objective of course, is to have a higher international business."



According to the Indian Pump Manufacturers' Association (IPMA), the market is about Rs 8,000-10,000 crore in which 65 per cent is with the organised players.

(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 eyebrows that were raised when the federal government penultimate week approved a whopping sum of $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt Refinery was not exactly unexpected. To many Nigerians, it seems like a journey on the same bumpy road that leads to nowhere.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who announced the new deal after the weekly Federal Executive Council, (FEC), meeting said the rehabilitation will be done in three phases of 18, 24 and 44 months. He disclosed that the contract was awarded to an Italian company, Tecnimont spa, who are experts in refinery maintenance, on the recommendation of the Japanese firm that built it.

He also noted that the funding would be in three components, namely, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), budgetary allocations and facility from Afreximbank.

In the considered opinion of this newspaper, spending $1.5 billion on the refinery at a time when the resources of the country are few and far between has left much to be desired.

Indeed, experts have adduced that the inability of our refineries to function for years is a national shame that has left the country at the mercy of prices in the international oil market .

Regrettably, in our view, Nigeria has spent about $25 billion in turnaround maintenance of the country's refineries in the past 25 years with virtually nothing to show for it. We also recall the decision of the senate last year to probe the (NNPC), over alleged $396 million expended on Turn-Around Maintenance (TAM) of the refineries between 2013 and 2015. There is no doubt that TAM has become synonymous with sleaze and corruption as many Nigerians see it as an avenue for some penny pinching government officials to loot the treasury.

The contradiction in this new deal is that it is coming at a time when government is supposed to hands off downstream oil business, courtesy of deregulation. Again, we recall that last year, the federal government announced a total deregulation of the downstream sector and the removal of subsidy, in the midst of fuel importation for local consumption.

What many industry watchers consider amazing is why successive administrations had failed to build more refineries in the years of oil boom, yet left the existing four refineries to die.

That does not happen in other climes. It is noteworthy that as at January 1, 2020, there were 135 functional petroleum refineries in the United States of America. Also, Singapore, a country with a population of the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) has three refineries.South Africa on the other hand has functioning six refineries.

In the case of Nigeria, according to an NNPC report last year, three of Nigeria's four refineries gulped N1.64 trillion in cumulative losses recorded in their operations since 2014. Two of these refineries are the 210,000 barrels per day capacity Port Harcourt Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited and 110,000 barrels per day Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited.The audit reports showed that combined losses from the two refineries were N208.6 billion in 2014; N252.8 billion in 2015; N290.6 billion in 2016; N412 billion in 2017, and N475 billion in 2018.

As we have consistently advocated, government has no business in business.This is an axiom that must be internalised by the nation's decision makers if we desire a shift from this merry-go-round approach to development issues.

It is, however, gratifying to note that Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo recently said the only way to effectively address the massive infrastructural deficit that the country faces is by Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement in one form or the other. This, in our considered opinion, is the way to go.

Before now, experts in the oil industry had suggested that the best option for the country would have been to sell the refineries or enter into a PPP arrangement. Individuals and corporate bodies, especially the oil majors, should have been encouraged to build refineries through appropriate legislations. It is instructive to note that Dangote oil refinery, a 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) integrated refinery and petrochemical project, expected to be Africa's biggest oil refinery and the world's biggest single-train facility is expected to come on stream next year. Government should encourage other well to do Nigerians to invest in the downstream sector.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance Transport 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.

Besides, we understand the nationalistic deposition of the present administration to have a government owned refinery, but previous experiences have shown that government cannot manage such investments. And the earlier this reality is accepted, the better for the country.

It is from this position that we are obligated to urge the government to halt the planned rehabilitation and sell the refineries or go into a PPP arrangement with interested firms.
China releases new images of Mars from Tianwen-1 probe

Xinhua) 14:32, March 28, 2021

Photo taken on March 18, 2021 shows an image of Mars captured by China's Tianwen-1 probe. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Friday released two new images of Mars captured by the country's Tianwen-1 probe. In the images, Mars is crescent-shaped with a clear surface texture. When the Tianwen-1 probe was 11,000 km away from Mars on the far side of the planet to the sun, it took panoramic photos of Mars with a medium-resolution camera onboard. (CNSA/Handout via Xinhua)

BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Friday released two new images of Mars captured by the country's Tianwen-1 probe.

In the images, Mars is crescent-shaped with a clear surface texture.

When the Tianwen-1 probe was 11,000 km away from Mars on the far side of the planet to the sun, it took panoramic photos of Mars with a medium-resolution camera onboard.

The Tianwen-1 probe has been operating in the parking orbit around Mars for a month. The high-resolution camera, medium-resolution camera, mineral spectrometer and other payloads onboard were switched on successively to carry out exploration of Mars and obtain scientific data, according to the CNSA.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)
St Patrick holds the dubious honour of being one of the most well recognised but least well known saints. Having a day named after him lends his name to being well recognised by many but few know his real story even among Christians.

Only recently have I got to know who St Patrick was and the truth is much more amazing than any of the fables or myths that abound about him.

Different troubles, same sovereign God

It is unlikely that any of us will be kidnapped and forced into slavery like Patrick was (although that sort of thing sadly does still happen today!). While we will face suffering and hardship, we can take heart that not only is God in control but that he cares for us and is fully able to bring good from a bad situation.

Patrick grew up in a strong Christian family but it was only after he was kidnapped and forced into slavery that he remembered all hed been taught and cried out to God for salvation.

God answered him and comforted him during his years of captivity, then told him in a dream to escape and that a boat was waiting for him. Patricks captivity actually brought him freedom as he trusted in the saving work of God and was freed from his life of sin and death. Likewise, God can turn our situations around and bring good from a bad situation.

Loving those who hate you

I find it difficult to love those who are unkind towards me and I cant even imagine wanting to die for people who hated me but thats exactly what Jesus did when he died on the cross so that we  his enemies  could be forgiven and reconciled to God who made us and loves us!

Patrick, having been called by God in a dream, decides to go back to the very people who had enslaved him and abused him for years so that he could bring the wonderful news of the gospel to them. As a wonderful video by Lutheran Satire says, He went to preach the God that had saved him to those that had enslaved him.

Though it is unlikely that we will have to face as much persecution as Patrick did, it can still be very difficult to want to share Gods love with those who are our enemies or whom we do not like but since Jesus died as much for them as for us then we need to try and follow his example and share the wonderful news of Gods freeing salvation.

Listening to God above all others

Patricks road back to Ireland was not an easy one, not only did he have to brave the fearsome practices that went on in Ireland, such as human sacrifice but he was also opposed by the Roman Catholic Church  the ultimate authority back then.

Yet he did not allow this to deter him from spreading the gospel among the fierce Irish people. God had called him to Ireland and to Ireland he would go!

While it is important to listen to wise counsel and consider carefully how we can best serve God, we must have God as our ultimate authority and not let others opinions of us deter us from sharing Gods wonderful gospel news with those in need.

Our family or friends may think we are silly for putting such an importance and priority on living for God and telling others about him but in the end it is the most important thing!

Serving sacrificially and giving God the glory

Wonderfully, when Patrick preached the gospel in Ireland, it took root and flourished with many people becoming believers and the landscape of Ireland changing from being covered in idols to having churches popping up all over the land.

Yet even with his gospel mission bearing all this wonderful fruit within his lifetime, he was very humble about his role and entreated everyone to give credit not to him but to God. He did not seek fame nor money but just faithfully preached the gospel and through Gods grace built the church in Ireland.

It is a hard thing to be humble when God uses you to do great things. It is easy to forget that we are clay and he is the potter but we should take encouragement and inspiration from the way Patrick worked tirelessly and gave all the glory to God because he had his eyes set on what matters above all else  seeking Gods Kingdom.

It is a great privilege that God uses us to help bring about his purposes for this world and spread his wonderful news to people, just like us, who need to come to the wonderful saving knowledge of the gospel!

Different centuries, same God

What can we have in common with a 5th century Christian missionary to Ireland? As it turns out, quite a lot! We have both been created by the same God, received the same gospel, and been charged with the same mission to spread the wonderful news of it to those who need it!

How great it is that God is the same throughout every generation and uses us to continue spreading his amazing message of salvation and reconciliation around the world to this day!
SPRINGFIELD  A massive health care reform bill, the fourth and final pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus agenda, passed the state Senate Thursday, the final step before heading to Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature.

House Bill 158, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Camille Lilly and state Sen. Mattie Hunter, both of Chicago, is centered around eliminating race-based and other inequities in the states health care system, and includes provisions to expand medical services available to low-income residents and residents of color.

Specifically, HB 158 addresses access to health care, hospital closures, managed care organization reform, community health worker certification and reimbursement, maternal and infant mortality, mental and substance abuse treatment, and medical implicit bias.

For Black lives to truly matter, their right to quality health care must (not) be inhibited, Hunter said in Senate floor debate. It is our responsibility as elected officials to create laws that create an enriched, lasting impact on the communities we represent. This legislation does just that, and there is no better time to enact than now.

The bill passed on a 41-16 vote after revisions to the original version, which failed to pass in Januarys lame duck session.

The new version eliminated provisions that would have replaced the states Medicaid managed care program with a standard fee-for-service payment system. Managed care, which is a system of private insurance companies hired by the state to manage Medicaid, is how a majority of the states residents on Medicaid are enrolled in the program.

A last-minute amendment, which enhanced dementia training requirements for the Illinois Department on Aging, was also added before the bill went for a full vote in the House last week. It passed the House with a 72-41 vote.

Most of the items included in the bill are subject to state appropriation, meaning future General Assemblies will have to decide whether to allocate the money to fund them.

House and Senate Republicans shared concerns about the total cost of implementing this legislation. In the Senate floor debate, Republican Sen. Steve McClure, of Springfield, said he doesnt believe the state can afford to implement all the provisions in the bill

The fiscal impact of $12 billion would represent almost 30 percent of the Governors proposed fiscal year 2022 general funds budget, which is $41.6 billion, McClure said. We just cant afford it and thats really what it comes down to. And the $7.5 billion from the recent stimulus is going to help us quite a bit, but were still in very rough financial shape right now.

Democratic Sen. Jacqueline Collins, of Chicago, questioned how a price tag can be put on somebodys life.

Another significant provision in the bill would put a halt on hospital closures for up to 60 days after the effective date of the act, which is an effort to prevent hospital closures in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic. Closures are also deferred until either the state or U.S. are no longer under disaster declaration or public health emergency.

In the last year, weve seen thousands of deaths due to COVID-19. Weve also seen how racism has intensified the effects of this pandemic on Black Illinoisans, and its time to take action against the factors that led us here, Hunter said in a news release. This groundbreaking initiative will give everyone the opportunity to receive equitable, patient-centered care, regardless of race or socioeconomic status.

HB 158 would also create a Health and Human Services Taskforce and an Anti-Racism Commission to make recommendations for tangible solutions to be enacted by hospitals, health care organizations and the General Assembly as the conversation and analysis of racial inequities in the health care system continue.

HB 158 needs only the governors signature to become law after it passed both the House and Senate. Its the final of four pillars of the ILBCs legislative agenda introduced last year.

The other pillars of the ILBC agenda, which address economic equity, public safety and education, were also introduced in Januarys lame duck session. These three pillars passed out of the lame duck session and have all been signed into law by the governor.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
Meghan Markles estranged father Thomas Markle has reportedly asked Oprah Winfrey to interview him about his row with his daughter who he claims he has not spoken to since 2018. According to The Sun, the 76-year-old made his request to give his side of the story in a letter which was hand-delivered to the chat shows home in California. An insider said that Thomas watched the interview his daughter did after which he felt he too deserves a chance to have his say.

In the tell-all interview, Meghan had opened up to Oprah about her fathers betrayal after he posed for paparazzi photos ahead of her wedding day. The Duchess of Sussex had revealed that Thomas lied to her back then and said that he was absolutely not working with the press when in reality, he was helping the tabloids. Meghan recalled, "I just need you to tell me. And if you tell me the truth, we can help. And he wasn't able to do that." Meghan added that she and Prince Harry had even tried to offer him protection from the tabloid.

Thomas defends Royal family

Meanwhile, Thomas request to give his side of the story comes after he appeared on ITVs Good Morning Britain the day following Meghan and Prince Harrys controversial interview with Oprah aired in the UK. On the show, Thomas said that he is desperate to speak to his daughter and reconcile with her. He even admitted that they had fallen out after she was upset at him for speaking to the press in the run-up to her wedding in 2018.

However, the 76-year-old also lept to the defence of the royals on Good Morning Britain despite his daughters claims. He said that he has great respect for the royals and he doesnt think the British royal family are racist at all. He added that the thing about what colour will the baby be or how dark will the baby be is just a dumb questing from somebody.

During the Oprah interview, two of the most significant allegations Meghan made concerned the palaces alleged indifference to her mental health struggles as well as her claim that unnamed palace officials expressed concern over how dark their son Archies skin would be while she was pregnant. In the interview, Meghan, however, had refrained from naming the specific royal who had hurled racial slurs against her son alleging that it will be 'too damaging' for that person.

(Image: Twitter/AP)


A 71-year-old mother has asked for help to meet the person who received a heart from her son, but she has been refused by the hospital.

The forearm has been transplanted into a 19-year-old boy

The son of Truong Thi N from Hai Duong province was in a traffic accident in September 2020 and was declared brain dead at the Military Hospital 108. N and her family agreed to donate the sons organs to save six other patients.

The hospital then carried out five transplant surgeries, including lung, liver, kidney and forearm transplant surgeries. The heart was carried to the Vietnam - Germany Friendship Hospital and transplanted into a terminal-stage myocarditis patient.

On September 16, 2020, the funeral of Ns son was organized by the Military Hospital 108 with the participation of the relatives of five organ recipients.

Since then, N has kept contact with the five families and updated the information about the health of the recipients.

N has no information how the heart of her son was used and who has been transplanted with the heart.

N is facing criticism that she allegedly sold the heart of the son for VND2 billion. She has become sleepless, and has to use tranquillizers every day.

N has asked for help to look for the patient who received her sons heart.

I collapsed when hearing from doctors that they could not save my sons life. Then I met a female medical worker at the hospital, who talked about the procedure for organ donation, N recalled.

At first, N refused to donate her sons organs. But she was later convinced by the daughter, who said the donation would help save the lives of other people.

When agreeing to donate organs, N said she wanted to know the organ recipients and their addresses.

However, N could not get information about the heart recipient from the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Hospital.

Law must be respected

We always appreciate the noble gesture of donors. However, under current laws, the hospital and surgeons must not provide information about donors and recipients, explained Prof Tran Binh Giang, director of the hospital.

According to Giang, in other countries, the information about donors and recipients are encrypted to ensure normal lives for organ recipients. The leaking of information may undermine the humanity of the donation.

Giang affirmed that the person receiving the heart is living well.

Regarding the meeting between N and the other five recipients, a leader of the Military Hospital 108 said the families of the people whose lives were saved thanks to the organs voluntarily contacted N to express their gratitude, without assistance from the hospital.

In principle, hospitals must keep information about donors and recipients secret. However, there are exceptions if both sides have specific agreements and both sides are willing to provide information.

Under the laws, even when both the donors and recipients want to meet, hospitals must not come forward and connect them.

Recipients have the right to refuse to meet donors because they have the right to get the best possible care.

Heart transplant patients are emotional, and a psychological shock may seriously affect their health. If bad things occur, the organ donation will no longer have significance.

Heart transplant patients are emotional, and a psychological shock may seriously affect their health. If bad things occur, the organ donation will no longer have significance.

Prof Mai Hong Bang, Director of the Military Hospital 108, at a meeting with VietNamNets reporters on March 23, said that the hospital strictly observed the current regulations on tissue and organ donation and transplantation.

He said on November 7, 2020, N lodged a complaint with the the National Organ Coordination Center, requesting to "implement the commitment on providing the information about the recipient of the heart".

The hospital, after receiving the request from the center to deal with the complaint, met N and her family, explaining the provisions of the laws.

On November 24, N withdrew the complaint. Three days later, the hospital informed the center about the result.

Doctors' reactions

The story has stirred controversy in society and among patients waiting for organ transplantation.

Pham Nguyen Son, Deputy Director of Military Hospital 108, commented that the story has deviated from the original and many people now have a misunderstanding about organ donations, thinking it is trade. But donations must be a humanitarian activity, without any financial claims.

The misunderstanding may make the situation even worse as donation sources are very limited. Many patients could not be saved because of the lack of donated organs.

Thousands of patients need organ transplant operations every year but the number of donors remains small.

He stressed that donors themselves and their families are good people who need to be honored by society.

Son said that there are some problems in the regulations related to tissue and organ donations and the Ministry of Health is joining forces with some agencies to discuss the amendment of the regulations, including ones on medical costs that donors families have to pay.

Thuy Hanh

Low number of organ transplant cases due to attitudes toward organ donations The Ministry of Health affirmed that Vietnam now can master organ transplantation techniques, but the number of transplants remains modest.
New Delhi:

India has given birth to great leaders who have inspired the masses and taken the country forward. One such charismatic leader is Prime Minister Narendra Modi.



Born Narendra Damodardas Modi on 17 September 1950, at Vadnagar, Mehsana, Gujarat, he is the 14th and current Prime Minister of India who assumed office on May 26, 2014.

#WATCH PM Narendra Modi meets his mother on the occasion of his birthday today, in Gandhinagar (Gujarat). pic.twitter.com/pl3IPgWLC6

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Early Life

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Initiation With The Sangh Parivar

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a clean shaven look

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with RSS members

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Informal chat over tea between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Barack Obama at Hyderabad House, New Delhi

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Bonhomie between two world leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping sitting on a traditional swing at the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Former CJI TS Thakur Meets PM Narendra Modi, Extends Birthday Greetings

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise visit to Pakistan

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise visit to Pakistan

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his mother at PM House 7 LKM

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with former Pakistan captain Imran Khan

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi entering Parliament House to take oath

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying respects to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi before assuming charge of the PMO

Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe
Police in the capital of Belarus arrested more than 100 people who assembled for a protest march Saturday to call for the resignation of the country's authoritarian president.

The planned event in Minsk indicated that supporters of the political opposition seek to revive the wave of mass protests that gripped Belarus for months last year but were dormant during the winter. During the first sizable anti-government protests of 2021, more than 200 people were detained Thursday.

At least five journalists were among those arrested; it was not immediately clear what charges they could face, but some journalists arrested while covering last years protests were sentenced to two years in prison.

Protests broke out in August after a disputed election that gave President Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term in office. Lukashenko, who has been characterized as Europes last dictator, has strongly repressed opposition and independent news media during 26 years in power.

The post-election protests were the largest and most persistent show of opposition the former Soviet republic has seen in that time, with some of them attracting as many as 200,000 people.

More than 33,000 people were arrested during the protests, and many of them were beaten by police.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
NEW DELHI: Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, who welcomed her second son in February, is back to her fitness regime. The actress took to Instagram to share a sneak-peak of her routine with her followers. Kareena shared a collage of photos showing her smartwatch that said that she has walked 4.2 kilometres and also gave a glimpse of her neon yellow-green sneakers.

She captioned the photo, writing, "Day 1: The Journey Begins".

On Sunday, Kareena shared a photo of boxes full of mangoes and other fruits and used a sticker reading, "Love This".

It is to be noted that Kareena Kapoor Khan resumed shooting for her upcoming projects almost a month after delivering her second child. Kareena, who was spotted arriving at a studio in Mumbai on Monday, reportedly shot for a celebrity cooking show. Later, she shared stories on her Instagram featuring her yoga instructor Anshuka Parwani, Tanya Ghavri and Shibani Madhavlal Satyani, calling them "Good Friends".

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor are yet to reveal the name of their second son. While she posted the first picture of him on the occasion of International Womens Day, Kareena made sure to keep his face hidden from the camera in the photo.

Saif and Kareena married in 2012 after dating each other for a few years. The couple is already parents to Taimur Ali Khan, who was born in 2016.

On the work front, Kareena Kapoor will next be seen in the upcoming film Laal Singh Chaddha alongside Aamir Khan, which is set to be released on December 24.
Last Thursday, on the first day of Peacocks agreement to launch the WWE Network on their streaming service, fans began to notice some of the shows were edited from its original version. Those edits were of moments or matches that either havent aged well or they werent even appropriate at the time. Now, it appears those edits will not be isolated situations and that will be the plan going forward.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, NBCUniversal is reviewing all 17,000 hours of WWE content to ensure it aligns with Peacocks standards and practices. In addition, WWE is also being made aware of any edits.

As of now, only pay-per-views, documentaries, and recent shows have been uploaded to Peacock while the rest of the library is expected to be up by SummerSlam.

There have been two major edits that fans have noticed so far. The first was from WrestleMania VI where Rowdy Roddy Piper did a promo and a match with half his body painted black going against Bad News Brown, a Black wrestler. Both the promo and the match has been edited out of the Peacock version.

The second was from Survivor Series 2005 where Mr. McMahon, the TV character of owner and CEO Vince McMahon, said the N-word to John Cena. That backstage scene is also taken out from the Peacock version.

This means that, regardless if one agrees with this practice or not, pro wrestling fans are now figuring out in their minds which moments are likely to be on the chopping block, with many of those moments likely coming from the Attitude Era of the late 90s/early 00s.

Just off the top of my head on moments that possibly could be removed, X-Pac did blackface when D-Generation X impersonated the Nation of Domination. Triple H (in storyline) drugged Stephanie McMahon to get her to marry him. Triple H, wearing a Kane mask, had sex with a mannequin in a coffin. Brian Pillman pulled a gun on Stone Cold Steve Austin that looked like a home invasion. Terri and Lita had separate storyline miscarriages. And that doesnt get into all the unprotected chair shots to the head, instances of violence against women, the bra and panties matches, and some of the insensitive characters from over the years.

In other words, there might be a lot of things throughout the history of WWE, WCW, and ECW that dont make the cut for Peacock. Some of these controversial moments, like the Big Boss Man feeding Al Snow his own dog, were intentionally meant to be controversial in order to make fans hate the villain in the storyline but Peacock might not consider intent in their decision making. WWE has kept these moments on their streaming service and put up a disclaimer before older shows that explain how they were airing a show in its original version, that it doesnt reflect their current values as a company, and that viewer discretion is advised.

[The Hollywood Reporter/Photo: WWE Network]
Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/28/2021 -- The tank level monitoring system market size is expected to grow from USD 757 million in 2020 to USD 1,057 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 6.9%. Growing demand from process industries and growing demand for IoT-based tank level monitoring systems are the key factors driving the growth of the tank level monitoring system market.



Covid-19 Impact in the Tank level monitoring system market



The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted the growth of several industries, including manufacturing, oil & gas, and many others. Oil & gas is a major end-use industry of the tank level monitoring system market. Due to COVID-19, many ongoing or new projects across the oil and gas value chain are likely to face many challenges in terms of project execution, planning, and risk management. More than 2000 EPC oil & gas projects across various segments, including LNG, petrochemical, and oil storage & refineries, have to come to a halt or are delayed due to the pandemic. The energy research firm Rystad Energy has predicted that a 25% decline in oil prices could result in a cut in oil and gas investments by USD 30 billion globally.



The automotive and transportation is also a major end-use industry of the tank level monitoring system market. Many countries, including the US, China, Japan, and South Korea, have stopped the production of automobiles due to the COVID-19 pandemic.



Download PDF Brochure:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=78964849



Market for Oil & fuel to hold largest share in 2019



The market for oil & fuel accounted for the largest size in 2019. The levels of oil and fuel in storage tanks must be continuously monitored because of strict safety and environmental requirements. Overfilling or product discharge on deck and into the sea could have devastating consequences for human life and the environment. The charging and discharging procedures have to be carefully supervised. Advancements in technology have allowed the level sensing technology to measure oil and fuel levels in storage tanks. IoT-based solutions are also gaining traction in the oil & gas industry.



Market for invasive product type to hold largest share in 2019



The market for invasive type is estimated to account for the largest share of the overall tank level monitoring system market in 2019. Invasive tank level monitoring solution products offer a direct and reliable method to monitor a variety of liquid types. These types of products are compatible with most fluid types. The main advantage of the invasive type of products is that they are non-powered and are relatively inexpensive as compared to the non-invasive type of tank level monitoring system products.



Market in APAC to grow at highest CAGR during the forecast period



In terms of value, APAC to grow at highest CAGR during the forecast period. Among all applications, the oil & fuel segment is the most dominant application in the APAC tank level monitoring system market. APAC is expected to show significant growth in the oil & gas industry. India is expected to be one of the largest contributors to non-OECD petroleum consumption growth globally.



Key Market Players

TE Connectivity (Switzerland), Emerson Electricl (US), Graco Inc (US), Piusi (Italy), Tank Scan (US), Gauging Systems (US), Varec Inc (US), Digi International (US), Dunraven Systems (Ireleand), Schneider Electric (France), Pneumercator (US), The Southern Company (US), Skybitz (US), AIUT (US), AXSensor (Sweden), HMS Networks (Switzerland), Kingspan (Ireland), Schmitt Industries Inc (Germany), Oriel Systems (UK) and Powelectrics (UK) are a few major companies dominating the Tank level monitoring system market.

RTHK: Global condemnation after Myanmar bloodbath

Defence chiefs from a dozen countries on Sunday jointly condemned the bloodbath in Myanmar a day earlier, when at least 107 people - including seven children - were killed as security forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted and detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, triggering mass protests demanding a return to democracy.

The junta on Saturday staged a major show of might for its annual Armed Forces Day as the death toll from crackdowns since the coup climbed to at least 423, according to a local monitoring group.

The defence chiefs of 12 countries including the United States, Britain, Japan and Australia condemned the Myanmar military's use of lethal force against civilians.

"A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting - not harming - the people it serves," the rare joint statement said.

"We urge the Myanmar Armed Forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions."

Funerals were held on Sunday for some of the victims, after the bloodiest day since the putsch.

In Mandalay, the family of Aye Ko, a father-of-four, commemorated his life at a service after he was killed overnight.

"I am very saddened to lose my husband - together with my children I'm heartbroken," said his wife Ma Khaing.

Relatives of 13-year-old boy Sai Waiyan, who was shot on Saturday playing outside his house in Yangon, cried over his casket on Sunday afternoon, local media reported.

Despite the dangers, protesters hit the streets again on Sunday in parts of Yangon including Hlaing, and in the cities of Dawei, Bago, Myingyan and Monywa.

State-run media confirmed two men and two women were killed at Monywa on Sunday.

There was also a death in Myingyan - one woman was killed and two others injured, a medic said.

At Hlaing, a 16-year-old boy lost a hand in a blast, trying to throw back a grenade that security forces had lobbed at protesters, a rescue worker said.

A day earlier there were brutal military crackdowns at more than 40 locations across the country. The Mandalay and Yangon regions saw the majority of deaths, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

The United Nations put Saturday's death toll at 107 people - including seven children - but expects it to rise further.

"The shameful, cowardly, brutal actions of the military and police - who have been filmed shooting at protesters as they flee, and who have not even spared young children - must be halted immediately," United Nations envoys Alice Wairimu Nderitu and Michelle Bachelet said in a joint statement.

Military-run broadcaster Myawaddy TV reported Saturday's death toll was 45, noting 552 people had been arrested and claimed it was an unavoidable crackdown because protesters used real guns and bombs against security forces.

Rebels in eastern Myanmar's Karen state said they had been targeted in air strikes late on Saturday, hours after the ethnic armed group seized a military base.

Hsa Moo, an ethnic Karen and human rights activist, said three people were killed and at least eight injured.

It was the first air assault in 20 years in the state, and targeted the Fifth Brigade of the Karen National Union (KNU) - one of the country's largest armed groups - which says it represents the ethnic Karen people.

Further air strikes on Sunday sent 2,000 people from two villages in Karen state darting through the jungle across the border into Thailand seeking safety.

There was a grand parade of troops and military vehicles in the capital Naypyidaw on Saturday where junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing defended the coup and pledged to yield power after new elections.

But he also issued a threat to the anti-coup movement, warning that acts of "terrorism which can be harmful to state tranquillity and security" were unacceptable.

On Saturday night Min Aung Hlaing and his wife entertained dignitaries including Russian deputy defence minister Alexander Fomin at a lavish outdoor dinner in Naypyidaw.

State-run newspaper the Mirror reported there were musical performances and a drone display featuring a representation of Min Aung Hlaing saluting.

Armed Forces Day commemorates the start of local resistance to the Japanese occupation during World War II, and usually features a parade attended by foreign military officers and diplomats.

Overnight, at the Miss Grand International beauty pageant in Bangkok, a tearful Myanmar contender, Han Lay, pleaded for peace.

"Please help Myanmar, we need your urgent international help right now," she said. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2021-03-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
A former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has again called on the federal government to sell off the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its refineries.

Mr Abubakar repeated the call on Sunday as part of his recommendations for defusing Nigerias high unemployment time bomb.

His statement was in reaction to a report from Bloomberg Business on Saturday that Nigeria will soon have the highest unemployment rate on Earth, with an over 33 percent rate.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had said Nigerias unemployment rate rose to 33.3 per cent in the final quarter of last year, indicating that 23.2 million or one in three working age Nigerians have no jobs or trade. This is the highest unemployment rate in Nigeria in at least 13 years and the second-highest in the world.

In his statement on Sunday, Mr Abubakar said the Bloomberg report had proven him right on the state of the economy.

I have never felt so bad at being proven right, as I am by the report from Bloomberg Business on Saturday, March 27, 2021 that Nigeria is to emerge as the nation with the highest unemployment rate on Earth, at just over 33%.

We warned about this, but repeated warnings by myself and other patriots were scorned. And now this.

How did Nigeria get here? We got here by abandoning the people-centred leadership and free trade and deregulatory policies of the Obasanjo years (which saw us maintain an almost single digit unemployment rate), and implementing discreditted command and control policies that have led to massive capital flight from Nigeria.

And even with the paucity of funds, we continue to ramp up government involvement in sectors that ought to be left to the private sector, with the latest being the ill advised $1.5 billion so called rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery that has failed to turn a profit for years.

According to him, the government must realise that the insecurity Nigeria is facing is the result of youth unemployment.

Idleness is the worst feature of unemployment because it channels the energy of our youth away from production, and towards destruction, and that is why Nigeria is now the third most terrorised nation on Earth.

Way forward

The Peoples Democratic Party leader suggested that a stipend should be given to every family monthly to cater for academic needs of their wards.

In 2020, I recommended that to immediately and drastically bring down youth unemployment, every family in Nigeria with at least one school age child, and earning less than $800 per annum should receive a monthly stipend of 5000 Naira from the government via their BVN and NIN on the condition that they verifiably keep their children in school.

My recommendation still stands, and stands even stronger now that we have crossed the rubicon in youth unemployment.

If we can get the 13.5 million out of school Nigerian children into school, we will turn the corner in one generation. If we do not do this, then the floodgates of unemployment will be further opened next year, and in the years to come.

He also said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as well as the countrys refineries should be privatised.

As a nation, we are better off privatising our refineries and the NNPC through the time-tested LNG model in which the FG owns 49% equity and the private sector 51%.

Recall that in 20 years ending 2020, the NLNG had delivered $18.3 billion dividends to government irrespective of taxes and other benefit accruals to the country.

ADVERTISEMENT

He said the privatisation will not only free the government of needless spendings, but also  clean up the infrastructure mess in the petroleum downstream sector.

He also commended the federal governments Special Public Works initiative that seeks to employ 774,000 youths.

We must then incorporate those youth who are above school age into a massive public works programme. There was talk of 774,000 Special Public Works jobs for the youth, which was to have started in January of 2021. This is a commendable step, but it must be done with proper agenda, rather than propaganda.
I dont know if I was meant to, she says, but I actually found it really interesting because a lot of it involved speaking with partners, understanding what they are interested in, and thinking about the future direction of the firm. So what did the Stannage family do when she finally got the call late on Friday, March 5, letting her know that she had smashed through yet another glass ceiling with an outright majority of partner votes? "I had to keep it secret until it was announced to the partners and then the broader firm," she says. "So my celebration was just me, [husband] Chris and the kids having a celebratory champagne. I had to duck calls from partners, who I am sure must have thought I was devastated, having lost." They needn't have worried. In the 27 years since she commenced her articles at Freehills in Perth, Maslen-Stannage's career has shown scant sign of setback. She has been either winner or a finalist in the Australian "Dealmaker of the Year" awards every year since 2011 and acclaimed as "brilliant" by Chambers Global, which ranks the top lawyers and law firms around the world. TPG Telecom CEO Inaki Berroeta in the months after the groups tieup with Vodafone Australia where Mr Berroeta was CEO. Credit:Renee Nowytarger She advised TPG Telecom on its $15 billion merger with Vodafone Hutchison Australia, helped David Jones with its takeover by South Africa's Woolworths, and guided Centro Properties Group through a restructuring that involved five interconditional schemes of arrangement and a $9.4 billion sale of its US assets - a deal, she says, "I really made my name on". Nobody was surprised then when Freehills, one of the "Big Six" Australian firms, selected Maslen-Stannage as its deal lawyer when negotiating its own 2012 merger with UK firm Herbert Smith, to create a multinational practice of 2,100 lawyers across 26 offices.

Yet there was one disappointment, in her early days at Freehills, that had a profound impact on how Maslen-Stannage manages her career. As she tells it, she had discussed with her supervising partner her expected timeframe for making senior associate. Then, out of the blue, Freehills named a new group of senior associates  and Maslen-Stannage didnt make the cut. It was ahead of the timing I had laid out, but I still thought, Well, hang on a minute, if you are making that person a senior associate, then I should be on there too. I was a typical lawyer, always pegging myself against others. While she laughs about the story now, Maslen-Stannage admits she was devastated. The lesson she took away was that she needed to be more explicit in her demands. "I should have said that this is my expected timeframe, but by the way, if you are considering making any of these people a senior associate, then I should be one too. I just realised at that point that I can't leave anything to chance. I have actually got to voice what I want." This advice is contained in every pep talk Maslen-Stannage delivers to the junior lawyers in her team, 80 per cent of whom are women and therefore more likely to "self edit". "My message to them is to view your career as something that you control, rather than hoping that one day someone will tap you on the shoulder and offer you this opportunity," she says. "Don't be afraid to state what your ambition is." Maslen-Stannages ambition, intellect and work ethic are lionised in Australian legal circles  but are hardly surprising when you consider her childhood. She was the fifth of eight children born to a nuclear physicist father, who met her British mother while a Rhodes scholar at Oxford University. As a teenager, she attended Mercedes College, a Catholic girls school in Perth, before graduating from the University of Western Australia with dual degrees in law and commerce and then adding a Bachelor of Civil Laws from Oxford for good measure.

Maslen-Stannage credits the chaos of her childhood with helping to drive her career. Not only did it make her comfortable with change, and capable of tuning out the noise to focus on the issues that really matter, but it also gave her what she regards as the key ingredient in any success. In a big family, youve got to be resilient, she says. To me, being resilient  in the law or any other career  is the most important factor because you have to be able to see your way through a challenge. If the team comes to me panicking about something, I say, There will be a solution here because there always has been and there always will be. James Palmer, the former global chairman of Herbert Smith Freehills. Credit:Herbert Smith Freehills So what does she see as the main challenges facing HSF as she prepares to take the reigns from current chair James Palmer? "Technology disruption," she says, without hesitation. Artificial intelligence is encroaching rapidly on law firms' bread and butter, providing analysis in due diligence processes, updating smart contracts, predicting outcomes based on case law, and carrying out the bane of every articled clerk's existence: discovery. (Although true to form, the ever cheerful Maslen-Stannage admits that she never minded discovery and found it a "good training ground"). The challenge is how do we push ourselves up the value chain as some [of our traditional] work becomes commoditised, she says. Whats going to be of strategic importance to clients and how do we make sure that we are shifting always into the next trend, the next thing, the next theme. Maslen-Stannage points to HSFs recent launch of a dedicated environmental, social and governance (ESG) practice  amidst a seismic shift in ESG awareness, regulation and enforcement  as an example of the firms adaptability.

Globalisation is another challenge  and opportunity  for the firm, as clients increasingly face cross-border legal problems. Maslen-Stannage is excited about the footprint that HSF currently offers clients, but says there is room for further growth in Europe, Asia and the Americas, particularly north America. There are a lot of opportunities there that we would love to position ourselves for, she says. The US is obviously the largest market for legal services in the world, so its a logical place as we look to increase our global presence. The US is also home to aggressive firms with massive wallets, which they are merrily using to poach star lawyers across Europe and Asia. This goes, in part, to the heart of the third major challenge facing HSF: how does it continue to attract and retain smart young lawyers, who no longer view themselves as "lawyers for life", in a market where there is increasing demand for work-life balance and fierce competition for talent from rival law firms, investment banks and corporates? In the year to last April, HSF's turnover increased by 2.5 per cent to 989.9 million ($1.8 billion), with profit down 7.7 per cent to 283.2 million ($508 million) and profit per equity partner dipping 9.7 per cent to 857,000 ($1.5 million). While the firm recently boosted this with a one-off bonus of 5 per cent of salary for all staff in recognition of the challenges faced during COVID-19, the figure is still dwarfed by, say, the US$5.2 million ($6.7 million) profit per equity partner that US firm Kirkland & Ellis pays out. Yet Maslen-Stannage argues that HSF is a "different proposition" from its US rivals. "Our lawyers could walk into a job with them tomorrow and earn more money but they don't want to because the culture is different," she says, somewhat optimistically. "It's all about hard work and less about the person - that's the stereotype." She is more realistic about the challenge of retaining women, who historically have dropped out of the partnership race due to the professions long, unpredictable hours, as illustrated by Maslen-Stannages own typical work day. She admits she begins at between 6.30am and 7am and often works late into the night  and this is before the demands that her new role will entail. Compared to its peers, HSF has made solid strides in partnership diversity since introducing gender targets in 2014. The cause has been helped by prominent partners (like Maslen-Stannage) who have combined children with successful careers and by firm signalling, such as its decisions to allow part-time partners and to make some lawyers partners while they are still on parental leave. However, despite more than 50 per cent of HSFs trainee intake being women, its partnership is still only around 30 per cent female.

"We have made a lot of progress but we still have further to go; there is still a lag," Maslen-Stannage admits. "The good thing is that it is getting better. There was this sense for decades that it was just not shifting." Loading She expects COVID-19 to give the movement another major shove. "The flexible working philosophy that has come out of COVID will let us go another step in retaining women and men we would otherwise lose," she says. "Even if you are working really hard, it makes all the difference in the world if you can be home with your family for dinner or at home while you are working late at night. It will really help partners with families to balance everything and make them feel that their career is not too great a sacrifice on the family front." So how has she managed to balance her own spectacular career with raising two children - Sylvie, now 18 and a first-year student at the Australian National University, and 16-year-old Rohan, in Year 11? First, Maslen-Stannage acknowledges the incredible support of her husband Chris Stannage, a fellow lawyer who has chosen a more flexible career path. Then she credits her rowdy childhood  again  for relieving her of the pressure to do everything perfectly. I have friends who feel they have to home cook every meal for their kids as well as working around the clock - its just not actually possible, she says. Coming from a more chaotic household where everything didnt need to be perfect - near enough was good enough  has been really helpful.
7 day print subscribers enjoy unlimited access to yakimaherald.com

Enter the LAST NAME and the 7 DIGIT phone number on your print subscription account to connect your print subscription to your yakimaherald.com account.
Television fans will have to wait a little longer to celebrate the industrys night of nights after the annual TV Week Logie Awards were moved to November.

The awards, which were traditionally held in April until the event moved to Queensland and subsequently began taking place in winter, will be held on November 28, again at The Star on the Gold Coast as part of a multi-year deal with the Queensland government.

Australia's national television award: the Logie.

Last years awards were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Initially organisers had planned to shelve the actual ceremony but still hand out awards in a different format, but weeks later the decision was made to cancel the event all together.

When the cancellation of last years awards were announced it was revealed the 2021 awards would recognise the 12 months of television since the 2019 awards along with the programming and personalities from the remainder of the 2020 calendar year.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 21:42:36|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ABU DHABI, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China will work together with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to seek greater progress in pushing their comprehensive strategic partnership forward in the new area, visiting senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi has said.

Wang, Chinese state councilor and foreign minister, made the remarks during his meeting on Saturday with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the UAE's capital.

Wang conveyed the cordial greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to the crown prince, saying that the China-UAE cooperation is comprehensive and their bilateral relations has set a unique example.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and also the 50th anniversary of the founding of the UAE, Wang noted, saying that the respective developments of both countries, as well as China-UAE relations, are at their new starting points in history.

China is ready to work with the UAE to implement the consensuses reached by leaders of the two countries, make every effort to build cooperation projects in various fields of both countries, and push for greater development of the China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership in the new area.

Noting that China appreciates the UAE side for abiding by the one-China principle, and understanding and supporting China's legitimate stance on issues related to its core interests and major concerns, Wang said China fully supports the UAE's efforts to safeguard sovereignty, security and stability, to independently explore the path of development, to fight religious extremists and to play a bigger role in international and regional affairs.

China is willing to stand together with the UAE for the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, a basic norm in international relations, and uphold the principle of sovereign equality of states that is enshrined in the UN Charter.

Meanwhile, the Chinese diplomat called on the two countries to continue strengthening their anti-pandemic cooperation, and actively explore tripartite cooperation on vaccines so as to benefit more countries.

Wang also urged the two sides to promote better alignment between China's Belt and Road Initiative and the UAE's 50-year Development Plan, and deepen practical cooperation in such areas as energy, finance and high-tech.

China is ready to make joint efforts with the UAE to promote a program that aims to provide Chinese language lessons in 100 schools, and to support each other in successfully holding Expo 2020 Dubai and the Beijing Olympic Winter Games, Wang added.

For his part, Sheikh Mohammed asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings and good wishes to President Xi, congratulated the CPC on the 100th anniversary of its founding, and wished the People's Republic of China continued prosperity and progress.

Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE attaches great importance to its special comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and is very proud of the achievements of the two countries' relations.

The UAE appreciates China's support of COVID-19 vaccines to help the country control the pandemic, which has fully demonstrated their friendship and strong bilateral relations, Sheikh Mohammed said.

The crown prince said his country fully supports China in hosting a successful Winter Olympic Games, looks forward to the continuous strengthening of bilateral relations, and warmly welcomes China to play a greater role in peace and stability in the Middle East.

During his visit to the UAE, Wang is also scheduled to hold talks with UAE's Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Enditem
Toyota dealership installs life-saving defibrillator at its Wrexham site

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Mar 28th, 2021

Three Toyota dealerships across North Wales, have installed life-saving defibrillators at their sites.

Lindop Toyotas centres at Wrexham and Queensferry, and Premier Toyota, at Llandudno Junction, now have Public Access Defibrillators available to the community, in case of emergency, in conjunction with the Welsh Ambulance Service.

The group have registered their life-saving devices on The Circuit, a national database for Public Access Defibrillators (PADS) that allows the nearest resource to be found quickly, in the event of cardiac arrest.

Anyone who needs to access one of the defibrillators in an emergency, calls 999 and the operator will give them a key code, to open the box.





The defibrillator can be used by anybody and gives the operator verbal instructions, on how to use it.

Managing Director, Glyn Davies, said, We are proud to have invested in these devices, to help the local community.

Whilst I hope that they never have to be used, it is reassuring to know that they are available, in case of an emergency.

Tomos Hughes, the Public Access Defibrillator Officer for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: We are thrilled that Toyota have made the move to install life-saving defibrillators at three of their showroom sites in North Wales.

Having them registered on The Circuit national database, will ensure that they are quickly traceable and I have no doubt they will make an impact, when medical emergencies arise in the community.

There are over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year and a persons chance of surviving, will decrease by 10% every minute, without good quality CPR and early defibrillation, so easy access is vital.
Several Kill The Bill protests are scheduled to take part in a 'National Weekend of Action' over what could be a chaotic Easter, following more violent clashes in Bristol.

Calls for protesters in all cities to gather to to oppose controversial anti-protest legislation on Saturday April 3 have been shared widely online.

Protests are expected to take place in London, Plymouth and Bournemouth on what is forecast to be a sunny weekend and the first to benefit from the easing of 'stay at home' lockdown restrictions.

Kill the Bill demonstrators yesterday ignored officers' pleas to stay at home as they marched in rallies across Britain - another night of violence in Bristol saw ten protestors arrested.

In Manchester police made eighteen arrests yesterday, as pictures showed protesters clashing with officers.

Calls for protesters in all cities to gather to to oppose controversial anti-protest legislation on Saturday April 3 have been shared widely online

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said they were monitoring a 'largely peaceful and contained' group at around 1pm before demonstrators began to cause 'significant disruption' by sitting on tram lines in the city centre.

Scenes of violence have erupted in Bristol over the past week, with demonstrators seen hurling fireworks and eggs at riot officers while protesting the government's upcoming Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

The legislation would give police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance, with those convicted under the bill liable to fines or jail terms.

Protesters march through the streets on Saturday March 27 in Falmouth, Cornwall

Protesters clash with police officers during an anti-lockdown protest in Bradford yesterday

Yesterday Boris Johnson condemned a 'mob intent on violence'. The Prime Minister slammed the 'disgraceful' demonstration and hit out at those 'intent on violence and causing damage to property'.

He was backed by Priti Patel who blasted the 'thugs' who were 'only intent on causing trouble' at the Kill the Bill march in Bristol on Friday night.

The Home Secretary said she was 'disgusted' by the attacks on police, which saw protesters launch fireworks at officers on horseback outside Bridewell Police Station.

She said the force 'have my full support' and added she believed the 'silent, law-abiding majority will be appalled by the actions of this criminal minority'.

Demonstrators block the tram tracks during a 'Kill the Bill' protest in Manchester City Centre yesterday

Protesters who were blocking tram lines in Manchester were seen being moved by police on Saturday as others watched on with their smartphones

Organisers called on demonstrators to keep up social distancing throughout the rally. Most protesters appeared to be wearing masks. Pictured: A demonstrator trying to run from police

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said in a statement last night: 'The violence on our streets is unwelcome. Of particular concern are the number of people travelling into our city to protest or to cause conflict. You can protest in your own town or village, without travelling to ours.

'The question those engaging in the action should be asking is: is what I am doing advancing the cause I claim to be campaigning for? Many people protested peacefully but there are a number who refuse to go home and others who are here merely to cause conflict: the Bill itself is not their cause, it is their opportunity.

'If the protests are meant to reduce the likelihood of the Bill, then the actions of some of these protestors are politically illiterate and strategically inept. The actions make the Bill more likely and protesting in Labour-led Bristol does not put any pressure on the Conservative MPs who will be required for the Bill to pass.'

He then went on to praise the 'sensitivity' of the Avon and Somerset Police in Bristol, who he said had 'developed a strong culture of working with our communities.'

A protestor wearing a white balaclava points towards a police officer in riot gear on March 26 in Bristol

Police officers detain a man as they move in on demonstrators in Bristol during the 'Kill The Bill' protest, Friday night

Ten arrests were made after what police called unacceptable 'violent conduct' at the third Kill the Bill demonstration in Bristol

More than 100 riot officers started to disperse the crowd of more than 1,000 people in Bristol on Friday

Due to the mass of people gathering in Bristol other police forces were also drafted in from neighbouring constabularies.

Mr Rees referred to a number of 'incidents' on Friday night which he said will be reviewed. Videos on social media showed a 'journalist' being shoved back by officers.

More than 100 riot officers started to disperse the crowd of more than 1,000 people after eggs, bottles and traffic cones were pelted at them, with snarling dogs marched forwards to force the demonstrators back.

Officers were also seen beating at least one protester across the thighs as he refused to go quietly when he was apprehended.

Ten arrests were made after what police called unacceptable 'violent conduct' at the third Kill the Bill demonstration.
Cairo, March 28 : At least 321 vessels are currently jammed around Egypt's Suez Canal as efforts are underway to refloat a giant cargo ship that has run aground and disrupted traffic on one of the world's busiest trade routes, according to a top official.

"The number of ships waiting now, whether in the north, the south or in the Lakes is 321. We provide them with all the logistic services they ask for," Xinhua news agency quoted Osama Rabie, chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), as saying to reporters on Saturday.

"It's difficult to tell when the problem will be solved, because, as I said, the ship is huge with a large load and it is stuck in a shallow area," he said.

He pointed out that 14 tug boats are working to salvage the Panama-flagged ship, Ever Given, from all directions.

"Last night, there were signs of success to the point that we were very hopeful that the salvage will be completed last night," the SCA chief said, adding the Authority is prepared with several scenarios to refloat the mega ship that causes "a big crisis".

The 224,000-ton Panama-flagged Ever Given was grounded on Tuesday in the canal after losing the ability to steer amid high winds and a sandstorm, which led the SCA to announce on Thursday temporary suspension of navigation in the man-made waterway.

Rabie said there will be investigation into the exact cause of the accident but after the rescue process is done.

Dutch firm Boskalis with its emergency response team Smit Salvage has been hired by Ever Given's owner to assist the SCA in the rescue operations.

Linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, the Suez Canal is a major lifeline for global seaborne trade since it allows ships to travel between Europe and South Asia without navigating around Africa, thereby reducing the sea voyage distance between Europe and India by about 7,000 km.

Some 12 per cent of the world trade volume passes through the Suez Canal.

The Suez Canal provides one of Egypt's main sources of income, alongside tourism and remittances from expatriates.

In 2015, Egypt opened a 35 km extension running parallel to the historical canal, which was inaugurated in 1869.

The expansion allows two-way traffic along the previously one-way canal and is designed to reduce the waiting time for vessels.
Former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont MEP will address a meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council on Tuesday.

In October 2017, an independence referendum was held in Catalonia.

A vast of those voted were in favour of the region declaring independence from Spain.

However, the turnout in the referendum was only 43%.

The Spanish government declared the poll and dissolved the Catalan parliament.

Since 2017, Mr Puigdemont and other Catalan ministers have been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium.

They are wanted in Spain on rebellion charges.

Mr Puigdemont has been invited to speak remotely to a meeting of the local council this week following a motion in 2019 by People Before Profit councillor Eamonn McCann.

He will speak at a meeting of the council's Governance and Strategic Planning committee on Tuesday at 4pm.
A police officer stands guard near the church after a suicide bomb attack in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia (Yusuf Wahil/AP)

At least nine people have been injured in a suicide bombing at a church during Palm Sunday Mass, police in Indonesia said.

The attack took place outside the gates of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province.

Expand Close Police officers stand guard near the church in Makassar (Yusuf Wahil/AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Police officers stand guard near the church in Makassar (Yusuf Wahil/AP)

Wilhelmus Tulak, a Catholic priest who was leading the Mass when the bomb exploded at about 10.30am local time, told reporters that a loud bang shocked his congregation who had just finished the service.

Mr Tulak said the churchs security guards suspected two motorists who wanted to enter the church, and one of them detonated his explosives and died near the gate after being confronted by guards.

He said the attack caused no casualties among churchgoers.

South Sulawesi police chief Merdisyam said at least one bomber died and four guards and five civilians were wounded.

Expand Close Police said at least one bomber died and four guards and five civilians were injured (Yusuf Wahil/AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Police said at least one bomber died and four guards and five civilians were injured (Yusuf Wahil/AP)

Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation, has been battling militants since bombings on the resort island of Bali in 2002 killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.

Attacks aimed at foreigners have been largely replaced in recent years by smaller, less deadly strikes targeting the government, police and anti-terrorism forces and people who militants consider infidels.
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.
Here are todays leading news stories:

Society

-- Vietnams Ministry of Health confirmed four imported COVID-19 cases on Sunday morning, raising the countrys tally to 2,590, with 2,308 recoveries and 35 deaths.

-- Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City confirmed on Saturday they had found two people who entered Vietnam illegally along with COVID-19 patient No. 2,580 as they were staying at a hotel in District 1.

-- Police in the central province of Quang Nam are investigating a case where a chef of a local beer parlor was fatally stabbed by the owner of the venue over jealousy on Saturday morning.

-- Border guard officers in the northern province of Lang Son confirmed on Saturday they had begun probing a case in which a Vietnamese man arranged for seven Chinese nationals to enter Vietnam illicitly earlier this week.

-- A VND4.3 trillion (US$187 million) resort project in the central province of Quang Nam has caused a lot of trouble for local residents, as the construction has been nowhere near completion in the past four years.

Business

-- The Ministry of Transport has issued a decision to put the Sao Vang-Dai Nguyet petroleum port, located off the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, into operation. The port is designed to handle tankers and petroleum service ships and drilling rigs with a capacity of up to 150,000 DTW.

-- Fifty-five businesses will be presented with the Vietnam National Quality Awards 2020, including 19 winning the golden prize, according to a decision issued recently by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Lifestyle

-- Vietnamese beauty Ngoc Thao finished in the top 20 in the finals of Miss Grand International 2020, which was held in Thailand on Saturday evening.

-- The 2021 Earth Hour was marked by multiple activities at three locations in District 1 and Binh Tan District in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday evening.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Charities are calling on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to start donating vaccines to poor countries, the Daily Mail writes.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, health and development charities said the UK has over 100 million overdose of vaccines and that the country is one of the world's largest per capita buyers of vaccines.

The letter notes that there is a high risk that the UK will accumulate limited supplies, while health workers and the most vulnerable people in low and middle income countries do not have access to them.

The UK will have enough overdose of vaccines to vaccinate twice the health workers on the front lines of the epidemic, a written appeal to Boris Johnson noted.

They urge the UK to immediately begin donating doses to the Covax program, which is working to bring vaccines to low- and middle-income countries.
I saw the famous image of people pushing their way up a ladder, trying to board a Huey perched on the roof of a Saigon building. Decades later, I would begin my own military service by learning to fly those same Huey helicopters, and much of my training  and the training of other pilots Id fly with  would come from Vietnam War Veterans, she wrote. Little did I know it then, but the tactical flying skills these helicopter pilots had learned in Vietnam would one day save my own life.
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.
Thrissur: In a fresh attack on the Left Democratic Front (LDF)-led Kerala government and opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday (March 2) urged the people in Kerala to save the state from both the parties and their regressive ideologies and make the state glorious again.

Addressing a public rally in poll-bound Kerala`s Thrissur, Singh said, "Newly elected the United States President Joe Biden in `Quad meeting` had said that India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s leadership is strengthening. I urge you to save Kerala from LDF and UDF, and their regressive ideologies and make the state glorious again."

Cornering LDF and UDF on Kerala facing backwardness despite 100 percent literacy rate, the BJP leader questioned, "I want to ask the leadership of LDF and UDF why in spite of being the first state with 100 percent literacy, Kerala is facing backwardness? When the entire country is redefining the aspiration and development trajectory why is Kerala lagging behind in this exercise?"

"LDF and UDF have been alternatively forming the government here and busy criticising each other, but, now people want a different alternative. BJP-led NDA can be that alternative. In the last 7 years, we have strengthened the presence of NDA and we have created an alternative," Singh said.

Singh further cornered the ruling LDF and opposition UDF saying that they were playing a "friendly match" in the poll-bound state.

"While the Congress and Left are opposing each other tooth and nail in Kerala, 2,000 km away in West Bengal, they are allies. A victory of UDF or LDF is ultimately the defeat of the people of Kerala," he said.

Taking a dig at the state government, he further said, "LDF has made many false promises to the people. LDF should bring an action-taken report to show what work they have done and how far they have been able to fulfill their promises made during last assembly elections."

"Kerala has a glorious past. Because of the regressive ideology of UDF and LDF, Kerala has been left behind. But, now we would not let this happen. Our Prime Minister says `Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwaas`. But LDF and UDF engage in appeasement politics," he added.

Taking a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Defence Minister said, "There is a young leader of the Congress who has recently visited Kerala. He was taking a dive along with a fisherman in Kollam. I want to say that his track record is not good. Wherever he goes he drowns himself and with him others too."

"He drowned Amethi and now has come to Wayanad to do the same. He says he will make a dedicated ministry for fishermen. I am amazed, how ignorant he is. In 2019 we have already created a department dedicated to the welfare of fishermen communities," he said.

The election for the 140-member Kerala assembly in 14 districts will be held in a single phase on April 6. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.
Now uncocooned from its protective carbon-fiber shield, the helicopter is being readied for its next steps.

NASA is targeting no earlier than April 8 for the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter to make the first attempt at powered, controlled flight of an aircraft on another planet. Before the 4-pound (1.8-kilogram) rotorcraft can attempt its first flight, however, both it and its team must meet a series of daunting milestones.

Ingenuity remains attached to the belly of NASA's Perseverance rover, which touched down on Mars Feb. 18. On March 21, the rover deployed the guitar case-shaped graphite composite debris shield that protected Ingenuity during landing. The rover currently is in transit to the "airfield" where Ingenuity will attempt to fly. Once deployed, Ingenuity will have 30 Martian days, or sols, (31 Earth days) to conduct its test flight campaign.

"When NASA's Sojourner rover landed on Mars in 1997, it proved that roving the Red Planet was possible and completely redefined our approach to how we explore Mars. Similarly, we want to learn about the potential Ingenuity has for the future of science research," said Lori Glaze, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters. "Aptly named, Ingenuity is a technology demonstration that aims to be the first powered flight on another world and, if successful, could further expand our horizons and broaden the scope of what is possible with Mars exploration."

Flying in a controlled manner on Mars is far more difficult than flying on Earth. The Red Planet has significant gravity (about one-third that of Earth's), but its atmosphere is just 1% as dense as Earth's at the surface. During Martian daytime, the planet's surface receives only about half the amount of solar energy that reaches Earth during its daytime, and nighttime temperatures can drop as low as minus 130 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 90 degrees Celsius), which can freeze and crack unprotected electrical components.

To fit within the available accommodations provided by the Perseverance rover, the Ingenuity helicopter must be small. To fly in the Mars environment, it must be lightweight. To survive the frigid Martian nights, it must have enough energy to power internal heaters. The system - from the performance of its rotors in rarified air to its solar panels, electrical heaters, and other components - has been tested and retested in the vacuum chambers and test labs of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.

"Every step we have taken since this journey began six years ago has been uncharted territory in the history of aircraft," said Bob Balaram, Mars Helicopter chief engineer at JPL. "And while getting deployed to the surface will be a big challenge, surviving that first night on Mars alone, without the rover protecting it and keeping it powered, will be an even bigger one."

Deploying the Helicopter

Before Ingenuity takes its first flight on Mars, it must be squarely in the middle of its airfield - a 33-by-33-foot (10-by-10-meter) patch of Martian real estate chosen for its flatness and lack of obstructions. Once the helicopter and rover teams confirm that Perseverance is situated exactly where they want it to be inside the airfield, the elaborate process to deploy the helicopter on the surface of Mars begins.

"As with everything with the helicopter, this type of deployment has never been done before," said Farah Alibay, Mars Helicopter integration lead for the Perseverance rover. "Once we start the deployment there is no turning back. All activities are closely coordinated, irreversible, and dependent on each other. If there is even a hint that something isn't going as expected, we may decide to hold off for a sol or more until we have a better idea what is going on."

The helicopter deployment process will take about six sols (six days, four hours on Earth). On the first sol, the team on Earth will activate a bolt-breaking device, releasing a locking mechanism that helped hold the helicopter firmly against the rover's belly during launch and Mars landing. The following sol, they will fire a cable-cutting pyrotechnic device, enabling the mechanized arm that holds Ingenuity to begin rotating the helicopter out of its horizontal position. This is also when the rotorcraft will extend two of its four landing legs.

During the third sol of the deployment sequence, a small electric motor will finish rotating Ingenuity until it latches, bringing the helicopter completely vertical. During the fourth sol, the final two landing legs will snap into position. On each of those four sols, the Wide Angle Topographic Sensor for Operations and eNgineering (WATSON) imager will take confirmation shots of Ingenuity as it incrementally unfolds into its flight configuration. In its final position, the helicopter will hang suspended at about 5 inches (13 centimeters) over the Martian surface. At that point, only a single bolt and a couple dozen tiny electrical contacts will connect the helicopter to Perseverance. On the fifth sol of deployment, the team will use the final opportunity to utilize Perseverance as a power source and charge Ingenuity's six battery cells.

"Once we cut the cord with Perseverance and drop those final 5 inches to the surface, we want to have our big friend drive away as quickly as possible so we can get the Sun's rays on our solar panel and begin recharging our batteries," said Balaram.



On the sixth and final scheduled sol of this deployment phase, the team will need to confirm three things: that Ingenuity's four legs are firmly on the surface of Jezero Crater, that the rover did, indeed, drive about 16 feet (about 5 meters) away, and that both helicopter and rover are communicating via their onboard radios. This milestone also initiates the 30-sol clock during which time all preflight checks and flight tests must take place.

"Ingenuity is an experimental engineering flight test - we want to see if we can fly at Mars," said MiMi Aung, project manager for Ingenuity Mars Helicopter at JPL. "There are no science instruments onboard and no goals to obtain scientific information. We are confident that all the engineering data we want to obtain both on the surface of Mars and aloft can be done within this 30-sol window."

As with deployment, the helicopter and rover teams will approach the upcoming flight test methodically. If the team misses or has questions about an important preflight milestone, they may take one or more sols to better understand the issue. If the helicopter survives the first night of the sequence period on the surface of Mars, however, the team will spend the next several sols doing everything possible to ensure a successful flight, including wiggling the rotor blades and verifying the performance of the inertial measurement unit, as well as testing the entire rotor system during a spin-up to 2,537 rpm (while Ingenuity's landing gear remain firmly on the surface).

The First Flight Test on Mars

Once the team is ready to attempt the first flight, Perseverance will receive and relay to Ingenuity the final flight instructions from JPL mission controllers. Several factors will determine the precise time for the flight, including modeling of local wind patterns plus measurements taken by the Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) aboard Perseverance. Ingenuity will run its rotors to 2,537 rpm and, if all final self-checks look good, lift off. After climbing at a rate of about 3 feet per second (1 meter per second), the helicopter will hover at 10 feet (3 meters) above the surface for up to 30 seconds. Then, the Mars Helicopter will descend and touch back down on the Martian surface.

Several hours after the first flight has occurred, Perseverance will downlink Ingenuity's first set of engineering data and, possibly, images and video from the rover's Navigation Cameras and Mastcam-Z. From the data downlinked that first evening after the flight, the Mars Helicopter team expects to be able to determine if their first attempt to fly at Mars was a success.

On the following sol, all the remaining engineering data collected during the flight, as well as some low-resolution black-and-white imagery from the helicopter's own Navigation Camera, could be downlinked to JPL. The third sol of this phase, the two images taken by the helicopter's high-resolution color camera should arrive. The Mars Helicopter team will use all information available to determine when and how to move forward with their next test.

"Mars is hard," said Aung. "Our plan is to work whatever the Red Planet throws at us the very same way we handled every challenge we've faced over the past six years - together, with tenacity and a lot of hard work, and a little Ingenuity."

A Piece of History

While Ingenuity will attempt the first powered, controlled flight on another planet, the first powered, controlled flight on Earth took place Dec. 17, 1903, on the windswept dunes of Kill Devil Hill, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Orville and Wright covered 120 feet in 12 seconds during the first flight. The Wright brothers made four flights that day, each longer than the previous.

A small amount of the material that covered one of the wings of the Wright brothers' aircraft, known as the Flyer, during the first flight is now aboard Ingenuity. An insulative tape was used to wrap the small swatch of fabric around a cable located underneath the helicopter's solar panel. The Wrights used the same type of material - an unbleached muslin called "Pride of the West" - to cover their glider and aircraft wings beginning in 1901. The Apollo 11 crew flew a different piece of the material, along with a small splinter of wood from the Wright Flyer, to the Moon and back during their iconic mission in July 1969.

More About Ingenuity

The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter was built by JPL, which also manages the technology demonstration for NASA Headquarters. It is supported by NASA's Science Mission Directorate, the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, and the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate. NASA's Ames Research Center and Langley Research Center provided significant flight performance analysis and technical assistance.

At NASA Headquarters, Dave Lavery is the program executive for the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter. At JPL, MiMi Aung is the project manager and J. (Bob) Balaram is chief engineer.

Bring the excitement of Ingenuity into classrooms and homes through NASA's Office of STEM Engagement toolkit. Educators, students, and families can follow along the mission by building a paper helicopter or coding an Ingenuity video game.

For more information about Ingenuity: https://go.nasa.gov/ingenuity-press-kit and https://mars.nasa.gov/technology/helicopter

More About Perseverance

A key objective for Perseverance's mission on Mars is astrobiology, including the search for signs of ancient microbial life. The rover will characterize the planet's geology and past climate, pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet, and be the first mission to collect and cache Martian rock and regolith (broken rock and dust).

Subsequent NASA missions, in cooperation with ESA (European Space Agency), would send spacecraft to Mars to collect these sealed samples from the surface and return them to Earth for in-depth analysis.

JPL, which is managed for NASA by Caltech in Pasadena, California, built and manages operations of the Perseverance rover.

For more about Perseverance: nasa.gov/perseverance and mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/

Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Calling Mamata Banerjee's opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act an eyewash, Owaisi slammed her for using the Muslims for her votebank politics. (PTI file photo)

Berhampore/Kolkata: Backtracking from his pledge to support Peerzada Abbas Siddiqui, the influential cleric of Furfura Sharif, after his outfit Indian Secular Front (ISF) allied with the Congress and the Left Front, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday declared that his party would fight the Assembly elections in West Bengal alone.

Kickstarting his campaign at Sagardighi in Murshidabad, Owaisi announced the names of two candidates: Noore Mehboob Alam from Sagardighi and Asadul Sheikh from the Jangipur Assembly constituencies in the district, with a promise to field more candidates in the next few days.

Asked about his previous pledge to support Siddiqui, the AIMIM chief later said, "No one is needed. We will fight the polls on our own strength." According to him, the Sangjukta Morcha, the alliance of the Congress-Left-ISF, would fail as the Muslims were upset because of the Left. AIMIM sources indicated that Owaisi has plans to field candidates at 13 seats in Murshidabad and four in Malda district.

Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Owaisi earlier told a rally, "The PM claimed in Bangladesh on Friday that he followed satyagraha for the independence of that country. If you did that, then why are the people of Murshidabad called Bangladeshis?"

He tore into Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging, "She claims she worked for the Muslims but she has done nothing for them. The Muslims of Bengal are still lagging far behind in education, employment and health sectors. I found the people of Sagardighi facing scarcity of pure drinking water despite having a TMC MLA twice. Besides most bidi workers are not getting proper wages in Jangipur."

Calling Mamata Banerjee's opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act an eyewash, Owaisi slammed her for using the Muslims for her votebank politics and accused the BJP of trying to divide the state between the Hindus and Muslims.
ADVERTISEMENT

The Nigerian Army troops of 28 Task Force Brigade in Chibok and Askira have killed about 48 Boko Haram terrorists and rescued 11 abducted victims in an onslaught in Borno.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Mohammed Yerima, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Mr Yerima said that troops achieved the feat while acting on credible intelligence that some remnants of insurgents were fleeing due to the intensity of troops operations in Sambisa Forest.

He said the troops laid ambush for the terrorists on Chibok-Damboa axis, killing nine while several others escaped with fatal gunshot wounds in one encounter.

Mr Yerima said that the troops also recovered seven AK47 Rifles and freed three kidnapped victims.

He said that troops of 28 Task Force Brigade located in Askira also laid a successful ambush along Askira  Chibok Main Supply Route (MSR) and neutralised 39 terrorists in another encounter.

The army spokesperson also disclosed that the troops successfully rescued eight kidnapped victims from the terrorists in the course of the encounter.

Unfortunately, however, one of the kidnapped victims sustained injury to his leg while in the hands of his abductors.

He has since been conveyed to a military medical facility for immediate treatment, he said.

Mr Yerima added that troops recovered another eight AK47 rifles with four magazines, among other items.

According to him, the gallant troops are presently dominating the area with aggressive patrols and are equally on a trail of fleeing terrorists to locate and neutralise them.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru appreciated the gallantry and dexterity of the troops.

He urged them to remain dogged and maintain their offensive posture in all operations until the area is rid of all remnants of terrorists.

He equally appreciated members of the public for their continuous support to the troops and enjoined them to continue to provide credible information to the troops and other security agencies operating within their localities.

(NAN)
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message of condolence to his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, over the train collision accident in the country.

In the message, Xi noted that he is shocked to learn about the accident, which caused heavy casualties.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people as well as in his own name, Xi expressed deep condolences over the victims, extended sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured, and wished the injured a quick recovery.
Chinese officials briefed diplomats in Beijing on Friday on four possible ways the coronavirus arrived in Wuhan, AP reports.

Why it matters: The briefing comes ahead of the release of the World Health Organization's report on the virus' origin, and "is based on a visit earlier this year by a WHO team of international experts to Wuhan," the AP writes.

"The experts worked with Chinese counterparts, and both sides have to agree on the final report. Its unclear when it will come out," according to AP.

Details: Feng Zijian, deputy director of Chinas Center for Disease Control and Prevention, identified the four possible origins:

A bat carrying the virus infected a person. A bat infected a mammal who then gave it to a person. The virus came from shipments of cold or frozen food. It leaked from a Wuhan laboratory that was researching viruses.

Experts said it is most likely that the virus originated from the two animal routes or from the cold food shipment, adding that a "lab leak was viewed as extremely unlikely," AP notes.

The big picture: "The debate over the origins of the coronavirus has been ongoing since the start of the pandemic, causing rising tensions between the U.S. and China," Axios' Zachary Basu reports.

What's next: WHO said on Friday that the report was finalized and was currently getting fact-checked and translated.
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
New Yorks leaders have agreed to legalize marijuana for recreational use for people 21 and older, a historic move that promises to expand the states medical marijuana program and expunge some past criminal convictions for thousands.

The deal struck by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie would create a new income stream for state and local government coffers worth millions of dollars.

Tax collections from the Cannabis/Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act are projected to reach $350 million a year, according to a release from Cuomos office issued just before midnight on Saturday. Counties and municipalities can also tap into the new tax stream under the deal.

The leaders  all Democrats  also see recreational marijuana as a jobs program. Cuomos office says the new industry could spawn 30,000 to 60,000 jobs across New York.

For now, recreational marijuana remains illegal in New York. Lawmakers must still vote on the proposed changes. Even after Cuomo signs the legislation, as is expected, many facets of the new law wont take effect for months or even years.

But the proposed law does start a two-year clock on expunging certain past criminal convictions related to marijuana. It also would allow for some home growing of marijuana, though only 18 months after the act becomes law.

It also creates some new taxes for marijuana wholesalers and for retailers.

At the cash register, retailers would collect 9% in taxes, according to the legislation. Additionally, local governments can collect another 4%, the proposal says.

The states tax collections would go into a new cannabis revenue fund. That money would be split three ways: 40% for education; 40% on community grants and 20% for drug treatment, according to Cuomos office.

The law would allow cities, towns and villages to block marijuana retail stores and/or consumption licenses for local businesses. But those local governments cannot opt out of allowing adults to consume marijuana.

The law would set up an oversight board, with the governor having the power to nominate the head and majority of members. The legislation also creates a new system of licensing for growers, distributors, retailers and other businesses with a hand in this new marijuana market.

Here are other details, according to Cuomos office:

Establish the Office of Cannabis Management

The Office of Cannabis Management would be charged with enforcing a comprehensive regulatory framework governing medical, adult-use cannabinoid hemp. It would be governed by a five-member board, with three members appointed by the Governor and one appointment by each house. OCM would be an independent office operating as part of the New York State Liquor Authority.

Medical Marijuana

The agreement would allow people with a larger list of medical conditions to access medical marijuana, increase the number of caregivers allowed per patient, and permit home cultivation of medical cannabis for patients.

Adult-Use Marijuana

The agreement would create a two-tier licensing structure that would allow for a large range of producers by separating those growers and processors from also owning retail stores. The legislation creates licenses for producers and distributors. The states goal is to award 50% of licenses to minority- or woman-owned business enterprise, or distressed farmers or service-disabled veterans.

Traffic Safety

The New York State Department of Health will work with institutions of higher education to conduct a controlled research study designed to evaluate methodologies and technologies for the detection of cannabis-impaired driving. After completion of the research study, DOH may create and implement rules and regulations to approve and certify a test for the presence of cannabis in drivers.

The legislation includes additional funding for drug recognition experts and law enforcement to ensure safe roadways.

The use of cannabis by drivers will remain prohibited.

Legal possession

Outside of the home, the new law will allow adults to have up to 3 ounces of marijuana and 24 grams of cannabis concentrate.

At home, marijuana and related products must be kept in a secure location away from children.

Home growing

Once permitted, each adult can cultivate three mature plants and three immature plants. Theres a maximum of six mature and six immature plants per household.

Got a story idea or news tip youd like to share with a Syracuse-area reporter? Please contact me through email, Twitter, Facebook or at 315-470-2274.

A rod in Martha Juarez's left arm, the silence in her home and a missing wedding ring are daily reminders of the mass shooting that changed her life.

Martha and Luis Juarez had been married for 70 years when a gunman opened fire at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, while they were shopping. Luis, 90, was one of the 23 people killed in the 2019 shooting and the oldest one. His wife underwent several surgeries, spent weeks in the hospital and months in physical therapy after being shot in the arm.

"We still struggle to find ways to care for my mom and we know that she's still hasn't processed that trauma because she can't," said her daughter, Meg Juarez. "She doesn't want to go talk to anyone (about it)."

Martha Juarez is among those who survived a mass shooting or lost a loved one, and are still grappling with how hate upended their lives. Many are trying to find a path forward not only for themselves but for the future of their communities.

For Latinos across the country, the shooting in El Paso felt like a devastating reminder that their identities could make them a target for hate crimes and violence, just like the 2015 shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston was for Black people and the 2018 massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh was for the Jewish community. Last week, the attacks at three spas in the Atlanta area prompted similar fears, grief and outrage among the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

When Raymond Chang first heard about last week's shootings, he was in shock and disbelief. His next thought was, "Oh my gosh, we're having the Asian El Paso right now," he said.

Chang, a Korean American who is the campus minister at Wheaton College in Illinois, said it was impossible to not think of the Atlanta shootings as an attack on AAPIs. Six women of Asian descent were killed, he said, just as the country was seeing a spike in reported violence toward Asian Americans.

Easy ways to help Asian Americans under attack

Authorities said the suspect in the El Paso massacre traveled to the city with the sole intent of killing immigrants and Mexicans. The accused shooter, Patrick Crusius, is facing multiple hate crimes and capital murder charges. Trial dates have not been set in the state and federal criminal cases against him.

Robert Aaron Long, 21, is being held in connection with the Atlanta-area shootings. He's claimed responsibility for the shootings saying he believed he had a sex addiction and that he saw the spas as "a temptation ... that he wanted to eliminate," according to the sheriff's office in Cherokee County.

America has not been a welcoming country for many, survivor says

The 2015 shooting that claimed the lives of nine people at a historically Black church in Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the massacres etched into the country's memory.

The shooter, an avowed White supremacist, was convicted of federal murder and hate crimes charges. He was sentenced to death in January 2017.

Jennifer Pinckney, whose husband Rev. Clementa Pinckney died in the massacre at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, says the many mass shootings that have followed force her to relive the tragedy.

"It takes me back to hearing the gunshots and the commotion that went on. It takes me back to when all of the family members were in a hotel, waiting to hear about our loved ones and then once they found out, you hear them screaming and crying out," Pinckney said.

Since losing her husband, Pinckney says she's focused on raising her two daughters and "continues to stay strong" for them. She also created a foundation in honor of her late husband to partner with South Carolina groups supporting religious, educational and charitable causes. Other family members of the victims have written books about grief and their path to healing as well as become vocal advocates against gun violence.

A man who served as a jury foreman at the shooter's federal trial in 2016 said last year that he felt "damned disgusted" because the country was seeing too many Black people killed over nothing.

"We've gone through this way too much here lately," Gil Truesdale told CNN last June. "It was bad enough then, but now with all this, it sort of hits you in a different place."

For Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, who survived the 2018 attack on Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue, many communities across the US continue to be threatened regardless of their religion, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation and the calls for unity should be stronger than ever.

"We need to work together, to be able to help each other to work through the challenges of living in America," Myers said. "America has not been a welcoming country to immigrants, despite the hopes of the founders. That doesn't mean that it can't become something better."

She fears more people will be targeted

When Martha Juarez returned to her El Paso home from the hospital, she didn't want to go anywhere or even watch TV. She was afraid and grieving, her daughter says.

Her husband was gone and the wedding ring that marked the beginning of their life together as a married couple was nowhere to be found. Her precious ring was lost, the family says, at some point while medics tended for the 89-year-old injuries at the store or the hospital.

Juarez has been constantly battling the loneliness, which was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Her children, mostly of them living outside El Paso, have been juggling schedules to care for their mother and one of them has relocated to the city to accompany her.

Despite the many challenges, the family can't forget the attack stemmed from White supremacy, said her daughter, Meg Juarez.

"I think that this is something that we need to start reckoning within our country...dismantling the systems of White supremacy," she said. "Because all people of color will be targeted ... and many have been."
In this March 19, 2021, file photo, a nurse tends to a patient affected by COVID-19 virus in the ICU unit at the Ambroise Pare clinic in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris. France's president say he has nothing to be sorry about for refusing to impose a third virus lockdown earlier this year, even though his country is now facing surging infections that are straining hospitals and more than 1,000 people with the virus are dying every week. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

Critical care doctors in Paris say surging coronavirus infections could soon overwhelm their ability to care for the sick in the French capital's hospitals, possibly forcing them to choose which patients they have the resources to save.

The sobering warnings were delivered Sunday in newspaper opinions signed by dozens of Paris-region doctors. They came as French President Emmanuel Macron has been vigorously defending his decision not to completely lockdown France again as he did last year. Since January, Macron's government has instead imposed a nationwide overnight curfew and followed that with a grab-bag of other restrictions.

But with infections soaring and hospitals increasingly running short of intensive-care beds, doctors have been stepping up the pressure for a full French lockdown.

Writing in Le Journal du Dimanche, 41 Paris-region hospital doctors said: "We have never known such a situation, even during the worst (terror) attacks" that targeted the French capital, notably assaults by Islamic State extremists in 2015 that killed 130 people and filled Paris emergency wards with the wounded.

The doctors predicted that softer new restrictions imposed this month on Paris and some other regions won't quickly bring the resurgent epidemic under control. They warned that hospital resources won't be able to keep pace with needs, forcing them to practice "catastrophe medicine" in the coming weeks as cases peak.

A woman walks past a theater with signs showing it occupied by culture workers, actors students and theater employees in Bayonne, southwestern France, Friday, March 26, 2021. French theaters, cinemas, museums and tourist sites have been closed for much of the past year as part of government virus protection measures, and no reopening plans have been announced. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)

"We already know that our capacity to offer care will be overwhelmed," they wrote. "We will be obliged to triage patients in order to save as many lives as possible. This triage will concern all patients, with and without COVID, in particular for adult patients' access to critical care."

Another group of nine critical-care doctors writing in the newspaper Le Monde also warned that intensive care units in Paris may have to refuse patients.

"The current situation is tending toward prioritization, also called 'triage,'" they wrote. "When just one ICU bed is available but two patients could benefit from it, it consists of deciding which of them will be admitted (and will perhaps survive) and which will not be admitted (and will quite probably die). This is where we are heading."

They also accused Macron's government of hypocrisy "by compelling health care workers to decide which patient should live and which should die, without stating so clearly."

In this March 19, 2021, file photo, a patient from the Paris region and affected by the COVID-19 virus is taken out a plane at the Biarritz's airport, southwestern France. France's president say he has nothing to be sorry about for refusing to impose a third virus lockdown earlier this year, even though his country is now facing surging infections that are straining hospitals and more than 1,000 people with the virus are dying every week. (AP Photo/Bob Edme, File)

Macron remains adamant that not locking France down again this year, like some other European countries, was sound government policy, even as more than 2,000 deaths per week push the country ever closer to the milestone of 100,000 people lost to the pandemic. The country now counts more than 94,600 virus-related deaths.

"We were right not to implement a lockdown in France at the end of January because we didn't have the explosion of cases that every model predicted," Macron said last week. "There won't be a mea culpa from me. I don't have remorse and won't acknowledge failure."

Macron's administration has been hoping to outrace the resurgent outbreak with its vaccination campaign, an ambition that appears increasingly unrealistic as hospitals struggle. After a sluggish start in December, France's inoculation drive stepped up this weekend with the start of injections for healthy people aged 70 and above.

Riders train at the National Velodrome at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, west of Paris, Saturday, March 27, 2021, that has been transformed into a mass vaccination center. Saturday marked the first day in France of vaccination for healthy people aged 70 and above. (AP Photo/John Leicester)

A riders trains at the National Velodrome at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, west of Paris, Saturday, March 27, 2021, that has been transformed into a mass vaccination center. Saturday marked the first day in France of vaccination for healthy people aged 70 and above. (AP Photo/John Leicester)

Culture workers, actors, students, and theater employees attend a general assembly at the occupied Theatre de La Criee in Marseille, southern France, Friday, March 25, 2021. Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers are occupying theaters accross France to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their incomes and put their livelihoods on indefinite hold. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Riders train at the National Velodrome at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, west of Paris, Saturday, March 27, 2021, that has been transformed into a mass vaccination center. Saturday marked the first day in France of vaccination for healthy people aged 70 and above. (AP Photo/John Leicester)

Culture workers, actors, students, and theater employees attend a general assembly at the occupied Theatre de La Criee in Marseille, southern France, Friday, March 25, 2021. Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers are occupying theaters accross France to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their incomes and put their livelihoods on indefinite hold. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

A culture worker cooks food in a makeshift kitchen at the occupied Theatre de La Criee in Marseille, southern France, Friday, March 26, 2021. Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers are occupying theaters accross France to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their incomes and put their livelihoods on indefinite hold. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Culture workers sit together in the occupied Theatre de La Criee in Marseille, southern France, Friday, March 25, 2021. Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers are occupying theaters accross France to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their incomes and put their livelihoods on indefinite hold. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

In this March, 19, 2021, file photo, medical staff meets in a room of a patient affected by COVID-19 virus in the ICU unit at the Ambroise Pare clinic in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris. France's president say he has nothing to be sorry about for refusing to impose a third virus lockdown earlier this year, even though his country is now facing surging infections that are straining hospitals and more than 1,000 people with the virus are dying every week. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

Culture workers, actors, students, and theater employees attend a general assembly at the occupied Theatre de La Criee in Marseille, southern France, Friday, March 26, 2021. Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers are occupying theaters accross France to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their incomes and put their livelihoods on indefinite hold. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

More than 7.7 million peopleclose to 15% of all French adultshave had at least one jab of either the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines. The government says the pace will continue to pick up, with France expecting to get nearly 3 million additional Pfizer doses this week.

The European Union's vaccine czar, Thierry Breton, told French radio RTL on Sunday that the bloc will deliver 420 million vaccine doses to its member countries by July 15.

"The vaccines are coming," he said.

Breton also unveiled a mock-up of a proposed EU health certificate that could allow the bloc's residents to cross its internal borders more easily. The certificate shows if people have been vaccinated, tested negative for coronavirus or recovered from it. He said the certificate would be optional and could be available by mid-June.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Estepona town hall this week presented the preliminary project drawn up by Malaga architect Salvador Moreno Peralta for the construction of a new leisure and cultural facility, which will include a shopping and restaurant area, to be built on the former site of the Prasa building on Avenida de Espana, next to the town's lighthouse.

According to Moreno Peralta's design, a large open pedestrian area will be created, with public squares and parks staggered between the avenue and the current promenade, with the aim of connecting the town with the sea across the slope.

On the roof of the building, which will be at the level of the avenue, a large open pedestrian area will be created, which will have a lookout tower as a reference point.

The building itself will become a multi-purpose space that will allow for different social and cultural uses and may house a space for a library, as well as an exhibition hall, conservatory or training classrooms.

The new facility will be one of the main initiatives to be promoted during the current legislature and forms part of the productive investment plan launched by the council last June, with the drafting of the project and the execution of the work involving a total investment of 14.5 million euros.

The mayor of Estepona, Jose Maria Garcia Urbano, explained that this strategic project will expand cultural and leisure services and provide a new tourist landmark for the town.
China announced sanctions against two Americans, a Canadian and a rights advocacy body Saturday over their criticism of Beijings treatment of Uyghurs, but Washington said the tit-for-tat measure would only intensify the spotlight on Xinjiang.

At least one million Uyghurs and people from other mostly Muslim groups have been held in camps in the northwestern region, according to rights groups, who accuse authorities of forcibly sterilising women and imposing forced labour.

The European Union, Britain, Canada and the United States sanctioned several members of Xinjiangs political and economic hierarchy this week over the allegations.

China retaliated Saturday, with its foreign ministry accusing the United States and Canada of imposing sanctions based on rumours and disinformation.

The officials targeted by Beijing, who are also banned from conducting business with Chinese citizens and institutions, must stop political manipulation on Xinjiang-related issues, stop interfering in Chinas internal affairs in any form, the ministry said.

Otherwise, they will get their fingers burnt.

Two members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, Gayle Manchin and Tony Perkins, as well as Canadian MP Michael Chong, and a Canadian parliamentary committee on human rights, are prohibited from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, the foreign ministry said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken slammed the sanctions as baseless, saying they would only shine a harsh spotlight on the genocide in Xinjiang.

Beijings attempts to intimidate and silence those speaking out for human rights and fundamental freedoms only contribute to the growing international scrutiny of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, Blinken said Saturday.

Chong called the sanctions a badge of honour.

Weve got a duty to call out China for its crackdown in #HongKong & its genocide of #Uyghurs, he tweeted.

We who live freely in democracies under the rule of law must speak for the voiceless.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the measures as an attack on transparency and freedom of expression.

Trudeaus comments came after top Canadian diplomat Marc Garneau accused Beijing of deploying heavy-handed tactics.

Bullies dont change unless you send very clear messages to them, Garneau told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in an interview recorded shortly before Beijing announced its retaliatory sanctions.

The latest sanctions add to the ones announced earlier this week by Beijing against individuals from the EU and Britain.

Beijing flatly denies any abuses in Xinjiang, describing detention centres there as work camps intended to boost incomes and deter extremism.

 Xinjiang cotton controversy 

The diplomatic standoff spilled over into the business world this week when pledges made last year by several companies to boycott Xinjiang cotton resurfaced on Chinas Twitter-like social network Weibo, triggering additional controversy.

The resurfacing of the pledges made by the likes of Swedens H&M, American sportswear giant Nike, Germanys Adidas and Japans Uniqlo, was denounced Friday by the United States, which implied it was a calculated move by Beijing.

The US condemns (Chinas) social media campaign and corporate and consumer boycott against companies, including American, European and Japanese businesses, State Department deputy spokeswoman Jalina Porter said.

Chinese celebrities and tech firms have already waded in, pulling out of partnerships with Nike, H&M, Adidas, Burberry and Calvin Klein.

China had previously sanctioned dozens of US officials including former secretary of state Mike Pompeo for crazy moves against Beijing under the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, Canada-China relations are at their lowest point in decades, with China trying two Canadians for alleged espionage this month while an extradition hearing in Vancouver for Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou enters its final months.

tjx-lxc/qan

FAST RETAILING

HENNES & MAURITZ

ADIDAS

NIKE

Weibo

BURBERRY GROUP
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.
Saudi Arabia unilaterally unveiled a new cease-fire proposal Monday as part of efforts to end a yearslong conflict in Yemen that has exacerbated what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The proposal called on Yemen's internationally backed government, which is supported by Riyadh, and Iran-backed Houthi rebels to halt all fighting and resume political talks.

Saudi Arabia and its allies have launched punishing military assaults in Yemen's multi-sided civil war beginning around 2015. In early February, the Biden administration announced it was ending its support for the Saudi-led war, including some arms sales.

A combatant mans a heavy machine gun as forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government clash with Houthi rebel fighters in central Yemen, on Nov. 22, 2020.

Monday's proposal, announced by the kingdoms Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, was short on detail and neither Yemen's government nor the Houthis offered immediate reaction. Another unilaterally declared Saudi cease-fire collapsed last year.

The conflict has left more than 200,000 Yemenis dead and put millions more on the brink of starvation. It has marred Americas reputation, with U.S.-made weapons used in Saudi-led strikes against civilians. And it has inflamed tensions across the Middle East.

'I think there is a guilt': Biden wants to (finally) end the war in Yemen

"It is up to the Houthis now," Prince Faisal said in a news conference in Riyadh. "The Houthis must decide whether to put their interests first or Iran's interests first."

In a separate briefing with reporters ahead of the announcement, a senior Saudi official said there was hope the offer would enable a major airport to reopen in Yemen's capital Sanaa.

Saudi Arabia said the plan would be presented both to the Houthis and Yemens government later Monday.

Both would need to accept the plan for it to move forward, with any timeline likely to be set by the United Nations' Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths.

The move comes as Riyadh has sought to rehabilitate its reputation in Washington following the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist. U.S. lawmakers and intelligence agencies concluded the country's de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, ordered the journalist's killing.

Story continues

More: After Khashoggi murder, Saudi Arabia shifts lobbying to middle America

Contributing: Deirdre Shesgreen

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Saudi Arabia proposes cease-fire for Yemen after Biden ends US support
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has assured Mali that Parliament would assist the current ECOWAS Chair, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to restore the country back to democratic rule.



The Speaker gave the assurance when the First Deputy Speaker of the Malian Transitional Governments General Assembly, Assarid Imbarcaouane came to invite Ghanas Speaker to their first ordinary meeting on April 5, 2021.



Speaker Bagbin promised to honour the invitation to Mail with his staff and Leadership of Ghanas Parliament.



He recounted the good relations that have existed between the two countries saying; in my private legal practice I had Malians in my firm.



Mali needs to return to its rightful position. As one of the leading democratic countries, I have visited war tone countries and I have been involved in peace and reconciliation; we have a hung parliament, but we have been working together peacefully in the interest of all Ghanaians.



Ghanas Speaker also pointed out to the First Deputy Speaker of Mail that, when two brothers fight, it is strangers who enjoy their inheritance; Mali is rich and has a deposit of Gold and oil, but foreign countries are exploiting your oil.

Source: Ghanaweb









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
(CNN Philippines)  Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal will once again revert to stricter stay-at-home rules for a week starting March 29 up to Easter Sunday, April 4.

CNN Philippines summarizes the rules that will be in place under the enhanced community quarantine in the Greater Manila area, also dubbed as the "NCR Plus," based on the latest announcements of government officials.

 6pm to 5am curfew will be imposed

The NCR Plus areas will be under a 6 pm to 5 am curfew with exception to authorized persons outside of residence, cargo vehicles, and public transportation. Persons below 18 and above 60 years old, pregnant women, those with immunodeficiencies, comorbidities, and other health risks should remain in their homes at all times.

 Public transportation still operational at 50% maximum capacity

Transport Assistant Secretary Mark Steven Pastor said road, rail, maritime and aviation sectors of public transportation will still operate but will only cater to authorized persons outside of residences and at 50% capacity.

This means buses, UV Express, jeepneys, shuttle services, tricycles, taxis, and transport network vehicle services can ply the roads of the Greater Manila area but passengers must be one seat apart. Motorcycle taxis may operate but may ferry only essential workers.

Railway systems will continue but will be shut down on some days for annual maintenance works of the lines, operations. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/3/28/Public-transport-in-NCR-Plus-bubble-operational-during-ECQ-.html

Domestic and international operations of air carriers will also be limited to essential travelers.

 Travel passes for authorized persons not required; quarantine passes encouraged when getting essentials

A travel pass will not be required among authorized persons outside residences and essential workers, but they may have to present their IDs to authorities. For others who need to obtain essential goods and services in grocery stores, pharmacies, or other establishments, they are encouraged to present their barangay-issued quarantine passes. If none, they may need to explain to authorities their purpose for going out.

 Mall operations, al fresco dining prohibited for the meantime, but delivery and other essential services will remain open

Health and frontline services, hospitals, groceries, delivery and courier services transporting food, medicine or essential goods may still operate at full capacity. Services in the agriculture, forestry and fishery industry must also not be hampered.

However, malls will be closed, and restaurants may only allow delivery and take-out services for now. Follow this thread of mall closures for the week.

 No religious gatherings and staycations

Any form of religious gatherings will now be prohibited, including the 10% allowance in capacity which the government previously allowed.

Meanwhile, public gatherings such as weddings and baptism ceremonies may only have a maximum of 10 attendees. Indoor gatherings with persons outside of the immediate household will be prohibited as well.

Staycations are also temporarily suspended for now.

The public is encouraged to resort to virtual Holy Week services.

 Skeleton workforce encouraged

Media, private establishments that provide essential goods and services, and workers accredited by the DOTr may work at 50% operational capacity. Other industries such as dental and veterinary clinics, banks, telcos, security, water and power supply companies, among others, may only have a skeleton workforce under ECQ.

 Cash aid assured among affected workers

Roque said financial aid for workers who will be affected by the one-week ECQ is now being finalized. Guidelines will be issued on Monday.

 House-to-house contact tracing expected

Authorities will also do a house-to-house search for possible COVID-19 patients, giving special attention to areas placed under granular lockdown.

Roque said some 500,000 anti-gen test kits will be procured to augment supply of swab test kits to help address the COVID-19 situation.

 Simultaneous vaccination among health workers, elderlies, persons with comorbidities will start

Senior citizens and people with comorbidities will now be inoculated at the same time as healthcare workers.

Hospitals and local government units are encouraged to craft a "substitution list" consisting of vaccinees from the A1, A2, and A3 sectors. A1 refers to medical frontliners, A2 to senior citizens, while A3 covers persons with comorbidities. Pre-registration links with their corresponding LGUs can be found here.

Senior citizens have until March 31 to register with their local government units for the vaccine drive.

Read our explainers on the country's ongoing vaccine drive here:

EXPLAINER: What you need to know about the PH COVID-19 vaccine drive

TIMELINE: COVID-19 vaccine deliveries and rollout in the Philippines

EXPLAINER: COVID-19 vaccines that will be tested and used in PH
Facebook has frozen Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's page, according to a spokesperson for the social media giant, because the page contained misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maduro violated Facebook policy when he posted a video without any medical evidence, promoting Carvativir, a drink made with the herb thyme, as a cure for the coronavirus, a company spokesperson told Reuters. He described the drink as a miracle medication capable of neutralizing the coronavirus without any side effects.

We follow guidance from the WHO [World Health Organization] that says there is currently no medication to cure the virus, Facebooks spokesperson told Reuters.

The company said it is taking action to limit use of Maduros Facebook page. Due to repeated violations of our rules, we are also freezing the page for 30 days, the company spokesperson said, during which it will be read-only.

Brazil is averaging nearly 2,400 deaths a day from COVID-19, about one-fourth of the worlds daily tally, according to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

The South American nation is on pace to reach 4,000 deaths a day, six experts told The Associated Press, a level that would rival the worst seen in the U.S., which has about one-third more people. The U.S. set a record of 4,477 deaths on Jan. 12, according to Johns Hopkins data.

Four thousand deaths a day seems to be right around the corner, Dr. Jose Antonio Curiati, a supervisor at Sao Paulos Hospital das Clinicas, the biggest hospital complex in Latin America, told the AP.

President Jair Bolsonaro remains unconvinced that restrictions on activity are needed. At this point, they may be too late.

Miguel Nicolelis, a professor of neurobiology at Duke University who advised several Brazilian governors and mayors on pandemic control, anticipates the total death toll reaching 500,000 by July and exceeding that of the U.S. by year-end, according to the AP.

We have surpassed levels never imagined for a country with a public health care system, a history of efficient immunization campaigns and health workers who are second to none in the world, Nicolelis said. The next stage is the health system collapse.

Spain tests mass-gathering limits

In Spain, an experiment is under way to find a pandemic-safe way to hold mass events indoors. The setting is an arena in Barcelona filled with 5,000 fans Saturday night for a live concert.

The morning of the show, those looking to attend came to one of three field hospitals set up in closed nightclubs. They were given COVID-19 and antigen tests, tests introduced to the body to induce an immune response. If they tested negative, they received a pass to the show and were told to wear a surgical mask. The arena was equipped with a ventilation system.

Over the next 14 days we will look at how many of the audience test positive for COVID and will report back, Josep Maria Llibre, a doctor at the Germans Trias i Pujol hospital just north of Barcelona, told Agence France-Presse.

The aim is to discover a way in which we can coexist with COVID and hold concerts which are completely safe, Ventura Barba, executive director of Barcelona's Sonar festival, one of the organizers, told AFP.

WHO seeks COVAX donations

The head of the World Health Organization on Friday urged the global community to donate COVID-19 vaccines to lower-income countries, citing the urgent need for 10 million doses for a WHO-backed vaccine distribution program.

COVAX is ready to deliver but we cant deliver vaccines we dont have, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a virtual news conference in Geneva.

COVAX, an abbreviation for the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access initiative, aims to provide equitable access to vaccines worldwide to low- and middle-income countries.

Bilateral deals, export bans, and vaccine nationalism have caused distortions in the market with gross inequities in supply and demand, Tedros said. Ten million doses are not much, and its not nearly enough.

Tedros appeal comes after India, a key supplier to the agencys COVAX vaccine-sharing program, said it was prioritizing local needs.

The WHO chief said Indias move was understandable given the rising number of infections in India. He said talks were in progress with India to find a balance between local and international needs.

India said Friday it set a record with a tally of more than 59,000 new cases from the previous 24-hour period.

UN demands fair vaccine access

At the United Nations in New York, 181 nations signed onto a political declaration that calls for COVID-19 vaccinations to be treated as a global public good, ensuring affordable, equitable and fair access to vaccines for all.

We can see the end of the crisis, but to reach it, we need to work together with a deeper sense of collaboration, part of the declaration states.

Among the appeals are calls on nations to fully fund the COVAX facility to distribute vaccines to low-income and developing countries, scale up vaccine production through the distribution of technology and licenses and launch public information campaigns on the importance and safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

COVAX has so far distributed more than 31 million doses of vaccines to 57 countries.

There is a race everywhere between the vaccines and the pandemic, said Lebanons Ambassador Amal Mudallali, on behalf of the countries that drafted the document. This race will be won before the start by the haves, if there is no equitable, affordable sharing of vaccines.

The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center reported early Sunday there are more 126 million global COVID-19 infections. The research center updates its data constantly and provides expert input.

The United States has more cases than any other country, with more than 30.2 million infections, followed by Brazil, with 12.5 million, and India, with almost 12 million, according to the center.
As the Myanmar military reportedly killed hundreds of people on March 27, several international leaders condemned the violence and use of lethal force against unarmed civilians. According to Myanmar Now, at least 114 civilians were killed across the nation while the junta marked the holiday with a parade in the countrys capital. A count issued by an independent researcher in Yangon also put the total at 107, spread over more than two dozen cities and towns.

Both the numbers are greater than all estimates for the previous high on March 14, which ranged in counts from 74 to 90. It is worth mentioning that the death toll in Myanmar has been steadily increasing as authorities grow more forceful with their suppression of opposition to the February 1 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup also reversed years of progress toward democracy after five decades of military rule.

Day of terror and dishonour

The killings of civilians have drawn international condemnation, with multiple diplomatic missions to Myanmar releasing statements that mentioned that killings also included children. In a joint statement, the Chiefs of Defence from Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom condemned the Military-sponsored violence and use of lethal force against unarmed civilians. They called out the army in Burma to follow international standards of military professionalism.

Joint Statement of Chiefs of Defense Condemning Military-Sponsored Violence in Myanmar. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/DB6aFi0PJM  U.S. Embassy Burma (@USEmbassyBurma) March 28, 2021

European Union's delegation to Myanmar also said that the Myanmar armed forces day will stay engraved as a day of terror and dishonour. The US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken condemned the violence and said that America is horrified by the bloodshed perpetrated by Myanmars security forces. While taking to Twitter, the Executive Director of Humans Rights Watch called the military actions deliberate criminality. UN Secretary-General also said that he is deeply shocked by Saturdays killing.

This 76th Myanmar armed forces day will stay engraved as a day of terror and dishonour. The killing of unarmed civilians, including children, are indefensible acts. The EU stands by the people of Myanmar and calls for an immediate end of violence and the restoration of democracy.  EUMyanmar (@EUMyanmar) March 27, 2021

We are horrified by the bloodshed perpetrated by Burmese security forces, showing that the junta will sacrifice the lives of the people to serve the few. I send my deepest condolences to the victims families. The courageous people of Burma reject the militarys reign of terror.  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 27, 2021

In advance of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, the Myanmar junta warned that pro-democracy protesters risked being shot "in the head and back." Then they did precisely that, killing ~100. No one can claim that was an accident. It was deliberate criminality. https://t.co/YxydtvSdjx pic.twitter.com/PVCNvGYmcj  Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) March 28, 2021

I am deeply shocked by the killing of dozens of civilians, including children & young people, by security forces in Myanmar today.



The continuing military crackdown is unacceptable and demands a firm, unified & resolute international response. https://t.co/qtnQaH5jvN  Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 27, 2021

Meanwhile, on Friday, the state television MRTV had shown an announcement urging young people, who have been at the forefront of the protests and prominent among the casualties, to learn a lesson from those killed during the demonstrations about the danger of being shot in the head or back. The warning was widely taken as a threat because a great number of fatalities among protesters have come from being shot in the head, suggesting that they have been targeted for death. The announcement also suggested that some young people were taking part in the demonstrations as if it was a game, and further urged their parents and friends to talk them out of participating.

(Image: AP)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 17:34:24|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese capital Beijing has administered coronavirus vaccines to 8.7 million people, including 5.28 million who have completed the two-shot regimen, authorities said Sunday.

The city government said as of Sunday noon, a total of 13.98 million doses of domestically developed COVID-19 vaccines had been administered.

The megacity of more than 20 million people had also vaccinated 366,000 residents aged 60 and above as of Thursday, the government said.

Beijing started to vaccinate willing elderly residents in good health in mid-March.

Foreign nationals in the city can also apply for receiving the domestic inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, the municipal foreign affairs office said Friday.

Officials said the city is capable of administering 300,000 doses a day. Enditem
FLINT, MI  Shannon White has built a business that designs some of the most well-known buildings throughout Genesee County and beyond.

The Flint Farmers Market in downtown Flint could arguably be described as one of the towns jewels based on all it has to offer.

White, an architect, is responsible for its design. Her company is called FUNchitecture. The philosophy behind it is to create functional spaces that meet the needs of its clients.

The architect credits much of her inspiration to dive into the world of architecture to her parents. She grew up around Flint Township watching her father go to work as a manufacturing and dye engineer for General Motors and her mother teach at Flint Community Schools.

She shouldve been an art teacher, White gushed as she reminisced about her mothers gift. My mom was always super creative and teachers as they always do, do what they can with what they have. They spend out their own pocket for art supplies to teach the kids. So, my siblings and I were always the test pilots for whatever things she was going to do with the kids in her class.

White, 42, recalled when her dad would take her to work with him and she could see his work, or drawings for a new hood or fender for one of GMs vehicles.

I have this kind of wacky creative blend from my mom and this very sort of straight engineering brain from my dad and thats really the perfect storm for an architect, White explained.

As a young student, White attended K-12 in Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools, and then eventually went to college at Western Michigan University to study pre-med. She thought she was going to be an optometrist.

Soon after, she realized that career path wasnt for her. But her electives, which were art-based classes, piqued her interest. She transferred to University of Michigans School of Architecture bachelors of science in architecture.

She excelled on this path. White was selected into the Rotary International Group Study Exchange program.

I was with the architect whos responsible for the restoration and maintenance of San Marco Basilica in Venice, White said. Its like a dream for an architect. It was really an extraordinary experience and so I knew I was on the right path and decided to go back to grad school for architecture.

To be a licensed architect in the U.S. you have to have a masters degree, so White went back to school and got her masters of architecture degree. She did a year of her schooling back in Italy.

As she lived and studied abroad in Italy, she took advantage of cheap airfare deals and travelled around Europe, exploring different architecture and getting inspired.

I thought for sure I would never come back and live in Flint, but here I am, White said.

White was with two different architect firms before she started her own company. Along the way, she met her husband Ridgway White, who is also an trained architect and responsible for $1 million in development of many buildings in downtown Flint.

I have a hand in most of those buildings designs, White said. Community Foundation of Greater Flint. I did the Rowe Building design on an international flight to go back to Italy on the plane, White said. I did the facade sketches. Same for the Wade Trim building.

Before motherhood and launching her own business, which one inspired the other, White had experiences of what it felt like to work in a male-dominated field.

Im a female in a male-dominated world. It took me a solid decade of being on job sites to kind of get thick skin about cat-calls and not really having a lot of respect, White said. I was in my twenties - a bunch of dudes up on scaffold hooting and hollering.

White noticed this behavior would stop after the workers realized she was the person who had drawn what they were constructing and had to come talk to her because they had questions.

As the years have gone on White has forged professional relationships with general contractors.

Im not really a cantankerous architect, but when somethings messed up, you gotta fix it, White said.

The business owner and mother celebrates 12 years of creating functional spaces for her clients this year.

She launched her business shortly after having her daughter, realizing she didnt want to be away from her.

I had taken 12 weeks of maternity leave, it was during that time that the first three FUNchitecture jobs had come to fruition, White said. I had gone out on my own and one of which was about a $14.5 million master plan which was Smith Village.

Since the companys inception, it now has two full-time and one part-time employee.

Weve done a lot of work, White said with enthusiasm. I would say at any given time, we have $30-$40 million in construction underway and I like to say that I got my finger print on a little bit of everything around Genesee County.

Whites most interesting and nerve-wracking project is underway right now. Shes building her own home. If all goes well, itll be complete by the end of the year.

When the architect left her corporate job over a decade ago, she decided she was going to have fun however she was going to continue ahead. She wants Flint and Genesee County to be a part of it all, too.

Its fun to see something totally unique in Genesee County. Genesee County deserves it, White said. I want to show all the people of Genesee County who arent able to travel as much and arent as fortunate as I am to have gone all over the world what Flint can really have.

Read more on MLive:

See the Flint Farmers Market grand opening first-hand

Flints Capitol Theatre awarded for historic preservation
Here is an example of an NFT featuring one of our cars:https://t.co/ZipqDjYhfx...  Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus (@Glickenhaus) March 26, 2021

A very trippy, mind-bending artwork is being listed on SuperRare , the go-to place for NFTs (non-fungible tokens). This is where the first digital piece of real estate, Mars House , also found an owner for a little over $500,000 last week, and where paintings, music and other types of digital creations trade hands for virtual currency.Called PAPARA$$I, it is the work of German artist Antoni Tudisco, whose credits include digital art for Adidas, Nike and Mercedes-Benz, and features in Vogue, Highsnobiety and Hypebeast. The piece itself plays out like a 26-second short film featuring two aliens on an alien planet, with the Ferrari Modulo concept used as a prop for a photoshoot.Though the Modulo is not the main focus of the artwork, it does manage to steal the spotlight, as briefly as its shown. It is also the perfect fit for an alien-themed, mind-bending video like this one.The use of the Modulo was not sanctioned by the owner of the actual Modulo car, businessman and Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus owner James Glickenhaus, but he is definitely welcoming the attention. He tweeted about it and even included a link to the auction, which now sits at $40,000 in real-world money. Glickenhaus himself plans to create and sell his own NFT art, using funds to keep SCG Racing going. He is, if you will, an NFT art connoisseur.Developed in 1970 to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show, the Modulo is also known as the UFO Car. Its based on a Ferrari 512S with a unique body by Pininfarina, and was acquired by Glickenhaus in 2014, who fully restored it and occasionally takes it out for demonstrative drives.The Modulo is a one-off, a fully-functional concept with a Ferrari V12 developing 550 hp that takes it to 220 mph (354 kph) and 0 to 60 (97 kph) in 3 seconds. It is invaluable, assuming Glickenhaus would ever considering selling. This NFT replica is a cheaper way of boasting ownership of one of the most iconic Ferraris in history.
Among her first jobs in the new position would be commencing the process of MPTC and ZPTC elections, which are pending for over a year.  DC Image

VIJAYAWADA: Former chief secretary Nilam Sawhney submitted her resignation to the post of principal advisor to Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday clearing the way for her to assume charge as the next State Election Commissioner (SEC) of Andhra Pradesh.

Earlier governor Biswabhushan Harichandan approved her name as the successor to Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar, who will retire on March 31.

Sawhney, who is likely to take charge on April 1, will become the first woman SEC of AP. Incidentally she has the distinction of being the first woman CS after bifurcation.

Among her first jobs in the new position would be commencing the process of MPTC and ZPTC elections, which are pending for over a year.

Right from the beginning, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy favoured Sawhney and saw him bring her as CS, the services of which he extended twice. After her retirement, he appointed her as principal advisor for implementation of YSRCs flagship Navaratnalu programme, which helped the government to win the hearts of people.

It should be noted that he fought relentlessly with Ramesh Kumar, which prompted him to choose a loyalist to ensure a hassle-free administration.

According to sources, the government was keen on retired bureaucrat M Samuel as the SEC but the calculations went haywire as Telugu Desam objected to his appointment pointing out that he was co-accused in CBI cases. Jagan Mohan Reddy eventually preferred Nilam Sawhney for the post.
Samsung has successfully tuned the Galaxy A-series to peoples preferences. The A52 in particular is going to be quite popular, both flavors of the phone were well received in last weeks poll.

The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G came out on top, showing that next-gen connectivity is an important consideration for many. Compared to its 4G twin, it also has an upgraded chipset (Snapdragon 750G vs. 720G) and a higher refresh rate for its screen (120Hz vs. 90Hz).



Infographics with the key details: Galaxy A52  Galaxy A52 5G  Galaxy A72

The 4G version of the Galaxy A52 proved fairly popular in its own right. The extended software support (3 years of OS updates, 4 years security patches) is a major draw and can easily justify the price premium over competing models. Plus, both Galaxy A52s feature OIS on their main camera, which some of the competition lacks.

The Samsung Galaxy A72 proved the least popular option of the three. That 3x telephoto lens should have been its trump card, but ultimately it didnt amount to much. Right now, it looks like 5G is more important than optical zoom. Samsung will probably release a 5G version of this phone (even the A32 has a 5G version), which will fare a lot better than the Galaxy A72 4G.
Biden's mixed announcements had a 9-year-old girl illegally drowned in the Rio Grande River. The administration's border fiascos and the human cost is staggering as they still deny responsibility.

The child is one of many attempting to cross into the US due to a failed border policy. Surging migrants could have been prevented, but Biden is intent on repealing Trump-era policies.

9-year-old migrant girl drowned

The death of a young migrant due to a dangerous river crossing the border could have been prevented. Border officials have tried to stop them from coming. However, everything is a total mess from the administration to the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), reported the Epoch Times.

Sources reported on March 20; the girl crossed the Rio Grande with a Guatemalan woman. The unknown woman had her alleged son, a Mexican boy aged 3-years old.

An already stretched border patrol had to send a marine unit to an emergency. Three people were trapped in an island on the Mexican side. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) assisted the people and brought them to safety.

The CBP saved only the woman and her child. The girl wasn't held and assumed to die from drowning in the Rio Grande.

Many of these illegals have made the dangerous crossing over the river. This time, increased numbers of minors are crossing over the challenging route.

She died after agents passed her to the Eagle Pass Fire Department's Emergency Medical Services. Too many illegals crossing have stressed the border patrol. A 9-Year-Old Girl drowns attempting to cross the US border, just one of many to come.

White House Calls Border Situation a Crisis by Accident in a Press Conference

There was no explanation of the cause of death. NBC said the incident was "assumed a drowning" by Lt. Jason Mares of the Eagle Pass Fire Department in Texas.

Another issue at the border is the border patrol cannot issue any statements. This prompted protest from the media, who called out president Biden. He assigned his VP Kamala Harris who got flak from Republicans for her conduct about the issue.

CBP's Del Rio Sector chief patrol agent Austin Skero II expressed deepest sympathies for this small child. Border Agents have stood firm in the face of difficulties. Skero II added the patrol works hard to save lives.

From October 1, there have been 500 illegals rescued by the patrol attempting to crossover. Their actions have placed themselves in danger, said, officials.

Biden's unwise open border policy was advised against, but he didn't listen. Last February, more than 100,000 people have been counted. In March, more people crossed over; the administration blames Trump.

The blunder of removing Trump's border policies helped add the girl's drowning. Many have drowned in the Rio Grande, and there will be more.

Oscar Alberto Ramirez and his young daughter died attempting to swim across in 2019. They tried the crossing despite warnings. There will be more to come as long the border is a mess.

In an interview, the El Salvador President said migrants don't leave their homes because they want to. They left their homes because they needed to. The 9-year-old girl drowned at the US border because of bad decisions on the administration's watch.

Biden Promises Migrants Entry at the Border

Ranchers to Biden: 'Do the Right Thing' about Mexico Border

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:

American culture is a grand mix of the old and the not so old, as we all know. As is true in other cultures, including the island culture here Read more
Avurudu mung kavun wont come cheap as prices leap By Nadia Fazlulhaq View(s): View(s):

From green gram used in Avurudu kevili to rice, coconut, turmeric and other goods used widely during festive season are jumping in price with the National New Year around the corner.

Green gram, used for making the popular sweetmeat, mung kavun, and other festival favourites, has seen the biggest increase  from Rs. 300 a kilo last March to an average Rs. 770. In some markets, the price has shot up to Rs. 900, and traders predict prices would continue to rise in coming days, provoking comments that some families might be forced to forego mung kavun this year for the Avurudu table.

Raw rice, both red and white, was sold below Rs. 100 a kilo last year but now costs Rs. 110-120 while prices of the nadu and samba varieties have risen by Rs.15-30.

According to the Census and Statistics Department, the price of a kilo of samba (grade I) is Rs. 140 this week although it was Rs. 103 during the Avurudu season last year. But consumers say there is a shortage of samba in the market and as a result the prices have gone up to Rs.180 a kilo.

Compared to the same period last year, the current prices of samba grade I, nadu grade I, raw red and raw white varieties have increased by 41 percent, 14 percent, 6 and 6 percent respectively, the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI) said.

Coconuts cost Rs. 90-120 a nut. Twelve months ago, they only cost Rs. 70-80.

Coconut oil that was Rs. 319 (750 ml) last year is now sold at Rs. 330-400.may

Compared to the same period last year, prices of all the types of pulses have increased by about 34-152 percent with the highest increase for green gram, HARTI said, adding that the price hike was largely due to a supply shortage.

Pandemic-related processing delays affected the supply chain, leading to price increases, Agriculture Department economist Chamara Wijesinghe said.

The increase in rice prices are partly due to monopoly, he said.

Spices and condiments have also become costly. A kilo of dried turmeric, Rs. 1,060 last year, is now sold at an average Rs. 2,400 with the price ranging from Rs. 1,000-2,800 depending on quality. Last week, turmeric went up to Rs. 3,000.

Goraka prices are going up to Rs. 800 per kilo when it was below Rs. 600 last year. Tamarind has almost doubled in price from Rs. 384 a kilo this time last year to Rs. 760 and above.

Cinnamon, Rs. 3,186 a kilo last year can now range up to Rs. 5,000. Maldive fish ranges from Rs. 1,700-2,400 when it was just Rs. 1,800 per last March.

All-Ceylon Farmers Federation leader Namal Karunaratne said farmers, daily wage earners and many who have lost their jobs here and overseas due to the pandemic would not be feeling festive this New Year.

In villages, remittances from the Middle East are usually high during this period but this year they have come down drastically due to job losses, Mr. Karunaratne added.

Although prices of goods have increased, it is rarely that farmers benefit from this, he added.

Traders see little hope after a year of pandemic-caused losses.

Our members complain about loss of sales this year. We are helpless when people have no money, Essential Food and Commodities Importers and Traders Association (EFCITA) President G. Rajendran said. Importers were being hit both by foreign exchange fluctuations and losses from unsold perishable food items.

Many people suffered from pandemic-triggered pay cuts and have no New Year bonus. Though we might not have zero losses like last year, people are still struggling, S. Bandula, a textile shop owner in Pamunuwa, said.

Kamani Ranaweera, a housewife from Ratmalana, agreed this New Year was going to be a struggle.

With no Avurudu bonus this year, my husband and I decided to limit the number of kevili preparations, and to only buy new clothes for the children, she said.

D. Saman, a grocery shop owner from Piliyandala, said he is stocking up commodities that are in high demand during the festive season.

There is a possibility of prices increasing in the coming days, and shortages, too. Some known customers have placed orders for items to be purchased when they receive their salaries, he said.

The Consumer Affairs Authority said the public may lodge complaints about errant traders by dialling its hotline, 1977. It promised daily raids would take place to ensure expired goods are not put on sale and to discourage traders from charging exorbitant prices for goods.
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
On Saturday, the "Wunnrecht" coalition organised a protest march in the capital, during which 20 organisations voiced their dissatisfaction with the Luxembourgish housing market.

More than 100 people gathered on Saturday afternoon to march from the Central Station to the Place d'Armes. Our colleagues from RTL were present at the demonstrations and talked to a number of protestors:

"Many of my friends are returning from university and have no idea what to do. Is it better to start renting, or return home to their parents?"

"People are no longer able to afford rent with the salaries they make. The market no longer reflects reality."

"Apartments are there, and yet, nobody can afford to live in them any more."

"The situation has become unbearable, society is now split between those who can and those who cannot afford the prices."

Protesters thus drew attention to the fact that the middle class is struggling immensely under the pressure of the country's housing market.

Landlords are free to charge as much as they like since they always end up finding someone willing to pay.

Nevertheless, some apartments do stay empty in the end, while other investors use building land for speculative investments.

Jean-Michel Campanella, president of the tenants' association, commented on the issue: "The number of people having to fall back on hotels or moving beyond the Grand Duchy's borders is increasing. We need solutions right now, but unfortunately it seems as thought the government has not yet realised the gravity of the situation."

Frederic Krier from the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) also provided his take on the situation: "Only yesterday we received the most recent numbers which show that housing prices increased by 16.09% last trimester. That is the highest rate in Europe, but we still lack action from our political leaders to combat this tendency."

The "Wunnrecht" coalition therefore advocates for the construction of 30,000 affordable housing units for those on low incomes, and an emergency construction of up to 4,000 social housing units, potentially including container flats. They further want to introduce a rent limit and a real estate tax reform.
A MOTHER diagnosed with heart failure has revealed how some fellow patients have stopped hugging their children when they return from school because they are terrified of contracting Covid-19.

Mum-of-three Pauline OShea, who lives in Ardnacrusha and was diagnosed with heart failure aged 38, said she and many other similar patients across Ireland were warned of the grave risk Covid poses to those with heart and respiratory issues  yet they remain at level seven of the vaccine rollout.

Some have told the Irish Heart Foundation they also instruct their children to change out of their uniforms before entering the family home.

Their fears emerged as studies show more than half of heart failure patients hospitalised with Covid are dying from the virus  now the charity wants an urgent review of the vaccine priority list to include such patients.

Younger people living with severe heart failure are not deemed at very high risk under the national immunisation programme, prompting the HSEs National Heart Programme to call for under 70s, along with in-patients awaiting cardiac surgery, to be moved from level seven to level four.

Before my nine-year-old daughter returned to school this week, she wrote in her homework: my mum has a heart condition and Im worried Ill give her Covid, said Pauline.

This week alone, my children are in three different classrooms with anywhere from 10 to 30 children in each; that means I am indirectly exposed to up to 70 people - children, teens and young adults, any of whom might be carrying Covid 19.

Pauline, 47, had open heart surgery in 2012 after developing Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection  a tearing of the wall of the artery.

I have had three heart attacks, gone into cardiac arrest, been in ICU, on a ventilator, I dont need to go back there with Covid.

I know another heart patient with two younger children who change out of their school uniforms before she can safely give them a hug.

Its very tough, but her condition is so serious that she cant risk getting Covid-19 because she knows it could rob those children of their mother.

UK research shows the 30-day mortality rate of patients with acute heart failure nearly doubled during the pandemic, while a Dutch study shows Covid-19 patients with severe heart failure are 37% more likely to die compared to other hospitalised Covid patients.

HSE data to mid-December showed that of 1,866 Covid-19 deaths, 93% had a known underlying condition - and 41% of these had chronic heart disease - the most common type of condition.

The Irish Heart Foundations Medical Director, Dr Angie Brown, said there is broad consensus among cardiologists and the HSEs own National Heart Programme that younger heart failure patients and those awaiting cardiac surgery who are at very high risk from Covid, are vaccinated without delay. Studies emerging on the impact of Covid on heart failure patients in particular are extremely worrying and require us to do more for those at higher risk, she said.

We know that the National Heart Programme has challenged the prioritisation of heart failure patients and inpatients awaiting surgery. We are calling on the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, to order an urgent review of the priority level for these patients to ensure lives are not put at unnecessary risk.
Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Heavy thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Areas of patchy fog. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Heavy thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Areas of patchy fog. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Why do I or anyone trust anything the biased Washington Post writes?

Here is a small sample of their opinions after Bidens worthless first news conference:

Even with a book full of cheat sheets, Joe Biden was able to say a lot of stupid stuff.

He said we have to spend a lot of money raising streets three feet because of climate change, which supposedly is caused by oil.

Here is the babble from the transcript at the 55:17 mark:

What are we doing? And by the way, we can put as many pipe fitters and miners on us to work, capping those wells at the same price that they were charged to dig those wells. So I just find it frustrating, frustrating and talk about. Last year point Ill make in the infrastructure and I apologize for spending more time on it, but is that if you think about it, its the place where we will be able to see significantly increase American productivity. At the same time, providing really good jobs for people. But we cant build back to what they used to be. We have to build the environments are Global warming has already done significant damage. The roads that used to be above the water level, didnt have to worry about where the drainage dish was. Now you got to rebuild them three feet higher because its not going to go back to what it was before, only get worse unless we stop it.

A follow-up question might have been to ask how much sea levels have risen the last 140 years since the dawn of the use of oil.

The best guess is that sea levels have risen less than one foot the last 140 years while oil use has risen 1,781 times from around 55,000 barrels per day to 98 million barrels per day at the end of 2019. Since the Pacific Ocean is over 36,000 feet deep, one foot would equal a .000028 change in 140 years. So where is the correlation?

Does anyone believe oceans can be measured accurately within hundredths of an inch with all the variables, let alone what causes the change?

Could beaches disappear partially because of pounding waves and erosion vs. rising sea levels?

Would we have to raise Obamas new mansion on Marthas Vineyard three feet or would we jack up the whole island? Why would wealthy people like the Obamas continue paying huge prices for oceanfront property if they believed what they were spewing forth? Wouldn't they buy properties higher up?

Biden also said we must spend huge amounts on airports to be competitive.

A logical follow up question would be to ask why spend massive amounts on airports when the planes cant fly without oil? What would Biden replace all the airline and travel industry jobs with when oil is no longer used?

Maybe someone could ask Biden what rubber tires would be replaced with when crude oil is no longer used. I wonder if his crib notes had that answer.

Biden also said that highly paid oil field workers could be hired in highly paid jobs capping wells.

A good question after that statement would have been to ask: What would they do after the wells were capped?

Bidens stupidity doesnt fall too far from the tree. His boss, Obama said in 2015 that fish were swimming on the streets of Miami due to climate change when it was the amazing science of high tides.

Do fish really swim in Miamis streets? Well, not exactly "I think that as the science around climate change is more accepted, as people start realizing that even today you can put a price on the damage that climate change is doing  you know, you go down to Miami and when it's flooding at high tide on a sunny day and fish are swimming through the middle of the streets  you know, that there's a cost to that," Obama said at the Paris climate talks.

Of course, the arrogant, narcissistic Obama said sea levels would stop rising when he became president.

After decades of indoctrination and 65 days of the Biden administration seeking to destroy industries as fast as it can, there are still no questions from the media asking for the scientific data to justify the destruction of the oil and coal industries and all industries supported by their products. Either journalists dont care or they just believe whatever they are told. Either reason makes them virtually worthless.

Biden gave his most intelligent answer to the stupidest question: Are you running for president in 2024 and is Kamala Harris going to be your running mate? He said he hasnt thought much about it. I believe that is true because he doesnt seem to think much about anything he does. Why would a reporter waste a question like that at his first news conference when there are so many other things he could be asked like: What do you think of all the excess deaths at nursing homes because of New York's Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other governors orders?

Biden said reporters will be able to see the facilities where kids are kept.

The most transparent administration ever will be transparent when they are ready. Isn't that nice? Wouldnt that be like Iran blocking nuclear inspectors from seeing facilities until they OKd it? Or China controlling what the investigators can learn about the origin of the Wuhan virus? Isnt it extremely authoritarian for government officials to block the media from seeing things they dont want it to see?

Why are so many people clamoring to come to the United States if we have been a racist country for over 400 years and if we are the biggest destroyers of the planet?

God help us save our great country from power hungry politicians, bureaucrats and special interest groups who are supported by Democrat campaign workers posing as reporters.

Image: Screen shot from NBC News video, via YouTube.
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.
Busan mayoral candidate Kim Young-choon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, second from right, poses with his colleagues at the Busan Metropolitan Council, Tuesday, after announcing his election promises regarding financial policies. Courtesy of Kim's campaign office



Realistic plans for Seoul, Busan financial hubs unseen in by-elections



By Park Jae-hyuk



Both ruling and opposite candidates in the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-election slated for April 7 have caused concerns because of their unrealistic and controversial election pledges that seem to be far from ideal in terms of fostering development of the two metropolitan cities as international financial hubs.



Their promises are considered ambiguous and populistic by financial industry insiders, given their plans do not satisfy the needs of global financial firms and some of their goals cannot be achieved by a single local government without support from the central government and the National Assembly.



Seoul mayoral candidate Park Young-sun of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) promised to make Yeouido an international financial center that can replace Hong Kong, but she did not come up with any incentive that global financial companies want, such as lower taxes and eased regulations. Although she has sought to circulate the city's own blockchain-based cryptocurrency, KS-Coin, this is considered to be similar to Zeropay mobile payment system, which was adopted by former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon.



Her major competitor, Oh Se-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) said he will allow Yeouido's neighboring areas to share the role as a financial hub by transforming the semi-industrial district in Mullae-dong into an advanced commercial and business district. However, he did not mention policies for global financial companies. Although he made various efforts for Seoul's financial hub vision during his term as the city's mayor between 2006 and 2011, his five most important pledges did not include action plans for such a vision.





Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party speaks in a YouTube video uploaded March 19 to announce his plan to allow Yeouido's neighboring areas to share the role as a financial hub. Captured from Oh's YouTube channel
No forced cotton production labor in Xinjiang: lawmaker

Xinhua) 11:26, March 28, 2021

A joint video promotion event for Xinjiang with the Chinese embassy in Britain is held in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

URUMQI, March 27 (Xinhua) -- There was and is no forced labor in cotton production in Xinjiang, said Li Xuejun, a senior regional lawmaker on Friday.

Li, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, said this at a joint video promotion event for Xinjiang with the Chinese embassy in Britain.

He said that cotton production in Xinjiang has already achieved a high degree of mechanization. There is not a large number of cotton-picking workers even in the busy picking season.

Li noted that cotton enterprises in Xinjiang are legally registered and operate according to laws and regulations. Workers' rights to payment, rest, culture, welfare, and others are fully guaranteed, he said.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)

Banks are under pressure to start raising interest rates on longer-term fixed rate mortgages to preserve profits amid a blow out in funding costs on global financial markets.

The Commonwealth Bank last week became the first of the big four to move upwards on long-term rates, blaming higher funding costs as it increased its four-year fixed rate by 0.2 percentage points to 2.19 per cent, as it also cut two-year rates.

Rock-bottom fixed rates have been an important ingredient in Australias housing boom. Credit:Brent Lewin

Five smaller lenders also raised four-year fixed rates last week, RateCity said, including Bank of Queensland, which increased its four-year rate by 0.3 percentage points. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank also increased its four-year rate by 0.3 percentage points rate during March, while cutting two-year rates.

More lenders are tipped to follow suit.
Today anchor Karl Stefanovic has laughed off speculation Russia was behind the cyber attack that prevented Channel Nine shows from going to air on Sunday.

The 46-year-old jokingly blamed his colleague Liz Hayes for the technical difficulties as he arrived at Nine's North Sydney headquarters on Monday morning.

Hayes is tonight set to host an episode of Under Investigation that exposes Russian president Vladimir Putin's deadly campaign of chemical assassination against his enemies in the West - and security experts believe the 'massive ransomware attack' was orchestrated by Russia in retaliation.

Scroll down for video

'Technical difficulties': Today anchor Karl Stefanovic has laughed off speculation Russia was behind the cyber attack that prevented Channel Nine shows from going to air on Sunday

In a video shared to Today's Instagram account, Stefanovic pretended the elevators were malfunctioning as he spoke to a producer behind the camera.

'We've had a few technical issues... with the lifts,' he began.

'Of course we've been hacked by someone overseas,' he added, before turning to the camera and whispering: 'Maybe it was the Russians?'

'Because Liz Hayes, she's a bad woman,' Stefanovic continued. 'She's doing an investigation into Vladimir Putin on Under Investigation.

'So we have to go through a little bit of suffering this morning, but you at home, you will not be able to spot any difference in the quality of the show.'

Karl's theory: The 46-year-old jokingly blamed his colleague Liz Hayes for the technical difficulties as he arrived at Nine's North Sydney headquarters on Monday morning

Controversial leader: Putin, a former KGB officer, is pictured here during a meeting with Novgorod Region Governor Andrei Nikitin at the Moscow Kremlin on March 24

The Nine Network was the target of a cyber attack on Sunday which disrupted its live programming out of Sydney.

The Australian broadcaster confirmed there was a cyber attack on its systems after it was unable to air its Weekend Today and Sunday Sport programs.

In a note to staff, Nine's director of people and culture Vanessa Morley told all employees across the country to work from home until further notice.

'Our IT teams are working around the clock to fully restore our systems which have primarily affected our broadcast and corporate business units,' she wrote.

'Publishing and radio systems continue to be operational.'

Hack: Liz Hayes (pictured) is tonight set to host an episode of Under Investigation that exposes Vladimir Putin's deadly campaign of chemical assassination against his enemies in the West

Retaliation: Security experts believe the ransomware attack was orchestrated by Russia

Ms Morley said office workers can expect to 'experience disruption to the Nine IT network', although emails did not appear to be impacted.

Nine's National Rugby League coverage, 6pm news bulletins and Sunday evening coverage including 60 Minutes and Married At First Sight went ahead as planned after the company enacted 'several contingencies'.

However, some viewers did experience glitching when trying to watch Married At First Sight on Nine's streaming service, 9Now.

Shut down: The Nine Network was the target of a cyber attack on Sunday which disrupted its live programming out of Sydney. Weekend Today hosts Rebecca Maddern (left), Richard Wilkins (centre) and Jayne Azzopardi (right) were unable to broadcast

Earlier, the Australian media giant - the owner of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers - said it was responding to 'technical issues'.

Shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers described the situation as 'serious'.

'These are very concerning reports,' he told reporters in Springwood, Brisbane. 'What we're hearing about here is a serious, and sophisticated, targeted attack on a media organisation.'

Contingencies: Nine's Sunday evening programming, including 60 Minutes and Married At First Sight, went ahead as planned after the company enacted 'several contingencies'. Pictured: Married At First Sight star Bryce Ruthven

'Stopped playing': However, some viewers did experience glitching when trying to watch Married At First Sight on Nine's streaming service, 9Now
She is known for being one of the highest paid actresses on television, thanks to her memorable role on the ABC sitcom Modern Family.

And Sofia Vergara was spotted running a few quick errands in Beverly Hills on Saturday afternoon.

The multitalented performer, who is married to Hollywood hunk Joe Manganiello, appeared to be enjoying her solo outing as she strolled around the city's streets.

Stepping out: Sofia Vergara was spotted stepping out to run a few quick errands in Beverly Hills on Saturday

Vergara was dressed in an oversized Gucci crewneck sweater that bunched up at her wrists and offered her a bit of extra room near her midsection.

The 48-year-old added an element of contrast to her ensemble with a pair of distressed blue jeans.

The Chef actress tied off her clothing ensemble with a pair of wedge sandals and a sizable purse that carried the bulk of her belongings.

Sofia's beautiful golden brown hair flowed down effortlessly from a neat middle part.

Great outfit: The Chef actress wore an oversized white Gucci crewneck sweater, which she contrasted with a pair of slightly distressed blue jeans

Extra storage: The actress kept a sizable purse with her while running her errands. Vergara's gorgeous blonde hair cascaded onto her shoulders and backside during her solo outing

Vergara wore a large dark blue facial covering to keep herself safe while spending time in public.

Although she has been involved in numerous film and television projects, the actress is best known for her portrayal of Gloria Maria Ramirez-Pritchett in the ABC series Modern Family.

During her time on the show, she was featured alongside performers such as Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Julie Bowen, and Ed O'Neill; she received critical praise for her onscreen chemistry with the latter of the three.

Vergara was nominated for numerous awards during her run on the comedy series, and was put up for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series four separate times.

Major role: Vergara is known for her portrayal of Gloria Maria Ramirez-Pritchett on the comedy series Modern Family; she is seen with several other cast members in a 2009 episode of the show

Raking it in: The performer was, for a period, the highest paid actress on American television while appearing in the ABC series; she is seen with her costar Eric Stonestreet in a 2020 episode of Modern Family

She also received nominations for both a Golden Globe and a Critic's Choice Television Award.

In more recent years, she has served as a judge on the wildly popular competition show America's Got Talent.

Vergara began working on the show last year, when she and Heidi Klum were brought in to replace Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough.

The actress' first season working on the series was marked by changes in the show's format that were imposed by the onset of the global pandemic.

She is set to return to the judge's seat for America's Got Talent's upcoming 16th season, where COVID-19 safety measures will still be in place; interested individuals are being asked to send in virtual audition tapes.
Kenyan troops in Somalia have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

This is part of the ongoing vaccination that started with senior officers at the Defence headquarters in Nairobi.

It is also part of the government's efforts to ensure essential workers, including troops deployed under the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom), are protected against the deadly pandemic.

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) on Saturday said on its social media pages that the exercise was launched by its Director of Medical Services Major Gen (Dr) George Ng'ang'a.

The Covid-19 vaccination exercise for Sector II was conducted at the headquarters in Dhobley.

"This is part of the ongoing Phase 1 of the national immunisation programme in the fight against Covid-19," said KDF in the post on Saturday.

Healthy force

Speaking during the launch of the vaccination, Dr Ng'ang'a urged all the KDF personnel to take part in the immunisation in order to boost the efforts of fighting the pandemic and at the same time have a healthy force, which is critical to serving the nation.

"Let us all embrace prevention mechanisms rather than opting for the curative ones. The KDF leadership has led by example by participating in the vaccination drive and we have not recorded any side effects, therefore, I assure our troops that the vaccine is safe," said Maj Gen Ng'ang'a.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Coronavirus Somalia 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.

He further urged the troops to continue observing the World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols on the containment of the spread of Covid-19.

"We must not drop our guard. We must stick to the protocols issued on containing the spread of the virus by maintaining social distance, wearing masks, washing and sanitising our hands. That will keep us safe," said Maj Gen (Dr) Ng'ang'a.

Sector II Commander, Brigadier Jeff Nyaga, led the troops in receiving the jab.

The Deputy Sector II Commander Colonel Pascal Kitiro was the second person to take the jab, followed by senior officers and service members based in Dhobley.

The jab is a morale booster as the soldiers keep a watch on terrorists in war-torn Somalia.

UN staff

Other than the troops, the civilians working for the United Nations based at the Sector II Headquarters were also inoculated.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma earlier this month took part in the ongoing Covid-19 vaccination at the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi.

She was accompanied by the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Gender Margaret Kobia, who appreciated the sacrifice of the security personnel and medics.

Dr Juma urged all to continue observing the set health protocols.

"Wear a mask, sanitise, wash your hands and keep social distance even after receiving the vaccine," said Dr Juma.

fmureithi@ke.nationmedia.com
Chile entered a strict and extensive coronavirus lockdown on Saturday, as the country recorded its second-highest number of daily infections.

Sixteen million people in the country of 19 million are now under mandatory isolation.

"We are fully aware of the difficulties and sacrifices that this measure means to Chilean families," said President Sebastian Pinera.

"But to protect health, to protect the lives of all our citizens is definitively our first priority."

Police said that in the past day, more than 1,300 people were arrested for violating the lockdown.

Chile has administered the highest number of vaccine doses in Latin America, reaching close to 40% of its population.

However, authorities have said the tough restrictions are necessary to free up beds in hospitals.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Police officers investigating the disappearance of Sarm Heslop in the US Virgin Islands are now looking into whether she ever returned to her American boyfriend's boat.

Heslop, 41, from Southampton, Hampshire, vanished without a trace on March 7 after she and Ryan Bane, 44, had drinks in Frank's Bay, St. John.

Bane told investigators they had returned to his catamaran that night and he awoke in the early hours to find his girlfriend gone.

A huge manhunt was launched and is yet to turn up any clues as to Heslop's whereabouts while Bane has refused to let investigators search his boat Siren Song.

In the search for answers, police are trawling through CCTV from the island to trace Ms Heslop's movements that night to verify his story, The Telegraph reports.

Detectives are reportedly searching through CCTV footage on the island of St. John to verify Ryan Bane's (right) account that he and his girlfriend Sarm Heslop (left) returned to his boat on the night she disappeared on March 7

Bane was last seen Wednesday afternoon (above) returning to his boat. Federal agents have chartered a boat to try to track him down, after he disappeared Thursday from St. John where his luxury yacht had been anchored for several weeks

The latest development comes as it was revealed yesterday the FBI has launched a hunt for Ms Heslop's boyfriend after he sailed away from the US Virgin Islands on Thursday.

Tony Derima, a spokesman for the Virgin Islands Police Department said: 'Nothing so far actually confirms the couple went back to the yacht together that night.'

Officers are in the process of trying to verify Mr Bane's account of events that night and attempting to confirm if Sarm was on the dinghy which returned to the luxury yacht that night.

Detectives are also reportedly planning to interview staff at 420 to Center, a dive bar popular with St. John locals, where the couple visited.

Federal agents have chartered a boat to try to track down Bane, 44, who disappeared Thursday from St. John where his luxury yacht had been anchored for several weeks, according to the New York Post.

Bane was last seen on Wednesday afternoon taking a dinghy to the shore before returning to his 47-ft catamaran with a plastic bag, sneakers and towels.

His yacht had been anchored at the same secluded spot in Frank Bay for weeks but was gone Thursday morning.

Authorities need a search warrant to board the $500,000 vessel but are yet to obtain one because Heslop's disappearance has not been classified as a criminal inquiry.

The latest development comes as it was revealed the FBI has launched a hunt for Ryan Bane (pictured) after he sailed away from the US Virgin Islands on Thursday

Detectives are also reportedly planning to interview staff at 420 to Center (pictured), a dive bar popular with St. John locals, where the couple visited

Heslop met Bane on Tinder eight months ago and traveled to the Caribbean to work as a cook on Siren Song, which he charters out for more than $2,000 a day.

According to friends the pair took their dinghy to Cruz Bay, the island's main tourist hub, for dinner and drinks on March 7 to celebrate a successful charter.

Bane claimed he was woken up at 2am by an anchor alarm, which triggers an alert if the boat strays from its position, and found her gone.

Police say Bane was advised to ring the US Coast Guard but it later emerged they did not receive the SOS call until 11:46am - more than nine hours later.

Coast Guards boarded Siren Song twice but when detectives asked to conduct a full forensic search Bane exercised his constitutional right to say no, reportedly on the advice of his attorney, David Cattie.

He was similarly reluctant to talk about the night Heslop vanished when DailyMail.com caught up with him on shore Wednesday, stonewalling our questions by saying 'no comment' four times.

While police confirmed they are scouring CCTV to understand whether Ms Heslop returned to the catamaran, DailyMail.com has learned of further possible stumbles in the inquiry relating to the video evidence.

A barman at 420 to Center confirmed to Detective Sergeant Richard Dominguez, a Virgin Islands-based FBI agent who is assisting the VIPD, that he saw the couple during his shift.

Heslop (pictured) met Bane on Tinder eight months ago and traveled to the Caribbean to work as a cook on Siren Song

Bane claimed he was woken up at 2am by an anchor alarm, which triggers an alert if the boat strays from its position, and found Ms Heslop (pictured together) gone

In his initial conversations with the VIPD, Bane said he finished dinner and went straight back to his boat with Sarm at 10pm.

There are at least a dozen cameras overlooking the shoreline where the couple landed their dinghy and the 50-yard walk to 420 to Center.

However many of the devices are used to livestream footage of the beach to social media, capturing party scenes and pretty sunsets for marketing purposes, but not to record.

A handful of business owners do operate conventional security cameras that store data, typically anything from 48 hours to a month, depending on how they are configured.

In his initial conversations with the VIPD, Bane (pictured) said he finished dinner and went straight back to his boat with Sarm at 10pm

These include Sherry Compton, who told DailyMail.com she was surprised that law enforcement didn't immediately come to her restaurant, Beach Bar, to ask for the hard drives.

'I heard about what had happened the next day from social media but the police did not come and talk to us,' she said.

'The FBI agent came in four or five days after. He had a timeline and he needed the footage before it automatically deleted.'

Dominguez also contacted systems engineer Steve Butcher, who installed the CCTV at Beach Bar as well as 12 livestreaming cameras for businesses dotted around downtown Cruz Bay.

Butcher told him there was nothing to look through because the livestreaming cameras weren't set up to record and the owners were responsible for their own data.

That conversation took place between the evening of March 16 and the morning of March 17 - nine to 10 days after Heslop vanished.

'Sadly that's the Virgin Islands. It's not First World. If it was me, if that was my wife, I would be disgusted,' Butcher told DailyMail.com.

Derima said that the VIPD had obtained 'hours of CCTV footage' but he declined to comment on when exactly that was collected or whether anything had potentially been missed.
A few days later, a confession-drama was staged just to pacify and calm down the Sikh community; the RA&W was the director of that drama. A person was presented before the media who confessed his involvement in the massacre.

by Ali Sukhanver

That was 20th of March 2000 when some groups of peaceful and innocent Sikhs were celebrating the Hola Mahalla festival with their relatives in the Chittisinghpora village of Anantnag district of IIOK. Suddenly two military vehicles arrived there and within no time they all were surrounded by dozens of Indian army personnel. They ordered them to line up and turn their faces to the wall of a Gurdwara. Within seconds the bullets fired by the Indian army personnel tore their bodies apart. As per tradition the Indian government put the whole blame on Pakistan and as well as on the Kashmiri militant groups struggling for the independence of their territory.

It was officially stated that the men dressed up in Indian army uniform did not belong to the Indian army; they were the Mujahedeens. According to different media reports after this brutal massacre hundreds of Kashmiri Sikhs gathered in Jammu and raised slogans against this cruel military action. Instead of holding some inquiry and looking into the matter, the Indian government exerted all its force in proving that it was all done by Pakistans supported Mujahedeen.

To prove governments baseless stance, five days after the massacre, in another incident the Indian army stopped and killed five Kashmiris near Anantnag, claiming they were the Pakistani perpetrators of the Chittisinghpora massacre. This incident added more oil to the already blazing fire of hatred. An uncontrollable wave of agitation engulfed the whole state of Jammu and Kashmir. The government had to start official inquiry of the second incident also.

That inquiry revealed that the five persons killed by the security personnel were all local villagers with no relation with the massacre. However these two episodes of the massacre proved eye-opener to the Sikh community which was earlier misguided by the notion that the Sikhs had nothing to do with the warlike situation in Jammu and Kashmir as it was the result of conflict between the Muslims and the Hindus but the Hindu extremists taught them they were wrong.

A few days later, a confession-drama was staged just to pacify and calm down the Sikh community; the RA&W was the director of that drama. A person was presented before the media who confessed his involvement in the massacre. His name was Suhail Malik and he allegedly belonged to Lashkar-e-Taiba. A senior journalist of The New York Times Barry Bearak openly expressed his doubts regarding the authenticity of his confession. He said that confessions made in custody of the security forces have no legal value. Madeleine Albright, the first female United States Secretary of State in U.S. history penned down a book titled The Mighty and the Almighty somewhere in 2006. In that book she also she accused "Hindu Militants" of perpetrating that massacre. It is also a point to be noted that these two incidents took place at the time when President Bill Clinton was on his official visit to India. The horrible massacre was planned just to give President Clinton a fake impression that India was facing lot of troubles because of Pakistans supported militant organizations. Luckily that mumbo-jumbo tale of Pakistans adventures could not convince the US President. The end of this whole story proved more depressing and disappointing to the Indian planners when the matter was brought to a court of Delhi where Suhail Malik was acquitted of the charges levied upon him.

However some paid-sections of the Indian media tried all their best to keep the matter alive by criticizing courts decision through their fake and false reporting. This false and baseless propaganda move didnt stop even after the acquittal of Suhail Malik till the year 2017 when Lt. Gen. (R) KS Gill turned the whole table upside down in an interview to Sikh News Express. He was a member of the team investigating the massacre. Journalist Jasneet Singh was the interviewer. Gen. Gill told the Sikh News Express that the Indian Army was involved in the massacre and the report had been submitted to L.K.Advani who was the Home Minister then.

The army was guilty, not the commanders, but till the Captain level. When Jasneet Singh asked: was there any action if the army was involved, Gen. Gill replied, The full report was prepared. We said the army was involved. We asked for a judge of the Supreme Court to look at it. Nothing happened; there was chaos Police had to shoot at people. Then the government decided not to investigate. The General further said, The only reason behind all this was that the BJP government wanted to tell Clinton that in Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan is killing people. That time America was providing arms to Pakistan. India was not getting any aid. In short a drama was staged just to defame Pakistan. The same cock and bull story is still going on.

From Mumbai Attacks to the Pulwama Tragedy and From Samjhota Express burning to Pathankot attacks, the Indian Intelligence agencies are sacrificing their own people just to defame Pakistan. Be it Muslims or the Sikhs and even the Christians; the Hindu extremists are pushing everyone into the blazing inferno of hatred and prejudice. Even the Dalits, who are a part of the Hindu community, are not safe from this hatred.
will conduct special clearing operations for annual closure of government accounts on March 31, which is the last day of the current fiscal year, the RBI has said.

The Reserve Bank has issued directions to the for smooth clearing operation and asked them to mandatorily participate in it.

With regard to annual closing of accounts related transactions of the central and state governments, special measures are put in place for 2020-21, the RBI has instructed all the member to maintain sufficient balance in their clearing settlement account.

Normal clearing timings as applicable to any working Wednesday shall be followed on March 31, 2021, the RBI said in a notification addressed to the member banks, urban and state cooperative banks, payments banks, small banks as well as the NPCI.

To facilitate accounting of all the government transactions for the current financial year 2020-21 by March 31, 2021, it has been decided to conduct special clearing exclusively for government cheques across the three CTS grids on March 31, 2021, the RBI said.

Under this, presentation clearing will take place between 1700 to 1730 hrs and return clearing will take place between 1900 and 1930 hrs at the three CTS (cheque truncation system) grids located in New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai.

"It is mandatory for all banks to participate in the special clearing operations on March 31, 2021. All the member banks under the respective CTS grids are required to keep their inward clearing processing infrastructure open during the special clearing hours and maintain sufficient balance in their clearing settlement account to meet settlement obligations arising out of the special clearing," said the regulator.

Besides, it has asked the banks under the respective CTS grids to adhere to the instructions issued to them by the President of the respective CTS grid.

Under the CTS system, there is no need to present a cheque physically for clearance, instead an electronic image is being transmitted to the paying branch through the clearing house, with the relevant data.

This eliminates the cost of movement of the physical cheques and reduces time for collection and clearance of cheques.

All government transactions done by agency banks for 2020-21 must be accounted for within the same financial year, the RBI said.

The central bank said all agency banks should keep their designated branches open for over the counter transactions related to government transactions up to the normal working hours on March 31, 2021.

"Transactions through National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) System will continue up to 2400 hours as hitherto on March 31, 2021.

"Special clearing will be conducted for collection of government cheques on March 31, 2021 for which the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems (DPSS), RBI will issue necessary instructions," it said.

With regard to reporting of central and state government transactions to RBI, including uploading of GST/e-receipts luggage files, the reporting window of March 31, 2021 will be extended and kept open till 1200 hours on April 1, 2021, the RBI 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.)
Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. traffic deaths soared after coronavirus lockdowns ended in 2020, hitting the highest yearly total since 2007 as more Americans engaged in unsafe behavior on U.S. roads, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday. For all of 2020, 38,680 people died on U.S. roads - up 7.2% or nearly 2,600 more than in 2019, even though Americans drove 13% fewer miles, preliminary data showed. In the second half of 2020, the number of traffic deaths was up more than 13%.
Food, Wine, & Dining

By Ls Cohen Published: March 28 2021

Iconic spot, Lobster Roll (aka Lunch), will reopen April 30.

This summer, as you drive out east to Montauk, remember to stop by the iconic roadside lunch spot that has been delighting patrons for decades with their signature serving. Simply called Lobster Roll (or as it is known locally, Lunch) there is no doubt what that is.

Now, the rest of the world is about to find out as Lobster Roll has given the crown of The Best Restaurants For Foodies In New York State by OnlyInYourState.com.

Established in 1965, this iconic restaurant is hands down the best place you can go for a lobster roll sandwich - outside of New England, of course, the caption for the number one spot reads. The perfect place to stop if you're out visiting the Montauk Lighthouse, the Lobster Roll is sure to give you a memorable dining experience.

Lobster Roll will reopen on April 30 when wayfarers can stop by and once again get the lobster roll that received these accolades.

Location: 1980 Montauk Highway, Amagansett, (631) 267-3740.
Oliver Dowden today slammed BBC presenters over 'sneering' mockery of a minister's union flag and Queen portrait.

The Culture Secretary hit out at Breakfast hosts Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty saying the corporation had a duty to reflect the opinions of the whole UK, rather than just the metropolitan parts.

The intervention comes after an awkward interview with Robert Jenrick on the flagship BBC programme, during which Stayt joked that the flag in his office was not up to 'standard size'.

After the episode Boris Johnson told MPs that the BBC was 'pretty detached' from many of its viewers, and he hoped it would move 'more into line'. New guidance has also since been issued for the union flag to be flown every day at government buildings - not just on special occasions.

Mr Dowden was asked about the row as he spoke to Times Radio today, and insisted that the broadcaster had a duty to show 'genuine impartiality'.

'They do need to reflect all different parts of the United Kingdom, not just the Brightons and the Bristols and the Hackneys of this world but also the Leighs and the Dudleys and the Boreham Woods of this world,' he said.

'Sometimes comments like the ones we saw in that interview begin to stray from banter into a sneering... against attitudes that are held by many many people in this country.'

The BBC insisted last week that it was 'proud to be British' after a furious backlash at news presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty mocking the Union flag

The intervention comes after an awkward interview with Robert Jenrick on the flagship BBC programme, during which Stayt joked that the flag in his office was not up to 'standard size'

Oliver Dowden hit out at Breakfast hosts Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty saying the corporation had a duty to reflect the opinions of the whole UK, rather than just the metropolitan parts

The BBC insisted last week that it was 'proud to be British' after a furious backlash at Stayt and Munchetty.

Asked about the row, the PM said: 'We need to recognise on the whole that there is a great deal of instinctual metropolitan bias in the BBC newsroom.

'It's pretty clear from the whole Brexit experience that the BBC was pretty detached from a lot of its viewers and listeners and I hope they move more into line.

'We need to think about that with all the commonsensical ways we have.'

Stayt, 58, had mockingly told Mr Jenrick: 'I think your flag is not up to standard size Government-interview measurements. I think it's just a little bit small.'

A laughing Munchetty was then heard to comment: 'They had the picture of the Queen there as well, though'.

The controversy continued later when Miss Munchetty, 46, 'liked' insulting tweets about the British flag including a reference to 'flag sh*****s' being 'up in arms'.

She later removed the 'likes' and wrote: 'These do not represent the views of me or the BBC. I apologise for any offence taken.'

Since becoming director-general last year Tim Davie has launched a crackdown on the way news stars behave on social media, as part of his moves to tackle impartiality issues at the broadcaster.

MPs had written to Mr Davie saying they had been 'inundated with complaints' from constituents following the flag row.

They called for Stayt and Munchetty to be 'reprimanded' and to 'apologise for their conduct'.

They added that the attitudes on the programme were inappropriate and disrespectful.

In response Mr Davie repeated that the BBC was 'proud of the UK' and that it took their complaints seriously.

Government ministers said the new guidance on flying the flag would be a `proud reminder of our history and the ties that bind us

Last week, the BBC announced a huge shake-up to make the corporation less London-centric, in its 'biggest transformation in decades'.

Some 400 roles - around half of those in BBC News - will be relocated outside London.

Guidance set out last week makes clear that Union flag should be flown on all UK Government buildings every day in a bid to unite the nation.

Up to now, Union flags were only required to be flown on designated days.

Government ministers said the changes would be a 'proud reminder of our history and the ties that bind us'.
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.
Armenia 2nd President meets with leaders and officers of Police, MOD and National Security Service of various years

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative: Incumbent authorities' mistakes are irreversible

Europe sees progress in latest rounds of Iran nuclear talks

Armenian analyst: Turkey wants to push Russia out of the South Caucasus

Young Armenian says brawl with Azerbaijanis in front of Azerbaijan Embassy in Moscow might have been organized

Catholicos of All Armenians leaves for Armenia's Syunik Province and Artsakh on pontifical visit

Armenian and Russian Prosecutors General meet in St. Petersburg

Armenian acting minister: EU allocated EUR 68,700,000 to Armenia for budget support in 2020

Armenia Finance Ministry: MFA's budget grew by AMD 1,600,000,000 in 2020

Bodies and remains of Armenian soldiers are kept in morgue in Armenia's Martuni

White House confirms Biden-Erdogan meeting in Brussels

Armenia acting MOD touches upon priority directions for development of Armed Forces

Diaspora Armenian writer, publicist Toros Toranian dies

2 Armenian soldiers injured in scuffle with Azerbaijan, Armenian POW is hospitalized, Jun. 3 digest

Wedding held in Armenia's Shurnukh for first time since the war ended

EEU member states to finish preparing for negotiations over free trade zone in Iran in late June

Armenia Central Bank: Economic downfall in 2020 was due to decline in service and construction sectors

Armenia legislature adopts several bills in first reading

Armenia President meets with Nursultan Nazarbayev

Dejavu: Armenia ruling party distributes money for votes at Yerevan district election office

Chief Advisor to Karabakh President sacked

Russian MFA: Works are carried out to settle situation around Karabakh every day

Armenia opposition MP sounds alarm about Baku fabricating criminal cases against Armenian prisoners

Armenia acting health minister: I have apologized, I am not going to resign

Helga Schmid meets with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs

Armenia's deputy foreign ministers resigned or have heavy workload?

Dollar goes down in Armenia

Armenia Elections Oversight Committee reports Iranian citizenship of ruling party's MP candidate

Acting deputy minister: Only 17 of 711 Iran-Armenia power transmission line towers were installed by 2017

Armenia Parliament Council holding session

Armenia to host CSTO "Thunder-2021" military exercises

NYT: Chinese hackers launch cyberattack on New York city transportation authority

Armenia President to Kazakhstan counterpart: I would like to see much deeper cooperation between our countries

Armenia citizens shut down Etchmiadzin-Ashtarak road, complaining about lack of irrigation water

Armenia independent MP: Foreign minister and his deputies don't want to take part in treacherous acts

Armenia to get $11mn loan, 350,000 grant for agriculture

WHO worries about worsening mental health worldwide amid pandemic

Armenia health ministry on improper handling of Artsakh war victims bodies: There is no justification

Armenia bloc election foundation already in operation

Russia ambassador to Armenia paying working visit to Syunik Province (PHOTOS)

China pledges to step up resistance to foreign interference in Hong Kong

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: There can be no talk of corridor for Azerbaijan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on incumbent authorities: Wherever they flee, we will bring them by the feet

President: Impossible to ensure peace in region or stay in Artsakh without Russia army joint efforts

China Daily: Dispatch from Makit: Thriving in the desert

Karabakh President: We will never put up with being part of Azerbaijan, it is ruled out

Armenia MFA information department chief: All deputy FMs carrying out their duties

Ardshinbank invited children to the cinema on International Childrens Day

Armenia judiciary to have 10 more judges

Armenia acting premier: We had recorded 40% increase in tax revenues according to 2019 results

Armenia acting PM on Artsakh war casualties bodies: We have 50 remains in which case DNA was not separated

Azerbaijan authorities plan to "squeeze" everything from "terrorist show" related to Armenian captives

Ameriabank announces a contest for bank card design

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia parliament convenes special session

Armenia interim government holding Cabinet meeting

Catholicos of All Armenians heads for Syunik Province, Artsakh

World oil prices going up

Iran loses right to vote in UN General Assembly

Newspaper: Armenia authorities come up with new way of punishing unwanted characters

Newspaper: Russia army Southern Military District deputy commander to arrive in Yerevan Thursday

Lebanese Armenian man taken prisoner by Azerbaijan is hospitalized

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Are we getting under the burden? Then lets get under to the end

Armenia acting health minister on keeping fallen soldiers bodies in bags: What else should they be kept in?

Armenia acting health minister on citizens' demand for her resignation

Karabakh's new State Minister Artak Beglaryan on his appointment and future activities

Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani representatives hold consultations in Moscow

2 Armenian soldiers receive slight injuries after incident with Azerbaijani servicemen in Armenia's Gegharkunik

Armenian boy weighing 5 kg born at Goris Medical Center

"Armenia" bloc representative presents purpose of participation in elections and plans

Isaac Herzog elected President of Israel

Rouhani: Main issues between Tehran, Washington resolved in Vienna

Charles Michel calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume constructive negotiations

US Department of State responds to Pashinyan's proposal to deploy international observers on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Head of Armenia 2nd President's Office: Robert Kocharyan's public meetings are held in warm atmosphere

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative on photos and videos showing bags of deceased servicemen's bodies

Armenia Ombudsman, AGBU President discuss war crimes committed by Azerbaijan during Karabakh war

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representatives to hold briefings three times a week

Opposition "Armenia" bloc member: Blood-freezing photos and videos from morgue in Abovyan are authorities' reflection

Yerevan mayor receives Netherlands Ambassador
Married At First Sight's Bryce Ruthven has addressed his bombshell decision during Sunday's commitment ceremony to 'stay' in the experiment, after choosing to 'leave'.

The 31-year-old, who accused Rebecca Zemek of 'bullying' his wife Melissa Rawson during the episode, shared a post on Instagram after the dramatic scenes aired.

Bryce said that as someone who has been bullied in high school, he was 'standing up' for Melissa by voting to leave, and thus removing her from a toxic environment.

Speaking his mind: Married At First Sight's Bryce Ruthven (pictured), 30, addressed his bombshell decision to 'stay' after choosing to 'leave' the experiment in an Instagram post, following Sunday's commitment ceremony

The former radio host added however, that he was reminded of his goal in finding love, and decided to change his vote to 'stay'.

'As someone that was bullied during high school and now as an adult has been part of many anti-bullying campaigns through my work, I have always said I will stand up against someone, male or female, that bullies someone close to me,' Bryce began.

'People won't agree with what I've done at the commitment ceremony, saying I didn't put my partner's feelings first, BUT I was raising the issue that bullying is not OK in any walk of life,' he continued.

Bullying claims: Bryce, who accused Rebecca Zemek (right) of 'bullying' his wife Melissa Rawson, said that he was 'standing up' for Melissa by voting to leave, and thus removing her from a toxic environment

Bryce shared online: 'People won't agree with what I've done at the commitment ceremony, saying I didn't put my partner's feelings first, BUT I was raising the issue that bullying is not OK in any walk of life'

'It was a tough decision to continue in the experiment given what we were going through, but in the end, the goal of finding love with someone will always win.'

After Melissa, 31, revealed her decision to 'stay', the whole room stood silent as Bryce looked disgruntled and awkward at the prospect of unveiling his decision.

He opened his card, saying: 'I actually decided to leave. But then I crossed it out.'

Confident: During Sunday's commitment ceremony, Melissa (pictured), 31, had written 'stay' on her card, appearing confident in her decision

Shock: Bryce opened his card, saying: 'I actually decided to leave. But then I crossed it out'

'It was tough,' Bryce continued. 'It was hurting me to write it down. But I got to a point that... I had to cross it out and put stay, because I'm not done with this relationship.'

Trying to explain his decision, Bryce blurted out: 'Me writing leave was to get her out of a toxic environment. It was me looking after her best interests, and for once in my life not being selfish.'

'Did you think Melissa was going to write leave this week? No.' Patrick Dwyer responded.

Nightmare: As the room gasped at his shock decision, Melissa was left completely speechless after hearing his choice

Not impressed: 'He doesn't care about her, hey,' Rebecca whispered under her breath, while Patrick Dwyer outwardly said he 'didn't get' Bryce's choice as he knew Melissa would have voted stay

'Even if you wrote leave, you're going to be here for another week. I don't get it?'

'The best thing about this experiment is that I don't have to explain it to you, Patrick. I'm protecting her from bullying,' Bryce snapped.

After hearing his decision, a visibly upset Melissa said to the camera: 'I had no idea that leave would even be considered. I'm still a little confused.'

Married At First Sight continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine
The US and Canada have criticized China for retaliatory sanctions imposed by Beijing in an ongoing row over human rights.

In a coordinated move, the US, the EM, Britain and Canada on March 22 slapped sanctions on Chinese officials and entities for abuses against the mostly Muslim Uighur people, reports dpa news agency.

In a retaliatory move on Saturday, Beijing sanctioned Chair of the US Commission on Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Gayle Manchin; Vice Chair of the USCIRF Tony Perkins; Canadian MP Michael Chong; and the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Development of the House of Commons of Canada, citing Washington and Ottawa's sanctions that it said were "based on rumours and misinformation".

The individuals will not be able to travel to China's mainland, Hong Kong or Macao and Chinese businesses and institutions are barred from doing business with them or holding exchanges with the Canadian committee.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the move.

"Beijing's attempts to intimidate and silence those speaking out for human rights and fundamental freedoms only contribute to the growing international scrutiny of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang," Blinken said in a statement.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the sanctions were "unacceptable actions".

"China's sanctions are an attack on transparency and freedom of expression - values at the heart of our democracy," Trudeau tweeted late Saturday night.

China had already retaliated against the UK and the EU with tit-for-tat sanctions last week.

In the last few years, hundreds of Uighurs, Kazakhs and Huis have testified that they were held in internment camps in Xinjiang as part of what observers say is a government campaign to forcibly assimilate the minorities.

There have been reports of torture and sexual abuse.

The Chinese government says the camps - estimated to have held more than 1 million people since 2017 - are "vocational education centres" to eradicate extremism and terrorism.

--IANS

ksk/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Carla Zampatti has been rushed to hospital after falling down stairs at the opera on Friday night.

The fashion designer, 78, was attending the opening night of La Traviata on Sydney Harbour when she was reportedly knocked unconscious after falling on the bottom steps of a staircase.

She was taken to St Vincent's Hospital and will remain there for observation.

Hospitalised: Fashion designer Carla Zampatti (pictured) has been hospitalised after falling down stairs at the opera in Sydney on Friday, according to reports

A family spokesperson for Ms Zampatti told Daily Mail Australia on Monday: 'Carla Zampatti had a fall at the Opera on Sydney Harbour on Friday night and is currently in hospital for observation.'

'Carla is very grateful for the support from medically trained members of the audience who assisted and for the excellent care from the team at St Vincents Hospital.'

Opera Australia chief executive Rory Jeffes told The Sydney Morning Herald, staff looked after Ms Zampatti until an ambulance arrived.

'My understanding is that they just cared for her, she appeared to be in and out of consciousness and therefore they just made sure she was comfortable until the ambulance arrived,' he said.

Incident: She was attending the opening night of La Traviata on Sydney Harbour when she was knocked unconscious after she fell on the bottom steps of a staircase

Carla Zampatti's name is synonymous with Australian fashion.

The high-end designer was born in Italy and immigrated to Western Australia in 1950 when she was about eight years old.

She previously said her desire to show her adopted country her talents was the driving force behind her successful career.

'Economically, socially, lifestyle - migration has been a huge benefit for this country,' she said.

In hospital: The fashion doyenne was taken to St Vincent's Hospital and will remain there for observation

'This country today is an economic force and I do believe it's primarily because of the wonderful contributions that hardworking ambitious [immigrants bring].'

She said when a person arrives in a new country, there is often a desire to show their value to the country.

'It's interesting coming to a new country, you're an outsider, and you want to prove to the country that has adopted you how good you are - that was my driving force and I do believe everyone who arrives in this country has an ambition on how they could add value to the country.'
A man who set fire to his council house in a bid to end his own life has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Judge Martin Nolan praised the courage of a garda who followed Joseph O'Connor (41) into the burning building to pull him back to safety.

O'Connor had set fire to his home at Primrose Grove in Darndale in the early hours of March 31 last year before lying down on a sofa in the hopes he would pass out, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

Instead, the smoke became too hard for him to handle and he went out to alert his neighbours. When gardai arrived at the scene, he was embroiled in a dispute with them, Garda Colin O'Shea told Garrett Baker BL, prosecuting.

O'Connor told gardai he had set fire to the house before he walked back into the burning property, closed the door and tried to lock himself inside, Mr Baker said.

Garda O'Shea followed him inside and managed to pull O'Connor out of the blazing house, the court heard.

The damage to the Dublin City Council house was 24,660, Gda O'Shea said. O'Connor had taken over the tenancy following the death of his mother three years previously.

O'Connor pleaded guilty to one count of arson. Another count of obstruction was taken into consideration. He has 34 previous convictions and has been in custody since the fire.

John Byrne BL, defending, said O'Connor had lit the fire with no intention of harming anyone but himself. O'Connor had been struggling with drug addiction issues and was previously given a suspended three-year sentence for drug offences, the court heard.

He found himself in a situation where everything got on top of him and he felt the easiest thing to do was end his life, Mr Byrne said.

Since going into custody, O'Connor has made good progress and is now drug-free, he said.

Mr Byrne said O'Connor would be homeless when released from custody as he has burnt his bridges with the council following the fire.

Sentencing O'Connor, Judge Martin Nolan said Garda O'Shea had shown great courage in getting O'Connor out of the burning house.

He said starting a fire was reckless, as one doesn't know where it will spread. The neighbours could have been in danger or their houses could have been in danger, he said.

The judge handed down a five-year sentence but suspended the final 18 months on a number of conditions. He backdated it to when O'Connor first went into custody.
Peter S. Beagle, the 81-year-old author of The Last Unicorn, has reclaimed the rights to almost all his works, following a legal battle that lasted half a decade.

In 2015, Beagle filed suit against his ex-manager Connor Cochran, alleging elder abuse, fraud, and slander, among other claims. According to the suit, Cochran fraudulently induced Beagle to transfer his intellectual property (IP) rights to a sham corporation. Cochran was accused of tak[ing] advantage of [Beagles] literary success, subjecting the author to punishing work schedules, and impugning his mental health to friends and family.

Beagle insisted at the time that his health was fine, conceding only that he lacked business or financial savvy. More details can be found in our report from 2015.





(People's Daily Online) At the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that concluded on March 24, a few countries in the west were condemned by a large number of international organizations and developing countries for infringing human rights, though these western countries themselves have been taking human rights as a weapon to slander and attack others.

This fully proved that there is no such thing as a "lighthouse for human rights," and the world neither welcomes nor needs the so-calledlecturers in human rights.

Pretending to be "lecturers in human rights," these western countries always point fingers at and even accuse other countries of human rights issues. However, their own poor records of human rights protection will never be covered no matter how hard they try to smear others.

During the general debate on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action on March 19, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, together with many countries, criticized racism and racial discrimination in some western countries.

Ten months after the killing of George Floyd set off new waves of outrage and demands for change across the world, a key trial related to his killing is now beginning.

She pointed out that a key trial related to the killing of George Floyd didn't began until 10 months after his death, and many cases involving deaths of people of African descent never made it to court. Families of victims believe that relevant departments of the U.S. were not doing enough to dismantle systemic racism in law enforcement.

Police brutality in the U.S. also triggered serious concern of the world. Statistics indicate that from January to November last year, only 17 days passed without anyone being killed by the U.S. law enforcement. At the session, nearly 20 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called on the U.S. government to take broad reform measures, so as to end police brutality and resolve systematic racism and racial discrimination.

Some western countries have long aroused strong dissatisfaction among the international community for practicing interventionism in the name of human rights protection and causing massive humanitarian disasters.

Since 2001, the U.S. has carried out so-called anti-terrorism operations in 80-plus countries around the world. More than 800,000 people, including 335,000 civilians, have died from direct war violence and tens of millions of people have been displaced. Today, about 21 million people in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and other countries are still displaced or living in extreme conditions.

When attending the Adoption of the Outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of the U.S. on March 17, developing countries condemned U.S. armed interventions that resulted in serious humanitarian crises. In a joint statement, China, Russia, Syria, Iran, Cuba, Belarus, Venezuela, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Zimbabwe and North Korea all criticized relevant western countries that seriously infringed human rights with unilateral coercive measures, and urged them to stop these measures. These western countries should carefully listen to the voice of justice from developing countries.

Human rights are not a privilege of a few countries, or a tool to pressure other countries and interfere in their domestic affairs. Standing at the moral high ground and pointing fingers at other countries under the disguise of human rights only reveals the hegemonic thinking of some western countries, as well as their increasing panic when facing the major changes in the international landscape.

During the 46th session of the UNHRC, Pakistan, on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, opposed the discriminative measures adopted by some European countries against the Muslim community, and condemned the European countries that released cartoons that slandered religious personnel in the name of freedom of speech; Iran expressed concerns over the hate speeches against Muslims by mainstream media outlets in Europe; Egypt introduced the serious discrimination received by people of African descent and Muslims in some European countries.

By opposing western double standard, these developing countries are making a voice of justice on human rights issues.

Curtains have been brought down for the dramas put on by some "lecturers in human rights" from the west. Their hypocrisy is no secret.

These "lecturers" had better stop taking human rights as a tool to achieve hegemony and take a look at their own human rights problems. They shall enhance dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect, and make some real contributions to the healthy development of global human rights protection.
GoFundMe page raises over $45K to pay legal fees for Canadian pastor battling worship restriction charges

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A GoFundMe page recently created to help pay the legal fees for a Canadian pastor who was jailed for not adhering to ongoing worship restrictions in response to COVID-19 has received more than $45,000 in donations.

Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church in Edmonton, Alberta, who was released from jail last week after surrendering to authorities on Feb. 16, has been in court for disobeying the provinces restrictions that limit in-person worship gatherings to no more than 15% capacity.

The fundraising effort was launched by John Klassen last month, around the time Coates turned himself in to authorities. It has raised over $45,000 as of Friday morning.

Coates has been a rare and refreshing voice of courage in these [unprecedented] times. He has stood on the word of God faithfully, courageously and uncompromisingly as a man of God when all around him men falter and fail, reads the fundraising page, in part.

I'm raising money to benefit Pastor James and Gracelife Church of Edmonton, to do good as Galatians 6:10 exhorts us to, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause.

Coates faces two counts of violating the Public Health Act and charged for failing to comply with his undertaking condition.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Alberta Health Services have been investigating the church, with the congregation facing allegations that they are violating various lockdown rules, including failing to socially distance attendees or require the wearing of face masks.

Earlier this month, the RCMP filed charges against the church for allegedly holding worship services in February that exceeded the official limit of 15% capacity.

The Church was non-compliant with the Public Health Order in that it was over the allowed capacity. The RCMP members were present for public safety and to support AHS, and did not go inside the church, said RCMP in a March 10 statement.

Investigation continues into the church by AHS and supported by the Parkland RCMP. These charges are now before the court and further comments will not be available.

GraceLife Church explained in a statement on its website that when the pandemic first began, the church shifted to livestream and abided by most of the new government guidelines for our gatherings.

But after the first public health emergency ended, the church returned to normal gatherings last June.

We believe [people] should responsibly return to their lives, stated the church. Otherwise we may not get them back. In fact, some say we are on the cusp of reaching the point of no return.

John Carpay, president of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, a Calgary-based law firm representing Coates, said he believes the restrictions on worship were unscientific and unconstitutional and is optimistic about the trial, which is set to begin on May 3.

We look forward appearing in court in May and demanding the government provide evidence that public health restrictions that violate the freedoms of religion, peaceful assembly, expression and association are scientific and are justifiable in a free and democratic country, said Carpay.

Coates stated in an affidavit that the health orders directly contravene the authority of the local church, and the supreme authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Two attackers believed to be members of a militant network that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group blew themselves up outside a packed Roman Catholic cathedral during a Palm Sunday Mass on Indonesia's Sulawesi island, wounding at least 20 people, police said.

The blast went off at about 10:30 a.m. local time (0330 GMT) as a first batch of churchgoers was walking out of the church and another group was coming in.

Security guards at the church were suspicious of two people on a motorcycle who wanted to enter the building and when they went to confront them, one of them, a man, detonated his explosives.

Police later said both attackers were killed instantly and evidence collected at the scene indicated one of the two was a woman.

The wounded included four guards and several churchgoers.

National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo urged the public to remain calm and said police was working to "expose" the militant network.

Police have identified one of the attackers only by his initial, L, who they believe was connected to a 2019 suicide attack that killed 23 people at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in the Philippine province of Sulu.

The attack a week before Easter in the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation came as the country was on high alert following December's arrest of the leader of the Southeast Asian militant group, Jemaah Islamiyah, which has been designated a terror group by many nations.

Indonesia has been battling militants since bombings on the resort island of Bali in 2002 killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.

Attacks aimed at foreigners have been largely replaced in recent years by smaller, less deadly strikes targeting the government, police and anti-terrorism forces and people militants consider as infidels.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Upon hearing that Sylvester Stanley had been chosen to lead the Albuquerque Police Department as the superintendent of police reform, several colleagues shared a moment of satisfaction and pride, having known and worked with Stanley on other reform efforts in the past. A man of integrity, we understood that Mayor Tim Keller and the city of Albuquerque had made a strong choice in advancing him for this position.

In the time we have known Stanley, he has been a kind but tough presence, always willing to talk forthrightly about the issues. We believe as a lifelong law enforcement officer, he will bring an experienced but also community-informed perspective to take on reform at APD. His lifetime of experience will make him a fair arbiter of discipline when needed. And Stanleys commitment to reform is real  its been part of who he is for a long time and was a centerpiece of his campaign when he ran for sheriff two years ago  a race he narrowly lost. He promised back then to get the department up to speed on body cameras and the sheriffs department into alignment with Department of Justice reforms  even without the court-ordered process.

From our vantage point, Stanley has earned respect the right way  building relationships, listening to others concerns, being honest about what can be done and endeavoring to make those things happen with a sense of fairness and integrity  becoming one of only three African Americans to ever serve as a police chief in New Mexico, a job hes held four times. That record, his history and experience, is something for us to be proud of and signifies to us hes not been afraid to be a trailblazer and break new ground. Its the kind of approach that is needed to make progress at APD. Bringing the community and the department closer together, holding people accountable when necessary, training new officers and developing continuing education for existing officers to meet communities where we are and partner with us to make things better.

Its no secret APD has struggled, as Stanley said in his press conference. While many would be content to rest on a life of service to communities all over New Mexico, Stanley has once again eschewed retirement and is stepping up to the plate to keep contributing in areas where our city really needs someone like him. He has seen Albuquerque wrestle with these issues for years, yet he still seems eager to serve his community and pitch in to solve some still-lingering big problems.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

In this new position, Stanley will be able to help make change and hold the department to high standards that will make a difference. Working side-by-side with the chief of police and our communities, we believe the department has to make greater progress on the big jobs it has to do for our community: codifying and culturizing equitable reforms, thereby making our city safer.

We all know culture change is not lightweight work. With Sylvester Stanley, we believe that Mayor Keller and the city of Albuquerque have hired a heavyweight to get the job done.
A thousand students create calligraphy works at the Secondary Experimental Primary School of Ruyang county, Luoyang, Henan province, on Tuesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

One thousand students from a primary school in Ruyang, Henan province, gathered on Tuesday for calligraphy celebrating the upcoming centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.

Using pencil, pen and brush, the students wrote poems about the soldiers of the Long March and their inspirational spirit and lofty character.

Teachers from the Secondary Experimental Primary School of Ruyang county, Luoyang city, said the activity carried forward Chinese traditional culture and calligraphic art as students learned of the glorious history of the Communist Party of China.
VANCOUVER - A woman is dead and six others have been injured in a stabbing attack inside and around a library on Saturday in North Vancouver, B.C.

An RCMP officer speaks with a woman outside the Lynn Valley Library, in North Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, March 27, 2021. Police say multiple victims were stabbed inside and outside the library. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER - A woman is dead and six others have been injured in a stabbing attack inside and around a library on Saturday in North Vancouver, B.C.

Sgt. Frank Jang of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said a suspect in his 20s is in custody. The man has had interactions with police in the past and has a criminal record, he said.

Jang said investigators don't have any information yet about a motive.

"Obviously the question is why did this happen, I understand. We believe we know the how, the what, the where and the when. It is our job now to determine why," he told a news conference near where the attacks happened. "That is going to be the number 1 question for us."

Jang said he isn't sure if the man sustained any injuries during arrest, but he is alive.

"The North Vancouver RCMP rushed as quickly as possible to the scene and they came upon a very disturbing scene. We have multiple victims of a stabbing."

Steve Mossop and his partner stopped when they saw a woman who was covered in blood while they were driving on Lynn Valley Road next to the library. He said they thought she'd been in a car accident but she told them she'd just been stabbed by a man.

Mossop said he and his partner saw several victims within about 100 metres of each other.

"It seemed like he was just running in a direction, whoever was in his path happened to be victimized," he said.

"There was a man, there was an older woman, there was a younger woman, a mom. A random group of individuals in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Mossop said they later saw someone being held down on the ground by police.

B.C. Emergency Health Services says a call came in just after 1:45 p.m. and 11 ambulances and two supervising vehicles were sent to the scene.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement on Twitter: "To everyone affected by this violent incident in Lynn Valley, know that all Canadians are keeping you in our thoughts and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured."

Public Safety Minister Bill Blair expressed shock and sadness at what happened in a tweet, calling it a "senseless act of violence."

Jonathan Wilkinson, the MP for North Vancouver and minister of environment and climate change, said he was shaken by the attack.

This library has been a secure place for families to gather in the Lynn Valley community for years, he said in a statement. Until today, it was unimaginable that such a senseless act of violence could have occurred in the very heart of it.

Jang said every available homicide detective is working on the case.

He made a plea for any information from people who may have been in the area on Saturday afternoon.

"Everything little thing is important on this one. If you heard anything, if you were here and you saw the man that was taken into custody, if you heard him saying anything or whatever the case may be, we need you to come forward."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2021.


A former baker for the chain said she was told that she needed to find God," according to a court filing.





RNS

Heather Greene

March 27, 2021







(RNS)  A Pennsylvania woman filed a lawsuit Wednesday (March 24) against Panera Bread Company, alleging that she was discriminated against and fired due to her Pagan beliefs.





Tammy McCoy of Clairton, Pennsylvania, was hired as a baker at the Panera location in nearby Pleasant Hills, a Pittsburgh suburb, in October 2019. According to the filing, she never discussed her religion or religious beliefs at work because she felt the subject was private.





Paganism is an umbrella term used for a number of different growing religious and spiritual practices centered on nature and magic.





According to the lawsuit, the subject of McCoys religion came up in late May of 2020, when McCoy was on break with the stores assistant manager, Lori Show, and the manager, Kerri Ann Dubs. Show asked McCoy what her religion was, and Tammy responded, I am Pagan.





Show reportedly responded by telling McCoy that that she was going to hell and Dubs vigorously nodded her head in agreement.





The lawsuit then goes on the describe a series of other discriminatory actions. Among the complaints are that McCoys hours were cut, and when she asked why, she was told that she needed to find God before returning to her previous schedule. She was reportedly docked pay for breaks that she did not take.





McCoy alleged that she asked to be transferred to a different store, to which the district manager reportedly said No, and Were probably going to rid of you anyways.





A call to Paneras corporate human resources went unanswered.





According to the lawsuit, the threats continued and turned violent, at times, creating a hostile work environment.





On July 27, McCoy said she was told to give notice that she was leaving her job. Both she and her husband, who also worked at Panera and was not otherwise mentioned in the case, were fired, according to the suit.





The lawsuit, which was filed in a Pennsylvania federal court, states that McCoys civil rights were violated under the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prevents discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.





McCoy declined an interview. Panera did not answer a request for comment.





The Rev. Selena Fox, executive director of the Pagan civil rights organization Lady Liberty League and senior minister of Circle Sanctuary, has reached out to both McCoy and Panera Bread Company.





Pagans are continuing the quest for full equality, liberty, and justice in the U.S.A. and other parts of the world, Fox said.





Although there have been a variety of Pagan rights legal victories, unfortunately, anti-Pagan prejudice, harassment, discrimination, and defamation still happen.





Lady Liberty League (LLL) was founded in 1985 during the Satanic Panic, when Pagans were regularly confronted with similar situations at work and in their communities. It is essential to stand up to anti-Pagan hate and attacks whenever and wherever they occur,  Fox said.





Most typically, Lady Liberty League fields complaints related to child custody, business, zoning, housing, and job discrimination.





Fox added that there has been a noticeable uptick discrimination over the past four years





The LLL team is in the early stages of looking into the case and that they are concerned for McCoy and for the great community. Discrimination against Pagans not only harms the individuals directly impacted in a case, but Pagan People and society as a whole, Fox said.





As of Friday, the organization has not spoken to McCoy or received a response from Paneras corporate headquarters.





LLL is chiefly interested in speaking with the companys Diversity officers, said Fox, who added that she understands an unwillingness for a company to discuss particulars of a lawsuit that is process.





It is our hope to be able to have direct dialogue with Panera Bread at the corporate level about the importance of stopping and preventing discrimination against Pagan workers. We have had positive experiences with such conversations with other corporations and institutions we have contacted over the years.





McCoys lawsuit claims that she was fully qualified to do her job and that the harassment and firing were solely due to her Pagan religious beliefs.





The series of actions taken by the stores managers, and later by the district manager, as stated in the filing, were committed with intentional and reckless disregard for [McCoys] protected rights.





McCoys lawyer, Michael J. Bruzzese, is asking the federal court for a jury trial.





https://religionnews.com/2021/03/27/pagan-sues-panera-bread-company-alleging-religious-discrimination/




Baby P's stepfather who was jailed for 12 years for causing the toddler's death and raping a two-year-old girl has been denied parole for 'refusing to confront his crimes'.

Steven Barker, 44, was jailed in 2009 for a minimum of 32 years for torturing 17-month-old Peter Connelly to death with his crack cocaine-addicted brother Jason Owen, 37, at their home in Tottenham, north London, and raping a two-year-old girl.

Peter's mother, Tracey Connelly, 39, was also jailed for watching porn in a drunken haze as her 17-month-old baby Peter was tortured to death in 2007.

Steven Barker (pictured), 44, was jailed in 2009 for a minimum of 32 years for torturing 17-month-old Peter Connelly to death with his crack cocaine-addicted brother Jason Owen, 37, at their home in Tottenham, north London, and raping a two-year-old girl

Barker, a neo-Nazi who taught one of his children to greet him with a Nazi salute, had been hoping to leave prison or move to an open jail this year.

But a Parole Board panel has decided his must remain in a high-security prison, according to The Sun.

Psychiatrists and officials told the board that the paedophilic torturer had refused to engage in treatment programmes to confront his violence and sexual offences.

A list of his risk factors included his 'capacity to become sexually aroused towards very young children' and 'not being able to control extreme emotions'.

A Parole Board spokesman told The Sun: 'Protecting the public is our number one priority.'

Pictured: Peter Connelly, also known as Baby P

Mother Connelly admitted the offence and was jailed for a minimum of five years and freed on licence in 2013 but was later recalled to prison in 2015 after she was caught sending indecent images of herself to perverts obsessed with her notoriety.

The Parole Board considered her case for a third time in November 2019, following previous reviews in 2015 and 2017, and refused to either release her or move her to an open prison.

Peter had suffered more than 50 injuries  despite being on the at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, police and health professionals over eight months.

Haringey Council's failure to investigate his mother's tissue of lies meant Peter and eight other children were left with her inside the squalid north London home.

Peter's mother, Tracey Connelly (pictured), 39, was also jailed for watching porn in a drunken haze as her 17-month-old baby Peter was tortured to death in 2007

Peter and his three sisters were sharing the four-bedroom house with their mother, her boyfriend Barker, his paedophile brother Owen and his four children, plus Owen's 15-year-old girlfriend.

Three of the children - Peter and two of his siblings - were on Haringey's Child Protection Register because of fears they were being neglected by their mother.

Social workers, health visitors and doctors saw the family 60 times before 17-month-old Peter died from his horrific injuries, which included a snapped spine and eight broken ribs.

Owen (pictured), who changed his name after a family row, has a string of convictions for burglaries, arson and assault, and was accused of raping an 11-year-old when he was 13

But shockingly none of these professionals realised that two men were living in the house, despite a family support official meeting 6ft 4in Barker during a home visit.

A basic check into their backgrounds would have revealed that Barker had been prosecuted by the RSPCA for abusing animals, and that he and his brother were investigated for torturing their own grandmother.

Owen, who changed his name after a family row, has a string of convictions for burglaries, arson and assault, and was accused of raping an 11-year-old when he was 13.
American culture is a grand mix of the old and the not so old, as we all know. As is true in other cultures, including the island culture here Read more
The prosecution of Andrea Sahouri, the Des Moines Register reporter arrested while on assignment covering Black Lives Matter protests in the city last year, was never about justice.

This was not about someone who broke the law and needed to be held accountable for her actions that evening. It wasnt even about someone who might have broken the law, if you watched the trial and saw the states evidence, as I did.

This case was about the First Amendment, that 45-word sentence that enshrines the important freedoms of the press and the right to peaceably assemble, among other things. There is a reason it is the first amendment written in the Constitution, containing sacred tenets we must never take for granted.

But this case was about more than that: It was a gross abuse of police and prosecutorial power, even more glaring when you consider the protests themselves were over exactly that. Across the country, in the days following George Floyds killing, we saw police arrest, pepper-spray, tear gas and shoot projectiles at many innocent protesters simply exercising their First Amendment rights  as well as at journalists doing their jobs.

What is justice? In Derek Chauvin case, a weary city that wears George Floyd's face waits for an answer

This case also exposed many of the flaws, none new, that make our criminal justice system so unbalanced. It is a system designed out of necessity for volume and relative speed  consider that the Polk County Attorneys Office, the one that prosecuted Sahouri, handles well over 10,000 criminal cases annually. That means the system must adjudicate about 40 cases a day.

The early years of my career as a reporter were spent in courtrooms, witnessing and reporting on the endless docket of cases. Often, someone accused of a crime would have just minutes to meet their public defender and decide whether to accept a plea deal.

Floyd family attorney: As Derek Chauvin trial begins, progress shows the power of protests

Story continues

I sat in the courtroom during Sahouris recent trial on two misdemeanor charges  interference with official acts and failure to disperse  and was able to witness firsthand the prosecutions case. Last August, amid repeated court delays due to COVID-19 and mounting pressure to dismiss the case, Polk County Attorney John Sarcone would say only we  will do our talking in the courtroom.

If prosecutors intended to do their talking in the courtroom, it turns out they had very little to say.

The case against the reporter

Heres what we saw from the prosecution: A police body-camera video taken more than an hour before Sahouris arrest shows a chaotic scene at an intersection where protesters block traffic. Sahouri and then-boyfriend Spenser Robnett are briefly seen on the sidelines as police yell at protesters to back up (Sahouri and Robnett were already back) and to protest peacefully, words clearly heard on the video. Assistant Polk County Attorney Bradley Kinkade contended the word disperse was being broadcast on a passing patrol cars PA system, although I never did hear that word despite the video being played multiple times.

This, in total, was their evidence that the crowd had been declared an unlawful assembly and that police had given clear dispersal orders for people to leave. If police were attempting to clear the crowd, its not unreasonable to expect them to actually declare that a dispersal order was being issued and that anyone who stuck around was subject to arrest. Why yell instead to get back or protest peacefully?

Prosecutors also had the testimony of the arresting officer, Luke Wilson, who, against department policy, hadnt activated his body camera. He told the jury hed used a fogger to spray an industrial-strength chemical irritant to clear the crowd and was then forced to arrest Sahouri because she wouldnt leave. He claimed Robnett attempted to pull her away, leading to him being pepper-sprayed and arrested, too.

However, evidence contradicted that account. A video from a store in the area showed Sahouri and Robnett leaving, and moments later, an officer who appeared to be Wilson spraying a chemical irritant directly in the face of a man standing on the corner. The officer rounded the corner, and 18 seconds later, another officer who had his body cam on approached Wilson, who already had Sahouri in handcuffs. She cried out that shes "press," and marks on her face mask made clear shed been pepper-sprayed at close range. Robnett was at least 10 feet away on the sidewalk.

Rep. Karen Bass: Thirty years ago, I watched Rodney King beaten. We thought our fight was finally over.

The point of this is not to relitigate the case  the jury already determined the two were not guilty. Its instead to highlight the ludicrousness of the prosecution itself and Sarcones statement after the verdict to the Associated Press when he said, We felt there was more than sufficient facts to establish the case. Clearly, he was not looking at the same set of facts the rest of us saw.

What this says about the system

Sahouris case, while troubling all on its own, points to a larger pattern of baseless arrests and charges during protests in Des Moines last summer. Already, 89 cases have been dropped.

The Backstory: A reporter arrested while covering a protest faces trial Monday. Here's why you should care.

It also speaks to a system that values expediency over justice.

The legal tenets of innocent until proven guilty and reasonable doubt are comforting concepts, especially for those never accused of a crime. We want to believe wed be treated as not guilty until proven otherwise, although the overzealous prosecution of Sahouri tells a different story.

What made her case so unusual  beyond the county attorneys decision to prosecute a working journalist for being at the scene of a protest  was that it made it to trial at all. The overwhelming majority of cases (conservative estimates peg it at 95% of misdemeanor cases) resolve in plea deals, guilty pleas or dismissals before trial.

Des Moines Register Reporter Andrea Sahouri's takes notes during the second day of her trial after being arrested while reporting on a protest last summer, on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at the Drake University Legal Clinic, in Des Moines.

Kinkade tried hard to ensure Sahouris case didnt make it to trial either. Last year, he argued the county should not have to produce discovery because simple misdemeanor cases are a "turn-and-burn" docket meant to be handled as quickly and inexpensively as possible. Thankfully, a judge disagreed and ordered the county to turn over evidence, which exposed the missing body camera footage and the contradictory evidence.

Without this, it simply would have been Sahouris word against that of the officer. And her acquittal may very well have been a conviction.

Kinkade also offered Sahouri a plea deal: Admit to one misdemeanor charge, and the other would go away. She rejected the offer because shed done nothing wrong, but its not hard to see how other defendants cant do the same when confronted with a system that cares less about their actual innocence or guilt and more about getting the case resolved.

The Backstory: A reporter arrested while covering a protest faces trial Monday. Here's why you should care.

Sahouri had a former U.S. attorney defending her in a misdemeanor case, funded by her employer, and the support needed to take this case all the way. Others arent as fortunate and are pressured into plea deals because they cant afford attorneys or the time off to attend court hearings.

Rep. Karen Bass: Thirty years ago, I watched Rodney King beaten. We thought our fight was finally over.

The justice system, already overburdened by heavy caseloads and inadequate staffing, would surely buckle if a significantly larger percentage of minor offenses resulted in trials. Many defendants are guilty, of course, and plea deals often represent fair and just arrangements.

But watching the system at work up close in Des Moines, its clear the scales of justice are out of balance. The concepts of innocent until proven guilty and reasonable doubt will never ring true when their caretakers prioritize expediency over truth.

Where do we go from here?

When all is tallied, the county attorneys office has spent significant taxpayer dollars defending a prosecution that never should have happened. A reporter early in her career has spent more than 10 months clearing her name. And a police department still has failed to say whether an officer has been or will be disciplined for violating department body camera policies.

In this country, we expect our government to be run openly and fairly. The Polk County Attorneys Office and Des Moines Police Department need to openly and transparently explain to the public why they targeted Sahouri and what protections they will put into place to ensure this never happens again  to anyone.

Amalie Nash

Amalie Nash is senior vice president of local news for Gannett, parent company of the Des Moines Register, and a former executive editor of the Register.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: George Floyd protest coverage trial exposes abuse of prosecutorial power
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
IITs 30th anniversary sees students receive their University of Westminster degrees at Annual Convocation View(s):

Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT), the pioneer in British higher education in Sri Lanka and the countrys premier IT and Business campus, successfully held its 26th convocation where over 350 students received their University of Westminster  United Kingdom (UoW) degrees.

At the convocation ceremony held in accordance to strict health guidelines given out by the authorities, over 350 students of IIT received their globally-renowned undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the field of IT and Business offered by the UoW. Degrees were conferred to students who had successfully completed the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Software Engineering, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Business Information Systems, Master of Arts in Fashion Business Management, Master of Science in Advanced Software Engineering and Master of Science in Cyber Security and Forensics.

This is the first time that students of Cyber Security and Forensics as well as students of Fashion Business Management are graduating.

The Chief Guest at the ceremony was Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa Professor Kapila Perera. Chairman of Informatics Group of Companies Dr. Gamini Wickramasinghe, CEO of IIT Mohan Fernando, Vice-Chancellor and President of University of Westminster Dr. Peter Bonfield (connected via live stream) as well as a large number of IIT staff members, parents and well-wishers attended the event held at the Main Hall of BMICH.

During the event, a number of special awards were presented to students who performed exceptionally during their time at IIT.

Chairman of Informatics Group of Companies Dr. Gamini Wickramasinghe commented, As IIT celebrates 30 years of educational excellence with resounding success in computing and business, it is my pleasure to offer my heartiest congratulations to all our IIT graduates at our 26th Convocation ceremony. These new batch of graduates from IIT who have successfully completed their University of Westminster (UOW) undergraduate and postgraduate programmes have reached a key milestone in their journey towards success.

The education our graduates have received during the time at our campus has empowered them with the ability to adapt to the dynamic changes in the industry and to also take on the challenges of the corporate world. One of the many unique features of IIT is the diversity of university life offered to our students, where taught academic study is interspersed with independent learning as well as a variety of extra-curricular activities.

At IIT, we have always strived to produce graduates who are well rounded and of the highest calibre that will enter the industry. The blend of academic knowledge and industry exposure provided at IIT has helped our graduates to excel in their chosen career path while remaining in high demand in todays competitive job market.

Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Westminster Dr. Peter Bonfield stated, The University of Westminster is a UK university with a determinedly global outlook, and a strong commitment to industry engagement and to preparing all our students for professional graduate life. IIT is our longstanding  and highly valued  partner in Sri Lanka. Our partnership was born out of a mutual will to nurture and develop the employability of our students and to support them in their engagement with leading edge technological advances and with a variety of professional practices and sectors. Our common work in information systems, informatics and software engineering, which represents the foundation of our partnership, makes a core contribution to our educational programmes in both institutions, and prepares our students for the world of graduate work. We are delighted now to be embarking upon a new phase of our partnership with IIT Colombo, with a continuingly expanding portfolio of professionally oriented subject areas. Our programmes at The University of Westminster and at IIT, embrace enterprise, innovation and creativity and aim to help students from all backgrounds unlock their skills and fulfil their potential. Educating students for the world of professional life and in the skills needed for the global employment arena is core to our values. The recognition accorded our students by Sri Lankan industry, reputed IT and business firms, and by accrediting bodies including the British Computing Society, brings us considerable pride.

IIT was established in 1990 as the first private higher education institute that awards reputed British degrees in the field of ICT and Business.

IIT is an award-winning campus offering internal postgraduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Westminster, UK and the Robert Gordon University, UK. IIT has played a pivotal role in strengthening the IT and Business sectors in Sri Lanka over the years by producing world-class graduates.

Since its inception in 1990, IIT has produced over 5,000 graduates who are now based in many countries around the globe. These graduates have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs and IT/Business professionals in both local and international corporate and government entities.

They have played a pivotal role in empowering over 250 multinational and local blue-chip companies by holding key strategic positions while contributing immensely towards the growth of their respective organisations.
Brazils outbreak pushes hospitals to the brink of collapse

More than a year into the pandemic, deaths in Brazil are as high as ever and contagious variants of the are sweeping through the nation. The virus is also getting help from the political dysfunction, widespread complacency and conspiracy theories. The country is now reporting more new cases and deaths per day than any other country in the world. As hospitals pleaded for a lockdown to save lives, a mayor of the prosperous city in southern Brazil said: Put your life on the line so that we can save the economy. This quote pretty much sums up the unprecedented situation in the country. Hospitals say they have never seen a failure of the health system of this magnitude. Recently, Brazil surpassed 300,000 deaths and it is setting new records every day. On Friday, 3,650 people died of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, highest-ever so far. Read here

Let's look at the global statistics Global infections: 126,727,107 Global deaths: 2,777,684 Nations with most cases: US (30,218,682), Brazil (12,490,362), India (11,971,624), France (4,569,164), Russia (4,460,348). Source: John Hopkins Research Center

A third of US adults have received first vaccine dose

The US vaccination campaign is accelerating rapidly, with more than 91 million people  roughly a third of the adult population  having received at least one shot of a Covid-19 vaccination by Saturday. Riding on the optimism, almost all states have announced that they will meet President Bidens directive to make all adults eligible by May 1. However, contrary to the national trend, two states, New York and Arkansas, have lagged in giving all adults vaccine access. They still had not declared a timeline for their residents to get vaccinated. Read here

Mexico Covid death toll leaps 60 per cent to reach 321,000

Mexicos government has admitted that the countrys true death toll from the pandemic now stands above 321,000, almost revising 60 per cent more than the confirmed number of 201,429. The government quietly published a report, which found there were 294,287 deaths linked to Covid-19 from the start of the pandemic through 14 February. Since 15 February there have been an additional 26,772 test-confirmed deaths. Poor testing in the country, and because hospitals were overwhelmed, many Mexicans died at home without getting a test. Officials said the only way to get a clear picture is to review excess deaths and review death certificates. The higher toll would exceed that of Brazil, which has the worlds second-highest number of deaths after the US. Read here

Asia cases hit record as virus outpaces vaccine campaigns

Defying the vaccination campaigns and risking an economic rebound, fresh confirmed cases in Asia have hit a new high this week. New infections through the continent reached 146,664 on Wednesday, the first fresh high since late November. Philippines, experiencing a new surge, reported its own record high of 8,773 new cases on Thursday. India too is reporting cases not seen in months. In Japan, the sluggish vaccine rollout has become a source of frustration for many, and a slight pickup in cases toward 2,000 a day is raising concern just four months before the Tokyo Olympics. Bucking the trend, few Asian countries, China, Singapore and Vietnam, have been keeping their daily numbers low. Read here
Huntington, WV (25701)

Today

Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
CAIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th March, 2021) The Ever Given container ship that is blocking the Suez Canal could be moved as soon as tonight, during high tide, a source in the Suez Canal administration told Sputnik.

"I expect the ship to be relocated today because it has started to react [to the work of the tugs]... I think it will be fully relocated to the middle of the channel in preparation for being towed during the highest tide at midnight," the source said.

The source explained that the movement of the container ship is very dependent on high and low tides.

On Friday, the ship's operator, the Taiwanese Evergreen Marine Corporation, said it was going to take two or three days to remove the ship from the shallows. The situation is complicated by the size of the vessel and the number of containers on it.

The 1,300-feet-long Ever Given has been stuck in the Suez Canal since Tuesday, when it ran aground on its way from China to the Netherlands. Several attempts have been made to move it and the ship even budged a little on Friday. As attempts to unblock the Suez Canal continue, over 300 ships are waiting to pass through.
Facebook said its services in Bangladesh were shut down on Saturday, as hundreds of hardline Islamists marched across the country, angered by the police killing of their supporters who had protested against a visit by Indian premier Narendra Modi.

The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did not comment if it had blocked Facebook and its messenger app, but it has previously used internet shutdowns as a tool to curb the spread of protests.

Four supporters of the Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam were killed on Friday after police opened fire when protesters allegedly attacked a police station in the southeastern town of Chittagong.

They were demonstrating against Modi, whom the group accuses of alienating minority Muslims in India.

Dozens were also hurt on Friday in the capital Dhaka where police used rubber bullets and teargas in clashes with violent protesters.

"We`re aware that our services have been restricted in Bangladesh," Facebook said in a statement. "We`re working to understand more and hope to have full access restored as soon as possible."

Facebook also said it had serious concerns about the manner in which it was being restricted in Bangladesh at a time when effective communication was necessary to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

On Saturday, hundreds of members of Hefazat-e-Islam and other Islamist groups marched on the streets of Chittagong and Dhaka protesting the deaths of their supporters.

"Police opened fire on our peaceful supporters," the group`s organising secretary Azizul Haque told the rally in Chittagong. "We will not let the blood of our brothers go in vein."

Hefazat-e-Islam, which translates into protection of Islam, has called for a nationwide strike on Sunday to protest the killings.

Non-profit Amnesty International also criticised the police action in Chittagong.

"The right to peaceful protest has come under concerted attack, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic, culminating in this type of bloody repression," Sultan Mohammed Zakaria, Amnesty International`s South Asia Researcher, said in a statement.

Modi landed in Dhaka on Friday for a two-day visit, his first international trip since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic last year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the nation`s independence.

He will hold formal talks with Hasina on Saturday.

"We don`t want to see Modi in Dhaka," Hefazat leader Sultan Mohiuddin said, addressing supporters in the capital city. "He must leave Bangladesh soon."

A security officer from Athy was honoured by his employer after he helped rescue a man at Dublin Port.

Manguard Plus security office Anatoliy Ivanov and his colleague Ken Carter were on duty in Dublin Port when a man was spotted in a disorientated and highly agitated state at the pier edge.

Following attempts to talk the gentleman, who appeared very confused and distressed, away from the edge, Anatoliy physically restrained him from causing any serious harm to himself.

Ken, who was on duty in the Control Room, promptly alerted the emergency services who dealt with the distressed gentleman and provided additional care.

Awards presentation

The pair were presented with heroism awards from Naas-based Manguard recently by the security manager at Dublin Port Company, Thomas Kavanagh.

Mr Kavanagh said that if they had not acted so swiftly and professionally, there would have been a fatality.

Anatoliy and Ken said that the support and training they received from the company gives them huge confidence and security in our roles.
Will, there be another fourth stimulus check coming soon? Who will pay the tab after Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan?

The $1400 payouts are out, but someone has got to be charged for stimulus money. How will the administration charge the already burdened taxpayers?

Fourth stimulus check coming?

As the federal government continues to distribute the $1,400 provided in President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan, many Americans wonder whether there will be an extra round of stimulus checks. About 64 members of the House of Congress already asked for annual direct payments to be made until the pandemic is over, reported Newsweek.

In a request to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris last January, two months before the new stimulus package was made into law, there were 53 House Democrats who wanted periodic stimulus money. They argued that more checks are needed.

Distributing direct cash aid to recipients is more critical than ever. Fortunately, extra unprecedented action during this era is needed. The Democrats want to give out more money at someone's expense.

The petition, headed by Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, advised Democratic leaders to continue the checks with equal payments to adults and dependents. They should give it to those who need it most and will use it.

They prioritize older, disable, and elderly dependents, including those over the age of 16 as dependents. This means that some will pay higher taxes to subsidize the socialist progressives.

Democrats who signed it came mainly from DEM-controlled states. They are representatives: Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, David Cicilline, Jimmy Gomez, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Ted Lieu, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who all agreed with the fourth stimulus check and more.

Joe Biden's $2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill Disguises Socialism

The rest are Mark Pocan, Ayanna Pressley, Jamie Raskin, Rashida Tlaib, Bonnie Watson Coleman, who want to push a social agenda. They, like the rest of the DEMs, wish to push bills with ease.

They said that direct payments would support those needing it. The pandemic has slaughtered livelihoods and businesses. Federal aid will make sure people have money in these times. More than one more round of checks is needed.

They added that one-time payments are not enough for everyone. With the $1 Trillion COVID Relief of Biden passed, another is in the works that will tax more, costing multi-trillion dollars.

Ideally, all these bills are bipartisan, but they aren't. Democrats went ahead without Republican input in these bills. Biden and the DEMs might abolish the Filibuster to pass bills that over-tax Americans.

Eleven Senate Democrats entered the battle for recurrent federal funds earlier this month. Senators encouraged Biden to deliver the measure in a follow-up aid package.

It is a continuation of $1,400 direct payments in a separate letter to the President. This gives more persuasion power to egg on the White House to approve it.

Biden has so far shown no support for regular checks. His COVID bill worth $ 1 Trillion is huge and met resistance. A fourth stimulus check will meet resistance with the Republicans.

One complaint with the last bill passed is a democrat payout. Less than 9% was for COVID items, with the rest for DEMS to spend in the failing states.





Joe Biden's $3 Trillion Package to Come Next After Stimulus Bill

Biden Approves $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Bill Ready for Rollout

Democrats Pass $1.9 Trillion Partisan COVID-19 Relief

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
It is true that George Floyd Square is this beautiful place of racial justice and healing. The expression of the movement at George Floyd Square has been extremely powerful because its been rooted in community. And then you have the violence. Its also true that there are times where that square is violent. Which violence are we talking about? I dont believe sending an army of officers is the best way to address the pain and the trauma. Its creating a haven, though unintentionally, for criminal activity and behavior. You, as yourself, as one single individual, may not have the full story, may not have the full perspective. This is the story of the place where George Floyd died in May 2020. But its also a story of something much larger than this intersection. [chanting] After almost a year of protests, the trial of the former officer accused of killing Floyd has begun. But at the same time, a conflict is brewing here over the future of Floyds memorial site. In a city that says its committed to racial justice, whats happening here at George Floyd Square shows just how complex achieving that goal will be. The intersection was the place that raised me. It was like, This is my community. Its always been 38th and Chicago. But as it became George Floyd Square, it started taking on a kind of identity in the movement and in the protest. When I open my door, I look across the street, and George Floyd Square is directly across the street. Its greatly impacted our ability to function as a church. Depending on whos on the barriers, sometimes its easy to get in and sometimes its not. After Floyds death, people gathered here to mourn and protest. And to protect them, the city closed the intersection with concrete barriers. But almost a year later, the barriers remain. Police are not welcome. And activists control whos allowed in. This occupation has been a process of imagining a world beyond policing. They want to reopen the streets to go back to business as usual. What sense does that make? We will have more George Floyds. Police say that shootings there have skyrocketed. Over 20 shots fired. Shootings and robberies. Violent crime is on the rise across the U.S. and in Minneapolis. In the neighborhood surrounding George Floyd Square, it shot up 66% last year. To the extent the barriers that were once used to protect and keep people safe are now used to promote bad activity and violence  thats unacceptable. The people who live here have mixed feelings about what the square has become. Shit, I love this neighborhood. Know what Im saying? Been here my whole life, so the communitys the same, but right here its more like a tourist attraction now. I dont want my neighborhood getting shut down. I dont want to have to walk extra blocks to get to the bus stop to go to work, to go anywhere for that matter. Like, its a real nuisance. Im angry at the fact that my neighborhood got taken over. Im angry at the fact that the police did not do their job, that they sat on a guys neck instead of just putting him in the squad car and taking off. Not only did George Floyd, you know, end up, you know, like, losing his life. But, you know, like, the community wound up paying for it as well. I hope this area is always somewhat of a memorial. This is certainly a sacred space. So, you know, it should be respected. I just had a meeting with six business owners saying, Please reopen this intersection. Its killing my business. People want to memorialize the memory of George Floyd, but they also want to reopen this intersection. George Floyd Square sits partly in Andrea Jenkinss council district. For months shes been pushing to remove the barriers, saying progress is being made in other ways. We have declared racism as a public health crisis, reallocated funds from the Minneapolis Police Department. Four police officers got fired, will be standing trial for murder. Shes also helping to get community input on what a permanent memorial to Floyd should look like. We have to move on. People want to keep this painful wound open? Its not progress. Its called regress. I do not intend to protest forever. Its only intended to signal to people that there is something wrong that needs to be addressed. You know, weve been here every day, practically, since George Floyd was murdered. One of the things I was aware of and am aware of is the hopelessness. And I think we all are a little sensitive and concerned about what is going to happen with this trial. Ive never seen people so on edge like they are today. When and exactly how George Floyd Square will be reopened, the city hasnt said. For now, the outcome of this murder trial is the bigger question. Just one minute of silence. And Im a little bit nervous about if were going to see justice with this trial, you know? And most of us in the Black community have seen this picture before. And nobody seems to have the answer.
Concerns around the jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny have grown in the recent past with supporters alleging mistreatment inside the prison. Members of the Public Monitoring Commission (POC) of the Vladimir Region visited Navalny in prison on Friday after reports around his deteriorating health emerged in the media. On Saturday, POC chairman Vyacheslav Kulikov issued a statement, saying Navalny continues to walk on his own but has requested painkiller injections due to pain in the legs.

Today we visited the colony and met with Alexei Navalny to clarify the problems with his health and the organization of medical services. During the conversation, we found out that his leg hurts and he asked for assistance in receiving Diclofenac injections to relieve pain. However, he continues to walk on his own. No other wishes were expressed, Kulikov was quoted as saying in a press release on Friday.

Meanwhile, Navalnys team has raised questions over the delay in issuing a statement by the POC after their members meeting with the jailed Kremlin critic in prison. Navalnys team asked what prevented POC members from informing about the meeting immediately.

Why is Navalny in prison?

Navalny had been in Germany for more than five months after he was airlifted to Berlin for treatment following the infamous poisoning case. Navalny was allegedly poisoned last year in August as he fell ill on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow. He was taken to the hospital but Russian doctors ruled out poisoning and put him in an artificial coma. Navalny was flown to Germany from Russia at the request of his family and close aides. Days later, German doctors and the government announced that Navalny was indeed poisoned using Novichok, a Soviet-era nerve agent.

The poisoning was blamed on the Russian state, which dismissed the allegations and demanded more proof for starting an investigation into the matter. Navalny came out of the coma in September 2020 and months later he expressed his desire to return back to Russia. Before Navalny's return, Russian prison authorities had issued a warning asking Navalny to return as soon as possible or face jail for violating 2014 suspended sentence terms. Navalny was arrested by Russian authorities soon after returning back from Germany on January 17.

(Image Credit: AP)
Irish consumers and retailers have reported difficulties obtaining Scotch whiskies, as several distilleries and UK retailers pause EU sales post-Brexit.

Some Scottish distilleries have included notices on their websites saying they couldnt currently sell to EU destinations.

The Whisky Exchange, a UK-based online retailer, has posted a delivery notice stating it has suspended EU deliveries due to a lack of clarity over cross-border shipping rules following Brexit.

Ally Alpine, who owns the Celtic Whiskey Shop in Dublin, said there had been issues when ordering from Scotland.

Alpine said a shipping company told him it couldnt ship spirits from Scotland via Northern Ireland. Another that operates from Liverpool to Dublin wouldnt touch single whisky pallets as they could cause container delays.

Alpine said he recently found one, meaning shipments would start next week.

The shipping issue had mainly affected smaller, independent brands than larger ones like Diageo-owned Johnnie Walker, he said.

Alpine said sales and demand for both Scottish and Irish whiskey had been strong, despite the range of Scottish malts being reduced. He believed the issues were starting to be resolved, but it may mean a slight price increase due to the extra charges.

He added the Celtic Whiskey Shop had also temporarily suspended shipments to the UK. It noticed an increase in UK consumers buying and sending to Irish addresses and sales to Northern Ireland.





Read More




New Delhi: Days after being stuck in the Suez Canal, there has been little progress in making the Ever Given float again. The cargo ship continues to block the crucial passage leaving several other ships waiting in line.

The pictures of the giant ship have gone viral on social media, thanks to its size, it can be seen even from outer space.

As serious the situation is, the netizens, reliable as always, have come up with unique solutions to the problem. They may not solve the actual problem, but definitely guarantee laughter.

From cotton swab to butter to floating balloons, social media is abuzz with novel solutions that are just too good to ignore.

Check out some of the most hilarious posts here:

My ambitious plan to free the boat is to push a huge cotton swab up the canal, wrote a user on Twitter.

My ambitious plan to free the boat is to push a huge cotton swab up the canal pic.twitter.com/ZnY4ehu8fx  Karl Sharro (@KarlreMarks) March 25, 2021

Heres another solution that is hard to argue against.

Have they tried rubbing butter on it to slippery it up? read another tweet.

Have they tried rubbing butter on it to slippery it up? #suezcanel #Evergreen ' pic.twitter.com/iaEgC3XUIY  It's not MAGA's flag! (@cheryleosborne) March 27, 2021

Check out these reactions from Twitterati:

Today's Comic: We are all, in our own little way, that ship. pic.twitter.com/GVDjLxzErX  Chaz Hutton (@chazhutton) March 24, 2021

Live TV
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Development, and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI), hereby announces partial road closure of L.B. Scott Road at the intersection Pessle Drive on Monday, March 29, 2021, from 9:00 PM until Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 2:00 AM.



The partial road closure is in connection with road repair activities conducted by GEBE N.V. and the contractor Windward Road B.V.



Motorists are advised to be vigilant, and observant of the traffic diversion signs. The Ministry of VROMI apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.
The URL has been copied to your clipboard

The code has been copied to your clipboard.

The U.S. Treasury Department issued new sanctions Thursday imposing penalties on two companies with ties to Myanmars military. As VOAs Congressional correspondent Katherine Gypson reports, U.S. lawmakers are calling for more sanctions against oil and gas companies.
When the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York hospitals, frontline nurses were heralded as heroes and cheered on each evening to the sounds of banging pots and pans. Now, one year later, as we endure the third wave of this unrelenting pandemic, nurses tirelessly working in New York hospitals are calling on the public and policymakers for help.

The pandemic has pulled open hospital doors, revealing the work of nurses that has long been perceptible only to patients receiving their care. In these extraordinary times, we are only now beginning to hear the voices of nurses  they are burned out and asking for hospitals to staff enough nurses to properly care for patients.

The Safe Staffing for Quality of Care Act, now before the state Legislature, would improve hospital nurse staffing ratios. It would make more equitable the provision of nursing care across the state while reducing avoidable deaths and unnecessary costs.

Even in pre-pandemic ordinary times, New York hospitals were chronically understaffed and half of nurses were suffering from high burnout, according to independent research by the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. This situation has only worsened with the onslaught of thousands of desperately ill COVID-19 patients.

Further Penn research on 116 New York hospitals shows that establishing safe patient-to-nurse staffing ratios, as the Safe Staffing for Quality of Care Act would require, is a win-win-win scenario for the public, nurses, and hospitals. The study finds that if New York hospitals had staffed at the levels proposed in the legislation pre-pandemic, more than 4,370 deaths could have been avoided over two years, and more than $720 million saved just among Medicare patients. The results would likely be much greater if applied to all patients in hospitals that benefit from evidence-based nurse staffing.

In a recent Harris Poll, 90 percent of respondents agreed that hospitals and nursing homes should be required to meet safe nurse staffing standards.

Before the pandemic, nurses in New York hospitals were caring for an average of 4.3 to 10.5 patients on medical and surgical units. The recommended safe limit is four patients per nurse. In intensive care units, where the recommendation is no more than two patients per nurse, the study found hospital differences in nurse workloads ranging from 1.8 to 4.3 patients. The large differences in staffing ratios across New York hospitals and its consequences demonstrate that the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act is in the publics interest. The legislation would make more equitable the provision of nursing care across the state while reducing avoidable deaths and unnecessary costs.

It is too early to determine how many COVID-19 deaths could have been avoided by better nurse staffing, but it is likely a lot. COVID-19 is somewhat like sepsis  a serious, life-threatening infection: People with both illnesses deteriorate rapidly and the death rate is high. New York already has legislation mandating lifesaving care for sepsis patients called Rorys Regulation, named after a previously healthy child who died unexpectedly in a New York hospital from sepsis. Penn research estimated that setting minimum safe nurse staffing standards like those in the pending legislation would avoid more deaths from sepsis and save more money than mandated sepsis care previously passed by the state Legislature.

Research shows that evidence-based nurse staffing saves lives and money. The better outcomes produced by safe staffing offset the costs of improving nurse staffing. Current large variations in nurse staffing in New York hospitals are not in the publics interest.

The extraordinary times of this pandemic have brought New Yorkers to the streets with banging pots and pans. When we return to ordinary times, will the public and policymakers rally to support safer staffing for nurses and the patients they serve?

Karen B. Lasater, Ph.D., RN is a senior fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania, and assistant professor in the Center for Health Outcomes Policy & Research in the School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
The Minority Leader, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, has urged the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to appoint someone with the pedigree and political will to the position of Special Prosecutor (SP).



Such an appointee, he said, must also be given free political space and adequate resources to investigate alleged and suspected corruption.



Contributing to a debate on the approval of annual budget estimates of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for the 2021 financial year, Mr Iddrisu said the enactment of legislation alone to combat corruption was inadequate, hence the need for the appointment of a Special Prosecutor who had the pedigree and political will to prosecute corrupt officials.



Budget approval



The House later approved GH124 million for the activities of the Office of the SP.



Mr Iddrisu said the office of SP was allocated GH188 million in 2020 but the budget was revised to GH138 million.



He said the actual amount that was released to the OSP was just GH40 million, which demonstrated lack of commitment to mobilise adequate resources for the OSP to work with anti-corruption institutions to combat economic crime, graft, nepotism and conflicts of interest.



He told the House that Ghanaians doubted and still doubted the standing of the former SP, Mr Martin Amidu, as a person of integrity and who was committed to saving the public purse.



He, therefore, advised the President to appoint somebody with integrity, pedigree and political will to the high office of the SP.



Political will



He said when Parliament passed the Special Prosecutor Act, there were many who said the passage of the Act was a panacea to the solution of fighting corruption.



We were told that the fight against corruption would be successful with the Office of the Special Prosecutor and with the appointment of Martin Amidu as the Special Prosecutor, he said.



According to him, the Constitution established the office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), which was a constitutional creation under Article 216.



He also said Article 218 (b) required that all alleged and suspected corruption and misappropriation of public money by public officials be investigated and the appropriate steps to be taken, including reports on such investigation to the Auditor-General and the Attorney-General.



According to him, the nature of corruption made it very difficult to fight the canker because both the giver of the bribe and the receiver benefited from such criminal activity.



Background



Ghanas first Special Prosecutor, Mr Martin Amidu, was sworn into office by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on February 23, 2018, after he had been duly vetted and approved by Parliament.



It followed the passage of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Act, 2017 (Act 959), which gave the OSP investigative and prosecutorial powers to fight, prevent and prosecute acts of corruption and corruption-related offences.



Per Act 959, the SP is supposed to hold office for a seven-year non-renewable term.



Amidus appointment was heralded as a major boost in the fight against corruption.



Mr Amidu surprisingly resigned on November 16, 2020, three years after he was appointed by President Akufo-Addo.

Source: Daily Graphic









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
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.
New math and ganang karayas View(s):

The more I am inundated with tales from Colombo about the post-Geneva pantomimes the more entertaining it is, restricted of movement as one is with this wretched virus that has kept me locked up for months on end now.

In fact this ongoing tragicomedy  as it has turned out to be  started weeks before the diplomatic gladiators lined up  virtually speaking  in the Swiss city for verbal battle with some of our warriors already fighting on two fronts. That is against the UN Human Rights High Commissioner and some of the Core Group members who want to roast Sri Lanka as BBQ time draws near.

Despite much of the debilitating news that regularly appeared in print editions and saddening exposes that filled the television screens, some of the stories on political doings and the derring-do of political cronies were hard to believe.

It was becoming more and more difficult to accept these stories  some so hilarious some others so despicable  that I made an appointment with a National Health Service optometrist  the only ones on duty these days  to make sure my eyes were not lying.

I was with her at the time the 47-member UN Human Rights Council was voting on the Sri Lanka Resolution. When I returned there it was on the computer screen  the whole result recording who voted for whom and who did not vote for anybody.

For the first time, as far as I can remember, there were so many who abstained from voting  14 member states. It seemed as though they were saying with Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet a plague o both your houses.

But most enjoyable were the few lines that accompanied the score card. It said that government supporters had already accepted that Sri Lanka had won the vote on the resolution. There I was counting the votes on the score card before me and reading the message. I could not still see how 11 was more than 22.

So I shot off a quick message to my informant hoping he was at his computer asking which school of arithmetic taught that 11 exceeded 22. Thankfully he was. The reply was prompt. It said that 11 plus 14 equals 25 and that is more than 22.

Admittedly in any school of Math 25 is more than 22 unless one uses the countdown system. Anybody who has gone to school will tell you that the student who comes first in class is deemed better than the one who comes second. At least it was so when I went to college though I cannot vouch for what it is now.

But on whose or what authority does one usurp the abstentions and add on to your votes and claim victory? To start with that is stealing  the unauthorised usurpation of another countrys vote. I mean to take another countrys vote which is specifically cast in a manner that it would not be counted, and then add it to the votes that were cast in your favour is a kind of fraud, particularly if it is used by the government to mislead voters at home.

It has been said that the Foreign Affairs Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in trying to show the sponsors of the resolution did not win has introduced a new math which hopefully would not become part of the school curriculum when schools reopen after Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

Now that Education Minister Prof. GL Peiris is said to be contemplating a law that protects Sri Lankan soldiers from international prosecution following in the footsteps of the much castigated US perhaps the good professor might consider this New Math be introduced in all State schools.

It might create some initial confusion as did the mathematics when first introduced by the ancient Egyptians. But it will certainly place Sri Lankans among the pantheon of great scholars in this universe and promote Vyathmaga to the level of Indias great institution of higher learning, Nalanda.

The new math has great advantages if properly taught and applied in our bilateral negotiations. To begin with when our diplomacy is being handled and led by seafarers no wonder we seem to be all at sea. Some time ago when I referred to Sri Lankas diplo-messy there were those who thought I was being unfair.

The last few months have shown the exercise of diplomatic amateurishness, a time when professionalism should have been on display. It is not that we did not know the Geneva meeting was due and Sri Lanka was going to be confronted with a fresh report by the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights.

Given the circumstances and the timing it is all the more reason why Sri Lanka  or more specifically the government which was new in office  should have acted with more circumspection. If the government did not care a jot what the UN or its agencies thought of its policies or actions then one might excuse its bravado performances more for local display and image building.

If the government thought that being buttressed by China both economically and diplomatically is enough to survive particularly when badly devastated economically by an unprecedented pandemic well and good. However much one might reject globalization it is a fact of life and we are in the midst of it.

Foreign Secretary Colombage and Minister Public Security Sarath Weerasekara, both former admirals know when to have all hands on deck. But it requires more. There is a time you need all competent hands on deck and this was the time, especially when one is new. That was now.

But what was on display was lack of understanding. Take a few examples. One read in the media Foreign Secretary Colombages claim that India assured it would support Sri Lanka over the Geneva resolution. Did Colombage misunderstand what India said or intended? Was India referring to supporting Sri Lanka in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity which is an entirely different issue?

Moreover committing India to a particular position by speaking to the media was surely undiplomatic for he had turned himself into a spokesman for India, thus embarrassing India.

At a time when there was much controversy over the governments decision to ban burials for Muslims who died of Covid which was likely to affect the voting on Geneva resolution Minister Sarath Weerasekara added more fuel to the fire by signing a cabinet paper proposing a ban on the burqa facial veil worn by Muslim women.

The government tried belatedly to douse the fire but the damage appears to have been done judging by Indonesia, a long standing member of the non-aligned movement, Libya and Bahrain, abstaining from the vote.

This kind of public performance could have been avoided because there was no need to announce it ahead of Geneva.

The Sunday Times pointed to another diplomatic faux pas when the Foreign Secretary called on the Russian Ambassador at his Embassy at Flower Road. This cut right across the grain of diplomatic conduct. Surely it is not that there is nobody at the ministry to ask whether it was au fait to go to the chancery.

It is time the government had competent officials who knew their job back in place at home and abroad.

(Neville de Silva is a veteran Sri Lankan journalist who was Assistant Editor of the Hong Kong Standard. Later he was Deputy Chief of Mission in Bangkok and Deputy High Commissioner in London).
Janice Perkinss line of work requires her to be one part Martha Stewart, two parts Miss Marple.

As the founder of Missing Pieces, Perkins has spent almost half her life searching high and low, not to mention hither and yon, for discontinued dinnerware, flatware and stemware for people whose sets, many of which have been handed down from one generation to another, are short a saucer, fork or champagne flute. Know how COVID-19 created a sudden demand for hand sanitizer? Same thing with teapots, apparently.

Rosenthal dinnerware in the Flash pattern. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

"Ive sold 92 teapots since last April, up significantly from the previous year," Perkins says, scrolling through an Excel spreadsheet that also indicates how many vintage soup bowls (332), coffee mugs (502) and dinner plates (1,583) shes tracked down for customers from every corner of the globe in the last 12 months. "People have been home a lot more because of COVID and many are using that time to go through their stuff and replace valuables that have gone astray through the years. Thats where I come in."

Perkins, 58, was in Grade 10 when she landed a part-time job at a Birks outlet at Polo Park. She was assigned to the china section with strict instructions to memorize the various makes in order to better assist shoppers trying to decide between one pattern and another.

She switched to full-time after high school and remained there for six more years before moving to Worcester, Mass., with her American-born husband. The pair returned to Winnipeg in 1988, at which point she caught on in the downtown Bays fourth-floor china department.

She experienced mental health issues following the birth of their son in 1990 but continued to work as much as possible. In 1993, just as she was set to return from a medical leave of absence, she was informed her services were no longer required.

"This was back in the day when mental health didnt mean very much," she says, taking a sip of coffee.

Perkins has inventory filling almost every room of her home-based business. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

Instead of pounding the pavement to look for employment elsewhere, Perkins figured she would start a business of her own, one that would allow her the opportunity to stay home with her three-year-old.

She was familiar with a few Canadian shops that specialized in tracking down replacement pieces for aged sets of china  during her days at Birks and the Bay she often referred customers to a Toronto store called Old China Patterns and another in Vancouver called Echos  so took a gamble that a similar venture would be successful here, too.

A Denby Bakewell pattern set produced in the 1980s. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

After a hairdresser-friend helped her come up with a name, she opened Missing Pieces in a spare bedroom in her and her husbands Kenaston condo in September 1993. Unlike today, when her stock numbers close to 50,000 separate items, everything from gravy boats to serving platters to tureens, she began with zilch on her shelves.

Rather, she branded herself a "locator," a person who was more than willing to beat the proverbial bushes, one butter knife at a time, to unearth whatever people were after.

"It was strictly word of mouth in those days; no Internet, no social media, nothing," she says, noting her two main lines of communication were a phone  shes not talking about a cell, either  and a fax machine.

"I made up business cards, which I dropped off at all the large department stores in the city that sold china as well as smaller ones like Five Small Rooms, the Glass House and the China Cabinet."

She obviously filled a need; by Christmas that same year shed made close to $30,000, a tidy sum that surprised even her. "I was like, whoa, I guess Im going to have to file a GST return. OK, how do I do that?"

A quartet of Royal Albert cups and saucers. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

Five addresses and two ex-husbands later, Perkins is currently toasting Missing Pieces one-year anniversary at its present  she maintains final  location, a two-storey, red-brick house at 646 Academy Rd. that she took possession of during the last week of March 2020.

Hers is a home-based business, thats true, but the emphasis is definitely on the biz side-of-things. Almost the entire, stately abode has been turned over to her inventory, while she contentedly lets a second-level, 140-square-foot spare bedroom serve as her main living quarters.

A stack of Royal Doulton plates in a variety of patterns. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

"Its just me and the cat these days. How much room do we really need?" she says, offering to take a visitor on a tour of the premises.

Sporting a Winnipeg Jets jersey  that evenings game starts in 90 minutes, well have to be gone by then, she jokingly (?) lets us know  she begins the walk-about in the kitchen where every last article in the drawers and cupboards is available for purchase. She would never serve meals on something shes selling on consignment, shes quick to point out.

But if its a plate or bowl she bought on spec  when a store closes she often bids on surplus merchandise, figuring shell find a buyer for it one day  she says why not use it for its intended purpose? (The same goes for her cat Mikado, perhaps the only feline in town that laps cream out of a Dansk mesa blue saucer.)

Drawers of Wedgwood cups. Items are also kept in well-marked closets and cupboards. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

Off the kitchen is what would be the living room, if it wasnt loaded floor to ceiling with items from Royal Doulton, her top seller. After walking up two flights of stairs, she shows off one bedroom wholly devoted to flatware, another to English bone china and a third she refers to as the "European room," which houses, to name a few, Arzberg porcelain, made in Bavaria, and sets of Royal Copenhagen, founded in Denmark in 1775. ("Oh, and thats my room way in the back," she says with a wave of her hand, on the way back downstairs.)

The bulk of her consignment pieces are neatly boxed and sorted in the unfinished basement, save for a set of Rosenthal dishes that just arrived from Toronto she hasnt had the opportunity to fully examine yet. That lot is resting on a table in what most would use as a dining room.

Mikado, named after the china pattern, eats out of a set of Mikado dishes. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

"Something like that, if it all sells, will go for about $4,000 with the owner and me each getting $2,000," she says, mentioning a lot of people cant be bothered trying to sell their sets one or two pieces at a time, which is why they reach out to her.

(Hours before we arrived Perkins received an email from a person in Los Angeles who wanted to ship a decades-old set of dishes north, to be sold on consignment. Perkins talked the person out of it, letting her know the cost to get everything here safe and sound would negate any profit the two of them might make.)

Back in her office area, a south-facing lair that likely would have served as a den for the previous homeowner, she shows off racks of Denby dinnerware, another oft-requested brand.

How big or small do orders get? Her staff of two routinely pack as little as a single demi-tasse teacup for contacts as far away as India and Singapore, all the way up to complete sets of china for film crews looking for props for a movie set in the 1940s or 50s.

Janice Perkins started Missing Pieces in 1993 and has been on the hunt for plates, cups and forks to complete cherished sets for customers ever since. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

She laughs, saying you probably dont want to watch period films with her, as shes forever glancing over an actors shoulder to determine if a place setting in the background is historically accurate or not. "Ive seen many a movie where the dinnerware was produced long after the setting of the film. Apparently, I am the only one that would notice such details," she says, chuckling again.

Although Missing Pieces is a retail entity, its not as though you can drop by the same way you would at a "normal" store. There is a sign on the front door that lets you know appointments are preferred; not that Perkins doesnt make exceptions, especially for people whove travelled from afar, older customers who arent necessarily keen about shopping online.

A set of Wedgwood with the Asia Green pattern. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

"Only about 20 per cent of my sales are to Winnipeggers. From time to time, people have planned a vacation around a visit to my place so they can personally examine things I bring out for them, one by one," she says.

"Its funny because when I first started I didnt think Id get repeat customers. I thought somebody would get that certain piece they were looking for and that would be it, Id never hear from them again. That hasnt turned out to be the case, at all. There are some customers Ive been dealing with for 20, 25 years by now."

Perhaps its because shes been at it for so long and has replaced treasures for so many  her registry contains the names of 20,000-plus past and present clients  that she simply shrugs her shoulders when asked if she ever feels a sense of accomplishment when her detective-work pays off and she corrals a long-lost this or that. "Not really, its just what I do," she says nonchalantly.

In that case, why dont we let an outside party have the last word, a fellow from Toronto who sent Perkins a note a couple of weeks ago to let her know just how much her perseverance and trained eye meant to him and his family?

"The shipment came in todays mail and in fine shape. In 1962, my wife and I were married, I just out of university and flat broke. As we prospered my wife never her lost her thrifty attitude, although she had more expensive tastes. Our china set was accumulated over a number of years whenever she found appropriate deals.

"On her death she willed many of our special possessions to our daughter when I had no more use for them. I found that those four pieces were missing from the set. My daughter was delighted today when I dropped over to her village and had her open the box for me. Thank you for such excellent and timely service."

David Sanderson writes about Winnipeg-centric restaurants and businesses.

david.sanderson@freepress.mb.ca
Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell have welcomed their first child together.

Their daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, was born at Buderim Private Hospital on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on Friday.

Former wakeboarder Chandler, 24, made sure his wife, 22, was as comfortable as possible in a luxurious maternity suite.

Comfort: Take a look inside Bindi Irwin's luxury maternity suite at Buderim Private Hospital. Pictured here with her husband, Chandler Powell

The spacious private suite features a plush couch for visitors.

The beige colour palette provides a calming atmosphere with light pouring in from a large window - a stark contrast to the harsh fluorescent lights usually found in hospitals.

The room looks worlds away from the cramped spaces most patients have come to expect, with a comfortable double bed, private ensuite, refrigerator, television and sound system.

Growing family: Bindi and Chandler's daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, was born at Buderim Private Hospital (pictured) on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on Friday

Roomy: The spacious private suite features a plush couch for visitors

Bindi and Chandler announced the birth of their daughter, Grace Warrior, on Friday.

Grace was born on the couple's first wedding anniversary.

In a lengthy Instagram post, the new mother explained the baby's middle name was inspired by her late father, Steve Irwin, who coined the term 'Wildlife Warrior'.

She wrote: 'March 25, 2021. Celebrating the two loves of my life. Happy first wedding anniversary to my sweetheart husband and day of birth to our beautiful daughter.

Modern: The beige colour palette provides a calming atmosphere with light pouring in from a large window - a stark contrast to the harsh fluorescent lights usually found in hospitals

'Our graceful warrior is the most beautiful light. Grace is named after my great-grandmother, and relatives in Chandler's family dating back to the 1700s.

'Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad and his legacy as the most incredible Wildlife Warrior. Her last name is Powell and she already has such a kind soul just like her dad.'

She accompanied the caption with an image of herself and Chandler cradling their newborn in a baby blanket.

'There are no words to describe the infinite amount of love in our hearts for our sweet baby girl. She chose the perfect day to be born and we feel tremendously blessed,' Bindi added.

Baby joy: Bindi and Chandler announced the birth of their daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, on Friday

Steve, known to millions around the world as 'the Crocodile Hunter', was filming a documentary when he was fatally stabbed in the heart by a stingray barb on September 4, 2006, in Batt Reef, Queensland. He was 44 years old.

Bindi first met Chandler in 2013, when the American former wakeboarder went on a guided tour of Australia Zoo in Queensland.

They married in a surprise ceremony at Australia Zoo, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, in March last year.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A bill to legalize adult-use of marijuana now given the go-ahead by Gov. Andrew Cuomo is estimated to generate 30,000 to 60,000 jobs, and will address the way in which licenses to operate in the state-regulated industry will be delved out.

While adult-use already has been legalized in New Jersey and Massachusetts, the process in Albany had been slower-moving as some lawmakers fought for a more progressive social-equity-based approach to encourage individuals disproportionately impacted by cannabis enforcement to participate in the growing industry.

There were many important aspects of this legislation that needed to be addressed correctly  especially the racial disparities that have plagued our states response to marijuana use and distribution, as well as ensuring public safety... said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers/White Plains).

Municipalities in New York, which includes New York City, would have the option of opting-out of a legalized market.

Cuomo has said the industry is estimated to generate about $350 million in tax revenue.

HOW WOULD IT BE REGULATED?

The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) would first establish an Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).

The OCM would be governed by a five-member board three appointed by the governor and one by each house placed in charge of enforcing regulations for medical and adult-use cannabis. It would operate as an independent office operating as part of the New York State Liquor Authority.

The bill would expand on the list of conditions to qualify for medical marijuana, while increasing the number of caregivers allowed per patient, and permit home cultivation of medical cannabis for patients.

For adult-use business owners, a two-tier licensing structure would separate growers and processors from also owning retail stores, to allow for a larger pool of producers from a range of backgrounds to participate and potentially benefit financially.

SOCIAL EQUITY

A social and economic equity program is aimed at offering 50% of business licenses to minority or woman-owned business, service-disabled veterans or distressed farmers, according to a press release late Saturday night from Cuomos office.

For generations, too many New Yorkers have been unfairly penalized for the use and sale of adult-use cannabis, arbitrarily arrested and jailed with harsh mandatory minimum sentences, Cuomo said. After years of tireless advocacy and extraordinarily hard work, that time is coming to an end in New York state.

Under the bill, reduced penalties would be implemented for possession and sale of marijuana.

It also would create automatic expungement or re-sentencing for anyone with a previous marijuana conviction that would now be legal.

TAX REVENUE

Sales tax on recreational cannabis products would be set at 13%, of which 9% would go to the state and 4% to localities, sources have said.

All cannabis tax revenue would be deposited in a New York state cannabis revenue fund.

Proceeds would cover reasonable costs to administer the program and implement the law, with the remaining revenue split three ways:

 40% toward education

 40% toward a Community Grants Reinvestment Fund

 20% toward a Drug Treatment and Public Education Fund

TRAFFIC SAFETY

The legislation would make driving while impaired by marijuana a violation in lieu of a misdemeanor.

It also would facilitate a controlled research study designed to evaluate methodologies and technologies for the detection of cannabis-impaired driving.

After completion of the research, the state Department of Health could create and implement rules and regulations to approve and certify a test for the presence of marijuana in drivers.

The bill also includes additional funding for drug recognition experts and law enforcement to detect motorists impaired by cannabis.

Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM

News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.



Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - There was a time, I think, when people not only knew what they stood for and why, but they basically understood what drove people on the other side of the political and philosophical spectrum. They might not agree, but at least they generally knew why they didnt agree.

In that way, the world made a certain amount of sense to us all.

But more and more, that seems not to be the case. We are an ever-increasing mystery to each other. This does not bode well for the chances of us reinstituting a cohesive society  a shared goal of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness  even if we have different ideas on how to get there.

For one example, I spent much of the last four years answering questions from my liberal friends that went something like this:

How can you defend such a (pick your disparaging description) as (pick your orange-themed insult) to be your president?

Sometimes the questioners were combative and demeaning, deserving of neither time nor geniality. But often enough they were earnestly attempting to understand how I, a person they liked, could vote for such a man. I would try to explain that I separated the boorish human being from the policies I preferred over what I considered to be a catastrophic alternative  and was generally met only with sad, perplexed looks and a shake of the head.

For my part, Ive had questions too, and now that liberals seem to be in charge of everything, its as good a time as any to ask them.

The questions arent focused on one person, as had been the case from the other side during the recent quadrennial. Not that Im a Joe Biden fan  but most of these issues predate him. And besides, I know that the only reason he is president today is that hes not Donald Trump.

My confusion stems from cancel culture, which is nothing new. But although it has become the province of the left, I have a hard time putting the liberals I know and respect together with it. To paraphrase the most famous thing that Mark Twain didnt say, everyone complains about cancel culture but nobody does anything about it.

And my question is, why not?

Who really supports the excesses of cancel culture? And if most on the left dont, then how and why has it amassed such power?

The urge to ridicule is strong, but lets keep it respectful and earnest, because Id truly like to know the thinking.

Bari Weiss, a former columnist and editor for The New York Times who resigned last summer after her own brush with cancel culture, earlier this month wrote a powerful indictment of the movement, and a call to action in opposing it. You can find it at tinyurl.com/baricol, and it is well worth reading

Weiss left after an outcry from her Times colleagues forced the ouster of editorial page editor James Bennet for the sin of publishing an op-ed by U.S. Senator Tom Cotton that called for using military force against recent rioters, which they said made them feel in danger. In her recent piece, she offers a partial list of those who have been punished by what she calls the illiberal left because of public wrongthink:

They are feminists who believe there are biological differences between men and women. Journalists who believe their job is to tell the truth about the world, even when its inconvenient. Doctors whose only creed is science. Lawyers who will not compromise on the principle of equal treatment under the law. Professors who seek the freedom to write and research without fear of being smeared. In short, they are centrists, libertarians, liberals and progressives who do not ascribe to every single aspect of the new far-left orthodoxy.

And instead of rebuttals, they are met with vengeful efforts to silence or punish.

Examples are everywhere:

A Rutland, Vermont, school principal named Tiffany Riley was fired last year because she made the following and similar statements on her personal Facebook page: While I want to get behind BLM, I do not think people should be made to feel they have to choose Black race over human race.

A UCLA lecturer named William Peris was investigated and condemned by the university for showing a film clip and reading Martin Luther King Jr.s Letter from a Birmingham Jail, in a virtual class on the history of racism, because both included the N word.

Actress Gina Carano was fired from her role in the Disney hit series The Mandalorian, and her action figure withdrawn, because she commented on social media that she thought there was fraud in the recent presidential election, and was skeptical about wearing masks during the pandemic.

In Burbank, California, middle and high school English teachers were warned not to use To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and other classic novels because of concerns over racist passages in the books.

And J.K. Rowling, author of the beloved Harry Potter books, has come under fire in recent months from several actors from the Harry Potter movies and many others, who have branded her transphobic, and a TERF (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist).

Among her sins were her defense of a British government worker who lost her job for saying that people cannot change their biological sex, and for making fun of a headline on the environmental website devex, that used the term people who menstruate instead of women.

Dress however you please, Rowling responded in a tweet. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult wholl have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real?

That seems a logical response to me, but that didnt stop her from being savaged by the woke mob and a host of former friends.

There are dozens  hundreds  of other examples, and more every day.

If your politics are progressive, does any of that make sense to you? If so, Id love to know why. And if not, why arent you calling your fellow progressives out on it? Is it just that youre afraid of being canceled yourself?

As Bari Weiss wrote, It is our duty to resist the crowd in this age of mob thinking. It is our duty to speak truth in an age of lies. It is our duty to think freely in an age of conformity  Keeping the spirit of liberty alive in an age of creeping illiberalism is nothing less than our moral obligation.

Strong words, but is anyone listening?

Ted Diadiun is a member of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

To reach Ted Diadiun: tdiadiun@cleveland.com

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions, comments or corrections regarding this opinion article to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.
New Delhi:

With mounting violence against Rohingyas in Myanmar, Indian intelligence agencies suspect that refugees are expected to employ all means possible to sneak into the country, seeking shelter.



The security along India-Myanmar border has been heightened, which may force those fleeing violence to take high-risk sea route with help of professional traffickers, a report said.



Currently, India is home to 40,000 Rohingyas living at camps and shanties in Assam, West Bengal, Jammu, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

Read | Supreme Court to hear plea challenging deportation of Rohingya illegal immigrants today



"The Rohingyas are desperate to sneak into Indian areas such as Bengal. And organised traffickers are likely to use sea routes from Myanmar and Bangladesh to push them into India," senior intelligence officials told Mail Today. "All security agencies concerned have to remain guarded against any such attempt."



The officials said the traffickers involved with the Rohingiyas may use their experience in the Mediterranean where they used large boats and high-speed rafts to send refugees fleeing Syria into Europe in large numbers.



The agencies are also keeping an eye on the movement from the southern part of Myanmar from where the Rohingiyas may try to enter the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and occupy the various uninhabited islands there.

Read | Rohingya Muslims: 'Want to request the govt not to send us back'



The threat of IS links



The report quoting intelligence agents said that the routes likely to be adopted by Rohingya refugees have been known to be used by a chunk of Islamic State supporters also.

Read | Asaduddin Owaisi slams PM Modi, says why cannot he accept Rohingya refugees as his brothers

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
After rampaging diseases, our single biggest problem is male violence

Around the world in March, millions died from Coronavirus, cancer, and the many maladies we dont seem able to prevent or cure. And with our new irrational rejection of vaccines, including the ones that have conclusively, over centuries, helped eradicate disease, millions more will perish. But, after rampaging diseases, our single biggest problem is male violence, surely, whether it manifests itself in full-scale warfare, environmental degradation, or the brutalisation of the vulnerable, including women?

This month (and every other in my long career as a woman), I have despaired over the widespread murder of women. As I lament the loss of Londons Sarah Everard, the six Asian women gunned down in Atlanta, and the rising tide of femicide of the past weeks in India, I am gripped by a terrible deja vu.

Weve all been here before; reassured by our leaders that theyll take firm steps to protect women, we watch history repeating as they blithely fail. And like a cracked record I find myself railing against our mistreatment again; fitfully hopeful that speaking up might make a tiny difference. Didnt the Suffragettes dissent eventually garner votes for British women? Didnt the recent Indian Farmers Protest, especially the tenacity of its women, focus the worlds attention on their predicament? Yet, over time, so little has changed for the better in mans treatment of man, and indeed, WOman, that my faith in our voices being heard has been shaken.

What would our sagacious leaders suggest we do instead?

1) Talk less, say Japanese Olympics chiefs Mori and Sasaki. If women stopped airing their concerns, according to them, womens problems would simply evaporate (so negligible are they). And isnt it a fact, such men point out, the moment women stop nagging, nobody hears about these issues again?

Proving they never actually existed. All it requires then to solve womens problems, is for women, or nags, hags, and Olympigs, as Sasaki would have it, to keep quiet.

2) Be seen less, spouts the Uttarkhand CM, in charge of an Indian state of around 5 million women. Bare female knees, sayeth he, will be the undoing of society. Leading to the collapse of morals, sense, and civilisation, ultimately. Havent we heard that (and similar) from the patriarchy, times without number? Nor can it be wrong, surely, if so many men agree? Women revealing anything at all, including their capabilities, are immoral, dangerous and destructive. The only women worth respecting are the ones you cant see. Or hear. Because quiet, retiring women, whether locked in their homes, muzzled, or DEAD, cant upset our perfectly inequitable planet.

3) Walk less too, were told often. Women shouldnt go anywhere on their own, except in a straight line between work and home. Not that every place of work is acceptable! If you work in a spa for example, you might get bumped off by frustrated men, and the fat-cat-owned media will slaver over it, but have no sympathy to spare. And even less action will be taken. Taking the path that suits you  literally and figuratively as well  is not for women, you expect Dark Age patriarchs to proclaim. But no, this is the message from our modern judiciary and police: guardians of our wellbeing. In Britain this month, not only was it revealed that a policeman had murdered homeward-bound-after-sundown Sarah Everard, they then stymied multiple vigils to mourn her in the name of Lockdown. Like all stalwarts of the status quo, I suspect theyd suggest a womans place is at home if they could. The necessary Lockdown mantra of stay home, stay safe has never been just a pandemic-protection slogan when it comes to women, but imposed rules to live by through history. It kept us so safe sometimes, we never felt pain again: as the reality of 137 women killed around the world DAILY by men intimately known to them attests.

But if staying home, staying covered, staying silent, hasnt spelt safety for us, what will? Unlike the prized collection of exotic birds were sometimes perceived to be, safety is only a small part of our needs. We must continue to educate. Teaching women early to be free, to aspire to every wonderful opportunity this world has to offer, and young men to respect these same freedoms and aspirations in women, is key. But as the mother of both a son and a daughter, Ive discovered that this is harder to achieve than Id imagined. We encourage, support, and role-model the right behaviours for both, yet find that the occasional stereotype, or mild sexist trope, still wends its way home. Through conversations with our children, their friends and teachers, its become obvious that this is the influence of playground chatter, media and the Internet; as much of which we vet as possible, like all concerned parents. Yet, the trickle that filters into their lives is proof of the pervasive nature of prejudice, and how impossible that is to eliminate entirely. And is shielding from reality the right approach anyway? So, we discuss inequities with them instead, explain why theyre wrong, where they come from, and how best to address them. Thus teaching them both NOT to know their place.

That isnt a complete solution either, is it? Just like protecting ourselves isnt enough, nor protesting. Whats required, of course, is a major overhaul; systemic change that runs deep and wide through society, and belongs to us all. The answer then, though neither original nor revolutionary, lies in connecting the dots  literally! Because dots, funnily enough, is what middle-class India calls its daughters. Our political leaders and corporations dont want upheavals, and activist organisations sometimes grow too big to make a deep-rooted difference. But if we can join, in small but ever-widening circles, our young women (and many peaceable men)  the dots  to work towards change, whilst providing support and the benefit of our experience, theres hope yet. The possibility even of societal transformation. Then, no matter what our sex, sexuality, class, caste, colour, age or creed, we might finally walk, in darkness and in light, bare-kneed or bare anything-at-all, any which way we please.
Scholastic, the worlds largest publisher of educational books for children, will no longer distribute The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future because it perpetuates passive racism against Asians.

Critics charge that the book's storyline includes a Kung Fu master with dashes for eyes who wears traditional Asian garb. He is rescued by two non-Asian protagonists who use Kung Fu skills while invoking Chinese proverbs.

The move by the publisher, which comes amid a wave of violence nationwide that has targeted Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, has the full support of the books author, Dav Pilkey.

On March 16, six women of Asian descent were among eight people fatally shot by a gunman at massage parlors in and around Atlanta. The spate of violence has focused national attention to the issue of anti-Asian racism.

Together, we recognize that this book perpetuates passive racism, Scholastic said in a statement.

We are deeply sorry for this serious mistake. Scholastic has removed the book from our websites, stopped fulfillment of any orders (domestically or abroad), contacted our retail partners to explain why this book is no longer available, and sought a return of all inventory.

Scholastic, the worlds largest publisher of educational books for children, will no longer distribute The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future because it perpetuates passive racism against Asians. The most problematic illustrations in the book cited by critics were of a 'Kung Fu master' wearing traditional Asian garb. The plot features a Kung Fu master rescued by the book's non-Asian protagonists using their Kung Fu skills

The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future is from the creators of Captain Underpants

On his YouTube page, Pilkey posted an apology on Thursday. About ten years ago I created a book about a group of friends who save the world using kung fu and the principles found in Chinese philosophy, Pilkey wrote. The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future was intended to showcase diversity, equality, and non-violent conflict resolution.

Pilkey continued: But this week it was brought to my attention that this book also contains harmful racial stereotypes and passively racist imagery. I wanted to take this opportunity to publicly apologize for this. It was and is wrong and harmful to my Asian readers, friends, and family, and to all Asian people.

We will take steps to inform schools and libraries who may still have this title in circulation of our decision to withdraw it from publication.

Pilkey, the American cartoonist and illustrator, is best known for his hit childrens novel series Captain Underpants. In 2013, the 10-part series was considered the most banned book in America due to complaints from parents about violent imagery.

On his YouTube page, Pilkey posted an apology on Thursday.

About ten years ago I created a book about a group of friends who save the world using kung fu and the principles found in Chinese philosophy, Pilkey wrote.

The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future was intended to showcase diversity, equality, and non-violent conflict resolution.

The decision by Scholastic has the 'full support' of the author, illustrator Dav Pilkey (pictured above in Westwood, California in May 2017)

An online petition circulated by Billy Kim demanded that Scholastic apologize for publishing the book

Several of those who signed the petition expressed outrage at the books author

Pilkey continued: But this week it was brought to my attention that this book also contains harmful racial stereotypes and passively racist imagery.

I wanted to take this opportunity to publicly apologize for this. It was and is wrong and harmful to my Asian readers, friends, and family, and to all Asian people.

Pilkey wrote that Scholastic has stepped forward to share my responsibility and together we are ceasing all further publication of the book.

I hope that you, my readers, will forgive me, and learn from my mistake that even unintentional and passive stereotypes and racism is harmful to everyone, Pilkey wrote.

I apologize, and I pledge to do better.

Scholastic and Pilkey did not cite specific examples from the book that they found to be problematic, but an online petition demanding that the publisher cease distributing the work included a screenshot of controversial illustrations.

The author of one petition, Billy Kim, said the book includes multiple instances of racist imagery and stereotypical tropes, including a Kung Fu master wearing whats purported to be a traditional-style Tang coat, dashes for eyes for the Asian characters, stereotypical Chinese proverbs, and a storyline that has the Kung Fu master rescued by the non-Asian protagonists using their Kung Fu skills (despite the fact that they were taught said skills from the supposed master).

Several of those who signed the petition expressed outrage at the books author.

I do not want children reading these comics that are insulting and derogatory to Asians! Joanne Yoon of Dallas wrote.

Please do not show Asians being tied up and persecuted with a common racist slogan in a comic that children read.

We need to reinforce positive progressive messaging supporting anti Asian hate!

Sue Lee, a resident of New York, wrote: This is flat out wrong, Scholastic is a brand Ive trusted and supported since my own childhood and to see this level of racism in a book meant for young children explains so much about why our society is the way it is.

On Twitter, there was a fierce reaction against the decision as critics said it was another example of cancel culture run amok. Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer tweeted: Bye bye Captain Underpants - say hi to Dr Seuss.

Another Twitter user wrote: One more book into the banned book list!

Mary Bahler Kelly tweeted: Another hilarious book series ripped from our hands. Such a shame!

Another Twitter user commented: Never be exposed to anything other than group think.'

Alex Baldwin tweeted: So the passive racism in the book was...the prevalence of kung-fu? Kung-fu is a harmful Asian stereotype?

Another Twitter user pointed out that 'one of the main characters is black'

Rebecca Cho of Bayside, New York wrote: This is absolutely unacceptable!

A CHILDRENS book feeding young minds this garbage for the last 10 years?! Im horrified!

To have young impressionable minds be fed such racist imagery and cultural derogatory material, Im appalled to know that Scholastic supports this kind of ignorance/hate/stupidity/whatever you want to call it.

On Twitter, there was a fierce reaction against the decision as critics said it was another example of cancel culture run amok.

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer tweeted: Bye bye Captain Underpants - say hi to Dr Seuss.

The tweet includes the hashtag #Cancelculture.

In early March, the publisher of the Dr. Seuss childrens books announced that six of them would no longer be available for distributions due to racist and insensitive imagery.

Another Twitter user commented: Never be exposed to anything other than group think.

The blowback to cancel culture will see some very interesting results.

Another Twitter user wrote: One more book into the banned book list!

Mary Bahler Kelly tweeted: Another hilarious book series ripped from our hands. Such a shame!

Alex Baldwin tweeted: So the passive racism in the book was...the prevalence of kung-fu? Kung-fu is a harmful Asian stereotype?
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Marion Man Charged with Murder, Burglary

By West Kentucky Star Staff

SMITHLAND - A Marion man faces murder and burglary charges after police responded to a disturbance call in Smithland late Saturday afternoon.Initially, Livingston County Sheriff's deputies were called to a home on Lola Road near Smithland for a disturbance call.Police say when they arrived, they found a female who had suffered multiple stab wounds, and deputies contacted Kentucky State Police.Detectives say their initial investigation found that 24-year-old Claude L. Brown had entered the home of 56-year-old Karla S. Haley without permission, and after an altercation Brown allegedly stabbed Haley multiple times.Haley was taken to the Livingston County Hospital where she later died.Brown was arrested and charged with murder and first degree burglary. He was taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail.
The UK is to offer Covid vaccines to Ireland (Danny Lawson/PA)

First Minister Arlene Foster has said she believes the UK government will offer Covid-19 vaccine stocks to Ireland once its own vaccination programme is complete.

Her comments come as The Sunday Times reports that the UK is planning to offer 3.7 million Covid jabs to Ireland, partly to help lift the lockdown in Northern Ireland.

According to the newspaper Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove and Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis have had outline discussions about the plan.

It would be the first time the UK has exported vaccines to the EU, but the plan was described by a cabinet minister as a poke in the eye for Brussels because it could disrupt EU unity.

A cabinet source told The Sunday Times: Everyone can see the logic of it. Its good politics while at the same time solving a genuine public health concern in Northern Ireland.

It is a balancing act, making sure that we have enough vaccines to give the UKs adult population the second dose. Easter will be when we might be able to start offering vaccines to Ireland.

Mrs Foster said she had raised the matter with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on his visit to Enniskillen earlier this month.

Read More

The DUP leader, who received her first Covid jab in her Co Fermanagh constituency on Saturday morning, told RTE's The Week in Politics programme, vaccine sharing should and hopefully will happen.

"I think it is a runner and when I'm next speaking to him (Mr Johnson) I'll be making that point again," she said.

She added: "I think it's important that we continue the conversation. I'll be listening very carefully to what our medical advisors are saying about the roll-out of the vaccine in Northern Ireland, where it is in the Republic of Ireland and what that means for both jurisdictions.

"I think it's the right thing that should happen, I think it's a very practical thing to do and I think it should happen and hopefully it will."

When asked if she had discussed the idea with Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Mrs Foster said she had not spoken with him "for quite some time now".

But Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said the UK does not "currently have a surplus" of coronavirus vaccines.

Mr Dowden told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "Clearly, our first priority is ensuring we deliver vaccines in the United Kingdom.

"We clearly don't currently have a surplus of vaccines, should we get to the point where we have a surplus of vaccines we'd make decisions on the allocation of that surplus."

Is the UK planning to offer 3.7 million vaccine doses to the Republic of Ireland?



"We don't currently have a surplus of vaccines, if we get to that point, we will make decisions on the allocation of that surplus" says Oliver Dowden.#Ridge https://t.co/qKgRWPii05 pic.twitter.com/TVwEYubPFw  Trevor Phillips on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) March 28, 2021

The Irish Government has said it is not aware of a specific UK plan to share vaccines with Ireland.

A spokesman said: "The UK has previously indicated that once it has achieved a high level of vaccination of its own population, it would consider sharing vaccines with other countries.

"We are not aware of any specific plans to share vaccines with Ireland at this stage.

"The Irish and UK governments maintain close contact across all matters of common interest."

Brussels, which has co-ordinated vaccine procurement and delivery on behalf of its member states, has made slower progress than the UK.

Amid an acrimonious dispute over supplies, the EU has threatened to block exports of vaccines and their ingredients.

The vaccination programme in Northern Ireland passed 800,000 doses this week, around 45% of the population.

That compares with around 13.2% who have been vaccinated in the Republic, where the rollout has been slower and the population is much larger.

This has led to concerns over travel between the two jurisdictions if Northern Ireland begins to lift restrictions before a majority of people in the Republic have been inoculated.

Stormont leaders have said they will consult with medical advisers over plans to reopen society in light of the slower vaccine rollout in the Republic.

Two weeks ago, Mr Johnson told Mr Martin the UK would not be giving out any surplus supplies until its population had been protected.

Developing countries could receive UK vaccines after Ireland. But the Cabinet Office is drawing up plans to send surplus vaccines to other EU countries this year amid fears that the poor vaccine programme in France and Germany could boost extremist parties.

Yesterday Mr Johnson said he could see absolutely nothing to stop Britain getting back to the life we love but, addressing the third wave in Europe, he said bitter experience had shown it could hit the UK three weeks later.

Public health officials in Northern Ireland have warned No 10 of the dangers of lifting lockdown restrictions, given the risks from the slower vaccination rate in the Irish Republic.

Mr Johnson also faces calls today to start donating vaccines amid claims that the UK is on track to have more than 100 million surplus doses.

In a letter to the prime minister, leading health and development charities urge him to take accelerated action.

Research by the ICC Foundation warns that vaccine nationalism and unequal distribution of jabs could cost the UK 106 billion if dangerous variants emerge in unvaccinated populations abroad.

Sir Jeremy Farrar, a scientist on the Sage team, said the UK must start sharing its surplus doses.

The world wont be safe while any single country is still fighting the virus. If left to spread, it risks mutating to an extent where our vaccines and treatments no longer work. This goes beyond ethics  its a scientific and economic imperative.

Kevin Watkins, head of Save the Children, said vaccine nationalism would prolong the pandemic and risk the emergence of dangerous variants.
New Delhi, March 28 : Kuldeep Maan alias Fajja, a gangster who had escaped police custody following a shootout at GTB Hospital three days back, was killed in an encounter late Saturday night at Tulsi apartments in Rohini's Sector 14, the Delhi Police said.

According to the Delhi Police, Fajja, a wanted criminal of the Jitender Gogi gang, escaped after his accomplices attacked the police team escorting him to an east Delhi hospital for treatment on Thursday afternoon.

Several teams of special cell and crime branch were constituted to find Fajja. The teams, on receiving information about his hideout, cordoned off the area and asked him to surrender but he opened fire.

His associate, who provided him shelter, received injuries in the retaliatory firing by the police. He was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to the injuries.

According to the Delhi Police officials, over 70 cases of murder, attempt to murder and robbery were registered against Fajja.
(Newser)  A Brazilian judge has ordered that countrys leader to compensate a journalist, saying that comments made by President Jair Bolsonaro had damaged the honor of the complainant, causing moral damage, AFP reports. The March 16 decision calls for Bolsonaro to pay Patricia Campos Mello, a reporter for newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo, 20,000 reais, which amounts to $3,473, per CNN. Campos Mello brought legal action against Bolsonaro for comments he made last February, according to the BBC, claiming that the president was using sexual innuendo when he said that she wanted a scoop at any price against me.

story continues below

The ruling, Campos Mello tweeted, is a victory for all of us women, per CNN. And the group Journalists Against Harassment called it a great day for women journalists. Great day for professional journalism. Earlier this year, Campos Mello won a similar judgment against Bolsonaros son, who reportedly claimed that she tried to seduce sources to get damaging information about his father. Bolsonaro can appeal the ruling, AFP reports. (Read more Jair Bolsonaro stories.)

A woman walks by the flagship store of H&M in Beijing on March 25, 2021. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Western Retailers Caught Between Revenue, Ethics Over Xinjiang Rights Abuses

News Analysis

Many international brands have attempted to distance themselves from sourcing materials and labor from Chinas Xinjiang region due to Beijings acts of genocide against the Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities.

The United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and Canada recently sanctioned certain Chinese officials over their involvement in the persecution of majority-Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has detained more than a million Uyghurs in concentration camps in the region. Detainees are subjected to forced labor, torture, rape, and political indoctrination.

H&M, Gap, Nike, and Japans Fast Retailingthe parent company of UNIQLOhave all released statements over the past two years condemning forced labor or distancing themselves from the allegations.

But now Western firms are facing immense backlash from the communist regime and are increasingly being forced to pick sides. Companies may have to walk a delicate tightrope between pleasing Beijing to keep their Chinese customer base and complying with the expectations of Western shareholders, executives, and other stakeholders.

CCP mouthpiece Peoples Daily on March 25 called out Nike, Adidas, New Balance, and Burberryall members of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)and recommended a China-wide boycott of the big-name companies. Dozens of Chinese celebrities have or plan to cancel contracts with Western brands over their stance on Xinjiang.

BCI has been a frequent target on Chinese social media. BCI promotes sustainable cotton production and last year announced it was suspending support of its member companies sourcing cotton from Xinjiang due to human rights concerns. Xinjiang supplies an estimated 20 percent of the worlds cotton.

H&M and Fast Retailing are also BCI members.

Swedish fast-fashion retailer H&M was one of the initial targets when the Communist Party Youth League dug up an early 2020 statement by the company saying it would stop sourcing its cotton from Xinjiang. Nike and Adidas were also attacked on Chinese social media and by Chinese state media for their stances. Both firms had put out statements that they dont source materials from the Xinjiang region.

Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings removed Burberry-themed skins, or virtual costumes worn by characters on Tencents Honor of Kings mobile video game, due to Burberrys statements distancing itself from Xinjiang-sourced materials. The decision was announced in a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo, owned by Tencent.

Enormous investment in public relations has been destroyed instantly, Hu Xijin, chief editor of foreign-facing Chinese state media Global Times, wrote in an editorial.

They need to return to the Western society to complain, because they know that for whatever reason, whether they are active or passive, they have indeed done something that is intolerable to Chinese consumers.

Fearing widespread boycotting by Chinese consumers, who have limited access to information independent of the CCPs propaganda department, shares of H&M, Burberry, Nike, and Adidas all fell the week ending March 26. Adidas suffered the biggest decline, with its shares dropping 6.7 percent during the week in Frankfurt.

Companies are being careful to balance their business interests in China with consumer sentiment at home. Some companies are already backpedaling, and some are beginning to ingratiate to the CCP to prevent a boycott and win back business.

Spains Inditex, which runs Zara stores, removed a previously published statement regarding Xinjiang from its website on March 24. Japanese retailer Muji recently began to voluntarily advertise that it uses Xinjiang derived cotton. American footwear company Skechers said its investigations found no evidence of forced labor within its Chinese supply chains.

How this plays out will be interesting given how important ESG (environmental, social, and governance) factors have become to corporate boards and shareholders.

There isnt a uniform definition of ESG standards, but generally speaking, it judges a companys environmental impacts, social policies such as labor standards, employee relations, impact on local communities, as well as governance factors such as ownership transparency, business ethics, and the independence of its board.

Fund and investment managers have begun to place great importance on ESG and, in some cases, investor demand for a companys stock could have a positive correlation to its ESG rating.

For example, Adidas is assigned an ESG score of 82 by credit ratings firm S&P Global. Burberry Group has a rating of 87, Inditex has a rating of 75, while H&M has a rating of 70.

While S&P is just one ESG ratings firmthere are many ESG trackersthese scores would all be considered good.

But if these Western companies begin to acquiesce to Beijings demands to rescue sales, the picture becomes murkier. Actively kowtowing to the CCP and turning a blind eye to the Uyghurs plight in Xinjiang should be detrimental to the companies ESG scores, assuming the ESG ratings firms are doing independent monitoring.

And that could trigger forced sales by funds that must meet certain ESG thresholds, and potentially decrease the companies stock price.

Once again, companies doing substantial business in China are caught between revenue and ethics.

Fan Yu is an expert in finance and economics and has contributed analyses on Chinas economy since 2015.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
In an extraordinary scene, a wildly excited crowd in Central Criminal Court greeted the jurys verdict with clapping, whistles and catcalls. One woman screamed, Feed him to the sharks.

Stephen Leslie Bradley was found guilty last night of having murdered Graeme Thorne and sentenced to life imprisonment.

First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on March 30, 1961

Pandemonium broke out again when Mr Justice Clancy passed sentence. His Honour made no comment on the verdict, saying only: Stephen Leslie Bradley, the sentence of the Court is that you are sentenced to penal servitude for life.

In the dock, Bradley stood solemnly with both hands resting on the rail, appearing to be without emotion and oblivious of the public demonstrating behind him.

He heard the verdict quietly and then made a two-minute speech to the Judge claiming that he was a victim of public emotions and prejudice.

He concluded this with the words: The jury has decided on a certain verdict and naturally its your duty to pass sentence according to the law.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 28) - A group of healthcare workers has urged the President to issue an executive order for the setting up of a centralized COVID-19 data warehouse that can be useful in connecting different contact tracing applications in Metro Manila. It also recommended the expansion of the hospital referral system in the country.

"Kami ay nananawagan muli kay Pangulong Duterte na maglabas ng executive order na mag-uutos sa pagsumite ng mga datos na ikinaalap ng mga [local government units] at pribadong sektor sa isang central data warehouse repository," said Dr. Pauline Convocar, President of the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine, and a member of the Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 or HPAAC.

[Translation: We are calling on President Duterte to issue an executive order, instructing that all the data from local government units and the private sector be submitted to a central data warehouse repository.]

The HPAAC held a press conference on Saturday just a few minutes after the government announced that Metro Manila and four nearby provinces would revert back to the strictest form of quarantine, in an effort to slow down the transmission of COVID-19 cases. Single-day records have set new all-time highs the past week.

The group said while it lauds the reimposition of the enhanced community quarantine, it must be coupled with "sustainable solutions." It pointed out that many LGUs and private companies have been using different contact tracing applications without means to consolidate the data.

"Maraming contact tracing applications na po ang kasulukuyang ginagamit, hindi lamang ng mga LGUs kundi pati mga pribadong establisimiyento, ngunit hindi sila konektado sa isa't-isa," said Convocar.

[Translation: There are a lot of contact tracing applications currently being used by not only local government units but also private establishments but they are not connected to each other.]

She added that the current One Hospital Command Center should also be replaced by a "One COVID Referral Network." The expanded system will not only refer patients to hospitals, but also advise them if they should stay at home instead, which would allow hospitals to save facilities for severe COVID-19 cases. Some hospitals have reached their capacity over the surge in COVID-19 infections, which have since surpassed 9,000 the past two days.

Moreover, the HPAAC said that with the ECQ rules, authorities must make sure that there are enough public transportation services and protected bike lanes for essential workers to use. Last year, several health frontliners were left stranded or were forced to walk to work during the first ECQ in the country that suspended all public transportation.

The group also appealed to the public not to jump the line in vaccination efforts.

"May science na sinusunod kung sino 'yung dapat iuuna," said Dr. Aileen Espina.

[Translation: There's a science that determines the order of priority for vaccines.]

The Interior Department earlier issued show cause orders against five local officials who had reportedly taken the COVID-19 vaccines, when only healthcare workers should be inoculated given the limited shots available.
ALBANY, N.Y. - New York is poised to join a growing number of states that have legalized marijuana after state lawmakers reached a deal to allow sales of the drug for recreational use.

FILE - In this Dec. 13, 2017, file photo, James MacWilliams prunes a marijuana plant that he is growing indoors in Portland, Maine. New York has failed in recent years to pass marijuana legalization, but a state senator said lawmakers have reached an agreement to legalize marijuana sales to adults over the age of 21. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

ALBANY, N.Y. - New York is poised to join a growing number of states that have legalized marijuana after state lawmakers reached a deal to allow sales of the drug for recreational use.

The agreement reached Saturday would expand the state's existing medical marijuana program and set up a a licensing and taxation system for recreational sales. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the bill Tuesday, the earliest they could consider it. Legislative leaders hope to vote on the budget Wednesday to meet the deadline of having a budget in place by April 1.

It has taken years for the state's lawmakers to come to a consensus on how to legalize recreational marijuana in New York. Democrats, who now wield a veto-proof majority in the state Legislature, have made passing it a priority this year, and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomos administration has estimated legalization could eventually bring the state about $350 million annually.

My goal in carrying this legislation has always been to end the racially disparate enforcement of marijuana prohibition that has taken such a toll on communities of colour across our state, and to use the economic windfall of legalization to help heal and repair those same communities, Sen. Liz Krueger, Senate sponsor of the bill and chair of the Senates finance committee, said.

The legislation would allow recreational marijuana sales to adults over the age of 21, and set up a licensing process for the delivery of cannabis products to customers. Individual New Yorkers could grow up to three mature and three immature plants for personal consumption, and local governments could opt out of retail sales.

The legislation would take effect immediately if passed, though sales wouldnt start until New York sets up rules and a proposed cannabis board. Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes estimated Friday it could take 18 months to two years for sales to start.

Adam Goers, a vice-president of Columbia Care, a New York medical marijuana provider thats interested in getting into the recreational market, said New Yorks proposed system would ensure newcomers have a crack at the marketplace alongside the states existing medical marijuana providers.

Theres a big pie in which a lot of different folks are going to be able to be a part of it, Goers said.

New York would set a 9% sales tax on cannabis, plus an additional 4% tax split between the county and local government. It would also impose an additional tax based on the level of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, ranging from 0.5 cents per milligram for flower to 3 cents per milligram for edibles.

New York would eliminate penalties for possession of less than three ounces of cannabis, and automatically expunge records of people with past convictions for marijuana-related offences that would no longer be criminalized. Thats a step beyond a 2019 law that expunged many past convictions for marijuana possession and reduced the penalty for possessing small amounts.

And New York would provide loans, grants and incubator programs to encourage participation in the cannabis industry by people from minority communities, as well as small farmers, women and disabled veterans.

Proponents have said the move could create thousands of jobs and begin to address the racial injustice of a decades-long drug war that disproportionately targeted minority and poor communities.

Police, prosecutors, child services and ICE have used criminalization as a weapon against them, and the impact this bill will have on the lives of our oversurveiled clients cannot be overstated, Alice Fontier, managing director of Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, said in a statement Saturday.

Some other states that have legalized recreational marijuana have struggled to address the inequities that the drug wars have wrought.

Three years after Massachusetts voters passed a ballot initiative making recreational cannabis legal in the state, Black entrepreneurs complained in 2019 that all but two of Massachusetts 184 marijuana business licenses had been issued to white operators.

California voters legalized recreational marijuana sales in 2016 as well and invited people to petition to have old marijuana convictions expunged or reduced. But relatively few people took advantage of the provision initially.

Criminal justice reform advocates said New York's bill avoids that problem by setting up a process for marijuana convictions to be automatically expunged.

We are very happy that the bill includes automatic expungement. Its integral to addressing past harms, said Emma Goodman, an attorney at the Legal Aid Society.

Melissa Moore, the Drug Policy Alliances director for New York state, said the bill "really puts a nail in the coffin of the drug war thats been so devastating to communities across New York, and puts in place comprehensive policies that are really grounded in community reinvestment.

At least 14 other states already allow residents to buy marijuana for recreational and not just medical use. Cuomo has pointed to growing acceptance of legalization in the Northeast, including in Massachusetts, Maine and most recently, New Jersey.

New York does not have a statewide referendum process as California and Massachusetts do, so only the Legislature has the power to legalize recreational marijuana, as it did with same-sex marriage in 2011.

Past efforts to legalize recreational use have been hurt by a lack of support from suburban Democrats, disagreements over how to distribute marijuana sales tax revenue and questions over how to address drivers suspected of driving high.

It also has run into opposition from law enforcement, school and community advocates, who warn legalization would further strain a health care system already overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic and send mixed messages to young people.

We are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the serious crisis of youth vaping and the continuing opioid epidemic, this harmful legislation is counterintuitive, said an open letter signed by the Medical Society of the State of NY, New York State Parent Teacher Association, New York Sheriffs Association and several other organizations March 11.

New York officials plan to launch an education and prevention campaign aimed at reducing the risk of cannabis among school-aged children, and schools could get grants for anti-vaping and drug prevention and awareness programs.

And the state will also launch a study due by Dec. 31, 2022, that examines the extent that cannabis impairs driving, and whether it depends on factors like time and metabolism.

The bill also sets aside revenues to cover the costs of everything from regulating marijuana, to substance abuse prevention.

State police could also get funding to hire and train more so-called drug recognition experts.

But theres no evidence that drug recognition experts can tell whether someone is high or not, according to R. Lorraine Collins, a psychologist and professor of community health and health behaviour at the University at Buffalo. Collins was appointed to Cuomos 2018 working group tasked with drafting cannabis regulations.

I think its very important that we approach that challenge using science and research and not wishes or unsubstantiated claims, Collins said.

Collins pointed to a 2020 report from the American Civil Liberties Union that found that Blacks are almost four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession compared to Whites, based on FBI statistics.

Every New Yorker should be concerned about how these laws will be implemented or how those ways of examining drivers will be implemented in different communities, Collins said. Its not likely to be equal.

The bill allows cities, towns and villages to opt out of allowing adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries or on-site consumption licenses by passing a local law by Dec. 31, 2021 or nine months after the effective date of the legislation. They cannot opt out of legalization.

______

Peltz and Matthews reported from New York City.
Military leaders from 12 countries, including the United States, issued a rare joint statement Saturday night condemning the use of force by Myanmar's security forces following the deadliest day of anti-coup protests since the movement began. Security forces reportedly killed 114 people, including children, as the ruling military junta, which seized power from the civilian government on Feb. 1, celebrated Armed Forces Day.

The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, chaired by Gen. Mark Milley, joined their counterparts from Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, and the United Kingdom in signing the brief statement, which urged Myanmar's military to "cease violence and work to continue to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions." Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also tweeted his support for the statement.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Meanwhile, Tom Andrews, the United Nation's special rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar, called for "robust coordinated action" from the international community. "Words of condemnation or concern are frankly ringing hollow to the people of Myanmar while the military junta commits mass murder against them," he said, per CNN. "The people of Myanmar need the world's support."

On Sunday, security forces again opened fire, this time at a crowd that had gathered for a funeral for one of Saturday's victims. There have been no reports of casualties. Read more at Reuters and CNN.

More stories from theweek.com

The case for trailer parks

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott banned mask mandates. Nevertheless, Austin persisted.

Hate cancel culture? Stop supporting the GOP.


A French investigative journalist has alleged that the missing Malaysian Airlines flight 370 may have been shot down by the US Air Force seven years ago. According to The Sun, journalist Florence de Changy, who had been investigating the cause of the disappearance of flight MH370, has claimed in her new book that the passenger plane may have been shot down by the US Air Force in a failed attempt at re-routing the course of the aircraft. Changy suggests that the plane was carrying electric equipment to China without the US approval, which may have led to the confrontation by the US Air Force.

Malaysian Airlines flight 370 disappeared on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The plane, which was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members, vanished from the ATC radars minutes after the takeoff. An unsuccessful international search effort led to no conclusive answers despite more than $100 million spent in the last seven years to search the missing plane in the depths of the Indian Ocean. All passengers and crew members on board the plane have been presumed dead.

'Biggest cover-up'

Changy, in her latest book titled The Disappearing Act: The Impossible Case of MH370 alleges that the US Air Force may have shot the plane deliberately in order to force stop or it may have been a big blunder. Changy has dubbed the official investigation into the disappearance of MH370 as the biggest cover-up of recent times. Changy believes the plane was carrying unapproved electronic equipment to China, which belonged to the US and led its Air Force to allegedly obstruct the route of MH370.

Changy has accused several major countries of being complicit in covering-up the matter, including the United Kingdom, China, France, Malaysia, Australia, and Vietnam. Changy, in her book, dismisses all other previous theories, including hijacking, fire onboard, drop in cabin pressure, etc.

(Image Credit: AP)
1st memorial honoring martyrs from the Indian Armed Forces on 1971 to be built at Ashuganj. Image Source: IANS News

1st memorial honoring martyrs from the Indian Armed Forces on 1971 to be built at Ashuganj. Image Source: IANS News

1st memorial honoring martyrs from the Indian Armed Forces on 1971 to be built at Ashuganj. Image Source: IANS News

1st memorial honoring martyrs from the Indian Armed Forces on 1971 to be built at Ashuganj. Image Source: IANS News

1st memorial honoring martyrs from the Indian Armed Forces on 1971 to be built at Ashuganj. Image Source: IANS News

1st memorial honoring martyrs from the Indian Armed Forces on 1971 to be built at Ashuganj. Image Source: IANS News

1st memorial honoring martyrs from the Indian Armed Forces on 1971 to be built at Ashuganj. Image Source: IANS News

1st memorial honoring martyrs from the Indian Armed Forces on 1971 to be built at Ashuganj. Image Source: IANS News

1st memorial honoring martyrs from the Indian Armed Forces on 1971 to be built at Ashuganj. Image Source: IANS News

1st memorial honoring martyrs from the Indian Armed Forces on 1971 to be built at Ashuganj. Image Source: IANS News

Dhaka, March 28 : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that New Delhi will donate military equipment used the country's in the 1971 Liberation War to be displayed in museums in Bangladesh.

Modi made the announcement on Saturday in Dhaka on the last day of his two-day official visit to Bangladesh, which was his first trip abroad after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Saturday evening, Modi met his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina for one-on-one talks at the latter's office in Dhaka after which the two sides signed five MoUs, inaugurated and launched eight projects and made 10 announcements.

During his visit, he also laid the foundation stone for a memorial honouring martyrs from the Indian Armed Forces who were killed during the Liberation War.

It will be built at Ashuganj, near Dhaka.

This is the first memorial in Bangldesh exclusively honoring the Indian martyrs.

Modi arrived in Dhaka and participated in a gala event commemorating the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as well as the celebrations marking golden jubilee of Bangladesh independence.

On Saturday evening, the Indian head of state announced a Bangabandhu Chair at the Delhi University to facilitate Bangladesh studies aimed at increasing mutual understanding.

After visiting the historic Jeshoreshwari Temple in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, Modi announced that India will build a community hall-cum-cyclone shelter under a grant funding of the government for the benefit of all at the district.

At Orakandi, Modi announced that India will build a primary school for children and upgrade a middle school for girls under government of India funding.

He announced that to commemorate 50th year of Liberation of Bangladesh and 75th year of India's Independence, 'Best of India, Best of Bangladesh Exhibition' and business meet will be held.

He also announced that India will participate in the first-ever air dhow to be held in Bangladesh in 2022.

Modi left Dhaka for New Delhi on Saturday night.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen saw him off with an album of the photographs of all memorable moments in Bangladesh during his two day state visit.
7 day print subscribers enjoy unlimited access to yakimaherald.com

Enter the LAST NAME and the 7 DIGIT phone number on your print subscription account to connect your print subscription to your yakimaherald.com account.
Products in Ireland could have their names, details and instructions in Irish in the future if a bilingual packaging policy comes into place.

Labour Youth, Ogra Shinn Fein, Social Democrats' College & University Branches, Young Fine Gael, and Young Greens/Oige Ghlas along with Conradh na Gaeilge are calling on Minister for the Gaeltacht Catherine Martin and Minister of State for the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers to put in place a bilingual packaging policy by the end of 2024.

This policy would ensure that throughout the State, all text on a product, its container or wrapping, or on a document or object supplied with it, including the directions for use and the warranty certificates, will be drafted in Irish.

Those in favour of the move point out that an Irish inscription may be accompanied with a translation or translations, but they want no inscription in another language to be given greater prominence than that in Irish.

A statement issued by the organisations mentioned above this weekend said: By setting Irish as the default language with an option for a translation to accompany, this allows for monolingual packaging within the Gaeltacht areas and bilingual packaging nationwide.

It continued: We regard this proposal as a pragmatic way to increase literacy rates and speaking opportunities for the Irish language without any increase in spending by the state. This policy, adopted by the state, would give greater visibility and accessibility to the Irish language for learners and native speakers and allow citizens greater flexibility to go about their lives in either Irish or English.

"We contend this policy to be in large part one of public education which will see gains for (but not limited to) teachers, students, those required to have knowledge of Irish for their employment such as in the civil service, and the one million plus people actively learning Irish on Duolingo, a language learning app, every week. It will also provide new opportunities of employment for Irish speakers in translation and marketing.



It added: We contend this policy would incur no new costs to the average business that they wouldn't already incur over a short-run period i.e., in packaging, printing, and marketing costs. In the event of marginal costs, the Business Support Scheme 2021 grant is available, through Foras na Gaeilge, to small and medium-sized commercial enterprises to promote Irish in their businesses through signage, packaging, websites, and printed marketing material.

In the medium and long run this policy will serve businesses interests by creating bilingual workers that are going to be flexible in the ways demanded by the 21st century.

International enterprises must already translate their products when selling to other nations, and it would be in line with EU norms that we adopt this prerequisite for trade here.

"To further reduce the impact on business, it is intended that this would initially apply to new products being brought to market and phased in organically for existing products as companies redesign their packaging or branding in line with their own business needs. Canada provides a successful workable model of bilingual commerce which we seek to emulate.

Finland, a similar sized EU country, also requires all sales and marketing material is in both official languages, Finnish and Swedish.

The statement concluded: Bilingualism is proven to be a major asset to a childs intellectual development and provides the skills necessary to pick up a third or fourth language. Bilingualism improves metacognition, making your brain healthier, better at problem solving, switching between tasks, and focusing."

There have also been claims that bilingualism can even delay the onset of diseases like Alzheimer's and Dementia by as much as five years.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
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.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
WASHINGTON  Dr. Bindi J. Naik-Mathuria, a pediatric trauma surgeon at Texas Childrens Hospital who grew tired of seeing toddlers die of gunshot wounds, has a $684,000 federal grant to track every gun-related death and injury in Houston. The goal: identify and address hot spots the way public health researchers track and contain the coronavirus.

Dr. Garen J. Wintemute, an emergency room doctor and longtime firearm violence researcher in California, is supervising scientific research on whether community interventions in Detroit and Cleveland  including the greening of vacant spaces and the work of so-called violence interrupters like former gang members  can drive down gun-related deaths and injuries.

And Andrew R. Morral, a behavioral scientist at the RAND Corp., a research group, is using sophisticated modeling tools to estimate rates of gun ownership in every state, with detailed demographic information. The purpose, he said, is to search for patterns in firearm homicides and suicides  a first, basic step in research that could lead to reducing them.

The recent mass shootings in Atlanta and Boulder, Colorado, have once again left Democrats and Republicans in a stalemate over background checks for gun buyers and assault weapons bans. But public health experts say a new round of research could pave the way for gun policies that avoid partisan gridlock  and ultimately save thousands of lives.

The studies by Naik-Mathuria and the others are being paid for by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is once again funding research into gun violence after a nearly 25-year hiatus imposed by Congress. And while they might not reduce the number of massacres, mass shootings account for an extremely small percentage of the roughly 40,000 Americans who die each year from gun violence.

Theres at least five different gun violence problems in the country, and mass shooting is one of them, said Morral, who has a doctorate in psychology. Theres also suicide; theres urban gun violence, which mostly affects minority young men; theres family shootings; and theres police shootings. And they all have different risk factors, they all have very different motives, and they often involve different firearms.

Like cancer, there is no single cure for the epidemic of gun violence in the United States. If politicians want to make a difference, experts say, lawmakers need to quit the fruitless fights over whether liberals want to take peoples guns away and start financing  and listening to  research that could inform policies that could address the carnage.

Its not either, Keep your guns or prevent gun violence,  said Dr. Mark Rosenberg, who helped establish the CDCs Center for Violence and Injury Prevention but said he was fired in the late 1990s under pressure from Republicans who opposed the centers gun research. Theres a strategy that science can help us define where you can do both  you can protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners and at the very same time reduce the toll of gun violence.

Federal money for gun research all but disappeared after Congress in 1996 enacted the so-called Dickey Amendment, which barred the CDC from spending money to advocate or promote gun control. It was named for Jay Dickey, a former Republican House member from Arkansas, who proudly proclaimed himself the National Rifle Administrations point man in Washington.

In an extraordinary turn of events, Dickey, who died in 2017, befriended the man whose work he had cut off, Rosenberg. The pair grew so close that Rosenberg gave the eulogy at Dickeys funeral.

In 2019, Rosenberg and Dickeys ex-wife, Betty, a retired former prosecutor and chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, helped persuade Congress to restore the funding; lawmakers appropriated $25 million, split between the CDC and the National Institutes of Health, for firearm injury prevention research.

The agencies are now financing nearly two dozen studies, though backers of the research say the money is a pittance compared to the breadth of the problem.

Millions of dollars have been put forth trying to figure out how do we eradicate cancer; weve got to be able to do the same with gun violence, said Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., who won election in 2018 by promising to end gun violence after her 17-year-old son was shot and killed.

Weve got to be able to give the CDC and the NIH the ability to study the implications and get that raw data, the grave implications of gun violence, she added, just like we do in any other public health crisis.

(BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.)

Treating gun violence as a public health problem is not a new idea. In 1991, Rosenbergs program awarded a research grant to an investigator who published a landmark study in The New England Journal of Medicine that found having a gun in the home tripled the risk of gun homicides and quintupled the risk of gun suicides.

After it was published, the National Rifle Association took aim. The Dickey Amendment was a compromise between Democrats who wanted more research and Republicans who wanted to shut down Rosenbergs center.

(END OPTIONAL TRIM.)

Research on the effectiveness of gun policies is scant, and much of it is not rigorous enough to either prove or disprove that any of the legislation being debated in Washington would do any good, said Morral, who directs RANDs National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research and has done a comprehensive analysis of the serious scientific literature.

The existing research suggests that one policy under consideration in Congress  expanding background checks  could make a difference. RAND has found moderately good evidence that the current background checks system is helpful in reducing violent crime, Morral said, and so it seems logical to think that background checks on all sales might help more.

There is also moderately good evidence, RAND found, that waiting periods for gun purchases reduce both suicide and violent crime. And there is strong  or what RAND calls supportive  evidence that laws requiring guns to be safely stored away from children reduce firearm injuries and deaths among young people.

But while President Joe Biden has claimed that the federal assault weapons ban that lasted from 1994 to 2004 brought down these mass killings, the evidence of that is unclear. There are only a handful of studies, Morral said, and they do not persuasively show a causal effect  not because there is not one, he said, but because of shortcomings in the study design.

After the recent development of coronavirus vaccines highlighted the importance of scientific research, Rosenberg said, the public is primed to accept the argument that gun violence research can save lives.

He likened it to the hundreds of millions of dollars the federal government poured into studying motor vehicle deaths in the 1970s and 80s, which led to safety measures like seat belt requirements and lower speed limits, saving millions of lives.

That was the argument he used to help persuade Congress to appropriate money for gun violence research in 2019. The research itself was never banned outright, and in 2013, weeks after the massacre that killed 26 people at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, President Barack Obama directed the CDC to reconsider funding studies on gun violence.

The agency commissioned a report from the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council outlining priorities, but little changed. By 2019, after Democrats reclaimed the House, liberal organizations like MoveOn.org were petitioning Congress to repeal the Dickey Amendment. Nearly every House Democrat signed on.

But Rosenberg argued it should remain intact to provide cover for Republicans and gun-loving Democrats who can put money into the science and tell their constituents, This is not money for gun control.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., who led the House subcommittee that oversaw the CDCs budget at the time, said she put $50 million into the appropriations bill that year, but the Senate, controlled by Republicans, eliminated it. The two chambers agreed on $25 million as a compromise, but she said she hoped to double the funding this year.

Naik-Mathuria, the Houston trauma surgeon, said she would like to see Washington address the problem of gun violence as a matter of injury prevention, not politics. She began researching methods to reduce gun violence about six years ago, she said, after seeing kids come in dead because they shot themselves in the head when they found a gun at home.

(BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.)

Her current study is aimed at determining risk factors for gun violence for children and adults, and her past work has led to some changes in medical practice, she said.

Pediatricians in Texas, she said, are hesitant to talk about gun safety out of concern that it would anger parents or become political. So she and her group made a broader safety video that tucked in messages about gun safety  like keeping guns locked and stored  with tips like how to keep children away from poison.

(END OPTIONAL TRIM.)

Wintemute, who directs the Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, said he lost grant money after the Dickey Amendment was enacted. In the two decades that followed, he said, his work has been supported by the state of California; foundations; the NIH, which was not specifically named in the Dickey Amendment; and the Justice Department. He said he had also spent a little more than $2 million of his own money to continue the work.

His program is receiving $744,000 from the CDC this year to finance three studies. The new funding from the agency, he said, is drawing young scientists to the work.

Still, he laments the time that has been lost.

Its as if we had decided, Lets not do research on coronavirus. Lets not do research on cancer or heart disease. Lets just let this problem run its course, he said. How many thousands of people are dead who would be alive today if that research had been allowed to continue 25 years ago?

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
She moved into a sprawling rural pad in Essex earlier this month, which she now calls her 'forever home'.

And Stacey Solomon revealed on Sunday that she has 'adopted' a 'wild' cat at her new property, after revealing she rehomed her former cat during the recent move.

The Loose Women panellist, 31, captured her new furry friend munching on pet food in their kitchen as her son Rex, 22 months, curiously watched.

New addition: Stacey Solomon revealed on Sunday that she has 'adopted' a 'wild' cat at her new Essex pad, after revealing she rehomed her former cat during the recent move

She said alongside the clip on social media: 'Because the lady who lived here before said she took in a wild cat and couldn't catch him bring him with her, so she left some food and asked if we could take care of him if he ever came back... And here he is [starry eyed emoji].' (sic)

Stacey then revealed why they decided to leave their old pet behind.

The mother-of-three continued: 'We wish we could have brought Mitzy here but he became too settled and at home with his new family down the road who also love him and wanted to take him on so we thought it would have been cruel to bring him out to the middle of nowhere [crying face emoji].

'But thing happen in mysterious ways.' (sic)

Sweet: The Loose Women panellist, 31, captured her new furry friend munching on pet food in their kitchen as she updated her Instagram followers

In an additional upload on her Instagram Story, Stacey stroked the black feline who welcomed the affection. Rex also seemed delighted with the new addition to their family.

Observant fans noticed the cat's silky fur coat and plump shape, and questioned the TV personality as to whether it was actually 'wild'.

'Lots of you are like, "Stace' that cat does not look wild, he looks very well fed,"' laughed Stacey as she applied skin care.

'He's not wild now, she's [former homeowner] been feeding him for years, but he ran away when she tried to catch him to take him with her, so we've just been waiting for him to come back.

Tomcat: She penned a lengthy caption, revealing the former homeowner asked her to look after the cat while explaining her decision to leave their old pet behind

'Welcome to the mad house furry one': In an additional upload on her Instagram Story, Stacey stroked the black feline who welcomed the affection

'I've been putting food out every night and he's definitely been eating it, unless that's the foxes. But it was just so nice to see him at the house this morning.

'He's really friendly and lovely so hopefully he likes us and he stays!'

She added that he doesn't mind the company of her dogs 'too much' as she hopes he continues coming back to the property.

Just one day prior, Stacey revealed her huge empty swimming pool as she began cleaning it, giving her social media followers a glimpse at her new household chores at the property.

The Loose Women presenter blasted the dirt away from the outdoor pool with the help of a jet wash, as she admitted it is a 'massive job' which will likely take days to complete.

Multitasking: Observant fans noticed the cat's silky fur coat and plump shape, and questioned whether it was actually 'wild', to which Stacey responded while applying skin care

As documented on her Instagram Story, her 'pool guys' lifted a green cover from the mucky pool as she said: 'This is the first time I've seen inside [starry eyed emoji].'

Stacey subsequently sprayed the grime away, etching her name in the process and she added: 'Can't cope with this jet wash joy.'

Providing a third and final update, the mother-of-three smiled while standing in the empty pool and penned: 'So the @poolguyml will need to clean this properly with chemicals, fill it and then test all the pipes.

'But he let me have some fun with my jet wash first...' alongside a laughing emoji.

The TV presenter wrapped up in a pink padded jacket and tied her chestnut tresses up in a relaxed bun as she continued: 'This is a massive job so it'll take a few days but I am SO excited for the tap to tidy [crying laughing face emoji and monkey face emoji]'.

Wow: Just one day prior, she revealed her huge empty swimming pool as she began cleaning it, giving her social media followers a glimpse at her new household chores at the property

'Genuinely having the time of my life,' (sic) Stacey concluded with another laughing crying emoji.

She recently moved into the Essex pad, with her partner Joe Swash, 39, and her three sons Zachary, 13, and Leighton, eight, and Rex.

On Friday, Stacey fought back tears as she discussed moving into her 'forever home' on Loose Women.

Reflecting on the decision to move house, Stacey admitted even she can't believe how far she's come from being a teen mum, after giving birth to her son Zachary when she was just 17.

In her first appearance on the panel since moving she admitted it was a last-minute decision by herself and Joe to buy the house and move in with her children.

She said: 'We always thought we'd love to move away from London and find somewhere we could afford that had more greenery.

'A house came up and it cost as much as it would cost the same as our house to sell and we thought should we go for it, and things happened really quickly and fell into place and actually we rushed in there because we exchanged and completed super quick.

'We all feel like we're in an Airbnb and someone is going to come in and say you have to check out tomorrow.'
Charlie Neibergall

The current healthcare system both nationally and in New York state  is costly and not cost-effective. We need a new system that will provide better access for patients with reduced costs. There is a bill in the state Assembly called the New York Health Act that could achieve just that.

This bill would create a Medicare for All-type system in the state and provide a great deal of savings for the majority of New Yorkers. According to the Annals of Internal Medicine, we spend $812 billion on just administrative costs for healthcare insurance. A study from the University of Massachusetts Political Economy Research Institute says that healthcare costs would fall anywhere from 8 percent to 13 percent in a national Medicare for All system.
Hagerstown Housing Authority closes in on end of McCleary Hill project

After objections from neighbors, the Hagerstown Housing Authority's McCleary Hill project is done its first phase. Officials held an open house.
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
Despite fears and concerns about the administration of Aztra Zeneca vaccine against COVID-19, Nigeria is yet to record any complication after 325, 514 people received the jab since its rollout two weeks ago.

Reports from our correspondents indicate that though response to the vaccination has been slow, none of those who have been vaccinated has complained of any complications.

Some countries had suspended use of Astra Zeneca vaccine as a precaution while investigators looked into cases of blood clots among vaccinated people. The EU's leading states however resumed their roll-out of the Oxford vaccine after Europe's medicines regulator concluded that it was "safe and effective".

As of March 25, data from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) indicated that 325, 514 people have been vaccinated in the county, as four states were yet to commence vaccination. The states are; Kebbi, Kogi, Taraba and Zamfara.

However, the country has not recorded any adverse side effect in any of those so far vaccinated.

The head of pharmacy department in the National Hospital Abuja, Pharm. Jelili Kilani, told our correspondent that he and his colleagues had received the vaccine.

He, however, said some of his colleagues were not willing to take the vaccine probably due to fatigue but that after some of them took it and their colleagues saw that nothing happened to them, they starting coming out to receive it.

Jelili, who is also the chairman, FCT chapter of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), said he had not experienced any side effect since he received the vaccine.

He said some of his colleagues had mild reactions which according to him were normal, noting that even polio and other vaccines for children cause mild reactions.

"What we are doing now is part of the surveillance. You know when a new drug comes, after the phase three trial, the phase four trial is done when the drug is in large circulation so that any side effect will be detected.

"This should have been done before actually releasing the drug but I think it is because of the way COVID-19 is, that is why," he said.

President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, told our correspondent that it was possible that Nigerians would not experience what was happening in other countries due to genetic differences.

According to him, the cases reported in those countries may not actually have resulted from the vaccine but because; "When you start a new medicine, you undergo what is called pharmacovigilance, and it is required that you report everything that happens. It may not be related to the drug but as long as it happens at the time you are taking the drug, you report," he said.

Lagos State commissioner for health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said he had taken the vaccine but didn't react to it until the next day before he started feeling pains, shivering and headache.

"I took a pain killer, exercised and went to sleep and when I woke up on Sunday, I was okay. Everybody is different, we expect that some people won't feel anything while others may have body pain, shivering, headache. Those are all the expected side effects of the vaccine.

"The serious side effects are comma, severe complications and this can happen with any vaccination, not just confined to COVID-19 vaccine. We have the medication to tackle such cases at the vaccination centres in Lagos. Once you are vaccinated, you can reach back to us through a number and we will sort you out. I urge Lagosians to get vaccinated at the accredited centres.

"In the next few days, we will get a good idea of how many people are willing to receive the vaccine and those that are not willing.

"We will try to understand the cause of their hesitance and address that with public awareness and the projection of evidence based data to prove that the vaccine is safe as far as the scientific world is concerned," he said.

On why Nigeria didn't carry out clinical trials before the exercise, Abayomi said; "If we were to carry out clinical trials in Nigeria or in Lagos, we would significantly delay our opportunity to roll out the vaccine and that would make us vulnerable to other variants.

"So, like most countries that are adopting clinical trial results of the vaccine and proceeding with vaccination roll out, we too decided to adopt it.

"Based on the clinical and medical evidence we had from the clinical trials, it is imperative that we roll out the vaccine now before the global dynamic of the COVID-19 pandemic changes, meaning more variants might start to circulate that are more aggressive, more contagious, and we certainly don't want to experience that in Lagos or in Nigeria," he said.

Speaking on how long the effect of the vaccine last, Abayomi said; "Based on the evidence we have from the phase three clinical trial, the immunity lasts from the point which it is administered to several months. It is only with time that we can determine through laboratory tests and other forms of analysis how long one can retain protective immunity as a result of the vaccine received and this can come in many forms.

"First of all, we can do a laboratory analysis to determine what type of anti-bodies the individual produces and how effective they would be, and also if that person had taken the vaccination, and yet developed COVID-19, we will find out what type of disease he developed as a result of the impact of the vaccine. If some people are still contracting the virus, but are not developing severe diseases, that is an indication to us that although they did contract the virus, the vaccine protected them from severe diseases and if they are able to be protected from severe diseases, their chances of dying are significantly reduced."

He assured residents of Lagos that the vaccine is safe, adding that collective results from the clinical trials suggested that all ethnic groups across the world demonstrate the appropriate response to the vaccine and acquire suitable levels of immunity. He said the WHO classified suitable levels of immunity as about 50 percent, so any vaccine that generates about 50 percent response is considered useful and safe.

A worker at the Lagos State Ministry of Health told LEADERSHIP Sunday; "There is pharmacovigilance in place and we have a team monitoring and documenting reactions. All this would be captured in our public awareness campaigns which will soon start."

In Niger State, most of those who took the vaccine complained of slight headache and dizziness which sent fears to many people and reduced the willingness to take the vaccine in the state.

Chairman of the Niger State Taskforce on Covid-19 and secretary to the state government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Matane, said it was normal with vaccination because it was a new antigen being injected into the body.

On how they intend to roll out the vaccine, he said the state government had decided to get feedbacks from those on the frontline who took the vaccine before coming out with a template to massively roll out.

He said anyone willing to take the vaccine, especially those going on foreign journey could go to the epidemiological centre in Minna for the vaccine.

The SSG said as government rolls out the vaccine, sensitisation would be done to educate the people against doubting its efficacy.

In Jigawa State, the permanent secretary in the state Ministry of Health, Dr Salisu Muazu, told our correspondent that as of March 25, 20,800 people were vaccinated across the state.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Coronavirus 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.

According to him, the first round of the vaccination exercise focused on executives, traditional rulers, front line health workers both public and private, security operatives and other key stakeholders.

He noted that the state was using the existing vaccine/immunization structure for conducting the exercise.

In Plateau, the commissioner for health, Dr. Nenkor Lar, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of people to receive the vaccine.

Our correspondent who monitored the exercise reports that the vaccine is being administered at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital, DSS, Army Barracks and the police headquarters in Jos.

Many residents of Taraba State are not willing to take the vaccine, according to findings by our correspondent. Conspiracy theories, mistrust and patchy communication have contributed to scepticism about the vaccine in the state.

Medical experts said they were not moved by the scepticism as they had experienced such during the polio vaccination.

Most of the vaccinations centres opened on Wednesday were deserted, even as the governor reiterated that the vaccine was safe before he took the jab on Monday. Some residents suggested that the vaccine be taken back to the NCDC as no one was willing to take it.

The National Primary Health Care Management Agency (NPHCMA) started the vaccination in Rivers State on March 19, 2021.

The state coordinator of NPHCMA, Dr. Emma Ukpong, said there were five primary health centres in Port Harcourt metropolis serving as vaccination posts.

Ukpong said: "For the first phase of the campaign, the targeted people are health workers, I mean those that work in hospitals and other people who work on the frontline.

"We also have those that work in the Army, Navy and Air Force as well as school teachers, bankers and those that work in petrol stations."
Queen Elizabeth has received a stack of kind letters, generous gifts, cards from the well-wishers and many other gifts as support poured in for her following The Duke and Duchess Sussex Prince Harry and Meghan Markles explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey. The 94-year-old monarch was very pleased to garner these good wishes, Royal sources familiar with the development told UKs Mail. The gifts have arrived at Windsor Castle ever since The Duchess of Sussex accused the Royal Family of systemic racism, the sources revealed.

There has been a significant surge in the correspondence to the Queen after the interview, the newspaper reported, adding that some of those responses specific to Queen were very personal and sentimental. Nearly all of those regards, well wishes, and the letters addressed to the British Queen are responded to by her ladies-in-waiting, the sources said. After the tell-all interview with Oprah, wherein Meghan made a number of shocking revelations including harassment against her husband Harry and herself by The Firm and racial slurs against their son Archie, Britain has stood divided in its support to the royals and the former American actress.

Mounting controversies against Meghan

Popular television presenter Piers Morgan slammed the interview saying it was a 'two-hour trashathon of our Royal Family'. In response to his daughter Meghan and son-in-law Prince Harry, Meghans estranged father Thomas Markle took a swipe at the couple saying that I have great respect for the royals, and I dont think the British royal family is racist at all." The 76-year-old continued, "I dont think the British are racist, I think Los Angeles is racist, California is a racist, but I dont think the Brits are." In an interview with broadcaster Piers Morgan that aired on ITVs Good Morning Britain Meghans father defended the royals saying that the question asked by Oprah to Meghan about a member of the royal family's racist remark on her sons skin tone was just a stupid question.
Gladys Berejiklian was in high spirits as she arrived at the opening of Hamilton at Sydney's Lyric Theatre on Saturday night.

But many were left wondering who accompanied the New South Wales Premier to the show's highly anticipated launch, as she posed for photos alongside a mystery male companion on the star-studded red carpet.

The gentleman in question has since been revealed to be Andrew Parker, a group executive at Qantas Airlines and a director at Airlines for Australia and New Zealand.

Mystery, solved! Gladys Berejiklian appeared in high spirits as she stunned at the opening of Hamilton in Sydney on Saturday night. Her companion has since been revealed to be Andrew Parker, a group executive at Qantas Airlines

His impressive career has seen him work as a former print and TV journalist, a producer at The Australian and at Nine and at various media jobs in the US and the UK.

Andrew was also a press secretary and senior adviser to a number of political leaders and ministers in Australia, going on to work at Emirates Airline in Dubai before taking on his role at Qantas in 2013.

Daily Mail Australia are in no way suggesting that Andrew and the Premier are anything more than just friends, with the pair undoubtedly crossing paths numerous times due to Qantas' work with the government.

The duo also appear to have been pals for years, even attending a Celine Dion concert together back in 2018.

Megafans: And the duo appear to have been friends for years, even attending a Celine Dion concert together back in 2018 Pictured: Gladys (second right) and Andrew (far right) with two friends

Career: Andrew's impressive career has seen him work as a former print and TV journalist, as a producer at The Australian and at Nine as well as gigs in the US and the UK

Daily Mail Australia have contacted Gladys Berejiklian's office for further comment.

Andrew posted a picture alongside the NSW Premier shortly after the performance, writing: 'What a night, what a cast, what a city. Thanks @HamiltonMusical cast and @michaelcassel for putting on an antipodean triumph.'

Gladys, 50, turned heads on the red carpet in an edgy outfit consisting of a cropped jacket and purple velvet skirt.

To accessorise, she carried a black purse and wore a pair of booties on her feet with bows on them.

The politician was all smiles as she fronted the red carpet at the glamorous event, alongside Hamilton's producer Michael Cassel.

In a video posted on her Instagram Stories, Gladys can be seen telling a reporter: 'I'm so excited for Sydney and Australia.

All smiles: The politician was all smiles as she fronted the red carpet at the glamorous event, alongside Hamilton's producer Michael Cassel (right) and Andrew

Beaming: Gladys gave a cheeky wave to photographers as she posed up a storm at the glitzy event

'Michael Cassel has done an amazing job. I'm so proud of him and what we've been able to do during COVID, it's going to be an amazing production.'

Gladys recently opened up about her personal struggle through the Covid and bushfire crises, and revealed how she actually felt more loved after coming under scrutiny about her relationship with 'dodgy' Daryl Maguire.

In a recent interview with former Liberal minister Christopher Pyne on his podcast, 'Pyne Time', she revealed that she followed a simple creed in order to get through what Pyne described as a horror year.

She told Pyne that the Covid outbreak early last year was 'quite scary', but she lived by a simple creed of getting on with life by putting 'one foot in front of another' and pushing through the dark times to get to better days.
The State's Covid-19 response descended into chaos yesterday as a vaccination programme at a hospital was suspended and three people absconded from a mandatory hotel quarantine facility a day after the system came into force.

As the Government prepares to announce this week that tight public health restrictions will need to remain for much of the next two months, two key areas of its response to the virus faltered.

In a dramatic U-turn, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly yesterday directed the HSE to suspend vaccine operations at the Beacon Hospital after revelations that leftover jabs were given to teachers at a private school. The suspension, coming 24 hours after Mr Donnelly said it would be "counterproductive", means that the 1,000 people a day who were vaccinated at the Beacon will have to be accommodated elsewhere.

The HSE advised members of the public to keep any existing vaccine appointment at the Beacon this week but said other vaccination centres at the Aviva Stadium and City West will now be used instead. "We will scale up capacity in these centres to manage this change in circumstances," the HSE said.

Mr Donnelly has written to the board of the Beacon asking for an account of any other vaccinations that may have occurred outside of agreed protocols. Creche workers caring for the children of staff at the Beacon Hospital also received jabs from the private hospital earlier this month in addition to 20 teachers at St Gerard's School in Bray, Co Wicklow, where, it is understood, CEO Michael Cullen's children attend.

Read More

Taoiseach Micheal Martin upped pressure on the board of Beacon Hospital to remove Mr Cullen last night, saying through a spokesman that he "should be held accountable for his actions by the board of The Beacon Hospital".

Separately, three men, who had arrived on a flight from Dubai, absconded from the new mandatory quarantine facility at The Crowne Plaza Hotel near Dublin Airport while on a smoking break outside.

One of the two missing men who absconded was located and in Waterford and returned to the Crowne Plaza.

The other missing man is believed to be a Northern Ireland native, meaning he may have already left the jurisdiction.

The third missing man reappeared after a couple of minutes and sources say he may not have fled as he came back voluntarily.

Gardai were notified that three people had left the hotel yesterday afternoon and attended the scene. The Garda Press Office said: "An Garda Siochana are this afternoon liaising with the State Liaison Officer at a designated quarantine facility in the Dublin area, in accordance with current protocols."

The Department of Health declined to comment on the incident but said gardai would investigate any suspected offences and enforce the law.

With the incident happening just over 24 hours after the new system came into force, the refusal of the Department of Justice and An Garda Siochana to agree to a permanent garda presence at the facilities is now likely to come under scrutiny.

One Government figure branded yesterday's events a "weekend of chaos" as Ministers are this weekend preparing to sign off on a minor easing of public health restrictions this week. But the country will remain under tight restrictions throughout April and much of May amid growing concerns about a fourth wave of the virus.

Ministers have encountered strong public anger in recent days over the Beacon hospital revelations. Last night, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar told the Sunday Independent: "This really touched a nerve with people, especially older people and the medically vulnerable, who have been waiting to get their vaccine.

"A response was necessary. It was a clear breach of Government rules and simply should not have happened.

The Sunday Independent understands that Mr Donnelly had wanted to suspend operations when the story first emerged. However, he was cautioned by the HSE that it could be counterproductive to the vaccination programme. However, Mr Donnelly and HSE chief executive Paul Reid spoke at length yesterday and are said to have jointly agreed to suspend operations.

St Gerard's has declined to comment on the story.

Armenia 2nd President meets with leaders and officers of Police, MOD and National Security Service of various years

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative: Incumbent authorities' mistakes are irreversible

Europe sees progress in latest rounds of Iran nuclear talks

Armenian analyst: Turkey wants to push Russia out of the South Caucasus

Young Armenian says brawl with Azerbaijanis in front of Azerbaijan Embassy in Moscow might have been organized

Catholicos of All Armenians leaves for Armenia's Syunik Province and Artsakh on pontifical visit

Armenian and Russian Prosecutors General meet in St. Petersburg

Armenian acting minister: EU allocated EUR 68,700,000 to Armenia for budget support in 2020

Armenia Finance Ministry: MFA's budget grew by AMD 1,600,000,000 in 2020

Bodies and remains of Armenian soldiers are kept in morgue in Armenia's Martuni

White House confirms Biden-Erdogan meeting in Brussels

Armenia acting MOD touches upon priority directions for development of Armed Forces

Diaspora Armenian writer, publicist Toros Toranian dies

2 Armenian soldiers injured in scuffle with Azerbaijan, Armenian POW is hospitalized, Jun. 3 digest

Wedding held in Armenia's Shurnukh for first time since the war ended

EEU member states to finish preparing for negotiations over free trade zone in Iran in late June

Armenia Central Bank: Economic downfall in 2020 was due to decline in service and construction sectors

Armenia legislature adopts several bills in first reading

Armenia President meets with Nursultan Nazarbayev

Dejavu: Armenia ruling party distributes money for votes at Yerevan district election office

Chief Advisor to Karabakh President sacked

Russian MFA: Works are carried out to settle situation around Karabakh every day

Armenia opposition MP sounds alarm about Baku fabricating criminal cases against Armenian prisoners

Armenia acting health minister: I have apologized, I am not going to resign

Helga Schmid meets with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs

Armenia's deputy foreign ministers resigned or have heavy workload?

Dollar goes down in Armenia

Armenia Elections Oversight Committee reports Iranian citizenship of ruling party's MP candidate

Acting deputy minister: Only 17 of 711 Iran-Armenia power transmission line towers were installed by 2017

Armenia Parliament Council holding session

Armenia to host CSTO "Thunder-2021" military exercises

NYT: Chinese hackers launch cyberattack on New York city transportation authority

Armenia President to Kazakhstan counterpart: I would like to see much deeper cooperation between our countries

Armenia citizens shut down Etchmiadzin-Ashtarak road, complaining about lack of irrigation water

Armenia independent MP: Foreign minister and his deputies don't want to take part in treacherous acts

Armenia to get $11mn loan, 350,000 grant for agriculture

WHO worries about worsening mental health worldwide amid pandemic

Armenia health ministry on improper handling of Artsakh war victims bodies: There is no justification

Armenia bloc election foundation already in operation

Russia ambassador to Armenia paying working visit to Syunik Province (PHOTOS)

China pledges to step up resistance to foreign interference in Hong Kong

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: There can be no talk of corridor for Azerbaijan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on incumbent authorities: Wherever they flee, we will bring them by the feet

President: Impossible to ensure peace in region or stay in Artsakh without Russia army joint efforts

China Daily: Dispatch from Makit: Thriving in the desert

Karabakh President: We will never put up with being part of Azerbaijan, it is ruled out

Armenia MFA information department chief: All deputy FMs carrying out their duties

Ardshinbank invited children to the cinema on International Childrens Day

Armenia judiciary to have 10 more judges

Armenia acting premier: We had recorded 40% increase in tax revenues according to 2019 results

Armenia acting PM on Artsakh war casualties bodies: We have 50 remains in which case DNA was not separated

Azerbaijan authorities plan to "squeeze" everything from "terrorist show" related to Armenian captives

Ameriabank announces a contest for bank card design

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia parliament convenes special session

Armenia interim government holding Cabinet meeting

Catholicos of All Armenians heads for Syunik Province, Artsakh

World oil prices going up

Iran loses right to vote in UN General Assembly

Newspaper: Armenia authorities come up with new way of punishing unwanted characters

Newspaper: Russia army Southern Military District deputy commander to arrive in Yerevan Thursday

Lebanese Armenian man taken prisoner by Azerbaijan is hospitalized

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Are we getting under the burden? Then lets get under to the end

Armenia acting health minister on keeping fallen soldiers bodies in bags: What else should they be kept in?

Armenia acting health minister on citizens' demand for her resignation

Karabakh's new State Minister Artak Beglaryan on his appointment and future activities

Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani representatives hold consultations in Moscow

2 Armenian soldiers receive slight injuries after incident with Azerbaijani servicemen in Armenia's Gegharkunik

Armenian boy weighing 5 kg born at Goris Medical Center

"Armenia" bloc representative presents purpose of participation in elections and plans

Isaac Herzog elected President of Israel

Rouhani: Main issues between Tehran, Washington resolved in Vienna

Charles Michel calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume constructive negotiations

US Department of State responds to Pashinyan's proposal to deploy international observers on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Head of Armenia 2nd President's Office: Robert Kocharyan's public meetings are held in warm atmosphere

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative on photos and videos showing bags of deceased servicemen's bodies

Armenia Ombudsman, AGBU President discuss war crimes committed by Azerbaijan during Karabakh war

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representatives to hold briefings three times a week

Opposition "Armenia" bloc member: Blood-freezing photos and videos from morgue in Abovyan are authorities' reflection

Yerevan mayor receives Netherlands Ambassador

UGC says plans underway for three new universities One university will be for degrees in teaching and one will focus on plantation and agriculture research View(s): View(s):

The University of Grants Commission (UGC) is making arrangements to set up three universities within this year.

UGC Chairman Sampath Amaratunga said an estimated 10,000 students will be able to enter the three universities.

One of the universities will be dedicated for teachers, so they can obtain a degree from the respective university. He said currently teachers who obtain their training from the teacher training colleges will be able to obtain a degree in teaching. A College of Education will be upgraded and used as a university for teachers, he said.

A separate university will be established as a campus for plantation and agriculture research in view of the relevance and importance of the subject to the country. Under this plan, the subjects currently carried out in tea, rubber, coconut and paddy research will be brought under the purview of this university. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had proposed the setting up of this university.

The third university will be set up in Vavuniya and will include a medical faculty. The buildings in Vavuniya, which belong to the Jaffna university will be used for this new university.

President Rajapaksa in his election manifesto pledged to increase the number of university admissions.
David Deegan (pictured) 55, died Saturday after he was involved in a bar fight with Justin Deieso, 35, a New York City firefighter

A New York City firefighter involved in a deadly bar brawl in Queens will claim he was acting in self defense when he delivered a potentially-fatal blow to another man's face, his lawyer said.

Justin Deieso, 35, of Whitestone, New York, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault in connection to 55-year-old Devin Deegan's death on Saturday.

Police say the two men got into an argument outside of Terrace Inn Bar & Grill around 4am, when the quarrel took a violent turn.

Deieso is said to have punched Deegan in the face, causing him to fall onto the sidewalk and strike his head.

He was taken to the local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Police said first responders arrived at Terrace Inn Bar & Grill around 4am to find Deegan, an electrician, lying on the ground with trauma to the back of his head

Deieso was released without bail on misdemeanor assault charges Saturday, however, those offenses could potentially be upgraded, depending on Deegan's cause of death, The New York Post reported.

But Deieso's lawyer, Robert Gallo, told the paper the FDNY firefighter plans to maintain his innocence as the case is one of 'self-defense'.

'He will appear in court as required, he's maintaining his innocence, and the case is presently expected to stay a misdemeanor offense,' Gallo said Saturday.

Police said first responders arrived at the scene to find Deegan, an electrician, lying on the ground with trauma to the back of his head. Deegan was unmarried and did not have any children.

The investigation remains ongoing and a medical examiner will determine his cause of death.

Deieso, who has been a firefighter for seven years, works at Ladder 122 in Brooklyn, according to ABC7.

He has been suspended without pay for up to 28 days.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, say goodbye to law and order Joe.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Parents of children who attend a school next door to Richmonds safe injecting room have demanded an urgent meeting with the Education Minister over the troubled site.

Their letter to James Merlino has followed an emotional week. About 100 residents met last Wednesday after a mans body was found near the grounds of Richmond West Primary School and a man allegedly entered the site with a knife, in separate incidents.

Kasey Thompson (centre) and other parents outside Richmond West Primary School, where tensions have spiked over the nearby safe injecting room. Credit:Simon Schluter

The injecting room opened in 2018 after a spate of heroin-related deaths in the area. But a cohort of residents say it must be moved. Kasey Thompson, who has lived nearby for six years and has two daughters at the school, said her girls seemed safe once they were inside school grounds  past a security guard who has been monitoring the gates in recent weeks.

But she said incidents inside the school crossed a line and had really stoked a lot of fear.
Stephen Seals stood onstage waiting to be auctioned off. Moments later, a white slave auctioneer pointed a gun at one of the other Black men gathered with Seals, and a Black mother cried for her children.

The scene, titled What Holds the Future, was Seals first scripted piece at Colonial Williamsburg, an immersive living-history museum in Williamsburg, Virginia, where costumed interpreters of history reenact scenes from the colonial past and portray figures from that period.

Every time you did this piece, it hurt, said Seals, an actor-interpreter and community outreach and program development manager at the site.

After the scene, the actors would spend 15 minutes checking in with each other. Sometimes they cried together. Sometimes they sat in silence.

As historic sites like Colonial Williamsburg are working to be more racially inclusive, many actor-interpreters of color say they appreciate the efforts. But its a weighty and often painful experience to portray enslaved people or others who lived through the racism of the past. The work of getting into character has them exploring difficult parts of history, and once they step back into the real world they still are confronted with current-day racism.

I can take off the costume," said Deirdre Jones Cardwell, programming lead for the actor-interpreters at Williamsburg. "But I cant take off my Blackness."

Sharing stories of Colonial Williamsburgs residents of color is a relatively new phenomenon in the sites nearly 90-year history. It wasnt until 1979 when the museum began telling Black stories, and not until 2002 that it launched its American Indian Initiative. Even in recent years, interpreters say the stories of Black and Native American people havent always gotten adequate programming slots, advertising and research support.

There was a point in Colonial Williamsburgs history that interpreters werent allowed to talk about slavery, Jones Cardwell said. Weve come a long way since that, but theres a long way to go.

Lately, Colonial Williamsburg expanded recruitment efforts and outreach to historically Black colleges and universities, partnered with local groups like the city's historic First Baptist Church, and set aside time monthly for employees of color to meet. Last year, the site launched unconscious bias training for senior leadership and plans for diversity training for all employees this year.

Similar efforts are underway at the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, in Grand Island, Nebraska, where a new permanent exhibit tells the story of a once-enslaved Black man who became one of the area's most prominent physicians. The museum is also partnering with a local multicultural coalition to explore the stories of 12 Black families who settled in northwest Nebraska in the 1880s.

But executive director Chris Hochstetler says more must be done. He estimates only 1% to 3% of the Stuhr's costumed interpreters are people of color. When he arrived at the museum in February 2020, Hochstetler realized we needed to ask ourselves some serious questions about whether we are representing our community fully.

As the nation reckons with racism after high-profile police brutality cases last year, Jones Cardwell says Black interpreters are feeling more empowered to push for inclusive programming and hiring. But she says much of the burden has fallen on the shoulders of employees of color.

She is grateful for the moments she has out of character. During breaks, she does breathing exercises or prays. When she researches or teaches about the racial violence of the colonial era, she thinks of headlines of Black people being killed by police today.

The more that you learn about this history, the heavier it feels, she said. Were still dealing with ripples from the past.

Actor-interpreter Mary Carter takes off her costume whenever she can.

Mentally, I cant be in those clothes any longer than I have to, she said.

But, she added, even when they come off, I cant put racism away.

As Carter talks to guests about a 1705 law referring to biracial people as an abominable mixture," she is aware of the racism shes faced herself as a mixed-race Black woman. It took years for her to realize the toll the work was taking, she says, and managers didn't fully understand. So she leaned on Black colleagues, a therapist and Black women in the museum field.

Interpreters of color are often racially harassed by site visitors, and sexual abuse  physical and verbal  is common, especially against Black women, said Cheyney McKnight, a historical interpreter and founder of Not Your Momma's History, an organization that helps historical sites develop inclusive programs. McKnight has begged managers to have security guards nearby. At times, speaking with hostile guests has left her in tears.

It was like feeding me to the wolves every day, said McKnight, who has worked with over 45 historical sites.

Talon Silverhorn, a Colonial Williamsburg American Indian interpreter and member of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, doesnt portray a specific person. Instead, he shows up to work as himself and teaches guests about his tribes history. But even that takes an emotional toll.

Some guests have told him that the colonists should have completely wiped out Native Americans. In training, interpreters are taught to detach themselves from the stories they tell, but Silverhorn says that for interpreters of color, theres only so much of that that can be done.

Last year, Silverhorn started going to therapy, which Colonial Williamsburg covers. It's helped, but he said there's still more work to do.

Novella Nimmo, education coordinator and actor-interpreter at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, often portrays her own great-grandmother, who was born into slavery.

Its draining but its also uplifting," she said. Youre telling a story that America wants to forget. Youre telling the story of your ancestors, who were never able to tell their stories. Thats what keeps me going. I remember their strength, and that gives me strength.

Interpreters of color also would like to see white interpreters get more training on the histories of communities of color.

McKnight advocates for support groups, hazard pay and full therapy coverage for interpreters of color.

The job of Black interpreters is different, McKnight said. And we need different support.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
When three of the regions brewers, Pour Brothers Brewing Company, Struggle Street Brewing Company and Buckstin Brewing Company, hosted a joint poker run last year, they were surprised with the turnout amid a pandemic.

Now as the weather begins to warm, the days begin to grow longer and with the rise of vaccines administered across the state, those four breweries, joined by Neches Brewing Company, anticipated that their first-ever Southeast Texas Brewery Hop on Saturday would draw a huge turnout.

And it did.

For Pour Brothers co-owner Nic McLaughlin and Struggle Street owner Scott Reeves, the Southeast Texas Brewery Hop is emblematic of two things: a fun environment after whats been a devastating year and a way for folks to support local businesses after a tough year economically for local businesses.

The timing for this is great, McLaughlin said. Spring weather is starting to happen. People are starting to feel more comfortable getting out, and weve had a really great response from Beaumont and Beaumont greater area.

The brewery hop began at 11 a.m. on a warm and slightly humid Saturday. Participants were tasked with collecting an Easter egg at each of the four breweries, in any order, to be awarded commemorative beer glass upon completion of the crawl. By noon, downtown Beaumonts Struggle Street Brewing Company was bustling as brewery hop participants filled the inside bar and outdoor patio.

As the day went on, more crawl participants filled the downtown Beaumont brewery and a group of 14 people, who were participating in the hop, arrived in a stretch limousine. Matthew Wolfe, and 13 of his friends, wanted to enjoy the pub crawl without the worry of transportation.

A few weeks in advance the group reserved a limousine for the event and were chauffeured to each location.

It was mothers idea, Wolfe said. She thought we should support the community, have fun and be safe about it.

Wolfe and his friends werent the only ones who found creative modes of transportation for the brewery hop as many others followed suit with a party bus.

Regardless of where participants began their brewery hop journey, all rounds ended at the Pour Brothers Brewing Company location in Beaumont. By Saturday afternoon, about 200 brewery hop participants congregated for beer, live music, cornhole and washer tournament, food trucks and an ax-throwing tournament.

As lines formed to enter the Pour Brothers Brewing location, McLaughlin and other workers could be seen rushing in and out restocking beer cans for thirsty participants.

With the Southeast Texas Brewery Hops successful turnout on Saturday, Reeves said he and the other three breweries hope to have a similar joint event more regularly to continue to build camaraderie.

We wanted to do this (event) to show everybody that we are a community and we all work together, Reeves said. Its not competition. We want everybody to go to every brewery.

jorge.ramos@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/byjorgeramos
Lucknow, March 28 : Corona has struck at the fourth estate in Lucknow in a big way.

Pramod Srivastava, 48, member of the UP State Accredited Journalist Committee 2021, elections for which were held on March 21, died on Saturday evening.

Two days ago, he had tested positive and was admitted to KGMU on March 25 in a serious condition. Doctors said he died due to respiratory failure.

At least six journalists, who took part in the elections that took place on March 21, have also tested positive, so far. One of them was admitted to SGPGIMS, late on Saturday evening.

The state information department has arranged for a special Covid test camp for journalists on Sunday and has asked all those who participated in the elections, to get themselves tested.

The city has become a hotspot in the state with a steady rise in the number of cases and deaths in the past few days.

Out of four Covid-19 deaths in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, three took place in Lucknow.

Similarly, 25 per cent of the total new infections were in the state capital. In remaining districts, the numbers were below 50.
Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. traffic deaths soared after coronavirus lockdowns ended in 2020, hitting the highest yearly total since 2007 as more Americans engaged in unsafe behavior on U.S. roads, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday. For all of 2020, 38,680 people died on U.S. roads - up 7.2% or nearly 2,600 more than in 2019, even though Americans drove 13% fewer miles, preliminary data showed. In the second half of 2020, the number of traffic deaths was up more than 13%.
The final days of January pummeled Sacramento, Calif., with nearly 4 inches of rain, wind gusts over 60 miles an hour and left hundreds of thousands without power, yet the city did not open a single warming center for the nearly 11,000 homeless in Sacramento County.

The height of the storm rolled into the area in the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 26, and continued well into Jan. 28. The storm wreaked havoc on city residents with trees uprooted, sometimes crushing cars and homes, with property strewn about by the strong winds and, for some, power outages that lasted for days. For many this would be enough reason to open warming shelters for the homeless populations, but it was not enough for the city. Typically, Sacramento will not open warming centers unless there are at least two days with temperatures of 32 degrees or lower; on that Tuesday evening it only dropped to 41 degrees in Sacramento.

In the hours prior to the storms peak, Mayor Darrell Steinberg appeared in a Jan. 26 City Council meeting , seemingly infuriated by Sacramento County regulations that were preventing the city from acting immediately. Theres a huge storm out here. People are going to die tonight and its just business as usual, he said in the virtual meeting. We cannot get a goddamn warming center up in more than one night because the county has rules? Im sick of this. Still, no warming centers were opened in the city that evening.

Three days later, the county released a revision of its Severe Weather Guidance that updated its weather-related response guidelines. However, they are not mandates for when a city may or may not open warming centers for people experiencing homelessness. The regulations, Sacramento County Public Information Officer Janna Haynes explains, are just reference points from which cities within the county can make their own detailed action plans.

The misconception is that those guidelines are specifically for warming centers and theyre not, says Haynes. These criteria are a guide to trigger an emergency response on a countywide scale but does not limit cities within the county from opening a warming center under any conditions they see fit and [the county] offers material support when they do.

On Jan. 27, the day after the storms peak, Sacramento City Council members called an emergency meeting to immediately open warming centers for the citys homeless populations that was used approximately 1,200 times in the following two weeks.

It is uncertain how many unhoused people died in Sacramento from the January storm, but the Sacramento Homeless Union claims at least six died with many more suffering from hypothermia. The Union believes that the citys mayor, Darrell Steinberg, is responsible for the citys inaction and plans to hold him accountable.

We put the city on notice, days in advance, as to the kind of harm that was going to occur, says California Homeless Unions legal counsel Anthony Prince. Everybody saw the weather forecast and its inexcusable that Mayor Steinberg failed to take appropriate measures. The Sacramento Homeless Union called upon the mayor to resign and, when he refused, moved forward with recall proceedings

According to Prince, the recall movement was in development before the January storm because of several instances in which the Union asserted the mayor and city did not adequately support and protect its homeless population. After the storm, Mayor Steinberg claimed that he had done more for homelessness than any public official in Sacramento history , but Prince criticized the mayors assertions.

He has a track record of making a lot of speeches and shedding crocodile tears and getting angry and pointing the finger elsewhere, but hes not going to avoid his responsibility and accountability as the chief elected official in the city of Sacramento, says Prince.

Steinberg, who is also the co-chair of the states Homelessness Task Force , has largely ignored the resignation requests and reiterated his intent to fight for the unhoused in the days following the storm. I will continue my fight to get people indoors through whatever means necessary, he told local TV station KCRA 3

National Homeless Numbers on the Rise

It is unclear exactly how many people are experiencing homelessness in the United States on any given night, but advocates agree that the numbers are growing. The National Alliance to End Homelessness and the Department of Housing and Urban Development reported that 17 of every 10,000 people , or 567,715 individuals, experienced homelessness in 2019. As of January 2020, that number had increased by 2 percent and experts all agree that the coronavirus pandemic has only made things worse.

Across the nation, no matter the climate, cities struggle to provide adequate shelter and resources to protect their homeless populations. Despite its mild climate, more homeless people died in Los Angeles County in 2018 due to hypothermia than in San Francisco or New York City.

Studies have shown that life-threatening hypothermia is a risk not only at freezing or sub-freezing temperatures but that it disproportionately impacts those in marginalized groups, like those experiencing homelessness. The University of Michigan explains that a persons body temperature can drop to hypothermic levels in external temperatures of 50 degrees, or higher when exposed to wet and windy weather, an idea also supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) . Despite these figures, cities, like Sacramento, will often not open winter warming centers for homeless populations until the temperatures are much colder.

Texas Storm Exposes Homeless Shelter Gap

A February freeze swept across the country from Feb. 10 through Feb. 17, just a few weeks after the winter rainstorm in Sacramento, bringing temperatures of 32 degrees and lower to nearly every state in the nation. Texas was hit particularly hard as its power grid collapsed under the freezing temperatures, leaving hundreds of thousands without power, heat and water. At least six people experiencing homelessness died during the freezing temperatures across the state. Advocates, once again, were angry at officials inability to properly protect vulnerable populations before the damage began.

The Texas Tribune reported that Eric Samuels, the president and CEO of the Texas Homeless Network , was experiencing an overwhelming feeling of rage: Rage that this was allowed to happen when this state was given ample time and warning to do something about our power infrastructure.

Luckily, Samuels told, there was more that went right than went wrong in February, which he attributes to the local homeless response systems, nonprofits, faith-based agencies and community advocates. Theyre the ones who did the lions share of the work and ensured that tens of thousands of Texans experiencing homelessness and those that had to leave their homes because of inhospitable conditions were safe during the winter storm, he says. But that is a burden that should not fall onto the community.

The collapse of the electric grid in Texas was preventable and predictable. The state could have taken precautions 10 years ago to winterize the infrastructure, say experts, to assure its reliability through severe cold. If the infrastructure remains the same, communities can expect similar disasters in the future. Local organizations do not have the resources necessary to act as more than a stop-gap solution.

What weve seen is the localities have really stepped up to ensure that these services are being provided to those that are experiencing homelessness, THNs Statewide Initiatives Manager Nick Thompson said. But we need the state and the federal government to also step up to be able to reach that goal of housing every person and to be able to end homelessness in the long term.

But just because the weather is warming and the pipes in Texas are thawed does not mean the homeless problem has disappeared. On any given night, there are an estimated 30,000 people experiencing homelessness across Texas, and over the course of the year that number can fluctuate up to 50,000. Samuels, THNs president and CEO, reiterated that homelessness is not just an issue that needs attention during extreme weather patterns.

We need to keep those people in mind even when the weather is good, he says. Even when the weather is good, people in that situation or people at risk are suffering from their own personal disasters every day.

Some advocates think that the national response to homelessness will only change when the numbers are too horrific to overlook. Donald Whitehead, the executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless , explains that the nation has become desensitized to seeing people living on the streets but there is always one thing that people cannot disregard: death.

I think when people see the level, the degree that people are losing their lives and how lifespans are shortened because of homelessness, I think it will be impossible to ignore, he says.

There is no data on how many people die each year due to homelessness, but advocates are working to change that. Last December, the NCH partnered with the National Healthcare for the Homeless Council to build a dashboard that will collect and display the mortality rates of those experiencing homelessness. But the dashboard is new and collecting mortality information is difficult.

Everything regarding state and local homelessness response seems hard: putting up warming shelters in a timely manner, accessing mortality data specific to homeless populations, even just establishing proper response protocols. But advocates all agree that the problem is not actually difficult to solve.

The Sacramento Homeless Union and other advocates do not just want the warming centers to be opened on time or someone to take responsibility for the inaction; they want cities to help the homeless find permanent shelter. [Mayor Steinberg] talks about monies that hes been able to obtain, explains Prince, the Unions legal counsel. None of that has manifested in actual brick and mortar housing for anybody.

Even when housing is being built, says NCHs Whitehead, it is only being built for residents who are at a higher economic level. Cities across the nation need to invest their local dollars into some of the many affordable housing options available to cities.

There are tiny homes, there are people that have made homes from the large storage crates; there are multiple, many, very successful housing options that are available in the community, he says. Cities just need to have the political will to actually make those things happen.

Prioritization is key to solving the homeless crisis, say experts. Currently, Whitehead says, there is not a single city in America in which a person could afford a two-bedroom unit while working a minimum-wage job. In Congress, the House passed a bill to more than double the federal minimum wage to $15 as a part of the American Rescue Plan Act, but the Senate voted it down

It is not an unsolvable issue, says Texas Homeless Networks Thompson. Ultimately, we have to remind ourselves that homelessness and poverty are policy choices.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Kolkata: An audio war broke out between TMC and BJP leaders in West Bengal after the polling of first phase of state assembly election on Saturday (March 27).

After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday released an audio tape claiming that the Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sought help from a senior BJP leader to win the Nandigram seat, the Mamata led-TMC has also now released a counter audiotape of a conversation between two leaders of the saffron party.

In the last minutes of the polling for the first phase of states assembly elections, BJP leader Pralay Pal claimed that Mamata didi called him for help.

The conversation in the audio took place during a call between Mamata Banerjee and Pralay Paul. In the audio tape the CM is appealing for the BJP leader in question, Pralay Paul to return to TMC.

In a tweet BJP wrote, 'Mamata Didi called the BJP vice-president of the district and asked for help. She is going to lose Nandigram this time. Their fear is apparent."

However, Pralay Paul refused to answer Mamata's plea and stated that he will not betray BJP.

In the viral audio, Paul is heard saying, 'I will be with the party even after I have breathed my last. Despite being such a great leader you called me, thank you very much."

Following this shocking incident, TMC leaders decided to retaliate with an audio clip of their own. The audio clip shared by the ruling party of the state alleges that BJPs Mukul Roy can be heard briefing party leader Shishir Bajoria on ways to influence the Election Commission (EC) for the upcoming assembly elections.

In the audio recording, BJP leaders can be heard discussing how they should approach EC and develop a strategy like meddling of the rules, so that BJP gets an upper hand in the polling.

"Days later the EC acted as was described on the phone," TMC said on Sunday during a press briefing after the audio clip surfaced.

Claims by TMC suggest that this was the reason why EC changed the rules, which allegedly favoured BJP candidates.

Additionally, while justifying their leader Mamata Banerjees audio clip, TMC said they are proud to have a leader like her, who puts efforts to convince an ex-efficient worker to come back to the party by "true democratic" means.

"If an efficient worker of the TMC has left our party and if our leader tries to convince them to come back home, it shows our true democratic nature," said TMC's Subrata Mukherjee.

"In fact when they ended the conversation, both sides showed extreme courtesy. We appreciate that. Mamata wished him well despite his differences," he added.

Live TV
Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable.
More men are returning to the office than women, according to a survey of Australian workers, fuelling concerns that workplaces could have less gender equality in a post-COVID world.

The survey of almost 1000 people able to work remotely, commissioned by consulting firm Bastion Insights, shows that earlier in March 43 per cent of women were working from home all or most of the time, compared with 34 per cent of men.

Mohini Karki has more time to care for her children, but she worries about being overlooked for career opportunities while she works at home. Credit:Jason South

It follows concerns raised last year that flexible work arrangements, while beneficial to mothers seeking to stay employed in high-paid but stressful occupations, could be detrimental to career progression. The consequences included missing out on opportunities that come with face-to-face contact at work, such as informal decision-making, and being overlooked due to less visibility.

Bastion Insights chief executive Dianne Gardiner said if employers didnt move to mitigate the issue, gender inequality would increase.
Nay Pyi Taw, March 28 : Defence chiefs from 12 countries condemned the Myanmar military's violence against peaceful protesters in a joint statement issued on Sunday.

The US, the UK, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan issued the statement a day after dozens of people of people were killed in the deadliest day of protests in Myanmar since the February 1 military coup, reports dpa news agency.

"We condemn the use of lethal force against unarmed people by the Myanmar Armed Forces and associated security services," the statement read.

The military chiefs urged Myanmar's armed forces to cease violence and work to "restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions".

"A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting - not harming - the people it serves." Myanmar's military celebrated Armed Forces Day with parades and speeches on Saturday, despite the growing toll and threats amid protests, demanding that the democratically-elected government of former de facto leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi be returned to power.

The Army has had her under house arrest since February 1.

Besides being accused of a variety of crimes, the Army recently alleged tampering in the November 8, 2020, vote that saw her National League for Democracy (NLD) return to power, but has provided no proof.

While it is impossible to independently verify the death toll because of Myanmar's crackdown on journalists, a tally by the independent Myanmar Now news portal reported 114 killed in 44 towns and cities.

A count by the Irrawaddy newspaper put the toll at 59 dead, among them three children aged 7, 10 and 13 years.
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.
Members of the Public Oversight Commission in the Vladimir Region have met with jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny following his complaints about his declining health and poor medical treatment in Correctional Colony No. 2.



The commission's chairman Vyacheslav Kulikov said in a statement on March 28 that the team "visited the colony and met with Aleksei Navalny in order to learn about problems with his health and the provision of medical treatment."



"During the discussion, Navalny complained about pain in his leg and asked for assistance in getting injections to treat this pain," Kulikov said.



Kulikov also said Navalny was able to walk and did not voice any other complaints. He said Navalny's request for injections had been officially registered.



"We asked doctors to pay attention to this and, in case it is necessary, to carry out an additional medical checkup," Kulikov said.



Meanwhile, a statement issued on Navalny's Twitter page on March 28 said the visit by the team from the Public Oversight Commission had taken place on the morning of March 26.



"What prevented them from telling about this immediately after the visit, and not being silent for two days?" the Twitter statement on Navalny's page said.



The United States and the European Union have called for Russia to immediately release Navalny after he said he was suffering from severe back pains and that "nothing" was being done by prison authorities to solve the problem.



In a message posted on his Instagram account on March 26, Navalny also said he had been warned by prominent past prisoners that getting sick in prison was potentially fatal.

Correctional Colony No. 2, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Moscow, is known as one of the toughest penitentiaries in Russia.



"We have seen the disturbing reports about Aleksei Navalny's worsening health in prison. We urge continued access for his lawyers and that he receive medical care," U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price tweeted on March 26, adding: "We reiterate our call for Russia to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Navalny."

'Personal Revenge'



Nabila Massrali, a spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, has issued a similar call, saying Russian authorities "must give @navalny access to medical care & give his lawyers access to him."



Navalny's health became an issue on March 24 after his allies said they were concerned about his deteriorating condition and called on prison authorities to clarify the situation.



On March 25, Navalnys wife issued a plea to the Kremlin to free her husband so that he could be treated by doctors "he trusts" and called his imprisonment the "personal revenge" of Russian President Vladimir Putin.



The same day Navalny's lawyers were finally able to see him and reported that the anti-corruption campaigner was in an "extremely unfavorable" condition, suffering from back pains and issues with his right leg that has made it "practically nonfunctional."



The message on Instagram said that "getting out of bed is hard and very painful" but that "a week ago, the prison doctor examined me and prescribed two tablets of ibuprofen [a day], but I still don't know the diagnosis."



"Apparently a nerve was pinched from constantly sitting in police wagons and in 'pencil cases' crookedly," he said in reference to the cramped cages defendants are placed in during court hearings.

'Deliberate Strategy'



Putins spokesman has said the Kremlin would not react to appeals for Navalny's release because the Kremlin "has no role in the matter."



"At the moment, in a situation when a citizen is a convict incarcerated in a penal colony, the address for such appeals is the FSIN (Federal Penitentiary Service)," Dmitry Peskov said.



Lawyer Vadim Kobzev said that, after "finally" getting to see Navalny, the situation quickly became clear that he was not only not being treated properly, "but a deliberate strategy is under way to undermine his health."



In a statement on his website, Navalny also accused the prison of torturing him through sleep deprivation.



Peskov rejected the allegation saying Navalny, like other prisoners, is woken up every hour as a way "of maintaining order and discipline in penitentiaries" and that stricter measures are often used in prisons abroad.



Such comments show "these people are the enemies of our own country," Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) said on Twitter in response to Peskov's statements.



Navalny was detained at a Moscow airport in January immediately upon returning from Berlin, where he was recovering from what several Western laboratories determined was a poisoning attempt using a Novichok-type nerve agent that saw him fall seriously ill on a flight in Siberia in August 2020.



Navalny has said the assassination attempt was ordered by Putin -- an allegation rejected by the Kremlin.



A Moscow court in February ruled that while in Germany, Navalny had violated the terms of parole from an older embezzlement case, which is widely considered to be politically motivated.



His suspended 3 1/2-year sentence was converted into jail time, though the court reduced that amount to 2 1/2 years for time already served in detention.



Navalnys incarceration set off a wave of national protests and a crackdown against his supporters.



The European Union, the United States, and Canada have imposed a series of sanctions against Russia over the Navalny case.

With reporting by AFP, Interfax, and TASS
Former Love Island contestant Montana Brown has shared a rather raunchy behind the scenes secret from the popular reality show, suggesting that there's far more sex taking place in the villa than viewers might think.

The 25-year-old told the Mouthing Off With Olivia Caridi podcast that, during her series in 2017, personal boundaries between contestants didn't last very long.

Montana Brown starred on Love Island UK in 2017. Photo: Getty

"People are having sex everywhere  genuinely everywhere  all the time. In the day, in the night, upstairs, downstairs," she said.

"It is hilarious because you know they can't really put it on camera.

"At the start everyone's so aware of the fact that you are inches away from the next couple in a bed, but everyone just gets so comfortable."

RELATED:

Montana's comments echo those made by 2018 contestant Megan Barton-Hanson, who said producers could only air scenes of people having sex if they admitted it had happened.

"What's cheeky is if you had sex but denied it to production, they can't air the footage," Megan told her Instagram followers.

"So I would have had an easy life if I pretended that I didn't, like other girls. But I love sex and it was pretty obvious."

Montana Brown and Alex Beattie coupled up in the 2017 series of 'Love Island'. Photo: ITV

Montana coupled up with Alex Beattie on the show (they finished in fifth place) but the duo split up shortly after they left the villa.

The star, who now runs a swimwear company, also told the podcast that producers trick contestants with different clocks so that they're never aware of what time it is.

"They dont tell you the time  so all the phones that go youve got a text have different times on them. The oven clock has a different time on it every day," she revealed.

The revelation comes after another former Love Island UK star turned influencer, Georgia Steel, sparked some outrage with a topless bikini photo.

Story continues

She had already fallen foul of some of her 1.6 million followers, when she decided to travel to the Maldives 'for work' in January, despite the UK being in national lockdown.

The 22-year-olds sizzling topless snaps flew in the face of the regions strict modesty laws, with one anonymous resident telling The Sun at the time: "Influencers who think the Maldives is just a great backdrop for their Instagram should stop and think before one ends up in jail."

Reporting by Tom Beasley.

Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyles daily newsletter.

Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.


This page requires Javascript.

Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Vaccinations Top 500,000 in Australia

More than half a million Australians have now been vaccinated against COVID-19, with the rollout boosted by the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in Melbourne.

The first of 50 million Australian-made AstraZeneca doses have been distributed and more will be on an ongoing basis, Health Minister Greg Hunt said. He said the decision to produce the vaccine at CSL has ensured Australia is one of the few countries with strong, clear domestic supplies going forward. More than 507,000 Australians had now been vaccinated as of Friday329,000 vaccines administered in state and territory vaccination clinics, 97,000 in general practices and more than 80,000 in aged care homes, Hunt said. Our GPs have played a vital role in this expansion and have not only been vaccinating over the week, but many practices are continuing to vaccinate on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, he said in a statement on Sunday. Meanwhile, health authorities in Queensland are scrambling to track down all contacts of two Brisbane friends who tested positive for coronavirus. A week out from Easter, Queensland Health revealed on Saturday night one of the men, aged 26, held a house party while he was waiting on his test result, despite instructions to self-isolate.

Health Minister Yvette DAth said reports one of the cases had thrown a party for up to 25 guests were incorrect. Further investigations by police and health authorities suggest the people who attended were limited to the mans housemates and one other person.

Ms DAth said officials acted on what they understood to be true at the time and told reporters she became aware of the new information on Sunday morning.

It is extremely unfortunate that what has been discovered over the last 24 hours, that it wasnt 25 people, but as I understand it this is the information that was received from this gentleman himself, she said.

Dr. Jeannette Young looks on at a press conference in Brisbane, Australia, on Jan. 11, 2021. (Jono Searle/Getty Images)

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the states two active cases were both in hospital and while it was too early to relax, she was pleased testing efforts had not uncovered further examples of community transmission.

She said it was most likely the historical case was one of the missing links between a doctor infected with COVID-19 and the most recent cluster.

We wont be able to do genome sequencing on him because he dosnt have any active virus at the moment but we will continue to test him to see if we can work out what has happened.

As well as the historical case, Queensland recorded two new cases in hotel quarantine.
#Iran FM @JZarif and #China FM Wang Yi signed the 25-year partnership document today in Tehran. Per officials of both countries, the document is a roadmap that pushes Iran-China relations to a comprehensive and strategic level. pic.twitter.com/kAYhhDoiJF  Abas Aslani (@AbasAslani) March 27, 2021

It is really wonderful to watch this happening and the East is gathering its chicks to start a new future for the world

If you remember several years ago:

These strategic lifelines are vital for the East to hold off the Western death & rape, until the Western collapse extends itself far enough to ease the worlds sufferings

WtR
UVF bosses in Newtownabbey have fined drug dealers 5,000 and given them payment plans if they cannot come up with the cash.

The scam makes a mockery of claims from the terror gang that it is transforming into an old boys' network, and calls into question efforts to secure 5m of government funding for its supported projects.

Last autumn, UVF chief-of-staff John 'Bunter' Graham installed a new leadership in the South East Antrim gang after the old bosses were caught taking backhanders from drug dealers.
Limits on out-of-area enrolments have failed to slow the expansion of the states most sought-after schools, which still grew by almost 10 per cent in a year.

But enrolment caps have begun to redirect families to underused schools by making it more difficult for parents to drive past their local school to one outside their catchment zone, an analysis by The Sydney Morning Herald has found.

In 2019, when the caps were introduced, popular Castle Hill High had twice as many students as its 900-person cap. A year later, its population had grown by almost 10 per cent, putting it at more than 1000 students over the cap.

Carlingford West Public, a high-achieving school close to James Ruse Agricultural High, had almost three times as many students as its 555-person cap in 2019, but a year later, its numbers had grown to almost 1700.
Felt they should should 'show solidarity' following couple's accusations of racism

A British charity said it kept a 10,000 donation from Meghan Markle a secret because she's 'like Marmite' - but were prompted to speak out following her explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.

In August, the Duchess of Sussex, 39, now based in the US, gifted funds from The Royal Foundation to Nottingham charity Himmah - a community project tackling poverty, racism and social exclusion.

Director Sajid Mohammad told the BBC a decision was made not to speak publicly about the donation because it was feared it could damage Himmah's reputation.

However after Prince Harry, 36, and Meghan's bombshell tell-all with Oprah Winfrey, in which they made accusations of racism within the Royal Family, the charity felt they 'needed to show solidarity' with the duchess.

A British charity said it kept a 10,000 donation from Meghan Markle a secret because she's 'like Marmite'. Pictured, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Nottingham, 2017

He admitted: 'The reason we didn't go public is the trustees took a view that she was like Marmite and there could be reputational issues - people not liking our charity because they don't like her - so we decided to keep the donation secret.

'After the interview we realised we're a poverty and race organisation [and] that we needed to show solidarity.'

The community project, based in Gamble Street, provides more than 650 emergency food parcels every month to people across the city, as well as serving more than 60 hot meals every week.

During their interview this month, Prince Harry and Meghan said racism drove them out of Britain and claimed their son Archie was denied the title of prince because he is mixed-race.

However the charity were prompted to speak out to 'show solidarity' following Harry and Meghan's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey

The couple accused an unnamed royal, not the Queen or Prince Philip, of raising 'concerns' about 'how dark' their son Archie's skin tone would be before he was born.

Meghan also described her 'pain' that officials had denied Archie the title of prince, accusing Buckingham Palace of failing to protect him by denying him 24/7 security.

The charity said the money from Meghan's foundation has been put towards stocking the food bank, purchasing equipment and providing vital funds for the Salaam Shalom Kitchen  the only joint Muslim and Jewish community kitchen in the UK.

Reacting to the donation, Himmah's director joked: 'For ages I thought the whole thing was a hoax.

'They kept emailing me and ringing me about the donation saying it was from the Duchess of Sussex and I just couldn't believe it  I was utterly gobsmacked and hugely humbled that Meghan knew about our charity and wanted to support us.

The donation came from funds raised for The Royal Foundation from the sale of Together: Our Community Cookbook. Pictured, Meghan at the Hubb Community Kitchen in London

'It's an absolutely incredible sum and we're so very grateful.'

Karen Worth, co-chair and trustee Salaam Shalom Kitchen, said: 'We are so delighted and pleased that Salaam Shalom Kitchen has been noticed and chosen by the Duchess of Sussex.

'The money given to us by her foundation will help to continue our important work in Hyson Green area of Nottingham, which is one the most deprived areas of the city.'

The donation came from funds raised for The Royal Foundation from the sale of Together: Our Community Cookbook and the duchess gifted the money so the charity can 'continue transforming lives through the power of cooking and food'.

Ms Worth continued: 'Post initial Covid lockdown period we have managed to re-open since start of August.

The community project, based in Gamble Street, provides more than 650 emergency food parcels every month to people across the city

'Even though our usual venue The Bridge centre remains closed, we are committed to continuing to assist those experiencing food poverty, for whatever reason.

'Every Wednesday, we are outside The Bridge centre, whatever the weather, giving out a hot meal, supermarket donations and a friendly hello to anyone who needs this.

'Initially we were giving out 60 meals each week, this has now increased to 90+ each week.'

Reflecting on the past year for the charity, Mr Mohammed said: 'This year has been incredibly tough for a lot of people, we've seen a huge increase in uptake for our services since the start of the pandemic.'
What states can expect to see Brood X?

Brood X is expected to emerge in about 18 states, Dr. Kasson said.

In the past, Brood X cicadas have been spotted as far north as Michigan, as far south as Georgia, and as far west as Illinois. Other states where they might emerge include Kentucky, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Brood X, which is also known as the Great Eastern Brood, has three epicenters across portions of the country. One will be in the Washington, D.C., area, including Northern Virginia and parts of Maryland. Another will be rooted in Indiana, and there will be a smaller one in and around Knoxville, Tenn., Dr. Kasson said.

Not all states will see large emergences of cicadas, said Chris Simon, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Connecticut. Some of them, its just a tiny little corner, she said.

Other states, like Texas, get cicadas every summer, but those are typically annual cicadas or another type, Dr. Simon said.

Are cicadas dangerous?

Because they feed off plants, cicadas can injure small trees and shrubs but cause no harm to humans, Dr. Kasson said.

Theyre just really big and awkward, he said.

If anything, he said, Americans should consider themselves lucky to witness the phenomenon. Its really something to marvel at, he said.

They can, however, be annoying because of the sharp buzz they make when theyre looking for mates.

Males go on a singing spree, Dr. Kasson said, adding that in some areas with many cicadas, the sound can be deafening. It results in this cacophonous shrill.
Suspected Islamist insurgents attacked a convoy of fleeing civilians, including foreign workers, as fighting continued in a northern Mozambique town that is near a number of gas projects, security and diplomatic sources said.

At least one person was killed and a number wounded in Friday's attack, according to three sources and three organizations with employees inside a hotel where people have been taking refuge in the town of Palma.

On Saturday, French energy group Total said it has postponed the restart of work at its site near Palma, a logistics hub adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion. No project staff were among the victims of the fighting, it said.

The attack on Palma began just hours after Total said Wednesday that it would resume work at its $20 billion project after halting operations in January because of security concerns.

Nearly 200 people had been sheltering in the Amarula Palma hotel during the attack, according to three diplomats and one of the organizations with people inside.

They included a Spanish resident and other foreigners who locked themselves in a protected room in the hotel, a Spanish diplomatic source told Reuters. Spain's foreign ministry confirmed there had been a Spanish citizen in Palma who managed to flee the town.

Before the ambush, rescue efforts had been under way with at least 20 people flown to safety in helicopters, said Lionel Dyck, who runs Dyck Advisory Group, a South African private security company that works with Mozambique's government.

On Friday afternoon, some people attempted to escape in a convoy of vehicles but were ambushed just outside the hotel, according to Dyck, two diplomats and the organizations with people inside.

Dyck said his helicopters evacuated more than 20 survivors on Saturday.

Reuters could not independently verify the accounts. Most communications with Palma are down. Officials at Mozambique's foreign ministry, defense ministry and provincial government did not immediately respond to calls or their phones were switched off Saturday. The national police said they were evaluating the situation, without providing further details.

Mozambique's government said Thursday that security forces were working to restore order in Palma.

The province of Cabo Delgado, where the town is located, has since 2017 been the target of a simmering Islamist insurgency linked to Islamic State.

It was not immediately clear how many people, if any, remained in the Amarula Palma hotel on Saturday and how many were missing. Contacted via Facebook, the hotel said it could not give any information.

Beheadings have been a hallmark of attacks by the insurgents, whose rebellion is rooted in local issues from poverty and unemployment to perceived corruption and religious discrimination.
In this weeks roundup, Alaska Airlines officially joins the Oneworld global alliance this week; the federal government might add domestic extremists to its No Fly List; U.S. passenger numbers keep rising; the Tokyo Olympics wont allow foreign spectators; Air France tests a health passport at SFO; airlines add Hawaii routes; United and Southwest expand domestic networks for the summer; Delta returns to Iceland; in-flight services gradually come back; a new JetBlue website helps customers book ground arrangements; and CLEAR brings expedited screening access to Sacramento International.

March 31 is a landmark date for Alaska Airlines. Thats when the airline finally becomes a full member of American Airlines Oneworld global alliance, the latest and biggest step in the increasingly close partnership between the two companies. Membership means that Alaska customers will get seamless connections to American and a dozen other international airlines that belong to the group. And elite-level members of Alaskas Mileage Plan loyalty program will be entitled to special treatment and perks on other Oneworld airlines, depending on their tier level. Mileage Plan MVP members will get Oneworld Ruby status as of March 31, while MVP Golds will have Oneworld Sapphire status and MVP Gold 75Ks will get the benefits of Oneworld Emerald status. All Oneworld tier categories let members earn and redeem miles on all alliance carriers and include access to priority check-in, preferred seating, and priority waitlists and boarding. The Emerald and Sapphire categories provide access to member airlines business class or first class lounges and check-in, extra checked bag allowances and priority baggage handling.

Even before the Oneworld membership, Alaska and American have offered their customers reciprocal mileage-earning and redemption privileges, as well as reciprocal lounge access for members of the Alaska Lounge program and Americans Admirals Clubs, and the two airlines have started code-sharing on each others flights. The Alaska partnership and Oneworld membership is part of a broader strategy by American to build up international connecting traffic at Alaskas Seattle hub, on both AAs own flights and those of its alliance partners. As part of that effort, American is due to begin new Seattle-London non-stops this week, and to launch Seattle-Bangalore non-stops later this year.

In addition to American, Oneworld member carriers include British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, Fiji Airways, SriLankan Airlines, and Russias S7 Airlines.

Ever since 9/11, the Dept. of Homeland Securitys focus when it comes to air travel has been on identifying foreigners suspected of terrorist associations or connections and keeping them off airplanes. Thats the group that forms the heart of DHSs notorious No Fly List. But now the Biden administration is reportedly considering an expansion of that effort to include potential domestic terrorists  something the administration has identified as a key national security concern, especially in the wake of the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol.

According to a report in Politico, citing unnamed administration sources, DHS could begin analyzing the travel patterns of suspected domestic extremists, monitor flights they book on short notice and search their luggage for weapons  There have also been discussions about putting suspected domestic violent extremists  a category that includes white supremacists  on the FBIs No Fly List. Suspected domestic extremists who take international flights could be subjected to more intensive questioning before passing through customs, and their phones and laptops could be searched as well, Politico reported, adding that that discussions about the expanded effort have been taking place across multiple federal agencies at the interagency level, including the FBI. Individual U.S. airlines have put hundreds of travelers on their own internal no-fly lists in recent months, mostly for refusing to wear masks, but the federal government has yet to do so.

Even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is still urging Americans not to travel until the nationwide COVID vaccination effort makes more progress, fewer citizens are following that advice, especially during spring break season. According to the Transportation Security Administration, the number of passengers screened at U.S. airports exceeded 1 million a day on 20 of the first 25 days in March, reaching a high of 1.54 million on March 21. Last year, as the pandemic was beginning, passenger numbers nose-dived during March, dropping from more than 2 million a day during the first week of the month to fewer than 300,000 during the last week. Although passenger screenings during March 2021 are showing a significant revival, they are still well below the same month of 2019, when daily screening numbers were well above 2 million.

Are you among the hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals who planned to travel to Japan this summer for the Olympic Games, which were delayed from 2020 to 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic? If so, dont start packing. Japan has decided that while the Olympic Games will go on as planned from July 23 to Aug. 8 (followed by the Paralympic Games Aug. 24-Sept. 5), no spectators will be allowed. Based on the present situation of the pandemic, it is highly unlikely that entry into Japan will be guaranteed this summer for people from overseas. In order to give clarity to ticket holders living overseas and to enable them to adjust their travel plans at this stage, the parties on the Japanese side have come to the conclusion that they will not be able to enter into Japan at the time of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, said the Organizing Committee for Tokyo 2020. The group said refunds will be provided to the estimated 600,000 overseas ticket purchasers.

Air France is currently using its flights from San Francisco International and Los Angeles International to conduct pilot tests of a new digital health passport called the IOC AOKpass, developed with MedAire/International SOS. Passengers on Air France flights to Paris who opt to participate in the free program must download a mobile app, take a pre-departure COVID test at a participating lab, and have the test results downloaded onto the app. On the day of departure, they use a dedicated boarding lane where they show their test results via a QR code on their smartphones. When they arrive in Paris, they use the same verification procedure through a priority lane at passport control. The IOC AOKpass is just one of several digital health passports under development that could become mandatory in the future as proof of COVID test results and/or vaccinations.

Despite anomalies like Alaska Airlines recent decision not to revive Hawaii service from Oakland this spring, major carriers seem to have an insatiable appetite for more flights to the islands. In the latest example, Hawaiian Airlines said it plans to add seasonal service between Phoenix and Maui May 21-Aug. 15 with three flights a week. That announcement comes on the heels of Hawaiians new Ontario-Honolulu route, started two weeks ago with five flights a week, increasing to daily on May 24. Earlier this month, Hawaiian also introduced Long Beach-Maui service to supplement its Long Beach-Honolulu route, as well as new service between Orlando and Honolulu; it plans to begin twice-weekly Austin-Honolulu service April 21. Southwest Airlines this month also kicked off new service to Honolulu and Maui from Long Beach as part of a substantial expansion at that southern California airport.

Meanwhile, United Airlines  which is slated to introduce new year-round Honolulu service from Orange County Airport in Santa Ana on May 6 -- will begin non-stop seasonal service on June 3 from its Newark hub to Maui and from Chicago OHare to Kona on the Big Island, both continuing through Labor Day. The carrier also plans to increase frequencies from Denver to Honolulu and Maui, with both routes going from daily flights to 12 a week in May and twice-daily from June through September. Also in May, United will start offering Premium Plus seating  which provides a larger seat and a free meal  on routes from Chicago and Denver to Honolulu and Maui, expanding in June to Chicago-Kona, Houston-Honolulu and Newark-Maui flights.

Uniteds new Orange County-Honolulu service is just one among dozens of domestic routes  mainly leisure-oriented -- that the airline plans to begin or resume by Memorial Day weekend. United said last week that its new routes will include Montana service (no surprise there) to Bozeman from Washington D.C. and to Kalispell from Houston as well as Chicago-Nantucket, Mass. Other new summer routes continuing through Labor Day will serve eastern vacation spots like Hilton Head, S.C.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Portland, Me.; and Pensacola, Fla. from various Midwestern cities, using 50-passneger CRJ-550s. On the international side, United said it will resume flights from Chicago to Tokyo Haneda, Chicago-Amsterdam, and Newark to Milan and Rome, bringing its summer 2021 international schedule back to 52% of what it was in May 2019 (vs. 14% in May 2020).

Southwest Airlines also just announced a raft of new routes for the summer. In California, that includes new Sacramento-Austin and Palm Springs-Las Vegas service beginning May 9 as well as Burbank-Austin and Orange County-Austin starting June 6. And what would a new routes announcement be without Montana? Besides its previously announced new service to Bozeman from Denver and Las Vegas starting May 27, Southwest now says it will also offer seasonal weekend flights to Bozeman beginning June 6 from Dallas Love Field, Chicago Midway and Phoenix. Austins airport will be crowded this summer; American Airlines recently announced plans to add several new routes there, and Southwest said this week that in addition to the California-Austin routes mentioned above, it will also begin new service June 6 from the Texas capital to Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Salt Lake City.

We reported last week that Iceland is now welcoming U.S. visitors who can present proof that they have completed COVID vaccinations. And now Delta is planning to revive and expand service to that island nation this summer. The airline will resume suspended service from New York JFK to Reykjavik on May 1, and from Minneapolis-St. Paul on May 27. Delta will also introduce new Iceland service from Boston starting May 20.

In the latest sign that airlines are slowly reverting to pre-pandemic practices, Southwest Airlines has ended its recent policy of only letting passengers board the aircraft in groups of 10 at a time  a procedure it adopted to maintain a bit of social distancing. Now passengers can move onto the plane in groups of 30, as they did before the pandemic. Southwest is unique among large U.S. carriers in having no assigned seating.

In-fight service, which had been sharply scaled back or eliminated in recent months, is also making a gradual comeback. Southwest this month started to offer passengers a selection of soft drinks in-flight. United on April 1 plans to make various in-flight snacks and beverages (including beer and sparkling wine) available for purchase  but only via contactless payment, which requires the passengers credit card information to be stored in the airlines app or at United.com. And Delta, which currently serves nothing but water and a small snack bag, is due to resume serving coffee and tea on April 14, as well as various soft drinks and canned cocktails.

In an effort to make things easier for leisure travelers who want to start flying again, JetBlue has unveiled a new travel planning website called Paisly by JetBlue for individuals who have booked a flight on the airline. The new website uses the customers flight details to make individually tailored suggestions for travel components such as hotel stays and car rentals. The Paisly dashboard makes it simple to book travel and reference an itinerary in just a few clicks, JetBlue said. Unlike the companys existing JetBlue Vacations unit, which bundles trip elements together in a single preplanned package, Paisly lets users select their own components from a roster of participating suppliers. The company said Paisly will be launching with some established relationships, including Avis Budget Group Car Rentals, Walt Disney World Resort, and Universal Orlando Resort; as well as nationally recognized hotels, which ensure breadth of coverage. Purchasers will earn TrueBlue points at a rate of one per dollar spent on hotels and attractions; car rentals will earn 100 points a day for regular TrueBlue members and 200 for Mosaic-level members. The new site is at www.paisly.com.

CLEAR, the trusted traveler company that uses biometric identifiers like eye and fingerprint scans to let its members bypass long security lines at airports, has opened up at Sacramento International with expedited clearance lanes in Terminals A and B. The company also has an enrollment station in Terminal A. CLEAR does not include membership in the TSAs PreCheck program, although CLEAR members who also belong to PreCheck can get faster access to those lanes. A membership in CLEAR costs $15 a month, although discounts are available through the loyalty/award programs of Delta, United and American Express. CLEAR lanes are available at 36 airports nationwide, including San Francisco International and Mineta San Jose.

Jim Glab is a freelance travel writer.
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.
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.
A young British musician said she cant quite believe it after her music was beamed to the International Space Station.

Moonlit Skies by Sally Robinson, a student from Cardiff, was sent to the ISS after she made contact with one of its former residents as part of an ongoing musical project.

Ms Robinson, 22, told the PA news agency: Scott Kelly, the astronaut, heard it and was like, Yeah, thats really cool, Im gonna send it up to the ISS, which I still cant quite believe.

The track, released on Sunday, is part of a suite of eight songs produced by Ms Robinson themed around the four elements: air, earth, fire, and water.

For each the Bath Spa University student, who described her music as on the indie side of folk, is attempting to have them played in a relevant unique environment.

The next pair represents earth, and that is going to go to scientific research facilities for the rainforest and the deserts, she said.

The pair after that is representing fire, so thats going to go to volcanoes, all the way around the world I think, hopefully thatll be really cool.

And then the last pair is representing the water so thats going to go to boats.

Sally Robinson has written eight songs themed around the four elements (Sally Robinson)

Moonlit Skies, and its sister air track Leaves In The Light, have been played in polar research facilities at both poles, as well as being sent into space.

She made contact with Mr Kelly, the American astronaut who commanded three missions to the ISS, through his representatives and was delighted to get positive feedback.

He just said yeah, Sally, these are great, Ms Robinson said.

He said he could really relate to Moonlit Skies, which I think is really cool.

The project brings together Ms Robinsons interests in art and science, in particular astronomy, a fascination which goes back to her childhood.

To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so.

Its just something that Ive always just found absolutely amazing, she said.

Whenever you look up to the sky at night and you see the moon and then you feel so tiny, I find it so calming  which is what Moonlit Skies is about, that feeling.

I think the first song I ever wrote was about missing the moon because I couldnt see it from my bedroom window.

Long term Ms Robinson, who is originally from Cornwall, hopes to make music professionally, but she is intending to study for a masters degree in psychology to become a therapist if that does not work out.

She enjoys bringing art and science together, something that is reflected in her elements project.

I kind of feel like there should be much more of a crossover than there actually is at the minute, thats kind of part of the idea, she said.
Immigration judges have dished out lifelong anonymity orders in more than 90 per cent of cases involving extremists and terrorists, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Of 79 people whose cases have come before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) since 2014  some who had their British citizenship stripped by the Government  72 have been granted their request to keep their names secret.

Critics say the lifelong anonymity orders puts the publics safety at risk

They include hate clerics and an alleged associate of the barbaric quartet of British executioners dubbed the ISIS Beatles.



Critics say the lifelong anonymity orders puts the publics safety at risk and the proceedings are shrouded in such secrecy it is almost impossible for the media to challenge the orders.

Sam Armstrong, of the Henry Jackson Society think-tank, said: The public have a right to know which jihadis are returning from Syria to walk the streets of Britain.

The Judicial Communications Office said: Anonymity does not follow as a matter of course. Typically it is granted to protect the appellant and/or their family from the risk of violence or death, and/or to safeguard children.



By Gwynne Dyer



The Syrian civil war is over 10 years old, and it's time to stop it. At least half a million Syrians have died, a quarter of the pre-war population are refugees abroad and another quarter are refugees inside Syria. Thirty percent of the country's housing is destroyed or badly damaged  and we have known who won the war for at least four years now.



More fighting cannot change anything. All the big cities are back under the regime's control, as is at least 80 percent of the territory and of the population that's still within the borders. The Russian military intervention in 2015 turned the tide, the remaining rebels are all crammed into one province, Idlib, and local ceasefires have silenced the guns in most places.



Yet there is no peace, because neither the rebels in Idlib nor their foreign backers are willing to recognize the victory of long-ruling dictator Bashar al-Assad and his Baath Party. You can see why, because this is a regime that pitilessly tortures and murders those who defy it, and in a world where divine justice prevailed it would surely have been destroyed.



Unfortunately, that is not this world. Assad came down with coronavirus last week, but he's very unlikely to die from it (he's only 55), and it's hard to think of anything else that might change the outcome.



Indeed, even Assad's death might not do the trick. It's a whole regime with deep roots, not just one man, and it has survived lost wars, attempted coups and rebellions for almost 60 years. Moreover, the only plausible successor to the ruling Baath Party at this point is the murderous Islamist fanatics of the al-Qaeda affiliates who control Idlib.



The real reason Assad has won the war is that enough people in Syria believe the Islamist jihadis would kill them if they came to power. All the religious minorities, Shia Muslim, Christian and Druze, believe that, plus anybody secular and anybody who works for the government, including teachers. They think of the jihadis as an Islamic version of the Khmer Rouge, and they're not far wrong.



The jihadis didn't dominate the original uprising in 2011, but Assad is not stupid. He immediately freed around 6,000 Islamists from his jails, in the hope that they were ruthless enough to win control of the opposition and frighten people into backing him instead. It worked.



Foreign countries, some ignorant, some naive and some 'soft' Islamist themselves (Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar), poured in guns and money, and the Syrian Islamists did take over the revolt. That drove a lot of Syrians to Assad's side  and then Russia sent its air force in to save him in 2015. By 2017, the war was effectively settled  but it did not stop.



It slowed down almost to a stop after Assad regained control of everything except Idlib province (occupied by Turkey) and the sparsely populated east of the country (partly held by Kurdish and American troops). But the anti-Assad foreigners won't acknowledge his victory.



The United States actually strengthened its already savage sanctions against Syria last year, so Assad's key supporters are still scraping by but everybody else is on the brink of starvation. The Syrian pound is worth less than a fifth of its value a year ago, and 80 percent of the population is below the poverty line.



The U.S. sanctions can go on forever at no cost to the United States, while American politicians feel virtuous and Syrians suffer, but there is a way to end this. It has to start with accepting that Assad will stay in power, because that's the only way that other countries get any leverage.



What price would Assad pay for an end to sanctions and renewed international recognition as Syria's leader? Quite a lot, because it would enable him to start rebuilding the country, however slowly, and free him from the isolation he has endured for the past decade.



He could be told that the price includes an amnesty for all Syrians, including those who fought against him, except for those who actually committed war crimes. Many of the refugees wouldn't go home anyway because they don't trust him, but international supervision and guarantees for those who take up the offer could probably be negotiated.



Turkey would try to block the deal, but Russia would go along with it and put pressure on the Turks. Syria would still be a police state, but most people would be back in their homes (some measures required to ensure that those who fled recover their property), and all the children would be back in school (most haven't been, for the past five years).



It would be something like the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, in other words, except with more international involvement and less vengeance against the losers. No promises, but it's certainly worth a try.



Gwynne Dyer (gwynne763121476@aol.com) has worked as a freelance journalist, columnist, broadcaster and lecturer on international affairs for more than 20 years. He is the author of "Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work)."






(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Myanmar's security forces killed nearly 90 people in the bloodiest day since the military seized power, a monitoring group said Saturday, as the junta staged a major show of might for its annual Armed Forces Day

Naypyidaw, Myanmar, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Mar, 2021 ) :Myanmar's security forces killed nearly 90 people in the bloodiest day since the military seized power, a monitoring group said Saturday, as the junta staged a major show of might for its annual Armed Forces Day.

The nation has been in turmoil since the generals ousted and detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February, triggering a major uprising demanding a return to democracy.

The country's capital Naypyidaw saw a grand parade of troops and military vehicles in the morning, with a speech by junta leader Min Aung Hlaing warning that acts of so-called "terrorism" were unacceptable.

But by nightfall, the country had seen its deadliest day since the coup, with local monitoring group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) confirming 89 people were killed by "early evening".

Britain's foreign secretary called the day "a new low" for the junta, and the embassies of the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom all condemned the bloodshed.

Speaking to eyewitnesses and rescue workers, AFP has independently verified that at least 25 people were killed.

Violence erupted all over the central Mandalay region as security forces opened fire on protesters, killing at least 10 in five different cities -- one of them a 14-year-old girl in Meiktila.

"Four men were brought to us dead," an emergency worker from Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city, told AFP as she frantically tried to treat dozens of injured.

A protester in Myingyan, who witnessed a man killed when he was shot in the neck, said the death toll will likely grow as security forces have continued shooting across his city.

"Today is like a revolution day for us." In Sagaing region, at least five were killed in two cities -- one of them a 13-year-old boy who was killed in the crossfire of a crackdown, according to a resident of Shwebo.

"He was just sitting inside his house," said the resident, adding that the teenager was supposed to become a novice monk.

In the northeastern Shan state, security forces opened fire on university students -- killing at least three -- while in the tourist city of Bagan, a march through ancient pagodas turned into mayhem when one protesting tour guide was shot dead.

- 'A day of terror and dishonour' - "Today's killing of unarmed civilians, including children, marks a new low," said UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab on Twitter.

"We will work with our international partners to end this senseless violence, hold those responsible to account, and secure a path back to democracy." The UN human rights high commissioner's office said it had received reports of "scores killed", adding that "this violence is compounding the illegitimacy of the coup and the culpability of its leaders".

The European Union delegation in Yangon called Saturday "a day of terror and dishonour", while the US embassy said the security forces' actions were akin to "murdering unarmed civilians", adding "these are not the actions of a professional military or police force".

Saturday's bloodshed pushed the current death toll since the coup to nearly 420, according to AAPP's numbers.

Across Yangon, plumes of smoke rose above the former capital which has emerged as a hotspot of unrest in recent weeks.

At least five were killed overnight after police opened fire when demonstrators gathered in front of a police station in the city's south to call for the release of their friends. Residents heard nonstop shooting though the night.

A baby playing on the street in a northern Yangon township was hit in the eye with a rubber bullet when police unleashed gunfire at nearby protesters. She was rushed to the hospital by her parents.

Further north near the notorious Insein prison, a pre-dawn rally devolved into chaos when soldiers started shooting.

At least one was killed -- a 21-year-old police officer, Chit Lin Thu, who had joined the anti-coup movement.

"He was shot in the head and died at home," his father Joseph told AFP.

"I am extremely sad for him, but at the same time, I am proud of my son".

- 'Enemy of democracy' - During a speech at the parade, junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing once again defended the coup and pledged to yield power after new elections.

But he also issued a threat to the anti-coup movement that has gripped the country since he took charge, warning that acts of "terrorism which can be harmful to state tranquillity and security" were unacceptable.

"The democracy we desire would be an undisciplined one if they pay no respect to and violate the law," he said.

Armed Forces Day commemorates the start of local resistance to the Japanese occupation during World War II, and usually accompanies a military parade attended by foreign officers and diplomats.

The junta announced that eight international delegations attended Saturday's event, including China and Russia -- with state media broadcasting Russian deputy defence minister Alexander Fomin in the audience.

According to Russian news agency Interfax, the defence ministry announced that Russian-made military equipment -- tanks, fighter jets, and helicopters -- were included in the parade.

A group of ousted parliamentarians working underground against the junta -- The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), the Burmese word for "parliament" -- condemned the show of might after a bloody seven weeks.

"We should not allow these military generals to celebrate after they killed our brothers and sisters," said its UN special envoy, who goes by the moniker Dr Sasa.
(Natural News) A physician in Houston, Texas aired his concerns over the mRNA technology used to make the Pfizer and Moderna Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines. In a video posted to Rumble on March 15, Dr. Steve Hotze asserted that the first two jabs made available to the Americans dont really provide immunity against COVID-19.

Hotzes assertions may help explain why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned the public that its still possible for vaccinated people to get and spread SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Pfizer and Moderna got their emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA in December to become the first two COVID-19 vaccines rolled out in the United States. An EUA does not equate to an FDA approval.

Dr. Hotze hinted that the mRNA vaccines of Pfizer and Moderna were actually gene therapy drugs designed to minimize symptoms if a person becomes infected with the disease.

By law, pharmaceutical companies are not liable for vaccine-related injuries or deaths. (Related: Indiana PT dies TWO DAYS after getting mRNA Wuhan coronavirus vaccine.)

Outspoken mRNA critic echoes Hotzes claims

Dr. David Martin, an outspoken critic of the mRNA vaccine, offered similar opinion.

This is not a vaccine  using the term vaccine to sneak this thing under public health exemptions. This is mRNA packaged in a fat envelope that is delivered to a cell. It is a medical device designed to stimulate the human cell into becoming a pathogen creator, Dr. Martin said, referring to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines being used to inoculate the population in the U.S. and many other countries worldwide.

They have been abundantly clear in saying that the mRNA strand that is going into the cell is not to stop transmission. It is a treatment. But if it was discussed as a treatment, it would not get the sympathetic ear of public health authorities, because then people would say What other treatments are there?'

Dr. Martin warned that mRNA vaccines actually induce an illness instead of an immuno-transmissive response. In other words, nothing about this is going to stop you transmitting anything. This is about getting you sick, and having your own cells be the thing that get you sick, he said.

According to the CDC website, the mRNA vaccine teaches our cells how to make a protein  or even just a piece of a protein  that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines give instructions for our cells to make a harmless piece of what is called the spike protein. The spike protein is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. Once the instructions (mRNA) are inside the immune cells, the cells use them to make the protein piece. After the protein piece is made, the cell breaks down the instructions and gets rid of them.

It is this protein piece that stimulates an immune response. This is unlike normal vaccines where the immune response is triggered by the vaccine itself.

Follow Immunization.news for more news and information related to coronavirus vaccines.

Sources include:

NaturalHealth365.com

TheSource.metro.net

CDC.gov

Heart.org
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Southern Limestone County, Northwestern Morgan County and Eastern Lawrence County until 4 a.m.

At 333 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 6 miles east of Courtland to near Moulton to near Needmore, moving east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include... Decatur, Athens, Hartselle, Moulton, Priceville, Trinity, Tanner, Hillsboro, Mooresville and Belle Mina.

Turn to WAAY 31 for everything you need to know to stay safe during severe weather. Chief Meteorologist Kate McKenna will provide you with the most accurate information on storms by using our StormTracker Early Warning Radar Network.

Stationed in Muscle Shoals, Decatur and Guntersville, the radars provide the best data for all of North Alabama by scanning EVERY community in North Alabama.

See all the radars HERE

Access the Muscle Shoals radar HERE

Access the Decatur radar HERE

Access the Guntersville radar HERE

And download our news and weather apps HERE
The historic University College Cork campus includes a mass grave of 13 Irish Republican Army (IRA) members executed by the British government in 1921.

They were shot by British Army firing squads at the Cork Detention Barracks inside Victoria Barracks (now Collins Barracks) at different dates in 1921, and buried on the grounds of Cork Mens Gaol, which was later taken over by UCC.

Following an escalation of the War of Independence, the British government introduced martial law to the rebellious province of Munster in December 1920 (it was subsequently extended to counties Kilkenny and Wexford). Among its many provisions was the death penalty for any civilian caught in possession of arms, ammunition, or explosives. The 13 IRA Volunteers buried at UCC were all sentenced to death for this infraction.

Patrick O'Mahony: Executed and buried in Cork Men's Gaol, the grounds of which are now part of University College Cork.

The first prisoner executed was IRA Captain Cornelius Murphy (aged 30), of the Rathduane Company, Millstreet Battalion, Cork No. 2 Brigade. He was shot by British firing squad on February 1, 1921. On February 28, six IRA Volunteers were executed, five of whom had been captured in an abortive ambush at Dripsey by the 6th Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade. They were Volunteers Patrick OMahony Jr (aged 30) of Berrings, Inishcarra; Timothy McCarthy (aged 21), Fornaught, Donoughmore; John Lyons (aged 27), Aghabulloge; Thomas OBrien (aged 20), Model Village, Dripsey; and Daniel OCallaghan (aged 22), Dripsey.

Also executed that day was Captain Sean Allen (aged 27) of Tipperary, 4th Battalion, Tipperary No. 3 Brigade.

The next round of executions occurred during a four- day span in April and May 1921. On April 28, Volunteer Maurice Moore (aged 26) of Cobh, Co Cork and Lieutenant Patrick Sullivan (aged 24), also of Cobh, were both shot, following their capture during the Fourth Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade flying column disaster at Clonmult. On the same day, Volunteers Thomas Mulcahy (aged 25) and Patrick Ronayne (aged 26), both of Burnfort, Mallow, Co Cork, died by firing squad. Members of the 5th Battalion, Cork No. 2 Brigade, they were captured at the miscarried Mourne Abbey Ambush.

Four days later, on May 2, a firing squad shot Volunteer Patrick Casey (aged 26) of Caherly, Grange, Co Limerick. He was the quartermaster of the 5th Battalion, Mid-Limerick Brigade, captured after a firefight at Knockanevin. The final execution occurred on May 16, 1921. Volunteer Daniel OBrien (aged 30) of Knockardbane, Co Cork, was shot five days after his capture in Aughrim, following service with the Liscarroll Company, Charleville Battalion of the Cork No. 2 Brigade.

The Cork Mens Gaol opened in about 1803 as the Cork and County Gaol, with the Sundays Well Gaol acting for city prisoners. Under the 1878 General Prisons (Ireland) Act, the Sundays Well gaol was designated a womens prison, while the County Gaol housed men only. Despite this change, the Cork Male Gaol is often still referred to as the Cork County Gaol. After 1946, the Gaol was used for remand prisoners or those on sentences of up to three months, before its final closure on April 1, 1956.

In 1946 about one-third of the site, bounding on College Rd, was handed over to UCC. It was here in 1954 that the electrical engineering building was built. This part of the site included the graves of the13 executed IRA Volunteers.

With this new ground, it was also now possible to create a vehicular entrance from College Road, which enabled easy access to the burial plot. The rest of the gaol was transferred to UCC in 1957. UCC demolished the remaining buildings, except for the Greek Revival facade and parts of the boundary wall along Gaol Walk.

Memorial plans

IN 1944, the Cork Gaol Memorial Committee of the Old IRA Mens Association, under the chairmanship of Tom Crofts, began collecting funds for a suitable memorial. Cork sculptor Seamus Murphy RHA was commissioned to create the stone plaque on the front wall of the gaol. The plaque, which is dated 1947, is made of limestone in three panels, all framed in bronze. The names of 18 men are finely etched in Gaelic lettering.

Seventeen men who had lost their lives on the gaol grounds during the 1920-23 period were remembered: 13 executed in 1921, one executed during the Irish Civil War (William Healy, March 13, 1923), two who died on hunger strike (Michael Fitzgerald, October 17, 1920, and Joseph Murphy, October 25, 1920), one executed during the Irish Civil War (William Healy March 13, 1923), and one was shot by a Free State sentry during a prison disturbance (Patrick Mangan, September 25, 1922). The final name was that of Captain James Barrett of Firmount, Co Cork, who had been wounded during the Dripsey Ambush and died in the military hospital at Victorian Barracks on March 22, 1921.

The monument over the grave was probably created by John A. OConnell and Sons  the name O Conaill is inscribed on the monument  OConnells had their stone yard at Watercourse Rd. This monument takes the form of a pair of vertical back panels, on which the names are carved, on either side of a stylised cross.

There are 13 burials in the plot, but a 14th name (Risteard Ua Nunain / Richard Noonan, of Fianna Eireann) has been added to the left-hand panel. Noonan was 18 when he died of heart failure while imprisoned in the gaol (October 11, 1922), and is buried at St Finbarrs Cemetery, Cork.

Eamon de Valera unveiled the memorial in Cork.

After the successful fundraising drive and construction, the unveiling of the memorial and the plaque took place on Sunday, July 11, 1948. A procession with five bands left the Grand Parade at 2pm, arriving at UCC by 4pm when Eamon de Valera TD (he was no longer Taoiseach) unveiled the memorial plaque on the gaol wall. He then entered the UCC grounds, where he was met by university president, Dr Alfred ORahilly, and the registrar, Professor Henry St J. Atkins. The monument was blessed by the Rev. Fr Augustine Hayden OFM Cap. Like other Capuchins, Fr Augustine was closely associated with the republican movement, having ministered to Padraic Pearse and James Connolly after the Easter Rising and officiated Terence and Muriel MacSwineys wedding in 1917.

After his blessing, a decade of the Rosary was recited. A firing part consisting of IRA veterans then fired three volleys and the Last Post and Reveille were sounded. De Valera then addressed the crowd from a platform erected nearby.

The unveiling was used to mark the handing over to UCC of the sacred soil which enshrouds the ashes of these brave men. Mr ORahilly accepted the memorial on behalf of UCC, thanked the Cork Gaol Memorial Committee which had presented it, and the outgoing government for its generosity in handing over the site. Mr ORahilly reminded the audience that he himself had been imprisoned in 1921, and recalled hearing the gunfire of some of the executions. A photograph of the grave monument being unveiled on the day was printed in the Cork Examiner; this shows the gaol in the background.

A detail of the memorial in UCC

In 1992, three stones were laid on the grass with the names, in English, of those buried in this plot, with place of origin, along with a text: Here lie the mortal remains of 13 Volunteers of the Irish Republican Army executed by British firing squads in the Cork Military Barracks in 1921 and buried here in what was then a part of the exercise yard of the former Cork County Jail. The centre stone has a quotation from Padraic Pearse (this is also on the memorial plaque on the gaol wall): Beidh iomradh ortha i measc a muinntire cuimhneochaidh an uile ghlun iad agus morfaid said a n-ainm Padraig Mac Piarais. The names of the 13 buried here were inscribed again on the flat stones of the surrounding kerb.

Though passed without comment by generations of students and staff, the mass grave and its memorial are a unique and compelling element of UCCs remarkable architectural heritage.

Margaret Lantry is acting university curator, Heritage Services, Buildings & Estates, UCC

Read More War of Independence: One of the bloodiest days of the conflict

The executed prisoners buried in University College Cork
The death of a 43-year-old Nigerian national at DDU hospital on Sunday sparked violent protest in west Delhis Tilak Nagar by his compatriots who alleged that he was assaulted by a cop. Police have denied the allegation.

According to police, the agitated African nationals created ruckus following the death of Leohand Lyeanyi. They broke glasses at Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) hospital. Initially, they were around 20 to 30, but their numbers increased to 100. The mob also attacked the local people and police personnel, they said.

The nationals also attacked officials of the High Commission of Nigeria who had come to meet them, police said.

The Nigerian protestors, however, claimed that Lyeanyi died after being lathi-charged by the police.

Denying the charges, the police maintained that the victim was not hit by them and his medico legal case (MLC) report showed no external injury on the body.

A senior police officer said they received information about Lyeanyis death at around 3.30 am on Sunday from the DDU hospital.

He said the post-mortem report of the victim is awaited.

Police also said that they have found CCTV footage wherein the victim could be seen stepping out of an auto-rickshaw and sitting near a shop. He then collapsed, hitting his head on the ground. There was nobody around him, they said.

Two cases have been registered against the violent mob, police said, adding that a probe is on in the matter.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Panama's Health Ministry announced on Saturday, a temporary ban on the entry of people from all South American countries starting from Wednesday after a COVID-19 case of the Brazilian variant was confirmed.

"We are temporarily suspending the entry into the country of any person who has stayed or transited through any South American country in the past 15 days, except for nationals and residents of Panama, who upon entering must take a COVID-19 test and enter quarantine," Sputnik reported citing sources.

The new restrictions on travel will come into force on Wednesday, March 31, the ministry specified, adding that the measures were prompted by the discovery of the Brazilian strain in the country.

"The P1 Sars Cov-2 variant was detected in the country in a positive patient from Brazil," the ministry said.

It added that the foreigner had been living in Panama, but travelled to her country of origin and tested positive for COVID-19 upon her return to from Brazil.

According to the latest health ministry data, has a total of 353,497 confirmed cases, while the country's COVID-19 death toll stands at over 6,000, reported Sputnik.

(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.)
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.

Eritrean troops have faced increasing pressure to leave the Tigray region after accusations of serious rights abuses. After denying reports of their presence for months, Ethiopia has now said troops will be leaving.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced that neighboring Eritrea would pull its troops out of the conflict-ridden Tigray region.

Abiy's statement on Friday followed a visit to Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. Troops from both the Ethiopian and Eritrean military forces have been accused of carrying out abuses against the civilian population in the border region.

In his statement published on Twitter, Abiy said that following his discussions on Friday with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, "the government of Eritrea has agreed to withdraw its forces out of the Ethiopian border."

Abiy first acknowledged the presence of Eritrean forces in the region on Tuesday after months of rejecting reports from residents, diplomats and even some military officials.

What were Eritrean troops doing in Tigray?

Abiy sent troops into Tigray on November 4, after accusing the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) of attacking an Ethiopian military camp.

The TPLF was once the dominant party in Ethiopia and carried out an extended war with neighboring Eritrea. Abiy brokered a peace deal with Asmara in 2018, an act for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Abiy has since been accused of siding with Eritrean forces to pursue the now fugitive leaders of the TPLF.

Witnesses have claimed that Eritrean troops were present in Tigray from the start of the conflict, contradicting Abiy's account.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both accused Eritrean soldiers of carrying out a massacre of hundreds of Tigrayans in the town of Axum.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ethiopia Governance Arms and Armies 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.

Ethiopian forces have also been accused of abuses. Doctors Without Borders claimed that soldiers had carried out summary executions in Tigray.

Some 6 million people in the Tigray region have been largely cut off from the world during the conflict. The UN human rights office said it was only recently allowed back in to support investigations into human rights abuses.

Biden pushes to end the conflict

Abiy claimed victory over the TPLF in December, but the United States and United Nations have both reported continued clashes.

The US has been calling on Eritrean troops to leave the area for weeks, and the Biden administration ramped up the pressure by dispatching Senator Chris Coons to Ethiopia nearly a week ago for talks with Abiy.

Abiy did not say how many Eritrean troops had been present in Tigray, but witnesses have estimated the number to be in the thousands.

The Ethiopian prime minister's statement concluded by promising to "continue strengthening [the] bilateral relations and economic cooperation ambitions" between Eritrea and Ethiopia, as well as "restoring trust-based people-to-people relations among our citizens in the Tigray region."

ab/msh (dpa, AP, AFP)

The mother of killer Ken Flanagan, who was murdered by her son before he went on to kill his girlfriend, Stacey Knell, and himself on Friday of last week, was concerned about her son's behaviour in the months before the tragedy, the Sunday World understands.

Sources close to the family said Karen McClean (50), who was stabbed to death by Flanagan in her Rathcoole home in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, had raised concerns with a former friend of Ms Knell (30), who was buried on Friday.

It is thought that Ms McClean was concerned that her son had been using drugs again after several attempts to get clean and was afraid that he would either get into trouble with the police or that he would hurt himself or someone else.

One source said: "Karen was concerned about the relationship Ken had with Stacey. It was nothing to do with Stacey herself, who she liked, it was that Karen was actually worried about Ken being in a relationship where a child was present because he had a reputation as a bit of a tearaway and had addiction problems in the past.

"For years, Karen's heart was broken over Ken's addiction issues, but she remained a doting mother and was always there for him. At times the pair were at loggerheads with each other, but Karen really did her best to try and keep Ken on the straight and narrow.

"It wasn't that she was against Ken having a relationship with Stacey, it was that she was concerned about Ken having a relationship at all until he got himself sorted out and on the right path.

"A few people were trying to make Stacey aware of Ken. There was a feeling that something was going to go wrong, but nobody thought that Stacey was going to be killed."

The source also said, that while two families have been left devastated, the situation could have escalated had Stacey's daughter been present.

They explained: "Nobody really knows what kind of mental state Ken was in when he did this. The only person that knows what was going on in his head was Ken.

"So it's a good thing Stacey's daughter wasn't present whenever Ken attacked her mother. Who knows what mind state he was in ... He could have hurt the child as well - or worse.

"Even if the young girl had have witnessed it, it would have had a devastating effect on her for the rest of her life, even though the current circumstances and what she's been through will always be with her. The whole situation is heartbreaking beyond the pale."

Expand Close Stacey Knell was killed by boyfriend Ken Flanagan / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Stacey Knell was killed by boyfriend Ken Flanagan

Read More

Stacey Knell was buried on Friday, with the funeral leaving from her mother's house in the Sydenham area of east Belfast before she was taken to Roselawn.

The funeral was restricted in numbers due to coronavirus regulations.

After her murder, Ms Knell's friend set up a Go Fund Me page in order to help the victim's family with funeral preparations.

Donations soon began flooding into the appeal, and at the time of writing, it has almost doubled its 1,500 target.

The excess money will go to Ms Knell's daughter - left without a mother after the horror last weekend.

It is also understood there is palpable anger among Ms Knell's friends that nothing had been done to prevent the tragedy from happening, even though her former partner contacted social services and the PSNI on the same day the killings took place to say he was fearful something bad would happen.

Sam Lillie spoke to the Sunday World last week and revealed that he had walked into Musgrave Street police station and voiced his concerns that Flanagan, whose behaviour Mr Lillie said "raised so many red flags", was in the presence of his young daughter due to Flanagan's ongoing relationship with Ms Knell.

Expand Close Mum Karen McClean was killed by her son / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Mum Karen McClean was killed by her son

Speaking of going to the police, Mr Lillie said: "When I asked to make a report they told me they only investigate crimes. They said they can't advise Stacey and who she has a relationship with.

"I said I just wanted them to look into the matter and look into Ken and the fact that he was around my daughter, which was my main concern.

"The reason why alarm bells started ringing was because [last] Wednesday I saw Ken with Stacey and my daughter and that's when the red flags started popping up for me, that's when I realised I had to take some kind of action because I didn't want a guy with his reputation to be near my daughter."

The police confirmed Mr Lillie had been present at the station last Friday and that they had given him a reference number.

He added: "I knew of Ken and I knew he was bad news. It's not for me to say who my ex-partner goes out with but I just didn't want him being around my daughter. I really tried my best. I tried to raise awareness and nobody did anything about it.

"It could have been my daughter. Just the thought of that absolutely terrifies me. My heart is broken."

Expand Close Tragic scenes at the funeral of Stacey Knell / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Tragic scenes at the funeral of Stacey Knell

On social media, before her death, Ms McClean posted a poignant message about what she described as people seeing her 'kindness as weakness'.

The post read: 'I'm done trying to see the good in takers ADDICTS fake PPL ... trying to help them, taking my kindness as weakness..... LESSON LEARNT .!!!!'

Underneath Ms McClean's words was a meme with the message: 'Ignoring the red flags because you wanna see the good in people will cost you later.'

In another heartbreaking post, Ms McClean spoke of her son's battle with addiction and her fears for him during the coronavirus pandemic.

She wrote: 'So proud of my beautiful son Ken staying clean ... I've finally got him back. I pray he continues to beat his disease of addiction .... Anybody judges him or any addict calls them junkies especially when they've took or tried drugs ... is hypocritical! Walk a mile in my shoes as a loving devoted mother ... Addicts r so vulnerable to corona v immune system very low. They still need love... I love you son stay strong.'

Meanwhile, tributes have continued to flood in for the popular and much-loved Ms Knell on social media.

One person posted: 'Rest easy beautiful girl. You have been robbed of your precious young life. May God watch over your beautiful daughter and family and ease there pain. My thought go out to the entire family. God bless.'

Another said: 'Hope she gets the send of she deserves my beautiful best friend gone far too soon abs heartbroken. Thoughts with all the family sweet dreams angel xxx'.

Read More
ADVERTISEMENT

The police said they have arrested 16 people for complicity in a series of violent and unprovoked attacks on security operatives and facilities around Nigeria, especially in the South-east region.

Several police officers have been killed lately in a string of attacks by gunmen, mostly around Nigerias South-east and South-south regions.

Police stations are often the target of the attacks, which appeared coordinated. The gunmen would raid the armoury, cart away police rifles, and then set the stations on fire, during the attacks. Police vehicles on patrol have also been targeted by gunmen.

The spokesperson at the police headquarters, Frank Mba, announced the arrest of the suspects in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Mba, a commissioner of police, said the arrest was an outcome of painstaking, deliberate and tireless collaborative effort between the police, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigerian Airforce.

The police named the suspects to include Ugochukwu Samuel, otherwise known as Biggy, 28, from Arochukwu Local Government Area, Abia State; Raphael Idang, 31, from Odukpani Local Government Area, Cross River State; Cletus Egole, otherwise known as Alewa, 60, from Orlu in Imo State; and Michael Uba, 33, from Imo State.

Twelve others, in the course of investigation, were implicated in multiple felonies committed across several states in the South-Eastern part of the Federation.

The suspects were arrested in various parts of the country following sustained, and intelligence-driven sting operations.

Police investigations clearly established and linked the suspects to several incidents of attacks and murder of security personnel as well as stealing, unlawful possession of firearms, arson and malicious damage to operational assets of military and law enforcement agents, Mr Mba said in the statement.

Continuing, Mr Mba said, Specifically, investigations revealed that the duo of Ugochukwu Samuel, aka Biggy, and Raphael Idang were among the criminal elements that attacked policemen on duty at a checkpoint on 24th December, 2020 along Orlu-Ihiala Road in Imo State where two police officers were killed and a Police Hilux patrol van set ablaze.

In addition, both were part of a larger group that attacked a police reconnaissance team on 13th January, 2021 killing one police officer. Ugochukwu Samuel a.k.a Biggy, who sustained a bullet wound during an attack by his gang on a military convoy in which some soldiers were killed and weapons carted away, was subsequently arrested while receiving treatment in a hospital. Both suspects confessed to being active members of IPOB and ESN.

The police said two of the suspects, said to be a pastor and a prophet, were the masterminds behind some of the attacks.

Cletus Nwachukwu Egole, aka Alewa, a pastor with the Holy Blessed Trinity Sabbath Church, Orlu, Imo State, and Michael Uba, a prophet with the Association of Jewish Faith, who were also arrested, are two of the masterminds of the various attacks on security personnel, in addition to providing spiritual cover for the gang.

Cletus Nwachukwu Egoles house was used by the gang members to plan their nefarious operations. He also donated his late brothers farmland for use as a hideout and training camp for the gang, the statement said.

Police said they recovered nine AK47 rifles, five other sophisticated firearms, 17 AK47 magazines, 549 AK47 live ammunition, 10 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), camouflage bullet proof vests, walkie talkies and other incriminating items from the suspects.

The statement quoted the inspector general of police as saying that law enforcement agents have gathered sufficient intelligence on the attackers and are closing up on scores of suspects already implicated in the attacks either directly or indirectly for financing, aiding and abetting the criminals.
A former governor of Yobe State and three- time Senator, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, has started moves to re-contest for the senate seat in the 2023 election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

Senator Ibrahim disclosed this in an interview with the Hausa service of the Voice of America monitored by our correspondent in Damaturu.

He said "I cherish staying around my people because they are the source of my position. Staying away from those who had put up their best to ensure you are where you are today is not the best calculation by a true politician. I derive pleasure interacting with my people.

It is through them that you will realise that poverty has reached a crescendo. It is through them that you will understand that there is failure in governance; from the grassroots to the top. This is how I get to know the pulse of the nation.

"Bukar is making moves to get a ticket for senator in 2023 and reunite his people for supporting his ambition. I want to use this medium to tell you that the incumbent senator, Ibrahim Gaidam, has failed to deliver the dividends of democracy to his constituency," he said.

He said he would continue to encourage the party to do the right thing.

"I'm still in politics, I'm always discussing with my prople how to move our constituency forward, Yobe is one political party since 1999.

"I am in politics for life. Again, I will be a senator for life. Our people are suffering, nothing you can write about, God willing I will mobilize my people to support my ambition for the forthcoming general election.

"Let me tell you that we must support APC. Our interest in the state has always been progressive and I will personally be watching for improvements in the APC. Our party is organised under the leadership of the incumbent governor, Mai Mala Buni," he 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.
Catholic believers celebrate Palm Sunday, a day of reminiscent of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where he was greeted by crowds carrying palm branches.

"Traditionally, on Palm Sunday, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bucharest organizes a procession on the streets of Bucharest, which this year, for the second time, cannot take place due to the pandemic. However, at the urging of Pope Francis, who said, regarding the pandemic, that 'we are all in the same boat,' we understand that the suffering and the negative way in which our lives have been affected during this period take on a new meaning through the Easter holidays: Jesus' self-sacrifice gives us a new perspective on our way of life. We are preparing to celebrate Easter in safety conditions, in collaboration with the state authorities," priest Tarcizio Serban, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bucharest, told AGERPRES.

He underscored that the approaching Easter holidays "call for a renewal of the mind and our way of life."

"Palm Sunday essentially evokes the event of the Messianic entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Surrounded and hailed by the apostles, disciples and a large part of the population as the Expected Messiah, Jesus enters Jerusalem bringing a message of rejection of corruption and abuse and conversion while turning to the God's law. The Palm Sunday celebration cannot be dissociated from that of Easter and marks the entry into the liturgical preparation for the Death and Resurrection of Jesus in the Holy Week. Jesus' message was not approved by the authorities, who, after trying to compromise him in many ways, staged a trial that resulted in Jesus being sentenced to death by crucifixion. which we commemorate on the Great Friday, while on Easter Sunday we celebrate his victory against death," the priest explained.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
ADVERTISEMENT

A large crowd Saturday evening thronged the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport to welcome the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, to Kano for his 12th colloquium.

Mr Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, arrived Kano at 5:24 p.m. and was welcomed by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

A large of his supporters had earlier arrived at the airport in a motorcade and broke into cheers on sighting the APC leader with shouts of Shugaban Kasar Gobe (the next president).

One of the supporters, who simply identified himself as Haruna, said Ahmed is our next president. He has done a lot for the party and his loyalty to Baba Buhari has been proven over time.

I know he is not in Kano for campaign but for us its an opportunity to appreciate him and show him support, Haruna said.

Another APC faithful, Ibrahim Dahiru, said: Politically, Bola Tinubu is a northerner and a democratic who fought for the return of democracy in Nigeria. He has paid his political dues as a defender of President Buhari administration and deserves our support here in Kano.

Premium Times correspondent, who witnessed the arrival of Mr Tinubu, saw hundreds of vehicles arriving in a motorcade at the airport.

Pedestrians were also caught in the excitement as they shouted Sai Tinubu and Sai Ganduje at the airport road as the motorcade moved to the Government House.

The Bola Tinubu Colloquium will hold on Monday virtually in Kano with President Muhammadu Buhari as chairperson of the occasion.

The colloquium seeks to discuss peace-building and national cohesion as tools for growth and prosperity in Africa.

The President of Liberia, George Weah, former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Koroma, and Vice President of ECOWAS Commission, Finda Koroma, have been confirmed as speakers at the event.

The 12th Colloquium is being held under the theme Our Common Bond, Our Common Wealth.

Other speakers at the colloquium are Dani Rodrick, Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy; Funmi Olonisakin, Professor of Security, Leadership & Development at Kings College, London; Amaka Anku, Practice Head, Africa Eurasia Group; Mohamed Yahya, Resident Representative in Nigeria, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); and Charity Namsoh, Founder/CEO, HoP Africa.

The speakers include policymakers, mediators, innovators, security experts, thought-leaders, academics and individuals in governance.

Through its rich selection of speakers across different sectors, the colloquium seeks to bring relevant discussions and solutions towards national growth in Nigeria and Africa.

The Bola Tinubu Colloquium is an avenue to bring to fore rich debate and intellectual discussions to project the future of Nigeria and Africa.

According to the organisers, the colloquium is a platform for sharing knowledge, experience and information around socio-economic and governance issues.
Clearly, she wasnt laughing at the crisis or the huge problem.

But when Vice President Kamala Harris let out a laugh Monday when a reporter asked if she had plans to visit the border, it was enough to raise some dander.

Uh, um, not today, Harris said before laughing.

That moment of levity was too much for some who felt it necessary to point out that what is happening on the border is no laughing matter. Families are fleeing violence. Children are being sent, unescorted, into a foreign land. Communities are being invaded. American taxpayers are being asked to foot the bill. This isnt ha-ha funny. It isnt even hee-hee funny, and it shouldnt be minimized. Madam Vice President, remember yourself.

A couple of days later, it was announced Harris would be spearheading an effort to work with the leaders of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador to stem the surge of people heading to the United States from Central America. And that might have been where the laugh came from  maybe she was just buying herself a second to figure out how to answer the question.

Of course, its impossible to know exactly what Harris was thinking, but its possible she might have said, Oh, yes, reporter, Ill be going to the border. But, no, not today, because the job Ive been given is a big, big one with no easy answers. In fact, this issue goes back longer than America has even been around, yet here we are.

By the way, we havent officially announced that Ill be leading this effort, but those of us involved have been working on this for a while. One things for sure, no matter what solution we carefully craft or throw together, a lot of people are going to be unhappy because, after all, the thorny immigration issue has many, many sides. All I can really tell you right now is that Im not going today.

Instead she stammered, said not today and laughed.

Harris smiles a lot; she has an easy smile. But she also has a pattern of laughing when laughter doesnt necessarily apply. In October, during a 60 Minutes interview in which Nora ODonnell pointed out that someone had called her the most liberal U.S. senator, she responded with laughter; at the time, President Donald Trump pointed it out and went as far as to suggest something was wrong with her. And she laughed heartily when she presided over the Senate as it filled the vacancy she left after she was sworn in as vice president; specifically, she laughed after she said her name.

But for Harris to respond with laughter to these situations isnt inappropriate, since all those instances happened when she was in a high-stress situation. It might have more to do with the fact that she is an American woman and communicates like one.

According to one study that examined the differences between how men and women process humor and laughter, women laugh more. The study found that 80 to 90 percent of statements such as See you later, or I think Im done, drew laughter though they werent funny and that people laugh more when speaking than when listening. It makes sense; laughter has the power to soothe tense situations by putting people at ease because it forms a connection.

From the time they are very young, girls are told theyre prettier when they smile, but what that really means is that a smiling or happy girl is more approachable because a smile signals approval and acceptance. Years of conditioning teach women that no matter the message, a smile  even a laugh  is not only acceptable, it is preferred.

It makes sense, then, that a woman in Harris position might be more inclined to laugh in the glare of the global spotlight than would her male predecessors. It could be that Harris has a nervous laugh, but it may well be a gender-based quirk.

That, however, says more about America than it does about her.

mariaanglinwrites@gmail.com
Baltimore has announced it will stop prosecuting people for drug possession, prostitution, minor traffic violations and other low-level offenses in a controversial move to extend an experiment brought in fight the spread of Covid.

State Attorney Marilyn Mosby stopped bringing charges for a string of less serious crimes last March to reduce the number of people being sent to crowded jails amid the pandemic.

Since then violent crimes and homicides have dropped by 20 percent in Baltimore even as they rose in most other major US cities - prompting Mosby to announce Friday she was making the temporary policy permanent.

State Attorney Marilyn Mosby stopped bringing charges for a string of less serious crimes last March. She is seen at a press conference Friday to announce she was extending the policy

Baltimore saw 13 fewer homicides from the year to March up until now, while property crime dipped 36%.

This coincided with 39% fewer people entering the city's criminal justice system, 20% fewer people going to jail, 80% fewer arrests for drug possession and 1,400 pending cases for non-violent offenses dropped.

Mosby said Friday this showed that crackdowns on quality-of-life crimes were not necessary for curbing more serious offenses - a challenge to the popular 'Broken Windows' theory promoted by former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani.

She declared an end to the 'war on drugs' in a city for decades notorious for runaway violent crime and harsh policing.

Nationwide the murder rate soared 30%, with 278 more murders in Chicago throughout 2020, equating to a 55% surge, while New York City's 131 added homicides accounted for a 43% jump.

'A year ago, we underwent an experiment in Baltimore,' Mosby said in comments reported by the Boston Globe.

'What we learned in that year, and it's so incredibly exciting, is there's no public safety value in prosecuting these low-level offenses.

'These low-level offenses were being, and have been, discriminately enforced against black and brown people. Prosecutors have to recognize their power to change the criminal justice system. The era of ''tough on crime'' prosecutors is over.'

Baltimore - which still has one of the highest homicide rates in the US - will now partner with local behavioral health services to treat drug users, sex workers and people suffering from mental health problems rather than treating them as criminals.

Enforcement of low-level crimes has dropped across much of the country as police limited operations to avoid catching Covid and in most cities the number of murders has increased - so it is unclear if Mosby's experiment would work elsewhere.

Mosby said that low-level offenses were 'discriminately enforced against black and brown people'. Pictured is a file photo of a man being arrested in Baltimore

The prosecutor's decision was criticised by Senator Robert Cassilly, a Republican from Hartford County, who accused her of over-reaching her authority.

'Prosecutors take an oath to uphold the constitution in the state of Maryland and the constitution says the general assembly sets the policy, not the prosecutors,' Cassilly told Fox Baltimore.

'I respect the whole prosecutorial discretion. That's not prosecutorial discretion, that's an exercise in legislating. That's what the legislature is supposed to do.'

Asked if she was worried about claims that lawlessness was being officially tolerated, Mosby said: 'I follow the data. So, what we've been able to prove in the past year is that crime has decreased.'

Mayor Brandon Scott and Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison both support the policy, but the local officers' union has not yet given its verdict.

Mosby is facing a federal investigation into her campaign finances, as well as the finances of her city councilman husband. She claims the probe is 'politically motivated'.

Despite Baltimore's experience, murder rates in nearly three dozen American cities exploded in 2020, rising 30 percent over the previous year, resulting in 1,200 more deaths from murder last year when compared to 2019. This graph was taken from a report published last month

Murder rates in nearly three dozen American cities exploded in 2020, rising 30 percent over the previous year, resulting in 1,200 more deaths from murder last year when compared to 2019.

The shocking findings came in a new study examining possible connections between crime, the coronavirus pandemic and protests against police brutality.

'Homicide rates were higher during every month of 2020 relative to rates from the previous year. That said, rates increased significantly in June, well after the pandemic began, coinciding with the death of George Floyd and the mass protests that followed,' states a report from the National Commission of COVID-19 and Criminal Justice (NCCCJ), titled Pandemic, Social unrest and Crime in US Cities.

The group, which was launched in July 2020 by the nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the justice system and make recommendations, characterized the homicide rate spike as an 'historic' and 'troubling increase that has no modern precedent.'

The 26-page study examined crime rates for 10 different offenses, including homicide, aggravated assault and robbery, in 34 American cities ranging in size from Norfolk, Virginia - the smallest city in the sample with 245,000 residents - to New York City - the largest city with 8.42million residents.

In Chicago, there were 278 more murders in 2020, which equated to a 55 per cent surge year-over-year, while New York Citys 131 added homicides accounted for a 43 per cent jump

Aggravated assault and gun assault rates increased by 6 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively, compared to the previous year, but robbery rates slipped by 9 per cent amid the pandemic that had seen large portions of the population confined to their homes for months.

Domestic violence rates based on data from 12 of the 34 cities in the sample spiked during the early months of the pandemic, but leveled off by the end of the year and were comparable to 2019 rates.

Likewise, property and drug crime rates, with the exception of motor vehicle theft, fell significantly during 2020. Residential burglary decreased by 24 per cent, non-residential burglary by 7 per cent, larceny by 16 per cent, and drug offenses by 30 per cent.

Homicide rates were 30 per cent higher than in 2019, representing 1,268 more deaths in the sample of cities than the year before. Of the 34 cities in the study, 29 experienced a spike in murders.

Chicago added 278 homicides to its 2019 total of 502, for an increase of 55 per cent, while New York added 131 homicides, representing a 43 per cent surge.
New Delhi, March 28 : The new academic session is going to begin in all the states, including Delhi from April 1 for which preparations have been made to fit into the new normal scheme of things following the Covid-triggered changed circumstances.

In most of the states, including Delhi, students from Class 1-8 will not be able to attend schools in the beginning of the new session.

The Delhi government has clarified that schools will not be opened for the lower classes at the moment amid increasing numbers of coronavirus infections.

Apart from Delhi, several other states including Punjab, Puducherry, Gujarat, Himachal, Chandigarh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan have also decided to keep the schools closed for the lower classes.

Even as schools were opened earlier in most of these states, they have been now closed owing to the current Covid-19 situation.

Many well-known schools in Delhi, such as the Air Force Bal Bharati School, Delhi Public School, among others, have issued special circular to parents.

According to the circular issued by these schools, in the next academic session, the children's education will go online.

Students will do their further studies from home.

The government of Delhi and the management of all these private schools were not in a position to give a time-frame for resumption of regular classes.

Ashok Agarwal, president of the All India Parents Association and a member of the Delhi University Executive Council, told IANS: "In view of the corona situation the option of online education is a compulsion. But students should be given the opportunity to come to school where possible. According to an estimate, the school dropout rate of students has increased by 20 per cent due to the closure of schools." Parents are also worried that they were transferred from one state to another last year and could not get their children enrolled in schools.

Puran Chandra, who came to Delhi from Nainital, told IANS, "Last year, we came to Delhi from Nainital in the second week of March. My son Manish is in the third grade. He could not get admission anywhere due to the lockdown, and was at home for the entire year. The problem has become more serious due to non-opening of school." On the other hand, the Delhi Parents Association has said it was a correct decision to not open the school given the current situation, but it should also have been applicable for the students of Class 9 and 11.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 19:46:41|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

YAOUNDE, March 28 (Xinhua) -- An attack by terror group in a village in Cameron's Far North region Saturday night has killed 3 civilians and one soldier, security sources said on Sunday.

The heavily armed militants came on several vehicles and motorcycles and set fire to shops, hangars, and began shooting indiscriminately during the assault in Dabanga village of the region, according to several local sources.

Local officials said at least three civilians and one soldier were killed during the attack. Three Boko Haram insurgents were also killed in the army's riposte.

"Had the military not arrived in time and repulsed the terrorists, the death toll would have been frightening," a military official who asked not to be named told Xinhua. Enditem
Alex Beresford has shared a positive message just hours after Piers Morgan called him 'uptight' in an account of his final few days at Good Morning Britain.

The journalist, 55, left the show after saying he 'didn't believe a word' of Meghan Markle's 'truth' on racism and the Royals during her bombshell Oprah interview.

And while discussing the claims on the ITV breakfast show, Piers and Alex, 40, ended up having a dramatic confrontation which saw Piers leave the studio.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the weatherman smiled as he told fans to remember the 'sun still rises and sets so beautifully some place in the world everyday.'

Staying positive: Alex Beresford has shared a hopeful message just hours after Piers Morgan called him 'uptight' in an account of his final few days at Good Morning Britain

Alex cut a casual figure in a black tracksuit which boasted a grey trim down the arms paired with some white Converse trainers and a silver watch.

He penned: 'Probably shouldnt have my trainers on this white rug! Anyway bless up yourselves on what looks like a grey Sunday.

'Remember the sun still rises and sets so beautifully some place in the world everyday.

Earlier this month, Piers announced he had quit GMB after Alex challenged his comments about Meghan Markle and her interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Dramatic scenes: While discussing Meghan's claims on the ITV breakfast show, Piers and Alex ended up having a dramatic confrontation which saw the presenter storm out of the studio

The outspoken GMB host left the daytime series after he insisted he 'didn't believe a word' of Meghan's account of suffering suicidal thoughts and experiencing racism at the hands of the royal family.

Piers then walked off set after a fierce debate with Alex, in which the weather presenter accused Piers of unfairly 'trashing' Meghan, and branded him 'diabolical'.

When Piers walked off screen, Alex continued: 'I'm sorry but Piers just spouts off on a regular basis and we have to sit there and listen.'

Piers, who refused to apologise, later announced his resignation and tweeted his thanks to the GMB team, praising them for their 'hard work and dedication' that led to them beating their main breakfast TV rival.

Intense: Alex called Piers' decision to leave the studio following their encounter 'pathetic' and 'absolutely diabolical behaviour'

And the presenter shared his own reflections on the events of that fateful week in a piece for the Mail On Sunday this weekend.

Piers called Alex 'GMB's occasional stand-in weatherman' and 'uptight' in the telling account, adding that the presenter hasn't messaged him since his exit unlike others on the show.

Reflecting on their now infamous encounter on GMB, which ended in Piers leaving the studio, Piers said he wasn't going to sit there and be 'whacked' by one of his own team.

He wrote: 'I don't mind outside guests trying to make a name for themselves by whacking me like this, but I wasn't going to sit there and take it from one of my own team, especially someone who I've gone out of my way to help whenever he's asked me for advice about his career.

His side: Reflecting on storming out of the studio in his own account for the Mail On Sunday, Piers said he wasn't going to sit there and be 'whacked' by one of his own team

'Realising I might say something I'd regret, I decided to leave the studio to cool down.

'As I walked off, Alex doubled down: "This is pathetic. Absolutely diabolical behaviour. I'm sorry but Piers spouts off on a regular basis and we all have to sit here and listen. From 6.30 to 7am yesterday, it was incredibly hard to watch.

"He has the ability to come in here and talk from a position that he doesn't fully understand"'

Piers continued: 'I didn't hear any more of his diatribe, as I was out the door and heading for my dressing room.

'I knew it wasn't a good look, the great snowflake-basher running away from confrontation. And on reflection, I shouldn't have done it. But in the heat of the moment, in my rather strained state of mind, this seemed the less worse option.'

Bombshell: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spoke with Oprah Winfrey earlier this month, making shocking claims about racism and the royal family

Since Piers' exit from the show he has received messages from several stars, naming Jeremy Clarkson and Bear Grylls , who have said he had a 'right' to say his mind.

Sharon Osbourne has also voiced her support for Piers during her show The Talk, however it has now been suspended as CBS 'investigates' her behaviour.

It was recently claimed that Alex hopes to make it big in America after winning new fans including Oprah Winfrey after his row with Piers.

A source told The Sun that he has already been offered several big-money jobs from US TV companies, in addition to possible radio work and a book deal.

According to the insider, Alex also told his agent Jonathan Shalit that he wants to 'crack' America as he doesn't want to be resigned to the position of a weatherman or breakfast TV presenter for the rest of his life.


This page requires Javascript.

Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Police officers inspect the scene after a suicide bombing outside a church in Makassar, Indonesia (Masyudi S Firmansyah/AP)

A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a packed Roman Catholic cathedral on Indonesias Sulawesi island during a Palm Sunday Mass, wounding at least 20 people, police said.

A video obtained by the Associated Press showed a burning motorbike at the gates of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province.

The attack came as Indonesia was on high alert following the arrest of Aris Sumarsono, known as Zulkarnaen, the leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, in December.

Wilhelmus Tulak, a Catholic priest who had been leading the Mass when the bomb exploded at about 10.30am, told reporters that a loud bang shocked his congregation, who had just finished the Sunday service marking the beginning of the Holy Week before Easter.

The first batch of churchgoers were walking out of the church while another group was coming in when the blast happened, he said.

He said security guards had suspected two motorists who wanted to enter the church and confronted them.

One then detonated his explosives and died near the gate. The injured included four guards and several churchgoers.

Expand Close Police said at least one bomber died and four guards and several churchgoers were injured (Yusuf Wahil/AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Police said at least one bomber died and four guards and several churchgoers were injured (Yusuf Wahil/AP)

National Police spokesman Argo Yuwono told a news conference in the capital, Jakarta, that police are still trying to identify two attackers on a motorbike who used powerful explosives.

He said officers are investigating whether they were linked to a local affiliate of the banned Jemaah Islamiyah network or were acting independently.

Around 64 suspects had been detained by Indonesias counter-terrorism squad, known as Densus 88, in several provinces, including 19 last month in Makassar. The arrests followed a tip-off about possible attacks against police and places of worship.

Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation, has been battling militants since bombings on the resort island of Bali in 2002 killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.

Expand Close Police officers stand guard near the church in Makassar (Yusuf Wahil/AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Police officers stand guard near the church in Makassar (Yusuf Wahil/AP)

Attacks aimed at foreigners have been largely replaced in recent years by smaller, less deadly strikes targeting the government, police and anti-terrorism forces and people militants consider as infidels.

A court banned Jemaah Islamiyah in 2008, and the group was weakened by a sustained crackdown. A new threat has emerged in recent years inspired by the Islamic State groups attacks abroad.

The countrys last major attack was in May 2018, when two families carried out suicide bombings in the second-largest city of Surabaya, killing a dozen people including two young girls whose parents had involved them in one of the attacks.

Police said the father was the leader of a local affiliate of the Islamic State group known as Jemaah Anshorut Daulah.

CNN -- George Floyd's public death under the knee of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin last May set off an intense debate about societal issues on anti-Black racism, on police accountability and on the entire American criminal justice system.

But over the next four weeks, the debate in Chauvin's trial inside a Hennepin County, Minnesota, courthouse will shift toward legal specifics. How exactly did Floyd die, medically speaking? How aware was Chauvin that Floyd could die? What does "culpable negligence" actually mean?

As opening statements in the trial begin Monday, the gulf between the societal issues at stake and the legal ones will be particularly wide, CNN senior legal analyst Laura Coates said.

"The ideas of excessive force generally, the ideas of police reform, the ideas of police accountability, the ideas of systemic injustice, the ideas of the treatment of Black victims at the hands of White defendants -- those will all be touched upon and will be the elephants in the room, but in the courtroom none of that can overshadow the government's burden of proof in this specific trial," Coates said.

"Derek Chauvin is the defendant. Not the American justice system. Not all police officers."

Chauvin has pleaded not guilty to second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges.

In a first for Minnesota, the trial will be broadcast live in its entirety to accommodate Covid-19 attendance restrictions, giving the public a rare peek into the most important case of the Black Lives Matter era.

Just by reaching the start of the trial, Floyd's case has progressed further than have most deaths of Black people in police custody. Many such deaths do not lead to charges for the officers involved, including in the cases of Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Tamir Rice. Those cases that have reached a trial were not broadcast for the masses.

Perhaps the most analogous case to Floyd's was the 2013 televised trial of George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer charged with the murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. It was Zimmerman's acquittal in that trial that led to the start of #BlackLivesMatter as a hashtag and movement.

Now, eight years later, the return to a televised courtroom may offer a test of how much has changed since -- and how much the American justice system is capable of adjusting to shifts outside the courtroom walls.

How two lives collided

Floyd, 46, was born in North Carolina and raised in Houston and moved to Minnesota as an adult for a fresh start, working as security at a restaurant.

Derek Chauvin, 45, had been an officer with the Minneapolis Police Department since 2001 until he was fired in the wake of Floyd's death.

Their lives collided on May 25, 2020, when police were called about a man who had used a $20 counterfeit bill at a Minneapolis store. Two officers were directed to a parked car with Floyd in the driver's seat, and they handcuffed him and moved to put him into the back of a police car, according to the amended complaint.

Chauvin and another officer then arrived to the scene and struggled to get Floyd into the vehicle, the complaint states. Chauvin allegedly pulled Floyd to the ground in a prone position and placed his knee on Floyd's neck and head. His knee remained there even as Floyd pleaded, "I can't breathe," said "I'm about to die" and ultimately stopped breathing, the complaint says. He was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after.

The final moments of Floyd's life, captured on video by appalled and angry bystanders, illustrated in clear visuals what Black Americans have long said about the ways that the criminal justice system dehumanizes Black people.

His death sparked massive protests under the Black Lives Matter banner in cities across the country as well as incidents of looting and unrest.

"Your family is going to miss you George, but your nation is going to always remember your name," the Rev. Al Sharpton said at Floyd's funeral. "Because your neck was one that represents all of us, and how you suffered is how we all suffer."

What the trial will focus on

Yet the trial will not debate Floyd's symbolism or the merits of Black Lives Matter. Instead, it will mainly focus on two things: the cause of death and Chauvin's intent.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's autopsy listed Floyd's cause of death as heart failure due to "law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression," and ruled it a homicide. The medical examiner, Dr. Andrew Baker, also noted Floyd's arteriosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease, fentanyl intoxication and recent methamphetamine use as "other significant conditions."

Chauvin's defense attorneys have argued those other conditions were the real cause of death.

In a filing last August that previewed this defense, attorney Eric Nelson argued that Chauvin was acting within police policy and had no intent to harm Floyd. He argued that Floyd's cause of death was not Chauvin's knee but was the result of a drug overdose combined with preexisting heart problems, a prior Covid-19 infection and other health issues.

To get a guilty verdict, prosecutors have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Chauvin caused Floyd's death. So a series of forensic pathologists are expected to take the stand to debate this issue, including a likely contentious cross-examination of Dr. Baker.

The three charges differ primarily in how they interpret Chauvin's intent and mindset during the arrest.

The second-degree murder charge says Chauvin intentionally assaulted Floyd with his knee, which unintentionally caused Floyd's death. The third-degree murder charge -- which was added to the case in recent weeks -- says Chauvin acted with a "depraved mind, without regard for human life." And the second-degree manslaughter charge says Chauvin's "culpable negligence" caused Floyd's death.

Combined, the charges give jurors three different ways of deciding how liable Chauvin is for Floyd's death -- if at all -- and how well he understood the risk to Floyd.

The defense has not indicated whether Chauvin will testify in his own defense. But given the importance of his mindset to the charges, he may do so to try to explain his behavior and gain the jurors' sympathy.

"He's almost certainly going to take the stand and say, 'We had no idea this guy could die. We were just trying to keep him under control until the medics get there,'" said Richard Frase, Professor of Criminal Law at University of Minnesota Law School.

"He doesn't have to convince the world that he's innocent," Coates said. "He has to plant a seed of reasonable doubt in the mind of one juror."

Six men and nine women have been chosen to serve on the jury, and ultimately 12 of them will decide Chauvin's fate.

The charges are to be considered separate, so Chauvin could be convicted of all, some or none of them. If convicted, Chauvin could face up to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder, up to 25 years for third-degree murder and up to 10 years for second-degree manslaughter.

The actual sentences would likely be much lower, though, because Chauvin has no prior convictions. Minnesota's sentencing guidelines recommend about 12.5 years in prison for each murder charge and about four years for the manslaughter charge.

Other officers charged won't testify

Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, all former Minneapolis Police officers, were also on scene with Chauvin and are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

They have pleaded not guilty, and their joint trial will be held this summer. They are not expected to testify in Chauvin's trial.

Given the unrest and looting that ensued when Floyd died, local and state authorities have taken major security measures for the trial in what they are calling "Operation Safety Net." The Hennepin County Government Center is surrounded by fencing and barricades, and the building will be empty aside from those participating in Chauvin's trial and approved staff.

"Residents should be expecting a gradual increase in law enforcement and National Guard presence as we progress through the trial," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said Thursday.

In addition, Covid-19 precautions have rearranged the inside of the court.

Everyone who attends the trial will be required to distance from others and wear a mask, although witnesses and attorneys may remove their masks during testimony and other court statements. Plexiglass has been installed around the courtroom as well.

Due to limits on space, only one member of Floyd's and Chauvin's family will be able to attend the trial each day. For all the worldwide impacts of the case, this remains at its heart a deeply personal tragedy for the Floyd family.

"We need justice because the things that my family are going through, nobody else will go through in life," Floyd's brother, Philonese Floyd, told CNN earlier this month. "We are torn and broken down right now."
- By GF Value





The stock of Brown-Forman (NYSE:BF.B, 30-year Financials) is estimated to be modestly overvalued, according to GuruFocus Value calculation. GuruFocus Value is GuruFocus' estimate of the fair value at which the stock should be traded. It is calculated based on the historical multiples that the stock has traded at, the past business growth and analyst estimates of future business performance. If the price of a stock is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued and its future return is likely to be poor. On the other hand, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher. At its current price of $69.38 per share and the market cap of $32.3 billion, Brown-Forman stock is estimated to be modestly overvalued. GF Value for Brown-Forman is shown in the chart below.





Brown-Forman Stock Is Estimated To Be Modestly Overvalued

Because Brown-Forman is relatively overvalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be lower than its business growth, which averaged 4.5% over the past three years and is estimated to grow 3.31% annually over the next three to five years.

Link: These companies may deliever higher future returns at reduced risk.

Since investing in companies with low financial strength could result in permanent capital loss, investors must carefully review a company's financial strength before deciding whether to buy shares. Looking at the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage can give a good initial perspective on the company's financial strength. Brown-Forman has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.42, which ranks in the middle range of the companies in the industry of Beverages - Alcoholic. Based on this, GuruFocus ranks Brown-Forman's financial strength as 5 out of 10, suggesting fair balance sheet. This is the debt and cash of Brown-Forman over the past years:

Story continues

Brown-Forman Stock Is Estimated To Be Modestly Overvalued

Investing in profitable companies carries less risk, especially in companies that have demonstrated consistent profitability over the long term. Typically, a company with high profit margins offers better performance potential than a company with low profit margins. Brown-Forman has been profitable 10 years over the past 10 years. During the past 12 months, the company had revenues of $3.4 billion and earnings of $1.89 a share. Its operating margin of 31.51% better than 92% of the companies in the industry of Beverages - Alcoholic. Overall, GuruFocus ranks Brown-Forman's profitability as strong. This is the revenue and net income of Brown-Forman over the past years:

Brown-Forman Stock Is Estimated To Be Modestly Overvalued

Growth is probably one of the most important factors in the valuation of a company. GuruFocus' research has found that growth is closely correlated with the long-term performance of a company's stock. If a company's business is growing, the company usually creates value for its shareholders, especially if the growth is profitable. Likewise, if a company's revenue and earnings are declining, the value of the company will decrease. Brown-Forman's 3-year average revenue growth rate is in the middle range of the companies in the industry of Beverages - Alcoholic%. Brown-Forman's 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is 4.1%, which ranks in the middle range of the companies in the industry of Beverages - Alcoholic.

One can also evaluate a company's profitability by comparing its return on invested capital (ROIC) to its weighted average cost of capital (WACC). Return on invested capital (ROIC) measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. If the return on invested capital exceeds the weighted average cost of capital, the company is likely creating value for its shareholders. During the past 12 months, Brown-Forman's ROIC is 18.92 while its WACC came in at 6.47. The historical ROIC vs WACC comparison of Brown-Forman is shown below:

Brown-Forman Stock Is Estimated To Be Modestly Overvalued

In summary, Brown-Forman (NYSE:BF.B, 30-year Financials) stock is estimated to be modestly overvalued. The company's financial condition is fair and its profitability is strong. Its growth ranks in the middle range of the companies in the industry of Beverages - Alcoholic. To learn more about Brown-Forman stock, you can check out its 30-year Financials here. To find out the high quality companies that may deliever above average returns, please check out GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-29 04:45:31|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BAGHDAD, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday that the delayed summit of Iraq, Egypt and Jordan is aimed at achieving economic partnerships that chart a new role for Iraq in the region.

Spokesman of the ministry, Ahmed al-Sahaf, told the official Iraqiya channel that the economic partnership, also called the "New Orient" project, is about economic coordination and does not target any other party.

The project "is part of Iraq's foreign policy which aims to achieve multiple economic partnerships to enable Iraq to regain its regional and international role," al-Sahaf said.

He pointed out that there will be a preparatory meeting at the level of foreign ministers to pave the way for the summit to be held by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Jordanian King Abdullah II.

Earlier in the day, al-Sahaf said in a brief statement that Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein would receive on Monday Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, ahead of the summit to be held by the three leaders later in Baghdad.

On Friday, al-Kadhimi said in a statement that the trilateral summit, which was supposed to be held on March 27, was postponed indefinitely in solidarity with Egypt, which witnessed two trains collision that killed and wounded dozens of people.

The leaders of the three countries have been working to strengthen economic and trade cooperation over the past few years and have held three summits since 2019. Enditem
By Peter Schweyer

For the better part of the last two years, we have been hearing from PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein that we need to reform the way we manage our Pennsylvania State System of State Higher Education or increase the states funding for it. Earlier this month, he publicly offered another solution: Disband the system all together.

I am here to offer an even better next step: Dan Greenstein should resign.

Despite many in the legislature supporting higher state investment in the PASSHE schools (myself included), he has been unable to secure a greater increase in funding from the state. But candidly, he has not tried very hard.

Instead, he has offered his own plan of consolidation, essentially turning six colleges into two. I have participated in several public hearings with the chancellor where he has been, in my opinion, evasive and vague, explaining just how his plan helps Pennsylvanias students. If he hasnt been able to convince me  a strong supporter of the PASSHE system  then it stands to reason that perhaps he is struggling to gain support for his consolidation plan.

So, he offers what can only be described as a nuclear option: disband the entire system. There are more than 84,000 Pennsylvanians who are learning either full or part time at a PASSHE school, 2,452 of whom reside in Lehigh County. What kind of message is he sending to those students?

As someone who has been in Harrisburg for some time, I can shrug off this rhetoric as the chirping of an ineffective public employee. But for those 84,000 students who are worried about how they are going to put themselves in position for a better paying career, this is a terrifying prospect. This is not leadership; it is fear mongering.

And I have no tolerance for threats against our students.

To the PASSHE students, let me say this: this will not happen on my watch. Please continue your studies at one of our 14 excellent PASSHE schools with the confidence that the system will remain and that your future remains bright.

Peter Schweyer is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The 22nd District he represents is in Allentown.
Last Monday at Senate estimates, Labor senator Jenny McAllister put to Marise Payne a question that I have long wanted to ask myself: Is it an impossible job being a minister for women in a Morrison government?

Now I have made no secret of my feelings about our Minister for Women and the fact she has been effectively missing in action on how the pandemic has disproportionately affected women. She has also been conspicuously absent from the debate over the past six weeks on the treatment of women in the Liberal Party and in Australia generally. This glaring omission culminated in criticism that she had not attended, let alone addressed, a meeting of 400 Coalition staffers which Scott Morrison held behind closed doors last week to acknowledge the absolute rubbish female Liberals have had to deal with.

Marise Payne at a Senate estimates hearing on Monday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

I have also made no secret of my contempt for what has been referred to as the handbag brigade, the Liberal women paraded in front of the media to defend the indefensible, whenever it occurs. The most recent, egregious example: Anne Ruston, Linda Reynolds and Michaelia Cashs spirited defence of that budget last financial year, which many women, including yours truly, rightly called out for failing to deliver for women. A highlight, no doubt, was Ruston feebly telling the ABC that women will enjoy driving on all those new roads that the government stimulus would fund.

Yet when McAllister asked Payne on Monday if it is an impossible job being a minister for women in a Morrison government, I have to admit even I felt for a minister so clearly under siege.
For a second straight week, the number of new coronavirus cases in counties across New Jersey took a jump.

Of the states 21 counties, 17 added more new cases of COVID-19 during the week of March 18-24 than the week prior. New Jersey saw 25.9 new cases per 10,000 residents, a 6% increase over last week.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Businesses that are open | Homepage

The highest number of new cases per capita came in Monmouth County. At 33.9 new cases per 10,000 residents, Monmouth was one of five counties to eclipse 30. The others were Sussex County (33.7 new cases per 10,000 people), Warren County (32.8), Hudson County (31.4), and Ocean County (30.9).

Cape May County, for a second straight week, had the states lowest rate of new cases at 10.8 per 10,000 people.

Is the map not displaying? Click here.

Of the 17 counties that had a higher new case rate this week than last, nowhere was the spread greater than in Gloucester County, which went from 15.2 new cases per 10,000 residents to 21.3 this week, a 40% increase.

Salem County and Sussex County both increased by more than 30%. Two other counties were over 20%, and three were over 10%.

Among those where new case numbers dropped, Morris County experienced the biggest decline, going from 31.4 new cases per 10,000 people to 26.9 this week, a 14% decrease.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Nick Devlin is a reporter on the data & investigations team. He can be reached at ndevlin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @nickdevlin.
Times Insider explains who we are and what we do, and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together.

As a reporter covering intellectual life for The New York Timess Culture Desk, Im particularly fascinated by archives and documents, and the way we piece together fragments and traces to make sense of the past.

Often, my mind roams in 19th-century America. But sometimes, I get pulled way back in time. Which is what happened earlier this year when I heard about an intriguing piece of biblical research that was about to become public.

A scholar named Idan Dershowitz was arguing that 15 manuscript fragments that had surfaced in 1883 and that initially were said to contain an alternate version of the Book of Deuteronomy were indeed authentic ancient documents, and not the forgeries they were later denounced as.
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

View Results
NEW DELHI -- A World Health Organization (WHO)-backed programme to supply coronavirus vaccines to poorer countries expects that the Serum Institute of India (SII) will resume full deliveries of the AstraZeneca shot to it in May, UNICEF said on Saturday.

Deliveries of SII/AZ vaccine are expected to begin fully again by May, with catch-up deliveries to reach every participants full allocation up to May, accelerating thereafter, a UNICEF spokeswoman told Reuters in an email.

The spokeswoman added that the programme, known as COVAX, was in talks with New Delhi to secure some supply in April too. COVAX was expecting a total of 90 million doses from SII in March and April, of which it has received about 28 million.

UNICEF is the distributing partner of the programme, run with the GAVI vaccine alliance.

India, the worlds biggest vaccine maker, said on Friday it would make domestic COVID-19 inoculations a priority as infections surge, and had told international buyers of its decision.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday that Indias decision was understandable but that the WHO was in talks so it continues providing doses to other countries.

So far COVAX has delivered 32 million vaccine doses to 61 countries, but 36 countries still await vaccines to start inoculations, Tedros said.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-29 00:03:25|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) thumbs up after receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at St Thomas' Hospital in London, Britain, March 19, 2021. (Andrew Parsons/No 10 Downing Street/Handout via Xinhua)

There is "high risk that the UK will be hoarding limited supply whilst health workers and the most vulnerable in low- and middle-income countries do not have access," said a letter to the prime minister by those including British government science advisor Jeremy Farrar.

"The UK will be sitting on enough surplus vaccine doses to vaccinate the world's frontline health workers twice over," it said.

LONDON, March 28 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing calls on Sunday to immediately begin donating vaccines to poorer nations or risk hoarding supplies while frontline workers are exposed to coronavirus, the Evening Standard newspaper reported.

British health and development charities urged the prime minister to take "accelerated action" and "swiftly clarify" how doses will be shared, according to the newspaper.

The appeal was contained in a letter to the prime minister by those including British government science advisor Jeremy Farrar and Save the Children UK, among others.

With more than half of adults having received a jab, they said Britain is "one of the world's highest per-capita buyers" of vaccines and is on track to have more than 100 million surplus doses.

A man wearing a face mask cycles past the Francis Crick Institute Vaccination Centre in London, Britain on March 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

"There is therefore the high risk that the UK will be hoarding limited supply whilst health workers and the most vulnerable in low- and middle-income countries do not have access," said the letter.

"The UK will be sitting on enough surplus vaccine doses to vaccinate the world's frontline health workers twice over," it said.

They also urged Britain to immediately begin donating doses through the COVAX initiative, which is working to provide vaccines for low and middle-income countries.

The British government responded that it will share "the majority of any future surplus" vaccines with the COVAX pool "when these are available," the London-based newspaper said.

Workers transfer boxes of COVID-19 vaccines arrived at Abidjan International Airport in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Feb. 26, 2021. Cote d'Ivoire is the second African country after Ghana to receive COVID-19 vaccines under the WHO-backed COVAX mechanism. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)

COVAX is a global initiative backed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure effective and equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Farrar said Britain will still have contractual access to at least 100 million surplus doses once the entire population is vaccinated, which he said "won't be of use in the UK".

"Now is the time to think beyond our borders," he said. "The world won't be safe while any single country is still fighting the virus."

"The prime minister has confirmed the UK will share the majority of any future surplus coronavirus vaccines from our supply with the COVAX pool, when these are available. No one is safe until we are all safe," a British government source said.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.

Workers load North Macedonia's first batch of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccines received through the UN-backed Covax program, at Skopje's International Airport in Skopje, North Macedonia, March 28, 2021. (Photo by Tomislav Georgiev/Xinhua)
I constantly feel as if I have phlegm stuck in my throat. I'm always coughing to try to clear it, and I also suffer terrible breath. What is wrong with me, and is there anything I can do?

Feeling as though there's phlegm always in the throat (something stuck in your throat is a different sensation and could be cancer) is incredibly common. And more often than not, the underlying cause lies with the nose or stomach, rather than the throat.

For instance, an excess of mucus in the nasal passages can cause fluid to run down to the back of the nose and into the throat. Doctors call this post-nasal drip. Patients feel as though they constantly need to clear their throat and swallow to get rid of the mucus.

More often than not, the underlying cause of feeling as though theres phlegm always in the throat lies with the nose or stomach, writes DR ELLIE CANNON

Your worrying tales of surgery restrictions Last weekend I asked you to write and tell me if GP surgeries in your area were still not offering face-to-face appointments, despite NHS guidance that says they must. Hundreds of you have written in. Ive read many worrying letters from patients suffering with chest pain and serious infections who have been offered only phone consultations. Some have been prescribed potent painkillers such as morphine over the phone  with no prior or follow-up appointments. Other GP surgeries, it seems, have simply decided to shut up shop completely. The Mail on Sundays Health team is now investigating further, so please keep writing to us to let us know whats happening in your area. Advertisement

Post-nasal drips can also cause bad breath, usually because the constant swallowing makes the mouth extremely dry.

A number of things can cause post-nasal drip, including allergies, chronic sinusitis and irritation from smoking. It can also be a side effect of some medications.

Over-the-counter treatments such as antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays can control the inflammation and limit production of excess mucus.

Nasal rinsing  using a sinus rinse to flush it out with sterile water, which you can buy at most chemists  may also help.

Another common cause of excess liquid in the throat is acid reflux, which happens when acid and digestive juices from the stomach travel too far up the food pipe, collecting at the back of the throat and causing chronic irritation, a cough and bad breath.

If this is the case, a pharmacist can offer antacid medication, which should help after a week or two.

If the feeling persists, make an appointment with your GP who may conduct tests to rule out rare but serious conditions.

My itchy scalp is driving me mad. It feels as if my head is crawling with something all the time. Medicated shampoo doesn't work  what will?

Chronic scalp itchiness can be absolutely maddening, but is a surprisingly common reason for people to seek the help of a GP.

A number of things could cause it, but mostly it's because the skin has become irritated by a shampoo or other hair product.

If the itchiness comes with bad dandruff then it is likely a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis. You might also notice flaky, itchy skin on the face, particularly in the eyebrows and around the nose.

If the problem comes and goes and you notice red, scaly patches too, it could be psoriasis  a skin disease that can also affect the arms and legs.

Medicated shampoos are hit and miss, but it's worth trying them in the first instance. Look for ones that contain coal tar or selenium sulphide.

A number of things could cause scalp itchiness, but mostly it's because the skin has become irritated by a shampoo or other hair product

No jab effects? It's still working! I can understand why readers might be worried about suffering side effects from the Covid jab. But Ive also had a fair few letters from people worried about the opposite: that theyve suffered no side effects whatsoever. In a previous column I said that common vaccine side effects, such as headaches and fevers, are a good sign  they mean the immune system has been kicked into action. However, this seems to have sparked unnecessary worries. To clarify: while side effects are a result of your immune system doing its thing, it doesnt follow that having no problems means its not working. In fact, most people get no side effects at all. Im a case in point. I didnt get a single side effect from my Covid jab. Not even a sore arm. I spent all afternoon prodding my arm after having my jabs, looking for some discomfort, but there wasnt any. I guess Im just lucky. Individual immune systems react differently but, no matter how you feel afterwards, everyone will develop a similar degree of protection. Advertisement

For seborrheic dermatitis, you would need a shampoo containing an anti-fungal medicine called ketoconazole.

Taking an antihistamine tablet at night may help to calm down the itch and stop you scratching, which often increases soreness further. A pharmacist can advise about non-drowsy types to take during the day. If nothing works, a GP may prescribe medication.

Sometimes, with conditions such as psoriasis, they may prescribe stronger medicines, including steroids, to keep the problem at bay.

Otherwise a potent cream, applied morning and night, can do the trick.

There's also a chance that the itchiness is caused by head lice  which can be caught by parents from their young children.

I suffer from pain and feeling of tightness in the front of my lower leg during my morning walk. It eases up when I get home and sit down. What is it?

Sharp, intense pain between the knee and ankle is often referred to as shin splints. It is especially likely in those who do a lot of long-distance walking or have started a new running regime.

Sometimes it is because there has been prolonged pressure on the shin bone, or tibia, triggering inflammation of the tissue surrounding it. Other times it's because of tight muscles around the knee and ankle.

Usually it is nothing serious. Doctors will recommend you stop whatever exercise you're doing, before gradually building the activity level back up. You may be advised to start walking on grass rather than pavement.

Ice packs or painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can also help to ease the pain.

Before a long walk, remember to warm up using gentle exercises and stretch afterwards.

WRITE TO DR ELLIE Do you have a question for Dr Ellie Cannon? Email DrEllie@mailonsunday.co.uk Advertisement

As the exercise regime builds back up, supportive trainers can prevent it happening again. If the pain still doesn't go away, see a GP or physiotherapist, who may do further investigations.

Although less common, there are a number of serious conditions that cause pain during exercise, depending on where the pain is and whether there's any swelling or numbness.

If the pain is in the back of the lower leg and stops instantly when you rest, it might be a condition of the blood vessels known as peripheral arterial disease.

Otherwise, problems with the veins in the lower legs could be at play, as well as back problems affecting the nerves to the legs.

Diabetes, which can also cause nerve damage in the legs, is another possibility. If this is the case, you may find the pain also reduces with exercise.
Libraries shouldnt shush, they should roar By Sashini Rodrigo Maarya Rehman, the newly-appointed Country Director for the British Council Sri Lanka, passionately believes in the inherent power of libraries to change lives View(s): View(s):

The transformative power of a library is never to be underestimated. Libraries often play multiple roles in society beyond just a reading space, from being repositories of information and safe spaces, to social mobility enhancers and accelerators that are cornerstones of flourishing civil societies and active democracies.

For Maarya Rehman, the library was a lifeline. Growing up in a working class household in East London, the local library opened her mind, enhanced her ability to express herself, and helped her to think about the world beyond her doorstep.

It also inspired her to strive for excellence in everything she did, from doing well in school, getting into Cambridge University to study Social and Political Sciences, to pursuing the jobs she wanted. Now, as the newly-appointed Country Director for the British Council Sri Lanka, Maarya continues to champion libraries and their inherent power to change lives.

Before starting her journey with the British Council, she worked as public library specialist in London and the UK, focusing on modernising library services and responding to the changing needs of the 21st century library and its audiences.

Libraries shouldnt shush, they should roar, she quips, referencing an informal caption for one of their many library projects. A passionate advocate for promoting libraries, she has done a TEDTalk about the power of libraries, and their importance as spaces for people from diverse walks of life to come together.

She also believes that answering the call to go digital is of utmost importance, and was involved in the global launch of the Digital Wall project inaugurated in Pakistan. Currently, Sri Lanka has launched Digital Walls in three local universities, and Maarya hopes there will be many more so that people can access millions of valuable resources directly on their phones.

Taking up her first international posting in her mid-thirties, one she recalls being very excited and passionate about, she joined British Council in 2015 as Director Libraries and Outreach for the British Council Pakistan when they re-opened libraries in Karachi and Lahore after a 15 year closure post 9/11. Following which, she took up the post of Area Director in Punjab, India.

From there, I was very pleased and very privileged to get the role of Country Director in Sri Lanka, Maarya tells us. Despite having been working since October last year, she has only been in the country for two months due to the pandemic.

As her work encompasses many different areas, Maarya feels she has gained much more understanding of what it means to work for a cultural relations organisation, in creating trust, friendship and mutual understanding between the UK and countries around the world, especially in a country with the history and breadth of Sri Lanka with its huge portfolio of community-based projects and programmes in education, English, arts and culture.

With young people and communities through our Active Citizens programme, we do a lot of work around civic participation, community engagement in addressing global challenges through social action projects, Maarya says, adding that a lot of their work focuses on removing barriers to access at a community level for a variety of global challenges. Their approach is through multiple lenses, including focusing on developing English language skills, education, arts and culture.

In lots of different ways, what were trying to do is contribute towards building a fit for purpose, young workforce entering the labour market with lots of challenges and competition. In our own way, were contributing to Sri Lankas future resilience.

In terms of enabling positive societal change, Maarya is excited about carrying out their upcoming Youth Perception Survey in Sri Lanka, which is a research project that focuses on young peoples thoughts on climate change and how they feel they can contribute to addressing it. Something that I think underpins all our work in facilitating systemic, generational change is research and this piece of research will inform the work that we do going forward.

She is also particularly passionate about British Councils work in gender equality, with programmes like the Women of the World Festivals, Addressing Violence Against Women and Girls project and the ongoing Women In Leadership project working towards removing barriers, addressing urgent issues that women face in society, while also providing opportunities.

I take the fact that I am a woman leader very seriously, Maarya tells us. Having been the first female Area Director of Asian heritage for the British Council in Punjab, she considers it a responsibility to lead meaningfully and with intention to ensure that the values she holds close, like inclusiveness and diversity and respect for difference, is reflected in the workforce.

As an organisation, were mirroring what we want to see in the world. Its important to see women leaders, and it helps people to visualise themselves in that role.
KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore.- Klamath Open Door Family Practice, also known as Klamath Health Partnership, is providing accessible, culturally sensitive, affordable health services to the community, with emphasis on the under-served, including vaccinations.

They were able to receive a grant from the federal government to provide free one shot Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccines to undeserved farming communities. Having Klamath county being a little more than 6,000 square miles, most farm sites are right on the county line and it can be hard for farm workers to travel to receive Covid-19 vaccines during growing season.

Klamath Health Partnership is able to go and vaccinate hundreds of farmers around the county for free with their new mobile vaccination clinic, which is a renovated ambulance that goes to different farms throughout Klamath County for free.

"We re-purposed that ambulance into a mobile clinic, so we use that ambulance for our vaccine events. We always make sure that we have Spanish speakers staffing when we go to farm sites so that they can answer the farm workers questions. Right now we're using Johnson and Johnson for these events, so that we don't have to worry about returning to the farms to provide that follow-up dose."

-Amanda Blodgett, Chief Operations Officer

The mobile vaccine clinic can provide up to 150 vaccines per event. Right now, the clinic is only using the Johnson and Johnson one shot vaccine. Farmers do have the opportunity to receive a two shot vaccine through appointment at the physical clinic only.

The mobile vaccine clinic will contact farms directly to set up a date and time for the vaccination event.

For more information and if you would like to schedule an appoitment to have your area vaccinated, click here.
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.
February 18, 1850 was a momentous day for California. It was the day the region was first divided into 27 counties. Over the next 10 years, they were subdivided to add 16 more counties. Another 14 followed in the years from 1861 to 1893. And last but not least: Imperial County, California's youngest county child, was formed in 1907.

Here's a nugget: California has more counties named after saints than any other state. In case you didn't know that, or how Yolo County got its name (hint, it was named for reasons other than "The Motto" Drake taught the world in 2011), we've compiled a list for you.
A proposed class-action lawsuit from a Seattle firm has added to the swarm of antitrust scrutiny gathering around Amazon.

The suit, filed Thursday in federal court in New York on behalf of Chicago-area bookseller Bookends and Beginnings, alleges Amazon colluded to fix prices on print books.

Amazons restrictive contracts with major publishers has made it impossible for book retailers to try to beat Amazon on price, Seattle law firm Hagens Berman alleges in the suit. The contracts, with publishers Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster  known as the Big Five  prohibit the publishers from selling books to other retailers for less than the price they offer Amazon, provisions Hagens Berman has said are anticompetitive. Attorneys are proposing the class include all booksellers that bought books from the Big Five after March 2017.

Amazon did not respond to questions about allegations in the suit.

The owner of Bookends & Beginnings, Nina Barrett, said in a statement that Amazons growth has threatened her business.

Ive watched Amazon grow into the juggernaut its become, she said. Ive experienced firsthand the devastation to publishing, bookselling, and to local brick-and-mortar shopping thats resulted.

Hagens Berman has a lengthy history of filing class-action suits alleging price-fixing. In 2011, the firm sued Apple, contending the tech giant was propping up e-book prices to the detriment of consumers. It launched another case against Amazon earlier this year leveling similar price-fixing allegations about the companys e-book division.

Days before that suit was filed, authorities in Connecticut said they had also launched a probe into whether Amazons deals to acquire e-books from publishers violate antitrust laws.

Amazon is facing ongoing antitrust investigations by attorneys general in California, New York and Washington. Founder Jeff Bezos was grilled by the House antitrust subcommittee last year about Amazons allegedly unfair practices against third-party vendors using its platform.

Nearly 90% of online sales of print books route through Amazon, according to a report last year from the House antitrust subcommittee. The company is also responsible for 50% of all sales of print books, the report said.

--Katherine Khashimova Long/Seattle Times/Tribune News Service


This page requires Javascript.

Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

The end of the pandemic may be in sight, but were not quite there yet: Coronavirus cases in the United States are on the rise again. Over the past week, the U.S. has reported an average of 61,583 new COVID-19 cases a day, which represents a 12 percent increase from two weeks ago. Thats a long way from Januarys peak, when the country averaged 250,400 new cases a day, but its trending in the wrong direction.

Advertisement

Scientists attribute the rising numbers to two things: the spread of more communicable coronavirus variants and state and local governments prematurely loosening measures designed to slow the spread of the virus. The variant known as B.1.1.7, now widespread in the United States, is at least 50 percent more transmissible than earlier variants, and public health officials are now in a race to roll out vaccines before the variants cause a new wave of infections. The existing vaccines protect against all of the coronavirus variants currently widespread in the United States but may be less effective against B.1.351, a variant identified in South Africa.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Epidemiologist Bill Hanage of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health told the New York Times the disconnect between scientists predictions and the governments response reminded him of the early days of the pandemic.* People waited for them to be a problem before they took actionand then too late, they took action, Hanage said. Still, theres at least one silver lining: Compared with previous coronavirus surges, these new cases may result in fewer deaths and hospitalizations, because many of the most vulnerable people have now been vaccinated.
Has your employer done something extraordinary to improve your work life during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic? Does your company encourage new ideas? Do you feel supported by your manager and inspired to do your best work?

We want to know about it.

The Houston Chronicle is seeking nominations for 2021s Top Workplaces contest. The project is done in partnership with workplace research and consulting firm Energage.

Any organization with 50 or more employees in the Greater Houston area is eligible to participate. The company can be public, private or nonprofit, or a government agency.

Nominations are due May 7. The nominated workplaces are evaluated by their employees using a 24-question survey. The surveys will be conducted from April through June.

Energage conducts Top Workplaces surveys for media in 56 markets and surveyed more than 2 million employees at more than 7,000 organizations in the past year.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Connection, support distinguishes Top Workplaces during pandemic

Last year, the Chronicle recognized 130 organizations that collectively employ more than 57,000 people as Top Workplaces. More than 37,000 employees weighed in.

The winners in 2020 included Camden, an apartment development and management company in the large employer category; CB&A Realtors, a real estate brokerage in the midsize category; and Improving  Houston, a custom software development and consulting company in the small category.

Houston-based Camden provided a $100-a-week per school-age child stipend to support parents working at home, often alongside their children who were attending school virtually.

As one employee put it, Camden goes above and beyond for each employee. My job is rewarding and the people I work with are more than colleagues, they become family.

At CB&A Realtors, the brokerage supported agents in adapting to new ways to market properties virtually as the residential real estate market gained momentum.

I love the people I work with and for, I love the fact that all opinions are valued and that people treat each other decently, said a CB&A Realtors employee. I also love the fact that from top leadership down people come first (customer, employees, shareholders).

Managers at Improving  Houston showed appreciation for employees by barbecuing some 300 pounds of meat, then having it delivered to employees' homes for Sunday dinner.

Everyone I work with is incredibly smart and best of all they are thrilled to help you, commented one Improving  Houston employee. Everything revolves around trust. I have never been trusted so much in a workplace.

This year, the Chronicle will recognize Top Workplaces winners in a special section published in late 2021.

To nominate a company, visit http://www.chron.com/nominate or call 713-429-0375.

katherine.feser@chron.com

twitter.com/kfeser
North Korea said on Saturday that the Biden administration had taken a wrong first step and revealed 'deep-seated hostility' by criticizing its latest missile test.

On Friday, North Korea said it had launched a new type of tactical short-range ballistic missile.

President Joe Biden said the test violated UN Security Council resolutions but he remained open to diplomacy with Pyongyang.

Ri Pyong Chol, secretary of the North's ruling Worker's Party's Central Committee, said the test was self-defensive against threats posed by South Korea and the US with their joint military exercises and advanced weapons.

'We cannot but build invincible physical power for reliably defending the security of our state under the present situation in which South Korea and the United States constantly pose military threats,' Ri said in a statement to the KCNA news agency.

'We express our deep apprehension over the US chief executive faulting the regular testfire, exercise of our state's right to self-defense, as the violation of UN "resolutions" and openly revealing his deep-seated hostility,' Ri added.

Scroll down for video

North Korea said on Saturday that the Biden administration had taken a wrong first step and revealed 'deep-seated hostility' by criticizing its self-defensive missile test

Ri Pyong Chol, secretary of the North's ruling Worker's Party's Central Committee, said the test (pictured Thursday) was self-defensive against threats posed by South Korea and the US with their joint military exercises and advanced weapons

Biden's remarks were an 'undisguised encroachment on our state's right to self-defense and provocation,' he said, adding Washington might face 'something that is not good' if it continues to make 'thoughtless remarks'.

'We are by no means developing weapons to draw someone's attention or influence his policy,' Ri said. 'I think that the new US administration obviously took its first step wrong.'

He accused the Biden administration of 'exploiting every opportunity' to provoke Pyongyang by branding it as a 'security threat'.

The test came just days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed to work to denuclearize North Korea and criticized its 'systemic and widespread' human rights abuses during a visit to Seoul with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

North Korea has also slammed the South Korea-US military exercises which ended last week, even though they were repeatedly scaled back to facilitate a restart of denuclearization talks with Pyongyang.

Ri said Washington insisted on a 'gangster-like logic' to be able to bring strategic nuclear assets to South Korea and test intercontinental ballistic missiles at its convenience, but ban North Korea from testing even a tactical weapon.

Ri (third from right) said Washington insisted on a 'gangster-like logic' to be able to bring strategic nuclear assets to South Korea and test intercontinental ballistic missiles at its convenience, but ban North Korea from testing even a tactical weapon

Biden's remarks were an 'undisguised encroachment on our state's right to self-defense and provocation,' Ri said, adding that Washington might face 'something that is not good' if it continues to make 'thoughtless remarks'

'We know very well what we must do,' he said. 'We will continue to increase our most thoroughgoing and overwhelming military power.'

The White House, which said its North Korea policy review was in the 'final stages,' declined to comment. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

When asked earlier about the launch and whether it would affect the policy review, department spokeswoman Jalina Porter again condemned the test as 'destabilizing'.

'North Korea's unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs constitute serious threats to international peace and security,' she told a regular news briefing.

'I can't underscore enough that the president and his security team are continuing to assess the situation and one of our greatest priorities right now is ensuring that we're on the same page as our allies and partners.'

Kim Dong-yup, a professor at Kyungnam University in Seoul, said Ri's remarks meant North Korea would potentially ramp up military tension in the coming months by developing and testing advanced weapons.

Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a report on Friday that commercial satellite imagery showed North Korea has continued to produce uranium concentrate, used to build nuclear weapons, over the past eight months, though it has not tested any bombs since 2017.
Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sep 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sep 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (18) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sep 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (135) Jun 2013 (204) Jul 2013 (293) Aug 2013 (351) Sep 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (348) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (442) Jan 2014 (547) Feb 2014 (476) Mar 2014 (526) Apr 2014 (527) May 2014 (469) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sep 2014 (443) Oct 2014 (472) Nov 2014 (497) Dec 2014 (536) Jan 2015 (539) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (582) Apr 2015 (658) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sep 2015 (923) Oct 2015 (924) Nov 2015 (802) Dec 2015 (791) Jan 2016 (782) Feb 2016 (835) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (866) May 2016 (947) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (882) Aug 2016 (1035) Sep 2016 (967) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (885) Jan 2017 (881) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (897) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (851) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sep 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (809) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sep 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (852) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (935) Jul 2019 (950) Aug 2019 (936) Sep 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (942) Feb 2020 (849) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (789) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sep 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (812) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (84)
The end of the $90 billion JobKeeper scheme threatens to widen the divide between the richest and poorest suburbs in Sydney and Melbourne as new data shows the pandemic has hurt thousands of jobs in disadvantaged areas.

Business groups and unions are urging the federal government to consider extra support for struggling sectors to replace the wage subsidy scheme, which ended on Sunday, to offset major job losses. Treasury has estimated up to 150,000 jobs may be lost this week.

Josh Frydenberg said JobKeeper had to end but other support was available. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

A leading academic has also forecast up to 250,000 roles could be at risk and thousands of businesses are expected to go under without the use of taxpayer funds to pay staff wages.

These job losses are expected to be even more severe in the most disadvantaged parts of big cities. A new analysis of employment outcomes for different local government areas across Sydney and Melbourne by SGS Economics and Planning shows lower socio-economic regions were more badly hit during the pandemic than richer neighbourhoods.
Members of murdered Limerick businessman Jason Corbett's family have travelled to the US in a bid to persuade prosecutors to order a retrial of his killers, Tom and Molly Martens.

Tracey Corbett-Lynch, a sister of the widower who was beaten to death by his American wife and father-in-law six years ago, has confirmed that his two children, Jack (16) and Sarah (14) Corbett-Lynch, now want to offer evidence to support the prosecution in any retrial.

The Irish family want retired FBI agent Mr Martens (71) and his daughter Ms Martens (37), the former nanny to Mr Corbett's two children, to be retried for second-degree murder after the North Carolina Supreme Court quashed their convictions over evidential issues at their July and August 2017 trial.

Both are facing release from North Carolina prisons - and their 20-25 year sentences - next week pending any decision on a retrial.

The Martens family has already hinted at a possible plea deal being offered to a lesser charge over Mr Corbett's killing on August 2, 2015.

Read More

The Corbett family also expressed outrage at the depiction of the Irish widower in the latest issue of the US magazine Elle.

Tracey Corbett-Lynch accused the magazine of allowing itself to be used by Molly and Tom Martens in an attempt to destroy the good name of the Irish father of two - and to bolster their case in any debate over a retrial.

"Elle starts their article by asking: 'What happens when an allegation brings domestic violence into the harsh light of public scrutiny, particularly when people aren't always who they seem to be?'," she said.

"I can answer that from Jason's orphaned children's point of view. What happens is the children see their loving father's character destroyed by the baseless lies of a fantasist flailing in the face of forensic proof that she killed her husband, having drugged him."

Ms Martens has a long history of mental health problems and repeatedly lied about her achievements, her family history and details of her relationship with Mr Corbett. She chose not to offer evidence at her murder trial.

"What happens is publications like Elle take an inordinate interest in the baseless claims of a photogenic, white, middle-class girl and her wealthy father, an ex-FBI agent, and propel them into 'the harsh light of public scrutiny'," she says.

"One wonders if Molly looked different or was not so well-funded and privileged would Elle so readily take an interest in her lies, let alone present them as fact?"

Mr Corbett's family believe he was killed to stop him bringing his children back to Ireland after he had refused repeated demands from Ms Martens for him to sign adoption papers in her favour. Mr Corbett's children have now expressed their willingness to offer testimony at any retrial if disputed statements they made in August 2015 are relied upon by the defence legal teams.
As many neighboring countries have set out to reopen borders to inbound travelers, Vietnam's tourism heavyweights are petitioning for an elaborate protocol where vaccinated tourists are allowed to enter the country without having to spend 14 days in quarantine.

Considering the current success that Vietnam has achieved against the spread of COVID-19, it is essential that the locations for the proposed reopening be isolated places with low population density to ensure safety for tourists as well as Vietnamese citizens.

The right location

The draft reopening plan for international tourists, formulated by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, has recently been presented to business representatives and experts in the tourism sector for appraisal.

During a dialogue event, tourism businesses pointed out that Vietnam is already one step behind neighboring countries in bringing back international visitors.

Huynh Van Son, general director of Sea Star Co. Ltd., said that the road map to such reopening should be finalized early, with criteria for selecting locations, capable firms, and a plan for stimulating demand to be included.

The tourism sector is already in a slough, but we are not asking for bailout packages from the government," Son said.

"What we need is a road map to safe reopening to bring back international tourists.

Son also suggested a trial phase with limited reopening in certain locations, which will inform a similar process in other locales during the next phases.

Phu Quoc Island off southern Kien Giang Province, with low population concentration, adequate isolation from the mainland, sufficient infrastructure, hotel and service quality, and an established reputation might tick all the boxes, Son proposed.

Phu Quoc also proves the perfect location to boost the development of a night-time economy, an initiative currently promoted by the Vietnamese government, he added.

Nguyen The Lam, president of Phu Quoc Investment Tourism Development Association, pointed out that vaccine is the only ray of hope for global connection at the moment, which inexorably led to a need for COVID-19 vaccination certificates, or informally 'vaccine passports.'

However, in order for 'vaccine passports' to yield effectiveness, the tourist industry needs to find tourists with demand and free time, connecting them with suitable destinations.

This requires prioritization of promotion, outreach activities, as well as longer tours with more competitive pricing.

We look forward to welcoming back tourists without having to wait for quarantine, Lam said.

To Viet Thang, deputy CEO of domestic budget carrier Vietjet Air, stated that a safe flight protocol is crucial in ensuring safety in the reopening plan.

In this regard, Vietjet has recently acquired a seven-star rating, the highest mark for COVID-19 safety compliance, awarded by the world's famous airline safety and product rating website AirlineRating.

With 80 operating aircraft, an established reputation, and capability on international routes, we are ready to relaunch all international flights once allowed to, Thang declared.

Tourism experts weigh in on Vietnam's plan to reopen borders to foreign tourists. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

Optimizing profit

Vietnam needs to take action on the reopening immediately, despite being hardly able to pinpoint a reopening date at the moment due to a slow vaccine rollout that proves little progress in ensuring herd immunity, according to Nguyen Huu Y Yen, CEO of travel agency Saigontourist.

Considering this, the tourism sector needs to pick out safe locations for reopening and devise high-quality products and services to activate the demand of international visitors.

The COVID-19 protocols of visitors home countries should be taken into account as well, Yen added.

Tourists will not travel if we open but they are still subject to quarantine when returning to their countries, Yen said.

Over the past year, the tourism sector has shambled by all counts, with 25,000 tour guides leaving the sector, while hotels see room occupancy drop to all-time lows.

However, businesses have not given up all hope.

Tran Thi Nguyen, a representative of Sun Group, suggested that a quick test on arrival for tourists be rolled out if vaccination passports are deemed improper.

If a visitor turns in two negative tests, one of them conducted before boarding the plane, that person should be allowed into the country without having to spend 14 days in quarantine.

While Vietnam is formulating a standardized protocol for reopening, we need communication campaigns so that foreign tourists don't forget us, Nguyen said, also pointing to Taiwan as a prospective market since the island did exceptionally well in fending off COVID-19.

International visitors proved a wellspring for Vietnams budding tourism.

Despite only adding up to 18 million visits to Vietnam in 2019, compared to 85 million domestic visitors in the same year, international tourists generated 56 percent of revenue for Vietnamese tourism that year.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
An inmate at an Oklahoma prison was fatally shot on Saturday after he took a corrections officer hostage.

The incident took place at around 4:22pm on the 10th floor of the Oklahoma County Detention Centre, the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

The inmate took the officer hostage while staff members were distributing medication to prisoners, with Sheriff Tommie Johnson III saying that the inmate overran the officer, before taking his keys and tying him up.

After the officer was taken hostage, the prison was placed on lockdown for around two hours, while other staff members attempted to deal with the situation.

The unidentified inmate used the officers keys to release several other prisoners from their cells, with authorities claiming that many of them helped in the hostage-taking on Saturday.

Read more:

Thats where the inmates that have really been most difficult to manage are housed, jail administrator Greg Williams said about the floor, which houses 37 prisoners according to NBC News.

Part of the incident was live-streamed on social media by an inmate who took the officers phone. The prisoner who sparked the incident was heard complaining about conditions at the facility, claiming: We cant take showers and adding, The toilets backed up. This is what were dealing with.

The inmate filming the prisoner could then be heard saying that the corrections officer aint got nothing to do with this. He just so happens to be a product of the situation.

A sheriffs office tactical unit alongside city police responded to the scene and attempted to de-escalate the situation after a request from the prison.

However, an Oklahoma City officer shot at the inmate who took the staff member hostage after he allegedly held an undisclosed object up to the officers neck.

The inmate later died from injuries sustained in the incident, according to Aaron Brilbeck, spokesman for the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office.

The corrections officer suffered minor injuries in the incident and was hospitalised for treatment. Mr Brilbeck confirmed that the officers injuries were not sustained during the shooting.

Oklahoma City police Chief Wade Gourley said that his department would lead an investigation into how the incident occurred.

According to Fox News, a small group of protesters gathered outside of the prison after the incident, complaining about the conditions faced by inmates.

Mr Williams said that the prison would investigate whether poor conditions in the facility led to the violence on Saturday.

Non-profit organisation Nondoc.com reported that the prison has been under the oversight of the US Department of Justice since 2009 due to violations related to overcrowding and supervision.
Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community.

Submit here
The OnePlus 9 Pro is an impressive flagship device that comes with plenty of nifty features. However, the one feature that is by far the most addicting to use is its wireless charging feature. The smartphone supports Qi-wireless charging which is quite common amongst flagship phones these days. However, what sets the OnePlus 9 Pro apart from the rest of the pack is its ability to get fast-charged wirelessly.

When used with a regular wireless charger, the OnePlus 9 Pro takes its sweet time to get fully charged. Theres nothing wrong with that, but when you use the Warp Charge 50 Wireless charger with the smartphone, you will probably never go back to using a regular wireless charger. The OnePlus 9 Pro charges twice as fast as the OnePlus 8 Pro wirelessly. The smartphone can be fully charged in 45 minutes. Thats faster than wired fast-charging on most smartphones that support the power-delivery protocol.

 OnePlus

OnePlus is able to achieve this by having two battery cells in the OnePlus 9 Pro. When used with the Warp Charge 50 Wireless charger, both battery cells charge at 25W each. This means that the smartphone charges at 50W in total which results in it getting fully charged in under 45 minutes. Thats quite a big leap given the company introduced wireless charging on its smartphones just a year prior. Even the Galaxy S21 Ultra doesnt charge at 50W when using the companys fast-charger that is compatible with the device.



The Warp Charge 50 Wireless charger does not come with a power brick out of the box, however, in order to achieve fast wireless charging speeds, you can use the bundled charger that comes with the OnePlus 9 Pro. You can even buy the OnePlus Warp Charge 65 Power Adapter separately to use with the wireless charger. Alternatively, you can also use a 60W power delivery power adapter with the wireless charger to reap the benefits.

 MensXP_Akshay Bhalla

The Warp Charge 50 Wireless charger retails in India for Rs 3,990 at the moment on OnePlus official website. We highly recommend experiencing wireless fast-charging with the OnePlus 9 Pro because its unlike anything else out in the market.



The OnePlus 9 Series launched in India earlier this week and if you want to know more about the device, you can read all about it here. If you want to know more about the OnePlus 9 Pro in detail, you can read our full review here.
MEDFORD, Ore-- According to data from the Oregon Health Authority, the amount of people vaccinated in southern Oregon has reached almost 90,000. This includes, Jackson, Josephine Klamath, Curry and Lake counties.

According to OHA, Jackson County has vaccinated the most amount of people in southern Oregon with more than 48,000 people receiving at least one shot of coronavirus vaccine. Over the last five days, OHA says that Jackson County has averaged about 1,100 doses administered per day. More than 28,000 people are also fully vaccinated against the virus throughout Jackson County.

In Josephine County, total people vaccinated has reached 19,151. Currently almost 10,500 people are still in their vaccination series while the other 8,684 people are fully vaccinated.

Klamath County has vaccinated a little more than 15,000 people with almost 11,000 people being completely vaccinated against Covid-19.

Curry County has vaccinated almost 6,000 people and in Lake County, vaccinations have reached a little more than 1,700 people.

Over the last month the amount of people vaccinated across southern Oregon has increased by about 10,000 people by the end of each week.
Pete Davidson appears to be courting Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor.

What a match, indeed. Phoebe was spotted in a small town in the UK with none other than Pete Davidson by her side.

Tilly Wagg, 14, told local publication StokeonTrentLive that she spotted the pair outside her home in Caverswall, Straffordshire.

They walked past our house and we saw them holding hands and hugging each other, Tilly said.

I walked up to him and asked him if it was Pete Davidson and he said no in an English accent but then later he said Im just kidding in an American accent. It was quite funny".
PORTLAND, Maine (AP)  Bill Griffin waited more than a year for this moment: Newly vaccinated, he embraced his 3-year-old granddaughter for the first time since the pandemic began.

She came running right over. I picked her up and gave her a hug. It was amazing, the 70-year-old said after the reunion last weekend.

Spring has arrived with sunshine and warmer weather, and many older adults who have been vaccinated, like Griffin, are emerging from COVID-19-imposed hibernation.

From shopping in person or going to the gym to bigger milestones like visiting family, the people who were once most at risk from COVID-19 are beginning to move forward with getting their lives on track. More than 47% of Americans who are 65 and older are now fully vaccinated.

Visiting grandchildren is a top priority for many older adults. In Arizona, Gailen Krug has yet to hold her first grandchild, who was born a month into the pandemic in Minneapolis. Now fully vaccinated, Krug is making plans to travel for her granddaughters first birthday in April.

I cant wait, said Krug, whose only interactions with the girl have been over Zoom and FaceTime. Its very strange to not have her in my life yet.

The excitement she feels, however, is tempered with sadness. Her daughter-in-laws mother, who she had been looking forward to sharing grandma duties with, died of COVID-19 just hours after the babys birth. She contracted it at a nursing home.

Isolated by the pandemic, older adults were hard hit by loneliness caused by restrictions intended to keep people safe. Many of them sat out summer reunions, canceled vacation plans and missed family holiday gatherings in November and December.

In states with older populations, like Maine, Arizona and Florida, health officials worried about the emotional and physical toll of loneliness, posing an additional health concern on top of the virus.

But thats changing, and more older people are reappearing in public after they were among the first group to get vaccinated.

Those who are fully vaccinated are ready to get out of Dodge without worrying they were endangering themselves amid a pandemic that has claimed more than 540,000 lives in the United States.

Now theres an extra level of confidence. I am feeling good about moving forward, said Ken Hughes, a 79-year-old Florida resident who is flying with his wife for a pandemic-delayed annual trip to Arizona in April.

Plenty of older adults are eager to hop on a jet to travel. Others are looking forward to the simpler things like eating at a restaurant, going to a movie theater or playing bingo.

Sally Adams, 74, was among several older people who showed up for parking lot bingo in Glendale, Arizona. She felt safe because shed been vaccinated and because she was in her car at the first bingo event in more than year.

Once she fulfills the time to reach peak immunity, she plans to indulge in little things like eating out. Both her and her husband, who is also vaccinated, have only done takeout. Now, they feel like it will be OK to even eat indoors  as long as its not crowded.

Well probably go in and take the farthest table from other people just to be on the safe side, she said.

Indeed, many older adults are taking a cautious approach, especially when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declined to ease recommendations for travel.

Frequent traveler Cindy Charest was so excited about the prospect of jetting away for the first time in more than a year that she posted an airplane emoji with a photo of her being vaccinated on social media.

But shes taking a wait-and-see attitude after the CDC recommended against nonessential air travel, for now.

I think I got prematurely excited about it, said Charest, 65, of Westbrook, Maine. But shes ready to jump when the time comes. Shes watching for changing guidance.

Others are also cautious.

Were still in the thick of it, said Claudette Greene, 68, of Portland, Maine. Weve made a lot of progress but were not done with this.

Kathy Bubar said she and her husband are completely vaccinated but are in no hurry to push things. The 73-year-old Portland resident is planning to wait until fall before planning any major travel. She hopes to go on a safari in December.

My goal in all of this is to not be the last person to die from COVID. Im willing to be patient and take as long as it takes, she said.

The Griffins were also cautious before they were reunited with their granddaughter.

Bill Griffin, of Waterboro, didnt dare have close contact with family members until after being vaccinated because he has lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease and high blood pressure, all factors that pushed him into a high-risk category for COVID-19.

Everybody wants to live for the moment, but the moment could have been very deadly. We listened to the scientists, he said.

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.
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson gives an update on the COVID-19 pandemic during a virtual press conference inside 10 Downing Street in London, England, on March 18, 2021. (Tolga Akmen/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Johnson and Biden Share UK-US Concern About Chinese Response to Sanctions: Spokesman

LONDONBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. President Joe Biden expressed concern on Friday about the Chinese response to the imposition of sanctions on its officials, and saying Iran had to come back into compliance with the nuclear deal.

On Monday, the United States and Britain together with the European Union and Canada imposed sanctions on Chinese officials over human rights abuses in Xinjiang, the first such coordinated action since Biden became president.

The Chinese has responded by imposing sanctions itself on nine Britons, including lawmakers from Johnsons Conservative Party, along with EU lawmakers and other European institutes.

Buildings at the Artux City Vocational Skills Education Training Service Center, believed to be a re-education camp where mostly Muslim ethnic minorities are detained, north of Kashgar in Chinas northwestern Xinjiang region, on June 2, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

The prime minister and president reflected on the significant action taken by the UK, U.S. and other international partners earlier this week to impose sanctions on human rights violators in Xinjiang and expressed their concern about retaliatory taken action by China, a spokesman for Johnson said in a statement after the leaders spoke on Friday.

The statement said Biden and Johnson had also agreed there was a need for Iran to come back into compliance with the nuclear deal and they shared views on climate change.

The prime minister and president agreed that combatting climate change will be a crucial component of building back better from the pandemic, the spokesman added.

They shared their goals for the Presidents Climate Change Summit in April and the UK-hosted COP26 Summit in November, including the need to address climate change and preserve biodiversity in tandem.

By Michael Holden

Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
About 520 people dead in road traffic accidents this year; daily death toll ten By Nadia Fazlulhaq Additional reporting and pix by Badulla Correspondent Palitha Ariyawansa View(s): View(s):

Moratuwa University transport expert says de-merit system essential, to improve discipline among drivers,

wants independent authority to conduct road safety audits

Highway Ministry Secretary says warning signboards, speed bumps, rumble or alert strips will be put up in high risk, hilly terrain areas

From the rural town of Lunugala in Badulla, Anthony Noah (46) and his wife Benedict Merona (31) left the world tragically leaving behind their children, aged three, seven and eight in the hands of an ailing grandmother. They were among the 14 precious lives that were lost when a bus crashed down a 200-foot precipice in Passara last week.

While committees, authorities and officials cite causes varying from delayed removal of a rock, reckless driving, irregular time tables, failure to implement safety measures to not following quarantine guidelines in public transport, families of 14 people are left saddened, shocked and helpless by the sudden demise of their loved ones.

According to the Police, about 520 people have died from fatal road traffic accidents during the first three months of this year, while another 1054 accidents resulted in serious injuries. Close to 3000 people have received minor injuries from accidents. At present, the daily death toll from accidents is about ten.

The Moratuwa Universitys Transport and Logistics Management Department senior lecturer T. Sivakumar says, It is essential to introduce a de-merit system. This will reduce a lack of discipline among drivers. Meanwhile, provincial transport authorities should monitor long distance time tables and provide continuous training for drivers, both the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private bus drivers.

Dr. Sivakumar adds In bus passenger transport, the private sector is about 60 percent but there is no strong supervising mechanism and long distance private bus drivers rarely get enough rest time. Road safety audits should be made mandatory at design level, construction and while roads are in operation.

The audits should not be done by the Road Development Authority (RDA) but an independent authority. Auditing should be an external one and not to investigate the mistakes but to point out and highlight safety precautions. It should be a professional body established under a parliamentary act. Similar to the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) issuing the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), Urban Development Authority issuing the Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA), this institution should issue a Road Safety Audit (RSA), Dr. Sivakumar says.

Uva Province Governor A. J. M. Muzammil said there were many roads in susceptible for rock falls and landslides and other dangerous places that need to be looked at and safety measures implemented immediately.

The delay in removal of the rock should not have happened. The authorities were alerted six months ago, the Governor said.

Highways Ministry Secretary R. W. R. Pemasiri told The Sunday Times the Ministry would be expecting a report from a three-member committee including two members from the Ministry and one from the RDA. The committee would look into failures and corrective measures that need to be implemented by road authorities.

As road safety audits are costly and time consuming, priority will be given to high risk, hilly terrain areas. Warning signboards, speed bumps, rumble or alert strips would be put up in necessary places. The plans are to make road audits compulsory at the design stage for new road construction, he said.

Motor Traffic Commissioner Sumith Alahakoon said a de-merit system would be introduced soon, with the Police working on the software.

At present a process re-engineering study is being conducted on improving the quality of driver-training and regulating the issuing of driving licences, he said.

This week, Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama told Parliament that measures would be taken to conduct a road audit with the assistance of provincial road development authorities.

He said plans were also going ahead to strengthen the procedure of obtaining passenger transport licences by introducing a two week in-house training at a state-run training school.

The Minister also said SLTB employees working on contract basis for more than five years would be made permanent and vacancies for driving instructors would be filled soon after an examination was held this year.

This week saw another freak accident when a speeding van ran over and killed two people including a Police Sub Inspector who was on duty at a police roadblock near the Ayurveda roundabout in Rajagiriya.

The 56-year-old SI was attached to the Police emergency unit and was checking driving licences of a lorry and a three-wheeler stopped near the roadblock. He and the lorry driver were run over by an apparently reckless van driver.

A vegetable trader from Thalawathugoda, the van driver has been arrested and investigations are being carried out by the Welikada Police.

A five-year-old died on admission to the Wellawaya base hospital after he was thrown out from the opened door of a moving van carrying per-school children.

In another tragic accident reported from Pallai in Jaffna, a father and two children were killed on Friday night when their car and a tipper collided.

With a new electricity contract in hand, Century Aluminum has taken the last step toward ensuring its Mount Holly smelter continues to operate through at least 2023  revoking a job-reduction notice it filed in October.

The warning was filed under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, which requires employers with 100 or more workers to inform them at least 60 days in advance of a mass layoff. Century filed the aptly named WARN notice in case it was unable to negotiate a new contract with Santee Cooper to provide electricity to its site near Goose Creek.

The Moncks Corner-based utility approved a deal last week that will provide about 300 megawatts of power to the smelter, allowing Century to boost production. It also will add about 70 workers to the local payroll of the company, which cut 300 jobs in 2018 after it idled half the plant while sparring with state-owned Santee Cooper over its power contract.

"This milestone is welcome news for all of us, especially our Mount Holly employees, their families and the surrounding community," Century CEO Mike Bless said in a statement.

The Chicago-based manufacturer said it will invest about $50 million this year to restart part of a second aluminum potline at the Mount Holly smelter, eventually bringing its annual capacity in Berkeley County to 170,000 tons.

"We have already begun the investment and onsite work necessary to expand our operations, including rebuilding cells and hiring new employees to add to the Mount Holly team," Bless said. "We all look forward to that day in the near future when additional metal will be rolling out of the newly restarted potline."

Granted

Berkeley County Council has approved a pair of grants totaling $300,000 that will help businesses build new locations.

Of that, $200,000 will go to Advanced Technology International, a nonprofit research institute that does much of its work with government contractors. ATI has been based at the S.C. Research Authority building in Summerville. It plans to spend $55 million on a new site that will create 76 jobs.

ATI, which was spun off from SCRA in 2017 in a $25 million sale to Virginia-based Analytic Services Inc., essentially puts together groups of researchers, who study everything from shipbuilding to the electromagnetic spectrum. It earns a fee for managing their work.

Sign up for our new business newsletter We're starting a weekly newsletter about the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email

Sign Up!

The U.S. government recently used ATI to contract with drug companies, including Regeneron, to purchase coronavirus vaccines and treatments on behalf of the Defense Department and Health and Human Services. The contracts included a $450 million deal between ATI and Regeneron, which developed the experimental antibody treatment former President Donald Trump received.

The other $100,000 grant the county approved is for Mainstream Pine Products, which plans to invest $90 million in a biorefinery at the Charleston International Manufacturing Center in Goose Creek. The site will process crude tall oil, a byproduct of pine trees that are used in the paper manufacturing process. It's an ingredient in a range of chemicals, including lubricants, adhesives, inks, paints, coatings and rubber additives.

The grants, funded by state tax dollars, are issued by the S.C. Department of Commerce and passed through the county.

Sales job

U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, a Republican representing South Carolina's 7th District, is trying to drum up more business for the State Ports Authority's inland port in Dillon from the subcontinent.

Rice last week met with Dr. Swati Kulkarni, the consul general for India, and Michael Elmore, the inland port's general manager, to discuss how trade relationships with India can help boost the economy in the Pee Dee region.

"Inland Port Dillon has helped bring prosperity to a community that hasnt been economically prosperous in a long time," Rice said in a statement. "Because of the port, about 2,000 new jobs have been created. We want to promote trade in this area and meeting with Dr. Kulkarni to hear about how India can continue to be a trading partner for the area is a fantastic way to do this."

The rail-served Dillon cargo hub is along Interstate 95 near the North Carolina state line. CSX freight trains haul cargo between the site and the Port of Charleston about 160 miles away.
Islamabad, March 28 : Pakistan has called for inclusive, cooperative and forward-looking policies to counter the challenge of climate change in the world, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

Responding to media queries, spokesman of the Foreign Ministry Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said on Saturday that Pakistan remains fully committed to playing its due role in the fight against climate change which is one of the defining challenges, reports Xinhua news agency.

He said that Pakistan's commitment to addressing climate change including landmark initiatives like the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's leadership on this account is well accepted and appreciated around the world.

Pakistan, despite being among the top 10 countries affected by Climate Change, is one of the lowest emitters, with less than 1 per cent of the global emissions, Chaudhri said.

Pakistan is also meaningfully contributing to shaping the global climate change discourse, he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 20:18:35|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (1st L) meets with Ali Larijani (1st R), advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, on March 27, 2021. (Chinese Embassy in Iran/Handout via Xinhua)

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's advisor, Ali Larijani, hailed the signing of the China-Iran comprehensive cooperation plan for laying a good foundation for the future development of their ties.

TEHRAN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China and Iran on Saturday agreed to further boost bilateral relations and work together to promote regional peace and stability.

The consensus was reached during the meeting between visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Ali Larijani, advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Calling China and Iran as traditional friendly partners, Wang pointed out that China has always viewed the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.

No matter how the international and regional situations change, China will unswervingly maintain its friendly policies towards Iran, the Chinese diplomat stressed.

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the China-Iran ties stand at a new historical starting point, Wang said, adding that China is willing to work with Iran to open new frontiers of cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples, and world peace and development.

Also on Saturday, Wang and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif signed the China-Iran comprehensive cooperation plan, as agreed by both sides in the joint statement on building a comprehensive strategic partnership issued in January 2016.

The plan maps out future cooperation between China and Iran in such fields as economy and people-to-people exchanges, which will help push for the continuous development of the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang said.

He also reiterated China's willingness to continue its assistance to Iran in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

China firmly supports Iran in opposing hegemony and safeguarding national sovereignty and dignity, the Chinese diplomat said, noting that the unilateral sanctions against Iran violate international law and cause harm to the Iranian people.

Urging the international community to jointly oppose any acts of bullying by powers, Wang expressed China's commitment to defending the legitimate rights of the two nations and other developing countries.

For his part, Larijani said Iran attaches great importance to its relations with China, noting that the bilateral relations have ushered in a new era.

Iran appreciates China's great support in helping control the COVID-19 pandemic, Larijani said, voicing his hope that the bilateral cooperation in this regard will be further intensified.

Larijani hailed the signing of the comprehensive cooperation plan by the two sides for laying a good foundation for the future development of their ties.

Iran is willing to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with China in various fields, including the anti-terrorism cooperation, he said.

Larijani also said that Iran highly appreciates China's just position of opposing the U.S.-led unilateral sanctions imposed on Iran.

He added that Iran is ready to cooperate with China closely to find a way, through dialogues and negotiations, to resolve the differences among the parties in the Iranian nuclear deal, so to safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East. 
KONNOR PERRIN, Chariho boys lacrosse, freshman: Perrin established a school record for assists in a game with nine in the Chargers 22-0 win over Ponaganset. Perrin leads the team with 21 assists to go with 14 goals.

LILA RICH, Stonington girls track, senior: Rich won two events at the ECC Division I track meet. Rich was first in the high jump (5-0) and the pole vault (10-0) as the Bears finished third at the meet.

MADIGAN HILTZ, Westerly boys lacrosse, senior: Hiltz scored seven goals and had three assists in pair of victories for the Bulldogs. Hiltz has 17 goals and seven assists for the season.

ADDIE HAUPTMANN, Wheeler softball, junior: Hauptmann was 4 for 9 with a home run and six RBIs in two games. For the season, Hauptmann is hitting .617 with eight homers and 42 RBIs. She has 50 hits.

Vote

View Results
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed Saturday that twelve nations have signed a joint statement condemning the actions of the Myanmar military during the weekend's democracy protests.

As Myanmars military celebrated the annual Armed Forces Day holiday with a parade Saturday in the country's capital, soldiers and police elsewhere killed scores of people while suppressing protests in the deadliest bloodletting since last month's coup.

The online news site Myanmar Now reported late Saturday that the death toll had reached 114.

The killings quickly drew international condemnation, including a joint statement from the defense chiefs of the U.S, Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea and the U.K.

A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting  not harming  the people it serves, they said.

We urge the Myanmar Armed Forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions.

The European Unions delegation to Myanmar said that the 76th Myanmar Armed Forces Day will stay engraved as a day of terror and dishonor.

The killing of unarmed civilians, including children, are indefensible acts, it added.

The death toll in Myanmar has been steadily rising as authorities grow more forceful in suppressing opposition to the Feb. 1 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The coup reversed years of progress toward democracy after five decades of military rule.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
New Delhi/Kolkata, March 28 : In the first phase of the Assembly polls in West Bengal, no high-profile leader of the Congress came for campaigning even as the party is contesting the elections in the state in alliance with the Left.

Sources said there has been a lack of coordination between the state's Congress unit president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and state in-charge Jitin Prasada, as Chowdhury has been taking decisions regarding the elections and leaders from Delhi drafted for the state are not being kept in loop.

Prasada has hence returned from Bengal and close aides say that he is miffed with the way Chowdhury is managing the election-related affairs.

The Congress is contesting on 92 seats in the state that went to the polls in the first phase on March 27 (Saturday).

Jitin Prasada and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury jointly were to spearhead the campaign in the state.

Prasada, when asked about the campaign programme of top party leaders including Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka, said "once the programme is finalised, we will inform the media", while other leaders insisted: "Ask Adhir".

According to sources, leaders who are in the star campaigner list are also not excited to go for campaigning as there is no positive feedback from the state.

The ruling Trinamool Congress in the state, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are in direct contest while the Left is trying to win back its rural support, and the Congress is trying to retain its last tally of 44 in 2016 elections.

The first sign of cracks emerged during the ticket distribution which was delayed and after many hiccups it was finalised, but not before differences surfaced within the party.

Another concern for the Congress is that till elections in Kerala gets over, it cannot go full-throttle in West Bengal as it's difficult for the party to praise the Left in Bengal and criticise in Kerala.

In Kerala, former party president Rahul Gandhi has been attacking the Left.

The Congress in its manifesto has assured NYAY promised a monthly support of Rs 5,700 to 20 per cent of the most economically backward families.

The manifesto also promised Rs 5,000 a month as interim relief to families of migrant workers till they get employment.

The Congress' vote share had declined to 4 per cent in the 2019 General Elections, but it still remains an important factor in some districts such as Puralia, Malda and Murshidabad.

The polling in West Bengal will be held in eight phases till April 29 and the counting of votes will be done on May 2.
The Egyptian President today ordered emergency crews to start offloading containers from the cargo ship

Japanese-owned vessel got wedged in crucial trading passage last Tuesday, disrupting global shipping

Two heavier tugboats joined efforts to free Panama-flagged vessel in Suez Canal in Egypt after it got stuck

Rescue teams shifted 220,000-ton Ever Given container ship by nearly 100ft (30m) in major breakthrough

Advertisement

Salvage teams have intensified excavation and dredging efforts around a massive container ship blocking the busy Suez Canal after canal chiefs launched a last-ditch bid to take advantage of the king tide brought on by the supermoon to help free the vessel.

Officials said operations were under way to make use the high tides created by the full moon to dislodge the 220,000-ton skyscraper-sized Ever Given, which has been wedged across the crucial waterway in Egypt since Tuesday.

Crews had hoped to make an attempt during the high tide on Sunday night, but decided to postpone it for 24 hours until the highest of the forecast tides just after midnight tonight, when two extra tug boats will be in place.

The rescue efforts came as Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi ramped up efforts to unblock the single-lane stretch and ordered preparations for the possible removal of some of the ship's 18,300 containers if dislodging efforts failed.

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) confirmed the process of unloading the cargo will take place if efforts to dislodge the ship fail while SCA Chairman Osama Rabie said any operation to lighten the ship's load would not start before Monday.

This weekend saw a so-called 'supermoon' full moon, which was due to provide higher high tides than usual due to its gravitational pull on the earth's surface.

As the high tides came in last night, diggers set to work removing parts of the canal's bank and expanded dredging close to the ship's bow to a depth of 59ft (18m) but the large ship remained entrenched in the waterway, the Suez Canal Authority said in a statement.

'SCA has decided to postpone the next refloating attempt until sufficient tug power is in place,' it said, adding 'a likely time for the next attempt is Monday evening'.

The SCA did not confirm the news, saying in a statement earlier in the day that 'operations have been stepped up around the bow of the ship'.

A newly arrived specialist tug also joined efforts to float the giant container ship, the vessel's technical manager Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) said.

'Further attempts to re-float the vessel will continue this evening once the tug is safely in position along with the 11 tugs already on site,' the statement said.

An additional dredger will also arrive from Cyprus by March 30, it added.

It came as rescue crews desperately trying to free the container ship today said they had made a breakthrough and had managed to move the skyscraper-sized vessel by nearly 100ft.



Rescue teams have intensified excavation and dredging efforts around the Ever Given container ship after high tides were created by the full moon

The Japanese-owned ship is disrupting global shipping valued at more than 6.5billion per day and is exacerbating the global economic crisis triggered by Covid-19

Officials said they wanted to make use of the the high tides created by the supermoon to dislodge the 220,000-ton skyscraper-sized Ever Given

The full moon offers a spring tide, or king tide, in which high tides are higher and the low tides are lower because of the effects of gravity during a straight-line alignment of the Earth, the moon and the sun

An aerial view taken on March 27, 2021 from the porthole of a commercial plane shows stranded ships waiting in queue in the Gulf of Suez to cross the Suez Canal at its southern entrance near the Red Sea port city of Suez

The vessel, which carries cargo between Asia and Europe, is disrupting global shipping valued at more than 6.5billion per day and is exacerbating the global economic crisis triggered by Covid-19.

However, in a major breakthrough, rescue crews reportedly told NBC News foreign correspondent Raf Sanchez they have managed to move the enormous carrier by around 98ft (30m) after deploying two tugboats.

Hopes have been raised that the cargo ship could be freed today after emergency crews were ordered to start offloading containers. Experts previously budged its stern and get its rudder and propeller working.

The Dutch-flagged Alp Guard and the Italian-flagged Carlo Magno, which were called in to work alongside tugboats already on scene, reached the Red Sea near the city of Suez earlier today.

They will now help nudge the Ever Given as dredgers continue to vacuum up sand from underneath the vessel and mud caked to its port side. They have so far shifted 27,000 cubic metres of sand around the ship to reach a depth of 60ft (18m) , the authority said in a statement.

Workers planned to make two attempts on Sunday to free the vessel coinciding with high tides helped by a full moon on Sunday night, a top pilot with the canal authority said.

'Sunday is very critical,' the pilot told the Associated Press. 'It will determine the next step, which highly likely involves at least the partial offloading of the vessel.

'Taking containers off the ship likely would add even more days to the canal's closure, something authorities have been desperately trying to avoid.

Rescue crews desperately trying to free the container ship blocking the Suez Canal today said they have made a breakthrough and had managed to move the skyscraper-sized vessel by nearly 100ft

The massive Ever Given (pictured), a Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned ship that carries cargo between Asia and Europe, got stuck on Tuesday in a single-lane stretch of the canal

A tugboat near the Ever Given container ship which ran aground in the Suez Canal, Egypt, March 28, 2021

Two heavier tugboats sped to Egypt's Suez Canal on Sunday to join efforts to free a skyscraper-sized container ship wedged for days across the crucial waterway. Pictured: Dredgers attempt to free the stranded ship on Sunday

Rescue reportedly told NBC News' Raf Sanchez they have managed to move the enormous carrier by around 98ft

The plan is for the tugboats to nudge the 400-meter-long Ever Given as dredgers continue to vacuum up sand from underneath the vessel and mud caked to its port side, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, which manages the Ever Given, said

Authorities have so far been unable to remove the vessel and traffic through the canal - valued at more than 6.5billion a day - has been halted, further disrupting a global shipping network already strained by the coronavirus pandemic

A handout satellite image made available by MAXAR Technologies shows excavation around the bow of the Ever Given and dredging operations in progress, in the Suez Canal, Egypt, March 28, 2021

Satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies shows the container ship in the Suez Canal on the morning of March 28

'It also would require a crane and other equipment that have yet to arrive.'

Taking containers off the ship would likely add even more days to the canal's closure, something authorities have been desperately trying to avoid.

It would also require a crane and other equipment that have yet to arrive.

This weekend it was revealed that ships containing livestock and IKEA furnishings had been left stranded in the maritime traffic jam.

Gerit Weidinger, EU coordinator for NGO Animals International, told The Guardian: 'My greatest fear is that animals run out of food and water and they get stuck on the ships because they cannot be unloaded somewhere else for paperwork reasons.'

Meanwhile IKEA said it had 110 containers on the stricken Ever Given and on other ships.

'The blockage of the Suez Canal is an additional constraint to an already challenging and volatile situation for global supply chains brought on by the pandemic,' an IKEA spokesperson said.

On Saturday, the head of the Suez Canal Authority told journalists that strong winds were 'not the only cause' for the Ever Given running aground, appearing to push back against conflicting assessments offered by others.

Lt. Gen. Osama Rabei said that an investigation was ongoing but did not rule out human or technical error.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement maintains that their 'initial investigations rule out any mechanical or engine failure as a cause of the grounding.'

However, at least one initial report suggested a 'blackout' struck the hulking vessel, which is carrying some 20,000 containers, at the time of the incident.

Rabei said he remained hopeful that dredging could free the ship without having to remove its cargo, but added that 'we are in a difficult situation, it's a bad incident.'

Rescue crews have managed to move the skyscraper-sized vessel by nearly 100ft after it found itself wedged across the crucial waterway in Egypt

Workers planned to make two attempts to free the vessel on Sunday, coinciding with high tides, a top pilot with the canal authority told The Associated Press

On Saturday, the head of the Suez Canal Authority told journalists that strong winds were 'not the only cause' for the Ever Given running aground, appearing to push back against conflicting assessments offered by others. Lt. Gen. Osama Rabei (pictured) said that an investigation was ongoing but did not rule out human or technical error

Stranded ships are now waiting in a queue in the Gulf of Suez after the container ship blocked the waterway

The Dutch-flagged Alp Guard and the Italian-flagged Carlo Magno were called in to assist the tugboats already in the canal and had reached the Red Sea near the city of Suez early on Sunday, according to satellite data from MarineTraffic.com. Pictured: Two boats are seen at the entrance of the Suez Canal on Sunday

Asked about when they expected to free the vessel and reopen the canal, he said: 'I can't say because I do not know.'

Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd., the company that owns the vessel, said it was considering removing containers if other refloating efforts failed.

On Friday, Peter Berdowski, CEO of Boskalis, the salvage firm hired to extract the Ever Given, said that the company hoped to pull the container ship free within days using a combination of heavy tugboats, dredging and high tides.

Berdowski told the Dutch current affairs show Nieuwsuur that the front of the ship is stuck in sandy clay, but the rear 'has not been completely pushed into the clay and that is positive because you can use the rear end to pull it free'.

Berdowski said two large tugboats were on their way to the canal and are expected to arrive over the weekend.

'The combination of the (tug) boats we will have there, more ground dredged away and the high tide, we hope that will be enough to get the ship free somewhere early next week,' he said.

The Ever Given is wedged about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) north of the canal's Red Sea entrance near the city of Suez.

A prolonged closure of the crucial waterway would cause delays in the global shipping chain.

Some 19,000 vessels passed through the canal last year, according to official figures. About 10 per cent of world trade flows through the canal.

Rescue crews descended upon the scene in an effort to free the container ship blocking the Suez Canal today

Emergency crews were ordered to start offloading containers off the enormous carrier and workers plan to make two attempts on Sunday to free the vessel

Hopes that the cargo ship could be freed were given a boost today as emergency crews started offloading containers from Ever Given

Rescue teams arrive to the scene as dredgers continue to vacuum up sand from underneath the vessel and mud caked to its port side

Workers at the site have so far shifted 27,000 cubic metres of sand around the ship to reach a depth of 60ft

The closure could affect oil and gas shipments to Europe from the Middle East. Syria has already begun rationing the domestic distribution of fuel.

The country, which has been mired in a bloody civil war since 2011, faces a severe economic crisis. In March, it announced a more than 50 per cent rise in the price of petrol.

As of early Sunday, more than 320 ships were waiting to travel through the Suez, either to the Mediterranean or the Red Sea, according to canal services firm Leth Agencies.

Dozens of others still listed their destination as the canal, though shippers increasingly appear to be avoiding the passage.

The world's biggest shipping company, Denmark's A.P. Moller-Maersk, warned its customers that it would take anywhere from three to six days to clear the backlog of vessels at the canal.

The Ever Given is wedged about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) north of the canal's Red Sea entrance near the city of Suez. A prolonged closure of the crucial waterway would cause delays in the global shipping chain

Ships and boats are seen at the entrance of Suez Canal after it was blocked by the stranded container ship Ever Given

The firm and its partners already have 22 ships waiting there.

'The current number [of] redirected Maersk and partner vessels is 14 and expected to rise as we assess the salvage efforts along with network capacity and fuel on our vessels currently en route to Suez,' the shipper said.

Mediterranean Shipping Co., the world's second-largest, said it had already rerouted at least 11 ships around Africa's Cape of Good Hope to avoid the canal.

It turned back two others, and said it expected 'some missed sailings as a result of this incident.'

'MSC expects this incident to have a very significant impact on the movement of containerized goods, disrupting supply chains beyond the existing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,' it said.
Two suicide bombers believed to be members of a militant network with Islamic State allegiances have blown themselves up outside a church packed with Palm Sunday Mass parishioners in Indonesia.

At least 20 church parishioners and security guards were injured in the blast outside the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Makassar on the island of Sulawesi on Sunday morning.

The Roman Catholic congregation had just finished celebrating Palm Sunday Mass when they were rocked by a loud bang outside on the street.

Church priest Reverend Wilhelmus Tulak said the blast went off as a first batch of parishioners were walking out of the church and another group was coming in.

He said church security guards became suspicious of two men on a motorcycle who wanted to enter the building and when they went to confront them, one of the men detonated his explosives.

Police later said both attackers were killed instantly and evidence collected at the scene indicated one of them was a woman.

Two suicide bombers were killed after they blew themselves up outside a Roman Catholic Church on Sunday. Pictured are police officers and rescue workers carrying a body bag from the scene of the blast in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

The two attackers are believed to have been members of the militant group Jemaah Anshorut Daulah, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State group and was responsible for deadly suicide bombings on Indonesian churches in 2018, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo told reporters.

He said one of the attackers was believed to have links to a church bombing in the Philippines.

One shocked witness described hearing two 'very strong' explosions before seeing plumes of smoke.

'There were several injured people on the street. I helped one woman...who was wounded and covered in blood,' Yosi told AFP.

'Her grandchild was also injured. There were body parts everywhere.'

The attack a week before Easter in the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation came as the country was on high alert following December's arrest of the leader of the Southeast Asian militant group, Jemaah Islamiah, which has been designated a terror group by many nations.

Indonesia has been battling militants since bombings on the resort island of Bali in 2002 claimed 202 lives, including 88 Australians.

Police have identified one of Sunday's attackers by the initial, L, who they believe was connected to a 2019 suicide attack that killed 23 people at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in the Philippine province of Sulu, Prabowo said.

He said the two attackers were linked to a group of suspected militants arrested in Makassar on January 6, when a police counter terrorism squad shot and killed two suspected militants and arrested 19 others.

The street outside the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Makassar was closed for the rest of Sunday as forensic police examined the scene and cleaned up scattered debris

The blast went off as a first batch of parishioners were walking out of the church and another group was coming in. Pictured is the cordoned-off scene afterwards

'We are still searching other members of the group and I have ordered the Densus 88 to pursue their movement,' Prabowo said, referring to Indonesias elite police counter-terrorism squad.

Indonesias last major attack was in May 2018, when two families carried out a series of suicide bombings on churches in the city of Surabaya, killing a dozen people including two young girls whose parents had involved them in one of the attacks. Police said the father was the leader of a local affiliate of Jemaah Anshorut Daulah.

President Joko Widodo condemned Sunday's attack in a televised address to the nation.

'Terrorism is a crime against humanity,' Widodo said.

'I call on everyone to fight against terror and radicalism, which go against religious values.'

'I call on people to remain calm while worshipping because the state guarantees you can worship without fear.'

He offered his prayers to those injured and said the government would cover all medical costs and has ordered the national police chief to crack down on any militant network that may be involved.

At least 20 people were injured the blast outside a Catholic church in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia on Sunday morning

Police officers kept a close guard near a church where an explosion went off in Makassar, which inured more than 20 parishioners and security guards from the church

The blast has been condemned by church leaders worldwide.

At the end of Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peters Basilica, which opened Holy Week ceremonies at the Vatican, Pope Francis invited prayers for the victims of violence.

He cited in particular 'those of the attack that took place this morning in Indonesia, in front of the Cathedral of Makassar.

A video of the scene of the attack obtained by The Associated Press showed body parts scattered near a burning motorbike at the gates of the church.

At least 20 people were wounded in the attack and had been admitted to hospitals for treatment, said Mohammad Mahfud, the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs.

Indonesia has been on high alert since police in December arrested Jemaah Islamiyah leader Aris Sumarsono, also known as Zulkarnaen. Over the past month the country's counterterrorism squad has arrested about 64 suspects, including 19 in Makassar, following a tip-off about possible attacks against police and places of worship.

Jemaah Islamiyah was once considered the preeminent terror network in south-east Asia, but has been weakened in recent years by a sustained crackdown.
Before the quarantine, I often traveled the country, speaking for church and civic groups. Afterward, I hosted Q&As for audience members.

Ive not yet booked post-COVID speaking engagements, so I thought todays column a good place to share the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Q. Dear Chaplin Burkes. Why does my email come back as undelivered?

A. Dear Reader. Im not a mime and my first name isnt Charlie.

I mention that because chaplain is commonly misspelled as Chaplin, like the 1920s English mime. My title, C-h-a-p-l-A-i-n, has two As which spells the difference between, Chaplin, the silent actor, and Norris, the opinionated chaplain.

Q. How did you become a newspaper columnist?

A. In the summer of 2001, I took my son on a Boy Scout camping trip where I met Florida Today editor Tom Clifford, who is now Associate Publisher and Content Editor of Islander News. After I shared chaplain stories around the campfire, Clifford asked me to send him some drafts for a spirituality column he wanted to start. It seemed like an easy gig until Tom asked me to begin by writing a spiritual response to the attack on the World Trade Center.

Q. How can I become a newspaper columnist?

A. Unless you know Tom, youll need to take your chances with a syndicate like Tribune Media, Hearst or Creators. OR approach your local newspaper with a proposal (and samples to show them). As the syndicates did with me, theyll likely refer your proposal to Helen Wait. Meaning, If you want your own column, go to Hell-n-Wait. Newspaper editors are a bit more forgiving.

Q. What kind of email do you get?

A. Aside from one Ill get from my mother chiding me for my potty-mouth answer to the previous question, I get sad ones, mad ones, and lots of sweet ones. The first two are those I remember most.

Q. Do you answer them all?

A. Mostly, just not always in a timely or coherent manner. However, Im no Ann Landers, so I dont offer personal advice or engage with political or theological issues.

Q. How much do you get paid?

A. About half as much as I did five years ago or a tenth of what you think I get.

If I gave an actual figure, thousands of idealistic journalism students would drop out and flood the fast-food job market.

Q. Are you Democrat or Republican?

A. In order to keep my meager salary, I decline to answer.

Q. How long does it take you to write your columns?

A. Which column do you mean? My first draft? Or the 15 revisions that follow? (The real answer is 12-15 hours.)

Q. Where do you get your column ideas?

A. From news events, family stories, chaplain experience or the Bible. Sometimes I dont have any idea and thats why I write columns like this one.

Q. How long have you been writing this column?

A. Itll be 20 years October 2021.

Q. Do you live here?

A. Define here. I write for 35 papers nationwide, including Islander News in Key Biscayne, from my home in Auburn, Calif.

Q. Can you come to our town to speak?

A. Yes. Like the Old West circuit-riding preachers, Im a have-Bible-will-travel chaplain. Im fully vaccinated and rearing to return to public speaking.

Q. What is your educational background?

A. I have a double major in Journalism and Religion from Baylor. I have a Master of Fine Arts in Nonfiction from Pacific University and Im halfway through my Masters in Journalism from nearby University of Nevada, Reno. (No one ever asks that question, but I thought it would be fun to tell you.)

Q. What kind of minister are you?

A. Im a recovering Baptist. I attend a 12-step group where we must acknowledge that theres a higher power than the Southern Baptist Convention.

The true answer depends on the day. Im often a sad one, a confused one, a happy one, or an empathetic one.

But today  Im just a wisecracking chaplain who hopes to have given you a smile or two.

With careful spelling, send emails to comment@thechaplain.net Or visit Chaplain Norris online here or on Facebook.
Family and friends gathered to mourn an 11-year-old boy who was shot and killed while riding a motorized bike in Philadelphia on Friday.

He is a boy, 11 years old. Eleven is a boy, Lourlor Belance told NBC 10 about his son, Harley Belance.

Harley was shot in the neck while riding a motorized bike around 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Oxford Circle neighborhood. He was pronounced dead at St. Christophers Hospital for Children. A 14-year-old boy was injured in the shooting.

Dozens gathered at the scene to remember Harley on Saturday, Action News 6 ABC is reporting.

Were numb. Were numb. Too young, Suzanne Hatcher, who said Harley was her sons best friend, told 6 ABC. Hes a baby. Shouldve never happened.

Police are searching for the shooter. Investigators say a man was seen firing shots from the 1400 block of McKinley Street, reports indicate. It is unclear if Harley and his friend were the intended targets.

Harley was described at the vigil as a vibrant young man who loved hanging out with his friends, reports indicate.

Harleys death is the 114th homicide of 2021 in Philadelphia  an increase of 30 percent over this time last year, reports indicate.
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.


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
China used to be called "the kingdom of the bicycle", but now it has become a country of express packages.

Latest data released by the State Post Bureau showed that China handled more than 20 billion parcels so far this year as of Wednesday, roughly the same number as in the whole of 2015. On a daily basis, the country handled 240 million parcels and served nearly 500 million customers.

It has also set a new record as it took only 83 days for the turnover to reach 20 billion, 45 days ahead of that in 2020, the bureau said in a release on Thursday.

"The new record shows the vitality and huge development potential of the express industry," the bureau said, attributing the growth to China's quick recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, strong domestic consumption, the integrated development of online and offline shopping as well as the expansion of markets in urban and rural areas.

For the entire year of 2021, China is expected to handle 95 billion parcels, according to the bureau. Last year, the country handled 83 billion parcels, a year-on-year growth of 30.8 percent.

During this year's weeklong Spring Festival holiday in February, 660 million parcels were handled from Feb 11 to Feb 17, a stunning year-on-year increase of 260 percent, according to official data.

Since China's coordinated pandemic containment measures discouraged travel during this year's Spring Festival, courier sector workers gave up the holiday break to satisfy people's online shopping needs and ensure customers received parcels over the period.

Many express delivery companies kept working during the holiday, including China Post, SF Express and ZTO Express. More than 1 million couriers worked through the holiday to ensure the smooth operation of the network, according to the bureau.

The bureau required companies to pay bonuses to couriers and adjust their holidays accordingly to ensure their legal rights.

The courier sector has witnessed rapid development in the past decade and has broken records annually in recent years. In 2014, the number of parcels received and delivered across China reached 10 billion. Since then, the number has increased by 10 billion annually.

And the sector is expected to maintain its high growth. A high-profile blueprint for the country's transport development said that a more convenient logistics network will be built by 2035. Parcels will be delivered to customers in China in only one day, to neighboring countries in two days and reach major cities around the world in three days.

By that time, 80 logistics hubs will be established to handle international and domestic express deliveries and mail.
India has imposed anti-dumping duty on the import of bottle grade Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) resin originating in or exported from China for 5 years. Imports of bottle grade PET from China increased over 67 per cent, from 88,247 metric tonne in FY18 to 1,47,601 MT in FY19, while imports from other countries declined, as per govt data.

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), under the Department Of Commerce, had recommended in December last year that anti-dumping duty ranging from $60.92 to $200.66 (depending on the material quality) be imposed on the import of bottle grade PET resin from China to offset the injury to the domestic industry from cheaper imports. The Ministry of Finance accepted and notified the same on Saturday.

The Finance Ministry, in its notification, said, "imposition of anti-dumping duty is required to offset the injury to the domestic industry caused by the dumped imports of subject goods from the subject country and has recommended imposition of definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of the subject goods, originating in or exported from the subject country and imported into India."

The PET resin, having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.72 decilitres per gram or higher (bottle-grade PET resin, excluding recycled PET resin), is used for manufacturing bottles and jars for storage of mineral water, carbonated soft drinks, pharmaceutical products.

It also observed that imports entered the market at a price significantly below the selling price of the domestic industry, thus undercutting the prices of the domestic industry in the market.

"It is seen that the market share of subject imports increased considerably over the injury period, while the market share of the petitioning domestic industry fell," added DGTR.

Reliance Industries and IVL Dhunseri Petrochem Industries - two largest producers of the product in India, accounting for over 90 per cent of the domestic production - had applied for the anti-dumping investigation before DGTR, which it initiated in October 2019, reports Mint. The domestic industry, in its submission to DGTR, said that the imports from China have increased dramatically during the investigation period.

"The subject imports are significantly undercutting the prices of the domestic industry. The market share of the domestic industry has fallen from 80 per cent to 64 per cent over the injury period. If dumping is not checked, the price of exports may fall further adversely affecting profitability of domestic industry," they said.

However, importers of the material said that there is no injury to the domestic industry as it is still profitable, and inventories reflect a decline in the injury period. The importers said, "The imports had no price effect on the domestic industry as the domestic prices increased by 26 per cent over the injury period while the import prices increased by 33 per cent and thus, analysis of price undercutting is meaningless."

Indian Plastics Federation (IPF), a user of the imported raw material, in its submission said that any anti-dumping duty on imports from China will affect the domestic processors adversely and, therefore, the proposed anti-dumping duty should not be imposed.

IPF added, "Large discounts are offered to big companies. This is not available to small and medium units. This price disparity goes against small and medium industries. Hence small and medium industries prefer to import raw materials from China since their pricing policy and terms and conditions of payment are easier."

Also Read: COVID-19 in Maharashtra: CM Thackeray mulling lockdown with 'minimum impact on economy'

Also Read: Big boost! Indian Air Force to get 10 Rafale jets soon
Ismailia, Egypt: The global economic troubles triggered by a giant container ship stuck in the Suez Canal worsened with the blockage of more ships carrying billions of dollars of goods. But hopes also grew that favourable tidal conditions could help free the Ever Given as a US Navy team was expected to arrive this weekend to assist in the operation.

Meanwhile, Egyptian authorities publicly acknowledged on Sunday (AEDT) for the first time that an initial investigation that found that the ship beached because of strong winds in a dust storm might not have been entirely accurate.

A satellite image shows the cargo ship MV Ever Given stuck in the Suez Canal. Credit:Maxar Technologies via AP

At a news conference, Lt Gen Osama Rabie, head of Egypts Suez Canal Authority, said that such a significant incident typically has many causes.

The weather was one reason, but maybe there was a technical error, or a human error, he said, adding that the probe into the grounding was continuing.
Rosalie DOrsaneo will never forget the day her 100-year-old mothers frail body was removed from a Wheatfield nursing home as more and more residents were dying across the state from Covid-19.

DOrsaneos mother did not have the virus, but she considers her mom a pandemic fatality because of the way nursing homes were impacted as the virus spread.

Buffalo nursing home hit with second-highest federal fine in N.Y. for Covid-19 violations The 200-bed Buffalo Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing, which has an overall one-star rating, has had 18 residents die of Covid-19 in the facility.

That is why she is applauding the State Legislatures approval of a bill that calls for the repeal of special legal protection from civil and criminal proceedings to health care facilities and health professionals. The measure had been adopted a year ago in response to Covid-19 and its impact on health care.

Advocates of nursing home residents have been criticizing the legal immunity for months, claiming it has made facilities and those who work and operate them unaccountable for their actions.

The repeal bill was adopted Wednesday by the Senate and Assembly, but when it will go to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo for his consideration is unknown. The bill also could end up becoming part of state budget talks that may or may not conclude by the start of the new fiscal year on Thursday.

The Senate version of the bill cited several reasons for the need to repeal the legal protection:
President Joe Biden speaks as he gives a primetime address to the nation from the East Room of the White House in Washington on March 11, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The Fight for Americas Souland Future

Commentary

If you get paid to give your opinion, then you have an obligation to be honest. So, let me tell you what I believe about the state of America today.

As Americans, were currently in a fight for our freedom, for what we believe in as a country. And make no mistake: The stakes couldnt be higher.

Consider the authoritarian overreach weve seen in response to the coronavirus pandemic at the local, state, and even federal levels. Across the country, Democratic leaders have used the COVID-19 crisis to exercise unprecedented control over our lives. Ask yourself: Do you feel truly free?

Just look at President Joe Bidens first primetime address earlier this month. If were good little boys and girls, Biden told us, then we might be able to gather with our families on Independence Daya day when we celebrate the rejection of tyranny.

Mr. President, you dont get to make those decisions for us. This is America. The government cant tell us whenlet alone ifwe can see our family, go to church, or go to work. We are independent, and we are free.

Imagine having a restaurant into which youve put your entire life, your entire financial wellbeing. Youve invested your blood, sweat, and tears into this restaurant to build something. Youre providing jobs for other people. And then the government says you cant open your own restaurant. Thats disgusting. Thats not America.

And yet, here we are.

The fight for freedom is real. Look at the attacks on the First Amendment as well. The Left controls all our societys most powerful institutions right nowbig government, big tech, education, the press, corporate America.

And with all that power, the Left also controls the flow of information to the American people. They set the terms for the rest of us about whats acceptable to believe, say, and read.

And what if you dont submit to their progressive agenda? You get canceled. You lose your podcast, you lose your book, you get fired, youre shamed. And the victim isnt always someone on the right. The editor of Teen Vogue just lost her job for tweets she wrote as a teenager.

All this madness puts us, as Americans, in this terrifying place where its imperative to be truthful and fight for what we believebecause we might not have the opportunity moving forward.

Which is why Im launching my first podcast, The Truth with Lisa Boothe, in partnership with Gingrich 360 and iHeart Media. My mission is simple: to stand tall for the truth and cut through the noise to get to the heart of what actually matters.

I want to be a voice for anyone who rejects conformity and groupthink, anyone whos tired of the people in charge telling them what to think, and anyone who feels like theyve been lied to for too long by those in power.

Our country is in trouble, and we need more people to speak up.

No one has spoken up more for the American people in recent years than President Donald Trump, who was kind enough to be my guest on the first episode of The Truth with Lisa Boothe this past week.

President Trump did not disappoint, giving his most in-depth interview since leaving the White House. Hearing him describe the thought process behind his immigration policies was especially compelling as the nation endures a crisis at the southern border today, courtesy of Joe Bidens flawed ideas.

President Trump also had a powerful message for conservatives at a time when our most sacred institutions are under attack from the radical Left: Keep fighting.

I discuss all this and more, including my background and plans for the podcast, on this weeks episode of Speaker Newt Gingrichs podcast, Newts World. I am grateful to Speaker Gingrich for investing in me and giving me an amazing platform.

And I am so excited to use my platform in a constructive way by really digging into the issues, going beyond the usual political talking points. But more importantly, I look forward to being a voice for the American people, whose freedoms and beloved way of life are under threat.

This is a fight that is far beyond politics. Its a fight for freedom, and there is no time to waste.

From Gingrich360.com.

Lisa Boothe, a former pollster and political adviser, is now a television news commentator and host of The Truth with Lisa Boothe podcast. She is also the founder and president of High Noon Strategies, a boutique political communications and public affairs firm.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A university student was kidnapped on a night out before being tortured by a criminal gang who forced him to hand over his life savings, a court heard.

The 21-year-old university student in Leeds - who has not been named for legal reasons - was subjected to the horrific 22-hour ordeal in October 2019.

Attackers Zakariya Osman, 25, and Harris Saqib, 24, stubbed cigarettes out on the victim's body, force-fed him tablets and made him drink vodka.

He was forced to call his bank to demand the transfer of 10,000 from his accounts into theirs.

The pair warned their victim that they would murder him unless he followed their orders, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Osman and Saqib were handed 30-year and 20-year sentences respectively on Friday after pleading guilty to kidnap and robbery.

A university student was kidnapped on a night out before being tortured by a criminal gang who forced him to hand over his life savings, a court heard. Attackers Zakariya Osman, 25, (left) and Harris Saqib, 24, (right) stubbed cigarettes out on the victim's body, force-fed him tablets and made him drink vodka

Sentencing, Judge Tom Bayliss QC described the ordeal as 'a chilling crime'.

The court was told that the victim - who had moved to Leeds to study just a month earlier - was kidnapped in the early hours of October 17, 2019.

He left a nightclub after becoming separated from his friends around 3am, prosecutor Carmel Pearson said.

Osman, Saqib and another man were in a car nearby and lured him into the vehicle before forcing him to hand over his bank card and pin number.

He was punched repeatedly after attempts were made to withdraw money from a cash machine and the pin number did not work, the court heard.

Ms Pearson said the attacks became more sadistic as he was kept in the car for longer.

The prosecutor said the victim's recollection of the incident was hazy as he had been forced to swallow tablets, drink vodka and smoke cannabis.

The men ordered him to ring his bank and transfer around 10,000 from his savings account, current account and an ISA.

Ms Pearson said: 'Because of the large amount of money he was asked many questions by people at the bank and it was a slow process.

'He was nervous that the bank would sense the tension in his voice on the telephone.

'The whole time he was attacked and forced to persuade the bank of the legitimacy of the transfers.'

A total of 4,810 was transferred to the defendants' accounts, the court heard.

The bank stopped further sums being transferred.

The kidnappers warned their victim that they would murder him unless he met their demands, Leeds Crown Court (pictured) heard

The victim later described how Osman - nicknamed 'Django' - was the 'craziest of them all' and responsible for most of the violence.

During the incident, Osman told the victim he would 'take this to an M'.

The victim understood that to mean he was going to be murdered, it was heard.

Osman and Saqib told the student they knew where he lived and would find him if he reported the kidnap.

The victim was allowed to leave the car without any money or his mobile phone at 1am the following morning, almost 24 hours later.

Ms Pearson said he received hospital treatment for burns and bruises to his face.

The student told the court in a statement how he had been left permanently scarred from the injuries.

The prosecutor said: 'He had to leave university and Leeds despite attempting to carry on as normal.

'He found the stress and pressure of being in Leeds and his studies overwhelming.'

Osman also pleaded guilty to two further offences of robbery.

Judge Bayliss gave Osman a 30-year sentence while Saqib was jailed for 20 years.

Judge Bayliss said: 'All robberies are serious but the robbery and kidnap of [the student] is a chilling crime.

'It was committed against a young man whose life has been changed by your actions.

'Changed to the extent that his university degree course has had to be abandoned, changed to the extent that he will never be able to walk the streets with any confidence any more.

'What he went through was unimaginable.

'You caused serious physical and psychological harm to your victim.'

interview

Sylvia Wairimu Maina (from Kenya), talks about her doctorate research on the nutritional and health benefits of the African cabbage:

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you born and where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in rural Kenya. I attended boarding school, thus learning to be responsible and independent at an early age.

What inspired you about science and your specific area of research?

My passion is in biotechnology and health, largely inspired by memories of my grandfather who used to extractplant-based therapies to treat sheep suspected of having sustained snake bites.

Where did you obtain your earlier degrees?

I hold a B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2011) and an MSc in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics (2014), both from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya.

Who is your key influence?

I am inspired by Dr. Florence Wambugu, a Kenyan scientist renowned for her research and development initiatives on the tissue-culture banana as a way of enhancing food security in Africa.

What is your research focus?

My research aims to synthesize compounds in the African cabbage (known scientifically as Cleome gynandra)that have value for human and animal health.

Although widely used as a vegetable and a medicinal plant, C. gynandra is one of Africa's orphan crops -- neglected or overlooked plants that are often more nutritious and better suited to local agricultural systemsthan exotic varieties.

My studies are supported by the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF). I am registered at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania, and I am currently in a sandwich programme at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea.

What progress have you made so far?

I have conducted and published a systematic review that updates knowledge on glucosinolates, sulfur-containing compounds found in cruciferous vegetables like the African cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts and kale.

These compounds play an important role in human and animal health (disease therapy and prevention), plant health (defence chemicals, biofumigants and biocides) and food industries (preservatives).

The study also presents factors that affect the natural occurrence and biological availability of the compounds, supporting increased harnessing of their therapeutic values.

What is the contribution of your research to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Broadly speaking, my research is aligned to SDG 2: Zero Hunger. Central to this goal is the understanding thata profound change of the global food and agriculture system is needed if we are to nourish the more than 690 million people globally who are currently hungry.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Agribusiness Sustainable Development 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.

Because of their high nutritional value, African orphan crops are a vital way of addressing malnutrition, especially hidden hunger, in Africa.

My research will contribute much-needed scientific knowledge, as well as awareness towards unlocking the full potential of these African orphan crops.

How does your academic journey contribute to tackling the COVID-19 pandemic?

Alongside two other female RSIF PhD scholars, I was interviewed for an article discussing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our personal lives and research journeys.

We believe that the candid presentation of the challenges we have faced, lessons learnt and our sources of resilience will help to mitigate the adverse impact of the pandemic on other scholars and researchers.
Kent Wong at Victoria Peak overlooking Hong Kong's harbor in 1975. (Courtesy of Kent Wong)

Over the past year, Chinas suffocation of Hong Kongs independence, including the recent charges against 47 activists and the rewriting of election rules, has stabbed at my heart, because for me and thousands of other Chinese, Hong Kong is more than a city. Its a beacon.

When I was a young man in the 1970s, during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and Chinas darkest years under Mao, I joined hundreds of thousands of desperate Chinese willing to risk our lives to get to freedom. Between late spring and early fall and in the night, we crossed the mountains to reach the sea, and from there, we would swim across the water, as far as six miles depending on the route, to reach Hong Kong.

On my first attempt in 1972, I was caught on the coast by Peoples Liberation Army soldiers. A year later, I was caught by Chinese fishermen near Hong Kong after I had struggled for eight hours in the rough sea. Choking on seawater, I thought of death, but I kept reminding myself, I must reach Hong Kong, for my mother, father and myself!

Thousands of freedom swimmers died in the water; three of them were my friends. When I finally stepped on the soil of Hong Kong on my third attempt, I believed I had reached paradise.

At that time, Hong Kong was everything that China was not: dazzling neon lights, morning crowds of neatly dressed businesspeople threading through jampacked skyscrapers, and bustling cinemas that played discounted Hollywood movies at midnight. Hong Kongers proudly proclaimed: Hong Kong never sleeps! My heart cheered: Hong Kong is the pearl of the Orient!

My father was working in Taiwans customs office in Hong Kong when Mao took over China in 1949. In 1950, he joined a patriotic insurrection in his office and took our family to China to help the newly formed Peoples Republic.

Later he was denounced and punished as a capitalist rightist during Maos Great Leap Forward campaign. Because of him, I was called a little bastard during the Cultural Revolution and sent to a primitive village to be reeducated by peasants. After three years of harsh labor and witnessing the public executions of a group of counterrevolutionaries, I decided to escape to Hong Kong  the promised land for me and thousands like me.

Story continues

Though I have traveled to many places around the world in the decades since, only Hong Kong evokes an indescribable longing to return whenever I leave. But now, even as an American citizen, I dare not visit Hong Kong again.

In 1950, China peacefully liberated Tibet by armed invasion. In 1989, the world witnessed the image of a young man, alone, blocking the tanks during the Tiananmen Square massacre. Today, 140 countries have joined Chinas Belt and Road initiative, which runs through Xinjiang, the province of the Uyghurs. Yet only 39 countries have condemned the genocide of the Uyghurs by the Chinese Communist Party.

China has won. It will keep winning against the democracies of the world by using its soft power  a hard-working and still cheap labor force and rising consumer-purchasing power  and hard power, as well as a global network of hardcore Chinese nationalists and internet vigilantes who support and defend its every action.

Chinas growing dominance should frighten every democracy, even our own. Now that the most ambitious and dictatorial leader since Mao is in place, who will be Beijings next target? If it is not Taiwan, who else? And after Taiwan, will China, with all its economic power, become a truly global empire?

And what about Hong Kong?

Hong Kongs students are idealistic, positive and full of life. Hong Kongs residents filled the streets to demand change, to protest history textbooks that the Chinese Communist Party use to spread propaganda and to support Hong Kongs Basic Law, which was supposed to protect Hong Kongs autonomy until 2047 but has been severely undermined by the Chinese Communist Party.

Ive made many trips to Hong Kong after I left for America in 1975. I was there in 2014 during the students Umbrella Movement. They were protesting the Chinese Community Partys prescreening of the candidates for the chief executive of Hong Kong, which is not in the Basic Law. It was a strange political scene. Students used umbrellas not for the unpredictable subtropical rains but to shield themselves from the polices tear gas. They set up tents on the main streets in the Central, the business district, to get the attention of the public.

Life outside the Central seemed as normal as it could be. I talked to multiple small shop owners, some inside the Central, and was surprised by the almost uniform support for the students, and not a single voice of direct criticism.

One taxi driver said about the student crowds, Its fine. I just drive around the occupied area, no big deal. He added, A free election would never yield a chief executive appointed by China! I responded, This will end very badly.

I had planned to visit Hong Kong after the pandemic, but that seems impossible with darkness falling on that city. My heart now cries, Hong Kong, once my paradise, is forever lost!

Kent Wong is the author of the forthcoming memoir, Swimming to Freedom: My Escape From China and the Cultural Revolution.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Writer Susan Johnson discusses her upbringing, career and the men who have influenced her.

Susan Johnson: I see men as equally vulnerable, though I still think they are more powerful in politics and business. Its clear we still have a long way to go. Credit:Chrissa Fatsea

Occupation Writer

Age 64

Relationship status In a relationship

Best known for Her novel The Broken Book

Ive had a lot of good storytelling men in my life, like my father, John. He grew up in Queensland and became a cadet journalist while at university. Between journalism stints, he volunteered as a patrol officer in Papua New Guinea. In this quasi-policing role, the inexperienced 21-year-old assisted in operations to remove limbs.

Dad became a sales manger for 3M. He travelled a lot and returned from Japan with cans of chocolate-covered ants. He liked practical jokes and had a gorilla suit he brought back from the US. But at 40 he swapped corporate life for pineapple farming, and we moved from Sydney to outside Nambour, in Queensland. He was successful at it, despite a cyclone almost wiping him out the first year.
This weekend, Saturday Night Live added one more question to the four that are customarily asked at a Passover Seder: Why wasnt this sketch chosen as the cold open?

You had to wait until just before midnight for the topical, politically themed satire that usually kicks off an S.N.L. broadcast  this one featuring the host, Maya Rudolph, in her recurring role as Vice President Kamala Harris. Her task? To M.C. a Passover meal intended as a call for unity.

This has been a difficult year for all of us, Rudolph's Harris said. But I really do feel that we are about to see some light. And what better night to celebrate a new beginning than Passover  or as my adopted people call it, Pesach.
Issues relating to COVID featured in many complaints to the Ombudsman in 2020 from people in direct provision.

Complaints about the movement of people from existing accommodation, the transfer of people to self-isolate in the Citywest complex, and allegations that staff within direct provision centres were not ensuring compliance with public health guidelines were among the complaints dealt with by the Ombudsman.

People in direct provision made 61 complaints to the Ombudsman in 2020, down from 168 in 2019. The decrease was largely due to staff from the Ombudsmans office being unable to take complaints in person at direct provision centres because of national travel restrictions.

Speaking on Thursday at the publication of his annual commentary on direct provision, the Ombudsman said: We have found that the best way for direct provision residents to engage with us is through our Outreach programme and our in-person visits to centres. Unfortunately, our visits had to be curtailed in 2020. We will recommence these visits in 2021.

Moves to different centres

There were complaints to the Ombudsman when the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) had to relocate around 600 residents over three weeks to support social and physical distancing in centres. Complaints included the lack of notice about some of the moves and the location of centres people were being moved to. There were also complaints about social distancing on buses and the wearing of masks.

Requests for transfers

The Ombudsman received 25 complaints about requests to transfer to other direct provision centres. In one case, IPAS refused a transfer from a resident, her husband and young child on the basis that there was adequate living space in their current centre. When the Ombudsman pointed out that the woman was shortly expecting a second child, IPAS agreed that it would provide accommodation for a family of four.

Residents were told that all transfers were suspended for public health reasons. While there were exceptions for urgent medical reasons or for the safety of the individual, the Ombudsman said that all requests needed to continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Driving licenses refused

There were two complaints made to the Ombudsman when residents were unable to take up employment as they needed to drive to work. The residents could not obtain a driving licence as it can only be issued to someone who is resident in the EU. Applicants for international protection do not qualify as their residence status has not been decided. The Ombudsman is engaging with the Department of Transport which is introducing legislation to rectify the problem.

Bank accounts

In his annual commentary, the Ombudsman also described the difficulties experienced by direct provision residents in opening bank accounts. An account can be opened only if you provide evidence of a permanent address. Financial institutions will not accept the address of a direct provision centre as a permanent address. The Ombudsman said that the Department of Justice is engaging with the Banking Federation of Ireland and others to resolve the issue.

Medical services

In another case, a resident was having difficulty in accessing badly needed mental health services and getting information on a stay she had in hospital. Following intervention from the Ombudsman, the HSE ensured that the woman was provided with the appropriate mental health services from her centre. The Ombudsmans staff arranged for the woman to contact the hospital she had stayed in which said it would provide her with the information she needed.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:

Leah Sharibu, who was among 100 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants in 2018, gave birth to her second child in captivity, according to reports.

The report was initially circulated by the Washington, D.C.-based U.S.-Nigeria Law Group, which told The Christian Post on Saturday that a trusted source had confirmed that Sharibu gave birth to two children last year.

However, Emmanuel Ogebe, convener of the U.S.-Nigeria Law Group, said in a statement reported by the Daily Post on Tuesday that while the update about Sharibu came from a "usually knowledgeable source," they "have not corroborated this by multiple sources."

Sharibu was kidnapped on Feb. 19, 2018, by Boko Haram militants who raided the Government Girls Science and Technical College Dapchi, Yobe state. While 104 of the girls were released within a month, Sharibu is the only one of the Dapchi girls who has continued to be held against her will because she refused to renounce Jesus Christ and adhere to the militants' version of Islam. Boko Haram has pledged to enslave her for life.

Source:The Christian Post
A local representative this week voted in favor of a bipartisan plan helping military families find employment and adjust to new communities when they move to Michigan.

"The legislation will eliminate needless bureaucratic hurdles for military family members with professional and occupational licenses when service members are transferred to the state or when veterans move here," stated Rep. Annette Glenn, R-Midland. Our military heroes put their lives on the line to protect us  this is simply a common-sense way to show appreciation and make things a little easier when theyre forced to move by the military or when their active service ends."
Country fans in Leitrim can enjoy a feast of music this Easter Sunday night when musicians including Daniel ODonnell, Nathan Carter, Margo, Una Healy and others join the biggest ever gathering of Irish country music stars and reach out to help raise vital funds for the ISPCCs Childline Listening Service.

Excitement is mounting ahead of the Reach Out concert, which is set to bring the magic of the Irish country music scene into the homes of fans in Leitrim and across Ireland. The production will be the showpiece event of the uplifting Reach Out movement founded by country music star Trudi Lalor and Billy Morrissey to connect the stars of Irish country music with their fans following a year of missing out on in-person concerts through the Covid-19 pandemic.

The stars are calling on fans in Leitrim to help them support Childline and ensure that every child and young person in Ireland can always reach out to the service. Children and young peoples lives have been turned upside down by the pandemic, with Childline receiving up to 800 online contacts, calls and texts every day from those who seek a listening ear. Contacting Childline can make a lasting difference in the life of a child or young person.

The livestream concert will begin at 8pm on Easter Sunday night, April 4th, and be accessed online at: www.reachout2021.com. Audience members will have the chance throughout the night to support Childline and make a vital difference in the lives of children and young people in Leitrim and across Ireland. All donations raised will go directly towards making sure the listening service is always available 24 hours a day, every day.
Yoon Soo-hee, senior vice president and head of the Specialty Care Division at LG Chem, speaks during The Korea Times' Bio Webinar, March 26. Captured during the event



By Baek Byung-yeul





Logo for LG Chem

LG Chem, the chemical, battery-making and biotech affiliate of LG Group, is improving research and development in new drug development to find new growth engines.



During The Korea Times' Bio Webinar, on March 26, Yoon Soo-hee, senior vice president and head of the Specialty Care Division at LG Chem, said the company focused on developing drugs for diabetes, metabolic disorders, cancer and immune disorders as its main R&D areas in 2017.



As part of that plan, LG Chem has been conducting over 40 new drug development pipelines, investing 600 billion won ($532 million) over the past four years.



The webinar was sponsored by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The executives of the country's prominent biotech firms  LG Chem, Samsung Biologics, SK Bioscience and Celltrion  discussed the current state of the local biotech industry and what types of support the government needs to offer to upgrade the industry's competence against global biopharmaceutical firms.



"LG Chem has shown leadership in its major target markets such as Korea, China and Japan with its drugs including our diabetes drug Zemiglo, which has exceeded 100 billion won in sales among new drugs developed by Korea-based biopharmaceutical companies, such as the hyaluronic acid filler Yvoire, etanercept biosimilar product Eucept and growth hormone Eutropin. Thanks to the outstanding performance of these products, the company is able to conduct a large-scale R&D investment," Yoon said.






Redmi's General Manager teased the company's upcoming gaming phone a couple of months ago and little has been revealed since. Now the renowned Weibo tipster, Digital Chat Station revealed a few key details surrounding Xiaomi's mysterious gaming phone.

A flat OLED panel with a tiny punch-hole design for the selfie cam would be placed on the front, just like the Mi 11 and Redmi K40. They both boast Samsung's brand new E4 panel. Driving those pixels would be the Dimensity 1200 chipset while a 5,000mAh battery will ensure uninterrupted gaming sessions. It's expected to support 65W fast charging and it's reportedly enough to give a full charge from flat in just 30 minutes.

What's more, the phone will likely adopt physical shoulder triggers for an enhanced gaming experience.

The tipster even disclosed a possible price range - something along the lines of CNY 2,000-2,500 ($300-380) or in other words - one of the cheapest gaming phones on the market.

Via (in Chinese)
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.
Please disable your ad blocker, and refresh the page to view this content.
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has formally welcomed its new Secretary General & CEO, theologian Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, in a ceremony live-streamed on Saturday from Bonn, Germany.

Evangelical leaders representing 9 regional and 140 national Evangelical Alliances around the world joined the event online with greetings, prayers and blessings to induct the new leadership.

Beginning the ceremony, WEA's Chair of the International Council, Rev. Dr. Goodwill Shana led attendees with a devotion from Acts 2:42 and 2:45.

"As WEA enters a new era, may the Lord grant that we see continuity, renewal and transformation through our new leadership," he said.

WEA's Vice Chair of International Council Rev. Dr. Frank Hinkelmann welcomed the new Secretary General in the studio near Bonn. An introduction was shown via a short video clip that featured Dr. Schirrmacher's expansive library as a backdrop, from which he gave a brief introduction and background about his family, education, faith, passion projects and ministry works.

Congratulatory greetings were also sent by Rev. Dr. Casely Essamuah (Secretary - Global Christian Forum), Dr. Billy Wilson (Chair - Pentecostal World Fellowship), and Dr. Michael Oh (CEO -Lausanne Movement).

Next, Dr. Schirrmacher was formally commissioned to the role of Secretary General with blessings from WEA leaders around the world. He was presented with a globe and a Bible in Chinese from his predecessor Bishop Efraim Tendero, symbolizing the heart of God for the world and the Word of God as a guide for his leadership of the WEA.

Prayers and blessings for Dr. Schirrmacher were given by Dr. Goodwill Shana, Dr. Reinhardt Schink (General Secretary of Germany EA), and Rachel Afeaki-Taumoepeau, (General Secretary of South Pacific EA).

Two new deputy secretary generals (DSGs) were also introduced - Dr. Peirong Lin and Rev. Dr. Brian Winslade, who will join Dr Schirrmacher's leadership team. Prayers for the two DSGs were given by various regional Evangelical Alliance leaders.

Christian Today Interview: Thomas Schirrmacher on vision for the WEA

In his inaugural speech, Dr. Schirrmacher thanked the contributors for their well-wishes and touched on some of the cornerstones of what it means to be an evangelical and the characteristics of evangelicalism. He went on to describe the Bible as the "confession of the Church" that stands above everything, stating the foundational principle that no one is above the Word of God.

Schirrmacher also highlighted religious freedom and concern for persecuted believers as something that has been integral to WEA from the very beginning. He acknowledged that the task of leading the WEA goes beyond the ability of any one person, stating that it is only by the prayer of millions around the world that he will be able to take on this new role and lead the WEA into the future.

Following his inaugural address, further prayers and words of encouragement were given for the new leadership team. WEA members from Trinidad and Tabago, Argentina, Switzerland, Angola and the United States spoke about unity, mission religious freedom, creation care and the gospel for all nations.

To bring the event to its conclusion, a closing prayer and benediction were given by Rev. Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, who served as the former WEA Secretary General from 2005-2014.

"We want to thank you for the smooth transition of leadership to our friend and brother Thomas Schirrmacher. I pray that you will give him much wisdom, guidance, strength and protection," prayed Tunnicliffe.
This year is not a milestone anniversary for the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island nuclear generating plant in Londonderry Twp.

But it is an anniversary that central Pennsylvanians will never forget.

The partial meltdown of the Unit 2 reactor on March 28, 1979, prompted days of uncertainty, fear, confusion, evacuations and visits from government officials including President Jimmy Carter.

When Carter toured TMI, former Gov. Richard Thornburgh told him, We assure that Pennsylvanians are tough people, made of sterner stuff, and we will endure the difficulty.

The incident at Three Mile Island, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, was the most serious accident in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant operating history, although its small radioactive releases had no detectable health effects on plant workers or the public. Its aftermath brought about sweeping changes involving emergency response planning, reactor operator training, human factors engineering, radiation protection, and many other areas of nuclear power plant operations. It also caused the NRC to tighten and heighten its regulatory oversight. All of these changes significantly enhanced U.S. reactor safety.

A combination of equipment malfunctions, design-related problems and worker errors led to TMI-2s partial meltdown and very small off-site releases of radioactivity.

Three Mile Island, March 31, 1979. (Photo from Allied Pix archive at the Historical Society of Dauphin County.)

The accident began about 4 a.m. on March 28.

Shortly after the accident, The Patriot-News printed a special section on April 16, 1979, called The Agony of the Atom. That section included this chronology that PennLive has previously published on anniversaries.

WEDNESDAY, March 28

3:53 a.m.  A malfunctioning valve causes the shutdown of two pumps in the secondary feedwater system, a separate unit that cools the water circulating through the reactor core, and triggers a chain reaction of mechanical and human errors.

3:53:09  The reactor scrams, or stops the nuclear fission process by automatically dropping 67 control rods to mesh with the tubes of enriched uranium that form the reactor core.

3:53:12  A relief valve on the reactor coolant pressurizer fails to close, eventually causing about 250,000 gallons of radioactive water to spill onto the floor of the reactor containment building.

3:53:30  Three auxiliary pumps kick in but fail to provide cooling water to supplement the shut-down feedwater system because the valves that should have been open were closed.

3:55  The Emergency Core Coolant System dumps tons of water into the reactor core to reduce the intense heat that should have been diminished with the assistance of the auxiliary feedwater system.

3:57:30  A control room technician shuts down the first pump on the ECCS after either misreading or getting false readings from his instruments. A second pump was tripped about six minutes later, completely halting the last line of defense against overheating.

4:00:03  A sump pump in the containment building activates and transfers water into a nearby auxiliary building. Radioactive steam from the water eventually finds its way into the atmosphere through a venting system.

4:01  Technicians realize the auxiliary cooling system is not functioning and open the closed valves in an attempt to bring down the temperatures in the reactor.

5:22  The plant operators shut down two other pumps controlling the flow of water around the reactor core, further contributing to the fuel damage and the rise of the hydrogen bubble at the top of the reactor vessel that was to deter cold shutdown steps into the next week.

6:50  Plant officials first begin to realize the seriousness of the situation and that radiation may have escaped into the atmosphere. A site emergency is declared.

7:00  Clarence Deller of the state Emergency Management Agency office is notified of the emergency and begins to launch an alert for evacuation plan for Dauphin, York and Lancaster counties.

7:37  Donald Butch Ryan, a fire-police dispatcher in Middletown receives word of an emergency at the plant and is told to stand by.

8:10  The Emergency Management Agency cancels its alert.

8:30  Cumberland County emergency preparedness officials are notified of the accident.

8:55  A Patriot-News reporter learns from county and state officials that an emergency has been declared at TMI. Initial reports indicated there was a radiation leak due to a failure to fuel. The first reporter is dispatched to the scene.

10:20  Bill Gross, a Metropolitan Edison Co. public relations representative reads a statement from Gary Miller, the station manager, reporting on the problem in technical terms and saying that radioactive monitoring teams have found nothing on or off-site.

11:00  Between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. MetEd engineers vent radioactive steam from the plant. During the same period, Lt. Gov. William Scranton III is holding the first of three news conferences, saying everything is under control and there appears to be no danger to public health or safety.

1:15 p.m.  John G. Herbein, MetEd vice president of generation, greets the news media for the first time at the TMI Observation Center, noting the plants in safe condition. He denies any delay in notifying authorities and contends radiation releases are very small. He indicates there may have been 0.1 or 0.5 percent damage to the 36,000 fuel rods.

4:30  Scranton says the utility has ended venting contaminated steam into the air but accused MetEd of earlier giving the state conflicting information.

5:00  The plant again vents radioactive steam.

Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh, left, announces the closing of schools in the area around the Three Mile Island PWR, on March 30, 1979, in Harrisburg, Pa., after an accident at the nuclear power plant led to the release of radioactive gas from the reactor into the atmosphere. The governor advised the evacuation of small children and pregnant women. Standing at right is Lt. Gov. William Scranton. (AP Photo)ASSOCIATED PRESS

THURSDAY, March 29

10:00 a.m.  MetEd holds a press conference at the Hershey Convention Center where company president Walter M. Creitz says the cooldown is occurring at a more rapid rate. The radiation leaked from the plant has been in the low 5- to 7-millirems per hour level, according to company monitoring teams. The incident is nothing out of the ordinary realm.

12:15 p.m.  A news conference is held at the Friends Meeting House in Harrisburg by Dr. George Wald, a 1967 Nobel prize winner, and Dr. Ernest J. Sternglass, director of radiological physics for the University of Pittsburgh. Sternglass calls for the plant to be shut down and Wald says any radiation can cause harm.

3:00  MetEd and Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials hold briefings for four senators and five congressmen. Sen. Gary Hart, D-Colo., labels the mishap the most serious accident in the history of nuclear power and calls for congressional hearings. Sen. George W. Gekas, R-Harrisburg, says he will introduce legislation to require immediate notification of officials in the event of any incident at the plant.

11:00  An NRC official in Washington says the damage to the fuel rods is more serious than originally thought and indicates it will be a long time before the clean-up is finished.

John Jones of Hummelstown took this photo of a news crew covering the partial meltdown of the Unit 2 reactor at Three Mile Island in March 1979.

FRIDAY, March 30

7:15 a.m.  Between 7:15 and 8:15 a.m. an uncontrolled burst of radioactive gas is vented from the containment building into the auxiliary building and a plane carrying detection equipment measures radiation levels of between 300 and 1,200 millirems per hour.

9:00  York County Civil Defense director Leslie Jackson puts phase 1 of the nuclear disaster plan for the county into operation, primarily to stop the panic, caused by unconfirmed reports of evacuation.

9:30  E.C. McCabe, an NRC official, confirms the release of radioactivity to reporters outside the NRC trailer at the TMI Observation Center.

9:45  Herbein tells a Patriot-News reporter that some venting was done in the evening and possibly radiation levels did climb momentarily. Asked if an area alert was in progress, he replied he was not sure.

10:00  County Civil Defense organizations and the Pennsylvania National Guard are placed on standby for possible evacuation. The Associated Press moves an urgent story staying the governor is considering the evacuation of four counties.

10:35  Thornburghs press secretary Paul Critchlow indicates there is no need to evacuate but says the governor has warned people within a 10-mile radius of the plan to stay indoors and close their windows.

11:00  A second release of radioactive gases occurs.

11:15  President Jimmy Carter telephones Thornburgh and offers his assistance. A siren goes off in downtown Harrisburg causing some panic.

11:45  Herbein holds a news conference in Middletown where he tells reporters he did not see the need to warn Civil Defense officials of the latest release and, for the first time, considerable discussion centers on a bubble building in the reactor vessel.

12:30  Thornburgh issues his advisory for pregnant women and preschool age children to evacuate from a five-mile radius of the plant. He also orders 23 schools in the area to close.

1:00  Three West Shore School District schools begin evacuation.

4:00  The Harrisburg East Mall closes early.

7:00  Evacuees from the Middletown area line up for their first meal at Hersheypark Arena.

10:00  Thornburgh holds a news conference in the Capitol News Center and introduces Harold Denton, the NRC official personally sent by Carter to supervise the operation. Thornburgh says that the indoor restriction will be lifted at midnight for residents within the 10-mile radius of the plant.

John Jones of Hummelstown contacted PennLive this year to provide photos he took at the evacuation site at Hershey Arena.

I was in college at the time and a friend living in Middletown told me he had no place to go with his wife when they were advised to leave the area.

Later I went to the arena searching for him to offer him my home in Hummelstown.

I didnt locate him but was so disturbed at the sight of families gathered in an arena with only cardboard boxes serving as privacy partitions, that I asked for permission to photograph the scene. My only instructions were to avoid taking any identifying images, so no closeups, Jones said.

These are his photos:

The evacuation center at Hershey Area after the accident at Three Mile Island. (Photo by John Jones)

The evacuation center at Hershey Area after the accident at Three Mile Island. (Photo by John Jones)

The evacuation center at Hershey Area after the accident at Three Mile Island. (Photo by John Jones)

SATURDAY, March 31

4:00  Evacuation of the residents of Frey Village in Middletown takes place as an independent decision of the home operators. Officials at the Odd Fellows Home of Pennsylvania make a similar decision later.

11:00  MetEd holds its final news conference in Middletown and the responsibility for the emergency operations at the plant shifts to the NRC. MetEd and the NRC disagree over the size of the bubble. Herbein says he believes the crisis is over.

8:27  An AP story marked urgent quotes an NRC source in Washington as saying the hydrogen bubble is so volatile there is a chance of an explosion.

10:10  Denton and Thornburgh are conferring in the governors office when they are interrupted by a call from presidential press secretary Jody Powell informing them that President Carter would be visiting Three Mile Island.

11:50  Denton at a news conference says he sees no possibility of an explosion in the reactor vessel or containment building. The Thornburgh advisory remains in effect. Mass evacuation is again discounted.

SUNDAY, April 1

10:00 - Middletown Borough officials receive word that Carter is coming. Workers tear down a temporary press center set up for visiting reporters to permit Carter to hold his news conference in the borough hall.

2:00  Carter dons yellow plastic booties and tours the control room at TMI-2.

3:00  A grave Carter reads a brief statement to the press while Rosalynn greets the crowd gathered outside the borough hall.

3:15  Denton briefs reporters on the bubble and warns that the next few days are critical in reducing the danger. He raises the possibility of mass evacuation if the bubble is to be removed by increasing coolant pressure or blasting it out with high pressure steam.

President Jimmy Carter takes a tour of the control room at TMI with Gov. Dick Thornburgh and Harold Denton on April 1, 1979.

MONDAY, April 2

10:00  MetEd engineers obtain a reading of about 175 cubic feet for the bubble. Estimates had placed the size of the sphere at about 850 cubic feet a few days prior.

11:30  A dramatic decrease in the size of the bubble has been realized. Denton tells reporters during a news conference in the Middletown Borough building. An almost audible sigh of relief seems to emanate from the community as the crisis passes.

Three Mile Island closed on Sept. 19, 2019.

In December the plant was sold to Utah-based EnergySolutions. The process of decommissioning the plant will take decades.

A vigil is held outside the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Londonderry Township to observe the 40th anniversary of the accident that caused a partial core meltdown at the plant. An equipment failure and operator errors led to the accident at the plant's Unit 2 reactor at around 4 a.m. on March 28, 1979. March 28, 2019. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.comPENNLIVE.COM

READ MORE
When I was an undergraduate at Oxford, a friend let me try out his new motorbike  a Norton 500. I jumped on and accelerated away, only to find the bike suddenly rearing up on its back wheel.

Terrified, I managed to bring it to a stop some 500 yards later. I have never ridden a motorbike again.

In crude mathematical terms, motorcyclists have a 1 in 770 chance of being killed during their lifetimes, somewhat less than the odds of dying of Covid-19. Motorbikes have not been banned. But we have shut down our society in order to prevent the spread of Covid, which has an overall fatality rate of about 0.5 per cent  and far less among younger, healthy people.

The past year has seen countless erosions of our once-cherished freedoms to deal with Covid. The latest is an incomprehensible ban on foreign travel.

Astonishingly, under new rules coming into force today, Britons will face a 5,000 fine if they leave the UK unless for a specifically permitted reason. This effectively renders holidaying abroad illegal, though exemptions for work, volunteering, education, medical need and attending weddings or funerals are permitted.

The past year has seen countless erosions of our once-cherished freedoms to deal with Covid, writes SIR ROCCO FORTE

So-called 'non-essential' foreign travel will be banned until at least June 30  although, given the Government's fondness for repeatedly extending restrictions into our freedoms, some doubt that even that date will be met. Former government adviser Professor Neil Ferguson said last week: 'I think we should be planning on summer holidays in the UK, not overseas.'

This holiday ban is yet another kick in the teeth for my industry, hospitality, and for the whole economy, which relies heavily on international trade and tourism. The UK is on course to have a tourism industry worth over 257billion by 2025  almost 10 per cent of GDP and supporting almost 3.8million jobs, about 11 per cent of all the employment in this country.

Frankly, the Government's approach makes no sense. In January, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told us we would be able to 'cry freedom' when the most vulnerable in society had been vaccinated. In a great success story for the NHS, we have now inoculated more than 30million people, giving protection to the groups that account for 99 per cent of Covid deaths.

Frankly, the Government's approach makes no sense. In January, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told us we would be able to 'cry freedom' when the most vulnerable in society had been vaccinated

Former government adviser Professor Neil Ferguson said last week: 'I think we should be planning on summer holidays in the UK, not overseas'

All our most vulnerable will have had the option of taking a second jab by the end of April  and we know the vaccines work.

But now the doom-mongers scare us with talks of 'new variants' of the virus, even though viruses mutate all the time and most scientists say our existing vaccines could be tweaked to deal with them.

Meanwhile, we're shutting everything down still further. The furlough scheme has been extended to September  months after all restrictions are supposed to have ended on June 21  suggesting the Government has no real confidence in its 'roadmap' out of the crisis.

Yet look at what other countries are doing. Take the Seychelles, which has vaccinated almost its entire population. It has reopened its borders to all tourists, even those who haven't had a vaccine.

Pictured: Heathrow Airport. The past year has seen countless erosions of our once-cherished freedoms to deal with Covid. The latest is an incomprehensible ban on foreign travel

Here in Britain, despite having one of the world's most successful vaccine rollouts, we are still not allowed to visit each other's homes. We are not allowed to travel within the country except for very specific reasons. We are prevented from seeing our loved ones, we cannot be at the bedside of dying relatives and we are not allowed to carry out peaceful vigils or protests.

To all intents and purposes, we are living in a police state, with Parliament routinely bypassed when new rules are introduced.

Throughout the crisis our Government, like most in Europe (with the exception of Sweden) has hidden behind the so-called 'science', although almost every official prediction has been proven wrong.

The political calculation seems to be that the damage to the economy, the harm caused to mental health, a record NHS waiting list of 4.6million (with the missed cancer diagnoses and other serious problems that brings), a huge surge in unemployment and bankruptcy can all be excused as long as ministers are seen to be doing everything they can to fight the virus. These are skewed priorities.

Instead, what we are going through now and will face in the near future is thanks entirely to government decisions  and is an unmitigated disaster.

As someone who has supported the Tories in the past, it saddens me to say that this Government has abandoned conservatism and is creating a dirigiste state. Maybe I should buy a motorbike after all and take my chances.
Julian Aguon is on a mission.

Like the writers he most admires, as he points out early in his latest book, he aims to save the world "one sentence at a time." In his opening piece, from which the collection takes its name, the attorney-activist-author asks: "Where do we go from here? What do we do with our desolation?"

He's referring in this case to humanity's most profound existential threat  climate change. The final boss that awaits us and our children, beyond any pandemic or geopolitical saber-rattling.

"The Properties of Perpetual Light" doesn't so much attempt to answer these questions as it offers a hopeful light in the dark.

"I assembled a bunch of pieces that are not necessarily connected, but they all sort of  they're life-affirming, even in the worst possible scenarios, and even in our darkest moments," Aguon said in a recent phone interview.

"'Birthday Cakes Mean Birthdays,'" that's about news articles coming out titled '14 Minutes'  the amount of minutes that we have to run for cover" in the event of a nuclear strike on Guam from North Korea. Aguon wrote the op-ed in August 2017, when Pyongyang was threatening to attack the island.

"Writing a life-affirming piece in that scenario ... I'm writing in protest of being rendered invisible," he said.

"It exacts a toll on our psyches, for sure. To be on the receiving end of nuclear annihilation. The sheer scope of what that means, it's all very staggering  and that's when writers need to get to work."

Throughout the collection, Aguon writes about the personal as well as the political. The quiet lives unfolding in the shadow of global giants.

In "Go with the Moon," he remembers spending time watching his godfather, a talayeru, or net fisherman.

"Watch the gray blob, which is really a school of baby rabbitfish, come into focus," Aguon writes. "Watch a quiet man grow even more quiet. Watch a white net spread itself out like a circular dream. And drop."

Aguon's gift for storytelling is impressive, and in "Perpetual Light" his skills are on full display. He began work on the collection in March 2020 and it officially releases tonight with a televised launch event. Did he intend to release the book exactly a year after starting? Absolutely not, he said.

"Nothing about this book is intentional," he said. "I had no idea. I was kind of groping in the dark in the beginning. And I loved it, actually."

'All I really really want'

Many of the works in the collection started out simply as words from a writer, Aguon said, writing for writing's sake.

"I didn't set out with a destination in mind. I set out to write. Which also is pretty special, I think. That's when the best writing comes, when you're just writing because you're a writer. It's what you're called to do," he said.

"That's the best kind of writing, there's no script of any sort of ideology, any politics, or even any sort of agenda. It's like improv in jazz or something. It's like you really allow yourself to feel more free. That's what I think about the whole book, actually: I think if I wanted anything, I wanted to help people feel more free," he said.

"Joni Mitchell, she has this line. Something about, 'All I really really want our love to do, is to bring out the best in me and in you too.' It's so profound. That's what I'm trying to do with the book."

Even when writing as a kind of jazz-style improvisation, does Aguon have an audience in mind?

"In some of the pieces, obviously there's a clear audience in mind. Like a commencement address for a graduating class. That's hella specific," he said, referring to "My Mother's Bamboo Bracelets: A Handful of Lessons on Saving the World," the address he delivered in May 2009 to his fellow graduates of the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

"You know, just absolutely written with them in mind, them as young people who are about to be sort of foisted upon the universe and in some ways not ready, but they're going to have to be ready. That moment  such an exciting and thrilling and terrifying time, right?

"And then other times it wasn't like that at all, like 'Go with the Moon,' that first one. 'More Right,' about playing in the stars. None of them were  they were just writing. I think it's one thing to not set out with a preconceived notion, or an agenda, so to speak, as a writer when you're writing  that really lifts the writing and just makes it clean. But on the other hand, it would be a mistake to go too far and say that my writing is not political. Absolutely I believe in the feminist insight that the personal is political. The biggest of things are connected to the smallest of things, and vice versa.

"So my writing is absolutely politicized, and it's absolutely political, and it has an opinion and a point of view, and all of that is political. And I embrace all of it. I don't shy away from that, and I don't believe in neutrality."

A love letter

A collection of stories, speeches, poems and conversations, "The Properties of Perpetual Light," taken as a whole, is a love letter.

"To indigenous peoples everywhere, my own and others," Aguon said. "And to young people everywhere who are in search of their words."

It's a love letter that not only reminds readers of the important distinction between power and strength, but also calls on young people to reject despair and cynicism and the paralysis they can create.

"Turn on the radio for five minutes on Guam, and it's so much cynicism. It's too much, it's just so noisy and so loud. When I say this book is a love letter, it really f---ing is. Or it's like an album, it's like a record.

"This is for the people who came of age by way of a red-dirt road. In 'Yugu Means Yoke,' I even talk about rolling around in the sword grass and getting cut up, you know? Just being a child, really, in the red dirt. And I feel like this book is for those kids. The village children running around. They need to feel like there's hope for them to make their way in the world, even with their uncertainty and their shyness.

"And it's a chronicle of my own journey in that way. It's slightly a memoir, even if it's not a full-blown memoir, you know? It's me being transparent about struggles I've had in my life over time. Questions I've had that have unsettled me or rocked me. I give it to them as a gift, so that they can see that others have been on this path too and they can make their way in the world.

"I wanted to write beautifully  even if I failed, I had to try to reach for excellence. And they need to know what that looks like, and they need to feel that, so they can also strive to be superlative. To shine."

The book tells young people, and people of any age, really: Take a break from doomscrolling into the abyss. Look up from the negative news on your phone, and make your own way in a world that still needs saving.
New Delhi, March 28 : If you are among those health-conscious people, then you should relish baked gujiyas this Holi. For those, who avoid oily and traditional sweets can now gorge themselves on baked gujiyas stuffed with dry fruits and which are also available in different flavours.

The confectioners have come up with novel ideas in sweets, snacks and thandai. One can find the trays of sweets well decorated with varieties of colourful gujiyas of different flavours displayed in the shops and restaurants across the country, particularly in north India during Holi, the festival of colours.

Gujiya is a traditional local Indian sweet and has a good demand during Holi. Traditionally, gujiya was prepared with 'maida' stuffed with 'mava' or 'khoya' and dry fruits, and after fry it was dipped in sugar syrup. But, now sugar free, oil free and baked gujiya is also available in the market.

Gujiyas stuffed with a mixture of khoya and chocolate chips topped with chocolate syrup attract youngsters, said Firoz H Naqvi, Director, Federation of Sweets & Namkeen Manufacturers (FSNM) who expects good business sweets and snacks this year.

Gujiya is a popular sweet dish in Holi as it shares over 50 per cent of the total business of sweets while the total turnover of the sweets and snacks across India remains from Rs 8,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore on this festival, said Naqvi.

Sales of Thandai accounts for nearly 10-15 per cent sales, he added.

Talking to IANS, FSNM Director said that it is an opportunity to the sweets and snacks manufacturers to bring innovations into their business and expand the trade post the Covid-19 pandemic, that has failed to dampen the festive spirit.

The branded sweets and snacks manufacturers have brought gujiyas in a wide range of flavours with foreign ingredients, roasted coconuts and baked recipes.

Pushpendra Sharma, Mithas Sweets and Restaurants told IANS that he has brought delicious chocolate gujiya apart from baked gujiya and Gulkand Gujiya which attract customers a lot.

He said that baked gujiya has attracted good demand as it is oil free and a healthy sweet dish.

Haldiram, a big brand in the industry, has introduced cranberry, a popular superfood, in kesar gujiya for the first time which attracted good demand, said Ankit Chawla, Senior Manager, Haldiram Products (R&D).

He said Haldiram's packed sweets and namkeen have picked up good demand from online buyers during Covid-19 pandemic and sales have increased this year on Holi as compared to last year. Haldiram has also introduced a new product of baked Spanish corn recently, he added.

India's one of the major packaged snacks brand Bicano has also brought a wide range of Gujiya with different flavours and thandai apart from snacks during this Holi.

Manish Agrawal, Director, Bikano, said that he has launched gujiyas and thandai in different flavours.

According to Agrawal, demand for packaged food items has increased during covid-19 pandemic and post covid period and his company's sales have increased around 10-15 per cent in the past seven months.

Despite covid-19 restrictions the major of Madhya Pradesh sales of Bhanwarilal Mithaiwala of Indore remained least affected.

Anil Saini of Bhanwrilal told IANS that 2-day lockdown has been imposed for Sunday and Monday when Holi is celebrated in the City but customers have already bought the sweets so, covid-19 restriction left no impact on confectionary business.

(IANSlife can be contacted at IANSlife@ians.in)

Latest updates on Holi Festival 2021
Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Heavy thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Areas of patchy fog. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Heavy thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Areas of patchy fog. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Editor: I agree with the March 14 editorial calling for the consolidation of Lackawanna County court-related row offices (Voting, paying for unneeded county jobs).

In 2013, the county commissioners approved a ballot referendum on row office consolidation but the office of sheriff was included and voters rightfully rejected it. Sheriff is a law enforcement position with distinct duties from record-keeping and filing paperwork. A new consolidation proposal should focus on combining offices that handle records and documents  register of wills, recorder of deeds and clerk of judicial records.

I served on the 2013-2014 county government study commission and we proposed major structural changes. It was rejected by county voters. Unfortunately, voters could only approve or reject the whole package of the changes proposed.

It is time, however, for a more limited review of structural changes to county government with an eye toward good government, efficiency and saving tax dollars. Voters should have a voice in deciding whether offices that handle only record-filing and keeping should be consolidated under one administrator. We could save money on salaries, health benefits, sick days, vacation time and pension costs with such a move.

The commissioners should approve a resolution placing a referendum on the ballot, specifically asking voters whether the register of wills, recorder of deeds and clerk of judicial records offices should consolidate under one appointed administrator. If they refuse to do it, perhaps it is time for another government study commission to study and make a recommendation to voters on the consolidation of row offices and eliminating the need for elected officials in charge of each office. The recommendation would bypass the commissioners with a referendum question placed directly on the ballot for voters. One administrator and staff could easily handle the record keeping of all the offices, with substantial savings to taxpayers.

MICHAEL A. GIANNETTA

SCOTT TWP.

Editor: There is widespread resistance to increasing the minimum wage and much of it is a knee-jerk response from Republicans.

They bring up the same arguments that are always used when the subject of increasing the minimum wage arises. It would be too expensive and would cause the loss of jobs.

Contradictory studies support or refute those claims. However, there seems to be no thought given to the hidden costs to taxpayers of extremely low minimum wages.

Someone who has a job that pays minimum, or close to, minimum wage inevitably qualifies for a number of assistance programs. Food assistance, housing assistance, medical assistance, heating assistance, childrens health coverage and even very low or no federal taxes are some of the costs passed on to the public.

Those programs are funded by taxes paid by the rest of us. By having people earn whats called a living wage, many would no longer need the publics help just to survive day by day. Ultimately, increasing the minimum wage would reduce the amount spent on those programs and actually increase government revenues.

Isnt it sadly humorous that members of Congress object to raising the minimum wage eventually to $15 per hour?

No matter what happens with the economy they never miss a paycheck. Perhaps there should be a movement to only pay elected positions at minimum wage. That might actually mean some politicians finally would get paid what they are worth.

TOM MIELCZAREK

MADISONVILLE

Editor: Republican voter suppression is voter oppression and can also be called vote stealing, voter intimidation, vote deterrence and even vote molesting.

On this issue, the modern Republican Party acts like a white supremacy party. It already welcomes these people into its fold, at least as silent allies. It doesnt call haters, haters or exclusionists, exclusionists.

Republican Party leaders have to decide if the party will act in a racist manner, use racism, or not. At the very least, the GOP is unarguably and massively insensitive racially, as well as un-American.

How are the GOPs vote-stealing efforts good for our country? How is it good for our image in the world?

Russia, China and other authoritarian states use the GOPs actions as a way to excuse and defend their politics and their repression. They say we are hypocrites and liars about our values and people in other countries have reason to believe them.

BOB RUSSELL

SCRANTON
Sriyantha Senaratne felicitated for 50 years of service to Rotary View(s):

The Rotary Club of Colombo North felicitated Past President Sriyantha Senaratne for his 50 years of service to Rotary during the official visit of the Rotary District Governor, Ajith Weerasinghe. A plaque was presented by the District Governor and the President of the Club, Lucien Pereira.

Sriyantha joined the Rotary Club of Colombo North on December 1, 1970. However, his links with Rotary commenced in 1967 when he read an advertisement by Rotary International offering scholarships for Graduate work at any university outside Ceylon (as the country was known then).

He applied and was interviewed by a panel consisting of then District Governor J. Nilgiriya, Senator Thomas Amarasuriya and D. B. Ellepola. After a few interviews, he was chosen from Ceylon but had to go for a further interview at Madras, to compete with the Indian candidates. He still remembers the final question the panel asked  If you are chosen where would you go? He immediately replied to the United States because it was the most technologically advanced country in the world at that time and was planning to send a man to the moon.

Sriyantha succeeded; it was the first time a Ceylonese student was chosen from the Rotary District 322 (which consisted of Rotary clubs in Sri Lanka and parts of India). Rotary informed him that the Rotary Foundation would pay for everything but that every week he had to address Rotary clubs in the host district in the USA. Sriyantha decided to follow a course in business at Washington State University on the West Coast. That Rotary District straddled both USA clubs and Canadian clubs in the province of British Columbia. So throughout the year in the USA every week he addressed one or two, sometimes even four Rotary Clubs, Chambers and other organisations both in the U.S. and Canada. He also attended the District Convention as one of the chief speakers. On completion, Sriyantha went to the Rotary International headquarters at Evanston, Illinois and the General Secretary hosted him for lunch together with the other staff members. Before his arrival back in Ceylon, he didnt fail to watch Neil Armstrong land on the moon live on TV.

After following law at the Peradeniya university, Sriyantha worked at Messrs. Julius & Creasy from 1960. He left Julius & Creasy and joined Mackwoods Group to work under the then Chairman, N.S.O. Mendis who had just acquired Walker Sons & Co. He was one of four on the management team and joined as a lawyer overlooking Walkers sometime in March 1970.

After a few months, a senior engineer George Wallis and M.T.A Furkhan, the Chief Financial Officer of Walker Sons met him and said that they had learnt that he was a Rotary scholar. Sriyantha told them he was the first to receive an Ambassadorial scholarship for Sri Lanka. They were Charter members of the Rotary Club of Colombo North and requested him to address the Club meeting at the then Taprobane Hotel, which he did.

Thereafter, they invited Sriyantha for further meetings and, on the 1st of December 1970, he was inducted as a member of the Rotary Club of Colombo North. Klaus Demes Willers (Head of DIMO) was the President and Harold Pieris (later Editor of the Ceylon and Sunday Observer) was the Secretary at that time. In 1972/73 Harold Pieris became the President and Sriyantha was appointed Secretary.

In 1973 Harold Pieris and Alagan Kadirgamar of the Colombo YMCA joined together to start the Inter school Shakespeare Drama Competition. Sriyantha was the secretary of the first joint organizing committee. To-date he has been a member of the Inter school Shakespeare Drama Competition organizing committee and, for a period of about five years in the 90s, was the Chairman of the joint organizing committee.

Sriyantha was Vice President of the club in 1975/76 and in 1976/77 was appointed its President. Key accomplishments during this period was the donation of cardio thoracic equipment to hospitals, 2500 apples to orphanages (a luxury at that time) and equipment and funds for Preethipura Home, all through the assistance of international Rotary Clubs. These were in addition to the regular projects of the club, such as the Annual Shakespeare Drama, art exhibition, oratorical competition and assistance to the Home of Compassion in Mahawatte

In 2008/09, Sriyantha was once again called upon to be President of the Rotary Club of Colombo North. Apart from their regular projects such as Shakespeare Drama, the club helped children to undergo heart operations and created the Speechcraftprogramme for Interactors.

Throughout, Sriyantha has chaired and served various committees of the Club and organised many projects. Currently he is the Vice President of the Club and in the preceding year was Chair for Membership Development.

In his professional career, he started in the field of law and after ten years moved over to tourism development  in 1971 he was appointed as Managing Director of Walkers Tours Ltd. He commenced Habarana Village, the first cottage style development in hotels, and from 1975 to 1979 was a Director of John Keells Holdings and Managing Director of Walkers Tours Limited. From 1979 to 1986 he was Managing Director Gemini Tours and Gemini Management Services Ltd. and completed Sigiriya Village Hotel. He was one of the first investors from Sri Lanka in the Maldives, managing Nasandhura Palace Hotel and Bolifushi Island Resort.

In 1986 he returned to the field of law as a Partner of Messrs D.L. & F. de Saram  Attorneys-at-Law and from September 2000 is the Founder and Precedent Partner of Simon & Associates  Attorneys-at-Law.

He is married to Anthea, also a Rotarian and member of the Rotary Club of Colombo North. An accomplished author, one of her books was short-listed for the Gratiaen Prize. She has been on the committee handling the Interschool Shakespeare Drama Competition and has been a great help in running the competition. They have two children; daughter Sonali, married to Dinesh Sellamuttu and they have a son, Akash (15 years). She is currently working in Myanmar. Their son Dimitri lives in the U.S. with two children Audrey -15 years and Isaac -12.
ANALYSIS: The Federal Court has upheld an order deporting a woman who has been a Canadian permanent resident since she was a child.

Canadian permanent resident deported due to serious criminality after serving sentence ANALYSIS: The Federal Court has upheld an order deporting a woman who has been a Canadian permanent resident since she was a child.

Canadian permanent resident deported due to serious criminality after serving sentence ANALYSIS: The Federal Court has upheld an order deporting a woman who has been a Canadian permanent resident since she was a child.

Canadian permanent resident deported due to serious criminality after serving sentence ANALYSIS: The Federal Court has upheld an order deporting a woman who has been a Canadian permanent resident since she was a child. Michael Schwartz Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

A

The case of Adina Harms-Barbour illustrates the enormous consequences criminal conduct can have on a permanent residents status in Canada, even if they have lived here for most of their lives.

Harms-Barbour is a German citizen, who came to Canada as a permanent resident in 1975 at the age of seven. For whatever reason, she never obtained Canadian citizenship. On a day-to-day level, this difference is of limited significance to most people. However, there are serious differences between the rights of permanent residents and citizens. Among them is that citizens are not subject to deportation.

Harms-Barbour, however, was found guilty of serious crimes in recent years. In 2015, she was convicted of fraud over $5,000. In 2016, Harms-Barbour received a five-year jail sentence for this offence. In 2017, meanwhile, she was convicted of two crimes relating to forged documents and sentenced to two years in prison, which was to be served concurrently with that for her fraud conviction.

Canadian immigration law identifies several grounds on which a permanent resident or foreign national may be inadmissible to Canada. One of these grounds is serious criminality. Included in this definition is a situation where a person is convicted of a crime in Canada, for which the maximum term of imprisonment is ten years or longer, or where the person receives a prison sentence of six months or more, irrespective of the minimum sentence. Following her convictions and sentencing, Harms-Barbour fit this category.

Consult an attorney on overcoming inadmissibility to Canada

Accordingly, in 2017, Harms-Barbour received a note from a Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer informing her that a report may be prepared indicating that Harms-Barbour was inadmissible to Canada due to serious criminality. This document invited Harms-Barbour to make submissions as to why she should be allowed to remain in Canada.

Harms-Barbour indeed replied, and made mention of her establishment in Canada, such as her employment and her relationship with her daughter and other family.

In January 2018, a CBSA officer, different from the one who had dispatched the note, recommended an admissibility hearing.

In the interim, Harms-Barbours lawyers raised the possibility of resolving the matter by issuing a warning letter. The warning letter serves as a discretionary alternative to convening a hearing and ruling someone inadmissible.

However, the attempt to let Harms-Barbour off with a warning failed. A subsequent hearing resulted in the tribunal indeed finding Harms-Barbour inadmissible to Canada, and issuing a deportation order against her.

Failed appeals

Harms-Barbour appealed the referral and the deportation order to the Federal Court. She contended that the referral to the admissibility hearing was unreasonable and that both the second CBSA officer and Ministers delegate, who ordered her deportation, had breached her procedural fairness rights.

She also asserted that the reviewing officer had failed to consider various evidence and factors, such as the role of Harms-Barbours ex-husband in her crimes. The Court dismissed this claim, noting that it is accepted law that the decision-maker is presumed to have reviewed all the evidence before him or her and that even if Harms-Barbours claim about the involvement of her ex-husband in her crimes were true, it did not negate the finding of guilt or presumptive inadmissibility against her.

With regards to procedural fairness, Harris-Barbour noted, among other assertions, that the enforcement manual states the best documentation is a transcript of the trial judges remarks on conviction or sentencing, commonly known as the Judges Reasons for Sentence. The reviewing officer, in his narrative, had failed to check the box for this element in his report. Harris-Barbour contended that this hole meant the officer had failed to consider an important element of her convictions.

The Court also rejected this argument. It noted other evidence that the officer had indeed considered the judges remarks at Harms-Barbours conviction. Moreover, observed the Court, at any rate, the enforcement manual was just that a manual, and it was not necessary for the officer to adhere perfectly to its provisions: they were not strictly necessary, they were not binding as were laws and regulations.

Accordingly, the Court rejected her application for judicial review, upholding the deportation order. Harms-Barbour now has limited resources, such as a pre-removal risk assessment to challenge this order. The consequences of deportation from Canada are severe. A person on whom a deportation order has been effected is presumptively banned for life from Canada. The only way that person can return to Canada is by receiving an Authorization to return to Canada, known as an ARC. The granting of ARCs is contextual and discretionary, and there is no guarantee Harms-Barbour would receive one.

Conclusion

Harms-Barbours case is of value in highlighting and clarifying several legal concepts: that even very long permanent residence in Canada is no bar to deportation; that Courts do not tread lightly with the decisions of administrative tribunals; and that the difference between a process between not complying with laws and regulation and between guidelines is significant indeed.

Consult an attorney on overcoming inadmissibility to Canada

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
The University of Oxford is considering changes to the music curriculum, including alternative titles for courses, after certain staff raised concerns about the 'complicity in white supremacy' in the teaching of the subject.

Professors are set to reform their music courses to move beyond the classic repertoire, which includes the likes of Beethoven and Mozart, in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.

University staff have argued that the current curriculum focuses on 'white European music from the slave period', according to The Telegraph.

The University of Oxford (Merton College pictured) is considering changes to the music curriculum, including alternative titles for courses, after certain staff raised concerns about the 'complicity in white supremacy' in the teaching of the subject

Documents seen by the publication indicate proposed reforms to target undergraduate courses.

It claimed that teaching musical notation had 'not shaken off its connection to its colonial past' and would be 'a slap in the face' to some students.

And it added that musical skills should no longer be compulsory because the current repertoire's focus on 'white European music' causes 'students of colour great distress'.

It is thought that music writing will also be reformed to be more inclusive.

But the proposals caused upset among some faculty members who argued that it was unfair to accuse those teaching music from before 1900 of being concerned with just 'white'.

MailOnline has contacted the University of Oxford for comment.

It comes after one Oxford college removed the name of an 18th-century slave trader from its main library earlier this year - but has defied calls to take down his statue.

It comes after one Oxford college, All Souls College, removed the name of an 18th-century slave trader from its main library earlier this year - but has defied calls to take down his statue

A marble statue by Edward Cheere of the benefactor has been standing in the library after Codrington bequeathed 10,000 to the college

All Souls College reviewed its link to Christopher Codrington, a Barbados-born colonial governor, in the wake of last year's Black Lives Matter movement.

The former college fellow who died in 1710 bequeathed 10,000 to the library which has since been unofficially known as the Codrington Library.

A marble statue by Edward Cheere of the benefactor has been standing in the library for centuries and the college says it has no plans to take it down despite the clamour from students.

The All Souls governing body said: 'Rather than seek to remove it the College will investigate further forms of memorialisation and contextualisation within the library, which will draw attention to the presence of enslaved people on the Codrington plantations, and will express the Colleges abhorrence of slavery.'

Their review found that Codrington's wealth 'derived largely from his familys activities in the West Indies, where they owned plantations worked by enslaved people of African descent'.

The college claims it has undertaken a number of measures to address the colonial legacy, including erecting a memorial plaque in memory of those who worked on the Caribbean plantations.
Philippines to send fighters over Chinese vessels

Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (left) also said the Philippine military would beef up its naval presence. File photo: AFP

The Philippine military is sending light fighter aircraft to fly over hundreds of Chinese vessels in disputed waters in the South China Sea, its defence minister said, as he repeated his demand the flotilla be withdrawn immediately.



International concern is growing over what the Philippines has described as a "swarming and threatening presence" of more than 200 Chinese vessels that Manila believes were manned by maritime militia.



The boats were moored at the Whitsun Reef within Manila's 200-mile exclusive economic zone..



The Philippine military aircraft were sent daily to monitor the situation, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement late on Saturday.



Lorenzana said the military will also beef up its naval presence in the South China Sea to conduct "sovereignty patrols" and protect Filipino fishermen.



"Our air and sea assets are ready to protect our sovereignty and sovereign rights," Lorenzana said.



The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It has said the vessels at Whitsun Reef were fishing boats taking refuge from rough seas and that there were no militia aboard.



Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte reaffirmed to China's ambassador, Huang Xilian, the Philippines had won a landmark arbitration case in 2016, which made clear its sovereign entitlements amid rival claims by China, his spokesman said last week.



Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Vietnam have competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, through which at least US$3.4 trillion of annual trade passes. (Reuters)
A battle is under way to win a seat in Federal Parliament for life, with the outcome of the preselection to have potential implications for the leadership of the Labor Party and factional power in its fractured Victorian branch.

Factions have begun jostling over the newly created seat of Hawke in Melbournes outer-western fringe. The seat, which takes in Sunbury, Melton, Bacchus Marsh and Ballan, will be a safe Labor electorate with a projected margin of about 10 per cent.

Federal Labor deputy leader Richard Marles. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Labors candidate is likely to come from its Right faction, but subgroups within the Right have not yet agreed on who should win the plum seat.

Forces aligned to deputy leader Richard Marles and other sections of the Right are set to stake their claims for the seat named after former prime minister Bob Hawke. The Left may also attempt to take the seat.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 14:41:29|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

JALALABAD, Afghanistan, March 28 (Xinhua) -- At least five pro-government local militiamen were killed in an overnight attack in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, local government confirmed on Sunday.

A fighting broke out when Taliban militants stormed a security outpost of a pro-government tribal militia group, known as Public Uprising Forces, in Kambo area of Khogiani district at mid-night on Saturday, the government said in a statement.

The outpost was severely damaged as a result of the intense fighting. Details of possible casualties on the side of the militants were not immediately known.

The Public Uprising Forces, who are receiving support from Afghan security agencies, provide security and protect remote villages and districts across the country where army and police have limited presence. Enditem
Police said one person is dead after a shooting early Sunday near a busy intersection in Southwest Portland.

The shooting was reported near Southwest Barbur Boulevard and and Capitol Highway around 8:30 a.m., police said.

Arriving officers found one person dead in a wooded area nearby. They did not release any more information about the victim or any suspects.

Officers were still in the area investigating late Sunday morning.

The Portland Police Bureau asked anyone with information to contact Detective William Winters at William.Winters@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0466, or Detective Scott Broughton at Scott.Broughton@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-3774.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive
Countries around the globe are ramping up COVID-19 vaccination to protect citizens against the virus which has infected over 127 million people globally.

Nigeria has received over four million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, with over 370,000 people already vaccinated with their first dose, data released by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on Friday shows.

As of Saturday night, Nigeria has recorded 162,489 COVID-19 cases and 2,041 deaths, according to an update by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Amidst the pandemic, World Tuberculosis Day was commemorated on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global epidemic.

Here is a round-up of some of the health stories which made headlines last week.

COVID-19: Nigeria records 101 new infections

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recorded 101 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 162,489.

The health agency disclosed this on its official Twitter handle Sunday morning.

It said that two COVID-19-related deaths were recorded within the period, bringing the number of lives lost to the disease to 2,041.

World Tuberculosis Day: How COVID-19 is affecting TB treatment, intervention

Every March 24, the World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is commemorated to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global epidemic.

Marking the event, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the theme of the World TB Day 2021  The Clock is Ticking  conveys the sense that the world is running out of time to act on the commitments to end TB made by global leaders.

This is especially critical in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that has put End TB progress at risk, the WHO said in a statement Tuesday.

Over 413 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines produced globally

At least 413 million doses of nine different COVID-19 vaccines have been produced globally.

This is according to an analysis conducted by predictive science intelligence company, Airfinity.

The recently released data indicates that the total number of COVID-19 doses expected by the end of this year is around 9.5 billion.

World Tuberculosis Day: Eight ways to prevent spread of TB

ADVERTISEMENT

Despite being a vaccine-preventable disease, around 245,000 Nigerians die from Tuberculosis (TB) every year, data from the World Health Organisation shows.

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that often affect the lungs.

This PREMIUM TIMES report highlights a few tips to prevent the spread of TB.

Over 370,000 Nigerians receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Barely three weeks after Nigeria commenced vaccination of its citizens against the COVID-19 virus, over 370,000 people have received the first dose of the vaccine.

As of Friday, 374,585 eligible Nigerians have been vaccinated, data released by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) shows.

World Tuberculosis Day: Health experts call for more awareness

As Nigerians join the rest of the world to commemorate the 2021 World Tuberculosis Day, health experts have called for more awareness to ensure cases are reported at an early stage.

The Chairman of the 2021 Tuberculosis (TB) Day committee, Ayodele Awe, while speaking at a medical outreach in Lugbe community on Wednesday, said TB is curable only if detected early.

Nigeria receives 300,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from MTN  Official

Nigeria has received 300,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from telecom giant, MTN.

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, while speaking at its weekly briefing, on Monday, said the PTF received the vaccines on Sunday.

Over 26.5 million Nigerian children vulnerable to water-related diseases  UNICEF

The latest report by the United Nations childrens agency (UNICEF) has painted a grim picture of acute lack of potable water in Nigeria and its direct consequences on the health and growth of children.

The report was released on Monday in commemoration of World Water Day which is observed on March 22 every year, designated so by the UN to measure the worlds progress towards providing everyone with clean water for drinking and hygiene.

Nigeria recorded 15% increase in TB case notifications in 2020  WHO

Despite the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Tuberculosis (TB) control programme in Nigeria, the country recorded a 15 per cent increase in TB case notifications in 2020.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative in Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, made this known at the launch of the Unified TB campaign in Abuja on Tuesday.

The launch was done ahead of the 2021 World Tuberculosis Day, celebrated on March 24 every year to raise public awareness about the health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.

Nigeria makes progress one year after recording first COVID-19 death

Exactly one year ago today, Suleiman Achimugu became the first Nigerian to die from COVID-19. About 12 months later, the virus has claimed over 2,000 lives in Africas most populous country.

Nigeria, like most African countries, has not suffered from the worst effect of the pandemic, unlike its European and American counterparts.

ISIS-Linked Armed Group Attacks Civilians in Palma

Mozambique authorities should take urgent measures to protect civilians fleeing an armed Islamist group in the town of Palma, in northern Cabo Delgado province, Human Rights Watch said today. There has been heavy fighting since March 25, 2021, when the group known locally as both Al-Shabab and Al-Sunna wa Jamaa, linked to the Islamic State (ISIS), raided the gas-rich town, killing and wounding an unknown number of civilians and causing mass flight.

Several witnesses told Human Rights Watch that they saw bodies on the streets and residents fleeing after the Al-Shabab fighters fired indiscriminately at people and buildings. Mobile phone signals have been disrupted, making it harder to obtain information about the situation, the casualties, and the whereabouts of many residents. The attack unlawfully targeted civilians in their homes in violation of the laws of war.

Al-Shabab fired on civilians in their homes and on the streets in Palma, as they tried to flee for their lives, said Dewa Mavhinga, Southern Africa director at Human Rights Watch. Mozambican authorities should move swiftly to protect civilians and bring all those responsible for abuses to account.

Human Rights Watch spoke by phone to seven witnesses to the violence in Palma before telephone lines when down on March 24.

Mozambiques Defense Ministry announced on March 25 that an army operation to restore order and security in Palma was underway. The ministry spokesman said that the group attacked the town of Palma in three directions: Pundanhar  Manguna crossroads, Nhica do Rovuma road, and the Palma airfield.

Two market sellers told Human Rights Watch that they heard several gunshots, then saw people running down the street, and government army vehicles moving toward the Palma airfield, where the gunfire was more intense. People were running and shouting Al-Shabab is here  Its Al-Shabab  Theyre killing everybody, one of the market sellers said. Some people were carrying their stuff and moving toward the bush in Pundanhar, others were running toward the beach.

Three men who said they were in a group of about 20 people running to the bush for safety said they saw bodies lying on the streets near a local bank in Palma. Gunshots could be heard as they spoke on the phone.

Two hotel workers said that the armed men fired at people and buildings, including the hotel.

Local and international journalists who spoke to Palma residents reported similar accounts. The Maputo-based website A Carta said that many people had sought refuge in the local hotel after the armed men fired at civilians. Reuters News agency quoted security source as saying that bodies were visible in the streets, some of them beheaded. The Portuguese News Agency, Lusa, reported that foreign nationals who worked on gas projects in the Palma region, fled alongside residents.

The attack on Palma began hours after Mozambiques government and the French oil and gas company Total announced the gradual resumption of work on the Afungi industrial project, near the town of Palma, after the improvement of security conditions. Total had suspended activities and evacuated non-essential staff from the Afungi site after a series of insurgent attacks in December and January.

Palma is inaccessible by road due to insecurity caused by frequent attacks along the NangadePalma road, which has led to a massive food shortage. In January, the first army-protected convoy with food and other essential supplies in nearly a year, arrived by road to the town from Mueda district. In March, the first group of international journalists, who flew into the town, described an environment of hunger and fear of beheadings and kidnappings by Al-Shabab.

Districts in Northern Cabo Delgado have been the center of much fighting between government forces and the armed Islamist group since October 2017, when Al-Shabab attacked a string of police stations in the area, causing two days of government lockdowns.

Fighting between the group and government forces has left more than 1,500 civilians dead and displaced more than 600,000. Al Shabab forces have attacked villages, carried out summary executions including beheadings, looted, and destroyed civilian property and infrastructure, including schools and health centers.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mozambique Governance Human Rights 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.

Human Rights Watch and other groups have also documented abuses by government security forces during operations against Al-Shabab, including excessive use of force, killings, kidnappings, arbitrary detention, and ill-treatment of detainees. No one has been held to account for these abuses.

International human rights and humanitarian law applicable to Mozambique prohibits summary, extrajudicial, or arbitrary executions, and torture and other ill-treatment of people in custody, Human Rights Watch said. The Mozambican authorities should ensure that security forces deployed to Palma respect human rights and humanitarian law and treat everyone in their custody humanely. All parties to an armed conflict have an obligation to minimize harm to civilians and protect those under their control from the effects of attacks.

Armed groups horrific abuses pose a threat to civilians throughout the region, Mavhinga said. Mozambique authorities should make restoring security a top priority in Cabo Delgado province.
MARCH 26, 2021: Maxar's WorldView-2 collected new high-resolution satellite imagery of the Suez canal and the container ship (EVER GIVEN) that remains stuck in the canal north of the city of Suez, Egypt. Satellite image (c) 2021 Maxar Technologies.

Officials initially blamed the giant Ever Given container ship running aground on weather conditions.

The Suez Canal Authority chief initially said "strong winds and a dust storm" had caused the blockage.

He has now raised the possibility of "technical or human error" as being to blame.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Egyptian authorities suggest the Ever Given ship running aground on Tuesday morning could be due to "human error," according to MailOnline.

It is a revision of initial claims that blamed environmental factors for the epic Suez Canal jam. Officials initially said that the 1,300-foot-long cargo ship became stuck due to troublesome weather conditions.

Read more: When America's busiest port is log-jammed, the US economy suffers - but these 22 companies thrive

Lieutenant-General Osama Rabie, chair of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), said on Tuesday that it probably happened due to "strong winds and a dust storm that obstructed the view," according to the Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm.

But Rabie has since gone back on this assessment. "Strong winds and weather factors were not the main reason," the SCA chief said on Saturday.

The incident that prompted a global trade blockage may have been caused by "technical or human errors," he said, the MailOnline reported.

Moments before it ran aground, the Ever Given was apparently traveling faster than a speed limit set by the Suez Canal Authority, Bloomberg reported.

The Ever Given's last recorded speed was 13.5 knots, logged 12 minutes before it grounded, according to Bloomberg, which cited its own data. The maximum allowed speed through the canal was between 7.6 knots and 8.6 knots, the report said.

The Japan Times also reported the ship was traveling 13.5 knots, adding that two canal pilots were on board when the ship hit land.

The Ever Given didn't have a tugboat escort through the canal, according to Bloomberg. The two ships immediately ahead of it reportedly had escorts, although such escorts were not required.

Story continues

One ship captain unaffiliated with the grounding spoke with Bloomberg. Chris Cillard, the captain, told the outlet ships sometimes speed up to better control their vessels during wind storms. "Speeding up to a certain point is effective," he said.

The massive container ship is still wedged in the Suez Canal, over five days since it first became lodged.

Workers have made a "significant process" in freeing up the canal and have managed to release the ship's rudder from the sediment, Insider's Michelle Mark reported.

The Ever Given's Suez Canal blockage costs an estimated $400 million per hour, Insider's Kelsey Vlamis reported.

Rabie said during a Saturday press conference that he couldn't speculate on when the ship will be re-floated.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Bengaluru:

The government on Saturday ruled out any further extension of timeline after December for filing GSTR-3B tax returns by businesses.

GSTR 3B is a simple return form introduced by the CBEC for the month of July and August, following the roll out of the Goods and Services Tax from July 1.

"We have already extended the period for GSTR-3B...People have to file their own self-assessed summary return till December, and there will not be any extension of time as far as GSTR-3B is concerned", Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said.

Adhia was speaking to reporters here after the first meeting of the Group of Ministers (GOM) formed to tackle the IT-related glitches in GST network.

He was asked whether the government intends to further extend time for filing returns under GST.

The GST Council had earlier allowed businesses to file GSTR-3B till December.

Adhia said the government had earlier decided to extend the time limit to have a proper learning period due to GSTN portal hiccups.

"It decided to extend the timeline of filing GSTR-1, from September 10 to October 10. The last dates of filing returns for GSTR-2 and GSTR-3 are October 31 and November 10, respectively", he added.

Read more: GST: Tax department scans Rs 65,000 crore credit claims of traders

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who heads the GoM, said it would be only by October 30 that the government would be able to iron out 70-80 per cent of the technical issues being faced by stakeholders in return filing.

To a query, Adhia said the meeting was very fruitful because it led to a better understanding among all stakeholders.

"Any new system will be afflicted with some initial hiccups, but the attempt today was to work around difficulties faced by stakeholders in filing returns on GSTN platform", he said.

Sushil Kumar Modi said only 3.3 lakh people had filed their GSTR-3B in August, while there are 85 lakh dealers registered under the new tax regime.

"Further, even for the previous month of July, only 46 lakh taxpayers have filed their 3B returns so far", Modi said.

India's GSTN is the biggest in the world with minimal human interface, he said, adding that as of now, 22 crore of invoices have been filed which shows the robustness of GST regime.

Modi also said that as many as 23.18 lakh new dealers have been registered, and another 11 lakh dealers were under 'composition scheme'.

GSTN, portal for real-time taxpayer registration, migration, and tax return filing under GST, faced problems, forcing government to extend the last date of filing returns.

Modi appealed to taxpayers not to wait for the last date to file returns.

He said the GoM would meet once every 15 days.

Asked if software major Infosys, the service provider, will be penalised for the glitches the stakeholders are facing, Adhia said the company has not failed and it is "the media presumption".

"There are always initial hicupps and issues, but there haven't been large-scale failures", he said.

Kerala Finance minister Thomas Isaac, Chhattisgarh minister of Commercial Taxes Amar Agrawal, Karnataka Agriculture minister Krishna Byre Gowda and Telangana Finance minister Etela Rajender are other members of the GoM.

Adhia, GSTN Chairman Ajay Bhushan Pandey and GSTN CEO Prakash Kumar also attended meeting.

GST was adopted to make it easier for businesses to move goods from one state to another, which was not the case under the earlier central and state tax regimes.

However, GSTN, the system supposed to handle the filing of returns, suffered glitches due to the rush of filing invoices as the deadline approached.

For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Maine GOP Votes Against Censuring Sen. Collins Over Trump Impeachment

The Maine Republican Party rejected a motion on March 27 that would have censured Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) over her vote to convict former President Donald Trump on an impeachment charge.

The party voted 1941 on the motion.

Party leadership considers this matter settled now, and the team is moving on to preparing to win elections in 2022, Jason Savage, the Maine GOPs executive director, told CNN.

Collins said in a statement that the decision is a testament to the Partys big tent philosophy that respects different views but unites around core principles.

Our party has been most successful when it has embraced this approach to advance our shared goals of providing tax relief to families and small business job creators, pursuing fiscal responsibility and government accountability, promoting personal responsibility, protecting constitutional rights, and ensuring a strong national defense, she said.

Collins was one of seven Republicans who joined all 50 Democrats and independents to vote to convict; Trump was acquitted because 67 votes were needed to convict. Five of the seven Republicans were censured in their home states.

President Donald Trump arrives on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24, 2017. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Collins had faced backlash from the Maine GOP after the vote.

The state party organization said in an open letter to Collins that the trial itself was unconstitutional because Trump was no longer in office and there were serious concerns with how House impeachment managers altered video of President Trump to cast his speech in the worst possible light, ignoring his calls for peace, similar to the way a campaign might cut a dishonest 30-second campaign ad.

Trump was charged by the House of Representatives with inciting an insurrection, primarily because he spoke near the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 in the leadup to the breach of the building. Critics pointed to phrases he uttered such as fight like hell to paint his words as incitement, while supporters noted he urged the crowd to remain peaceful when they marched to the Capitol.

Trump later condemned the violence at the building and urged people to vacate the premises.

We have now set a precedent that we fear will undermine the foundation of our country and could greatly diminish our status and integrity into the future, the Maine GOP wrote last month.

Collins, 68, won reelection to her fifth term in 2020, defeating the states House speaker, Sara Gideon, by about 70,000 votes.

Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
To the Editor:

Re A Christian Vision of Social Justice (column, March 19):

Seldom have I seen the answer to the quandary of how to respond to the state of our country, in which racism seems to be more visible and inequality has been rising, put more clearly than by David Brooks. He offers the wisdom of the New Testament scholar Esau McCaulley that we need to view all people in our society as worthy of our love and respect, first of all as children of God, in order to make progress toward a better society.

With that underlying view, we can try to forgive the malevolent and help bring them back to a universal brotherhood. What a radical viewpoint, and worthy of our deepest attention. Perhaps this is the antidote we need in a period of our history when hate and selfish behavior seem to rule the day.

Louise Horvath

Pittsburgh

To the Editor:

As I read David Brookss column, Jesus words echoed in my mind. He said: Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! Jesus calls us to a different kind of division. Not a kind that separates us one from another. But instead into a divide between a white supremacist present, where there are people considered more valuable than others, and a future where all are valued as the sacred children of God that they are.

To reach a future without the divides that separate, we must strive not for reconciliation but justice. Reconciliation follows justice, not the other way around. And justice requires more than forgiveness and apologies to promote good feelings, as our country remains trapped in the sin of white supremacy.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 28)  The Philippines' Samantha Bernardo was first runner-up during the 2020 Miss Grand International pageant on Saturday.

Miss United States Evelyn Abena Appiah won the title during the coronation night held in Bangkok, Thailand. Guatemala's Ivana Batchelor was 2nd runner-up, followed by Indonesia's Aurra Kharishma and Brazil's Lala Guedes, respectively.

During the final round of the competition, Bernardo faced a three-way tiebreaker with Miss USA and Miss Guatem

ala with the question: "If there is only one dose of COVID-19 vaccine left and you have to choose who you give it to  either a 15-year-old or a 70-year-old senior citizen  which one would you give it to and why?"

Bernardo answered: "My heart goes to senior citizens because my mom is turning [into a] senior citizen. And I've experienced the loss of my dad four years ago, and I cannot afford to lose my mom. My heart goes to them because they are the most vulnerable during this time."

She added: "A 15-year-old has the stamina to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and with proper exercise and healthy living, they can live with it. I know as well that every citizen here will choose and never afford to lose their parents so I will choose senior citizens."

The 27-year-old beauty queen earlier landed in the Top 10 during the national costume competition with her Philippine eagle-inspired costume. She also ranked third among contenders with the highest number of online votes in the swimsuit competition.

Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc previously announced that Bernardo had to represent the Philippines after titleholder Aya Abesamis was deemed unable to compete due to age restrictions.

Bernardo was Binibining Pilipinas 2nd runner-up in 2018 and 2019.

The Philippines has yet to win the Miss Grand International title.
Arab Health, the largest exhibition and congress for healthcare and trade professionals in the Mena region, has launched its inaugural Advisory Board, bringing together healthcare experts from across the globe to address the challenges and opportunities in a post-Covid-19 world.

The Arab Health Advisory Board was set up to utilise its members cumulative experience by providing counsel on key healthcare themes. Focus areas include the implementation of innovation and cutting-edge technology in the healthcare industry as a result of Covid-19, growth opportunities and future strategies within the sector.

Ross Williams, Exhibition Director at Arab Health, said: By initiating the Advisory Board, it allows Arab Health to get closer to those at the forefront of the healthcare industry and learn from the vast experience they have garnered over their long and illustrious careers. Their

understanding of the role innovation and technology is playing within the industry, particularly with respect to the challenges Covid-19 has presented, is invaluable.

Our ultimate goal is to ensure all our participants can learn, network, and do business during our Live and in-person physical event or Online via our dedicated digital platform. The input of the Advisory Board to achieve this will be vital.

The Advisory Board comprises a cross-section of Middle East and International healthcare experts. Representing the Middle East region are Dr Wadea Sharief, Director  Medical Education, Dubai Health Authority; Dr Aysha Al Dhaheri, Section Head Health Promotion, Department of Health, Abu Dhabi; and Reenita Das, Partner, Frost & Sullivan, who said: Arab Health is a pioneer in highlighting some of the greatest innovations and cutting edge digital-technology breakthroughs that will be transforming Asian or Middle East markets. Im really excited to be part of the Arab Health Advisory Board and bring to the fore Frost & Sullivans 60 years of experience in identifying disruptive technologies, mega trends that would support Arab Healths vision.

Dr Mathias Goyen, Chief Medical Officer EMEA, GE Healthcare and Dr Maliha Hashmi, Executive Director Health Wellbeing, Biotech, NEOM and Deputy Chair, NEOM Covid-19 Leadership Taskforce will also join the Middle East contingent.

Discussing healthcare innovation and its role in the new normal, Dr Hashmi, said: Humanising technology will play a major role in innovation in the new normal where living in a digital world without compromising social and emotional connectedness will become essential.

Dr Mathias commented on the importance of the industry coming together and positively utilising technology, he said: I am delighted to be joining the board of Arab Health at such an exciting time in healthcare, where the Covid-19 pandemic has shown how we can come together as an industry to accelerate innovation, and we continue to see the impact digitalization is having on patient care. We look to a future where care will be patient-centric, data-driven, value-based and more precise.

International insights will come courtesy of Harry Pappas, Founder and CEO, Intelligent Health Association; Dr Manish Kohli, Former President, HIMSS; and Dr Lois Krahn, Director of Mayo Clinics Center of the Science of Healthcare Delivery and Board of Governors and Trustees, who said: It is very fitting that year after year Arab Health has welcomed participants who share the common goal of identifying solutions for healthcare challenges from around the globe to Dubai, a city built on an ancient crossroad of trade routes.

Also joining the international experts is Prof Neil P. Sheth, Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, who underscored the importance of sustainable healthcare solutions.

He said: Arab Healths focus on embracing innovation in healthcare is timely. Innovation must adopt a different mindset to create sustainable healthcare solutions across multiple subspecialties.

As part of the Arab Health Congress, over 300 speakers will come together under the theme of Looking Ahead, Embracing Innovation with a focus on bringing together healthcare professionals during Covid-19 to improve their medical practice and ultimately improve patient outcomes. A total of 12 conferences will take place between June 21 and 24, nine of which will be Continuing Medical Education (CME) accredited, each allowing participants to network and develop international best practices.

In addition to the live, in-person Congress, a series of online focus days will also take place. From May 23 July 22 experts from the healthcare industry will discuss the latest innovations and technology through high level keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, industry talks and product discovery tours.-- Tradearabia News Service
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 03:59:27|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Workers transfer COVID-19 vaccines at Tashkent International Airport in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on March 27, 2021. The first batch of Chinese coronavirus vaccines arrived in Uzbekistan Saturday. (Photo by Zafar Khalilov/Xinhua)

TASHKENT, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The first batch of Chinese coronavirus vaccines arrived in Uzbekistan Saturday.

China and Uzbekistan have been providing mutual assistance to each other to overcome the coronavirus pandemic together, Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jiang Yan said during a ceremony organized to receive the vaccines.

Uzbekistan has started the phase-3 trial of the coronavirus vaccine developed by a Chinese company since December last year. Early this month, Uzbekistan registered it for emergency use and marketing authorization.

"The Uzbek side trusts this vaccine, which is also a good proof of the level of our trust and relations. China and Uzbekistan will continue to cooperate in overcoming all the consequences of the pandemic," the Chinese ambassador said.

Uzbek Minister of Health Abdukhakim Khadjibaev noted that this vaccine has been tested by more than 7,000 Uzbek citizens since December last year, and no serious side effects have been reported.

"In the near future, these vaccines will be delivered to all regions of the country, where more than 3,000 vaccination points have been organized," he said.

Uzbekistan planned to start mass vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine from April 1, but due to the three-day national spring holiday of Navruz, it was postponed to April 5.

The country is also expected to purchase 1 million doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. Enditem
Jennifer Arcuri has claimed that she and Boris Johnson had four-year affair where she sent him 'arty' topless pictures - but insists they had an 'intellectual attraction'.

The 35-year-old said that she 'fell in love' with the now Prime Minister, 56, during their alleged relationship which she claimed lasted from 2012 to 2016.

She stated that she and Mr Johnson, who was Mayor of London at the time, began the affair during his second term in office when he was married to now ex-wife, high-flying barrister Marina Wheeler - with whom he shares two sons and two daughters.

Ms Arcuri claims the pair first had sex in her flat on Shoreditch High Street, where she had pole dancer's apparatus installed, just hours before he attended the opening of the 2012 London Paralympics.

The technology entrepreneur, originally from America, told the Sunday Mirror that during their first tryst he 'couldn't keep his hands off' her and, at the height of the romance, they were meeting once a week.

But she said that there was a mutual 'physical and intellectual attraction' between them.

Jennifer Arcuri has claimed that she and Boris Johnson (together ini 2014) had four-year affair where she sent him 'arty' topless pictures - but insists they had an 'intellectual attraction'

Ms Arcuri told the publication: 'We were in an intimate relationship for four years. I loved him, and with good cause. But the man I thought I knew doesn't exist any more.'

She had been a business student when she first met Mr Johnson in 2011 before volunteering to campaign for him in his London Mayor re-election bid the following year.

The entrepreneur said that there had been an 'obvious spark' and that the pair had exchanged numbers before he wined and dined her in restaurants across the capital.

She said after the pair first had sex Mr Johnson had not wanted to leave but that she had told him: 'You're supposed to be on stage and on TV in a few hours.

Ms Arcuri claims the pair first had sex in her flat on Shoreditch High Street, where she had pole dancer's apparatus installed, just hours before he attended the opening of the 2012 London Paralympics

She had been a business student when she first met Mr Johnson in 2011 before volunteering to campaign for him in his London Mayor re-election bid the following year (together in 2013)

'Now, I'm pushing you out the door with all of your mayoral bric a brac, the lanyard with the big badge, and the lapel pins.'

Just hours after the alleged romp Mr Johnson was on stage alongside Princess Anne, Prince William and Kate Middleton.

She also claimed she sent an 'arty' picture of herself topless with the snapshots being from professional shoots.

But Ms Arcuri said the pair's alleged affair finished in 2016 and said: 'I wasn't going to be a back-up plan, or the last 747,000th on his list to deal with.'

She also claimed she sent an 'arty' picture of herself topless with the snapshots being from professional shoots

Ms Arcuri's links with Mr Johnson (together in 2013) came under public scrutiny last year over allegations she received 'preferential treatment' for her business ventures during his eight-year stint as Mayor

Later that same year she had struck up a new romance with Matthew Hickey and was pregnant.

She added: 'I wasn't going to be a back-up plan, or the last 747,000th on his list to deal with.'

Ms Arcuri's links with Mr Johnson came under public scrutiny last year over allegations she received 'preferential treatment' for her business ventures during his eight-year stint as Mayor.

Investigations were launched by City Hall and the police watchdog over the PM's links with the tech entrepreneur - who was handed 126,000 of public grants and went on overseas trade missions with Mr Johnson to Indonesia and Israel.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct said there was no evidence he'd committed the criminal offence of misconduct in public office but he may have breached the 'Nolan Principles'.

Ms Arcuri maintains that she was invited on trade trips in her own right as a member of the London tech-scene.

But she slammed Mr Johnson as a 'cowardly, wet noodle' for not standing by her during the fallout.

A spokesman for No 10 told MailOnline that it had 'nothing further to add' in relation to Ms Arcuri's claims.

The Prime Minister has previously never confirmed or denied that the pair were involved in an affair.
China on Saturday (March 28) imposed sanctions against two American religious rights officials and one Canadian lawmaker in response to sanctions imposed by the United States and Canada over Xinjiang.

Beijing has been pushing back against sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union, Britain and Canada for what they say are rights violations against Uighur Muslims and other Turkic minorities in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang.

China will take measures against the chair and vice-chair of the U.S. government's advisory Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Gayle Manchin and Tony Perkins, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

It also sanctioned Canadian member of parliament Michael Chong, vice-chair of parliament's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), as well as the FAAE's Subcommittee on International Human Rights, which has eight members and this month presented a report concluding that atrocities had been committed in Xinjiang that constitutes crimes against humanity and genocide.

"The Chinese government is firmly determined to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and urges the relevant parties to clearly understand the situation and redress their mistakes," the ministry said.

"They must stop political manipulation on Xinjiang-related issues, stop interfering in China`s internal affairs in any form and refrain from going farther down the wrong path. Otherwise, they will get their fingers burnt."

The individuals are banned from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, the ministry said, and Chinese citizens and institutions are prohibited from doing business with the three individuals or having any exchanges with the subcommittee.

China's previous sanctions on U.S. individuals who it says have seriously undermined China's sovereignty and interests on Xinjiang-related issues remain in effect, according to the statement.

Activists and U.N. rights experts say at least a million Muslims have been detained in camps in Xinjiang. The activists and some Western politicians accuse China of using torture, forced labour and sterilisations.

China has repeatedly denied all accusations of abuse and says its camps offer vocational training and are needed to fight extremism.

Live TV
By Kim Ae-ran





"Pauline" bookshops are run by the Daughters of Saint Paul that "take on for evangelization the swiftest and most effective means that progress provides and the necessities and conditions of the times require." (Pauline Constitutions, 3)



At present, 15 Pauline centers are open across the country. Among them, the center located at Dongseong-ro in Daegu has been a place of meeting, prayer and consolation in the Archdiocese of Daegu since 1972.



Thanks to the Providence of God, the renovation work to improve the old building started about four years ago. We had nothing at that time, but the abundant grace of God always opens the way to go forward.



The renovation work of the Pauline bookshop in Daegu began with a very simple proposal by Fr. Peter Damiano Shon, director of Jeonin Hospital specializing in rehabilitation as well as the mental and social improvement of the patients through Comprehensive and Integrative Medicine integrating Oriental and Western medicine.



Whenever Fr. Peter Damiano, who was interested in our Pauline apostolate and supported us for a long time, visited our bookshop, he was very sorry to see that some spaces were not properly utilized.



So, he suggested to be born again as the place that more people who come to the bookshop can meet the good publications, have consolation in it, and meet God. Timely, knowing the intention of a couple of Daniel Kim, who wanted to use for the good the precious legacy left behind by the deceased mother of Agnes Baek, he encouraged them to donate the sum to create the space for people making use of the good publications and the bookshop.



Their mother, who lived for the wounded, the poor, the lonely and those who were thirsty for music and culture, passed away by a medical accident



In the midst of a rapidly changing world from analog to digital culture, the Daughters of Saint Paul are constantly taking steps to reorganize the apostolate to respond to society properly as "Pauline" sisters. Thus, we planned the renovation of the Pauline bookshop with the starting point of the donations of this couple.



Archbishop Thaddeus Cho of Daegu archdiocese was also pleased with this plan and allowed us to collect donations within the archdiocese.



So, over the past three years, our Pauline sisters in the Daegu community have visited 49 parishes in Daegu in search of donations. At the same time, many people from acquaintances to collaborators, from elementary school students to senior citizens in their 90s personally provided generous help.



Pauline bookshop in Daegu provides such programs as Faith Academy, Bible Study, Prayer Training, Cultural Spirituality Class, Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration, Permanent Confession, Mind Care, Concerts, Theater, Exhibitions, etc.



Our Constitutions exhort us to "dedicate our time, our energies, our very life to the cause of the Gospels" with joy. When we are willing to give out everything and to testify of the presence of God, our bookshop will be a spring that cultivates spiritual strength to satisfy the spiritual aspirations of the believers and a place of comfort and hope for people, instilling dreams and love and illuminating the light.





The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (Figlie di San Paolo) living and giving the Good News to the world by means of social communication. Learn more about the congregation at fsp.pauline.or.kr.


Around three million older Britons have still not been vaccinated against Covid, despite having been invited.

As of last Sunday, 87 per cent of over-50s had received their first jab  leaving almost one in eight of the older population unprotected. While some will be jabbed in the coming days, many are likely to have refused or be hesitant.

Johnny Heald, whose polling firm ORB International is conducting research for the Vaccines Confidence Project, warned last night that the over-50s rate might be reaching a ceiling. A recent survey by ORB found 11 per cent of adults agreed with the statement: I dont need a Covid-19 vaccine.

Around three million older Britons have still not been vaccinated against Covid, despite having been invited

Mr Heald said: Around a tenth of the population is anti-vaxxer or at least vaccine-hesitant. So I dont think the rate will go a lot higher than 87 per cent.

Vaccination rates among retirees are higher, but Mr Heald said lower rates were to be expected in the middle-aged as they were at lower risk of serious Covid illness.

Nationally, vaccination rates are on average lower among black and minority ethnic populations. Class also makes a difference, although not as much as ethnicity, according to research by Oxford University. London has the lowest uptake rates in England. Its boroughs account for 18 of the 20 local authorities with the worst vaccination rates.

But London also has a problem with take-up among its white population, analysis of NHS figures by The Mail on Sunday reveals.

But London also has a problem with take-up among its white population, analysis of NHS figures by The Mail on Sunday reveals

In fact, vaccination rates appear lower among its 4.5million white population than in its 1.4million people of Asian descent. While some 34 per cent of Asian Londoners of all ages, including children, had been vaccinated by last Sunday, the rate was only 31 per cent among white Londoners.

The capitals low vaccine take-up in its white population contrasts with the rest of Englands regions, where overall rates among whites are in the high 30s or low 40s.

Londoners are younger than the country at large, so proportionally fewer have been invited. But Mr Heald said a personal touch was important, adding: In Yorkshire you probably know your doctor, so youll attend when they call. In London its more automated, with invites by text. Some might ignore them.

One myth is that the UKs ethnic groups are equally hesitant. British Indians are actually more likely than white Britons to have the jab  but British Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and black Britons lag behind.
Satellite shows the stuck container ship 'Ever Given' on the Suez Canal, in Egypt, on March 27, 2021. Photo: Gokturk-1 Observation Satellite/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

A giant cargo ship blocking the Suez Canal, one of the world's busiest waterways, remains stuck after authorities tried and failed to make use of high water levels on Saturday.

Despite that, canal officials have said that some progress has been made amid efforts to reopen the crucial trade route. On Saturday 14 tugboats managed to move the ship "30 degrees from left and right."

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) chief, Osama Rabie, said on Sunday that although the vessel was still stuck there were "positive indicators" from the past two days' efforts.

"The rudder was not moving and it is now moving, the propeller is working now, there was no water underneath the bow, and now there is water under it, and yesterday there was a 4m (13ft) deviation in the bow and the stern," Rabie said.

So far, dredgers have been able to shift 27,000 cubic metres of sand  this is equal to a depth of 18 meters or approximately 60ft.

However, alternative options are being geared up to help move the rescue mission along.

Egypt's president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ordered preparations to lighten the load of the stranded ship on Sunday. He said that rescue teams should get ready for the possible removal of the 18,300 containers on board the vessel.

The Ever Given weighs 200,000-tonne and is capable of carrying 20,000 shipping containers.

Officials have also debunked earlier reports that claimed wind gusts were behind the stranding. Rabie said on Saturday that "strong winds and weather factors were not the main reasons for the ships grounding, there may have been technical or human errors."

Global supply chains have been crippled since Tuesday, after the 400-metre Panama-flagged Ever Given ship got stuck sideways in the Suez. This has meant that more than 300 vessels have been tailing back from the Suez.

It comes after the Japanese owners of the vessel blocking the Suez Canal said that an attempt will be made to refloat the vessel by taking advantage of tidal movements, which could see the ship dislodged soon.

Story continues

At a press conference on Friday, the president of Shoei Kisen, Yukito Higaki told local media that 10 tugboats had been deployed to dredge the banks and canal bottom. The tugboats will move the ship as dredgers continue to vacuum up sand from beneath it and mud caked to its side.

WATCH: Two tugboats speed to Egypt's Suez Canal

Meanwhile, Syria has announced that it has begun rationing fuel as the logjam stretches into a sixth day, impacting vital supplies to the war-torn country and worsening oil shortages. The country had already announced over 50% increase in the price of petrol in mid-March.

The Syrian oil ministry said that the blockage slowed arrival of a vessel carrying fuel and oil products from Iran. Oil minister Bassam Tomeh told state TV the cargo was due to arrive at the port of Banias on Friday.

Tomeh said that if the crisis persisted, the ship may re-route around the southern tip of Africa, an expensive detour many firms have been forced to consider to get around the blockage.

Before the war in 2011, the country enjoyed a relative energy freedom, but the oil minister said that in the last 10 years an estimated $91.5bn (66.4bn) in revenue has been wiped from hydrocarbons. Pre-war oil production was 400,000 barrels a day, compared with 24,000 in 2019.

READ MORE: What Suez Canal blockage could mean for global trade

On Friday, seven tankers carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) were diverted. Data intelligence firm Kpler said that three of the tankers were being diverted towards the longer route around Africa, via the Cape of Good Hope.

The majority of the diverted tankers, which were originally destined for the Suez were now headed elsewhere, according to Kpler. "A total of 16 LNG vessels planned transit via the route will be affected if the congestion persists until the end of this week," Kpler analyst Rebecca Chia said.

"Considerable delays in the loading schedule at Ras Laffan" for the start of April due to the congestion are also expected, Chia added.

A diversion around Africa could add about two weeks to ships' journeys and extra fuel costs.

The traffic-jam will have severe repercussions on global trade, bringing 13% of the worlds trade to a halt. According to shipping data, the ship is holding up an estimated 9.6bn of goods each day.

The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.

Built in 1869, the Suez Canal is used by around 50 vessels per day, according to Panjiva, the supply chain research unit of S&P Global Market Intelligence. Container ships accounted for 52.7% of the tonnage in 2019 transiting the canal including shipments from Asia to Europe and the US east coast as well as vice-versa.

Oil prices were driven higher by the ordeal, with Brent futures (BZ=F) and Crude oil (CL=F) rising as much as 4% on Friday. But, prices crashed 6% earlier in the week on Tuesday as the crisis began and amid fears that the COVID-19 third wave could lead to oversupply in the market.

WATCH: Shipping rates and oil prices jump on Suez block
Regular flights from Russia to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are set to resume on April 1, to the relief of families reliant on remittances sent home by migrant laborers. The flights will be considerably limited in number as compared to their previous regularity, however, and a return to normality may still be some way off. As Eurasianet reports, the two Central Asian nations were among six countries listed in a Russian government statement published on March 26. The other countries comprise Germany, Venezuela, Syria and Sri Lanka.

Regular scheduled flights from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to Russia were suspended in March 2020 amid the first major worldwide surge of COVID-19 cases. People stranded outside their own country relied on specially arranged charter flights, or in some cases made the complicated and obstacle-ridden trip overland, to get back home.

Russias Embassy in Uzbekistan has spoken of only one regular flight per week between Moscow and Tashkent. All Uzbek nationals and foreigners with an Uzbek residence permit will be allowed to use that flight. The only other flights envisioned by the embassy are charter flights.

Tajikistan may have it slightly better. Tajik airline Somon Air and Russian airline Utair are both expected to run weekly services. That is down from the five daily flights that took place in pre-pandemic times.

The suspension of travel links has been a major blow for remittance-dependent economies like that of Tajikistan. Cash transfers by individuals from Russia to Tajikistan dropped by $835 million year-on-year in 2020, down to $1.7 billion.

This slight concession may be born more of a result of labor shortages in Russian than concern over the economies of the Central Asian nations, however. Earlier this month, representatives of a Russian construction company traveled to Tajikistan to begin screening possible candidates. Tajik expatriates are typically prepared to work at far cheaper rates than Russians.

Uzbekistan is less reliant on remittances in proportionate terms, but the suspension of travel links has caused it headaches too. The government estimates that around 1.1 million Uzbek nationals work and live in Russia. The actual number may in fact be much higher, though.

Ulugbek Ermatov, 41, a native of the Ferghana region, last returned from Russia in January 2020. He had planned to return a couple of months later, but he was prevented from doing so by the pandemic. Ermatov has worked on building sites in the Far Eastern city of Vladivostok for more than 10 years.

The resumption of flights to Russia is a good thing, but there are still many restrictions, and the cost of a ticket is very expensive for me, Ermatov told Eurasianet. My former employers are waiting for me, but I can't yet go. I am waiting for the Uzbek airline to start flying. Returning to Russia is a matter of survival for me. I am tired of being without work here.
Chuck Masek on How to Fight a Battle Against All Odds

Chuck Masek is known as the man who spearheaded the billion-dollar industry of reprocessing single-use medical devices, but when he started out in the medical tech field, in a tiny lab where he spent day in and day out doing things like looking at stool samples under a microscope, he had no inkling life would go in that direction. Being called a visionary never sat well with him.

Reprocessing is little known to industry outsidersessentially it means cleaning and sterilizing a medical device, like an electric scalpel, making it safe for medical use again instead of sending it to the landfill.

The company was started because I needed a job, and I needed to save the house, thats all it was, said Masek.

The story of David is the story of the little boy who defeated a giant with only his stones, his slingshot, and God on his side. That protection by Providence made David the symbol of Florence, a little republic that faced countless battles, giants compared to its own history and size.

Maseks story is definitely a David and Goliath story. Throughout it all, he saw the hand of providence, he said. He also had science on his side.

I mean, we should have never survived, we should have been trampled by the big companies, were talking multibillion-dollar corporations. We were playing in their sandbox and they did not like it, and they did everything they could to drive newcomers like Masek out of the field. He recounts the endless battles in his memoir At War With the Big Dogs. But they made it through.

I look back in amazement, he said. In the process of building Vanguard, certain things had to happen that I didnt know had to happen, and if it didnt happen, wed be out of business. So I know I didnt do it, I was privileged to lead  the men and women who fought this battle, and it was a bloody battle, Masek said.

Timing

The first part of Maseks career is filled with betrayal; as a medical device salesman, he was moving all over the country19 moves in the first 13 years of his marriage with his wife Marge, with each of his four children born in a different state. He had money, ideas, and business stolen from him.

I lost everything in a bad business deal in Haiti, he said. I was 40 years old, I was a quarter of a million dollars in debt, I had four children age 7 to 13, and we were about to lose the house. It was a hard time. And a lot of times, these things will destroy a marriage, but my Marge, we circled the wagons, and she said, Chuck, this wasnt your fault.'

My wife is from North Dakota, shes a farmers daughter, and she is made of strong stuff. Shes actually the most amazing person in my life, there is not a person in the world that I trust more than her, he said.

He and Marge are often asked what the secret to their strong marriage is, and they tell people, Love God first. They decided that early on, when they both became believers in college.

If we love God first, then we can love each other. Because if we love each other and we dont love God, theres no way the marriage will survive, he said. Everything God tells you to do is for a benefit, he said, and he may have a lot of rules, but if you actually look at the rules, theyre all good things.

So at his lowest point, but with Marge on his side, Masek only knew that he wasnt going to let betrayal define his story, and he jumped back into the fray.

The company Masek had lost had done reprocessing of towels, so he already knew about reprocessing, but it was a chance encounter with a nurse and a package on her desk that launched Maseks next business idea.

It was a suture pack that a small independent company had reprocessed, and Masek was confused because when he sold medical devices, the big manufacturers would reprocess them for free if only the outer layer was opened. Suture packages have an outer portion that is often opened in anticipation of surgery, and an inner, sterile seal that is left intact if not used, Masek said. Then the nurse told him the big manufacturers werent doing it anymore, and it likely had something to do with the big scare around the AIDS epidemic. It could have been a liability issue.

Unbeknownst to Masek at the time, two big events had led to where he was now. The Medicare Act of 1965 had made it so that Medicare would reimburse based on the cost of surgery, and nearly overnight, manufacturers started labeling devices single use even if they were the same exact glass or carbon fiber device previously considered a reusable device, and it was all up for reimbursement. But then in the 1980s, reimbursement costs were fixed depending on the type of diagnosis, which had hospitals scrambling to cut down costs. And medical devices were now the second-highest cost of surgery.

He started reprocessing devices for hospitals at half the cost of whatever they originally paid for the device.

Masek had two main obstacles now, the yuck factor, and the big manufacturers, and he used science to refute each one. The former would be far easier than the latter. First he showed clients that many of these devices were originally meant to be reprocessed and reused, not thrown into landfills after a single use. And the longer he was in business the more data he had, so Masek was able to show that reprocessed devices were far less likely to cause infection than even new devices, because every reprocessed device is tested, and new devices arent.

A Win-Win-Win

Early on, a nurse asked Masek a very prescient question: Arent you worried about the Big Dogs getting into the business and squashing you? But that question raised a second one: Why would these big companies reprocess devices for free or for half cost, when they could insist on selling you a new one at full price?

The operation began as a tiny one. Vanguard Medical Concepts was just Masek, Doug Stante rigging up new machines to clean and sterilize devices, and 19-year-old Steve Bernardo writing software to track their data.

But they believed in it and it grew, because they saw it as a win-win-win. Hospitals could cut costs as well as divert thousands of pounds of biomedical waste from the landfills, patients benefited from the cost savings and safe devices, and Vanguard had created hundreds of jobs.

It was when they started getting big that the original device manufacturers began to take notice. First they tried to frame reprocessing as distastefulbut that only gave Vanguard the opportunity to educate clients on how they reprocessed devices and why it was sterile. Then they accused Vanguard of not being FDA-approved, and the FDA said it was because they wouldnt know where to start in regulating this new industry. Vanguard all but volunteered to become the guinea pigs for regulation, letting FDA regulators poke and prod and ask endless questions in the process of not only proving that reprocessing was safe and beneficial, but could be regulated.

The manufacturers did many things over the years that were designed to hurt us, but it actually helped us, he said. But only because they stuck to the science and showed people relentlessly that the science was true.

Masek had successes, but the problem was that the battles seemed endless, and it was shocking the lengths his opponents would go to.

I was always going for the prize, but when I got there, it wasnt what I thought it was, Masek said.

Perspective

You dont endure countless battles with everything stacked against youmoney, power, influenceunless you know youre doing something right. Masek said his guiding philosophy that God was in charge, not him, led his story.

I tell people all the time, we dont own anything, to own something you have to create it and there is only one Creator. We actually manage stuff. Someday Ill die, and Godll give it to somebody else to manage, and Ill be happy about that, Masek said.

Masek tells his children the most important word is perspective.

All through life, I tell my children, the world never gets it right, it goes the wrong way, Masek said. Raising my children, I tell them things are never as good as they seem and theyre never as bad as they seem. Keep your perspective. Theyre just things.

God is always in control. No matter how bad you think things are, He is still God and he still has control, Masek said.

Masek said the first reason he went back to revisit all the battles Vanguard weathered in order to write the book was to honor all the good men and women who were a part of it.

Its for their children or grandchildren, to tell them what grandma or grandpa did, he said. The second reason is for any men and women who find themselves in a battle against all odds, that the fight does not always go to the big dogs.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday took to Twitter to wish the Pakistani Hindu community a "very happy holi". Khan, who had tested positive for COVID-19 disease last week, extended his greetings to the Hindu community on Holi, a festival of colours celebrated across the Indian subcontinent. This comes days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Pakistani citizens on their National Day on March 23.

Wishing all our Hindu community a very happy Holi, the festival of colours.  Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 28, 2021

India-Pakistan relations

If speculations are to be believed, New Delhi and Islamabad are keen on resolving the bilateral tensions as militaries of both nations agreed to implement a historic cease-fire deal last month. In a rare joint statement issued by the Army of India and Pakistan, both sides agreed to adhere to the 2003 ceasefire agreement, which garnered worldwide attention, generating hope of renewed relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Weeks later, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished speedy recovery to his Pakistani counterpart after the latter tested positive for COVID-19.

Best wishes to Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI for a speedy recovery from COVID-19.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 20, 2021

Earlier this week, India and Pakistan began discussions on the Indus Water Treaty in New Delhi, which was attended by Islamabad's Indus water commissioner Mehran Ali Shah and his Indian counterpart PK Saxena. Following talks, the Pakistani visited Amritsar's Golden Temple, calling it a wonderful experience.

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. In 2019, Pakistan expelled the then Indian ambassador from Islamabad after the Indian parliament approved the abolition of Article 370, allowing the bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir into two separate union territories.

(Image Credit: AP/Unsplash)
LORAIN, Ohio  The body of a 20-year-old Lorain man Nathan Orona, missing for nearly two months, was found Sunday morning in Lake Erie, authorities say.

Authorities were called about 11 a.m. Sunday by a fisherman who was fishing off a pier just east of Lorains Hot Waters boat launch, a news release from the Lorain County Sheriffs Office says. When police arrived, they saw what appeared to be a body floating in the lake.

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard were called to help authorities remove the body from the water, and at that time, authorities determined it was Orona, the release says.

Orona was last seen Feb. 4 with Alaina Camacho, 18, of Cleveland, the news release states. Police said the duo may have been travelling in a 2004 gold Honda Accord sedan with the Ohio license plate GTD9555.

Neither Camacho nor the gold Honda have been found, police said Sunday.

Officials stopped their search of the water near where Oronas body was found due to inclement weather Sunday, but its expected to resume once the conditions are more favorable for search and rescue personnel.

The Lorain County Coroners Office will conduct an autopsy to determine Oronas cause of death, the news release says.

Read more on cleveland.com:

Brunswick native, Heidelberg University football player dies in ATV crash, school announces

Ohio reports 1,019 new coronavirus cases: Sunday update

7 shot inside nightclub on Clevelands West Side, police say
Twitter war between players with blame game on CSE continues By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):

Interesting exchanges about market predictions gone wrong amidst looking for scapegoats to blame are making the rounds on Twitter.

Disgruntled traders are doing the clap back on those who predicted Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) highs.

A frustrated trader called out a particular high networth trader in a tweet saying, You have been telling people to buy and hold and buy and buy. Technically ASPI should have bottomed between 7150  7200. Fundamentals should have backed it up. Corporate earnings, swap etc. You have been saying market has bottomed for the past few weeks. You have said, buy fundamentally good shares and so on, most fundamental shares had really good technical setups, he went onto say. (Now) all (have) gone bust. I dont think most retailers have net worth to be averaging down. Actually where is your bottom sir? Thats my question?

The so called big boys might bank, while thousands of retailers would lose years of hard earned money, he added noting that the CSE has so far not played at all the way any analyst either technical or fundamental has said it would.

This is absolutely true. A counter argument said that the new retailers who came into the market were buying and pushing prices like there is no tomorrow. Also they didnt have the power to hold and were like bulls in a China shop. Actually its their entire fault. Dont blame that (particular trader) for pointing out the value. An answer promptly came, How did they push the markets like there was no tomorrow (through credit)? First blame goes to the brokers not the retailers, he said noting that he wasnt blaming the said trader but was simply asking him where the bottom is since he obviously knows more about whats going on inside.

There are over 12,000 new traders in the market doing more than 40, 000 daily trades. Not all of them trade on fundamentals, value or sound judgement. Some of them trade on sentiment, a stockbroker pointed out.

Certain stockbrokers say almost Rs. 1 billion fresh cash used to come into the market every day and that day traders made as much as 10 per cent a day in the CSE. They make a bit of easy money, and then invest a bit more and this trend snowballs. It is important to remember that this is a demand/supply situation where supply will become low and share prices will drop, an economist pointed out.

An analyst agreed noting that investors work in a herd mentality which shows their slow comprehension on market mechanics.
Burma Weekend Bloodshed Continues to Push Myanmar Death Toll Higher

A man was wounded from gunfire by the regime's security forces against an anti-regime protest in Yangon's Thanlyin Township on Sunday.

Myanmar saw 23 more deaths at the hands of the military juntas forces Saturday night and Sunday.

That number is expected to rise because several people were seriously wounded during the security forces shooting spree on Sunday.

During the crackdown on protesters, the military regimes forces have used not only live rounds but also hand grenades.

As of Sunday, Myanmars protest-related death toll was at least 452.

Amid the countrys bloodiest day Sunday, when more than 100 were killed, tens of thousands of people across the country continued to take to the streets to show their defiance of the regime.

Myanmars military regime continued its brutal attacks on demonstrators in several cities across Myanmar including Hpakant, the jade-mining hub in Kachin State in the countrys north to Monywa, Kale, Mandalay, Myingyan, Bago, Pathein, Yangons South Dagon and Taunggyi in Shan State.

After a young anti-regime protester was killed by a grenade attack on Saturday, the regimes forces continued to use hand grenades while randomly firing live rounds on an anti-regime protest in Yangons Hlaing Township on Sunday morning.

During the attack, one civilian lost his left hand in a grenade explosion and suffered additional wounds to his body. Another civilian was wounded in the leg by a grenade explosion.

In Mandalay Regions Myingyan, juntas security forces used civilian vehicles and motorbikes as they randomly fired on anti-regime protesters.

During the shooting, a young female anti-regime protester, Ma Zin Mar Aung, 24, and a man were slain by security forces. The regimes gunmen also opened fire for no reason on a civilian vehicle carrying a woman and children in the afternoon, killing a man and wounding the driver.

A photo also shows two members of the security forces disguised in civilian clothes wielding firearms while riding a motorbike in the town.

On Sunday afternoon, a 38-year-old ethnic Chin woman, Ah Khu a leader of civil society group Women for Justice based in Sagaing Regions Kale township, was slain by security forces during a crackdown against an anti-regime protest in the town. Another three men were also killed by the juntas forces.

A resident told The Irrawaddy on Sunday that Ah Khu was deliberately shot by two security forces dressed in civilian clothes.

Another five people, including a female nursing student assisting the wounded, were shot dead by the juntas forces in a deadly assault against an anti-regime protest in Sagaing Regions Monywa.

In Yangons South Dagon Township, two people, including a young female AYA Bank staff member named Ma Khine Zar Thwe, were slain by security forces Sunday.

At least four others were killed by security forces during night raids at Pathein, Mandalay and Yangons Thaketa Township and Naypyitaws Tatkon.

U Aye Ko, 40-year-old neighborhood watch member, was burned alive after being wounded by gunfire from security forces in Mandalay on Saturday night.

The funeral of a student union member shot dead on Saturday was attacked by the juntas police and soldiers at Bago Regions Phaya-Gyi Town on Sunday morning. Security forces opened fire and tried to arrest those attending the funeral.

Adding to the Saturday massacre, three ethnic Karen villagers were killed by a retributive airstrike by Myanmars military against the Karen National Liberation Army, the armed wing of Karen Nation Union (KNU), in Karen State. A civilian was also killed by an artillery shell in a punishing attack against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Kachin States Hpakant.

Amid the continuous deadly crackdowns by the junta, tens of thousands of people across Myanmar continue to take to the streets to protest against the military rule.



You may also like these stories:

Three Karen Villagers Killed in Myanmar Military Airstrike

Wounded Mandalay Volunteer Burned Alive by Myanmar Regime

Myanmars Striking Civil Servants Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
SBS Cancels Joseon Exorcist Drama

SBS had announced the cancellation of the drama "Joseon Exorcist" after the first two episodes received heavy criticisms from the audience over historical inaccuracies.

In an announcement on Friday, SBS said that the company recognized the severity of the said incident that they've just decided to cancel the broadcasting rights purchase of the drama, as well as its broadcast.

The drama's plot is about zombies appearing in the era of Joseon and was criticized by its Korean audience for using props and costumes that's more similar to Chinese culture than Korean. The backlash got even critical, especially when the Chinese claimed kimchi and hanbok were first originated in China, this put the drama in a bad position.

Advertisement

Moreover, South Koreans were infuriated when the drama had apparently depicted King Taejong, the third king who ruled Joseon from 1400 to 1418, inappropriately. In the drama, the said king started to murder innocent people due to his hallucinations.

The production explained that the similarities of its props with Chinese culture could be since China's Ming is near the border of the Joseon era where the drama was set and that there's a possible cultural exchange between the two cultures. They had first apologized and promised to be more critical in making historical dramas.

However, despite the explanation and apologies issued by the production team and SBS earlier this week, critics had not been moved and even made a petition on the website of the Blue House calling for the drama to be canceled, which gained more than 156,500 signs.

This could have influenced the company in deciding to cancel the airing of the rest of its episodes which had first started with a high viewership with 8.9 percent ratings.

SBS and the production company will be canceling the air of the drama and take down the previously aired episodes on all available platforms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Like us and Follow us

Follow @Koreaportal and

 2021 Korea Portal, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
An injured anti-coup protester is brought for medical treatment to a hospital in Latha township, Yangon, Myanmar, Saturday, March 27, 2021. AP-Yonhap



As Myanmar's military celebrated the annual Armed Forces Day holiday with a parade Saturday in the country's capital, soldiers and police elsewhere reportedly killed dozens of people as they suppressed protests in the deadliest bloodletting since last month's coup.



The online news site Myanmar Now reported late Saturday that the death toll had reached 114. A count issued by an independent researcher in Yangon who has been compiling near-real time death tolls put the total at 107, spread over more than two dozen cities and towns.



Both numbers are higher than all estimates for the previous high on March 14, which ranged in counts from 74 to 90.



Figures collected by the researcher, who asked not to be named for his security, have generally tallied with the counts issued at the end of each day by the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners, which documents deaths and arrests and is widely seen as a definitive source. The Associated Press is unable to independently confirm the death tolls.



The killings quickly drew international condemnation, with multiple diplomatic missions to Myanmar releasing statements that mentioned the killing of civilians Saturday, including children.



''This 76th Myanmar armed forces day will stay engraved as a day of terror and dishonour,'' the European Union's delegation to Myanmar said on Twitter. ''The killing of unarmed civilians, including children, are indefensible acts.''



In the United States, Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the violence.



''We are horrified by the bloodshed perpetrated by Burmese security forces, showing that the junta will sacrifice the lives of the people to serve the few,'' he said in a tweet. ''I send my deepest condolences to the victims' families. The courageous people of Burma reject the military's reign of terror.''





Demonstrators scatter as police fire tear gas during a protest against the military coup Saturday, March 27, 2021, in Mandalay, Myanmar. AP



The death toll in Myanmar has been steadily rising as authorities grow more forceful with their suppression of opposition to the Feb. 1 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup reversed years of progress toward democracy after five decades of military rule.



Up through Friday, the Association of Political Prisoners had verified 328 people killed in the post-coup crackdown.



Junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing did not directly refer to the protest movement when he gave his nationally televised Armed Forces Day speech before thousands of soldiers in Naypyitaw. He referred only to ''terrorism which can be harmful to state tranquility and social security,'' and called it unacceptable.









This year's event was seen as a flashpoint for violence, with demonstrators threatening to double down on their public opposition to the coup with more and bigger demonstrations. The protesters refer to the holiday by its original name, Resistance Day, which marks the beginning of a revolt against Japanese occupation in World War 2.



State television MRTV on Friday night showed an announcement urging young people  who have been at the forefront of the protests and prominent among the casualties  to learn a lesson from those killed during demonstrations about the danger of being shot in the head or back.



The warning was widely taken as a threat because a great number of the fatalities among protesters have come from being shot in the head, suggesting they have been targeted for death. The announcement suggested that some young people were taking part in protesting as if it was a game, and urged their parents and friends to talk them out of participating.





Anti-coup protesters prepare makeshift bow and arrows to confront police in Thaketa township Yangon, Myanmar, Saturday, March 27, 2021. AP-Yonhap



In recent days the junta has portrayed the demonstrators as the ones perpetrating violence for their sporadic use of Molotov cocktails. On Saturday, some protesters in Yangon were seen carrying bows and arrows. In contrast, security forces have used live ammunition for weeks against what have still been overwhelmingly unarmed and peaceful crowds.



The U.S. Embassy said shots were fired Saturday at its cultural center in Yangon, though no one was injured.



The military government does not issue regular casualty counts, and when it has released figures, the totals have been a fraction of what independent parties such as the U.N. have reported. It has said its use of force has been justified to stop what it has called rioting.



In his speech Saturday, Min Aung Hlaing used the occasion to try to justify the overthrow of Suu Kyi's government, accusing it of failing to investigate irregularities in last November's general election, and repeating that his government would hold ''a free and fair election'' and hand over power afterward.



The military has claimed there were irregularities in the voting rolls for the last election, which Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won in a landslide.



The junta detained Suu Kyi on the day it took power, and continues to hold her on minor criminal charges while investigating allegations of corruption against her that her supporters dismiss as politically motivated.





Myanmar's people protest outside parliament in London, Britain, 27 March 2021. Hundreds of people from the Myanmar's community in London gathered to protest against the scores of people killed by Myanmar security forces and to end the military coup. EPA-Yonhap
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the residence of Marshal of Indian Air force Arjan Singh to pay tributes. Arjan Singh passed away after cardiac attack at R&R hospital in Delhi on Saturday.

PM Modi wrote message in the condolence book at the residence of Marshal of Indian Air Force.

"Arjan Singh led effective, amazing and dedicated life. He was epitome of valour and bravery. He was a rare combination of heights and depths. He was totally dedicated to India through his post, prestige and values. I salute the warrior who always gave feeling of soldier's bravery and etiquette," wrote PM Modi in condolence book.

"India mourns unfortunate demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. We remember his outstanding service to the nation. India will never forget the excellent leadership of Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh in 1965, when the IAF saw substantial action," wrote PM Modi on Twitter after Arjan Singh's demise on Saturday.

Prior to death of Arjan Singh, PM Modi had also visited him at R&R hospital in Delhi. Then, Arjan Singh was fighting for life after heart attack.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
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.
Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has been slammed after leaflets written only in English were sent out to constituents in Cardiff ahead of May's election.

Residents in Cardiff West, Mr Drakeford's constituency, received a leaflet with a photograph of the Welsh Labour leader, with writing underneath only in English.

Mr Drakeford was accused of being 'hypocritical,' by election rivals, as his Government invests in having one million Welsh speakers in the nation by 2050.

Labour election leaflets with Mark Drakeford's face have been branded 'hypocritical,' after they were only published in English

Local Plaid Cymru candidate Rhys ab Owen told the BBC that leaflets should be bilingual.

He said: 'It is one thing to set a target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050, but another to act on that. The fact that he's sending English-only leaflets show he isn't practising what he is preaching.'

The Propel Party's Neil McEvoy added: 'They have shown contempt towards the language... I am disappointed but am not surprised.'

A Welsh Labour spokesperson said: 'Were aware that a monolingual version of a leaflet by the local Labour Party has gone out in some areas of Cardiff West.

'Marks election leaflets including the freeposts are, and will continue to be, bilingual.'

Welsh voters are set to go to the polls for their parliamentary election on May 6, the same day as Scotland.

London's mayoral election will be held on the same day, as well as local county council elections.

Welsh Labour says the leaflets were distributed by a local party group in Mr Drakeford's Cardiff West constituency

A YouGov survey conducted between January 11-14 showed support for Welsh Labour had tumbled at the start of the year, but the party was still the most popular.

The poll put Mr Drakeford's party on 34 per cent, down four points when compared to a poll conducted in October last year.

Parties on the left appear to have benefited from the drop, with Plaid Cymru up two points to 22 per cent, the Greens up three points to six per cent and the Lib Dems up one point on four per cent.
The Ghana Police Service has indicated that certain facilities at the Police Hospital would be closed within the Easter period to make way for fumigation by the Ghana Health Service.



This years Easter will start from Friday, April 2, 2021 to Monday, April 5, 2021.



In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Superintendent of Police, Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman, the Police Administration appealed to other health facilities in the Greater Accra region to accept health issues or emergencies which would have otherwise been sent to the Police Hospital by Police Officers or patriotic citizens.



The police stated that plain clothes and uniformed officers will be deployed to monitor compliance and take the necessary actions.



It noted that enhanced security will be provided to strictly enforce the covid-19 protocols during the Easter festivities.



However, the Police Administration encouraged the public to continue to be vigilant and report all criminal activities to the nearest Police Station.



In cases of emergency crime situations, the telephone numbers to contact are 0550323323 or 0275000156 and toll free numbers 18555, 191 or 112. While appealing to the public for cooperation to ensure a peaceful Easter holiday season, the Police Administration wishes all Ghanaians a happy Easter season, it added.

Source: Ghanaweb









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
After saying how rare interviews with Allen are, Cowan said: Some months ago, Woody Allen released a book, and we were offered an opportunity to talk with him on the patio of his Manhattan townhouse. To be honest, the swirling controversy, the storm of opinion, both pro and con, we gave careful consideration whether to do this interview at all. But youre about to see it. Whether or not you believe Woody Allen, whether or not you even like him, we hope youll at least want to hear what he has to say.
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), more stimulus checks will be mailed to taxpayers this week. Most will be delivered in the form of a paper check or a prepaid debit card.

More Stimulus Checks for Disbursement

The IRS acted rapidly after the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act on March 11 to begin delivering the third round of Economic Impact Payments. On March 12, the IRS started the first round of $1,400 stimulus payments, mainly made through direct deposit.

Why Joe Biden Might Regret the $1.9T Stimulus Bill

On March 24, the Treasury Department announced disbursing about 37 million checks in the second batch. That makes around 127 million checks worth $325 billion in collaboration with the IRS and the Fiscal Service Bureau. To expedite the delivery of stimulus checks to nearly 30 million eligible people, the Social Security Administration (SSA) moved payment details to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as reported by The Epoch Times.

A group of congressmen expressed outrage about the lengthy wait and recipients not obtaining their payments. Thus, Rep. Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts), Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, and three other lawmakers sent a joint letter to the IRS and SSA heads.

The fact that nearly 30 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries are STILL waiting for their EIPs is unacceptable. The people need their money now.  Ways & Means Committee (@WaysMeansCmte) March 24, 2021

Commissioner Chuck Rettig of the Internal Revenue Service said, "The IRS continues to send the third round of stimulus payments in record time. Since this new set of payments will include more mailed payments, we urge people to carefully watch their mail for a check or debit card in the coming weeks."

The third Economic Impact Payment Card (EIP) payment may differ from the previous stimulus payments. More people are getting direct deposits, while those who get them in the mail will get a paper check or an EIP Card.

The US Department of the Treasury will mail the paper checks in a white envelope. This paper check would look identical to those who received their tax refund via mail, but it will be labeled as "Economic Impact Bill" in the memo section for those who received their refund via mail.

Biden to consider mileage tax to fund infrastructure plan

Who is the real killer of Michael Jordan's dad?

68-Year-Old Kansas Woman Dies Allegedly Due To COVID-19 Vaccine

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Armenia 2nd President meets with leaders and officers of Police, MOD and National Security Service of various years

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative: Incumbent authorities' mistakes are irreversible

Europe sees progress in latest rounds of Iran nuclear talks

Armenian analyst: Turkey wants to push Russia out of the South Caucasus

Young Armenian says brawl with Azerbaijanis in front of Azerbaijan Embassy in Moscow might have been organized

Catholicos of All Armenians leaves for Armenia's Syunik Province and Artsakh on pontifical visit

Armenian and Russian Prosecutors General meet in St. Petersburg

Armenian acting minister: EU allocated EUR 68,700,000 to Armenia for budget support in 2020

Armenia Finance Ministry: MFA's budget grew by AMD 1,600,000,000 in 2020

Bodies and remains of Armenian soldiers are kept in morgue in Armenia's Martuni

White House confirms Biden-Erdogan meeting in Brussels

Armenia acting MOD touches upon priority directions for development of Armed Forces

Diaspora Armenian writer, publicist Toros Toranian dies

2 Armenian soldiers injured in scuffle with Azerbaijan, Armenian POW is hospitalized, Jun. 3 digest

Wedding held in Armenia's Shurnukh for first time since the war ended

EEU member states to finish preparing for negotiations over free trade zone in Iran in late June

Armenia Central Bank: Economic downfall in 2020 was due to decline in service and construction sectors

Armenia legislature adopts several bills in first reading

Armenia President meets with Nursultan Nazarbayev

Dejavu: Armenia ruling party distributes money for votes at Yerevan district election office

Chief Advisor to Karabakh President sacked

Russian MFA: Works are carried out to settle situation around Karabakh every day

Armenia opposition MP sounds alarm about Baku fabricating criminal cases against Armenian prisoners

Armenia acting health minister: I have apologized, I am not going to resign

Helga Schmid meets with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs

Armenia's deputy foreign ministers resigned or have heavy workload?

Dollar goes down in Armenia

Armenia Elections Oversight Committee reports Iranian citizenship of ruling party's MP candidate

Acting deputy minister: Only 17 of 711 Iran-Armenia power transmission line towers were installed by 2017

Armenia Parliament Council holding session

Armenia to host CSTO "Thunder-2021" military exercises

NYT: Chinese hackers launch cyberattack on New York city transportation authority

Armenia President to Kazakhstan counterpart: I would like to see much deeper cooperation between our countries

Armenia citizens shut down Etchmiadzin-Ashtarak road, complaining about lack of irrigation water

Armenia independent MP: Foreign minister and his deputies don't want to take part in treacherous acts

Armenia to get $11mn loan, 350,000 grant for agriculture

WHO worries about worsening mental health worldwide amid pandemic

Armenia health ministry on improper handling of Artsakh war victims bodies: There is no justification

Armenia bloc election foundation already in operation

Russia ambassador to Armenia paying working visit to Syunik Province (PHOTOS)

China pledges to step up resistance to foreign interference in Hong Kong

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: There can be no talk of corridor for Azerbaijan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on incumbent authorities: Wherever they flee, we will bring them by the feet

President: Impossible to ensure peace in region or stay in Artsakh without Russia army joint efforts

China Daily: Dispatch from Makit: Thriving in the desert

Karabakh President: We will never put up with being part of Azerbaijan, it is ruled out

Armenia MFA information department chief: All deputy FMs carrying out their duties

Ardshinbank invited children to the cinema on International Childrens Day

Armenia judiciary to have 10 more judges

Armenia acting premier: We had recorded 40% increase in tax revenues according to 2019 results

Armenia acting PM on Artsakh war casualties bodies: We have 50 remains in which case DNA was not separated

Azerbaijan authorities plan to "squeeze" everything from "terrorist show" related to Armenian captives

Ameriabank announces a contest for bank card design

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia parliament convenes special session

Armenia interim government holding Cabinet meeting

Catholicos of All Armenians heads for Syunik Province, Artsakh

World oil prices going up

Iran loses right to vote in UN General Assembly

Newspaper: Armenia authorities come up with new way of punishing unwanted characters

Newspaper: Russia army Southern Military District deputy commander to arrive in Yerevan Thursday

Lebanese Armenian man taken prisoner by Azerbaijan is hospitalized

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Are we getting under the burden? Then lets get under to the end

Armenia acting health minister on keeping fallen soldiers bodies in bags: What else should they be kept in?

Armenia acting health minister on citizens' demand for her resignation

Karabakh's new State Minister Artak Beglaryan on his appointment and future activities

Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani representatives hold consultations in Moscow

2 Armenian soldiers receive slight injuries after incident with Azerbaijani servicemen in Armenia's Gegharkunik

Armenian boy weighing 5 kg born at Goris Medical Center

"Armenia" bloc representative presents purpose of participation in elections and plans

Isaac Herzog elected President of Israel

Rouhani: Main issues between Tehran, Washington resolved in Vienna

Charles Michel calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume constructive negotiations

US Department of State responds to Pashinyan's proposal to deploy international observers on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Head of Armenia 2nd President's Office: Robert Kocharyan's public meetings are held in warm atmosphere

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative on photos and videos showing bags of deceased servicemen's bodies

Armenia Ombudsman, AGBU President discuss war crimes committed by Azerbaijan during Karabakh war

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representatives to hold briefings three times a week

Opposition "Armenia" bloc member: Blood-freezing photos and videos from morgue in Abovyan are authorities' reflection

Yerevan mayor receives Netherlands Ambassador
Passover is here. For Jews, it is the oldest continuous holiday in their existence. It marks the end of Jewish slavery in ancient Egypt, when we are reminded of the fact that the ritual Passover seder eternally ended with Jews worldwide saying: "Next year in Jerusalem." For most of time, that phrase mirrored the hope and belief that one day Jews, forever vulnerable and without a homeland, would return to their birthplace.

For the vast majority of Jews alive today, that phrase has lost its meaning. For them, Israel exists, and Jerusalem is a mere plane ride away. It is axiomatic that Jews everywhere feel safer and stronger due to Israel's existence. Yet barely 40% of American Jews have visited Israel and unfettered Jewish support for Israel has dropped since the sixties.

This complex dichotomy is similar to what America faces today between its citizens and the police.

Without the police and their incredible attempts to instill "law and order," we would not have a country. Granted, some societal segments have fared worse than others in police interactions, but the friction has been primarily created by politics, stereotypes, and poor social engineering  all of which are drastically changing today.

Like Israel as a port in the storm, our police are basically our guardians, who assist in the perpetuation of our society and serve as a safety blanket in troubled times.

Yesterday, while driving on the suicidal stretch of I-95 between Miami and Palm Beach, at the posted speed limit of 70, I was rear-ended. Not knowing what had happened, I prayed I hadn't had a tire blow out, fought to keep the zig-zagging car under control, and then looked in my rear-view window. Right behind was a huge red truck, driving parallel to a huge white one. I signaled I was exiting;

the red truck slowed, seemingly to follow, but, as I exited, it sped away. Oh, did I want the driver to be apprehended.

Shakily, I called 911, and pulled into a strip mall, clueless as to where I was. Thankfully, the woman on the other end of the phone figured it out and dispatched an officer. Almost immediately, the officer called to ensure thatI was physically okay. He called again to apologize for being slowed by traffic  then soon arrived. Once on the scene, he verified red paint on the back of my car and explained what had happened  sadly, in his experience, my accident was a daily occurrence with typically worse outcomes, where a truck driving too fast is distracted; suddenly looks up; and, seeing an inevitable collision, swerves to avoid but hits anyway.

After the Florida highway patrol officer had painstakingly written a report, without much help from me other than the color red, he respectfully and calmly explained legal Florida state follow-up. His entire affect canceled any hint of his extreme youth.

As I left, I pondered the fact that the initial call I made had been to the police, not family. Thankful and feeling blessed that I was not dead or maimed, I also thought of the unfair attacks the police are now facing. For them, I hope it is akin to "Next year in Jerusalem."

Image via Pixy.
Roughly two dozen people gathered at an intersection dotted with a bus stop, Korean restaurants, a Churchs Chicken and a Mexican supermarket in northwest Houston Saturday afternoon, demanding an end to violence against Asian Americans.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation and the ANSWER Coalition, an anti-war group, organized the demonstration in the wake of the deadly mass shooting in Atlanta and a rise in hate crimes targeting the countrys Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

As traffic rushed by on Gessner, some drivers honked or flashed a thumbs up while the group cheered and waved signs like Hate is a virus, Stop the Asian violence, and Did you see us yet?

In between chants, a handful of speakers addressed the recent violence, the roots of anti-Asian sentiment in the U.S. and the history of black and Asian solidarity in an effort to educate people and share their perspective.

Our lives will not be valued by America until the day where capitalism and white supremacy are wholly eradicated, said Alan Kim, a 23-year-old member of the socialist group.

Now Playing: Video: Laura Duclos

People rallied across the country Saturday as part of a national day of action organized by several groups, including the ANSWER Coalition and Code Pink, a social justice group. Events were planned in roughly 50 cities or towns, including Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and more, according to Code Pink.

Anti-Asian sentiment has surged during the pandemic. In the last year, Stop AAPI Hate recorded nearly 3,800 hate incidents targeting the community. In north Houston, for example, two people assaulted the Korean owner of a beauty supply shop, punching the older woman and yelling racial words. Police said they are investigating whether the March 17 incident fits the criteria of a hate crime. In San Antonio, vandals two weeks ago defaced a Vietnamese-owned ramen noodle shop with racist graffiti.

The local violence and Atlanta shooting have rocked the community, putting people on edge as they deal with fear and grief.

Many people at Saturdays rally said the anti-Asian sentiment is nothing new.

Kim noted that the Atlanta shooting, in which a gunman killed eight people  six of them Asian women  in three spas, happened on the anniversary of the Mai Lai massacre in Vietnam. He spoke about other war crimes perpetrated by the U.S. in Korea, his parents homeland, and the fetishization of Asian women.

What is the justification on the part of the West for Asian hate? Of course, it is a conception of us as the Yellow Perilthe Communist threat, Kim said. If our massacre can be justified by the U.S. as the fight against whatever, I say, Do not play their game.

Mustafa Alnomani, a member of the anti-war group, said they organized the protest to show solidarity with the Asian American community and speak out against an anti-China narrative that he believes is perpetuated by the government. To the AAPI community, he hopes that the diverse group gathering will show support.

There are people standing with them in solidarity with them, the 23-year-old said. Theyre not alone.

anna.bauman@chron.com
The central provinces of Vietnam have been included on a list of seven lesser-known destinations in the world to consider visiting post-pandemic, according to the American news channel CNBC.

Hoi An in central Vietnam.

With three UNESCO heritage sites including historic Hoi An, former imperial capital Hue in Thua Thien Hue Province and My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam has long been famous on the country's tourism map.

In addition, Quy Nhon Town, blessed with a 42-kilometre coastline, called the "Maldives of Vietnam", is now a rising star on central Vietnam's tourism map.

Son Doong Cave in central Quang Binh Province is estimated to be between 400 and 450 million years old, but only "discovered" in 2009. The cave, with a total length of nine kilometres, was declared the worlds largest and opened to tourists in 2013, four years after members of the British Cave Research Association finished their exploration.

The TV channel also included other destinations worth visiting post-pandemic such as Normandy in France, Kagawa in Japan, and Dandenongs in Australia.

VNS

My Son Sanctuary through lens of foreign photographers My Son Sanctuary is a large complex featuring religious relics, including temples, shrines, and towers.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates afterlife for me.

Thats probably not what the people who willed their remains to UCLAs Medical Center imagined would be their final repose, but for some, it actually was. Maybe even still is  the jury is out on that. But one thing is absolutely certain: When Pirates of the Caribbean opened at Disneyland in 1967, all of the skeletons on the attraction were actual human bones.

The ride was originally envisioned as a walk-through wax museum. Walt Disney rethought that after the runaway success of the 1964 Worlds Fair, where the company debuted audio-animatronic people in the Carousel of Progress and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Its a Small World, which also debuted at the Worlds Fair, was able to move large numbers of people through quickly on boats, and Walt decided to employ the same technique at Disneyland for its new pirate attraction.

The iconic attractions runaway success and ability to move enormous numbers of guests through the experience motivated Walt to incorporate a similar ride system for Pirates, Arthur Levine wrote for TripSavvy in 2019. Besides, the boats worked well with the theme, and they allowed the story to unfold in a more controlled and linear fashion.

The ride opened just months after Walt Disneys passing, and was the last that he personally oversaw.

Building the ride involved close collaboration between the machine shop, the animatronics team, and the sculpting and wardrobe departments, Cara Giaimo wrote for Atlas Obscura in 2015. The whole thing cost $15 million, about $106 million in today's currency and as much as the rest of the park combined.

One thing the Imagineers couldnt recreate was skeletons. The technology of the time wasnt sophisticated enough to make skeletons that the company felt met their standards of realism. So instead of faking it, the Imagineers went to find the real thing  straight to UCLA, where they procured real human skeletons for the ride.

It didnt last forever, though. Giaimo quotes Jason Surrells book Pirates of the Caribbean: From Magic Kingdom to Movies as saying, Eventually, as fake skeleton technology improved, a new generation of Imagineers replaced the real ones, which were later returned to their countries of origin and given a proper burial.

Today, Disneyland says that there are no longer any human remains on the ride, and the internet is rife with accounts from people who have taken VIP tours, which often provide a deep history of the parks. They report that their cast member guide assured them there were no more real skeletons in place.

But some people remain unconvinced. Jason Petros of the "EarzUp!" Disney podcast has a blog post detailing where he believes there are four remaining instances of, well, remains. Two are on the small islands just after the boat drops down to the lower level, one is in the bed chamber mounted on the headboard, and another lies in the jail scene, trapped under a flaming timber. Click through if you want to see some pretty grisly up-close photos.

The bed chamber skull, in particular, seems to have the most speculation around it. A cast member confirmed that it was real, and others have said that that skull in particular, which some believe to be the only actual remaining human bones, was donated by a former Imagineer.

If youre surprised about this chapter of Pirates of the Caribbeans history, well, it gets darker. The original ride had a much more problematic story line, which had kidnapped women being sold in a Bride Auction, with fat-shaming dialogue about purchasing by the pound and other women attempting to look their best as though theyre happy about being sold. Just afterward, a pirate has lost the woman he just bought, who is hiding in a barrel behind him, and is asking his friends for help, using her as the reward. I be willing to share, I be, he says, chuckling.

Even the full lyrics to the song Yo Ho (A Pirates Life for Me) includes the lyrics, We kidnap and ravage and dont give a hoot. While its unclear whether those lyrics have been changed for the current iteration of the ride, theres no moment where that line is clearly comprehensible the way it was in 1967. Much of the overtly misogynistic theming was changed, starting in 1997, according to the Los Angeles Times, and parts of the Johnny Depp Pirates of the Caribbean movies storyline were incorporated in 2006, including Jack Sparrow.

A YouTube recreation of the full 1967 ride exists online, with the creator explaining that he made it, so this original version can live on as a historical document and we can have an educated discussion about it. Theres also a parody calling out some of the most cringe-worthy parts of the original ride.

Even Walt had some doubts about the scene, Todd Martens wrote for the Los Angeles Times in 2017 of the most recent Pirates reimagining. In that article, Martens quoted original Pirates Imagineer Claude Coats, who was there when Walt Disney first saw the auction scene.

He came in one time and even said, This will be all right, wont it? He was just a little doubtful of auctioning off the girls. Was that quite Disney or not? Coats told the paper.

Although Disney has made many updates over the years to revise its questionable themes, there is one part in the original that actually makes more sense than the modern version. They removed a menacing pirate holding a flaming torch who looks as though hes about to cause some real problems. In the next room, everything is on fire. Including, possibly, one of the last remaining real human skeletons in Disneyland.
Tug boats and diggers work to free the Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned Ever Given, which is lodged across the Suez Canal, Egypt, on March 28, 2021. (Suez Canal Authority via AP)

2 Tugboats Speed to Egypts Suez Canal as Shippers Avoid It

SUEZ, EgyptTwo additional tugboats sped Sunday to Egypts Suez Canal to aid efforts to free a skyscraper-sized container ship wedged for days across the crucial waterway, even as major shippers increasingly divert their boats out of fear the vessel may take even longer to free.

The massive Ever Given, a Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned ship that carries cargo between Asia and Europe, got stuck Tuesday in a single-lane stretch of the canal. In the time since, authorities have been unable to remove the vessel and traffic through the canalvalued at over $9 billion a dayhas been halted, further disrupting a global shipping network already strained by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Dutch-flagged Alp Guard and the Italian-flagged Carlo Magno, called in to help tugboats already there, reached the Red Sea near the city of Suez early Sunday, satellite data from MarineTraffic.com showed. The tugboats will nudge the quarter-mile-long Ever Given as dredgers continue to vacuum up sand from underneath the vessel and mud caked to its port side, said Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, which manages the Ever Given.

Excavators dug Sunday on the eastern wall of the Suez Canal, hoping to free the bulbous bow of the Ever Given that plowed into the embankment, satellite photos showed.

Workers planned to make two attempts Sunday to free the vessel coinciding with high tides helped by a full moon Sunday night, a top pilot with the canal authority said. The full moon offers a spring tide, or king tide, in which high tides are higher and the low tides are lower because of the effects of gravity during a straight-line alignment of the Earth, the moon and the sun.

Taking containers off the ship likely would add even more days to the canals closure, something authorities have been desperately trying to avoid. It also would require a crane and other equipment that have yet to arrive.

Illustration shows a cross section of the Suez Canal. (Suez Canal Authority via AP)

On Saturday, the head of the Suez Canal Authority told journalists that strong winds were not the only cause for the Ever Given running aground, appearing to push back against conflicting assessments offered by others. Lt. Gen. Osama Rabei said an investigation was ongoing but did not rule out human or technical error.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement maintains that their initial investigations rule out any mechanical or engine failure as a cause of the grounding. However, at least one initial report suggested a blackout struck the hulking vessel carrying some 20,000 containers at the time of the incident.

Rabei said he remained hopeful that dredging could free the ship without having to resort to removing its cargo, but added that we are in a difficult situation, its a bad incident.

Asked about when they expected to free the vessel and reopen the canal, he said, I cant say because I do not know.

Speaking on Sunday to the pro-government Egyptian television channel Extra News, Rabei said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi had ordered the canal authority to prepare for all options, including taking containers off of the vessel. He said officials had been in talks with the United States about that possibility, without elaborating.

Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd., the company that owns the vessel, said it was considering removing containers if other refloating efforts failed.

The Ever Given is wedged about 3.7 miles north of the canals Red Sea entrance near the city of Suez.

Tug boats and dredgers working to free the Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned Ever Given, which is lodged across the Suez Canal, Egypt, on March 28, 2021. (Suez Canal Authority via AP)

A prolonged closure of the crucial waterway would cause delays in the global shipment chain. Some 19,000 vessels passed through the canal last year, according to official figures. About 10 percent of world trade flows through the canal. The closure could affect oil and gas shipments to Europe from the Middle East. Already, Syria has begun rationing the distribution of fuel in the war-torn country amid concerns of delays of shipments arriving amid the blockage.

As of early Sunday, over 320 ships waited to travel through the Suez, either to the Mediterranean or the Red Sea, according to canal services firm Leth Agencies. At least 10 of those vessels carried livestock, raising concerns about the animals. Rabei told the Saudi-owned satellite news channel Al-Arabiya that authorities planned to offer provisions to help them.

Tug boats work to free the Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned Ever Given, which is lodged across the Suez Canal, Egypt, on March 28, 2021. (Suez Canal Authority via AP)

Dozens of others still listed their destination as the canal, though shippers increasingly appear to be avoiding the passage.

The worlds biggest shipping company, Denmarks A.P. Moller-Maersk, warned its customers that it would take anywhere from three to six days to clear the backlog of vessels at the canal. Already, the firm and its partners have 27 ships waiting to enter the canal, with three stuck in the waterway itself and two more coming Sunday.

We have until now redirected 15 vessels where we deemed the delay of sailing around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa equal to the current delay of sailing to Suez and queuing, the shipper said.

Mediterranean Shipping Co., the worlds second-largest shipper, said it already had rerouted at least 11 ships around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the canal. It turned back two other ships and said it expected some missed sailings as a result of this incident.

MSC expects this incident to have a very significant impact on the movement of containerized goods, disrupting supply chains beyond the existing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it said.

By Jon Gambrell and Samy Magdy
New Delhi: The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday (March 28, 2021) hit out at the Kerala government for issuing an order to conduct a judicial inquiry against the central agencies probing the gold smuggling and dollar smuggling cases in the state.

During a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, Rajnath Singh said, "I came to know that the case is being probed by the ED and then a judicial commission has been appointed against the central agency. It's very unfortunate."

The senior BJP leader added, "This means the state government is challenging the federal structure of the Constitution. This is 100 per cent against the constitution."

Rajnath Singh's comments came two days after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led Cabinet recommended a judicial probe against central investigation agencies subject to approval from the Election Commission, following an ongoing probe into several cases, including the Kerala gold smuggling case.

The Cabinet has appointed Retired Judge KV Mohanan as the Commissioner who will consider the controversial audio recording of Swapna Suresh, the prime accused in the gold smuggling case, and a letter written by co-accused PS Sarith.

This is to be noted that the Kerala gold smuggling case, which is being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA,) along with the Enforcement Directorate and the customs department, pertains to the smuggling of gold in the state through diplomatic channels.

It came to light after 30-kilogram gold worth Rs 14.82 crores, smuggled in a consignment camouflaged as diplomatic baggage, was busted by customs in Thiruvananthapuram on July 5, 2020.

Rajnath Singh, who is in the poll-bound state to campaign for BJP in the April 6 Assembly polls, also commented on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and said that it will be implemented only after taking all the communities into confidence.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh holding a road show in Varkala constituency of Kerala. @BJP4Keralam pic.twitter.com/3kXrLulgRi  Rajnathsingh_in (@RajnathSingh_in) March 28, 2021

He also attacked the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and said even with 100 per cent literacy, Kerala is behind other states in various sectors.

"The main reason is that even after seven decades after independence, the state cannot come out of the clutches of LDF and UDF. The state needs a new political alternative and only BJP can give it. UDF and LDF are playing friendly matches. Either the LDF or the UDF wins the match but the people are getting defeated. In Kerala, the Congress and communists are fighting but 2,000 km away, they are fighting us together," he alleged.

The Defence Minister also said that if the BJP forms the government in Kerala, it will make legislation for the protection of traditions and practices of Sabrimala.

The election for the 140-member Kerala assembly in 14 districts will be held in a single phase on April 6, for which, the result will be declared on May 2.

(With inputs from agencies)
Opening arguments begin on Monday in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murdering George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by kneeling on his neck during an arrest last May.

Mr Floyds death was caught on camera, and the anger and grief over his death ignited some of the largest protests against policy brutality, and for racial justice in US history.

Mr Chauvin was charged with second- and third-degree murder, and manslaughter. His trial will be the latest test of whether an officer accused of fatal wrongdoing will be held accountable.

A number of high-profile police killings of Black people, among them Eric Garner, Tamir Rice and Freddie Grey, have not ended in convictions. In some cases, like the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor in Louisville in 2020, no charges were brought against law enforcement.

Here is some of the essential information and context about how to watch and understand the case.

When is the Derek Chauvin trial?

The main phase of the trial will start on Monday, 29 March, at 9am (Central Time), and could last for weeks. A livestream of the court proceedings can be found each day online at CourtTV, as well as on local television.

Read more:

What are the main questions in the Derek Chauvin trial?

The central question is not whether Derek Chauvin came into contact with George Floyd on 25 May. Video from police body cameras and civilian bystanders captured what happened: Mr Chauvin arrested Mr Floyd and knelt on his neck for around 9 minutes. Three other officers who were part of the fatal incident go on trial later this year.

The jury will be tasked with answering whether Mr Chauvin was sticking to proper police procedure during the stop, and what is the exact cause of Mr Floyds death. In video of the incident, Mr Chauvin continues to kneel on his neck, even as Mr Floyd can be seen begging for air before becoming hoarse and losing consciousness.

County officials ruled his death a homicide last summer, but noted the "other significant conditions" like Mr Floyds existing heart disease, as well as recent fentanyl and methamphetamine use.

Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter A Cahill has certified that the jury will hear information relating to both Mr Chauvins past use of force while with the Minneapolis police department, as well as Mr Floyds prior arrests, where paramedics and health officials noted pre-existing health conditions and likely drug use.

Whats happened so far in the Derek Chauvin trial?

Jury selection in the case began earlier this month on 9 March, and has previewed some major themes of the trial. Jurors were asked about their opinions of police, systemic racism, and Black Lives Matter, as well as whether theyd seen the extensive media coverage of Mr Floyds death or attended the protests that followed.

In the end, the court selected a mostly white jury. Studies have shown that race is often a key factor in who gets picked to serve on juriesand who they end up convicting.

As jury selection proceeded, the city of Minneapolis reached a settlement with Mr Floyds family for $27 million, one of the largest in US history. Mr Chauvins lawyers argued that the timing of the settlement, as well as protests and media coverage since Mr Floyds death, were cause for a delay or outright relocation of the trial. The court rejected that request.

Ahead of the trial, parts of downtown Minneapolis have been fortified with massive fences and razor wire to maintain security.

How does the trial connect to the bigger picture?

After years, decades, and centuries of civil rights activists calling for police reform, Mr Floyds death seemed like the final straw, sending millions into the streets during a pandemic to call for change, and that energy goes beyond interest in the trial.

The city Minneapolis is currently re-negotiating its police union contract, and earlier this month the city council voted to move towards disbanding the force altogether and replacing it with a new department of public safety.

Another push for reform has come at the national level. Congress is debating, and the House has already approved, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would end qualified immunity and set national policing standards, among other changes.

Theres also, of course, the matter of how the community will react to the eventual verdict in the trial, and how that will factor into future calls for reform.

In 1992 four Los Angeles police officers, three of them white, were acquitted at trial after being caught on video savagely beating Rodney King, a Black man. The verdict set off a massive outpouring of grief and rage that paralyzed LA for days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reiterated India's "sincere and continued efforts" to conclude the long-pending Teesta water-sharing agreement in consultation with relevant stakeholders during his talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina.

Briefing reporters on Prime Minister Modi's two-day visit to Bangladesh, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said the Teesta issue was discussed during the talks between the two leaders.

"Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's sincere and continued efforts to conclude this agreement in consultation with relevant stakeholders," he said in response to a question.

The Indian side also requested for early finalisation of the draft of the interim agreement for sharing of water of Feni River, pending with the Bangladesh side which had been agreed upon by both sides in 2011.

"River water cooperation is something that will continue...we have extensive cooperation," Shringla said.

Also read: PM Modi holds 'productive' meeting with Sheikh Hasina; India, B'desh sign five MoUs

During the meeting, Prime Minister Hasina underscored that to alleviate the sufferings and save the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on the Teesta river basin, it is necessary that Bangladesh receives its fair share of the Teesta waters, the draft agreement of which has already been agreed upon by both Governments in January 2011, according to a Joint Statement issued after the talks.

"The two leaders directed their respective Ministries of Water Resources to work towards an early conclusion of the Framework of Interim Agreement on sharing of waters of six common rivers, namely, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar," it said.

Two countries are currently cooperating on 56 rivers that flow between them. The cooperation in the area is very diverse as the use of water for drinking, irrigation and how we can work together to control flood and pollution, he said.

"We just had a meeting of the water-resources secretaries of the two sides in New Delhi... It was an excellent meeting. We are meeting and are talking about all the important issues, including the Teesta issue," Shringla said.

The Teesta river originates in Sikkim, flows through the northern parts of West Bengal, before entering Bangladesh and joining the Brahmaputra river.

The flow of the river is crucial for Bangladesh from December to March during which the country requires 50 per cent of the river's water supply.

The Teesta deal was set to be signed during then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Bangladesh in September, 2011 but was postponed at the last minute due to objections raised by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Banarjee had expressed strong reservations against giving Bangladesh a greater share of water from the Teesta river.

The two prime ministers directed the Joint Technical Committee, formed for the purpose, to expeditiously commence the feasibility study of the Ganges-Padma barrage and other alternative options in Bangladesh for optimum utilisation of the Ganges waters received by Bangladesh as per the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, 1996.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Hasina sought steps to bring down the "border incidents" to zero level, her Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told reporters.

Both leaders emphasised the importance of effective border management for ensuring a tranquil, stable and crime free border, the Joint Statement said.

Bangladesh has repeatedly complained that villagers along the borders were often killed by Indian border guards.

During the talks, Hasina expressed her concerns about the "border incidents" which she said increased in recent period, Karim said.

Both sides agreed that any death at the border is a matter of concern and directed the concerned border guarding forces to enhance people-oriented measures for ensuring border security and bring down such death of civilians to zero, the Joint Statement said.

Bangladesh has reiterated the request for 1.3 km Innocent Passage through river route along with River Padma near Rajshahi District, on humanitarian grounds. The Indian side has assured to consider the request, the Joint Statement said.

The Indian side requested for completion of border fencing at all pending sectors at the international border at the earliest, beginning from the Tripura (India) - Bangladesh sector. Bangladesh side assured to look into the matter, the Joint Statement added.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
When the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a statewide lockdown a year ago, schools and educators scrambled to make a transition to online instruction.

Rhonda Rabbitt, the dean of Wilkes Universitys School of Education, said the pandemic created what she calls a probletunity.

I believe that right now we are in the middle of a probletunity, Rabbitt said. So COVID has been a problem, but this is like a wake up call to America. And this is an opportunity because our school systems were designed for an environment 100 years ago, and we continuously try to tweak, Band-Aid, reform, make minor adjustments to fix it.

But the issues that we are getting is because the system was designed the way it was. So this is a chance for us to redesign the school system.

Rabbit saw a need to help teachers with the transition to online instruction.

In the fall of last year, my team and I, we said, Teachers need help. What can we do for them? So we put together a two-day series of free online webinars, Zoom learning sessions for teachers to address the gap, whether that was how to do online teaching, how to work with your English language learners online, how to get family engagement now that youre online. So we posted those free of charge on our website so teachers could access that at any time.

The pandemic has created an opportunity to partner with school districts so that they can design a strategic plan to get their teachers professionally developed and how to design and teach online, Rabbit said.

We can work with them on that, she added. We can offer them a program package just for them so they can make systems change.

In March 2020, Gov. Tom Wolf closed all schools in Pennsylvania for the rest of the school year and required they provide remote instruction. The state gave local school officials the authority to decide how much in-person learning and how much online instruction their schools would provide during the 2020-21 school year.

Every districts model of teaching and learning was flipped upside down on March 13 of last year. Schools want students on campus and in their buildings every day and that will happen once the pandemic subsides, said Anthony Grieco, executive director of Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18.

Online technology will continue to be infused into the teaching and learning environment in schools after the pandemic, Grieco said.

Districts have invested significant dollars in getting devices into the hands of all students, and teachers have invested a significant amount of time modifying their teaching and learning practices to engage students in multiple ways across multiple platforms, Grieco said.

Northwest Area School District Superintendent Joseph Long said his staff has become far more used to using technology, not just as an aide, but now a tool to increase education and the educational experience.

Schools will have to be flexible with instructions options in the future, but the best education a child can receive in my opinion is in front of a teacher five days a week, Long said.

Coming out of this, I hope one change will be the state government gets involved and pushes the issue of connectivity in rural areas, Long said. The biggest challenge our district faced throughout was the lack of consistent broadband for our students.

Dallas School District has increased use of streaming video as a result of the pandemic, and more students enrolled in the districts cyber education service, Superintendent Thomas Duffy said.

Beyond the pandemic, streaming capabilities may be useful for professional development purposes, communication with and among stakeholders a including parents and families, and possibly when students cannot attend school for extended periods of time in the future on a case-by-case basis, Duffy said.

Dallas teachers have become skilled at using Google Classroom to organize, present and store materials and resources and collect student work, and they will continue after the pandemic, Duffy said.

Cyber, charter and private schools

More than 400 Dallas students enrolled in the Dallas cyber school this year, Duffy said. More than 2,500 students are enrolled in Dallas schools.

Even as conditions improve we recognize that some may choose to stay in a cyber environment for years to follow, Duffy said. We have and will continue to serve our cyber students in cyber school well this year, but we also have to look at what we learned about cyber school with an enrollment this large and what we can build upon for future years.

During the pandemic, brick-and-mortar charter and private schools provided an alternative for parents to have their children placed in schools that remained open and could offer smaller class sizes, Grieco said. But he believes that the majority of students will return to public schools.

Cyber charter schools will see an uptick in enrollment, not just now but even in post-pandemic as some students may prefer to participate in school in a full virtual environment, Grieco said.

Grieco said he believes schools will continue with enhanced cleaning protocols, including deep cleaning with electrostatic, and they will also prioritize air ionization and air quality management.

Long said the wearing of masks, washing of hands, and the use of hand sanitizer will be around for some time.

Grieco doesnt think students will be required to be vaccinated prior to the start of the 2021-22 school year.

I do believe vaccines will become available to some school age students prior to September 2021 but not mandated, he said.
Police are hunting for two men after a 16-year-old girl was raped behind a hospital in Scotland.

The sexual assault happened in a wooded area behind Dykebar Hospital in Paisley, Renfrewshire, between 7pm and 9.30pm on March 20.

The teenage girl was found by a passing motorist on nearby Hurlet Road.

Last week, police in Scotland launched an urgent appeal to trace the two men and began analysing CCTV footage and carried out door-to-door enquiries in the area.

Police are hunting for two men after a 16-year-old girl was raped behind Dykebar Hospital in Paisley, Scotland, on March 20. Pictured: GV of wooded area behind Dykebar Hospital

The two male suspects are described as white, Scottish, in their early 20s and were seen wearing dark clothing.

One of the men was around 5ft 9ins and the other was around 6ft.

Detective Inspector Colin MacRitchie, from Paisley CID, said: 'Officers revisited the scene last night from 7pm, precisely one week on from the attack.

'We are keen to jog people's memories and have been speaking to locals to seek any new information.

'It's important that we identify the people responsible for this as soon as possible.

Police in Scotland launched an urgent appeal to trace the two men last week and began analysing CCTV footage. (Stock image)

'The ordeal was terrifying for the victim and we continue to provide her with the necessary support she requires.'

Anyone with information should contact 101 quoting reference number 4478 of 20 March to speak to local officers.

Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
(Natural News) It has been revealed that shamed World Health Organization (WHO) investigator Peter Daszak actively colluded with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to author more than 25 research studies that paint the tyrannical regime in a positive light, including with regards to the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19).

Daszak is a bought-and-paid-for CCP shill, it turns out, who has published all sorts of junk science papers over the years at the behest of his communist handlers. As long as the CCP was willing to foot the bill, Daszak was more than happy to publish whatever the regime told him to publish.

Daszak is also a financial contributor to the Democrat Party, having given donations to both Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. The former, our nations alleged president, is another CCP asset and traitor who serves Chinese interests at the expense of American interests  hence why he has earned for himself nicknames like China Joe and Joe Xiden.

Numerous studies authored or co-authored by Daszak deal with mammal viromes, cross-species transmission of bat coronaviruses, and RNA viromes  you know, the types of things that, due to being tampered with by Chinese scientists, have plunged the world into a locked-down, mask-wearing hell.

These papers of Daszaks were funded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, two entities that are control and funded by the CCP. The former actually describes itself as the linchpin of Chinas drive to explore and harness high technology and the natural sciences for the benefit of China and the world.

Another study authored by Daszak, entitled Fatal swine acute diarrhoea syndrome caused by an HKU2-related coronavirus of bat origin, was funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China, which reportedly functions within the CCPs five-year plan.

The CCPs State Key Research Program and Ministry of Science and Technology also funded another series of studies by Daszak that focus on the ACE2 receptor in SARS-like coronavirus, panda parasites, Filoviruses, and the Fugong virus.

Daszak, as we earlier reported also heads up an organization known as the EcoHealth Alliance that aggressively pushed the lie that the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) came from bats rather than from a Chinese laboratory.

The real Chinese virus is the CCP

Daszaks apparent purpose, and the only reason he is considered to be of value to the CCP, has been to assign natural or unknown phenomena to Chinese scientific experiments gone wrong. Some would say that these experiments were intentional as part of the CCPs secret bioweapons programs.

Whatever the case may be, Daszak is a propagandist for the CCP, despite being paraded around on mainstream media networks as some kind of independent researcher who simply reports the facts.

Almost none of Daszaks work is factual, it turns out. In fact, there is a good chance that none of it is, at least none that does not also contain a heavy dose of misinformation woven through it to keep investigators off the scent.

How Daszak sleeps at night is a mystery, unless of course his conscience is so seared that none of this phases him anymore. After all, he has been engaged in churning out fake science propaganda for many years now, and may even believe the lies he spins at this point.

The global media has unquestioningly hosted Daszak, his Chinese Communist-aligned talking points, and failed to inform viewers and readers of his multiple conflicts of interest, warns Natalie Winters of The National Pulse.

More of the latest news about the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) and the CCPs continued denial of any responsibility for it can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
Mar. 28By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer

LYFORD  Rio Hondo standout senior point guard Natalie Martinez signed to play college basketball Saturday.

The reigning District 32-4A most valuable player will be taking her talents to Texas Lutheran University in Seguin. She'll play for coach Mel Dixon in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference at the NCAA Division III level and study nursing.

"It felt good to sign knowing it's been my dream and not a lot of kids get to do it," Martinez said. "I've been going to training, strength and conditioning Mondays and Wednesdays, and I do basketball Tuesdays and Thursdays. I go to McAllen, I've been training with Mire Chatman for about four years. I've been on many travel teams, too, and that's also helped me. I felt like everything paid off, and it was a big accomplishment. It was very meaningful."

Martinez said she sent an email to TLU while reaching out to coaches, looking for a chance to play at the next level. Dixon called her and asked for some film, and he liked what he saw. He invited her on a campus visit, and Martinez quickly felt like it was the right place to continue her promising career.

"The visit made me feel wanted, and that's what made me want to go there. The coaches are so nice and made me feel wanted. I got to see the girls practice, and it felt like a good fit," Martinez said.

Martinez led the Lady Bobcats to an undefeated regular season and their first playoff win since 2014. She credited this season for refining her skills and showing her some untapped potential as she took on more tasks to aid a team lacking in height. Martinez said her shooting improved quite a bit through her time at Rio Hondo.

Lady Bobcats coach Victor Sauceda said having a player like Martinez on his team made his job easier. He praised her skills and her leadership, and said she had "a big impact" on the program.

"She plays like she never gets tired. She's got a never-ending motor and I think that's one of her biggest assets," Sauceda said. "She's a great kid, great attitude and very coachable. She's a natural point guard and led the offense and got everybody in their spots. She's been running the show the last two years, and she did a great job. I look forward to her having success at the next level."

Martinez said she's looking forward to meeting new teammates and growing as a player at the college level by learning new techniques. She hopes she taught her younger teammates to never give up and that anything is possible with hard work.

"I think my defense and my determination (will help me in college). I don't want to lose. I'm always wanting to win and I try hard," Martinez said. "I definitely want to thank my parents. Also Coach Victor and my trainer. Mire Chatman, they had a lot to do with it. And of course God had everything to do with it."
This week local housing activists claimed a victory and earned top priority in a structurally unbalanced budget that's mostly dependent on FREE MONEY from the feds in order to function.



Check the victory lap from KC Tenants:

"After more than a year of organizing, KC Tenants won $931,495 to fund the Office of the Tenant Advocate. The Mayor and City Council adopted a budget for FY 2020-2021 this afternoon, supplementing the proposed level with $820,000 from federal resources."

Translation: City Hall directly hands over Prez Biden bucks to protesters.

Be that as it may . . .



Home providers aren't going along with the beltway giveaway.



The national trend:



Wall Street Journal: Some Landlords Dont Want Any of the $50 Billion in Rent Assistance

Money line:

"Thousands of building owners across the country are rejecting the government offer. They say the aid often has too many strings attached, such as preventing them from removing problematic tenants or compelling them to turn over sensitive financial information to government agencies or contractors."

Here's the word from at KICK-ASS TKC READER who directed our attention to this controversial topic:



"Sorry, but I don't want to be in business with city hall or Mayor Quinton Lucas. So I'm skipping these federally funded schemes because they're just going to impose more restrictions on property owners. If I take their money they're going to tell me how to run my business, who I can rent to and how much I can charge. No thanks."

Accordingly . . .



CONSENSUS FROM MANY KANSAS CITY PROPERTY OWNERS ON RENT RELIEF FROM THE FEDS: IT'S A TRAP!!!



The reality: There's not a lot of faith in local government after more than a year of "restorative justice" directed toward protesters and renters impacted by COVID.



Instead . . .

Quite a few property owners don't seem to want "relief" and simply look forward to restarting evictions in order remove tenants who can't pay and find new ones who can . . . Like it or not, this will only start the local cycle of protest and demand for government intervention yet again.

Developing . . .


Massachusetts has produced a proud line of contributors to health, technology, government, business, social justice and the arts. Imagine how much longer that list could grow if more students who otherwise might not pursue education beyond high school were given a direct path to discover and expand their talents in college. Also imagine the transformative impact that would have on those students, their families, on entire communities and on cities like Springfield.

Early College offers an opportunity to realize that vision. In early college programs high school students take real college classes during their regular school days at no cost to themselves or their families. The class options are focused on career pathways, allowing students to get a jump on the future, and fueling our workforce pipeline in growth industries.

Increasing the number of students who enter and succeed in college is an urgent challenge. The Pioneer Valleys college-educated population is projected to decline in the coming years and, according to the most recent data available, only 49% of the regions high-school graduates earn a college degree within six years of graduation. These trends pose an economic threat to the region that must be addressed.

Research shows students taking part in Massachusetts Early College programs are enrolling in college at a rate 53% higher than their school peers. Fall 2020 Early College enrollment reached 3,125 students, and spring enrollment is forecast to be about 3,500. These students are expected to earn a total of 24,000 credits this school year, saving their families $5.2 million in tuition and fees while building a clear path to college success. This is a win-win for all involved. The state should expand access to this proven program.

Making the opportunities Early College presents available to more of Massachusetts students is why we support an increase in state funding. Gov. Charlie Bakers proposed fiscal 2022 budget includes $7 million for Early College which reflects the consensus developed by the commissioners of higher education and elementary and secondary education of how much it will take to expand the program this school year. This increase will get the state moving toward a stated goal of serving 16,000 students a year in Early College programs across the state. Its a smart investment.

Expanding Early College access is especially important now. The coronavirus has derailed many students plans for college. Most Early College programs are in communities hardest hit by the pandemic. Approximately two-thirds of Early College students in the commonwealth are Black or Latinx, and nearly half are economically disadvantaged.

As a staffing and recruiting firm serving the Springfield area, United Personnel Services is just one of many businesses that would benefit from expansion of Early College. In order to connect the most qualified applicants with available jobs, the regions schools must provide students with educational pathways to sustainable careers in growing industries that need their skills.

Here in our region, Westfield State University has partnered with Springfield, Holyoke and Westfield public schools to establish an Early College program serving more than 200 students who are working to earn college credit in areas such as healthcare and human services, advanced manufacturing and various technology fields. Another collaboration between Holyoke Community College and Holyoke High School will provide more opportunities to students in that community.

Yet, there is still room for growth, along with an increasing need for the opportunities Early College can deliver.

Easing the way to higher education for students facing financial and cultural roadblocks is a path to success for everyone involved, from students and families with limited means to business and legislative leaders working to grow the economy and ensure all residents can participate and reap the benefits.

Early College programs have proven effective with students that face the greatest obstacles, but the initiative is serving a small fraction of the students who need the opportunity. Its essential we expand access to many more students in the commonwealth. These young people are prepared to make powerful investments in themselves today. Now they need a commitment from the rest of us to provide the opportunity they need and deserve.

Aaron Vega, a former state representative, is director of planning and economic development for the city of Holyoke; Tricia Canavan is CEO of United Personnel Services.

Related content:
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 15:26:54|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

People visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, capital of China, March 28, 2021. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The second sandstorm in two weeks hit Beijing on Sunday, dyeing the skyline yellow and plunging air quality readings to severely polluted.

The Chinese capital experienced strong winds on Sunday morning and visibility reduced to between 1 km and 2 km in most areas, according to Beijing's meteorological service.

Zhang Linna, chief forecaster at the municipal meteorological station, said the dusty weather, featuring strong winds and thick dust, will last more than 12 hours but its intensity will be slightly weaker than the sandstorm seen on March 15.

The Beijing Municipal Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center said the sandstorm was blown southward into China after striking Mongolia between Friday and Saturday.

The sandstorm had already shrouded the entire city of Beijing by 7 a.m. on Sunday, with the PM 10 concentration surpassing 2,000 micrograms per cubic meter, according to the center.

It predicted that the air pollution will alleviate on Sunday evening as the sandstorm subsides.

Official data shows Beijing's sandstorm onslaughts peaked in the 1950s, when it recorded an average of 18 dusty days a year, but later subsided as afforestation in northern China picked up steam. In the first decade of the new century, the city logged an average of 0.6 dusty days per year.

Dusty weather was also observed in other parts of northern and northwestern China, including the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the provinces of Gansu, Shanxi and Hebei.

Seven of the 11 cities in Shanxi Province hit the highest possible reading in the air quality index (AQI) on Sunday morning -- 500, which suggests hazardous air pollution, with PM 10 being the primary pollutant.

"It's like seeing through a yellow filter when you look out of the window," said Chen Junxiu, a resident of Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi. "There are much fewer morning exercisers and pedestrians outside."

She said her air purifier has been working at full steam for the entire morning after being switched to automatic mode.

The city of Taiyuan has ordered all construction sites to suspend outdoor operations and said that the cleaning of public spaces should be increased.

Li Xinsheng, chief forecaster at Shanxi's meteorological station, said that though shelterbelts have expanded in recent decades to reduce near-surface wind speeds and stave off desertification, they can do little to stop the cross-border migration of dust in the upper air. Enditem
Everyone has the right to live, to be free, and to feel safe. No one should be held in slavery for any reason. The buying and selling of human beings should be prevented at all times.

by Dr. Ruwantissa Abeyratne in Montreal

A law is valuable, not because it is a law, but because there is right in it. ~ Henry Ward Beecher

I was interested in a news report in the online version of the Daily News of 27 March which reported that The Parliamentary Sub-Committee appointed to formulate a methodology to include Law as a subject in the school curriculum has decided to submit its report to the Consultative Committee in two months. The report went on to say that the thinking was that law may be taught systematically in schools and not as a composite subject, which further piqued my interest. The systematic introduction of the concept of law to the student makes eminent sense firstly, in preparing the student to be a useful law-abiding citizen and to introduce him or her to future communal discourse in the role of life ahead. Of course, one has to wait for the contents of the report to be released to learn exactly what is intended but the very idea that the thought has crossed the minds of the legislative branch of government is in itself encouraging, particularly as the minister in charge of education in sri Lanka is one of the most erudite and illustrious legal scholars who could guide the school curricula in the right direction.

In a sense, law related subjects such as civics (in elementary and secondary schools) and government (at a more advanced level) have already been included in school curricula. However, these courses are narrowly relegated to a basic understanding of the relationship between the government and the governed. The primary purpose of learning the relevance of law as an integral element of human life is to grasp a sense of fairness and of individual rights from a global perspective. Children at an appropriate age should be exposed to the global perspective of humanity which transcend local boundaries of racial, religious, and ethnic boundaries. In this context, learning in schools should be law-related and should not be focused on making amateur lawyers of children and adolescents. It should be introduced in a manner devoid of fear, reprisal or consequential punitive action and be couched in simple language that is comprehensible to the impressionable mind, inculcating a sense of universality that is calculated to effectively preclude the prejudices wrought by feelings of supremacy prevalent in the adult world of division by cast, religion, wealth, race, or creed and exclusive focus on ones family, local community, and friends. The fundamental premise underlying the introduction of law in schools should comport with what Montesquieu said:  A truly virtuous man would come to the aid of the most distant stranger as quickly as to his own friend. If men were perfectly virtuous, they wouldnt have friends. Of course, the latter sentence should be viewed within the reality that there is no such thing as a perfectly virtuous world.

Someone once said that the law is the queen of humanities. For a start, the initial understanding of law by a child could be grounded on the value of human rights upon which the learning of the law in adult life in the law school, be it in the law of obligations in private and public law or criminal law are pursued. A good example for a starter is the childrens version of the Universal Declaration of human rights, of which some relevant principles are given below which could form the basic of areas of learning:  All human beings are born free and equal. You are worth the same and have the same rights as anyone else. You are born with the ability to think and to know right from wrong and should act toward others in a spirit of friendliness. Everyone should have all the rights and freedoms in this statement, no matter what race, sex, or color he or she may be. It shouldnt matter where you were born, what language you speak, what religion you are, what political opinions you have, or whether youre rich or poor. Everyone should have all of the rights equally.

Everyone has the right to live, to be free, and to feel safe. No one should be held in slavery for any reason. The buying and selling of human beings should be prevented at all times. Everyone has the right to be accepted everywhere as a person, according to law. You have the right to be treated equally by the law, and to have the same protection under the law as anyone else. Everyone should have protection from being treated in ways that go against this document, and from having anyone cause others to go against the rights in this document. If your rights under the law are violated, you should have the right to fair and skillful judges who will see that justice is done.

No one shall be punished for anything that was not illegal when it happened. Nor can anyone be given a greater punishment than the one that applied when the crime was committed. No one has the right to butt-in to your privacy, home, or mail, or attack your honesty and self-respect for no good reason. Everyone has the right to have the law protect him or her against all such meddling or attacks. Within any country you have the right to go and live where you want. You have the right to leave any country, including your own, and return to it when you want. Everyone has the right to seek shelter from harassment in another country.

This right does not apply in cases where the person has done something against the law that has nothing to do with politics, or when she or he has done something that is against what the United Nations is all about.

You have the right to believe the things you want to believe, to have ideas about right and wrong, and to believe in any religion you want. This includes the right to change your religion if you want, and to practice it without anybody interfering. You have the right to tell people how you feel about things without being told that you have to keep quiet. You have the right to read the newspaper or listen to the radio without someone trying to stop you, no matter where you live. Finally, you have the right to print your opinions in a newspaper or magazine and send them anywhere without having someone try to stop you. You have the right to gather peacefully with people, and to be with anyone you want. No one can force you to join or belong to any group.

The above-mentioned principles are just some examples that could be built-on through essays and reports that children could write, which would enable them to proceed to greater maturity in their academic journey through secondary school and onwards. It must also be mentioned that an essential supplement to considering the introduction of law in a school curriculum is the need to strengthen the teaching of language. As Lord Denning, Judge and Master of the Rolls said in 1979:  To succeed in the profession of law, you must seek to cultivate command of language. Words are the lawyers tools of trade. Children are at the foundation stage of language building.

Finally, it is assumed that the members of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee preparing the Report would have considered the teleological aspects of introducing the teaching of law in schools. In other words, what would the benefit be of such an initiative? One benefit could be awareness of fairness that the basic tenets of universal law inculcated in children that would dispel and effectively preclude any social prejudices handed down by the conventional wisdom of a traditionally purblind social structure. One could also justifiably expect that an introduction to justice and the right thing to do would lead incipient minds to be more easily accustomed to eschewing petty differences of caste, creed, and race as well as other prejudices of social inequality. A stronger sense of community could be established, and more recognition could be given to the dignity and equality of the value of labour. In his book Utopia for Realists Rutger Bregman says that children are infused with a huge dose of narcissism by parents of the present day and that in 1950 a survey taken revealed that only 10% of children thought they were special and entitled and that this figure was 80% in 2000. At least this could be avoided.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 00:04:36|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Photo taken on March 27, 2021 shows the stuck container ship Ever Given on the Suez Canal, Egypt. At least 321 vessels are currently jammed around the Suez Canal awaiting salvage of the giant container ship Ever Given that has been stuck and blocking the vital waterway since Tuesday, Osama Rabie, chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), said Saturday. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

SUEZ, Egypt, March 27 (Xinhua) -- At least 321 vessels are currently jammed around Egypt's Suez Canal awaiting salvage of the giant container ship Ever Given that has been stuck and blocking the vital waterway since Tuesday, Osama Rabie, chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), said Saturday.

"The number of ships waiting now, whether in the north, the south or in the Lakes is 321. We provide them with all the logistic services they ask for," the SCA chief told a press conference in the northeastern province of Suez.

"It's difficult to tell when the problem will be solved, because, as I said, the ship is huge with a large load and it is stuck in a shallow area," Rabie said.

He pointed out that 14 tug boats are working to salvage Ever Given from all directions.

"Last night, there were signs of success ... to the point that we were very hopeful that the salvage will be completed last night," The SCA chief said, adding authority is prepared with several scenarios to refloat the mega ship that causes "a big crisis."

The 224,000-ton Panama-flagged Ever Given was grounded on Tuesday in the canal after losing the ability to steer amid high winds and a sandstorm, which led the SCA to announce on Thursday temporary suspension of navigation in the man-made waterway.

Rabie said there will be investigation into the exact cause of the accident but after the rescue process is done.

Dutch firm Boskalis with its emergency response team Smit Salvage is hired by Ever Given's owner to assist the SCA in the rescue operations.

Linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, the Suez Canal is a major lifeline for global seaborne trade since it allows ships to travel between Europe and South Asia without navigating around Africa, thereby reducing the sea voyage distance between Europe and India by about 7,000 km.

Some 12 percent of the world trade volume passes through the Suez Canal.
(People's Daily Online) A few countries in the west have been fabricating lies and spreading rumors about Xinjiang affairs to attack China's Xinjiang policy. However, most of the countries in the world believe that it is just a vicious tactic under the name of the so-called human rights to contain China's development and undermine the country's security and stability.

Xinjiang-related issues are not human rights issues at all. They are in essence about countering violent terrorism, radicalization and separatism. There have never been such things as "genocide", "forced labor" or "religious oppression" in the autonomous region.





Photo taken on July 13, 2019 shows a morning view of Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhao Ge)

Out of prejudices, ignorance, and even hostility, some so-called scholars and institutions with ulterior motives did everything to fabricate the biggest lie of the century. They are, in a blatant manner, standing on the opposite side of justice and conscience. A few western countries, fanning the flames and aiding the evil, also tried their best to smear China.

However, lies are always lies, and they can never cover the truths. Uygur female representatives from Xinjiang recently made solemn statements at the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), warning those with a vicious mind to stay away from the beautiful place and stop harming the friendship among the Chinese people of all ethnic groups.

No one is in a better position to judge China's performance on human rights protection than the Chinese people. Over the past 40 some years, the Uygur population in Xinjiang has doubled from 5.55 million to over 12 million. The autonomous region's GDP also surged by more than 200 times in the past six decades, and the average life expectancy of Xinjiang residents rose from 30 years to 72 years. The region is experiencing its most auspicious period of development ever in history, with sustained social stability, people living in peace and contentment, as well as unity among all ethnic groups. Basic rights of the residents, including the rights to life, health and development are guaranteed. These are undeniable facts.

Any one that respects facts would give China a fair comment on the country's obvious progress in human rights protection.

In recent years, a total of more than 1,200 diplomats, officials of international organizations, journalists and religious personnel from over 100 countries have visited Xinjiang and seen the region with their eyes. What they witnessed was entirely different from some Western media reports.

Renowned French author Maxime Vivas recently published a book about his two trips to the autonomous region, in which he, through his own experiences, reveals the reality of Xinjiang. "Countless lies are being spread by people who have never been to Xinjiang," he says in the book titled "Uygurs, to put an end to fake news."

Adama Compaore, ambassador of Burkina Faso to China said recently that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the World Bank, and countries including Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Thailand have all sent delegations to visit Xinjiang, and they appreciated China's anti-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts. He believes that some western forces hyping up the so-called Xinjiang-related issues are actually launching unprovoked attacks on China to serve their own ulterior motives.

Justice will always prevail. Friendly and developing countries have always had a fair and objective stance and supported China on a number of multilateral occasions. They backed China's position and measures on Xinjiang affairs with overwhelming voices, and strongly condemned certain countries distorting facts and aiding the evil.

Cuba, on behalf of 64 countries, made a joint statement at the 46th session of the UNHRC, urging relevant countries to stop using Xinjiang-related matters to interfere in China's internal affairs, stop making unjustified and politically-motivated accusations against China, and stop seeking to contain developing countries under the pretext of human rights issues. Besides the joint statement, representatives from many other countries have spoken out separately to support China's legitimate stance on Xinjiang-related matters.

All lies will be shattered by facts, and rumors can only be torn apart by justice. These western countries had better abandon their ideological prejudices, stop double standard and political manipulation on human rights issues, and stop using Xinjiang-related matters to interfere in China's internal affairs and harm China's interests.
Over the next few years the amount of land for logistics use in Malaga will increase exponentially as there are plans for two large business parks. A recent report from the CBRE real estate consultancy highlighted the city's need for a further 300,000 square metres to meet the demand for storage and warehousing created by the increase in online shopping, especially as a result of the pandemic.

The new logistics parks will cover more than 700,000 square metres in total. The largest is to be north of Churriana, close to Malaga Airport. It will be 490,304 square metres in size and the developers, the Alvores group from Almeria, are calling it Parque Logistico T4.

More than 280,000 square metres will be exclusively used for logistics activity, with other plots for industrial, business and commercial use. "Situated next to the airport and with direct access from the A7, over the next few years it will become a connection between east and west Andalucia, a centre of operations for supply chains in southern Spain and a connection point with north Africa," says Alvores.

The other logistics park which is being planned will be developed by Seville-based Edificalia. It will occupy 223,439 square metres south of the access to the PTA technology park from the Guadalhorce motorway, in Campanillas. This location, and its connection to the fast road, will make it ideal for distribution companies.

This project, designed by the Angel Asenjo architectural studio, will need an environmental impact report from the Junta de Andalucia before going ahead, and the developers have asked Malaga city council's planning department to organise that.

The plans for this park concentrate the logistics activity in the centre of the site. There will be green zones on the side facing the motorway, with which it will also have a connection.
A brave father who was stabbed four times with a kitchen knife after chasing down two alleged car thieves has spoken about the terrifying ordeal.

Stephen Grech, 51, was at his family home in Rouse Hill, in Sydney's north-west, when he noticed two men were stealing his wife's car around 12.30am on Saturday.

Fearing for the safety of his family, the father-of-two sprinted out to his driveway and called out to the men, who exited the vehicle and fled the scene.

Propelled by adrenaline, Mr Grech jumped into his car and followed the men to a nearby street where he confronted the intruders.

During a physical altercation, the father was stabbed four times in the back and leg.

Stephen Grech, 51, (pictured) was stabbed four times after chasing down two alleged car thieves from his property in Rouse Hill, north-west Sydney

'I saw a large kitchen knife in his hand, I felt the back of my pantswetness,' Grech told 7NEWS.

'(I) realised I'd been stabbed.'

After the men fled on foot, Mr Grech was somehow able to drive the short distance home, where his wife and 12-year-old son helped to stem the bleeding from his injuries.

Emergency services were called to the home, where the 51-year-old was treated by paramedics before being transferred to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition.

'The (stab wound) at the top of my spine actually hit my vertebrae, so it was lucky not to get nerve damage, spinal cord damage,' he said.

His CCTV camera alerted him to the presence of two men in and around his wife's vehicle (left) around 12:30am on Saturday night

Mr Grech said he regrets confronting the intruders but feared for the safety of his family and his community.

'I just want these perpetrators to be caught,' he said.

'Safety for, not just my family, but other people.'

Police believe the two males are teenagers of Islander appearance.

The Hills Police Area Command have established a crime scene, with detectives investigating the incident as they continue to hunt for the two perpetrators.

Police have urged anyone who may have CCTV footage or dash cam vision of the incident to get in contact with authorities.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Conservationists in Russia have hailed a rare sighting of an Amur leopard mother and her three cubs as proof of the country's effort to bolster their numbers. Amur leopards are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red list and in a bid to tackle their fast diminishing numbers, Russia has launched a variety of conservation programmes. Some of those programmes include artificial breeding in closed spaces.

Captured in Primorye

A rare video of the endangered cat mother and her kids was captured by scientists in Land of Leopard National Park, Primorye. For this purpose, they used remote camera traps. In the video, the young mother, identified as Leo 117F, is seen spotting a mystery animal and then leaving the scene, apparently walking closer towards it. Soon her cubs also discover the animal and begin to watch their mothers interaction with the intruder intently, the Guardian reported citing the Russian national park.

Expressing joy, Ivan Rakov, spokesman for the national park, told the Guardian that it was the first time that the four-year-old Leo 117F was caught on camera. Furthermore, he said that they were joyed that she was able to raise a family. Over the past 20 years, the number of Amur leopards in Russia has grown to around 100 from 35.

In recent years, Russia has put considerable efforts into boosting its leopard population. Earlier in December, two Persian leopards landed in Moscow to join a program for the reintroduction of leopards into the wild. The leopards, an eight-year-old female and a nine-year-old male, travelled from a Stockholm zoo by plane to Moscow via Dubai. They are being taken to the Center for Reintroduction of the Leopard in the Caucasus in the Sochi National Park, near the southern Russian city of Sochi.

Image: The Land of the Leopard national/Phys.org
Some businesses dont have the option of allowing employees to work from home.

That is the case for the service industry.

The COVID-19 pandemic is proving specifically challenging for areas of home repair, plumbing, contractors and carpet installations, where working from home is not an option. These types of businesses have to adjust how they operate to keep people safe, while also continuing to meet customers expectations.

Giant Floor, which has locations in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Bartonsville, is a popular longtime source people go to when they need carpets installed in their homes or businesses. But going into peoples homes has proved extremely challenging since the dawn of the pandemic, according to Scranton store manager John Rostock.

Going out to install and measure has definitely been very tough, Rostock said. We always mask up, but some people still arent very comfortable with people coming into their homes. Some of our installers are also a little bit uncomfortable, so we have tried to accommodate them as best as we could.

When the pandemic started last March, Giant Floor found new ways to reach customers who were looking for repairs and installations. Owner Roman Rubando said walk-in traffic at the 40,000-square-foot facility was extremely low. A lot of customer service calls were moved to phone conferences.

We would send pictures of the carpet to the customer, and they would tell us whether that was the material they were looking for, Rubando said.

After a customer would pick out a carpeting material, Rubando said he would leave the material out on the docks and set up a pickup time. When the customer got there they would not have to leave their car. The business was trying to make the buying process as contactless as possible.

Weve had to reinvent the wheel a little bit, Rostock said. But we adjusted and in the past couple of months business has started to rise back up again.

Rostock and Rubando know that when the pandemic is over, life will not return to normal right away. They still expect some people to feel uncomfortable going into stores and homes, so Giant Floor will continue to offer ordering over the phone and contactless pick-up, as well as keeping safety measures in place when going into peoples homes.

Even when all of the restrictions are lifted, our guys are going to keep masks on when going out to install, and will ask the customers if they are comfortable with them taking them off, Rubando said. I think enhanced safety measures are going to be a part of our business going forward, especially when going into other peoples homes.

Repairs needed

During the past year, many people in Northeast Pennsylvania spent a lot of time inside their homes. And a lot of them decided it was a good time to make some needed repairs. That keeps Joe Herwig, owner of Joe Herwig Heating and Cooling in Meshoppen, extremely busy.

Herwig and his four-person crew had a lot of calls in the past year from people looking to make improvements and upgrades to their ventilation systems, as better ventilation can be a protector against COVID-19.

Its been crazy with people calling asking for repairs to their HVAC systems, Herwig said. In the winter, people need heat, but its not just repairs, its people looking to install completely new systems as well.

Herwig tries to keep up with the workload as best he can, but because of increased demand, HVAC parts can be difficult to find.

Its been hard getting certain equipment, Herwig said. Sometimes you have to wait a couple of days to find what you need. Ive also had to look at shops all over the area, because a lot of the smaller shops I usually go to in Tunkhannock might not have what Im looking for.

Still, while keeping safety measures in place, Herwig said his business is going full throttle. With people being home more, he said, they are starting to see things they may not have noticed before.

People might walk in their bathroom and say oh, I never fixed that faucet or that drain  Herwig said. Some people will try to fix it themselves, they realize that doesnt work and I get a call. Its been crazy.

Even post-pandemic, Herwig expects calls to keep coming in, as people will continue to want new boilers and HVAC systems to make sure that their homes or businesses are safe.

Adjusting to life

Home contractors also have had to adjust to life during the pandemic.

John Vieczorek, owner of Roofing and Building Solutions in Tunkhannock, said his business while keeping up safety measures has not had to adjust too much, because most of its work is done outside where social distancing is feasible.

When youre working on a big roof, you can distance from each other, Vieczorek said. Of course, when I go into a customers house, I always have my mask on and keep my distance. Part of my job is going to look at the customers roof and theres no way that could change.

Although business for Vieczorek was slow the past couple of months, he said the winter weather played a big part in that. During the summer of 2020, it was nonstop projects.

Even though people have tried to do a lot of home repairs themselves during the pandemic, Vieczorek said that there will always be a need for professionals, which is why calls continue to come in.

Maybe some home repairs people can do, but roofing isnt something that people attempt to do themselves, Vieczorek said. Theyll always be a need for roofers.

These essential business owners say the pandemic taught them some important lessons, from how to conduct business to looking into the future.

Never take any sort of business for granted, Rostock said. You never know when things could change in the blink of an eye and you have to adjust.

The most important lesson Herwig learned is that jobs like his are never going away, because everyone will need services at some point.

Weve heard the term essential workers a lot the past year, Herwig said. Its great that people are finally seeing how important jobs like mine are to society, and I hope that continues for years to come.
Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM

News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.



Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens.
Liviu Dragnea cannot return to being a member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), after he will be released from prison, according to PSD leader Marcel Ciolacu, who also said that the former Social Democrat leader has never called him to ask if he will be welcomed back by the party or not.

"I am not a specialist. But in terms of stature, Mr Dragnea can no longer be a party member," Ciolacu told Prima TV private television broadcaster on Sunday. He also said that, in his opinion, the discussion regarding Dragnea's return to PSD is a "false topic."

"Mr Dragnea never called me from prison to ask if I would receive him in PSD or not. This is a false topic. What I can tell you is that I am sorry that Mr Dragnea is currently in prison," Ciolacu said.The former PSD leader, Liviu Dragnea, was definitively sentenced, in May 2019, by the High Court of Cassation and Justice to three and a half years in prison in the process regarding the fictitious employments at the Teleorman Directorate for Child Protection.
Saturday Night Live cast member Bowen Yang has been praised for an emotional speech calling on Americans to 'do more' to tackle anti-Asian hate crime after a string of violent racist incidents.

The comedian, 30, spoke of a 'bleak' two weeks for American Asians, which has seen six Asian women shot dead in a string of shootings at Atlanta spas and a grandmother fending off a racist attacker with a stick in San Francisco.

Describing the 76-year-old's experience, he said things were 'insanely bad' for Asians before adding: 'I'm just a comedian, I don't have the answers, but I'm not just looking for them online - I'm looking around me.'

His speech was widely shared online, with fans calling him a 'legend' and many repeating a Mandarin cheer that he mentioned which means 'fuel up'.

SNL cast member Bowen Yang spoke of a 'bleak' two weeks for American Asians in a segment this weekend

At the start of the segment, Weekend Update co-anchor Colin Jost introduced Yang as the sketch show's 'Asian cast member,' prompting him to ask, 'Wait, is that my official title?'

'That's how you told me to introduce you!' Jost said.

'Yeah, I set your a** up,' Yang joked. 'It feels good.'

Yang, who is SNL's first Asian cast member, described how 'things for Asians in this country have been bleak for the past two weeks, and all the weeks before that since forever.'

He went on to share tongue-in-cheek ways to help, including telling Asian friends 'they're so hot' and to 'amplify these Asian voices who want more Paneras in North Brooklyn'.

Turning to a more serious note, he continued: 'What can I say to help how insanely bad things are?. If someone's personality is punch an Asian grandma, it's not a dialogue. I have an Asian grandma, you want to punch her. There ain't no common ground, mama.'

Yang welcomed his friends donating to a Go Fund Me appeal for the grandmother but said they should take things further.

'Why are you telling me that you tipped your manicurist well? Let me know when you get on your knees and scrub her feet while she looks at your phone. Do more.'

Later he continued: 'I'm just a comedian. I don't have the answers, but I'm not just looking for them online. I'm looking around me.'

Earlier this month eight people - including six Asian women - were shot dead in a string of shootings at Atlanta spas including the Gold Spa (pictured)

His speech was widely shared online, with fans calling him a 'legend' and many repeating a Mandarin cheer that he mentioned which means 'fuel up'

After telling the story of Xiao Zhen Xie, the San Francisco grandmother who beat a racist attacker with a stick and now plans to give the nearly $1m she was donated by well-wishers to tackle hate crime, Yang said: 'That's where we are as Asians. Now come meet us there.'

He ended his appearance on a more optimistic note, telling the audience about a Mandarin cheer that means 'fuel up.'

'I don't know what's helpful to say to everyone, but that's what I say to myself,' he said. 'Fuel up. Do more. It's the year of the metal ox, which basically means a car. So everyone, get in, buckle up! It's no pee breaks! We ride at dawn, grandmas!'

The speech was greeted with a wild reception on Twitter, with Daniel Dae Kim tweeting: 'Thank you, Bowen Yang and @SNL. Yes, we're fueling up!'

Akilah Hughes wrote: 'Bowen Yang is a legend.'

The speech was greeted with a wild reception on Twitter, with Daniel Dae Kim tweeting: 'Thank you, Bowen Yang and @SNL. Yes, we're fueling up!'

Andrew Phung said: 'Bowen Yang is Crown! Thank you for your honest words, and needed laughs. Meet the Asian community where we're at. FUEL UP AND DO MORE!'

Naomi Ekperigin posted: 'Bowen Yang is the truth and the light!!!!!!!!!!'

And a Twitter user who gave her name only as Nadia added: 'Every single person needs to listen to what Bowen Yang is saying.'

Anti-Asian hate incidents have increased during the pandemic. Between March 2020 and February 2021, there were nearly 3,800 anti-Asian racist incidents reported to Stop AAPI Hate, according to Today.com.

Yesterday, one official in West Chester Township, Ohio, took a unique step in combating anti-Asian sentiment, stripping off his shirt during a town hall meeting to show scars from war.

The official made his daring gambit as anti-Asian violence continues to rise in the United States, including a mass shooting in Atlanta that took eight lives, six of whom were Asian women.

Investigators are still looking into whether the suspect in that case will be charged with a hate crime.

Lee Wong, 69, a Board of Trustees member of the town, was in a meeting on Tuesday night when he decided to display the effects fighting for the U.S. Army had on his body.

On March 18, grandmother Xiao Zhen Xie was attacked in San Francisco by a white man in his 30s, but she was able to fight him off with a wooden stick and ended up putting her assailant in the hospital.

In New York City, a 25-year-old Asian woman was urinated on in two separate incidents that occurred just days apart in the subway.
A prominent doctor's daughter and her lover allegedly robbed three service stations while armed with a rusty axe and knives.

Eleanor Rohana Ashford and her girlfriend Sarah Canceri are accused of stealing cash and cigarettes from three service stations in Sydney's southwest.

The couple, both aged 23, were arrested in the early hours of Saturday and charged with three counts of robbery armed with a weapon.

Sarah Canceri (left) and her girlfriend Eleanor Rohana Ashford (right) faced court on Saturday after they were charged with three counts of robbery armed with an offensive weapon

Canceri and Ashford allegedly robbed three service stations in Sydney's southwest while armed with a rusty axe and a knife

Police allegedly seized number plates believed to be stolen, knives, an axe, money and cigarettes from the Mitsubishi Lancer the couple were travelling in, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

The court heard police were called to a service station on Heathcote Road, Moorebank, about 11.45pm on Friday after reports cash and cigarettes were allegedly stolen by two people armed with an axe and knives.

Thirty minutes later, police were called to another service station on Newbridge Road, in the same suburb, where cash and cigarettes were allegedly taken.

At 1.15am on Saturday, police were called to a third service station, on Camden Valley Way, Edmondson Park where an employee was allegedly threatened with a hammer. Cash was also allegedly stolen.

Canceri and Ashford (pictured together) are accused of stealing cash and cigarettes from three service stations

The court heard Ashford's father, Wollongong surgeon Dr Bruce Ashford, was willing to drive his daughter to Wollongong Police Station every day if she was granted bail.

However, Ashford's bail application was withdrawn. She was remanded in custody to face Liverpool Local Court on May 19.

Canceri did not apply for bail. She will appear before Liverpool Local Court on Monday.
Hagerstown Housing Authority closes in on end of McCleary Hill project

After objections from neighbors, the Hagerstown Housing Authority's McCleary Hill project is done its first phase. Officials held an open house.
I recently watched three very different films; a Canadian Indie type feature, a Danish film with well-known Danish actors, including Mads Mikkelsen, and an Australian documentary by comedian and television presenter Shaun Micallef.

What each has in common was theme of alcohol consumption and its impact on the lives of those around us.

The Grizzlies (2018/2020, M for coarse language and suicide themes)

This film is having a limited release in Australia in March and is a wonderful look at the true story of the formation of a lacrosse team, created from a group of high school students in a town that had little hope and tragically a high suicide rate. [For a helpful film and resources to help prevent suicide see The Girl on the Bridge Film | October 2020]

Alcohol was the prime destroyer of the community, from the parents to the children. Drugs as well, but in this community, alcohol was the common drug of oblivion. To paraphrase what someone in the movie says what else is there to do but drink.

A new teacher Russ Sheppard the teacher, has his first appointment in Kugluktuk, Nanavut in the Canadian Artic. He decides to use his passion for lacrosse to connect with the students and to enter them in a competition. This is not a fairy tale story, but a hard-living, rough-edged look at what life is in communities without hope, and what can happen when hope is provided. While not a Christian focussed/faith film, the message is one that is consistent with many Christian endeavours that seek to have people reconsider their life and look to a better way.

The film made in Iqaluit had a cast that was 90 percent Inuit or Indigenous, as well as one-third of the crew. Professional actor Ben Schnetzer plays Russ Sheppard the teacher, and we learn that his though of one year became seven years. I appreciated his reflection: "It can't be trivialized to any type of hero," he said. "And, in fact, I feel like I learned a lot more from my students than I ever taught them."

Another Round (2020, M for mature themes and coarse language)

Billed as a comedy drama, this film is probably one of the most depressing comedies I have seen. The director Thomas Vinterberg is one of the founders of the Dogme 95 movement (a movement based around the idea of going back to the basics or simple focus of movies, with an emphasis on story and acting). As well as his Dogme films Vinterberg has made a number of interesting and more commercially critical films, including the very challenging film The Hunt, also starring Mads Mikkelsen.

In Another Round, four friends, all teachers at a Danish gymnasium (an upper level secondary academy with a focus on preparing students for further study), decide to personally evaluate a theory by a Norwegian academic that our normal human blood alcohol level is too low and should be around 0.05%; that is, this level of alcohol should be maintained in the blood. The idea is that with this level, one will be more fun and life more fun. The experiment varies from the initial level to that approaching what would be regarded as dead drunk. The story includes secretly drinking at the academy, and in fact drinking anywhere one can except after 8.00 PM.

I had no idea that under-age drinking was so socially acceptable in Denmark and that graduation culminated in binge activity to make any schoolies time pale by comparison. The issues that abound from excessive drinking are all on display here; marital and family problems, abuse, depression, job difficulties; a relative laugh fest only for someone who is so inebriated they cannot see the significance of the issues at their hand.

While there are some glimmers of change and possibilities for a new life for some of the characters, the freeze frame scene at the end made me wonder if the whole film had symbolically jumped off the deep end.

Shaun Micallefs On The Sauce (2020)

This illuminating three part documentary considers the past, present and perhaps future of drinking in Australia. There are a number of sad stories, from Micallef himself, and from alcoholics explaining their difficulties, medical treatment and family history. The pastime of casual drinking that has increased into binge drinking is considered in the context of the seemingly engrained need by some to drink. I was reminded of Proverbs 23, Saying 19 and the last part, When will I wake up so I can find another drink? (Proverbs 23: 35b).

This is a documentary series that helps one to think about the wide-ranging impact that a seemingly social activity can have on our own lives and in our communities.

Three cheers? Well, only two cheers from me.
Scores dead as Myanmar junta puts on show of force

WORLD: Myanmars security forces killed at least 91 people yesterday (Mar 27) in the bloodiest day since the military seized power, a monitoring group said, as the junta staged a major show of might for its annual Armed Forces Day.

Myanmarviolencemilitarydeathpolitics

By AFP

Sunday 28 March 2021, 09:22AM

A still from a video taken yesterday (Mar 27) shows protesters watching as smoke rises from a burning barricade during a demonstration against the military coup in Thaketa township in Yangon. Photo: AFP/Anonymous Source Via AFPTV.

The killings drew swift international outrage, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying the military had shown its willingness to sacrifice the lives of the people to serve the few.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the generals ousted and detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February, triggering a major uprising demanding a return to democracy.

Yesterday morning, the countrys capital Naypyidaw saw a grand parade of troops and military vehicles, with a speech by junta leader Min Aung Hlaing warning that acts of so-called terrorism were unacceptable.

By nightfall, the country had seen its deadliest day since the coup.

Local monitoring group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) confirmed at least 90 people had been killed by early evening.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned in the strongest terms the killing of dozens of civilians, including children and young people, by security forces in Myanmar today, his spokesman said.

The continuing military crackdown ... is unacceptable and demands a firm, unified and resolute international response.

Blinken tweeted that Washington was horrified by the bloodshed perpetrated by Burmese security forces, while Britains foreign secretary Dominic Raab called the day a new low for the junta.

Speaking to eyewitnesses and rescue workers, AFP has independently verified that at least 25 people were killed.

Violence erupted across the central Mandalay region as security forces opened fire on protesters, killing at least 10 in five different cities - one of them a 14-year-old girl in Meiktila.

Four men were brought to us dead, an emergency worker from Mandalay, Myanmars second-largest city, told AFP as she frantically tried to treat some of the dozens of injured.

A protester in Myingyan, who witnessed a man killed when he was shot in the neck, said the death toll will likely grow as security forces continued shooting across his city.

Today is like a revolution day for us.

In the Sagaing administrative region, at least five were killed in two cities - one of them a 13-year-old boy who was killed in the crossfire of a crackdown, according to a resident of Shwebo.

He was just sitting inside his house, said the resident, adding that the teenager had planned to become a novice monk.

In northeastern Shan state, security forces opened fire on university students - killing at least three - while in the tourist city of Bagan, a march through ancient pagodas turned into mayhem when one protesting tour guide was shot dead.

Terror and dishonour

The UN human rights high commissioners office said it had received reports of scores killed, adding that this violence is compounding the illegitimacy of the coup and the culpability of its leaders.

The EU delegation in Yangon called yesterday a day of terror and dishonour, while the US embassy said the security forces actions were akin to murdering unarmed civilians, adding these are not the actions of a professional military or police force.

Yesterdays bloodshed pushed the death toll since the coup to 423, according to AAPP.

Across Yangon, plumes of smoke rose above the former capital, which has emerged as a hotspot of unrest in recent weeks.

At least five were killed overnight after police opened fire when demonstrators gathered in front of a police station in the citys south to call for the release of their friends. Residents heard almost nonstop shooting through the night.

A baby playing on the street in a northern Yangon township was hit in the eye with a rubber bullet when police unleashed gunfire at nearby protesters.

Further north, near the notorious Insein prison, a pre-dawn rally devolved into chaos when soldiers started shooting.

At least one person was killed - a 21-year-old police officer, Chit Lin Thu, who had joined the anti-coup movement.

He was shot in the head and died at home, his father Joseph told AFP.

I am extremely sad for him, but at the same time, I am proud of my son.

Enemy of democracy

During his parade speech, junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing once again defended the coup and pledged to yield power after new elections.

But he also issued a threat to the anti-coup movement that has gripped the country since he took charge, warning that acts of terrorism which can be harmful to state tranquillity and security were unacceptable.

The democracy we desire would be an undisciplined one if they pay no respect to and violate the law, he said.

Armed Forces Day commemorates the start of local resistance to the Japanese occupation during World War II, and usually features a military parade attended by foreign officers and diplomats.

The junta announced that eight international delegations attended yesterdays event, including those of China and Russia - with a state media broadcast showing Russian deputy defence minister Alexander Fomin in the audience.

According to Russian news agency Interfax, the defence ministry announced that Russian-made military equipment - tanks, fighter jets and helicopters - took part in the parade.

Meanwhile, rebels in eastern Myanmar said they had been targeted by warplanes late yesterday, hours after the rebel group had seized a military base.

The strikes mark the first such air assault against the Fifth Brigade of the Karen National Union (KNU) - one of the countrys largest armed groups, and which says it represents the ethnic Karen people - since the military seized power.

The junta did not immediately comment, and there was no official confirmation of any casualties.
The attacker reached over a counter at 'Steph's Designs' in Washington Heights on Friday afternoon, and aimed for the woman's face.

Video Transcript

- New at 11:00, video of a mystery man slashing the manager of a clothing store across the nose. The footage shows the attacker reaching over a counter and aiming for the woman's face. This is from inside Steph's Designs in Washington Heights.

The attack happened yesterday afternoon. It was not a robbery. Police say, other surveillance tapes show the man at the store several times over the past week.
Dr. Deborah Birx said thousands of Americans died preventable COVID-19 deaths.

During a CNN interview, she said everything after the first surge could've been mitigated.

But some people, including Rep. Ted Lieu, responded by accusing her of enabling Trump.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Dr. Deborah Birx, a former member of the White House coronavirus response team, said thousands of Americans died preventable COVID-19 deaths and that everything after the initial surge could've been mitigated.

Birx was speaking during an interview with CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta for the network's upcoming coronavirus documentary that airs Sunday.

A clip of Birx's comments was shared on Saturday.

"I look at it this way: The first time we have an excuse. There were about 100,000 deaths that came from that original surge," said Birx, who served under the Trump administration. "All of the rest of them, in my mind, could have been mitigated or decreased substantially."

According to Birx, more than 80% of American deaths could have been mitigated: At this point, nearly 550,000 people in the US have died from COVID-19, per Johns Hopkins University data. The US reached 100,000 deaths by the end of May 2020.

Read more: Insider found 20 governors haven't gotten their COVID-19 vaccine. Here's who - and why.

Birx was a controversial member of the coronavirus task force and was often criticized for not explicitly pushing back on President Donald Trump when he contradicted the advice of public health officials and medical experts on preventing coronavirus transmission.

Some of that criticism resurfaced Saturday as the clip of her CNN interview made the rounds on Twitter.

Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu of California, who also served as an impeachment manager against Trump in January, accused Birx of being partly responsible for preventable deaths.

"The malicious incompetence that resulted in hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths starts at the top, with the former President and his enablers," Lieu said in a tweet. "And who was one of his enablers? Dr. Birx, who was afraid to challenge his unscientific rhetoric and wrongfully praised him."

Story continues

Many others on Twitter chimed in as well, accusing Birx of being complicit. Some also recirculated an old clip from March 2020 in which Birx praised Trump as being "attentive to the scientific literature and the details and the data."

She has since said she liked working on the road under the Trump administration because she wasn't "censored" like she was at the White House.

Some accused Birx of being "complicit" by not pushing back against Trump. Joshua Roberts/Getty Images

Another doctor interviewed by CNN Saturday said he agreed with Birx about the preventable COVID-19 deaths, but that it "happened on her watch."

"She was the White House pandemic coordinator. This was her job," Dr. Jonathan Reiner of George Washington University said. "And if things weren't being done to her liking, her duty was to stand up and speak up."

As for how many deaths were preventable, Reiner compared the US to Germany, a country he says had a "mediocre" pandemic response. And yet if the US had a similar number of deaths per capita as Germany did, only 300,000 Americans would be dead.

"A quarter of a million Americans would be alive today," he said.

Have a news tip? Contact this reporter at kvlamis@insider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured on Saturday said that there was no shortage of vaccines in Odisha, days after the state's health secretary blamed an irregular supply of doses for the state's poor immunisation numbers. Also, the central government announced that sufficient quantities of the COVID-19 vaccine will be given to Odisha based on the state's vaccination rate.

I have been informed that Odisha has sufficient balance of #Covid19 doses and that PM Shri @narendramodis govt. is committed to accelerate the #LargestVccinationDrive.



There will be no shortage of vaccines in Odisha or anywhere in the country.  Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) March 27, 2021

Dharmendra Pradhan assures, 'no shortage of COVID-19 vaccines in Odisha'

Pradhan in his official statement said, "I spoke to my senior cabinet colleague Dr Harsh Vardhan regarding panic being created by the Odisha government regarding availability of COVID-19 vaccines in Odisha. He assured me that there is no dearth of availability of doses of the vaccines."

On Friday, the Odisha government requested that the Central government supply COVID-19 vaccines to the state at least 15 days ahead of schedule so that the inoculation campaign could run uninterrupted. State health secretary PK Mohapatra wrote to the Union Health Ministry, claiming that other states were getting up to 3 lakh vaccinations daily and urging the Centre not to discriminate.

Odisha alleges Centre for discriminating among states for COVID-19 vaccine supply

Mohapatra in a letter said, "We are unable to plan vaccination sessions for even 15 days in advance due to insufficient vaccine supply to our state, is seen that other states are achieving up to 3 lakhs vaccinations daily due to adequate vaccine supply. It is requested that there should not be any discrimination between states in the supply of vaccines."

According to the Ministry of Health, in the battle against COVID-19, India has made substantial progress. Today (March 28, 2021), the total number of people vaccinated in the country has reached 6 crore. According to the preliminary study, 6,02,69,782 vaccine doses were administered across 9,85,018 sessions as of 7 am. As many as 21,54,170 vaccination doses have been given in the last 24 hours.

(with inputs from ANI)

Picture Credit: PTI

6th Circuit sides with Christian prof. who refused to call trans student by preferred pronoun

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A three-judge federal appeals court panel has ruled in favor of an evangelical professor who was punished by Shawnee State University in Ohio for refusing to address a transgender student by the preferred pronoun.

Reversing a district courts dismissal of his lawsuit against university officials, the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the allegations made by philosophy professor Nicholas Meriwether suggest the university may have violated the professors First Amendment rights.

The case has been remanded back to the lower court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

The district court had dismissed Meriwethers claims related to free speech and religious protections, ruling that his way of addressing the student was not protected under the First Amendment.

Traditionally, American universities have been beacons of intellectual diversity and academic freedom, the 6th Circuit opinion written by Trump appointee Judge Amul Thapar states.

They have prided themselves on being forums where controversial ideas are discussed and debated. And they have tried not to stifle debate by picking sides. But Shawnee State chose a different route: It punished a professor for his speech on a hotly contested issue. And it did so despite the constitutional protections afforded by the First Amendment. The district court dismissed the professors free-speech and free-exercise claims. We see things differently and reverse.

The ruling was celebrated by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal nonprofit devoted to cases on free speech and religious freedom that has won several Supreme Court cases in the last decade.

This case forced us to defend what used to be a common belief  that nobody should be forced to contradict their core beliefs just to keep their job, ADF Vice President of Appellate Advocacy and Senior Counsel John Bursch said in a statement.

We are very pleased that the 6th Circuit affirmed the constitutional right of public university professors to speak and lead discussions, even on hotly contested issues. The freedoms of speech and religion must be vigorously protected if universities are to remain places where ideas can be debated and learning can take place.

In his lawsuit, the professor contended that the university violated his free speech rights by dictating how he should refer to students in his political philosophy class in 2018 to avoid offending a trans-identified student.

The transgender student got belligerent and threatened to see to it that Meriwether, a member of the Presbyterian Church of America, was fired. Meriwether feels it would violate his religious beliefs if he referred to a transgender student by biologically inaccurate pronouns and titles.

After a complaint was raised with the school administration, a superior advised Meriwether to refer to all students by their last names and eliminate all sex-based references in class.

Meriwether objected to the superiors proposal and proposed a solution in which he would only refer to the transgender student by their last name while continuing to refer to other students with their proper titles and last names. Initially, Meriwethers superior agreed to that arrangement.

But later, Meriwether was told that the student didnt like being the only one in the class called by only their last name with no title. The student threatened to file a Title IX lawsuit. It was then that Meriwether was told that he would violate the university's nondiscrimination policy if he did not either begin calling the transgender student by the preferred title or simply refer to all students by their last names only.

Meriwether was told that he could face a suspension or possible dismissal if he did not change the way he addressed the transgender student in the class.

As the student continued to complain, Meriwether faced a university Title IX investigation. In the summer of 2018, Meriwether was given a formal warning and accused of creating a hostile environment for the student. The warning was reflected in Meriwether's personnel file.

For starters, the Title IX investigator interviewed just four witnesses, including Meriwether and Doe, the 6th Circuit ruling states. She did not interview a single non-transgender student in any of Meriwethers classes, nor did she ask Meriwether to recommend any potential witnesses. Indeed, except for Meriwether and Doe, not a single witness testified about any interactions between the two. Even so, the Title IX officer concluded that Meriwether created a hostile environment.

Under the universitys policies, a hostile environment exists only when there is harassing conduct that limits, interferes with or denies educational benefits or opportunities, from both a subjective (the complainants) and an objective (reasonable persons) viewpoint, the ruling continues.

But the Title IX report does not explain why declining to use a students preferred pronouns constitutes harassment.
Sampath Bank powers real-time online payments to Inland Revenue Department with LankaPay View(s):

Sampath Bank PLC has joined hands with LankaClear to become one of the first banks in the country to facilitate real-time online payments to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

Sampath Bank customers will now be able to make payments to the IRD, 24 x 7 x 365, directly from their savings or current accounts using the Sampath Vishwa Internet banking portal or the Sampath Vishwa app. Powered by LankaClears LankaPay Online Payment Platform, the payments will be credited to the IRDs bank account almost instantaneously, unlike cheque deposits and customers will receive a digital proof of payment as soon as they complete the transaction. These payment receipts can be viewed on Sampath Vishwa and downloaded as and when needed, the bank said in a media release.

Moving away from the traditional, cumbersome process of having to draw cheques, visit the IRD, and wait in queues, customers can make these payments confidentially from the safety and convenience of their homes and offices on their own, without having to step out during the current global pandemic.

We are witnessing a steady rise in the adoption of digital payments across Sri Lanka, with individuals and businesses choosing to move more of their transactions online. As a bank that remains committed to leveraging the power of technology to deliver greater value to the nation, we are actively working with all stakeholders to drive this forward. In line with this, we are delighted to join hands with Lanka Clear and the Inland Revenue Department to simplify the process of paying taxes. We invite our customers to avail themselves of the convenience and security of making real-time online tax payments through their trusted online banking portal, Sampath Vishwa, said Tharaka Ranwala, Senior DGM  Operations / Group Chief Marketing Officer, Sampath Bank PLC.

Furthermore, Sampath Bank is offering one of the highest payment limits amongst the partnering banks for these transactions and is actively working on enhancing these limits in the near future.
Musical notation has been branded "colonialist" by Oxford professors hoping to reform their courses to focus less on white European culture.

Academics are deconstructing the university's music offering after facing pressure to "decolonise" the curriculum following Black Lives Matter protests.

They are considering changing undergraduate courses after some staff questioned the curriculum's "complicity in white supremacy".

Professors stated that the classical repertoire taught at Oxford, which includes works by Mozart and Beethoven, focuses too much on "white European music from the slave period".

Documents reveal faculty members have proposed reforms to address this "white hegemony", including rethinking the study of musical notation because it is a "colonialist representational system".

Teaching notation that has not "shaken off its connection to its colonial past" would be a "slap in the face" for some students, documents state, and music writing studies have been earmarked for rebranding to be more inclusive.

Academics have also proposed that musical skills, such as learning to play keyboards or conducting orchestras, should no longer be compulsory because the repertoire "structurally centres white European music", which causes "students of colour great distress". It is also noted that the "vast bulk of tutors for techniques are white men".

A faculty checklist devised to tick off student demands notes that hip hop and jazz are on the curriculum at Oxford, providing "non-Eurocentric" topics of study.

Professors highlighted the issue of an "almost all-white faculty" giving "privilege to white musics".

As a proposed change, the list of "special topics" open to students would be relabelled as "an introduction to sociocultural and historical studies" to reflect the faculty's new focus.

The suggestions were put forward at a faculty "away day" at which staff discussed "enhancing the diversity of courses".

However, there was dissent from some faculty members, with one stating it was unfair for colleagues focusing on music from before 1900 to be accused of being concerned exclusively with music that is "Western" and "white".

The development of Western classical music and its notation predate the establishment of the trade in African slaves, both having their roots in medieval liturgical music such as Gregorian chanting.

Major figures in the development of classical music emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries - at the peak of the slave trade. The University of Oxford was approached for comment.

 Telegraph Media Group Ltd 2021

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
Reporter

Heather Bellow, a member of the investigations team, joined The Eagle in 2017. She is based in the South Berkshire County bureau in Great Barrington. Her work has appeared in newspapers across the U.S.
A witness told the Finnish court hearing the war crimes trial of Gibril Massaquoi on Friday, that the former leader of the Sierra Leonean rebel group the Revolutionary United Front gave then Liberian President Charles Taylor gold and diamonds in exchange for arms and ammunitions to fuel Liberias civil war.

Taylor is serving a 50-year prison sentence in a United Kingdom prison for aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sierra Leone. He has never faced charges for his role in Liberias conflicts.

Taylors selling of diamonds for the RUF was key in his conviction by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone. The trade became widely known as blood diamonds for the thousands of civilians who were killed or maimed in the RUFs pursuit of the diamonds.

On Friday a prosecution witness, who said he was once a special bodyguard to Commander Stanley, one of Taylors generals, said he knew Angel Gabriel, Massaquois alias, personally and used to see him when he delivered packages to his boss.

Chief Massaquoi, the witness told the four-judge panel, always brought packages to my boss man to carry to Taylor. I never knew what was in those packages until one day Angel Gabriel killed two old men who he accused of tampering with a package. And it is when we got to know the packages contained gold and diamonds. And in return, Taylor would send us to deliver guns and ammunition to General Mosquito at times, but most often we would give the ammunition to Angel Gabriel, because he was the spokesman for RUF.

The witness was relaxed and calm as he explained for the court the mechanics of the trade.

He said that whenever Taylor got a package, a pickup would leave the mansion yard and go to a yellow building in a fence near Kalano Gas station and they would load it with arms and ammunitions and cover it with tarpaulin. The truck would leave for Lofa by 1 a.m.

The witness said he had witnessed many Massaquoi kill many people in Combat camp and Lofa County. Massaquois apparent preference for killing on one day of the week earned him a nickname among the troops.

We, the Liberian soldiers, used to call him the Black Friday Master, because he did most of his killing on Fridays.4

The witness corroborated the testimony of earlier witnesses about a massacre in which scores of people were locked in a building and burned alive. He confirmed it was done on a Friday. I know it was Friday, because I saw people praying in the mosque on that day, he said, referring to the Muslim practice of Friday prayer.

The witness told the court that on the day of that massacre, he saw Angel Gabriel and other rebels, Jonny Paul, Sam Burkarie, also known as General Mosquito and Sierra Leonean Devil burn the people in the building. He said Angel Gabriel had decided to burn them because he had heard that they were protected by juju or magic, and could not be killed by gunfire. The witness said he and his boss General Stanley were in the nearby village of Masambolahun when they heard of Massaquois plans to burn the people alive in Karmatahun. They rushed to stop Massaquoi but it was too late.

By the time we arrived there, it was already late. They had already put gas on the building and set it on fire. My Boss Stanley was very angry with Angel Gabriel and asked why he was killing his people. Massaquoi told him they were traitors.

Massaquois trial is being held in the District Court of Tampere in Finland where he was relocated in exchange for his testimony against Charles Taylor and others in the war crimes prosecutions there.

The hearing is being held in a secret location in Monrovia to allow the court to hear directly from more than 80 Liberian witnesses. The court has ordered journalists to conceal the witness identities for fear of intimidation or retribution.

Earlier in the day, a witness said he who had been an officer of President Taylors Anti Terrorist Unit, (ATU) told the court that after his training at Gbatalah Base, he was sent to Lofa in late 1999 when RUF troops from Sierra Leone came to train with them. Burkarie had assigned Gibril Massaquoi to Kolahun in Lofa County.

The witness told the court that General Mosquito, was killed by Benjamin Yeaten, a top Taylor commander known during the war as 50. Mosquitos body was flown to Monrovia onboard a helicopter to show to President Taylor so he knew it was really Burkaries body.

Yeaten put Burkarie in a jeep and carried him on the high and those who killed Burkarie, shot him with gun but he could not die, so they beat him with sticks until he died, he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The witness had been calm until cross-examination when he became jittery and gave conflicting accounts. Called by the defence team, the witness was supposed to help Massaquoi establish his defence that he was not in Liberia when the crimes were committed. However, the witnesss continual contradictions undermined his testimony.

In one example, the witness had told police investigators that he and Massaquoi were on the scene when General Mosquito was killed. But he changed his story in court when said Massaquoi was not there. Massaquoi was on the run, he said, believing he too was to be killed on Taylors orders as Burkarie had been.

In another example, the witness told the court Burkarie had been murdered because he and his men were killing and terrorising the Liberian people. In the earlier police investigation interview, played for the court, he said Taylor told 50 to kill Burkarie because he could not afford for the UN to get to him first and reveal Taylors secrets regarding Sierra Leone.

Asked by the prosecution lawyers why he told the police a different story, the witness said, As a security man I cannot just tell anybody everything I know because I do not know who is who. So I did not tell the court that President Taylor told Yeaten to kill Burkarie.

The witness confirmed that Taylor had directed Massaquoi to be killed. But Massaquoi escaped.

A third witness, also a former ATU officer called by the defence, said he knew Burkarie when he was sent to Ivory Coast to get ammunition. He said Burkarie received seven pickup trucks filled with ammunition and was told by President Taylor to pass through Harper, Maryland County to bring the arms to Monrovia.

He also said he heard that the RUF gave diamonds to Taylor in exchange for arms and ammunition and that it was widely known that the car that left from the Mansion yard, was transporting ammunition, fuel and cigarettes for the troops in Lofa. And in return they gave diamonds to Taylor.

The witness contradicted an earlier witnesss claim as to how General Mosquito was killed.

He claimed Yeaten called Burkarie for a meeting at the Vice Presidents residence in Nimba County. When Burkarie arrived, he said, Burkarie refused an order to go to Ivory Coast saying the French army had taken over.

They all knew it was a trap to kill Burkarie when they called him to that meeting. So they took him to meet some new men that they said would be under his command. But Burkarie did not know the group was there to execute him. The men started beating Burkarie with sticks, and then Yeaten ordered them to shoot him instead. When he was killed, Yeaten instructed his men to take the body to the Ivory Coast and Liberian border. I was in Yorpea New town when they brought his body and I saw his body.

The witness had told the police during investigation that Massaquoi was there when Burkarie was killed. But he told the court, Massaquoi was not around when Burkarie was killed because by then he had run away.

The trial continues on Monday.

This story was a collaboration with New Narratives as part of the West Africa Justice Reporting Project.
When President Joe Biden took office, he inherited an asylum system left in tatters by the Trump administration.

Families seeking asylum in the United States were forced to remain in squalid refugee camps in Mexico. Children were intentionally separated from their parents to deter future migration, which the data show did not work. And during this pandemic, everyone who presented themselves for asylum was immediately expelled under an obscure section of law called Title 42. In effect, the Trump administration used every tool imaginable to close the border to everybody and, in doing so, inflated pent-up demand for humanitarian relief.

Last November, a federal court ordered the Trump administration to stop expelling unaccompanied children, recognizing that its inhumane and contrary to U.S. law to rapidly deport kids back into dangerous circumstances. But the prior administration sat on its hands and slow-walked an expansion of shelter capacity to manage an influx of people. The Biden administration is now continuing to uphold the law by processing unaccompanied children as humanely and quickly as possible.

This is the situation on the border today: a deep humanitarian crisis created by the failures of Donald Trumps immoral and ineffective policies. In 2017, he ended the Central American Minors program, which allowed children with parents in the United States to apply for asylum from their home countries rather than show up at the U.S. border. In 2018, he blocked $450 million in assistance to the countries of the Northern Triangle to begin alleviating the underlying drivers of migration.

The Trump administration had four years to address irregular migration, but instead it chose cruelty and incompetence over common sense, and scapegoated immigrants rather than work to solve a complex challenge. Republican politicians from Austin to Washington are complicit in this fearmongering and failure.

So now what? The responsibility to address this humanitarian crisis falls on the Biden administration and Congress. Vulnerable people fleeing violence, poverty and persecution in Central America are desperate to have their asylum claims heard. This is the minimum U.S. law requires  and its this legal process that we must rebuild after it was dismantled. Remember, no one treks over 1,000 miles through dangerous conditions for fun. These are life-and-death situations  and a generous and free people should extend a welcoming hand.

This process is already underway. The Office of Refugee Resettlement, the agency responsible for uniting unaccompanied children with vetted family members or sponsors, is working to process kids from Border Patrol facilities and into shelters with social services. As Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has said, a Border Patrol facility is no place for a child  and we must turn that into a reality. Biden also ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support these efforts, expanding shelter capacity to avoid overcrowding, securing $110 million to aid localities and nonprofits providing humanitarian assistance. This federal assistance will be welcome relief for the people of Texas.

Yet this is just the start of what needs to be done. This not the first time that the United States experienced an increase in immigrants and unaccompanied children at the border, and it wont be the last. It happened in 2014 under President Barack Obama, and again in 2019 under Trump. The cruelty of family separations and inhumanity of the Remain in Mexico program did not deter migration, it only delayed it. Clearly, an immigration policy based on deterrence is not working. We need a new approach.

We can start in Congress by working with the Biden administration to address the root causes of migration from Central America  violence, poverty, climate change, corruption  and also allow people an opportunity to apply for asylum in their home country instead of making the dangerous trek to our border.

Biden has already restarted the Central American Minors program and proposed a $4 billion investment strategy to tackle root causes of migration. We should also dedicate more resources to clear the asylum backlog. Congress must not shy away from providing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants here in the United States, including Dreamers and essential workers who have kept America fed, healthy and moving during this pandemic. These reforms are long overdue, sensible and supported by the overwhelming majority of the American people.

We cannot allow fearmongering about children seeking safety at the border to scare us into inaction. Now is the moment to finally pass immigration legislation. If not, this cycle of migration and fearmongering, and another humanitarian crisis on our border will inevitably happen again.

Joaquin Castro, a Democrat, represents the 20th Congressional District of Texas and is chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
MAKASSAR, Indonesia (AP)  Two attackers believed to be members of a militant network that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group blew themselves up outside a packed Roman Catholic cathedral during a Palm Sunday Mass on Indonesias Sulawesi island, wounding at least 20 people, police said.

A video obtained by The Associated Press showed body parts scattered near a burning motorbike at the gates of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province.

Wilhelmus Tulak, a priest at the church, said he had just finished celebrating Palm Sunday Mass when a loud bang shocked his congregation. He said the blast went off at about 10:30 a.m. as a first batch of churchgoers was walking out of the church and another group was coming in.

He said security guards at the church were suspicious of two men on a motorcycle who wanted to enter the building and when they went to confront them, one of the men detonated his explosives.

Police later said both attackers were killed instantly and evidence collected at the scene indicated one of the two was a woman. The wounded included four guards and several churchgoers, police said.

National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo told reporters when he visited the crime scene late Sunday that the two attackers are believed to have been members of the militant group Jemaah Anshorut Daulah, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and was responsible for deadly suicide bombings on Indonesian churches in 2018.

He said one of the attackers was believed to have links to a church bombing in the Philippines.

The attack a week before Easter in the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation came as the country was on high alert following Decembers arrest of the leader of a Southeast Asian militant group, Jemaah Islamiyah, which has been designated a terror group by many nations.

The Fellowship of Indonesian Evangelical Churches and Institutions (FIECI) condemned the attack, requesting prayer for victims and more respect for religious freedom. The group also called on Indonesian Christians to remain calm, handing over the investigation to government officials while reflecting on the love, sacrifice, and redemptive work of Jesus Christ during Holy Week.

Image: Yusuf Wahil / AP

Indonesia has been battling militants since bombings on the resort island of Bali in 2002 killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists. Attacks aimed at foreigners have been largely replaced in recent years by smaller, less deadly strikes targeting the government, police and anti-terrorism forces, and people militants consider as infidels.

Police have identified one of Sunday's attackers only by his initial, L, who they believe was connected to a 2019 suicide attack that killed 23 people at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in the Philippine province of Sulu, Prabowo said.

He said the two attackers were linked to a group of suspected militants arrested in Makassar on January 6, when a police counterterrorism squad shot and killed two suspected militants and arrested 19 others. Members of the squad were initially supposed to arrest the two slain men for their alleged role in the Philippine suicide bombing.

He said on Sunday police arrested four suspected militants believed to have links with the attackers in a raid in Bima, a city on Sumbawa island in East Nusa Tenggara province.

We are still searching other members of the group and I have ordered the Densus 88 to pursue their movement, Prabowo said, referring to Indonesias elite police counterterrorism squad.

President Joko Widodo condemned Sundays attack and said it has nothing to do with any religion as all religions would not tolerate any kind of terrorism.

I call on people to remain calm while worshiping because the state guarantees you can worship without fear, Widodo said in a televised address.

He offered his prayers to those injured and said the government would cover all costs of medical treatment. He said he had ordered the national police chief to investigate the attack and crack down on any militant network that may be involved.

At the end of Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peters Basilica, which opened Holy Week ceremonies at the Vatican, Pope Francis invited prayers for the victims of violence. He cited in particular those of the attack that took place this morning in Indonesia, in front of the Cathedral of Makassar.

At least 20 people were wounded in the attack and had been admitted to hospitals for treatment, said Mohammad Mahfud, the coordinating minister for political, legal, and security affairs.

Indonesia has been on high alert since police in December arrested Jemaah Islamiyah leader Aris Sumarsono, also known as Zulkarnaen. Over the past month, the country's counterterrorism squad has arrested about 64 suspects, including 19 in Makassar, following a tipoff about possible attacks against police and places of worship.

Jemaah Islamiyah was once considered the preeminent terror network in Southeast Asia, but has been weakened over the past decade by a sustained crackdown. In recent years, however, a new threat has emerged in militants who fought with the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria and returned to Indonesia or those inspired by the groups attacks abroad.

Indonesia's last major attack was in May 2018, when two families carried out a series of suicide bombings on three churches in the second-largest city of Surabaya, killing a dozen people including two young girls whose parents had involved them in one of the attacks. Police said the father was the leader of Jemaah Anshorut Daulah.

Days later in Washington, US Vice President Mike Pence met with the leader of Indonesias Nahdlatul Ulama, the worlds largest Muslim organization, to discuss religious freedom and extremism.

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) convened about 300 Muslim scholars from 30 countries in 2016 to denounce extremism, promote the protection of Christians and other religious minorities, and uphold Indonesia as a model. Last year, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) partnered with the humanitarian Islam group on an initiative to counter religious extremism, explained by WEA senior theological advisor Thomas K. Johnson last year.

Though the Nahdlatul Ulama has taken a decisive theological step by saying that Muslims must no longer describe non-Muslims as infidels, substituting the term citizens for non-Muslims, some extremists have not gotten the message, Johnson, who has written a book on the WEA-NU partnership, told CT. More such work is needed to fully remove the religious grounds for violence.

In 2017, religious freedom scholar Paul Marshall, a senior fellow at the Leimena Institute in Jakarta, explained for CT:

If the third-largest democracy on the planet succumbs to Islamic radicalism, then the future of the Muslim world and the rest of us looks dire. The major center of Muslim moderationand the major counter to ISIS and similar ideologieswill be undercut. This will affect us all.

Open Doors ranks Indonesia No. 47 out of the 50 countries where its hardest to be a Christian today.

Terrorism at churches during Holy Week is tragically common. Christians in Egypt suffered one of the worst Palm Sunday attacks in 2017, when dozens were killed at two churches. Meanwhile, Christians in Sri Lanka are preparing to commemorate the second anniversary of the Easter Sunday bombings that killed hundreds at three churches (and other locations) in 2019.

That year, Colombo theologian Ajith Fernando offered six biblical responses for when Islamist extremists attack churches.

Yusuf Wahil reported from Makassar and Niniek Karmini reported from Jakarta for The Associated Press. Additional reporting by Jeremy Weber for CT.
After a back-and-forth battle over masks, Austin and Travis County ended up on top.

On Friday, a Travis County judge declined to block Austin and Travis County's order requiring employees and customers to wear a face mask in businesses, according to a tweet from Travis County Judge Andy Brown.

WELL, THIS IS CONFUSING: Gov. Greg Abbott recommends masks days after deeming actual mask mandate unnecessary

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the Travis County officials after enforcing a public health face mask order not long after Gov. Greg Abbott lifted the face mask requirement in Texas. Abbott said business owners can decide on their own if they want to enforce it, but the city can not.

State District Judge Lora Livingston announced her ruling in a three-hour hearing held remotely via Zoom, according to the Austin American-Statesman. She cannot find that the state met its burden to demonstrate the right to relief it seeks, the Statesman reported.

In short, public health mandates are allowed under a different state law, which leaves the face mask mandate in place.

Although Austin officials won this round, the Statesman reports Paxton is expected to quickly appeal the ruling. However, for now, if you're in Travis County, mask up.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

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.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
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 
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Former President Donald Trump said he will visit the border in the next few weeks after he was invited by Border Patrol as he blasted Biden for undoing his 'Remain in Mexico' policy.

Trump also called getting rid of the Migrant Protection Protocol a 'very bad decision,' in an interview with Fox News' Judge Jeanine Pirro on Saturday.

'Well a lot of people want me to, the Border Patrol and the people of ICE want me there and have asked me to go. I feel I sort of owe it to them,' Trump said.

'They are great people doing an incredible job. It's impossible with what they have done to stay in Mexico should have been left. Now they stay in the United States, by the way, stay in and never leave.'

He added: 'Thousands and thousands of people are coming up right now as we speak. And you will have millions of people pouring into our country. It will destroy our country. It's a very, very dangerous situation.'

Former President Donald Trump said he will visit the border in the next few weeks as he blasts Biden for undoing his 'Remain in Mexico' policy

Trump gave a lengthy phone interview with Fox News ' Judge Jeanine Pirro on Saturday

Trump claimed that the United States will soon see 'millions of people pouring into our country' as he called it a 'very dangerous situation'

Former President Donald Trump waves after speaking and touring a section of the border wall in Alamo, Texas on January 12

Asylum-seeking migrants' families make a line to board a bus as they wait to be transported by the U.S. Border Patrols after crossing the Rio Grande river into the United States from Mexico in Penitas, Texas, on Friday

Trump said that he would 'love not to be involved' while taking adding doesn't think 'there's a rush' for him to go.

'You're going to have millions of people pouring into our country. It's a very dangerous situation. I would love not to be involved. Someone else is supposed to be doing it.'

Trump also touted his relationship with the Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and blasted Biden for ending that.

'He's supposed to go and make the decision to stay in Mexico. He ended that,' Trump said.

'It's incredible. We are not getting along with Mexico any longer. We have a great president of Mexico who was great to me.'

When Pirro mentioned that President Obrador had criticized Biden, Trump said: 'Good.'

'We had a great process with the President of Mexico, who is a terrific guy and a friend of mine. It was a strong process. Frankly they weren't coming into Mexico,' Trump said.

'By the time we got it going, they weren't coming in at Mexico's southern border because they knew they couldn't come into the United States.'

Trump also said that Mexico had 28,000 soldiers who stopped people from coming in to the United States, before then touting his signature border wall.

'The wall is just a few of weeks away from being completed. It took 2 1/2 years to start the because the Democrats in congress sued us 11 different times.'

Migrants arriving from Mexico sit before state troopers and border patrol agents at a roadside after they were apprehended in a vehicle in the border city of Rio Grande on Saturday

A group of migrants arriving from Mexico sit before state troopers and border patrol agents at a roadside after they were apprehended in a vehicle in the border city of Rio Grande, Texas

A group of people climbs over a fence as they walk with a U.S. Border Patrol agent after being caught crossing the border from Mexico on Saturday in Penitas, Texas

U.S. Border Patrol agents process a group of people they caught crossing the border from Mexico on Saturday in Penitas, Texas. The group made up of individuals from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala ran from the agents before being caught

A group of people climbs over a fence as they walk with a U.S. Border Patrol agent after being caught crossing the border from Mexico on Saturday in Penitas, Texas

A group of people waits to be transported after being caught by U.S. Border Patrol agents crossing the border from Mexico on Saturday

Trump last visited the border during his final weeks in office when he traveled to Alamo, Texas, to celebrate the completion of more than 450 miles of his border wall.

'We paid for it already. The contracts are completed. The wall should be completed by now. He stopped it almost on his first day,' Trump said when asked by Pirro the United States would still need to pay for the wall after Biden stopped construction.

Trump said the wall is 'new' and 'top of the line' addressing criticism from Democrats that fencing already existed at the southern border.

'They like to say it's renovated wall. We track wall down and built new wall. They like to say it's a renovation,' Trump said.

'It's technologically advanced with the wires and we are hook up for drones. We are hooked up for everything. This is great stuff. And they topped construction. So we have some open areas.'

Trump said that the Biden administration is filling those gaps with Border Patrol agents but claimed that would not be necessary with the completed wall.

'You don't even have to do that. They should finish the wall immediately. Stay in Mexico policy has to get reenacted. Which isn't that easy anymore. Now Mexico is angry at us. The other countries are not respecting us,' Trump said.

When asked by Pirro if Trump expects he will beat top Democrats to the border like Vice President Kamala Harris, he said: 'I'm not looking to have a race. I'm looking to get a problem solved.'

'This is going to destroy our country. These are people in a large way are not people we want in our country. You have criminals, murderers, rapists, drug dealers coming up,' he said.

'I got along well with the heads of every one of the countries, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador or Mexico. But they are not looking to have their finest people leave their country. But they don't mind if MS-13 leaves their country.'

Trump blasted the Biden administration for letting the unaccompanied children who have migrated live in squalor and not letting press in to document the situation.

'You have to see that squalor children and frankly people that have come into the country when you look at what's happening. The dirt and the filth of those places. That's why they are not letting the press in,' Trump said.

'If that were me the press would be going crazy. It's a very dangerous situation. It's horrible for our country.'

Since Biden was inaugurated, the United States has seen an unprecedented surge of migrants at the border as the number of unaccompanied children are on track to surpass numbers from May 2019.

U.S. border agents conducted 100,441 apprehensions or expulsions of migrants at the border with Mexico in February - the highest monthly total since a border crisis of 2019, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said recently.

President Joe Biden claimed on Wednesday that a 'surge' of migrants at the southern border started during the Trump administration.

Biden also blamed Trump for getting rid of a $700 million foreign aid program that would have prevented the migration surge by strengthening the economies of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.
Pro-IS terror network behind Indonesian cathedral suicide bombing The powerful blast at the church in Makassar city on Sulawesi island left at least 14 church officials and congregants injured while local police had said at least one bomber died at the scene

The suicide bombing at an Indonesian cathedral on Palm Sunday was carried out by two members of a pro-Islamic State extremist group blamed for other church blasts, including a deadly 2019 attack in the Philippines, police said.

About 20 worshippers were injured by the powerful explosion outside the church in Makassar city on Sulawesi island as they celebrated the start of Holy Week.

Both suspects in the attack were killed as they rode a motorbike into the compound of the church, setting off what authorities said was an improvised explosive device known as a pressure-cooker bomb.

A church security guard tried to prevent the two perpetrators from entering when the blast occurred, they added.

Late Sunday, National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said both attackers -- a man and a woman -- were members of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an extremist group also blamed for a deadly church bombing in Indonesia's second-biggest city Surabaya in 2018.

Prabowo did not give names or say how they were identified, but forensic examiners were performing DNA tests on body parts scattered at the grisly scene.

"There were two perpetrators killed, one is a man and another one is a woman," Prabowo said.

"They're members of the JAD group which carried out a bomb attack in Jolo in the Philippines."

It was not clear if the pair were a married couple.

An Indonesian militant and his wife -- members of JAD -- were blamed for two explosions that ripped through a Catholic church on the Philippines' Muslim-majority island of Jolo in 2019, killing worshippers at Sunday mass and security forces.

Two other militants linked to that attack were shot dead by Indonesian security forces earlier this year.

One witness to Sunday's bombing described hearing two "very strong" blasts and then seeing plumes of smoke, an attack that wounded about 20 church officials, congregants and security staff.

"There were several injured people on the street. I helped one woman... who was wounded and covered in blood," Yosi, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told AFP.

Story continues

"Her grandchild was also injured. There were body parts everywhere."

- 'Act of terror' -

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he "strongly condemned this act of terror".

"Terrorism is a crime against humanity," he said.

"I call on everyone to fight against terror and radicalism, which go against religious values."

Amnesty International said the bombing showed "complete contempt" for human rights.

The explosion at the main Catholic cathedral in Makassar -- a port city of about 1.5 million -- happened just after congregants finished celebrating Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, which commemorates Jesus's entry into Jerusalem.

It comes a week before Easter.

In his mass for Palm Sunday, Pope Francis said he prayed for all the victims of violence, "especially those of this morning's attack in Indonesia, in front of the Cathedral of Makassar".

Sunday's attack follows the arrest in recent months of dozens of militants suspected of planning terror attacks.

Indonesia has seen a string of attacks by Islamic extremists over the past two decades, including the 2002 Bali bombings which killed more than 200 people, mostly foreign tourists.

The bombings were Indonesia's deadliest terror attack.

In 2018, a dozen people were killed when a family of suicide bombers driving motorbikes blew themselves up at churches during Sunday services in Indonesia's second-biggest city Surabaya.

The family -- including two daughters aged nine and 12 -- and another family of five, which carried out a suicide bombing on a police headquarters, all belonged to the same Koran study group.

They were also linked to JAD, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

JAD first gained notoriety in 2016 for a gun and suicide bomb attack in the capital Jakarta that killed four civilians and four attackers -- including one who blew himself up at a Starbucks outlet.

It was the first attack claimed by Islamic State in Southeast Asia.

str-hrl/pb/jfx
State-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation plans to borrow as much as $20 billion over the next five years to make up for an expected shortfall in funding, reported Bloomberg, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The Kuwait oil giant will need the money to maintain the petrostates crude-production levels, stated the person on condition of anonymity.

The borrowing plan underscores how badly Persian Gulf countries were impacted by the drop in crude prices last year as the coronavirus pandemic spread and energy demand plunged, said the report.

The company remits almost everything it generates from crude sales to the Opec members government. It then gets reimbursed in installments to fund capital expenditure, mainly for upstream operations and investments in oil fields, it stated.

The firm may face a deficit of KD6 billion ($20 billion) over five years, though it hopes to minimize the gap by becoming more efficient, reported Bloomberg.



KPC plans to cover the shortfall by issuing debt, including on international markets. The situation will be reviewed every six months to assess the companys needs and borrowing costs, said the report citing the source.

The Opec members financial position - like that of almost all major oil producers - took a hit last year when the virus grounded planes and shut down businesses across the world.

The government faced a cashflow crisis and it instructed KPC to transfer more than KD7.5 billion in dividends to the Treasury, but which the Supreme Petroleum Council had previously said could be retained, said the source.

KPC has since reached a preliminary agreement to repay the sum over 15 years. That helps but wont solve the companys problem, the person added.
US officials deliberately held a phone call with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab over an insecure line to allow the Chinese government to eavesdrop on their discussions about the origins of the coronavirus, Washington sources have told The Mail on Sunday.

Shortly before leaving office with President Donald Trump in January, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo used the call to inform Mr Raab of his plan to point the finger at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, suggesting the pandemic arose following a leak from a laboratory.

A Washington source said Mr Raab had been 'very supportive' during the phone call, which also included the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada and New Zealand  the intelligence sharing group of nations known as Five Eyes  in late December.

US officials deliberately held a phone call with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab over an insecure line to allow the Chinese government to eavesdrop on their discussions about the origins of the coronavirus, Washington sources have told The Mail on Sunday

The source said: 'We did it on an open phone to ensure the Chinese could hear it. We were sending a message  we wanted to tell the Chinese.

'They have been prevaricating from day one, refusing to give us or you Brits any information day after day.

'So the Secretary of State, based on the frustration between the State Department and our closest allies by the end of the year, wanted to send a clear message.'

However, a UK Government source said Mr Raab had not endorsed Mr Pompeo's actions, and merely 'listened as Pompeo set out what he was planning to do'.

Shortly before leaving office with President Donald Trump in January, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo used the call to inform Mr Raab of his plan to point the finger at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, suggesting the pandemic arose following a leak from a laboratory

Two weeks later, Mr Pompeo announced that US intelligence agencies had identified workers at the WIV who had fallen ill with Covid-like symptoms in autumn 2019, weeks before the alarm was raised.

He also said that WIV scientists were working on secret military projects and experimenting with a bat coronavirus very similar to the one which causes Covid.

State Department officials, now reporting to Joe Biden, do not believe the virus leak was deliberate, rather that it was a catastrophic accident caused by poor safety procedures.
I received a remarkable email the other day. It said: Good morning, The doctor has asked if you would be so kind as to complete a Google review? If you are happy to do so, please follow the below link. Best wishes.

Its not that I dont love a review; I have a deep respect and voracious appetite for the art form. I can sink hours into reading consumer reviews for kitchen peelers; lamps; pizza restaurants. I believe review-writing to be noble, important work, and so I rarely do it.

When prompted, Ive written customer reviews for eyebrow ladies and sewists and bakers that would make you weep. But Ive never been asked to review a doctor, and doctors have been a prominent feature of my life for as long as I can remember, as inevitable and regular as teachers in my sicky childhood; their presence or absence representing a continuous low-level dread as a sicky adult.

The doctor has asked if you would be so kind. Several feelings at once: impressed and grateful, even moved, disgusted by my own gratitude and low expectations, vulnerable. I had a spiteful #girlboss impulse to reply with an invoice, my invented rate per word, a reflexive urge to say that I, too, am a professional, who does free emotional/actual labour for no man.

I had seen this consultant twice before being referred to a different specialist; he had been perfectly nice and at no point made me want to cry, which is as much as I ever dare hope.

I would happily appear on a panel about drying racks, but I dont know what it means to review a doctor. There seems, especially now, something indecent or ungrateful about it. Its definitely not Catholic, thats for sure.

I understand the metric for eyebrow ladies: I like my eyebrows to feel seen, to know that she has understood them, and me. The woman who told me that I wasnt allowed keep the straggly bits at the end of my brows, because I obviously didnt fill them in every day and it just looked desperate (I had been nurturing them for a couple of years) got five stars for balls of steel, and for not asking if I would like my upper lip done too.

I understand exactly what makes an excellent brow appointment (the little head rub at the end).

I came back to the secretarys email several times, clicking through to the link and looking at the expectant text box, blinking nauseously below his approachable headshot.

After a couple of weeks, I decided I should just keep it simple. I typed: Dr S is a kind man. No, that was bold, sweeping, presumptuous (who do I think I am?). I added, I think. Wishy-washy. I deleted it all and wrote, Dr S was kind to me. This felt insipid and overwrought, somehow pathetic. I replaced kind with nice. It became a meaningless stock sentence. I deleted it.

After a lifetime of middle-aged medical men looking at me thoughtfully from across enormous desks, heads cocked half in amusement, brows furrowed, here are the things Id like to know about a doctor: will they think Im mad? Will they deem me worthy of treatment?

Will my knowledge about my own body be mistaken for obsessive neurosis? Will they believe me? If this sounds like a low bar, you are a well person.

I dont know how to write a Google review for a doctor the way I dont know how to recommend a cafe on holiday. I dont know how to write one that will satisfy him, his secretary, my imagined readers (I worry about them) and me. Dr S couldnt make me better, but he didnt make me worse. Thanks for asking. Five stars.
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.
It would be no surprise if tomorrow's introduction of a new law aimed at stopping people going to an airport without 'good reason' (such as a work trip or family emergency) doesn't bring back awkward memories for Sir Keir Starmer.

Last month, he travelled to Heathrow Airport for what became a much mocked photo op in which he tried to present a macho image of himself to voters by standing next to heavily armed policemen and border security officials.

Word reaches me that this vanity session at Terminal 2, ostensibly to check preparations for the new Covid border regime, resulted in a stern rebuke from Home Office mandarins.

They raised concerns with Labour lackeys over the security implications of showing footage of Sir Keir posing next to the airport's border control area and its new testing centre.

Keir Starmer travelled to Heathrow Airport in what turned out to be a much-mocked photo op

Senior officials even wrote to Sir Keir's office about a video of briefings with Border Force that broadcasters put online, asking for it to be taken down. Labour last night said the airport visit was signed off by the Home Office.

Separately, I'm told the former human rights barrister has been getting advice on how to come across less 'lawyery'  a profession that tends to attract people full of self-regard, aloof in demeanour and stuffy.

Sir Keir's professed love of Northern Soul music  he revealed on Desert Island Discs that he used to do 'flips, spins and back-drops'  has yet to lead to any photo opportunities on the dancefloor as nightclubs remain closed. So airports it is for now.

Just before his Heathrow trip, Sir Keir rebuked Boris Johnson for having three taxpayer-funded photographers. How ironic that the PM has the opposite problem to his Labour rival: trying to replace a reputation for buffoonery with gravitas.

I have a suggestion for both men. Instead of 5,000 fines for people travelling without good reason to airports, politicians could be charged for vanity shoots there.

It would be a useful revenue-raiser for the Treasury. Perhaps David Cameron could suggest it to Rishi Sunak, in the same way he reportedly sent text messages to the Chancellor's private phone trying to secure state loans for a company he worked for.

PM plays it by the books at Number 10

Boris Johnson is about to restore an old tradition of Ministers donating books to the Prime Minister's library, I can reveal.

Officials are due to ask everyone in the Cabinet to send in a book to beef up the No 10 collection. They will also get a special book-plate to sign.

The tradition, started by Ramsay MacDonald in 1931, is understood to have stopped under Tony Blair.

The PM will also select a book. As the author of several, will he resist the temptation to pick one of his own  such as his 2004 novel Seventy Two Virgins or 2007's Life In The Fast Lane?

As for colleagues, the looming reshuffle might affect their choices. Will there be a flood of copies of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel Never Let Me Go?

Boris Johnson is about to restore an old tradition of Ministers donating books to the Prime Minister's library, I can reveal.

Politicians are tripping over themselves to show their love of the Union Flag after two BBC presenters were reprimanded for sniggering at Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick's office flag during an interview.

And none is more prepared than Darren Henry, a newbie Tory MP who last year splashed out 176 at Flagpole Express  and put it on expenses.

The sum would buy several Union Flags and poles for the Broxtowe MP  who, incidentally, previously made headlines for suggesting people using food banks can't budget properly.

That said, Henry's spending is a snip compared to the cost of raising three flags inside New Palace Yard at Westminster for Commonwealth Day  including a Union Flag.

Freedom of Information data shows almost 7,000 was spent on the flags and poles.
People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti yet again pitched her demand for 'self-rule' and demanded a resolution for the Kashmir issue as per the agenda of Mufti Mohammad Syed. The former J&K CM claimed that a resolution along the lines of Mufti Mohammad Syed's agenda was essential to not compromise on the sovereignty of India and Pakistan. Terming Mufti Mohammad Syed's idea of 'self-rule' as relevant for Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti said at the party's Political Affairs Committee meeting at Srinagar that India wished to have peace with Pakistan as they wanted to expand their reach to Central Asia and claimed that Kashmir was the way for it.

"Dont ignore the Kashmir issue when you speak of Article 370. They want to change the narrative that the people want statehood and when they give, it and all ends. Kashmir is an issue and we want a resolution", Mehbooba Mufti said.

Mufti echoes Pakistan's Bajwa

Backing Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa's call for 'Indo-Pak talks', PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday, said that the Indian government should initiate talks with Pakistan. Addressing a public outreach program at Jammu-Kashmir's Chawlagam, Kulgam, the ex-CM echoed Bajwa's remarks saying 'Cannot reach peace without resolving Kashmir issue'. Mufti had previously also urged the Centre to talk to Pakistan, amid multiple ceasefire violations.

"The government should initiate peace talks with Pakistan, now that Bajwa made the statement. The government should understand the way of peace talks goes through the Kashmir issue. We cannot reach peace without resolving the Kashmir issue, people will have to face atrocities here," she said.

On March 19, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa called for India to 'bury the past and move forward' as the peace between the two neighbours would help to 'unlock' the potential of South and Central Asia. Addressing a session of the first-ever Islamabad Security Dialogue, General Bajwa also said that the potential for regional peace and development has remained hostage to the age-old disputes between the two 'nuclear-armed neighbours'. Bajwa, however, added that the burden to create a "conducive environment" is on India and noted the role played by the US in resolving the regional conflicts.

Mufti wants PM Modi to attend SAARC summit in Pakistan

Earlier in the month, Mehbooba Mufti had opined that a good follow-up to the LOC ceasefire would be PM Modi attending the SAARC meeting if it is held in Pakistan this year. Amid relentless ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the Director Generals of Military Operations of both countries reviewed the situation in a "free, frank and cordial" atmosphere. Consenting on addressing each other's core concerns, they agreed to strictly observe all agreements and stop firing from February 25. Welcoming this development, Mufti had asserted that dialogue is the only way forward if both countries want to stop the "unending cycle" of violence and bloodshed across the borders and Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to the media, she expressed hope that the focus will be on ensuring a long-lasting peace in the region. Moreover, she claimed that the emergence of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration and the Joe Biden administration had a key role to play in India and Pakistan recalibrating their stance. It is pertinent to note that the former J&K CM has been consistently urging the Centre to initiate dialogue with Pakistan.
Kerala recorded 2,216 fresh cases, including 23 health workers on Sunday, pushing the total infection count to 11.17 lakh.

As many as 1,853 people have been cured of the infections, taking the total recoveries to 10,88,522 as the active cases touched 24,582, Health Minister K K Shailaja said in a press release.

The virus caseload has mounted to 11,17,993.

In the last 24 hours ending 2 pm, 47,229 samples were sent for testing and the test positivity rate shot up to 4.69 per cent.

So far, 1.30 crore samples have been sent for testing.

The toll has gone up to 4,579 with 12 more recent deaths being confirmed due to Covid, the release said.

Of the positive cases, 92 have come from outside the state and 1931 were infected through contact.

As many as 1,29,264 people are presently under observation in various districts, including 3872 in hospitals.

(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.)
CALGARY - Canadian Blood Services is reassuring the public that blood donated by anyone who has had COVID-19 or who has been vaccinated is safe.

A blood donor clinic pictured at a shopping mall in Calgary on Friday, March 27, 2020. Canadian Blood Services is reassuring the public that blood donated by those who have had COVID-19 or who have received the vaccine is safe. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

CALGARY - Canadian Blood Services is reassuring the public that blood donated by anyone who has had COVID-19 or who has been vaccinated is safe.

"Given that COVID is a respiratory virus, there's no impact to the blood as far as transmission to a patient. There is no concern," said Chantale Pambrun, director of the Canadian Blood Services Centre for Innovation in Ottawa.

More than 955,000 people have been infected with COVID-19 in Canada in the past year and the long-term effects on survivors are still mostly unknown.

The blood donation agency has added some pre-screening questions about whether a potential donor has been exposed to COVID-19 in the past two weeks or contracted the novel coronavirus in the past 28 days.

Pambrun said individuals who are not feeling well after receiving the vaccine or long-haul COVID-19 patients still under the care of a physician are not eligible to donate.

Blood from former COVID-19 patients has been used in a national pilot project in which it was injected into people who had the virus. The hope was that antibodies from those who had successfully overcome the illness could boost recovery.

"This was realistically the only way to provide antibodies to COVID prior to any sort of vaccine being available," said Dr. Davinder Sidhu, a pathologist who led the project from the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary.

The project is now over and data is being analyzed. Canadian Blood Services is collecting the results to get a sense of community spread in different regions across the country

Sidhu, a clinical associate professor at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine, agrees there's no concern with blood donated by someone who has been ill or vaccinated.

"Typically our focus on exclusion criteria for transfusion or donation of blood is on HIV and certain types of parasitic infections," he said.

"COVID is not on that list."

About 400,000 of Canada's 37 million population give blood on a regular basis.

Canadian Blood Services operates a national inventory that allows products to be regularly shifted around the country to meet needs. But the inventory has a shelf life  a year for frozen plasma, 42 days for red blood cells and five days for platelets  so it takes some work to ensure supply continues to meet demand.

So far, Canadians are still giving the 17,000 units each week that are required to meet that demand. Part of that success has been due to new donors and limited resumption of mobile clinics at sites where physical distancing is possible, Pambrun said.

"We service over 600 hospitals. So far, we've been able to keep up."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2021

 Follow @BillGraveland on Twitter
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-29 02:34:04|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

AMMAN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Jordan will extend partial curfew to May 15 to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country, its media minister said Sunday.

In a press briefing in capital Amman, Jordan's Minister of State for Media Affairs Sakher Dudin said the partial curfew and restrictions on movement were scheduled to end by March, but the government has made the decision to extend them until May 15 as the situation is "worrying."

Businesses will be allowed to operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time while public movement will be restricted between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Total lockdown will be imposed on Fridays and wedding halls and gyms will be closed.

Highlighting the rising number of COVID-19 fatalities, infections and the positive rate, Dudin said the spread of COVID-19 has reached alarming levels in Jordan, noting that admission for COVID-19 patients is higher than the number of those discharged from hospitals.

"We are still in a dangerous stage that requires more caution and commitment, as well as cooperation," he added.

On Sunday, Jordan reported 82 COVID-19 deaths and 7,183 confirmed infections, raising the death toll to 6,554 and the caseload to 589,316, said a statement by its health ministry. Enditem
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Walking into Janell Langfords CJs Temporal Lobby inside Meow Wolfs House of Eternal Return, one can see its a womans world.

This is a world I want to live in, says Langford energetically.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Langfords brand is called Obsidiopolis and the room aims to empower Black women.

The name was inspired by obsidian  a stone that shields against negativity and enhances truth.

This colorful world has lived in Langfords brain for some time.

She worked on the room for over a year and it wouldnt have been completed without collaboration with the artists at Meow Wolf.

With imagination coming together, the room features graphic comic book panels, animation, interactive elements and sculptures. Most of all, it tells a story.

Langford says theres a lot of inspiration from Michel Gondry, who directed Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

But, as you can also see, my style is very flat illustration, she says. Very simplistic to use styles prevalent in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Langford also wanted the room to showcase the power of Black women.

Black women inspire me, they are they reason I create art, she says. They raised me. They support me. They give me strength. (The room) is so unapologetically Black. This is the work I wanted to see as a young kid growing up in Alabama.

Langford says her drawings are her superpower.

Even though I grew up in a house filled with chaos, if I was drawing, I was able to block out the noise and be at peace, she says in a statement. After high school, I started dating someone seriously and, at that time, I stopped drawing. The relationship became just as toxic and chaotic as my childhood, and I had completely forgotten about my superpower. I suppressed the one thing in life that was my home frequency. Once I ended the relationship, I started drawing again. The pain of the breakup led me back to drawing and a rediscovery of my inner creativity.

Langford says creating the room was very therapeutic.

Its a very fantastical, Afrofuturism world narrative that Im building, she says. It kind of mirrors the things that Im going through in life. So, if Im going through a hard time, its not like its a hopeless thing. For me, I can find different avenues to be inspired.

Online

Meow Wolf will be open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday & Monday. Tickets are available at meowwolf.com/visit/santa-fe.
Two weeks ago, I wrote of the Department of Justices overreach respecting some of the hundreds of January 6 defendants. On Friday the D.C. Circuit clipped the departments wings. I expect more such losses as time goes on and the Department must actually present evidence in contested trials.

The ploy of keeping in D.C. jails without bail some of the protestors who engaged in no specific violent acts at the Capitol until their cases can be heard was very obviously designed to compel them to plea bargain so they could return home to their families and jobs, and the three-judge panel wasnt buying it. If you think that there is a partisan tinge to their decision, youd be wrong, Judge Robert Wilkins was confirmed under Barack Obama; Judge Judith Rogers under Bill Clinton, and Judge George Katsas under Donald Trump. It was bipartisan.

The case made it to the Circuit Court upon appeal from a detention order by Judge Royce Lamberth (a senior judge first appointed to the bench by then-president Ronald Reagan). I mention the judicial appointment history of these judges as an antidote to the all-too-common implications that judges are always using the law to cover their personal political beliefs. Sometimes it appears they do. Other times -- like this one -- they are honestly applying the Constitution and law to the facts.

And they do so here in what was clearly the Department of Justices political effort to paint with a broad brush anyone who supported Trump on January 6 and to place unreasonable and unlawful burdens on those protestors in order to bolster overcharged crimes.

On March 14, I wrote:

Defense counsel in some cases asked, as is their right, for speedy trials. The government seems to be over its skis now, having heralded its charges against over 300 people, people as to whom the evidence of wrongdoing seems disputable as the government seeks to portray a grand conspiracy when, at best, it has only random acts -- mostly misdemeanors by dozens of people. Claiming they need time to proceed because they are investigating some vast conspiracy seems a convenient prosecutorial trick to keep people jailed for a long time in order to compel plea agreements from people who are employed, have stable family and community relations, and no criminal history.

The unblinkered Circuit Court panel seems to have seen clearly through this maneuver. Two of the judges, Wilkins and Rogers, ordered the case returned to Lamberth to apply what it said was the appropriate standard for denying bail. In the majority opinion, Judge Wilkins distinguished between what constituted dangerous behavior and what did not:

In our view, those who actually assaulted police officers and broke through windows, doors, and barricades, and those who aided, conspired with, planned or coordinated such actions, are in a different category of dangerousness than those who cheered on the violence or entered the Capitol after others cleared the way.

Judge Katsas wrote a partial dissent on how to proceed (he would have reversed and remanded the case, effectively securing the defendants speedier release from jail). After he expressed agreement with the majority opinion, he presented a clear description of the claimed offenses and the applicable law:

How the Case Made it to the Court of Appeals

These appeals present the question whether Eric Munchel and his mother, Lisa Eisenhart, may be detained pending trial for their participation in the riot at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. The answer to that question does not turn on any generalized, backward-looking assessment of the rioters or the riot, as the district court erroneously suggested. Instead, it turns on a specific, forward- looking assessment of whether Munchel and Eisenhart as individuals currently pose an unmitigable threat to public safety. My colleagues and I agree on this critical point about the governing legal standard in these appeals.

The Applicable Law

The Bail Reform Act permits pretrial detention in only carefully defined circumstances. United States v. Simpkins, 826 F.2d 94, 9596 (D.C. Cir. 1987). To support detention, a court must find that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the appearance of the person as required and the safety of any other person and the community. 18 U.S.C.  3142(e)(1). In assessing public safety and flight risk, courts must consider four factors: (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense charged, (2) the weight of the evidence against the person, (3) the history and characteristics of the person, and (4) the nature and seriousness of the danger to any person or the community that would be posed by the persons release. Id.  3142(g). For the public-safety determination, the government must prove all relevant facts by clear and convincing evidence, id.  3142(f)(2), and we review all relevant findings for clear error, United States v. Smith, 79 F.3d 1208, 1209 (D.C. Cir. 1996).

Other Measures Besides Jail Were Available

In this case, a magistrate judge concluded that neither Munchel nor Eisenhart is a flight risk and that neither would pose a safety risk if subjected to conditions including home detention, GPS monitoring, a ban on possessing firearms, a ban on travel to Washington, D.C, and supervision by the U.S. Pretrial and Probation Services System. Munchel Mag. Tr. at 177, 181, 18589; Eisenhart Mag. Tr. at 152, 163, 16466. The district court agreed that Munchel and Eisenhart do not present a flight risk, but found that no combination of release conditions would reasonably ensure public safety. United States v. Munchel, No. 1:21-CR-118-RCL, 2021 WL 620236, at *1, *5, *7 (D.D.C. Feb. 17, 2021). [snip]But as the court itself acknowledged, [t]he record contains no evidence indicating that, while inside the Capitol, Munchel or Eisenhart vandalized any property or physically harmed any person.

The Defendants Conduct on January 6

Munchel and Eisenhart did not organize the election protest or the ensuing march to the Capitol, hatched no advance plan to enter the Capitol, and acted in concert with no other protestors. Nor did they assault any police officers or remove any barricades in order to breach Capitol security. They decided to enter the Capitol only after others had already done so forcibly. By the time they made their way to the building, police were making no attempt to stop or even discourage protestors from entering. To go inside, Munchel and Eisenhart walked through an open door. While there, they attempted neither violence nor vandalism. They searched for no Members of Congress, and they harassed no police officers. They found plastic handcuffs by chance, but never threatened to use them. Munchels threat to break anyone who vandalized the Capitol was intended to prevent destruction and was addressed to no one in particular. [snip] Munchel and Eisenhart voluntarily left the building -- while many other protestors remained and before the police began to restore order. Their misconduct was serious, but it hardly threatened to topple the Republic. Nor, for that matter, did it reveal an unmitigable propensity for future violence.

Other Relevant Factors Respecting Bail

Munchel maintained employment until his arrest, has no history of violence, has no prior felony convictions, and is not a member of any anti-government or militia group. [snip] Both appellants voluntarily surrendered to the FBI. Munchel took affirmative steps to preserve the evidence in his cellphone and arranged to provide it to the government. Id. at 176. Before her arrest warrant had even issued, Eisenhart established daily contact with the FBI so that she could turn herself in as soon as it did. Eisenhart Mag. Tr. at 152. The third factor thus cuts strongly in favor of release. In evaluating the nature and seriousness of any danger, the district court highlighted statements that Munchel and Eisenhart made to the media on January 7. Munchel said that [t]he point of getting inside the building is to show them that we can, and we will, Munchel, 2021 WL 620236, at *6, while Eisenhart, invoking the American Revolution, said that she would rather die and would rather fight than live under oppression, id. at *8. To the district court, these statements indicated that the defendants pose a clear danger to our republic and that Eisenhart is a would-be martyr. Id. at *6, *8. But the defendants actual conduct belied their rhetorical bravado. During the chaos of the Capitol riot, Munchel and Eisenhart had ample opportunity to fight, yet neither of them did. Munchel lawfully possessed several firearms in his home, but he took none into the Capitol. Munchel Mag. Tr. at 179, 182. Indeed, before entering the Capitol, Munchel and Eisenhart stashed a knife inside a backpack that they left outside, precisely for fear of ending up in federal prison. See Munchel, 2021 WL 620236, at *2. Moreover, even if their comments indicate some willingness to engage in future protests or disruption, the Bail Reform Act permits detention only to prevent an identified and articulable threat to an individual or the community. United States v. Salerno, 481 U.S. 739, 751 (1987). Here, the district court identified one such threat -- that Munchel and Eisenhart would attempt to stop or delay the peaceful transfer of power. Munchel, 2021 WL 620236, at *6, *8. But the transition has come and gone, and that threat has long passed. In the district court, the government warned of an upcoming protest scheduled for March 4. But that protest never materialized, and the government produced no evidence that Munchel and Eisenhart had been involved in its planning before their arrest. The governments gesturing towards the possibility of their joining future protests falls well short of any identified and articulable threat. Salerno, 481 U.S. at 751. [snip] Munchel and Eisenhart chose to trespass -- not to engage in violence, much less fight to the death. Afterwards, both voluntarily surrendered to the FBI, as the district court recognized in concluding that neither posed a flight risk. See Munchel, 2021 WL 620236, at *5, *7. Munchel preserved and voluntarily turned over his cellphone video. Munchel Mag. Tr. at 176. Likewise, even after he was identified as a suspect, Munchel made no attempt to hide or remove the firearms that he lawfully possessed at his home. Id. at 18182. As for the defendants attitudes towards law enforcement, the video shows that police did not seek to discourage their entry into the Capitol through an open door, Munchel iPhone Video at 38:48; Munchel and Eisenhart made no attempt to harass officers while inside the Capitol; and, as they were preparing to exit, Munchel encountered an officer and said Sorry, guys, I still love you, id. at 49:26. Finally, contrary to the district courts characterization of Eisenhart as a would-be martyr, she specifically declined to bring a knife into the Capitol because of her expressed concerns with federal prison. See Munchel, 2021 WL 620236, at *2. The defendants other personal characteristics -- which the district court acknowledged to weigh in favor of release -- further indicate that they are likely to comply with release conditions. Of course, we review dangerousness findings only for clear error, Smith, 79 F.3d at 1209, which requires affirmance if a district courts account of the evidence is plausible in light of the record viewed in its entirety, Anderson v. City of Bessemer City, 470 U.S. 564, 57374 (1985). But while the standard of review here is favorable to the government, both substantive law and the standard of proof favor the defendants. The Bail Reform Act requires a showing that no condition or combination of conditions would even reasonably assure the safety of individuals or the community. 18 U.S.C.  3142(e)(1). And it requires this showing to be made by clear and convincing evidence, id.  3142(f)(2) -- a heightened standard of proof under which the fact finder must give the benefit of the doubt to the defendant, United States v. Montague, 40 F.3d 1251, 1255 (D.C. Cir. 1994); see Addington v. Texas, 441 U.S. 418, 424 (1979). Putting it all together, because the record strongly suggests that Munchel and Eisenhart would present no safety risk if subjected to strict release conditions, the district court clearly erred in finding that the government had proved its case by clear and convincing evidence.

Why Pretrial Detention Must be Limited

In our society liberty is the norm, and detention prior to trial or without trial is the carefully limited exception. Salerno, 481 U.S. at 755. Because the district court clearly erred here, I would reverse its detention order and remand for the setting of appropriate release conditions.

As BuzzFeed reports, the Munchel ruling is already impacting existing cases of January 6 protestors being held without bail. Two Oath Keepers members, Connie Meggs and Donovan Crowl, were granted bond by Judge Amit Mehta (by the way, an Obama appointee) who relied on the Munchel decision.

The description of Munchel and Eisenharts conduct at the Capitol, a description based on evidence, not news reports, is more in accord with my view of what almost all the thousands of protesters exhibited -- no armed violence to persons or destruction of property; at best misdemeanor trespass which given the encouragement to do so by a number of Capitol Police even seems a dubious charge. This description is contrary to the perfervid press coverage and the bias it engendered upon which it appears that the Department of Justice was counting in the subsequent criminal court proceedings. The florid accounts in the press were in my view designed to tar any Trump supporters and justify surrounding the Capitol with National Guard troops, fences, and barbed wire. When actually facing evidentiary challenges, those accounts failed here.

Last time we were here 30 days ago, I was convinced that it was a plan to execute an incursion on the Capitol building, the judge told Caldwells attorney. Youve raised some evidence that, I think, rebuts that notion. The judge has since released other defendants, noting theres no evidence they assaulted anyone at the Capitol or, in some cases, dont appear to be as involved in the planning before Jan. 6. But Mehta on Friday ordered Meggs to remain locked up, calling him a danger to the community. The judge said his communications in the weeks leading up to the attack show he was planning for violence in the streets of Washington even if none specifically mention a plot to storm the Capitol. Prosecutors have also apparently been unable to get on the same page about what to say to the press. A judge recently scolded the Justice Department over a 60 Minutes interview during which the prosecutor who was leading the investigation suggested some of the rioters could face sedition charges. Former acting District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwins interview appeared to violate Justice Department rules and Sherwin is now under internal investigation, a prosecutor told the judge.

Its no secret that Justice Department counsel hoping for career advancement have in recent years relied on manipulated news to influence judges and jurors. Its long past time for adult supervision of excessive criminal charges and overly aggressive advocacy. As the hoopla about January 6 fades, I expect more losses for the department.
Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM

News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.



Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens.
JERSEY CITY  The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit is investigating a hit-and-run incident in the Heights that left a woman hospitalized, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.

The 31-year-old Jersey City woman was struck while crossing Palisade Avenue, south of Bowers Street, after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Suarez said. The driver, who struck the woman, fled the scene and the Hudson County Prosecutors Office is seeking the publics help in identifying the driver.

The Jersey City Police Department responded to the area around 9:09 p.m. on call of a pedestrian struck with serious injuries, Suarez added. The victim was transported to the Jersey City Medical Center and is in stable condition.

The vehicle, which struck the woman, is described as a four-door sedan, like a 2012-2014 Black Toyota Camry LE, and has a New York registration. It also has a missing hubcap on the right, front passenger wheel, Suarez said.

Authorities are looking for the driver of the car who struck a 31-year-old woman in the Heights.HCPO photo

The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and Jersey City Police Department are actively investigating this incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/.

All information will be kept confidential.

Ethiopian Airlines, Africas leading airline, is set to trial IATA Travel Pass, a digital travel mobile app to enhance efficiency in testing or vaccine verifications and restart travel.



As travel restarts, travellers need accurate Covid-19-related information like testing and vaccine requirements which vary among countries. The IATA Travel Pass initiative helps verify the authenticity of test information presented by travellers which is essential for ensuring the safety of passengers while complying with entry requirements of countries.



In future it will also manage vaccine certificates for travel. Ethiopian has gone digital in all of its operations to avoid physical contact and combat the spread of the pandemic and now we embark on this initiative which will allow our passengers to relish unparalleled flight experience.



Tewolde Gebre Mariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines said: Digital technology is vital to solve many of the problems that arise from the pandemic. We are glad that we are offering new digital opportunities to our passengers so as to fully and safely restart air travel. Our customers will enjoy efficient, contactless and safer travel experience with their travel pass digital passport. As a safety first airline, we are going to be among the first to implement IATAs travel pass initiative to facilitate travel. The new initiative will increase travellers confidence in travel, encourages governments to reopen their borders and expedites industry restart.



The Travel Pass will help create a digital passport, receive test and vaccination certificates and verify that they are sufficient for their route, and share testing or vaccination certificates with airlines and authorities to facilitate travel. The digital travel app will also avoid fraudulent documentation and make air travel more convenient.



Alexandre de Juniac, IATA Director General and CEO said: Ethiopian Airlines is helping to lay the foundation for a re-connected world in which health credentialsCovid-19 test results to vaccination certificateswill play a role. IATA Travel Pass securely enables travellers to control verified health credential data while sharing it with airlines and authorities as may be required in the travel process. Thats going to be vitally important when governments are able to re-open borders for travel. As an IATA Travel Pass trial partner, Ethiopian Airline customers will be among the first to experience its benefits.  TradeArabia News Service
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell announces plan to launch social media platform

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A prominent Christian businessman and outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump has announced plans to create an alternative social media site in the wake of censorship that he and other conservatives have faced.

Appearing on "The Charlie Kirk Show"on March 5, Mike Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow, discussed the censorship and boycotts that he and his company have faced after he made claims about targeted voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election before touting a forthcoming "big platform where they can't touch us, nobody's going to be able to come in, (and) we're going to have everybody's voices out there."

After spending much of the podcast running through the list of his claims of election fraud, Lindell elaborated on his proposed social media platform.

"I have a platform coming out, where all the influencers in this country will be able to go to and not worry about YouTube and actually be able to talk without losing YouTube," Lindell said. "That's how they're canceling us all out."

"People will be able to talk and ... not walk on eggshells," he added.

While he said it would probably take "four or five weeks" to launch his platform, he later said the platform would come out "in 10 days." Since the podcast was recorded last Friday, the platform, which he declined to name, could launch as early as March 15.

"Every single influencer and person on the planet can come there, you're going to have a platform to speak out," he continued. "You will not need YouTube; you won't need these places. So it will be where everything can be told because we've got to get our voices back."

Toward the end of the podcast, Lindell predicted that when his claims of a fraudulent election are vindicated, the country will experience "the greatest uniting of our country ever." He suggested that it will lead to "the greatest revival ever for Jesus."

"We're going to get God back in our schools, our foundations ... even our politicians. I only have one fear, and that's the fear of the Lord," he declared.

Lindell's announcement of his new social media platform came six weeks after he was permanently banned from Twitter due to his claims of election fraud. When Lindell began using the MyPillow Twitter account to circumvent the ban, the social media giant banned the company's account, citing a violation of its policy against "ban evasion."

Several major retailers, including Bed, Bath & Beyond, Kohl's and BJ's, cut ties with MyPillow as a result of Lindell's assertions about the 2020 presidential election.

Lindell is not the only conservative to face censorship from social media. Following the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol by a group of fringe supporters of Trump and others, Twitter permanently suspended Trump's account while Facebook announced that it was suspending his account indefinitely.

Others who've been targeted by social media platforms include a Christian professor who expressed concerns about President Joe Biden's policy allowing trans-identified individuals to serve in the military, a Christian magazine that asserted Biden's trans-identified nominee to serve as assistant secretary of Health and Human Services is a man, and the satire news site Babylon Bee, which was demonetized by Facebook for posting a satirical piece about Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii.

Due to the increasing censorship against conservatives and Christians by social media companies, a growing list of alternative social media outlets have emerged, with varying degrees of success. The list of companies branding themselves as alternatives to the Silicon Valley giants include USA.Life, Parler and CloutHub.
The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) on Sunday asked churches to limit the Easter celebrations to chapel activities.



This is because the ban on public gathering is still in force to contain the spread of COVID-19.



The Council said, in particular, that Easter conventions in public places, Palm Sunday processions and Easter Monday picnics must be avoided.



These activities have the tendency to spread the virus, hence could be celebrated quietly in our chapel buildings while adhering to the protocols, a statement to mark the annual Easter celebration said.



The statement, signed by Reverend Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, the Chairman of the CCG, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the two-hour duration for church services as announced by the Government was still in place and should be enforced.



It urged churches to continue to observe social distancing during service and intensify education on the wearing of masks, washing hands and using hand sanitizers.



The statement said preachers and choristers should also be in their masks when ministering, while churches must ensure that they sanitised microphones in-between use.



We encourage all members to avoid crowded places and to stay at home as much as possible, before, during and after the Easter festivities. We should also limit Easter-related travels and family reunions as much as we can, it said.



The statement reminded Christians of the essence of Easter as a period of personal reflection on the love of God, which He exhibited through the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.



Our reflection on Gods love towards humankind should lead us into genuine repentance and cause us to embrace the grace of God for our own salvation.

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
In this handout photo released by the Bangladesh Prime Ministers Office and taken on March 26, 2021, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) hands over the Gandhi Peace Prize given posthumously to the late Bangladesh's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to his daughters Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (center) and Sheikh Rehana, in Dhaka. (Bangladesh Prime Minister's Office/AFP via Getty Images)
Members of the No Border Wall Coalition gathered on Friday to protest a Republican press conference in town discussing the border wall, immigration and the recent cases of unaccompanied minors that have been found throughout other border cities.

The event featured members chanting pro-immigration rhetoric  such as Stop the hate, stop the fear; immigrants are welcomed here  and referencing the Capitol building siege from Jan. 6 from supporters of former President Donald Trump.

Advocate and head of the coalition, Tricia Cortez, led the protest and said that its purpose was to set the record straight on what she says is a Republican fear campaign involving immigration.

Todays event is organized by far-right groups and politicians that dont live or work here, and they are coming to our city to tell the rest of the country that we are in a crisis, that we are a warzone, that we are a battleground for the safety of this nation, Cortez said.

The event in question was the Republican-organized We the People Stand for Border Security rally, which was planned to last seven hours and host numerous speakers including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, although he was not seen at the event by LMT.

As a longtime Laredo resident, Cortez said that she and many other residents understand the ebb and flow of immigration, including its peaks and valleys. With that in mind, she lambasted any and all attempts to portray the city as unlawful or unprotected  specifically the notion COVID-infected migrants and/or children are pouring into the country.

I think we are just tired of these people using Laredo, using us, using these poor children in detention as a political prop, Cortez said. Its obscene and as un-Christian as you can get.

Earlier this week, Laredo Health Authority Dr. Victor Trevino stated that migrants are tested for COVID-19 once they arrive at the respective shelters, refuting the notion that they enter without proper testing. He also said their positivity rate has been low.

This is clearly a humanitarian issue, where these migrants should be treated with dignity and respect in line with our laws, Trevino said. Any individual that does test positive has been properly isolated to quarantine appropriately. The positivity rate from this population has been low along the border and had little or no impact in our seven-day positivity rate.

As the day continued for those attending the Republican rally, a gathering was hosted at Los Tres Laredos Park. Cortez stated that she felt that was ironic.

The irony is that this Save America Rally, they are inviting these people to this family-friendly picnic right on the river, downtown on the border. Cortez said. I mean, you wouldnt do that if we were in a war zone, so they are contradicting their whole story about us. And they are going to go downtown by our beautiful riverside park without a wall.

Sylvia Bruni, Webb County Democratic Party Chair, echoed Cortezs sentiments as she believes that the Friday Republican rally was simply scare tactics. She spoke about the same ebb and flow Cortez mentioned, and she added that there is no difference between this year and previous ones.

She also questioned why the rally was held in Laredo as the situation involving the unaccompanied minors was happening in other border towns.

Another complaint both Bruni and Cortez had was seeing the Republican members enter the ballroom without a mask.

After the high number of cases in January, which resulted in Laredos Dr. Ricardo Cigarroa giving a grim outlook on the pandemic and estimating more death, Laredo has seen a positive downward trend in cases since Februarys record-setting month for fatalities. On Friday, Laredo set new lows for hospitalizations and COVID-19 hospitalization rate.

However, Cortez said that after a long fight against the pandemic and hundreds dead, not wearing a mask was an insult to the pandemics impact on the community.

Jen Ramos, Senate District 21 Representative in the State Democratic Executive Committee, said that there is a false narrative by Republicans that are not a part of the community that the border is unsafe. As a former resident who lived approximately a few blocks away from the river, Ramos said that the community is safe, and the unsafe narrative has no leg to stand on.

If anything, their presence has made life a little more difficult and has made things more dangerous, said Ramos of those who rallied. Rather than talk about the amazing infrastructure that we have in Laredo, a multicultural community that is composed of immigrants and working-class folks who are benefiting one of the largest import/exports in the country, they are focusing on a narrative against the border that really helps our community.

Ultimately, she believes that the capitalization of the false narrative of a dangerous border hurts the symbiotic relationship between both Laredo and Nuevo Laredo for the sole purpose of gaining political points. The sentiment was shared by Bruni, who said that she would like the opportunity to address issues concerning the community through bipartisan cooperation, but she will settle for more citizens voting in elections.

cocampo@lmtonline.com
Chennai, March 28 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami broke into tears while addressing a public programme at Tiruvottiyur on Sunday and slammed DMK leader and former Union Minister A Raja for making remarks on his mother.

Palaniswami said that the manner in which A Raja spoke was disgusting and added that the attack was owing to a common man like him becoming the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Palaniswami asked, "If a Chief Minister is being disrespected in such a manner, then what will happen to common man if such people come to the power." The Chief Minister said that it is not only about his mother, rather every mother and a lesson must be taught to those who speak filthy about women and motherhood.

Palaniswami said, "My mother is no more now, she was born in a village and was a farmer who worked day and night for survival and such statements on her are highly disgusting."
FILE PHOTO: China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a meeting with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Guilin, China March 22, 2021. Russian Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

(This March 27 story corrects paragraph 4 to make clear Iranian official Larijani made remarks, not Wang)

DUBAI (Reuters) - China and Iran, both subject to U.S. sanctions, signed a 25-year cooperation agreement on Saturday to strengthen their long-standing economic and political alliance.

"Relations between the two countries have now reached the level of strategic partnership and China seeks to comprehensively improve relations with Iran," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was quoted by Iran's state media as telling his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.

"Our relations with Iran will not be affected by the current situation, but will be permanent and strategic," Wang said ahead of the televised signing ceremony.

Wang also met Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader, who said: "Iran decides independently on its relations with other countries and is not like some countries that change their position with one phone call."

The accord brings Iran into China's Belt and Road Initiative, a multi-trillion-dollar infrastructure scheme intended to stretch from East Asia to Europe.

The project aims to significantly expand Chinas economic and political influence, and has raised concerns in the United States.

China has spoken out often against U.S. sanctions on Iran and partly contested them. Zarif called it "a friend for hard times".

Wang met President Hassan Rouhani ahead of the signing in Tehran. The agreement was expected to include Chinese investments in sectors such as energy and infrastructure.

Rouhani expressed appreciation of Beijing's support for Iran's position on its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, in which it agreed to curb its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of international sanctions.

"Cooperation between the two countries is very important for the implementation of the nuclear accord and the fulfilment of obligations by European countries," Rouhani said, according to his official website.

U.S. President Joe Biden has sought to revive talks with Iran on the nuclear deal abandoned in 2018 by his predecessor, Donald Trump in 2018. Tehran wants the sanctions that Trump imposed removed before any negotiations resume.

"Under the new administration, the Americans want to reconsider their policy and return to the nuclear accord, and China welcomes their move," Wang said.

He also promised that China would provide more coronavirus vaccines to Iran, the Middle Eastern country worst-hit by the pandemic.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said the agreement was a "road map" for trade and economic and transportation cooperation, with a special focus on both countries' private sectors.

(Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Mike Harrison and Kevin Liffey)

By Denis Dumo

JUBA (Reuters) - The Sudanese government and a major rebel group from its southern Nuba Mountains on Sunday signed a document which paves the way for a final peace agreement by guaranteeing freedom of worship to all while separating religion and the state.

The signing is viewed as a crucial step in efforts by the power-sharing government headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to reach accords with rebel groups across the country and end decades of conflicts that left millions displaced and hundreds of thousands dead.

Last year Sudan signed a peace agreement with many groups, including from the Western region of Darfur.

But a key faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, did not join in last year's agreement because it stuck to its demand that Sudan dispenses with sharia law and becomes a secular, democratic state.

Sharia law was first imposed in Sudan in 1983, and maintained by the now deposed president Omar al-Bashir for the duration of his 30-year-long Islamist rule.

The so-called 'Declaration of Principles' signed on Sunday in South Sudan's capital Juba between Sudan and the rebel faction means talks on a final accord can now begin.

The declaration stated that both sides agreed to "the establishment of a civil, democratic federal state in Sudan, wherein, the freedom of religion, the freedom of belief and religious practices and worship shall be guaranteed to all Sudanese people by separating the identities of culture, religion, ethnicity and religion from the state."

"No religion shall be imposed on anyone and the state shall not adopt official religion," it said, without specifying that Sudan would become a secular state, a controversial issue in the country's transition.

Aman Amum, the Secretary-General of SPLM-N told Reuters on Sunday that reaching a consensus on the role of religion in Sudan's politics was a breakthrough that would now accelerate talks towards a final peace settlement.

Story continues

Sudan had now "accepted the separation of religion from the state," Amum said.

It had been unclear whether Sudan's military, which shares power with a civilian executive branch, would support any such moves after years of backing Islamists.

Civilian prime minister Abdalla Hamdok signed a similar declaration with al-Hilu last year.

Sudan has been wracked by conflicts for decades. After the oil-rich south seceded in 2011, an economic crisis fuelled protests that led to the overthrow of Bashir in 2019.

SPLM-N has been operating in a region inhabited by minority Christians and followers of African beliefs who complain of long discrimination under Bashir's rule.

Amum told Reuters both sides would start negotiating over other issues like power-sharing and the fate of combatants.

After Sunday's signing, only one rebel group - a faction of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) - remains a major security challenge to the government in Khartoum.

Led by Abdel Wahed el-Nur, SLA is active in Jebel Marra in Sudan's Darfur region.

(Writing by Elias Biryabarema, Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Nafisa Eltahir)
Under fire: Simon Coveney has been heavily criticised by unionists

The Irish government rejected a British offer to nominate a senior official to help organise Northern Ireland's centenary celebrations, it has emerged.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis last year wrote to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin saying he was delighted to invite a representative to sit on the Northern Ireland Centenary Forum.

But according to The Sunday Business Post, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney turned down the offer.

In his letter of August 12 last year, Mr Lewis said the British government was keen to mark particular milestone centenaries such as that of the passing of the Government of Ireland Act in December 1920, and the first sittings of the Northern Ireland Parliament in June 1921.

The centenary is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate Northern Ireland and its contribution to the UK over the last 100 years; its people, places and products and its rich sporting, cultural, entrepreneurial and academic talent, he wrote.

This would be done in a spirit of mutual respect, inclusiveness and reconciliation, he added.

The letter, obtained by the newspaper under the Freedom of Information Act, added that members of the forum should expect their names to be made public.

Expand Close Brandon Lewis wrote to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin to invite a senior official to sit on the Northern Ireland Centenary Forum / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Brandon Lewis wrote to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin to invite a senior official to sit on the Northern Ireland Centenary Forum

A separate email exchange on August 25 between a senior official in the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) to the Department of Foreign Affairs indicated that the Irish government was giving consideration to nominating someone.

I know DFA are considering making a nomination to the centenary forum, so I wanted to sight you on the details of the first forum meeting, planned for September 4, the NIO official wrote.

The Irish official responded that it would be helpful if the NIO could share details of any political representatives who were confirmed to be members.

On September 3, Mr Coveney responded directly to Mr Lewis to inform him that he would not be accepting his invite to nominate someone for the forum.

We would not propose that the Irish Government (through the Department of Foreign Affairs) be a member of or be formally represented on the forum, he wrote.

Mr Coveney said he would instead be open to nominating officials from his department to attend any meetings of the forum to which they are invited by its chair on an ad-hoc basis.

This would be with a view to ensuring good two-way communication, sharing of experience and viewpoints and, where possible and appropriate, cooperation in our respective planning for forthcoming centenaries, he said.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs told the Business Post on Friday that the government continues to develop its own commemorative programme to mark the centenaries that will fall this year.

While it doesnt sit on the British governments forum, its officials have attended seven of its meetings so far, he said.

We remain available to attend future meetings if invited to do so, he added.

A UK Government spokesperson told the Belfast Telegraph: "We are committed to working collaboratively on our ambitious programme to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland, including with the Irish Government.

"2021 marks a significant milestone in the history of Northern Ireland and provides an important opportunity to facilitate national recognition and international awareness of Northern Ireland, reflecting on our shared history and building for the future."
The logo of Amazon is seen at the company logistics center in Lauwin-Planque, northern France on Feb. 20, 2017.

REUTERS
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
Encinitas can expect to celebrate everything from the opening of a rail trail segment to finally resolving its longstanding housing planning conflict with the state in the coming year, Mayor Catherine Blakespear said Tuesday, March 26, as she gave the annual State of the City address.

In addition to finishing several longstanding projects, the city also will make progress this year on some critical priorities, including the Leucadia Streetscape project and other roadway improvements as well as a community choice energy program and other Climate Action Plan goals, the mayor told some 250 people at the sold-out, annual Encinitas Chamber of Commerce event.

Encinitas Mayor Catherine S. Blakespear delivered the State of The City address to a capacity audience. McKenzie Images

In 2019, we will gain momentum and move forward on these critical priorities, Blakespear said. The City Council is committed to these and we are working on these every day.

Chamber officials said they, too, expected to be in growth mode in the coming year. Board Chairman Alex Meade told the audience that theyre planning to expand the chambers networking events and its ambassadors program because the monthly Sundowner socials and the new business, ribbon-cutting events have been so successful of late.

The mayor said that Encinitas had a fair share of good news in 2018. Among other things, the citys new Marine Safety Center won a national public works design award, a sand replenishment project rehabilitated Cardiff State Beach, and Encinitas helped pass its first bill -- one that made it easier to permit granny flats and other accessory dwelling units -- in the state Legislature in at least 20 years.

Now, we can help homeowners with unpermitted units come out of the shadows, Blakespear said, calling it a critical component of the citys housing supply.

The city didnt resolve its longstanding conflict with the state over its lack of a currently certified housing planning document, but its close to doing so now, she noted.

By this time next month, we should have a completely approved housing plan through the state and the courts; this is a monumental landmark for Encinitas that has been many decades in the making, Blakespear said as audience members loudly applauded.

Encinitas is one of just a handful of cities in the state that doesnt have a valid, state-mandated document known as a Housing Element, which details how it proposes to handle its future housing needs, particularly those of low-income residents. The city is currently being sued by both the Building Industry Association of San Diego and San Diego Tenants United over its lack of a plan, and now is under a court order to get the job done.

April also is the month that the citys first portion of the regional, 44-mile coastal rail trail is set to open, Blakespear noted, adding that Encinitas is extremely grateful that project is being funded by the regional San Diego Association of Governments. The new 1.3-mile trail segment begins at Chesterfield Drive and continues northward to the Santa Fe Drive railroad.

Construction recently concluded on improvements to the train crossing point at Chesterfield Drive and Coast Highway, and once some safety equipment is installed there that area will become the citys first train horn quiet zone, Blakespear said.

This will tremendously improve the quality of life for anyone living near the train tracks, she added, noting that 50 trains a day pass through the area.

Plans are also in the works to create pedestrian underpasses under the railroad tracks at El Portal Street and Verdi Avenue, and to conduct a major overhaul of Coast Highway 101 -- a long-discussed project known as Leucadia Streetscape.

This stretch of Coast Highway 101 is an integral part of our citys history, and I believe we can reclaim it as the scenic parkway and neighborhood road it was intended to be -- not the commuting shortcut it has become, Blakespear said.

While Encinitas has much to celebrate, Blakespear said there are a few gray clouds on the horizon because construction costs for large scale projects have been soaring of late. Showing charts with projections and then actual costs for major construction activity over the last three decades, the mayor said rising construction costs may be cause for concern as the city explores future building projects.

We are managing this new reality, but I wanted to share this information with you to give the scale and number of projects currently underway in Encinitas, she said.

 Barbara Henry is a reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune

Encinitas Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Campbell, City Manager Karen P. Brust McKenzie Images

Doug Jones, 101 Artists Colony President Danny Salzhandler, Heritage Museum Executive Director Barb Grice, Jay Clark McKenzie Images

Paul Ecke III, Leichtag Foundation President/CEO Jim Farley Mckenzie Images

Doug and Karen Long, Alice Jacobson, Dr. Stuart Grauer Ken Grosse

Leucadia Town Council and guests Michael Murphy, Russell Levan, Carolyn Cope, Rachelle Collier, Kathleen Lees, Dolores Welty (seated) McKenzie Images

Cardiff 101 Secretary Teresa Barth, Christy Mortlock, Treasurer Brenda Dizon, Vice President Susan Hays, Kathy Houser McKenzie Images

Encinitas Mayor Catherine S. Blakespear and Jeremy Blakespear with Oliver and Ava McKenzie Images

Encinitas Senior Citizen Commissioner Kris Powell, Ron Dodge, Joan Grosewisch, Encinitas Chamber of Commerce CEO Bob Gattinella McKenzie Images

Encinitas Assistant City Manager Mark Delin, Trish Hilder, Amber Ter-Vrugt, Matthew Rebelo McKenzie Images
In Bhamo township in Kachin State, northern Myanmar, family and friends paid their last respects Sunday to a 36-year-old woman who was shot dead the day before on the worst day for bloodshed since the military took power two months ago.

Ma Shwe Myint left behind a husband and four children.

After her death, the military took her body and refused to return it until her family signed a statement saying her death was not caused by soldiers, according to broadcaster the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB).

A large crowd attended the woman's funeral, people were chanting pro-democracy slogans and made the three-fingered salute, signifying their opposition to the military takeover.

Many funerals took place across Myanmar on Sunday.

More than 100 people were killed on Saturday as security forces cracked down on protests against the February 1 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.

The reported fatalities included several children under 16 years old.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Jaipur, March 28 : Actress Tisca Chopra uploaded a video on her Instagram account on Sunday, giving followers a glimpse of her ongoing shoot of upcoming series.

The actress is pulling off all-nighters for the untitled thriller series and captured it on her camera for her fans.

Putting up the video, Tisca showed how the hectic schedule left her catching up on sleep during her traveling time.

She is currently shooting in Jaipur.

Tisca captioned the video as:"Scenes from a #graveyardshift #nightshifts #allnighter #jaipurdiaries" The actress recently released her second book titled "What's up with me".
A large number of crude



bombs and several country-made firearms were seized in different poll-bound areas in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, police said on Sunday.

Acting on a tip-off, police personnel seized 48 crude bombs near a water body in Kathipota village in Narendrapur police station area on Sunday, an officer said.

The crude bombs were defused and further investigation is underway, he said.

An arms factory was also busted in Merigunj village in Kultali police station area late on Saturday night, another officer said.

The owner of the house, where the illegal arms manufacturing unit was functioning, was arrested, he said.

Four country-made firearms and an unfinished gun have been seized, the officer added.

These areas will go to polls in the third phase on April 6.

(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.)
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.
Kanpur : , March 28 (IANS) A major fire erupted in the cardiology institute in Kanpur on Sunday morning.

Patients in the ICU were immediately evacuated. There were no reports of any casualties. The cause of the fire is also not known.

Fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The electricity supply was cut off and patients and their attendants were brought out from the stairs.

Kanpur police commissioner Aseem Arun said that the fire had been brought under control. He said that prima facie, it appeared that the fire was caused by short-circuit.

"The Chief Minister has taken cognizance of the incident and has directed the district officials to arrange for treatment of patients in other hospitals. He has also set up a high-level committee comprising Principal Secretary (health) and DG Fire services to probe the incident. The committee will visit the site of the incident and submit its report. The Chief Minister has further directed all hospitals and medical facilities in the state to strengthen their firefighting equipment," said Additional Chief Secretary (home) Avanish Awasthi.
Mumbai, March 28 : Actress Ileana D'Cruz claims she isn't worried about criticism because everyone is entitled to their opinion.

The actress is currently gearing for the release of the upcoming film "The Big Bull", which co-stars Abhishek Bachchan and is set for an OTT release. The film is based on the securities scam of 1992, and broadly outlines the story of stockbroker Harshad Mehta.

Hansal Mehta's much-feted series "Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story" has already narrated the subject amid much acclaim last year. Ileana claims she is not worried about comparisons.

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. So, you can have a film come out and be like we saw something like this 10 years ago. People are always entitled to their opinions. You can't have everybody turn up and say we absolutely loved it," Ileana told IANS.

She added: "Some people are going to love it, some probably not, and I am leaning towards the fact that it will be a completely different experience. I genuinely think people will like it. Abhishek looks amazing in the film. I think he has done such a great job and I am excited to see what people think." Ileana says she is not disappointed with the film settling for an OTT release. "There was no disappointment. Sometimes it's better because we can get to a lot more people and I am a big home bird. I like to sit at home and watch movies. So, I am sure that there are so many more people like me. I wasn't feeling disappointed that it was going to an OTT platform. For me it is unusual because it is my first film that is going to an OTT platform. I think it will be an experience," she said.

The actress reveals the reason why she instantly said yes to the film.

"The minute I heard the story I found it unusual, and I have always gravitated towards films and characters that are different -- something I haven't done before. It kind of checked all the boxes for me. Great story and unusual so I just said yes straight away." The film directed by Kookie Gulati is scheduled to stream April 8 onwards on Disney+ Hotstar VIP and Disney+ Hotstar Premium.
Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community.

Submit here
Beijings penultimate trade strike on Australia over national security and human rights disputes has led to a flood of cheaper lobster into the Australian market. But no amount of domestic demand from a country of 25 million will ever replace the live-seafood appetite of a country of more than 1.4 billion. Many lobster farmers have left the water, some might never return. Loading And it is not the only economy dealing with a domestic rush of an unusual commodity over international trade tensions. The lobster farmers of Australia have more in common with the pineapple growers of Taiwan than they realise. In Taipei, President Tsai Ing-wens government remains untouchable in the polls. It wants to remain separate from Beijing despite the growing military, economic and political threats from the superpower, which views it as an inalienable part of the mainland.

Frustrated by the lack of public and political appetite for its One-China policy, Beijing sent dozens of warplanes towards its island neighbour in the first months of this year. Then it banned Taiwans pineapple exports. Like Australia, the official reason given by Chinese customs was for technical infringements. Authorities said pests were found in exports or enhanced COVID-19 testing was blamed. But both the Australian and the Taiwan governments deny these claims and say they are part of a pattern of economic intimidation. Taiwanese have spontaneously purchased domestic pineapples to reaffirm our solidarity, says the mayor of Tainan City Council, Huang Wei-che. The area is home to the second-largest number of pineapple exporters in Taiwan. There is pineapple in soup, pineapple wine, pineapple tarts and #FreedomPineapple, the hashtag used on Twitter by Taiwans Foreign Minister Joseph Wu to whip up a surge of consumer nationalism. I urge like-minded friends around the globe to stand with #Taiwan & rally behind the #FreedomPineapple, he said on Twitter in February.

The hashtag was itself taken from the fourth Australian export out of half-a-dozen last year to be hit by Chinese trade restrictions: #Freedomwine. Australias $2 billion-a-year wine trade with China was knocked out last year by tariffs of between 100 and 200 per cent over allegations it had been dumped at discount prices in the Chinese market. The Australian industry and the government have refuted those claims. This weekend, China extended tariffs on some Australian wines for another five years.Chinese officials said the taxes - expected to be up to 220 per cent - were an anti-dumping measures. Huang says it is time to trade more Penfolds and lobster for pineapple. In my opinion, it will certainly be a win-win situation if countries with a common vision can share with each others signature products, he says. Chung-Hsiu Hung, the chairman of Taiwans agricultural peak body, Mitagri, says if Chinese authorities dont want to allow the imports of Australian wine and lobster, we will eat it!

The more unreasonable the restrictions the more it will summon the consumers together, he says. The pineapple saga tells us, dont put all your eggs in one basket, and the risk resilience for the industry is a crucial issue and challenge we need to cope with. Fiona Fan, the director-general of Taiwans de facto consulate, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney, says the trade disruptions have left many Australian and Taiwanese exporters in a state of uncertainty. As both are staunch supporters of free trade and market economy, Taiwan and Australia could work together to maintain the well-functioning of the multilateral trading system, she says. But for all the best intentions Taiwan-Australia food diplomacy remains beset by structural difficulties.

Two trade-dependent island countries, similar in disposition and population, find it impossible to meet for dinner at the highest levels because of the great power games going on around them. Taiwan is Australias 10th largest export market but there is no free trade deal with the island. Nor is there one on the horizon. A formal deal that could effectively recognise Taiwan as a separate trading nation would deepen tensions with Beijing in an already fraught environment. Diplomats on both sides are cognisant of this and are working privately to boost trade without official statements. But the lack of a formal agreement has seen Australian wine take only 12 per cent of the market where European and US wine dominate. Six tonnes of fresh Taiwanese pineapple are scheduled to arrive in May but overall, trade negotiations between the two Indo-Pacific democracies remain at the margins. Weve got a very strong economic relationship with Taiwan, says Australias Trade Minister Dan Tehan. I can see no reason why that cant continue. Trade Minister Dan Tehan says the solidarity expressed by Taiwan, the US and Europe in Australias trade difficulties with China was encouraging. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

He said that while trade deals with Europe, the UK and Israel were a priority, the solidarity expressed by Taiwan, the US and Europe in Australias trade difficulties with China was encouraging. In his strongest public comments on the Australia-China relationship since taking office, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday singled out China for its blatant economic coercion of Australia and said it threatened the collective security and prosperity of the international system. Tehan says there has been a lot of empathy from countries globally because people think that there seems to be some unfair targeting going on. We need to be reassured that other countries are looking at whats happening and thinking that this isnt how countries should behave towards each other, he says. Loading

The Australian government has also been attempting to navigate the complexities of a changing relationship with China while those who have the most to lose, businesses, wear the economic hit. Australias ambassador to Beijing, Graham Fletcher, told an Australia-China Business Council meeting on Thursday that the two countries were in a stand-off and the public nature of the dispute had made it hard for either side to back down. Im not sure China realises the damage that is occurring both in Australia and internationally. Its been exposed as quite unreliable as a trading partner and even vindictive, he said. The Coalition - conscious of the potential for an electoral blowback on its China policy after taking decisions to block Chinese telecommunications provider Huawei, restrict foreign investment deals and call for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus - has been briefing industry throughout. It is vulnerable to attacks from Labor, particularly in WA (home to Australias largest rock lobster farms) where Labors trade spokeswoman Madeleine King has been critical of Australias China trade policy. The Coalition can not afford to lose one seat at the next election or it will lose majority government.

Papacosta, whose seafood members are among the most exposed in the country to retribution from China and has fewer readily available alternative markets, says the government had been direct in its consultation. They are not just sending messages down the line, she says. They have been very clear on their position. That helps as an industry when you are planning your approach or pivoting. Loading Tehan says he has been upfront and honest with businesses about what Australia was trying to achieve. Its actually been quite humbling for me because there have been businesses that have been hurt, says Tehan. But theyve understood that ultimately weve got to protect our sovereignty, and weve got to protect our national interests.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 22:12:55|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TEHRAN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran reported 8,751 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, raising its nationwide caseload to 1,855,674.

The pandemic has so far claimed 62,397 lives in Iran, up by 89 in the past 24 hours, said Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, during her daily briefing.

Of the newly infected, 1,049 were hospitalized, Lari added.

A total of 1,593,219 people have recovered from the disease and been discharged from hospitals, while 3,928 remain in intensive care units, she noted.

According to the spokeswoman, 12,618,420 tests for the virus have been carried out in Iran as of Sunday.

Currently, 23 Iranian cities are on red alert for a high risk of infection, while 44 others are on orange alert for a medium risk, the spokeswoman said.

On Saturday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani blamed Washington's sanctions for "hindering the availability of COVID-19 vaccines" for Iranians.

"We order a country for a (COVID-19) vaccine, it says it is still afraid of U.S. sanctions," Rouhani was quoted as saying by the official Islamic Republic News Agency.

Rouhani noted that his administration has allowed the private sector to import COVID-19 vaccines, using the subsidized foreign currency and under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Enditem
An anti-coup protester stands near a fire during a demonstration in Yangon, Myanmar (AP)

Protesters returned to the streets of Myanmar on Sunday to press their demands for a return to democracy, just a day after security forces killed more than 100 people in the bloodiest day since last months military coup.

Demonstrations were held in Yangon and Mandalay, the countrys two biggest cities, as well as elsewhere. Some protests were again met with police force.

At least 114 people were killed on Saturday as security forces cracked down on protests against the February 1 coup which ousted Aung San Suu Kyis elected government, according to the online news service Myanmar Now.

Several children under 16 were reported to be among the dead.

Expand Close Anti-coup protesters gesture with the three-fingers symbol of resistance during a demonstration in Thaketa township in Yangon (AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Anti-coup protesters gesture with the three-fingers symbol of resistance during a demonstration in Thaketa township in Yangon (AP)

Similar death tolls were issued by other Myanmar media and researchers, far exceeding the previous highest on March 14.

The number of killings since the coup is now more than 420, according to multiple counts.

The coup reversed years of progress towards democracy after five decades of military rule and has again made Myanmar the focus of international scrutiny.

Saturdays killings by police and soldiers took place throughout the country as Myanmars military celebrated the annual Armed Forces Day holiday with a parade in the countrys capital, Naypyitaw.

The bloodshed quickly drew international condemnation, both from diplomatic missions within Myanmar and from abroad.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was shocked by the killings of civilians, including children.

The continuing military crackdown is unacceptable and demands a firm, unified & resolute international response, he wrote on Twitter.

I am deeply shocked by the killing of dozens of civilians, including children & young people, by security forces in Myanmar today.



The continuing military crackdown is unacceptable and demands a firm, unified & resolute international response. https://t.co/qtnQaH5jvN  AntAnio Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 27, 2021

In the United States, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a tweet that his country is horrified by the bloodshed perpetrated by Burmese security forces, showing that the junta will sacrifice the lives of the people to serve the few.

The military chiefs of 12 nations issued a joint statement condemning the use of force against unarmed people.

A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting  not harming  the people it serves, it said.

We urge the Myanmar armed forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions.

The statement was issued by the defence chiefs of Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Human rights group Amnesty International revived criticism that the international community is not doing enough to end the state violence in Myanmar.

UN Security Council member states continued refusal to meaningfully act against this never-ending horror is contemptible, said Ming Yu Hah, the organisations deputy regional director for campaigns.

Expand Close Anti-coup protesters prepare makeshift bows and arrows to confront police in Thaketa township in Yangon (AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Anti-coup protesters prepare makeshift bows and arrows to confront police in Thaketa township in Yangon (AP)

The Security Council has condemned the violence but not advocated concerted action against the junta, such as a ban on selling it arms.

China and Russia are both major arms suppliers to Myanmars military as well as politically sympathetic, and, as members of the council, would almost certainly veto any such move.

In recent days the junta has portrayed the demonstrators as the ones perpetrating violence for their sporadic use of Molotov cocktails.

On Saturday, some protesters in Yangon were seen carrying bows and arrows.

The junta has said its use of force is justified to stop what it has called rioting.
Scramble to buy COVID vaccine By Kumudini Hettiarachchi View(s): View(s):

Sri Lanka scrambled to secure COVID-19 vaccines, as India ordered a halt of major exports of the AstraZeneca jabs made by the Serum Institute this week.

An agreement is being finalised by Pfizer India and the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) to get 3 million Pfizer vaccine doses for Sri Lanka, the Sunday Times learns. The vaccine stock is expected to be delivered in the 2nd quarter of the year.

The Heads of Terms (setting out the terms of the transaction) is being finalised by the Government and Pfizer, confirmed Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hemas Holdings PLC Limited. Hemas is the local agent for Pfizer.

The Sunday Times understands that the Pfizer vaccine would be bought by Sri Lanka at the GAVI-guaranteed price but when asked, the local agent said it was a transaction between the Government and Pfizer and as such they were not privy to the commercial transaction.

[It is GAVI (the Vaccine Alliance); COVAX (the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access); CEPI (the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations); and WHO (the World Health Organisation) which are working with vaccine manufacturers to provide countries equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.]

Whether the SPC had approached the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca based in the United Kingdom (UK) to purchase that vaccine directly from them, the Hemas CEO said that AstraZeneca (UK) is yet to inform the local agent about such a transaction.

Several calls and messages from the Sunday Times not only to the Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Minister, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, and the SPC which heads the initiative to secure vaccines for the country  excluding those being sent by the global vaccine initiative COVAX  elicited no response.

This was as controversy gripped the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine, a donation of which is expected in the country shortly. While the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) with several new members on its board granted a waiver to allow the import of the vaccine, the NMRAs independent eight-member Panel of Experts on candidate vaccines categorically recommended that the vaccine should not be used until more information is made available and evaluated.

The Sunday Times also found that a decision on emergency-use listing expected from the WHO for Sinopharm initially in February, then early March or late March 2021, has now been put back to late April, according to the latest WHO regulatory update available on its website.

Meanwhile, with regard to COVAX vaccine supplies, a GAVI statement issued on Thursday stated that deliveries of COVID-19 vaccines produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII) to lower-income economies participating in the COVAX Facility will face delays during March and April as the Government of India battles a new wave of COVID-19 infections. COVAX and the Government of India remain in discussions to ensure some supplies are completed during March and April.

Sri Lanka which was expecting vaccine doses for 20% of its eligible population from COVAX has so far received only 264,000 doses of AstraZenecas COVISHIELD manufactured by SII.

The GAVI statement adds: To date, COVAX has been supplied with 28 million COVISHIELD doses and was expecting an additional 40 million doses to be available in March, and up to 50 million doses in April. COVAX has notified all affected economies of potential delays. SII has pledged that, alongside supplying India, it will prioritize the COVAX multilateral solution for equitable distribution.

The WHO on Friday said there are many countries who invested in COVAX in good faith, but have been left frustrated because of the bilateral deals that have left COVAX short. WHO and our partners are continuing to work around the clock to find ways to increase production and secure doses.

The WHO is also concerned about the potential for criminal groups to exploit the huge global unmet demand for vaccines. We urge all people not to buy vaccines outside government-run vaccination programmes. Any vaccine bought outside these programmes may be substandard or falsified, with the potential to cause serious harm, warned Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
New Delhi, March 28 : Accepting the challenge of a triangular fight for the Kerala Assembly polls, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan said that the Congress is moving towards a sunset.

In an interview to IANS, the former Kerala BJP Chief said: "I don't say that the Congress is irrelevant. But Congress is moving towards a sunset, that's how I would term it. But of course, as of now, it's a triangular contest." For the April 6 Kerala Assembly polls, the BJP is contesting against the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) led by the Congress. Counting of votes will take place on May 2.

The BJP currently has one seat in the state assembly and is leaving no stone unturned to make its presence felt in the next Kerala Assembly.

Muraleedharan pointed out that the BJP is a party of everyone irrespective of caste or religion. He said that the BJP has fielded eight Christian candidates in Kerala.

"We would like to have the votes of every section of the society and the Christian community is one of them. So we would definitely like to have their support," he said.

The minister also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with leaders of Churches has nothing to do with the assembly polls.

" The Prime Minister's meeting with leaders of Churches has nothing to do with the political agenda of the BJP. The meeting was held after he (Prime Minister) received a request for same by the leaders of Churches," he said.

Muraleedharan blames the opposition for propaganda to portray BJP as an upper-caste party. There is common perception that the BJP has the support of just the Nair community in Kerala.

"See, this is malicious propaganda that has been run by the opposition to portray BJP as only an upper caste party. In fact, the BJP has party workers and office bearers from every section of society," the Minister said.

Muraleedharan explained that out of the four general secretaries, the party has one Christian and one general secretary from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, even though there is no reservation for a particular community mentioned in the BJP constitution for the post of general secretaries.

"In Kerala, the party is led by a person who belongs to the OBC community in Kerala. The president doesn't belong to the Nair community. But we have a fair amount of support from among the Nair community along with the Other Backward Classes and SC communities," When asked why the lone BJP MLA in Kerala O. Rajagopal was denied a ticket to contest the polls, Muraleedharan said that he (Rajagopal) had informed the party leadership about his unwillingness to contest the Assembly polls.

In last Assembly polls held in 2016, Rajagopal became the first BJP candidate to win the Kerala Assembly polls.

Confident of BJP's performance, the Minister said, "I will not indulge in numbers but confidently say that our presence in state Assembly will surprise everyone. Our position in Kerala will improve."
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  The novel and the short story are considered the major forms of fiction.

And theres a less publicized form that sits in between them in length. That form is the novella.

I do think the novella is in the shadows, particularly of the novel, said Sharon Oard Warner, author of the recently published Writing the Novella. It is, she said, the first book just on the craft of writing this intermediate-length as a distinct literary form.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

I feel the publishing industry in the United States has relegated it to the shadows, Warner said in a phone interview from her home in Austin, Texas. Publishing companies, she said, market the novella as a novel so they can get more revenue from fewer pages.

One example she gave is Don DeLillos The Silence, published last fall. Though 128 pages, it is billed as a novel on the front cover.

Warner isnt critical of DeLillo or any author for writing fiction of this length. Not at all. Her criticism is strictly of the publishing industry. She said it does a disservice to authors and to their readers by mislabeling an important category in literature.

Mid-length fiction is no stranger to literature. Indeed, many are famous works. Theres A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, Giovannis Room by James Baldwin, and The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros classic of Chicano literature, to name a few. In fact, Warner uses examples from Cisneros and two other authors novellas as touchstones to explain key concepts and illuminate issues of craft and technique in Writing the Novella.

Warner herself is a published author of short stories and novels. She also wrote a novella as her masters thesis in creative writing from the University of Kansas in 1984. Titled Treading Water, the novella has definitely lived in the shadows: It was never formally published.

It was a fictionalized version of the death of a close friend who died unexpectedly, and the aftermath. I dont know why I didnt ever send it out (to publishing houses). I think its too late, Warner said, reluctantly adding, Its something Ill look into.

When she was a professor at the University of New Mexico  she retired in 2018 after 23 years  Warner said she developed a graduate-level class called The Novella Workshop that she taught a number of times and won a teaching award for it.

Warner thinks that if someone is interested in writing fiction longer than a short story, but isnt ready to develop a full-length novel, the novella is a good place to start.

She designed the UNM class so that students would be working on major plot points and writing scenes. Thats the way Writing the Novella is organized. The book is flexible enough that it can be used in a class or by an independent writer or, for that matter, by anyone, Warner explained.

In terms of length, she said, novellas are more similar to screenplays than to novels. In her book theres a good deal of overlap in how to write both forms. You have one narrative arc, with maybe one or two subplots. So theyre more linear, she said.

Warner now teaches a screenwriting class at UNM. She is a professor emerita of English Language and Literature.

Warner also started and directed the Taos Summer Writers Conference, which ran for 18 years, and she is co-chair of UNMs D.H. Lawrence Ranch Initiatives. Lawrence, the British writer and poet, was the muse for the writers conference.

Book of the week
He's been recovering well from his bike accident, which saw him break his back last year.

And Simon Cowell appeared in good company as he joined his partner Lauren Silverman and their son Eric for a lunch date in Malibu on Saturday.

The music mogul, 61, looked typically stylish as he teamed a grey jumper with white shorts during his casual outing.

Family day out: Simon Cowell appeared in good company as he joined his partner Lauren Silverman and their son Eric for a lunch date in Malibu on Saturday

Maintaining a dressed-down appearance, the X Factor star rounded off his outfit with chunky trainers, circular-framed shades and a single bracelet.

Socialite Lauren, 43, cut an equally chic figure in a knitted cardigan, a grey crop top and denim jeans.

Holding hands with her seven-year-old, the New Yorker swept her tresses into a low ponytail and opted for minimal make-up.

Dressed down: The music mogul, 61, looked typically stylish as he teamed a grey jumper with white shorts during his casual outing

Last month, it was reported the Britain's Got Talent judge walks over 40 miles a week to help him recover from breaking his back in an electric bike accident last year.

In August, the media personality was rushed to hospital to undergo six hours of surgery after injuring himself in the accident, forcing him to cancel all his planned TV work for the rest of the year.

But now the music executive is determined to do everything he can to ensure he makes a full recovery, including walking for several hours a day and holding business meetings at 9AM so that he no longer lives like a 'vampire'.

On the mend: Last month, it was reported the music executive walks over 40 miles a week to help him recover from breaking his back in an electric bike accident last year (pictured in 2019)

Of his new fitness regime, a source told MailOnline: 'Simon said how he hasn't worn trainers as much as this in 20 years.

'He feels fitter than ever before and is keeping to a normal routine rather than being on the phone until into the early hours of the morning.'

The insider also added that Simon would return to America's Got Talent at the end of the month to film the new series.

However, the British edition of the competition show has been cancelled this year as the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc.
Police officers inspect the area near a church where a bomb went off in a suspected suicide attack outside a Catholic church in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, March 28, 2021.

Updated at 12:03 p.m. ET on 2021-03-28

Two suicide bombers carried out an attack outside a church in Indonesias South Sulawesi province that injured at least 20 people on Palm Sunday, the nations security ministry said, as the president condemned the act and urged Indonesians to jointly fight terrorism.

At least one of the suspects killed in the explosion was a member of a local cell of a pro-Islamic State Indonesian militant group that was linked to a deadly twin-bombing in the southern Philippines two years ago, the nations police chief said during a press conference on Sunday evening (local time).

Two people suspected to be the suicide bombers died and 20 members of the public and church workers were injured, Security Minister Mohammad Mahfud MD told reporters late Sunday.

The pair of suspects were on a motorcycle when they set off at least one bomb at the gate to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, a Catholic church in the provincial capital Makassar, as worshippers were leaving a Sunday Mass service, police said.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo vowed to go after and dismantle the group that carried out the attack.

I strongly condemn this act of terrorism and I have ordered the police chief to thoroughly investigate the perpetrators networks and tear down the networks to their roots, Jokowi said in an online broadcast.

I urge all members of society to jointly fight terrorism, radicalism that is against religious values  our noble values as a nation that upholds divine values and diversity.

One bomb went off when security guards stopped the suspects motorbike at the entrance to the church grounds, national police spokesman Argo Yuwono told a televised news conference earlier in the day.

The church service had finished and worshipers were coming out of the church, Argo said.

Argo said three security guards were among those injured and being treated at area hospitals.

The bombing was the first one targeting a church in the worlds largest Muslim-majority nation since a family, including children, was involved in coordinated suicide attacks on churches in Surabaya, Indonesias second-largest city, on May 13, 2018.

That attack and other terror plots around that time in Surabaya were linked to Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an Indonesian extremist network whose members are aligned with Islamic State (IS), authorities said.

Muh Taufiqurrohman, a senior researcher at the Center for the Study of Radicalism and Deradicalization (PAKAR), said the attack on Sunday bore the hallmarks of JAD.

If we look at the explosion, it was quite strong. Making such a bomb requires special expertise, he told BenarNews.

The JAD in Makassar is one of the most active cells compared to other pro-Islamic State (IS) groups, Taufiqurrohman said.

This past January in Makassar, police shot dead two JAD suspects with alleged links to Indonesian suicide bombers who carried out an attack that left 23 people dead at a church in the southern Philippines in January 2019.

The Makassar branch of JAD, Taufiqurrohman said, had close ties to Rullie Rian Zeke and Ulfah Handayani Saleh, the husband and wife who bombed the cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in the Philippines, two years ago.

Both attacks have similarities, targeting cathedral churches, he said.

At a press conference in the evening, National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo identified one of the suspects in the Palm Sunday bombing by his initial while confirming that he belonged to the Makassar area JAD cell.

We have received information about the identity of the perpetrator, with the initial L. The person was in the group whose members were arrested some time ago, Listyo said, referring to the counter-terror sweep against JAD suspects in South Sulawesi in early January 2021.

This group is connected to the group that carried out the operation in Jolo, he added.

A police officer stands guard near a church where a bomb exploded in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, March 28, 2021. [AP]

Police said that the latest blast took place at about 10:30 a.m. as a Sunday Mass was ending. Members of Indonesias Christian minority were marking Palm Sunday, the first day in Holy Week celebrations on the Christian calendar.

There were several injured people on the street. I helped one woman ...who was wounded and covered in blood, an eyewitness named Yosi told Agence France-Presse.

Her grandchild was also injured. There were body parts everywhere.

AFP quoted one witness as saying that two very strong explosions were heard.

Indonesias religious communities also condemned Sundays attack.

It was an inhumane act that violates the tenets of any religion, Anwar Abbas, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI), the countrys semi-official authority on Islam, said in televised remarks.

We call on authorities to apprehend the perpetrators and mastermind of the attack, he added.

Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas called the attack heinous.

Whatever the motive, this action cannot be justified by any religion, he said in a statement.

The police need to improve security at places of worship so that our communities can worship peacefully and solemnly, he added.

The Indonesian Communion of Churches urged the faithful to remain calm.

I call on all members of the community not to be afraid and restless, chairman Gomar Gultom said.

Please pray for our safety, he said.
Almighty and everliving God,

in your tender love for the human race you sent

your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature,

and to suffer death upon the cross,

giving us the example of his great humility:

Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering,

and also share in his resurrection;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God,

For ever and ever.

Amen.
BCI's China office: No 'forced labor' found in Xinjiang

CGTN) 16:19, March 28, 2021

Graphic by CGTN's Yin Yating

The China office of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) didn't find any case of "forced labor" in Xinjiang, the BCI Shanghai representative office said in a statement released on its WeChat account on Friday.

Since its registration in 2012, the office has conducted second-party credibility reviews and third-party verifications on its Xinjiang program and found no case of "forced labor" there, the statement said.

The BCI Shanghai office will continue to maintain communication with Xinjiang's implementing partners to jointly advance the sustainable development of the supply chain, the statement read.

In an exclusive interview with China Central Television aired on Saturday evening, Wu Yan, chief representative of the BCI Shanghai office, revealed more details. In the past several years, the BCI Shanghai office has been following BCI's "triple certification mechanism" in their review process, including producers' self-assessment, BCI Shanghai team's second-party credibility audits, and a separate verification report issued by a third-party inspection agency.

"In response to overseas reports about 'forced labor' [in Xinjiang], our Shanghai office has conducted a strict review of the projects in Xinjiang," she said.

"We submitted two investigation reports to the headquarters. We also compiled and submitted inspection reports made by third-party inspection agencies, such as the SGS, in the past several years."

"The decision made by our headquarters to suspend licensing [in Xinjiang] will prevent nearly 500,000 tons of Xinjiang cotton from entering the global supply chain of cotton textile production," Wu said.

"Human rights organizations required the BCI to suspend licensing in Xinjiang and demanded BCI claim that any decisions made by it have nothing to do with these human rights organizations," Liu Haoran, project manager of the BCI Shanghai office, said in the interview.

In China, BCI is currently focusing efforts on Hubei, Hebei, Shandong and Gansu provinces, supporting over 100,000 smallholder farmers in these provinces, according to an email statement CGTN received from BCI's London headquarters on Friday.

BCI's statement did not respond to CGTN's questions about "forced labor" allegations in Xinjiang and why they removed related statements from their website.

Last year, BCI issued statements saying research findings corroborated its own research that there were increasing risks of forced labor in Xinjiang.

The statements also said BCI had suspended licensing Xinjiang cotton production since March and it had ceased field-level activities in the region. However, both statements have been removed from its website.

According to its website, the BCI is a global non-profit organization that promotes better standards in cotton farming and practices. With head offices based in Geneva and London, it also has regional offices in China, India and Pakistan, as well as staff based in Brazil, Mozambique, Turkey and the U.S.

At the end of 2019, BCI had more than 1,840 members, spanning the entire global cotton supply chain from farmer organizations to retailers and brands.

However, the membership fees are the main financial source for the BCI, highlighting "crop protection" and "decent work."

Some multinational companies like H&M and Nike, members of the BCI, are facing a backlash in China after they announced to suspend sourcing cotton from Xinjiang.

Chinese e-commerce platforms Taobao, JD.com, Pinduoduo, Suning.com, and Meituan's Dianping on Thursday removed H&M from their platforms, and Chinese Android app stores have removed H&M as well.

Chinese consumers also called to support domestic sportswear brands like Anta and Li Ning, which saw a surge in stock on Thursday.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)
President Joe Biden speaks to reporters as he holds his first formal news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, on March 25, 2021. (Leah Millis/Reuters)

4 Years of Living Dangerously Under Joe Biden, Part 2: China, Iran Make Deal

Just after his inauguration, I warned of four years of living dangerously under President Joe Biden. The weakness of his policies and person are obvious for all to see.

The world then watched his first press conference. While the American press fawned over Biden for partisan reasons, the chief adversaries of the United StatesChina and Iranwatched for serious geopolitical reasons. They know hes weak and his staff naive, and, last week, they did something about it.

Here in the United States, it was the story Americans likely didnt hear aboutagain for reasons of domestic politics.

First, it bears repeating that, slowly but surely, since Harry Truman and the dropping of the nuclear bomb that ended World War II, Democratic administrations have eschewed foreign policy and focused on domestic policies. Butter, not guns was the argument they championed following the Vietnam War.

In plain terms, Democratic presidents and their supporters are bound and determined to turn the United States into their version of a European social democracy dominated by socialist or semi-socialist policies. That is their main focus.

In the process, Democrats have convinced the world that, when they are in power, the United States will be less vigilant abroad. Thats a dangerous dynamic because weakness begets provocativeness among our enemies.

The story that got little coverage in the United States last week was the budding alliance between the worlds two most dangerous countries: China and Iran.

China has designs on world dominationliterally. Just ask them if you havent watched them or read their public plans. To achieve that, they need to continue their economic growth. To achieve economic growth, they need oil.

Iran, the worlds leading sponsor of terror, has designs on Middle East domination. The regime in Tehran has been quite public about that as well. To do that, they need money. To get money, they need to sell oil.

The growing alliance between China and Iran, including the promise for Iran to sell oil to China, should more than concern everyone.

While the details were few, which surprises no one, given the two authoritarian governments involved, China and Iran signed a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement addressing economic issues.

The New York Times reported that China will invest some $400 billion in Iran in exchange for oil as part of the deal. The two countries will also step up military cooperation with joint training, research and intelligence sharing.

In short, China gets the oil supply it desperately wants to fuel its ambitions without any concern for the Wests obsession with climate change/global warming.

As for Iran, The Times of Israel correctly noted that the deal effectively cripples U.S. sanctions on Iran. With this deal, Iran gets the money it needs to pursue its military ambitions.

Certainly, we know from former Democratic President Barack Obamas Iran deal that Iran didnt use the money it secured for domestic charities. Even doe-eyed John Kerry conceded that some of the money would go toward terrorism.

The price tag on this deal, $400 billion, dwarfs Obamas deal and will set Iran on a clear path to obtaining nuclear weaponslikely in less than a decade. In the short run, however, it gives Iran the ability to fund its conventional war operations in the Middle East, which I wrote about in 2015, when Obamas deal was announced: Irans other victory  The nuclear deal also cemented the regimes conventional war gains.

Meanwhile, the world isnt even sure who is in charge in the White House.

No one can seriously believe that Biden cuts a vigorous figure. To borrow a phrase, the world knew John F. Kennedy and Biden is no John F. Kennedy.

Nor is Biden a Ronald Reagan or Donald Trump. Hes not capable of projecting the strength necessary to achieve peace through strength.

Beyond that, his foreign policy staff is committed to curtailing U.S. economic might by adopting Green New Deal policies, including returning to the Paris climate accord, which plays into Chinas hands. By self-inflicting economic weakness at home, Biden and the Democrats are limiting the United States ability to respond internationally and to confront the serious challenge China represents to world freedom.

We also know that Biden wanted to make an Obama-style deal with Iran that would have lifted U.S. sanctions and let Iran sell the oil it needs to get the money it needs to realize its ambitions. That was last months news. Iran has a new benefactorthe communist regime of China.

What will the Biden administration do in response to that incredibly dangerous growing alliance? The likely answer is precious littleall of which not only cements our four years of living dangerously under Biden but threatens world stability as far as the eye can see.

Thomas Del Beccaro is an acclaimed author, speaker, Fox News, Fox Business, and Epoch Times opinion writer, and former chairman of the California Republican Party. He is the author of the historical perspectives The Divided Era and The New Conservative Paradigm.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
If youre tired of the facade and expectations you think others need; If you desire peace, grace, love and forgiveness in your life; If youre ready to reclaim life on your own terms, then this book may help you find what youre looking for.

Author Danene Shumaker encourages readers to break down their defenses and live from whats real in I Met Jesus In My Bathtub ($14.99, paperback, 9781662807725; $7.49, e-book, 9781662807732).

Shumaker knows what its like to hit rock bottom. She spent years looking for others to fulfill her, craving their approval, until one night it all fell apart. What she found underneath helped her begin again as the person she wanted to be.

If youre tired of the facade and expectations you think others need; If you desire peace, grace, love and forgiveness in your life; If youre ready to reclaim life on your own terms, then this book may help you find what youre looking for, said Shumaker.

Danene Shumaker is a true hippie minimalist from Michigan. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Education degree from Aquinas College. She currently earns her living as a jeweler, a job she has loved for over 20 years.

###

Mill City Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is a leader in the general market division of self-publishing. I Met Jesus In My Bathtub is available online through amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Tucked into the southwest corner of the state, the Gila National Forest is home to a marvelous little auto trek that is well worth the time and effort to get there.

The Trail of the Mountain Spirits National Scenic Byway is a 93-mile excursion deep into the back country canopy of the Gila, transporting visitors centuries back into history.

The triangular loop can be picked up at the crossroads burg of San Lorenzo, where N.M. 152 and 35 meet.

Before starting the route, the San Lorenzo Catholic Church is a must stop. Built in the late 1800s, the mission-style structure features a hammered copper ceiling and the stations of the cross along its walls. An old santuario near the church, bedecked with relics and santitos, is a prayer room where the devout have sought miracles.

Head north on N.M. 35 until reaching the village of Mimbres, home to the Mimbres Heritage Cultural Site, where an interpretive trail wanders through the Mattocks Ruin site, and another reaches the riverside of the Mimbres River. An ongoing excavation and archaeological investigation site examines the large Classic Mimbres pueblo.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Less than three miles later, keep a watch for the Bear Canyon Reservoir turnoff. This small reservoir is a designated wildlife area encompassing about 75 acres. Although deer and elk may be found in abundance, and occasionally visitors can catch a glimpse of other wildlife, the area is great for solitude. The sparkling reservoir also is home to year-round fishing and is stocked with rainbow trout. An occasional waterfall can be found near the dam site.

Continue to trickle north on N.M. 35, meandering through the gradually densening forest. Shortly before reachig N.M. 15, Lake Roberts makes for another fine rest stop, especially for the birders. The pine-shrouded, 73-acre lake is home to hummingbirds by the score. At least 10 different species of the frenetic flitters can be found.

The route, which twice crosses the Continental Divide, is a birder haven as 337 species have been noted along the eight marked spots along the way.

At the crossroads with N.M. 15, head north 17 miles through a tight, climbing switch-backing path to the well-known Gila Cliff Dwellings, where seven caves are filled with architecture built by the Mogollon peoples more than 700 years ago.

About seven miles along the way, watch for the Senator Clinton P. Anderson Overlook. At this grandiose site, the Gila River Canyon falls 2,000 feet, while the vast Gila wilderness is spread out in an unending vista.

Heading back south on N.M. 15, the trail straggles through Pinos Altos, a former 1860s gold-boom town grimly clinging to life in its pastoral setting.

Be sure to check out the Buckhorn Saloon & Opera House. Sure it is rustic  thats the whole point  but the food is hot and good, the drinks cold and refreshing, and most nights live music keeps the long-ago ghosts dancing.

The path continues down to Silver City, where it catches U.S. Route 180 heading back east. When it hits N.M. 152, look for Fort Bayard, established in 1866 as fort to protect settlers from the Apaches. It was home to Buffalo Soldiers and also used as a military hospital, World War II prisoner of war camp and remains a national cemetery.

And finally, continuing east, check out the huge Santa Rita Mine, the countrys oldest, continually-operating copper mine.

A UK-based conglomerate and a plantation owner in Malawi which supplies some of Britain's biggest tea brands are being sued in London over allegations of rampant sexual violence against female workers.

British legal firm Leigh Day said on Sunday that it wanted financial redress for the women from their Malawi employer, Lujeri Tea Estates, and its British parent company PGI Group Ltd.

The complaint filed in London's High Court says women harvesting tea and macadamia nuts for Lujeri in southern Malawi were subject to at least 10 instances of rape and other violence at the hands of male supervisors.

One 39-year-old mother of two began to be sexually harassed by a supervisor soon after she started work for Lujeri as a macadamia picker in early 2018, and her pay was docked when she refused his demands, according to Leigh Day.

"After several more weeks of harassment, the supervisor raped the claimant and she became pregnant as a result, and later gave birth to a stillborn son in December 2019," it said.

In the lawsuit, Leigh Day argues that PGI Group and Lujeri were negligent in their duty of care towards the female employees.

There was no immediate response by PGI.

In a statement, Lujeri in Malawi said it was "deeply troubled" by the allegations and had launched disciplinary proceedings against 25 employees after finding "clear evidence of misconduct".

- Not enough -

The company's managing director, Grant Bramsen, said changes had already been made to combat abuses following a critical report in 2016 by the charity Oxfam into the state of Malawi's tea industry.

"Clearly, they did not go far enough," Bramsen said, vowing to implement new recommendations made by an outside trade consultancy "to the letter".

"Our buyers are aware of these allegations and are in support of the measures that the Tea Estates are putting in place," he added.

Lujeri supplies tea to well-known British brands including Tetley, Typhoo and PG Tips, as well as the own-brand tea labels of top supermarkets.

Story continues

All the British companies involved are looking into the claims and several have suspended ties to Lujeri, the Sunday Times newspaper reported.

Two of the tea brands supplied by Lujeri -- PG Tips and Lipton -- are owned by consumer goods giant Unilever, which said that any abuse of workers was "unacceptable".

Unilever will "continue to work with industry groups and partners to help the Malawi tea industry improve the lives of tea workers and bring an end to sexual and gender-based violence", a UK spokesperson told AFP.

In February, Leigh Day won a settlement worth 6.9 million ($9.5 million, 8.1 million euros) from UK-based food supplier Camellia over similar allegations at farms in Kenya and Malawi.

The latest case could ultimately go to trial, but Leigh Day partner Sapna Malik indicated the same outcome as February would be preferable.

"A satisfactory financial settlement would be a good outcome as well as the implementation of changes to working practices in the Lujeri plantations," she told AFP.

jit/bp
Former President Donald Trump speaks during a visit at the U.S.-Mexico border wall, in Alamo, Texas, on Jan. 12, 2021. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

Trump Says He Will Probably Visit US-Mexico Border Soon

Former President Donald Trump is leaning toward taking a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border soon, as federal officials struggle to deal with a surge in illegal border crossings.

A lot of people want me to, including Border Patrol personnel, Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Saturday night.

They want me there, theyve asked me to go, and I really sort of feel I owe it to them. Theyre great people, theyre doing an incredible job. Its impossible now with what [the Biden administration has] done, he added.

President Joe Biden rolled back a number of key measures the Trump administration had implemented to enforce border security, such as ending the so-called catch and release program, which allows illegal immigrants claiming asylum to be released into the United States as they await court hearings.

Less than one in five asylum claims are ultimately granted.

The policies have led to a sharp increase in illegal crossings at the border, with over 100,000 recorded in February alone, experts have told The Epoch Times.

The influx of unaccompanied children, in particular, has prompted federal officials to open or convert at least eight facilities to hold them, including three convention centers.

Administration officials continue to defend the policy changes, arguing the system under Trump was too restrictive and cruel.

Trump on Saturday said that in his view, the situation will get worse.

Border Patrol agents apprehend about two dozen illegal immigrants in Penitas, Texas, on March 11. 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Thousands and thousands of people are coming up right now as we speak. And youre gonna have millions of people pouring into our country, and its going to destroy our country, he said.

I dont know what theyre doing, and they dont know what theyre doing. Its a very, very dangerous situation. Id love not to be involved. Somebody else is supposed to be doing it.

The visit to the border will likely come in the next couple of weeks, though Trump said hes in no rush to go.

Biden is supposed to go, he said, adding: Im not looking to have a race, Im looking to get a problem solved.

Im not sure that I really should do it, other than the fact that I have such respect for the Border Patrol and for ICE, he also said, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The White House has said that there are no plans at present for Biden to visit the border.

Biden recently tasked Vice President Kamala Harris with handling the border crisis.

Harris during an interview with CBS last week said shell travel to the border in the future.

At some point, absolutely we will go down to the border, she said. And Ive been down to the border and our secretary of the Homeland Security, Alex Mayorkas, has been down there twice. Senior administration officials have been down there and yes, we will go.

But the reality also is that in addition to the border, we also need to deal with the root causes. We need to deal with whats happening in the Northern Triangle and address it in a way that is about not only diplomacy but bringing our allies together, she added. Dealing with what we need to do around aid in a way that is about developing those countries so that we also deal with the cause of why people are coming into our country.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 09:30:44|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ADDIS ABABA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Saturday said the COVID-19 accentuates African women's pre-existing challenges and vulnerabilities, especially during armed conflict and post-conflict situations.

The statement was made by the Peace and Security Council of the 55-member pan-African bloc, which followed the council's recent meeting under the theme "Women, Peace, Culture and Gender Inclusivity in Africa."

The council "acknowledges the debilitating impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on women's livelihoods and economic autonomy, thereby accentuating their pre-existing challenges and vulnerabilities, especially during armed conflict and post-conflict situations," the statement read.

According to the AU, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on African women's pre-existing challenges and vulnerabilities is evidenced by human rights violations and abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence.

The AU's Peace and Security Council in this regard strongly condemned the violations of human and people's rights, especially those against women and girls.

It further called for the perpetrators to be criminally prosecuted to ensure justice for the victims.

The AU has recently emphasized that the impact of COVID-19 on African women and girls who continue to face structural, social, cultural and economic injustices is significant and overwhelming.

According to the AU, the pandemic has exacerbated the existing structural injustices, creating a far deeper social, economic and humanitarian threat. Enditem
China to give full play to crucial role of sci-tech innovation

09:43, March 28, 2021 By He Yin ( People's Daily

Workers manufacture engine boom lifts, which are developed by China and Italy engineers in cooperation, to be exported at a factory of Zhejiang Dingli Machinery Co., Ltd., Huzhou, east Chinas Zhejiang Province, Jan. 21, 2021. (People's Daily Online/Xie Shangguo)

A series of strategic arrangements on adhering to innovation-driven development strategy and building new development advantages were made in China's Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, mapping out a new blueprint for the country's innovative development.

The outline emphasized the core position of innovation in the country's modernization drive, and takes the commitment to independent innovation in science and technology as strategic support to national development. It says the country's research and development spending is expected to grow by over 7 percent annually in the next five years.

According to the outline, China will also work for major breakthroughs in core technologies and build itself into one of the top innovative countries.

International observers said the outline mirrors the high attention placed by China on sci-tech innovation, and releases a clear signal that the country will push for high-quality development in a new stage of development.

Science, technology and innovation is a key engine for human progress, a powerful weapon in tackling many global challenges. "The impact of science and technology on a country's future and the people's wellbeing has never been so profound as today," said Chinese President Xi Jinping.

A worker sorts cargos before 5G-based intelligent warehouse racks at a smart factory of Noblelift Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd., Changxing County, Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 2, 2021. (People's Daily Online/Wang Jinyan)

Global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic that comes with profound impacts, as well as the world economic downturn and climate change, must be taken seriously. To discover momentum for development in science and technology, and to find solutions to global challenges through sci-tech innovation shall be a common pursuit of all countries. By expediting the development of the country into a leading sci-tech power, China is showcasing its wisdom and responsibility.

China always takes innovation as the primary force of development, and is pursuing innovation to achieve high-quality growth driven by domestic demand with concrete efforts.

According to a recent survey of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), China filed 68,720 patent applications last year, up 16.1 percent from those in 2019, remaining the largest patent applicant of the world for another year.

As sci-tech innovation is generating new drivers for high-quality development, China has been turned from a world factory into a patent factory, foreign observers commented.

To benefit the whole mankind with technology and seek scientific breakthroughs for humanity from open cooperation has always been a pursuit of China. The outline further points out that China will implement more open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial strategies for international sci-tech cooperation, and stay more positive about integrating into global innovation.

Practices tell us that openness leads to progress, and open cooperation in sci-tech innovation remains an important impetus driving common development of the world. China has conducted joint research programs with over 50 countries and regions and joined a series of international big science research projects including the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. Under the "Belt and Road" Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, over 8,300 foreign young scientists came to China for work and 33 joint research labs were established.

To build a community with a shared future for mankind, China is committed to coordinated innovation of global technology, taking an increasingly bigger part in global science and technology governance, and offering broad platforms for open global cooperation on science and technology. These efforts are welcomed by the international society.

Embarking on a new journey, China still maintains sci-tech development as a priority, and will give play to the crucial role of sci-tech innovation. It will definitely make more breakthroughs.

It is believed that through sincere cooperation with the rest of the world and by taking full advantage of sci-tech innovation, China is bound to inject more positive energy into economic and social development of mankind.

Production data are presented on a screen of a digital management system at a factory in Jindong District, Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 15, 2021. (People's Daily Online/Hu Xiaofei)

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)
In the latest tiff between the Kern County Board of Supervisors and Sacramento legislators, a renewable energy tax incentive has come under fi

An Australian TV station was forced to cancel much of its live programming on Sunday due to an 'unprecedented cyber attack'.

Security experts claim that 'Russian hackers' sought sought to stop Monday's episode of Under Investigation from going to air on Channel Nine.

Another source who spoke on condition of anonymity told ABC News that Nine management told staff a 'malicious' cyber attack was the suspected cause.

The network said the episode will 'expose Vladimir Putin's deadly campaign of chemical assassination being waged against his enemies' in the West.

Hosted by Liz Hayes, the broadcast would also reveal 'Russia's ongoing development of banned poisons and nerve agents in secret labs'.

Russia's relations with Western governments are at their lowest since the Cold War, marred by allegations of election interference and sweeping cyberattacks.

TVBlackbox, a news website, published a statement from the network, which was issued to staff at Nine, and media, confirming a cyber attack.

In the statement, Nine representatives said they have 'contingencies' in place to ensure the NRL match and news bulletins will air.

TV Blackbox reports that the technical glitches are believed by security experts to have been orchestrated by 'Russian hackers' who sought to stop Monday's episode of Under Investigation which focuses on Russian president Vladimir Putin, from going to air. Pictured: Host Liz Hayes

Security experts claim that 'Russian hackers' sought sought to stop Monday's episode of Under Investigation from going to air on Channel Nine. The network said the episode will 'expose Vladimir Putin's deadly campaign of chemical assassination'

'We wish to inform you there has been a cyber attack on our systems which has disrupted live broadcasts out of Nine Sydney (1 Denison),' it said.

'As a result, we were unable to get Weekend Today to air this morning however, have put several contingencies in place to ensure the NRL and our 6pm bulletins will proceed. Our IT teams are working around the clock to fully restore our systems which have primarily affected our Broadcast and Corporate business units.

'Publishing and Radio systems continue to be operational.

'While our IT teams work through this issue, we ask that all employees, in all markets, work from home until further notice.'

Nine journalist Alicia Loxley additionally said: 'Cyber hackers have targeted Channel Nine in a massive ransomware attack bringing down its network Australia-wide.

'No one has claimed responsibility for the bug but IT experts are working to bring systems back on-line.'

TV Blackbox cited 'security experts' who told told the network the attack is likely from Russia 'due to the sophistication of the hack'.

Monday's episode of the current affairs series, which is hosted by Liz Hayes, seeks to 'expose Vladimir Putin's deadly campaign of chemical assassination, being waged against his enemies on the streets of western countries'.

However, the episode is pre-recorded and will go to air as planned on Monday night.

Nine is currently scrambling to get its live programming back on air, with the Today show and news bulletins set to go ahead.

Channel Nine cancelled much of its programming on Sunday due to an 'unprecedented cyber attack'. Pictured: Hosts Rebecca Maddern, Richard Wilkins and Jayne Azzopardi

In a statement, Nine representatives said: 'We wish to inform you there has been a cyber-attack on our systems which has disrupted live broadcasts out of Nine Sydney'

It follows reports that President Putin has launched a terrifying new campaign to silence critics of his authoritarian regime - six of whom live in Britain.

An anonymous Russian intelligence officer who warned Salisbury novichok victim Sergei Skripal was being targeted by the Kremlin has spoken out to warn dissidents they are on the President's so-called 'kill list'.

The six anti-Putin opponents who are living in Britain include businessman Bill Browder and former MI6 officer Christopher Steele, who came to global fame after the release of his dodgy and discredited Trump dossier.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson described Moscow as an 'active threat' to British security, and vowed to raise the cap on the number of nuclear weapons in response.

US President Joe Biden refused to apologise after calling the Russian leader a 'killer' amid an escalating war of words between the two countries.

President Putin snapped back by wishing his American counterpart 'good health' and recalling the Russian Ambassador from the United States.

Vladimir Putin (pictured) moved a step closer to becoming 'president for life' as Russian MPs approved a law that would let him stay in power until 2036

Last week, the Kremlin strongman moved a step closer to becoming 'president for life' as Russian MPs approved a law that would let him stay in power until 2036.

President Putin was due to be term-limited out of office in 2024 but last year won public backing to amend the constitution and pave the way for two more terms.

The necessary legislation has now passed the lower house of Russia's parliament and only needs to get through the upper chamber before Putin can sign it into law.

President Putin who has already been in power for more than 20 years, would be eligible for two-more six year terms that would take him to 2036.
Jammu, March 28 : A special police officer (SPO) shot and killed a colleague in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district.

Police sources said SPO, Manohar Lal fired at selection grade constable, Kaka Ram in Udhampur market around 10.50 p.m. on Saturday with his service rifle.

"The injured policeman was shifted to hospital where he succumbed to critical injuries.

"While the exact circumstances of the incident are being investigated, preliminary inquiry suggests that there had been an altercation between the two," sources said.

SPOs are engaged in J&K to combat militancy by depleting the recruitment pools of militant outfits.

They are paid a fixed monthly packet and in most cases, no weapons training is given to them.
The family of murdered journalist Lyra McKee are launching an online campaign appealing for information on her killer ahead of the second anniversary of her death.

Justice4Lyra will go live on Wednesday, when the talented young writer would have been celebrating her 31st birthday.

Her sister, Nichola McKee Corner, said: "Nobody has been charged with shooting Lyra but the PSNI know the identity of the gunman.

"It is so hard for us knowing that he continues to walk around freely while our sister lies in the grave.

"We are launching a website to show people, who didn't know her, what Lyra was like.

"They can read her work, they can hear her talk, they can see how much she had to offer the world.

"We are asking anyone with information or footage that could lead to the arrest and conviction of those who took our sister from us to come forward."

Lyra McKee was shot dead as she stood with her partner, Sara Canning, and local residents beside a PSNI Land Rover in Derry's Creggan estate during a riot in April 2019.

She was hit in the head by a single bullet after a New IRA gunman opened fire on police.

Paul McIntyre (52) of Rinmore Drive in Derry is currently on bail charged with her murder, although it is not claimed that he was the gunman. He denies the charges.

Niall Sheerin (28) from Tyrconnell Street is charged with possessing the gun used in the murder, which he denies.

Christopher Gillen (40) of Balbane Pass faces charges in connection with rioting on the night Lyra was shot.

"Despite 150 brave local people coming forward with information and video footage to the police, the gunman has yet to be charged," Nichola said.

"Lyra was the main carer for our disabled mum, Joan, who died of a broken heart 11 months after she lost her baby girl.

Expand Close Please help: Nichola McKee Corner / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Please help: Nichola McKee Corner

"On her death bed, we promised her that we would continue to fight until we secured justice for Lyra.

"We are keeping that promise."

There have been more than 160 paramilitary-related murders since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, with a conviction rate of less than 1%.

"We have to be hopeful, despite the statistics," Nichola said.

"We have to believe in the goodness of people to come forward with new information now, just as they did in the aftermath of Lyra's murder.

"The culture of silence that pervades Northern Ireland protects paramilitaries and prevents justice.

"We must change that."

The website includes PSNI video footage from the night of the murder, Lyra's own writings, including articles for the Belfast Telegraph, and tributes to her from journalist friends.

"Doors were not held open for Lyra in the media industry for her to glide through when she started out," Nichola said.

"There were those who made it their mission to try to stop Lyra's blossoming career.

"But with the support of our mum, family and friends - and with her own hard work and determination - Lyra dug a tunnel through the barriers."

Lyra had secured a two-book deal with Faber and Faber, her TEDx talk was watched by almost 150,000 people on YouTube, and her speaking career had taken off as she travelled across the UK and Europe speaking on topics such as the role of working-class people in the media.

"Lyra's driving force in journalism was to give a voice to the voiceless," Nichola said.

"She was a caring, kind and generous person who put the needs of others above her own.

"Her empathy and energy made so many people love her.

"Her murder has left gaping hole in all our lives that can't be filled."

Nichola said that her birthday would be a heart-breaking day for the family.

"If Lyra was alive, I'd be buying her the leather-back notebooks she loved, a new Parker pen, and something to do with Harry Potter.

"JK Rowling was her inspiration. She was a single parent, like our mum, and Lyra grew up reading all her books.

"She loved the idea of magic.

"We can't buy Lyra a present, throw her a party or bake her a cake on Wednesday.

"But we can take our justice campaign online with the website and through Facebook and Twitter.

" It is also our way of honouring our late sister's life and legacy."
(Natural News) The milk industry is in trouble. As consumption declines and dairy farmers increasingly close up shop, many are pointing fingers at those within the industry for its current woes. The responsible parties have even been nicknamed the milk mafia to illustrate the control the Dairy Farmers of America, Dean Foods and big milk processors and retailers have over the market.

The name may sound sensational, but its not an exaggeration. In fact, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a national milk marketing cooperative, has faced RICO lawsuits in court; federal RICO laws aim to protect victims of mafia-like conspiracies. In 2010, a lawsuit was filed against the DFA by plaintiffs who alleged they carried out a mafia-like conspiracy to manipulate the prices of cheddar cheese.

DFA also made payments to dairy farmers as part of a $50 million settlement nearly nine years after dairy farmers filed a class action lawsuit against them. The suit accused the DFA of using its marketing arm to monopolize the milk market by pushing milk prices down. They never admitted wrongdoing in the case and said they were only settling it because their defense costs were getting too high. One of the countrys biggest dairy companies, Dean Foods, had settled separately a few years earlier for $30 million.

And when Dean Foods filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2019, the milk industry feared the situation was about to get worse. Dairy farmers who dont sell milk to processors like Dean can sell it to dairy cooperatives, who negotiate milk sales to retailers and processors on behalf of their members. However, as dairy co-ops continue to consolidate, the options are getting slim. Alongside the bankruptcy, Dean announced it was in talks with DFA about an acquisition, which is a huge conflict of interest as the DFA is supposed to be advocating for farmers and would instead be a processor  which would mean theyd want to keep milk prices low, to the detriment of the 13,000-plus dairy farmers they represent.

A former attorney for the U.S. Department of Justices antitrust division, Peter C. Carstensen, told the New Food Economy: The problem with DFA is the conflict of interest that will result from [trying] to lower prices to farmers in order to increase their revenue as a milk processor.

With the DFA already controlling just under a third of the nations milk production, acquiring Dean Foods gives them a monopoly over the market that would also see milk prices rise for consumers.

Last year, a lawsuit was filed against 75 members of the DFAs leadership claiming the co-op has been running a milk cartel which has shattered our nations crucial dairy industry. The complaint argues that DFA has been unfairly expanding its reach with its recent acquisition of most of Dean Foods assets.

Milk prices dropping, dairy farmer suicides rising

All of this comes at a time when low milk prices are seeing dairy farmers going out of business. Wisconsin farmers got nearly 40 percent less money for their milk in 2019 than they did in 2014. And in 2018, nearly 700 of the states dairy farms were closed, many of which were small operations. The problems stemmed from companies who send their milk to grocery stores refusing to pay the farmers enough to cover the costs of milk production. While northeastern farmers claimed the DFA and Dean Foods conspired to monopolize the market and drive prices down, taking advantage of the fact that their member farmers had nowhere else to sell their milk, cooperatives on the West Coast were accused by members of keeping millions of dollars as part of a complex accounting scheme.

Meanwhile, dairy farmer suicides are rising as more and more farms are forced to close their doors  and the problem is getting so bad that one cooperative sent its farmers charts with dismal milk price forecasts and a list of suicide prevention hotlines along with their milk checks at one point.

In addition, milk consumption is dropping dramatically. In 2018, Americans consumed roughly 17.5 gallons of milk per person; the figure was 29.6 gallons in 1975. While some blame this on the availability of plant-based milk alternatives and other beverages, the truth is that many people are abandoning milk because of the way it is processed, with concentrated animal feeding operations producing milk in filthy conditions and then heating it until the pathogens are gone  along with the beneficial organisms naturally present in the milk.

Sources for this article include:

HealthImpactNews.com

BizJournals.com

TheMilkweed.com

NPR.org

FoodDive.com
The financial-assistance forms students submit to attend South Carolina colleges are down, and the decline is especially pronounced for one sector of the higher-education field, federal data show.

Compared to the same time last year, technical colleges around the state are seeing about 7,000 fewer Free Application for Federal Student Aid filings, which many parents and students alike know as FAFSA. It's just the latest in annual declines for the two-year schools.

Though not a direct measure of who actually enrolls, FAFSA numbers are seen as a barometer of student engagement and interest in pursuing an education beyond high school.

Tim Hardee, president of the South Carolina Technical College System, noted the economic implications. He said enrollment at the state's 16 tech schools has indeed been down in recent years, though with a tight labor market, that is somewhat to be expected.

Sign up for our new business newsletter We're starting a weekly newsletter about the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email

Sign Up!

But with the higher, coronavirus-induced unemployment continuing, and the future of some industries uncertain, Hardee said it is a perfect time for people to invest in their education. Several key industries, including health care, advanced manufacturing and information technology, are still reporting shortages in skilled labor.

"We're trying to make sure that we stay both affordable and accessible moving forward out of the pandemic," Hardee said. "Our hope is as things improve that students will come back to the technical college system."

The latest FAFSA application numbers are current through September 2020. While they show total submissions were down statewide, some of South Carolina's largest educational institutions have bucked the trend. Applications remain at pre-pandemic levels at Clemson University, the University of South Carolina, the College of Charleston and the Medical University of South Carolina, among others.

About 41 percent of high school seniors in South Carolina have filled out the FAFSA application so far this cycle, a 5 percent decrease since the last academic year, according to the National College Attainment Network, which advocates that all high school students at least complete the online form. Meanwhile, a bill introduced in the state Legislature would require high school seniors to submit a FAFSA before graduation.
FLINT, MI - A 26-year-old woman was critically injured after being shot during an argument at a Flint home.

The Flint Police Department responded to McLaren Hospital for a reported shooting Saturday, March 27.

An investigation determined the woman was shot shortly before 6 a.m. on Ivanhoe Avenue near N. Dexter Street, a news release said.

No arrests have been made, but police said a 34-year-old man is a suspect.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to call 810-285-3649 or to remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245), P3Tips mobile app, or CrimeStoppersofFlint.com.

More on MLive:

Court date set for Flint water crisis contractor accused of placing construction spoils in neighborhood

Driver crashes into stopped Michigan State Police patrol car, injuring trooper

Michigan woman gets special 100th birthday surprise from American Rosie the Riveter Association
The fault is not in Geneva but in ourselves View(s):

Come March every year, Sri Lanka has been the subject of a great deal of unfavourable attention from the international community with regard to its Human Rights record.

With the conclusion of the armed conflict in May 2009, attention at the sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council has repeatedly been drawn to alleged violations of human rights during the last days of the conflict.

The resolution against Sri Lanka was adopted in Geneva last week with 22 countries voting in support and 11 voting against while 14 abstained. The resolution while expressing deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka, also criticised the erosion of judicial independence, the marginalisation of minorities and impunity. The Resolution has also empowered the UNHRC with a mandate to collect and preserve information and evidence of crimes related to Sri Lankas 37-year long civil war which ended in 2009.

The issues relating to Human Rights violations during the war are therefore kept alive with the prospect of prosecutions hanging over the head of any one or more individuals who may have committed such violations.

The Government for its part did not make its task of defending its human rights record any easier by its own actions as well as by the statements of its own spokesmen.

In January 2021 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet issued a report documenting recent trends in Sri Lanka.

She said the failure to deal with the past continued to have devastating effects on tens of thousands of family members from all communities who persist in seeking justice, reparations  and the truth about the fate of their loved ones.

She urged States to consider targeted sanctions, such as asset freezes and travel bans against credibly alleged perpetrators of grave human rights violations and abuses. Ms Bachelet also urged the Council to support a dedicated capacity to collect and preserve evidence for future accountability processes.

The High Commissioner said Sri Lanka will only achieve sustainable development and peace if it effectively addresses systemic impunity and ensures civic space.

The failure to do so carries with it the seeds of repeated patterns of human rights violations and potential conflict in the future, she said.

She also pointed out the fact that Sri Lankas Muslim community was increasingly scapegoated, both in the context of COVID-19 and in the wake of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dinesh Gunawerdena in a subsequent statement to the Human Rights Council described Sri Lanka as a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and plural society. But in the run up to the discussion and vote on the Resolution last week, ministers in Colombo were almost falling over each other to prove the Foreign Minister wrong in the eyes of the international community.

They spoke of banning the Burka, closing of Madrasa schools while orders were issued that no Islamic books could be imported into the country without the approval of Governmental authorities.

The situation became so bad that Sri Lankas Ambassador to Geneva C. A. Chandraprema publicly complained that some of the actions and statements of ministers was making it difficult to promote Sri Lankas interests before the Human Rights Council.

The pattern of voting on the Resolution too provided interesting insights. Of the immediate neighbours, only Pakistan and Bangladesh voted with Sri Lanka while both India and Nepal abstained from voting.

India which had repeatedly conveyed its interest in the 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka could not make up its mind to vote against the Resolution. One of the factors that influenced its decision may have been the forthcoming elections in Tamil Nadu.

Pakistans stand on the resolution too was interesting. Many believe that it was Prime Minister Imran Khans visit to Sri Lanka which eventually made the Government change its position on forcibly cremating bodies of those who died or were suspected to have died due to COVID-19.

After stubbornly refusing to budge from its position of forcible cremations for over one year despite the overwhelming scientific evidence that no harm could be caused by such burials, Imran Khans short visit helped to change the Governments stance on the matter.

Many believed that in return the Government expected Pakistan to use its considerable influence among the Organisation of Islamic Countries to gather the support of its Members in favour of Sri Lanka at the voting in Geneva.

However this was not to be. One is not sure whether the OIC countries were not convinced or whether the Pakistani Government was ticked off following the Governments attitude to the Muslims.

Shortly after Imran Khan left the shores of Sri Lanka, the Government announced its intention of banning the Burka. The Pakistan High Commissioner in Colombo Maj. Gen. (Retd) Muhammad Saad Khattak said in a Twitter thread: The likely ban on Niqab #SriLanka will only serve as injury to the feelings of ordinary Sri Lankan Muslims and Muslims across the globe. At todays economically difficult time due to the pandemic and other image related challenges faced by the country at international fora, such divisive steps in the name of security, besides accentuating economic difficulties, will only serve as fillip to further strengthen wider apprehensions about fundamental human rights of minorities in the country.

Yet Pakistan did stand by Sri Lanka in the voting on the resolution. Whether it was because of its longstanding friendship with Sri Lanka despite its own concerns with regard to the treatment of Muslims in the country or whether it was due to pressure from China to whom Pakistan is economically beholden it is difficult to say.

In the final analysis one cannot decide on who Sri Lankas friends are based on how they voted in Geneva. Most of the countries in the Human Rights Council are friends whatever stand they may have taken. After all the best of friends are those who point out faults and help one to find the correct path.

What Sri Lanka should and can do is to correct its human rights trajectory without succumbing to political or other pressures. The fault is not in Geneva but in our own hands.

Meanwhile in a lighter aside Minister Dinesh Gunawardene has been coming in for a great deal of flak with regard to his Mathematics in terms of the voting in Geneva. The Foreign Minister claimed victory for Sri Lanka on the basis that the votes against together with the abstentions was greater than the number of votes for the resolution.

Professor A. N. I. Ekanayake, an old boy of Royal College in Colombo in a letter to the Foreign Minister which is doing the rounds in social media has pleaded with him to desist from advertising the fact that he is an old Royalist. Professor Ekanayake said if Mr. Gunawardenes college affiliations are known, people would conclude that the standards of Mathematics at Royal College were low at that time both were studying.

In defence of Mr. Gunawardene, it must be said this formula was not his invention. Professor G. L. Pieris was the inventor of this new Maths on a previous occasion when Sri Lanka lost the vote in Geneva. However it would be unfair to credit the school by the sea for the ingenuity of a professorial mind. (javidyusuf@gmail.com)
An inmate was killed and a correction officer was injured after being taken hostage at the Oklahoma County Detention Center in Oklahoma City on Saturday, law enforcement officials said.

The officer was rescued and was being treated at a hospital, the Oklahoma City Police Department said. The nature of the officers injuries was unknown, and it was not immediately clear how long the officer had been held hostage.

The inmate was shot and killed by Oklahoma City police officers, officials said.

Just after 4 p.m. local time, as medication was being given to the inmates, the officer was overpowered and taken hostage by at least one inmate, Greg Williams, the administrator of the detention center, said in a news conference on Saturday night.

The inmate then took the officers radio and keys and freed other inmates, he said. No other staff member was injured, and Mr. Williams was unsure how many inmates had been released or involved in the standoff.
At least 19 worshippers were injured during an explosion in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Indonesian city of Makassar on Palm Sunday, the first day of the Holy Week in the Christian faith, the New York Times reports.

Why it matters: Indonesian President Joko Widodo called the bombing a terrorist attack, though authorities are still investigating the blast.
The debate over how much environmental protection a state should provide for its citizens usually devolves into this choice: business success vs public health. Businesses fight against tighter environmental laws because they could hurt their profits while also warning those costs will hurt the states attractiveness to other businesses.

I say the debate devolves to that question because its a false choice. Its like a debate over how many cigarettes its safe to smoke. Or how many times you can play Russian roulette without losing.

There is only one correct answer, and not just because the wrong one can kill you. Its also because history shows the correct answer  environmental protection should always be the priority  is also the best choice for long-term business success.

Louisiana is currently going through another cycle of this debate, with business interests pushing for permitting more polluting industries and against critically-needed reductions in the use and production of fossil fuels.

All of which leads me to this nugget from U.S. News & World Reports 2021 ranking of Best States for quality of life: Louisiana ranks last.

And we were last in 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017  which is as long as the magazine currently lists those rankings on its web page.

It says the rankings are based on measuring 70 metrics across eight categories: health care, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, crime and corrections and natural environment.

It is no coincidence that US News & World Report research also found Louisiana leads the nation in the highest amount of industrial toxins in its air, water and ground, as well as exposing its residents to the highest health risk from pollution.

Now, in case youre wondering, neither liberal nor conservative states dominate the upper ranks. They are almost evenly divided between red, blue and purple states, as well as heartland and the coasts, and include several fossil fuel states. And almost all these states enjoy reputations for solid economies as well as healthy environments.

So imagine youre the CEO of a growing company searching for a location to place a major expansion. Louisiana comes to mind because of its vast and intricate port system based on the Mississippi Rivers gateway to the world. You can ship your products in bulk for much less if you have easy access to that system. And youve heard so much about the interesting and enjoyable culture, the friendly people  and the friendly government.

But then you think about competing with other industries for the best and brightest employees. So you also begin looking at those USNWR rankings, and others. You look at Louisianas scores at or near the bottom in literacy, education, poverty, general health, infant mortality, total pollution, life expectancy, crime and incarceration.

So then you start looking elsewhere.

Unless youre in a pollution-heavy industry. Then you look at the states history of giving huge tax exemptions for polluters  especially foreign-owned companies  and asking very little in return in terms of permanent employment. You smile at the history of state legislators and its congressional delegation fighting against tightening of pollution regulations and joining former President Donald Trump in his assault on climate regulations.

And as a polluter, you know youve found a happy home. Because history also tells you that anytime the state tries to get serious about choosing environmental health over your profits, you can threaten to leave, and the state's elected officials will come around  and keep getting reelected, anyway.

You know winning this game will help keep Louisiana wearing that dunce cap awarded to the state for lowest quality of life because your tax breaks are robbing budgets for health care, education and infrastructure, and your permitted pollution will keep it listed as the state with the highest risk for pollution-related diseases.

And you know you can keep winning, until global market forces turn the profits too low, or some third-world country gives you even more of a good deal.

Then, like all polluters, youll pack up and go, leaving Louisiana where you found it: ranked last on that list of Best States.

Bob Marshall, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Louisiana environmental journalist, can be reached at bmarshallenviro@gmail.com, and followed on Twitter @BMarshallEnviro.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
An anti-coup protester stands near a fire during a demonstration in Yangon, Myanmar (AP)

Protesters returned to the streets of Myanmar on Sunday to press their demands for a return to democracy, just a day after security forces killed more than 100 people in the bloodiest day since last months military coup.

Demonstrations were held in Yangon and Mandalay, the countrys two biggest cities, as well as elsewhere. Some protests were again met with police force.

At least 114 people were killed on Saturday as security forces cracked down on protests against the February 1 coup which ousted Aung San Suu Kyis elected government, according to the online news service Myanmar Now.

Several children under 16 were reported to be among the dead.

Expand Close Anti-coup protesters gesture with the three-fingers symbol of resistance during a demonstration in Thaketa township in Yangon (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Anti-coup protesters gesture with the three-fingers symbol of resistance during a demonstration in Thaketa township in Yangon (AP)

Similar death tolls were issued by other Myanmar media and researchers, far exceeding the previous highest on March 14.

The number of killings since the coup is now more than 420, according to multiple counts.

The coup reversed years of progress towards democracy after five decades of military rule and has again made Myanmar the focus of international scrutiny.

Saturdays killings by police and soldiers took place throughout the country as Myanmars military celebrated the annual Armed Forces Day holiday with a parade in the countrys capital, Naypyitaw.

The bloodshed quickly drew international condemnation, both from diplomatic missions within Myanmar and from abroad.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was shocked by the killings of civilians, including children.

The continuing military crackdown is unacceptable and demands a firm, unified & resolute international response, he wrote on Twitter.

I am deeply shocked by the killing of dozens of civilians, including children & young people, by security forces in Myanmar today.



The continuing military crackdown is unacceptable and demands a firm, unified & resolute international response. https://t.co/qtnQaH5jvN  AntAnio Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 27, 2021

In the United States, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a tweet that his country is horrified by the bloodshed perpetrated by Burmese security forces, showing that the junta will sacrifice the lives of the people to serve the few.

The military chiefs of 12 nations issued a joint statement condemning the use of force against unarmed people.

A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting  not harming  the people it serves, it said.

We urge the Myanmar armed forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions.

The statement was issued by the defence chiefs of Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Human rights group Amnesty International revived criticism that the international community is not doing enough to end the state violence in Myanmar.

UN Security Council member states continued refusal to meaningfully act against this never-ending horror is contemptible, said Ming Yu Hah, the organisations deputy regional director for campaigns.

Expand Close Anti-coup protesters prepare makeshift bows and arrows to confront police in Thaketa township in Yangon (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Anti-coup protesters prepare makeshift bows and arrows to confront police in Thaketa township in Yangon (AP)

The Security Council has condemned the violence but not advocated concerted action against the junta, such as a ban on selling it arms.

China and Russia are both major arms suppliers to Myanmars military as well as politically sympathetic, and, as members of the council, would almost certainly veto any such move.

In recent days the junta has portrayed the demonstrators as the ones perpetrating violence for their sporadic use of Molotov cocktails.

On Saturday, some protesters in Yangon were seen carrying bows and arrows.

The junta has said its use of force is justified to stop what it has called rioting.
opinion

No sooner had Samia Suluhu Hassan been sworn in as Tanzania's first female leader did people start debating whether to call her "Mama Samia." Mama shows respect and doesn't reduce presidential powers, says Grace Kabogo.

Some Tanzanians have opted to address President Samia Suluhu Hassan as "mama" -- a Kiswahili word for mother. Others argue that people should not use such a word to describe the country's leader -- after all, former male presidents were not referred to as fathers. Either way, no one should be misconstrued as being disrespectful for calling the new Tanzanian head of state Mama Samia.

A mother is a leader, caretaker, humble, gentle and one who loves her children. However, some women activists believe that when it comes to leadership within the context of the country's constitution, laws and regulations, the word mother should not exist.

Some claim that women have long been fighting for equality to remove patriarchy from society. When people invoke motherhood, we remain stagnant in self-identification using the "female" gender. However, this discussion is, for me, a no-brainer.

Mama Samia since days of the vice presidency

The term Mama Samia is not new. Since she became the deputy to the late President John Pombe Magufuli in 2015, people have always addressed her as Mama Samia. I have never heard her complain or disparage anyone for using that title. But still, some say she should be called mama at home, but at work, it should be Her Excellency, President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

It is strange for Tanzania, because this is the first time the East African nation has a female president. This epic political development reportedly made some critics question her leadership capability. The new president has been quick to dismiss those aspersions.

During her speech at Magufuli's state funeral in Dodoma on March 22, Samia reaffirmed her willingness and readiness to lead the nation. "For those who are skeptical on whether this woman will be able to be the president of Tanzania, I want to assure you that I'm standing here as the president. I repeat, I'm standing here as the president of the United Republic of Tanzania, and I am a woman," she stressed.

Tanzania's first president, Julius Kambarage Nyerere, is to this day fondly referred to as Mwalimu Nyerere. Mwalimu is a Kiswahili word for teacher. Was this an insult to him? Was this word disrespectful to the president? Of course not! What's more, Africa's first democratically elected female head of state, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is often described as the "Mother of Liberia."

How to address the commander in chief?

Apart from the word mama, another controversy on how to address President Samia is whether to use the term commander in chief. According to the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977, Article 33 (1) and (2), there shall be a "President of the United Republic of Tanzania, who shall be the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces."

In Kiswahili, the term for commander in chief is "Amiri Jeshi Mkuu." The word Amiri is derived from the Arabic language and loosely translates to leader or commander. Since the Kiswahili language does not have masculine or feminine forms, use of the term has caused a heated debate. Some have said President Samia should carry the title "Amirat Jeshi Mkuu" or "Amira Jeshi Mkuu," but not "Amiri Jeshi Mkuu."

On Friday, as the nation laid Magufuli, to rest Tanzania's chief of defense forces, General Venance Mabeyo, ended the row saying President Samia will also be known as Amiri Jeshi Mkuu.

I don't think calling President Samia the country's Amiri Jeshi Mkuu or commander in chief has any connotation with a male presidency. We should not complicate matters, but rather borrow a leaf from Kiswahili which has no gender.

The use of surnames

If that wasn't enough, another issue is the use of the leader's name. In the past, all our former male presidents were known by their last names. For example, President Nyerere, President Mwinyi, President Kikwete and the rest. Now that we have a female president, should we call her President Samia or Her Excellency, President Hassan? Addressing her by her surname, could without a doubt, make it sound as if the president is male.

Regarding the title, should it be Her Excellency or President Samia or Mama Samia or Madam Samia? Do we need to get directives from the government officials about this issue, or will it depend on the citizens themselves?

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Governance 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.

I think every Tanzanian should be free to call the president as he or she sees fit, as long as they don't cross the red line and her title, dignity and honor remain intact. That is to say, president and commander in chief of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Back to mama: this is a word of great honor, but it will not make sense at all if Tanzania is not united, if it doesn't have democracy freedom of expression or if the president doesn't amend oppressive laws and reach out to the opposition. The word mama will be honored if she respects the constitution and moves the country forward. At the end of the day, Tanzanians will judge her not by how good she was as a mother, but by her performance and how she led the country.

Calling her mama or not doesn't make her presidency more male. Our first president Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was also referred to as "Baba wa Taifa," meaning Father of the Nation. I have nothing against calling our first female president "Mama wa Taifa" -- Mother of the Nation.
A school has renamed its 'mufti day' to 'be yourself day' after concerns the colloquial use of the Arabic word was culturally insensitive.

Heretaunga College, in Upper Hutt, New Zealand, held its first 'be yourself day' last Tuesday after asking senior students to research whether 'mufti' was outdated.

Assistant Principal Matthew Lambert said while no formal complaints had been made over the use of the term, last year's head girl had questioned its appropriateness.

He said after hearing whispers other schools were planning to abandon the term, three head students were asked to research its origins and report their findings.

Heretaunga College - located in Upper Hutt, New Zealand - held its first 'be yourself day' last Tuesday after extensive research deemed the term 'mufti' to be culturally insensitive

'They came back with some pretty interesting things. Some links with Islam and things like that, definitions of the word from back in the past and obviously what it means now as well as their own summary of the whole scenario,' Mr Lambert told the NZ Herald.

The school's executive group then discovered a Spinoff article where University of Canterbury historian Kate Pickles detailed mufti day's colonial origin.

The historian revealed how off-duty British military leaders in India during the 19th century would wear the clothing of local Muslim clerics to mock them.

The adoption of the clothing led to the British Army using the word mufti to describe their days out of uniform, which was later picked up by the British school system.

Promotional posters and a post on the college's instagram (pictured) alerted students to the newly named 'be yourself day'

After months of consideration the college's Principal and executive group voted to ditch the Arabic word for good, deciding it could be offensive to staff and students.

Promotional posters put up around the school and a post on the college's Instagram alerted students to the newly named 'be yourself day'.

Students were asked to bring a $2 donation for the non-uniform day, with half of the proceeds donated to the Te Pa Manawa Shelter Britannia House in Petone.

Head boy Cameron Prince said there had been a mixed response from Heretaunga students, but overall his fellow classmates had accepted the change.

Assistant Principal of Heretaunga College (pictured) Matthew Lambert said 'be yourself day' was encouraging staff and students to express themselves more creatively

'A lot of people don't understand the history behind the term so there has been a bit of negative feedback towards it but I have heard a lot of positive feedback in saying that - that it was a good move for the school,' he said.

Mr Lambert said staff and students had embraced 'be yourself today' as a chance to express themselves more authentically and creatively.

'For example one of our staff is heavily into his spear fishing and free diving so he was wearing some of his spear fishing gear with suit bottoms on and a towelling poncho over the top', he explained.

The assistant principal also drew a correlation with the new term with the college's decision to replace 'excellence' - one of the school's mottos - with 'empathy'.

'We call them our pride values which are participation, respect, integrity, determination and empathy,' he said.

'So it fits in really nicely with our empathy pride value, putting ourselves in the shoes of others sort of thing.'

Pro-life, pro-abortion activism labeled as domestic violent extremist threat in US intel report

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A report declassified last week by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security named both pro-life and pro-abortion activists on a list of domestic violent extremist groups.

The March 1 report, compiled by the Director of National Intelligence, concluded that domestic violent extremists (DVEs) who are motivated by a range of ideologies and galvanized by recent political and societal events in the United States pose an elevated threat to the homeland in 2021. The document included a list of categories of domestic violent extremists but did not mention any specific group or organization by name.

Abortion-related domestic violent extremists, defined as DVEs with ideological agendas in support of pro-life or pro-choice beliefs were listed as one of the categories of domestic violent extremists identified by the intelligence community. The report maintained that mere advocacy of political or social positions, political activism and use of strong rhetoric may not constitute violent extremism, and may be constitutionally protected.

More broadly, domestic violence extremists were defined as U.S.-based actors who conduct or threaten activities that are dangerous to human life in violation of the criminal laws of the United States or any state; appearing to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; and influence the government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.

While pro-life activists generally carry out their advocacy peacefully, there have been instances of violence committed against abortion providers, advocates and clinics.

In 2015, Robert Dear opened fire on a Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs, Colorado, killing three people and injuring several others. He told police no more baby parts, referring to undercover videos documenting Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of aborted babies organs, tissue and limbs.

In 2009, noted abortionist George Tiller was murdered as he attended church in Kansas. Scott Roeder was arrested for the crime and his ex-wife alleged that he was very vocal about his anti-abortion views while stressing that she never thought he would go this far.

Even before the motive of the shooter was revealed, pro-life groups were quick to condemn the slaying of the abortion provider. The pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List described Tillers murder as an anti-life act, with its President Marjorie Dannenfelser asserting that the rights of one human being can never be honored by diminishing or ignoring the rights of another.

Additionally, someone named Scott Roeder had left comments on the pro-life website Operation Rescue, comparing Tiller to a Nazi death-camp doctor, who needs to be stopped before he and those who protect him bring judgment upon our nation. Operation Rescue explained that Roeder had never been a member, contributor, or volunteer with the organization, and that thousands of people post on the websites public forum on a daily basis.

Other examples of anti-abortion violence include the 1997 bombing of an Atlanta, Georgia-area abortion clinic and the 1999 arson of a South Dakota Planned Parenthood. While the attacks against pro-abortion activists and clinics have received a great deal of media attention, pro-life protesters have also been subject to acts of violence.

In 2015, an abortion supporter threw a Molotov cocktail at two pro-life protesters gathered outside a Planned Parenthood in Texas. The perpetrator had previously testified against Senate Bill 1, a measure designed to limit abortions after 20 weeks gestation. According to World Net Daily, she claimed during her testimony that unwanted pregnancy occurs in victims of rape from the ages of 9 to 90.

In 2009, pro-life activist Jim Pouillon was murdered as he held a pro-life sign depicting an aborted baby in front of a high school in his Michigan hometown. A former city councilman testified that in the days leading up to the murder, the shooters mother had called him multiple times to complain about Pouillon in a tone that he described as evil and nasty.

The former congressman also said that she told him she wanted to send her boys over to go see Jim and commented after the murder that I have solved the citys problem, my son has shot Jim Pouillon. The judge overseeing the case refused to let the jury hear the former congressmans testimony, which he characterized as hearsay. Then-President Barack Obama, an outspoken supporter of abortion, condemned Pouillons murder, saying that whichever side of a public debate youre on, violence is never the right answer.

Just as abortion clinics have faced violence, so too have pro-life pregnancy centers. In 2016, a pro-life pregnancy center in New Mexico was set on fire. In 2019, a pro-life event at a Minnesota college had to be evacuated because of a bomb threat.

While no one was seriously injured at the Minnesota pro-life event, the perpetrator left behind a stink bomb that can cause nausea and headaches, eye irritation, a loss of smell, pulmonary edema, and even death. People seated near where the stink bomb was located began to feel sick, and were coughing and feeling light-headed while at least three people reported headaches and chest irritation.
(Corrects slug, no changes to the text)

By Denis Dumo

JUBA (Reuters) - The Sudanese government and a major rebel group from its southern Nuba Mountains on Sunday signed a document which paves the way for a final peace agreement by guaranteeing freedom of worship to all while separating religion and the state.

The signing is viewed as a crucial step in efforts by the power-sharing government headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to reach accords with rebel groups across the country and end decades of conflicts that left millions displaced and hundreds of thousands dead.

Last year Sudan signed a peace agreement with many groups, including from the Western region of Darfur.

But a key faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, did not join in last year's agreement because it stuck to its demand that Sudan dispenses with sharia law and becomes a secular, democratic state.

Sharia law was first imposed in Sudan in 1983, and maintained by the now deposed president Omar al-Bashir for the duration of his 30-year-long Islamist rule.

The so-called 'Declaration of Principles' signed on Sunday in South Sudan's capital Juba between Sudan and the rebel faction means talks on a final accord can now begin.

The declaration stated that both sides agreed to "the establishment of a civil, democratic federal state in Sudan, wherein, the freedom of religion, the freedom of belief and religious practices and worship shall be guaranteed to all Sudanese people by separating the identities of culture, religion, ethnicity and religion from the state."

"No religion shall be imposed on anyone and the state shall not adopt official religion," it said, without specifying that Sudan would become a secular state, a controversial issue in the country's transition.

Aman Amum, the Secretary-General of SPLM-N told Reuters on Sunday that reaching a consensus on the role of religion in Sudan's politics was a breakthrough that would now accelerate talks towards a final peace settlement.

Story continues

Sudan had now "accepted the separation of religion from the state," Amum said.

It had been unclear whether Sudan's military, which shares power with a civilian executive branch, would support any such moves after years of backing Islamists.

Civilian prime minister Abdalla Hamdok signed a similar declaration with al-Hilu last year.

Sudan has been wracked by conflicts for decades. After the oil-rich south seceded in 2011, an economic crisis fuelled protests that led to the overthrow of Bashir in 2019.

SPLM-N has been operating in a region inhabited by minority Christians and followers of African beliefs who complain of long discrimination under Bashir's rule.

Amum told Reuters both sides would start negotiating over other issues like power-sharing and the fate of combatants.

After Sunday's signing, only one rebel group - a faction of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) - remains a major security challenge to the government in Khartoum.

Led by Abdel Wahed el-Nur, SLA is active in Jebel Marra in Sudan's Darfur region.

(Writing by Elias Biryabarema, Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Nafisa Eltahir)
The size of it: The machines we drove at that time were not the behemoths that ply the fields and roads of today

Im reading the first instalment of Barack Obamas memoirs at the moment. Entitled A Promised Land, the work is over 700 pages long, not counting the index and trimmings.

For a slow reader like me a work of such length is a daunting prospect. However, I am really enjoying it. Obama has a reputation as a ponderous policy wonk but he is also a lively writer, a great storyteller and his book zips along even when he wades into the minutiae of policy.

Among the many difficulties he faced as president was the inheritance of a country at war, with troops deployed on active service in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. During his first term the Arab Spring saw Libya implode and Syria explode.

He had never served in the armed forces and felt this to be something of an impediment when it came to dealing with the military brass and making decisions that involved ordering military action. The fact that he had never been that soldier weighed on him.

All this is by way of introduction to todays topic: the habits of tractor drivers on public roads. It will take some leap of imagination to connect the deployment of an aircraft carrier to the Strait of Hormuz with monitoring the progress of agricultural machinery on the roads of rural Ireland, but hang in there with me.

Read More

When it comes to commenting on the habits of tractor drivers, unlike Obama, I have served. I was once that soldier and campaigned in the driving seat of many a galloping diesel-powered machine as they barrelled along rural roads hauling trailers a few times their size and weight.

More than a few of my youthful summers were spent drawing silage around the roads of west Limerick.

Indeed, my brothers would claim that farms from Ballinacarriga to Ballysteen are littered with monuments to my less-than-careful driving skills. I am held responsible for leaning piers, buckled gates and rickety stone walls across four parishes.

A certain farmer in Stonehall never loses the opportunity to remind me that my driving exploits rendered his gates bent beyond usefulness. The results wouldnt look out of place in an exhibition of contemporary sculpture.

As time has gone by the legend has grown legs. I will admit that I may have altered the angle of one or two piers and, perhaps, an odd gate mightnt be as well hung as it once was, but contrary to family lore, I didnt treat the farms of west Limerick like the set of Fast and Furious.

The machines we drove at that time were not the behemoths that ply the fields and roads of today. What we called tractors were simple machines, not much bigger than modern lawnmowers.

Four wheels, an engine and a functioning hydraulic pump was as complicated as they got. Brakes were an added extra, and any tractor with working lights was less than two weeks old. As for indicators, even cars didnt have those luxuries.

Thankfully things have changed and the modern tractor is a sight to behold. To meet one coming towards you on a winters night with lights blazing from every angle is like encountering a craft designed and launched by NASA.

It has every accessory and refinement imaginable: mirrors, brakes, wipers, indicators, heaters, air conditioning, a radio, even brake-lights.

Read More

However, I have issues with some of the people who pilot these rural space rovers. As they bomb along the public roads they need to remember that, even at full tilt, theyre only capable of travelling at 40-50km/h.

I want to say to them: Just look into one of the multitude of mirrors at your disposal and see the line of cars behind you. Even Aunt Agatha in her 1-litre Toyota Yaris is capable of going twice as fast as you can. Find the next gap and just pull over.

The biggest bone of contention I have with the pilots of these modern contraptions is their failure to turn off the white lights at the back of the tractors when travelling on the public roads.

These powerful lamps are generally installed high up on the rear of the cab, with perhaps two more attached to the rear mudguards. They are meant to cast light on whatever machine is operating behind the tractor when working at night on the land.

If they remain switched on while driving along the public road they completely dazzle drivers coming behind and are most dangerous. Im sure it isnt a huge effort to turn them off, so lads, draw in the ego and hit the switch.

Ive wanted to say these things for a long time and I dont feel the slightest bit uneasy doing so. Unlike Obama, I have the stripes to prove it and monuments scattered all over west Limerick to testify to the fact that I was that soldier.
C-17's 'Sightseeing Tour' Over Ireland That Drew Complaints from Locals Was Pre-Approved, Base Says

The C-17 made headlines overseas after aircraft spotters noticed the massive aircraft moving through Irish airspace.
SUEZ, Egypt - Two additional tugboats deployed Sunday to Egypt's Suez Canal to aid efforts to free a skyscraper-sized container ship wedged for days across the crucial waterway, even as major shippers increasingly divert their boats out of fear the vessel may take even longer to free.

Ever Given, a Panama-flagged cargo ship, that is wedged across the Suez Canal and blocking traffic in the vital waterway is seen Saturday, March 27, 2021. Tugboats and a specialized suction dredger worked to dislodge a giant container ship that has been stuck sideways in Egypt's Suez Canal for the past three days, blocking a crucial waterway for global shipping. (AP Photo/Mohamed Elshahed)

SUEZ, Egypt - Two additional tugboats deployed Sunday to Egypt's Suez Canal to aid efforts to free a skyscraper-sized container ship wedged for days across the crucial waterway, even as major shippers increasingly divert their boats out of fear the vessel may take even longer to free.

The MV Ever Given, a Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned ship that carries cargo between Asia and Europe, got stuck Tuesday in a single-lane stretch of the canal. In the time since, authorities have been unable to unstick the vessel and traffic through the canal  valued at over $9 billion a day  has been halted, further disrupting a global shipping network already strained by the coronavirus pandemic.

Illustration shows a cross section of the Suez Canal.

The Dutch-flagged Alp Guard, a specialist tugboat, arrived at the location Sunday, according to the stuck ship's technical management company, Bernard Schulte Shipmanagement. The Italian-flagged tugboat Carlo Magno was also close, having reached the Red Sea near the city of Suez early Sunday, satellite data from MarineTraffic.com showed.

The tugboats, along with at least 10 others already there, will be used to nudge the 400-meter-long (quarter-mile-long) Ever Given as dredgers continue to vacuum up sand from underneath the vessel and mud caked to its port side, Bernhard Schulte said.

Excavators dug Sunday on the eastern wall of the Suez Canal, hoping to free the bulbous bow of the Ever Given that plowed into the embankment, satellite photos showed. Bernard Schulte said the team was also waiting for the arrival of additional equipment to dredge the canal's seafloor. The THSD Causeway, a dredger registered in Cyprus, was expected to arrive by Tuesday.

Authorities cancelled Sunday's planned freeing attempts "until sufficient tug power is in place, said canal services firm Leth Agencies. They plan to conduct an effort to free the vessel Monday to coincide with high tides, it said.

Officials have been desperately trying to avoid unloading the vessel, which likely would add even more days to the canals closure. Taking containers off the ship would require a crane and other equipment that have yet to arrive.

In this photo released by the Suez Canal Authority, tug boats work to free the Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned Ever Given, which is lodged across the Suez Canal, Sunday, March 28, 2021. Two additional tugboats are speeding to canal to aid efforts to free the skyscraper-sized container ship wedged for days across the crucial waterway. That's even as major shippers increasingly divert their boats out of fear the vessel may take even longer to free. (Suez Canal Authority via AP)

On Saturday, the head of the Suez Canal Authority told journalists that strong winds were not the only cause for the Ever Given running aground, appearing to push back against conflicting assessments offered by others. Lt. Gen. Osama Rabei said an investigation was ongoing but did not rule out human or technical error.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement maintains that their initial investigations rule out any mechanical or engine failure as a cause of the grounding. However, at least one initial report suggested a blackout struck the hulking vessel carrying some 20,000 containers at the time of the incident.

Rabei said he remained hopeful that dredging could free the ship without having to resort to removing its cargo, but added that we are in a difficult situation, its a bad incident.

Asked about when they expected to free the vessel and reopen the canal, he said: I cant say because I do not know.

This satellite image from Maxar Technologies shows the cargo ship MV Ever Given stuck in the Suez Canal near Suez, Egypt, Sunday, March 28, 2021. Two additional tugboats sped Sunday to Egypt's Suez Canal to aid efforts to free a skyscraper-sized container ship wedged for days across the crucial waterway, even as major shippers increasingly divert their boats out of fear the vessel may take even longer to free. (Maxar Technologies via AP)

Speaking on Sunday to the pro-government Egyptian television channel Extra News, Rabei said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi had ordered the canal authority to prepare for all options, including taking containers off of the vessel. He said officials had been in talks with the U.S. about that possibility, without elaborating.

Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd., the company that owns the vessel, said it was considering removing containers if other refloating efforts failed.

The Ever Given is wedged about 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) north of the canal's Red Sea entrance near the city of Suez.

A prolonged closure of the crucial waterway would cause delays in the global shipment chain. Some 19,000 vessels passed through the canal last year, according to official figures. About 10% of world trade flows through the canal. The closure could affect oil and gas shipments to Europe from the Middle East. Already, Syria has begun rationing the distribution of fuel in the war-torn country amid concerns of delays of shipments arriving amid the blockage.

As of early Sunday, over 320 ships waited to travel through the Suez, either to the Mediterranean or the Red Sea, according to canal services firm Leth Agencies. At least 10 of those vessels carried livestock, raising concerns about the animals. Rabei told the Saudi-owned satellite news channel Al-Arabiya that authorities planned to offer provisions to help them.

Dozens of others still listed their destination as the canal, though shippers increasingly appear to be avoiding the passage.

The worlds biggest shipping company, Denmarks A.P. Moller-Maersk, warned its customers that it would take anywhere from three to six days to clear the backlog of vessels at the canal. Already, the firm and its partners have 27 ships waiting to enter the canal, with three stuck in the waterway itself and two more coming Sunday.

We have until now redirected 15 vessels where we deemed the delay of sailing around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa equal to the current delay of sailing to Suez and queuing. the shipper said.

Mediterranean Shipping Co., the world's second-largest shipper, said it already had rerouted at least 11 ships around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the canal. It turned back two other ships and said it expected some missed sailings as a result of this incident.

MSC expects this incident to have a very significant impact on the movement of containerized goods, disrupting supply chains beyond the existing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it said.

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell reported this story from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and AP writer Samy Magdy reported in Suez. AP writers Isabel DeBre and Malak Harb in Dubai contributed to this report.

LONDON  The courthouse should have already been closed for the day.

At a hearing that began at 5 p.m. on March 1, lawyers for Greensill Capital desperately argued before a judge in Sydney, Australia, that the firms insurers should be ordered to extend policies set to expire at midnight. Greensill Capital needed the insurance to back $4.6 billion it was owed by businesses around the world, and without it 50,000 jobs would be in jeopardy, they said.

The judge said no; the company had waited too long to bring the matter to court. A week later, Greensill Capital  valued at $3.5 billion less than two years ago  filed for bankruptcy in London. A firm with 16 offices around the world, from Singapore to London to Bogota, was insolvent.

Greensills dazzlingly fast failure is one of the most spectacular collapses of a global finance firm in over a decade. It has entangled SoftBank and Credit Suisse and threatens the business empire of the British steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta, who employs 35,000 workers throughout the world. Greensills problems extend to the United States, where the governor of West Virginia and his coal mining company have sued Greensill Capital for a continuous and profitable fraud over $850 million in loans.

At the center of it is Lex Greensill, an Australian farmer turned banker who in 2011 founded his company in London as a solution to a problem: Companies want to wait as long as possible before paying for their supplies, while the companies making the supplies need their cash as soon as possible.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 10:52:52|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

People march against racism and violence on Asian Americans in Flushing of New York, the United States, March 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

NEW YORK, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of New Yorkers from different races on Saturday afternoon rallied against racism and violence on Asian Americans, according to U.S. anti-racism and anti-war organization the ANSWER Coalition.

The protesters rallied and marched in Flushing, a major Asian community in Queens borough of New York City. A number of speakers shared their personal stories about racism and violence, while participants chanted slogans for much of the time.

The rally in New York was held simultaneously with those from over 60 cities in more than 25 states across the United States, all aiming to stop anti-Asian violence and China-bashing, said the ANSWER Coalition.

"The opportunistic scapegoating of China during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the intensity by which China is deemed the enemy and adversary of the United States, has driven a widespread Sinophobic sentiment nationally," said the organization.

The Asian American community suffers the brunt of the hatred fomented as a weapon of war, it added.

Jordan Wolf, who teaches at the Flushing International High School, said that as neighbors, friends and students, Asians deserve respect and safety.

Everyone should feel safe here in New York, and "there's no excuse for that kind of hatred or vitriol being given to anybody," said Wolf.

The police should have a better presence in the neighborhoods to make sure everyone is feeling safe, said Wolf, adding it was good for the police to be present at the rally and show their support.

The root causes of hate against Asian Americans are prejudice and desire to treat "people different from you as not your own flesh and blood" but rather as objects, said Ray Low, an Asian American pastor working in Manhattan.

"White supremacy is a scourge on this earth and to all people. It needs to be dismantled in order for us to live healthier, happier, more protected lives," said Samantha Evangelis, a second-generation immigrant in New York.

White supremacy is built into systems and structures. It is a living, breathing thing, and that is why "we need to put in policy, and we need to break it down and rebuild it from the ground up," said Evangelis.

It is important for everyone to continue coming out and speaking up, she said, adding, "when we're silent in these matters, we are complicit."

New Yorkers have held more than ten rallies since the shootings in Atlanta, Georgia on March 16, in which six Asians were killed.
Lanka monitoring the variants closely By Kumudini Hettiarachchi, Ruqyyaha Deane & Meleeza Rathnayake View(s): View(s):

All health measures should be followed to prevent the third wave of COVID-19 engulfing Sri Lanka, urged Health Services Director-General Dr. Asela Gunawardena.

This is the only way, he stressed, while assuring that the Sri Jayewardenepura University was performing genetic sequencing, thus keeping tabs on new variants.

The one and only centre where genetic sequencing is carried out is the universitys the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine.

Double mutants

Reports from Sri Lankas closest neighbour, India, said that a new and highly infectious strain of the coronavirus that has two mutations and can cause sickness in spite of the immunity developed by natural infection or vaccines has been detected there.

The double mutant COVID-19 variant has reportedly developed with the L452R and E484Q mutations coming together. This is while India alone  the second most populous country (with 1.36 billion) after China  has found 771 variants from more than 10,000 samples collected from December last year.

These variants include 736 cases of the United Kingdom strain; 34 of the South African strain and one of the Brazilian strain.

Countries going into lockdown

To tackle the third wave of COVID-19:

India has suspended all international commercial flights coming into the country till April 30, while locking down five of its states (Maharashtra, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan)

Pakistan locked down some of its cities including Karachi, its largest city, while imposing a travel ban for those coming into Pakistan from 12 countries

Singapore has largely banned incoming leisure travellers, except from Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Vietnam, mainland China and Taiwan

France went into a month-long lockdown in 16 areas this week

Italy planned to impose a countrywide lockdown during Easter (April 3 to 5)

Brazil imposed a weeks lockdown on two of its largest cities

Hong Kong locked down a few densely-populated residential areas
Catherine Tyldesley has hit back at trolls who accused her of editing her Instagram pictures.

The former Coronation Street star, 37, said that she has to 'graft' to stay the size that she is and that she would never use Photoshop as it would be bad for her own and other people's mental health.

In an interview with The Sun's Fabulous Magazine, she said she was 'gutted' when she was accused of editing her waist back in January when she posted a throwback snap from a cover shoot.

Setting the record straight: Catherine Tyldesley has hit back at trolls who accused her of editing her Instagram pictures

She told the publication: 'I was gutted, because it is something I'd never, ever do.

'Not only is Photoshopping bad for that person's mental health in terms of body dysmorphia, but it also impacts on the mental health of the people seeing that image and comparing themselves.'

She added that she has to work 'really hard' to stay a 'smaller size' and that staying healthy 'doesn't come easy'.

The beauty also discussed how because influencers so often use filters and apps to change their bodies and faces that sometimes people assume that everyone is doing it.

Honest: The former Coronation Street star, 37, said that she has to 'graft' to stay the size that she is and that she would never use Photoshop

The star said she has always been self-conscious about her jaw as she thinks it is 'manly' and so it upsets her when people accuse her of having filler in it as it has taken her a lot time to feel comfortable with that part of her face.

She said: 'You just don't know the inner battle I've had to get to where I am now.'

Around 10 years ago Catherine lost a staggering six stone before joining the cast of Coronation Street.

Dropping from a size 22 to a size 8-10, the soap star previously said that she struggled to control her weight as a teenager, and said in 2013 she was motivated to shift the pounds after being told by a director she was too fat for play a leading lady.

Before: Around 10 years ago Catherine lost staggering six stone before joining the cast of Coronation Street

Catherine went onto drop another two stone after giving birth to her son Alfie in 2015, and in 2018 unveiled her transformation after a 12-week fitness regime.

Speaking about what motivated her to drop the pounds in a Q&A on Instagram in January said: 'I couldn't walk up the stairs without gasping for breath.'

'I had zero energy and my skin was terrible. Educating myself on nutrition was the best thing I ever did.'

Catherine shared a throwback snap of herself as a teenager, where she was a dress size 22 alongside a photo of her following her staggering weight loss in a bikini on the beach.

Earlier that month, the actress yet again slammed trolls who accused her of Photoshopping her figure on Instagram.

The actress shared a snap from a vintage shoot but was inundated with comments from followers who claimed she had airbrushed her waist to make herself slimmer.

Catherine said she 'always had a tiny waist' as she took to her stories to share a snap in a white corset from her Coronation Street's character Eva Price's wedding in 2017.

Alongside the photo in the corset and suspenders, Catherine wrote: 'Taken while filming Eva's wedding - exhibit A- tiny waist- ZERO airbrushing- to those negative few telling me waist isn't real. I work b***y hard to have a waist. B****r off'.

Real talk: The beauty also discussed how because influencers so often use filters and apps to change their bodies and faces that sometimes people assume that everyone is doing it

Not stopping there, the soap star continued: 'I pride myself on never airbrushing my Instagram pics. I wouldn't even know where to start. I am the least technical person I know.

'For those commenting on my waist- I have always had a tiny waist. I work b****y hard at the gym to stay healthy. If you've got a problem with my waist I suggest you unfollow- and try to be kinder to people with small waist lines.'

She added: 'May you find peace you negative folk. I will pray for you.'

Catherine now speaks openly about the importance of health and nutrition and says that some elements of the body positivity movement have gone too far.

Warning: Catherine also recently urged the government to tackle the UK's 'obesity crisis' in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic

She said that if people are saying 'I weigh 25st and I'm really healthy' that that is 'scientifically impossible'.

Catherine also recently urged the government to tackle the UK's 'obesity crisis' in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The actress accused the government of not 'giving two hoots' about obesity, and expressed dismay at Krispy Kreme's decision to offer free doughnuts to Americans that can prove they've been vaccinated against coronavirus.

'I swear to god Boris, if you follow suit and start reducing fast food again knowing how severely obesity affects this virus, I will lose my marbles,' Catherine said in an impassioned Instagram video.

'I work hard for my waist!': In January the actress yet again slammed trolls who accused her of Photoshopping her figure in this corset picture uploaded to her Instagram

The soap star suggested slashing prices on fruit and vegetables instead, saying: 'Why not reduce fruit and vegetables? Why not send out fruit and vegetables to families that can't afford it.'

Catherine said in full: 'We all know that for years now the UK has been in an obesity crisis, an obesity epidemic. The government don't seem to give two hoots.

'We also know that if you contract COVID and you are obese or you are overweight the struggle is much worse.

'But in America, if you wiggle around your vaccine passport you get a free Krispy Kreme doughnut.'

She continued: 'Do outreach: free, educational programmes for families that need to know more about nutrition.

'Leaving gyms until the last minute when statistically they are one of the lowest places that you can catch COVID. My mind is blown.'

Krispy Kreme announced on Tuesday that it will give away a free glazed doughnut a day to anyone who can prove they are vaccinated against COVID-19.

The chain shared the promotion on social media, revealing any customer who shows a COVID-19 vaccination card at a participating US Krispy Kreme store will be entitled to a free treat.

Vaccinated customers can claim one free doughnut every single day to the end of 2021.

In her candid interview with Fabulous Magazine she also revealed the last year has been tough on her mental health, something she has not struggled with before.

Coroanvirus hit her family hard, with her parents falling seriously ill with the virus and her grandad, Derek, dying from Covid-related complications in May, aged 90.
Professional farmers in SW China make spring farming intelligent

10:08, March 28, 2021 By Wang Mingfeng ( People's Daily

A farmer moves a seedling starter tray in Pengshan District, Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (People's Daily/Wang Mingfeng)

On a sunny and warm day of mid-March, Wang Chenglin was working with his fellow workers for sprout cultivation as spring farming kicked off in his hometown Jinzhu village, Pengshan District, Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Machines were humming in a greenhouse for sprout cultivation. On their conveying belts, soils were packed into seedling starter trays were being packed with soil, watered, and sowed on the conveying belts of the machines. After being taken off from the belts by forklifts, these trays had to went through week-long pregermination and then placed in the fields.

Such a modern method cultivates around 400 mu (about 27 hectares) of seedlings each day, said Wang, adding that the germination is also great and matches perfectly with mechanized transplanting.

At present, the man, leading a cooperative, is working on the sprout cultivation for over 10,000 mu of paddy fields. According to him, such a workload can be finished by around 10 workers within a month.

The cooperative has nearly 60 sets of harvesters, tractors, seedling machines and transplanters, the man said. In recent years, the cooperative has shifted its business mode from mechanized farming to whole-process rice cultivation entrustment. The growers can entrust their paddy fields to the cooperative and claim the crops after harvest in the next year.

At present, the cooperative is planting over 10,000 mu of rice each year, with a yield per mu of around 650 kilograms.

Pengshan District is piloting a national incentive scheme for professional farmers and a provincial plan that encourages cultivating more professional farmers. In recent years, local authorities have been working on the establishment of a training system for professional farmers, encouraging farmers to be engaged in professional farming. It has trained a total of 1,000 professional farmers, including Wang. They are injecting new energy into rural vitalization.

Every year, the district offers all kinds of training courses on policy reading, techniques, and industrial development to continuously enhance the ability of professional farmers, Wang told People's Daily.

Since establishing the cooperative in 2011, Wang has been focusing on mechanized rice planting under the guidance of relevant departments. "I hope I can learn more about marketing, so that I can extend my business chain. At the same time, I will keep working on mechanization and strive to make better rice," he said.

Farmers operate agricultural machines in Pengshan District, Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (People's Daily/Wang Mingfeng)

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)
NSW Health is contacting more than 20,000 people who flew in from Queensland amid fears Brisbane's coronavirus outbreak could spread south.

All those who flew in between March 20 and March 26 are being told to isolate and get tested if they were at any of Queensland's hotspots.

'Nine close contacts in NSW have been identified so far,' NSW Health said in a bulletin issued on Sunday.

'They have been instructed to undergo a COVID-19 test and to self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.'

NSW Health asked anyone who has recently come from Queensland's affected areas to avoid non-essential visits to hospitals, residential aged care facilities and disability residential care services until further notice.

NSW Health fears Brisbane's outbreak could fly south with incoming travellers and has contacted 20,000 people asking them to isolate if they were at any of the designated hotspots. Pictured: coronavirus testing at Murarrie in Brisbane in January.

Kmart in Carindale Westfield, Brisbane, has been added to the list of hotspots as NSW asks incoming travellers from Queensland to fill out entry declaration forms

Amid fears of virus spread, NSW introduced entry declaration forms on Saturday for anyone entering the state by air, road or rail who has been in the Brisbane or Moreton Bay council areas since March 11.

A total of 3822 people filled out the forms on Saturday.

'These forms provide critical information to enable NSW Health to contact travellers if required,' NSW Health said.

Queensland recorded one new historical coronavirus infection on Sunday as fresh information discounts reports linking an existing case to a party for up to 25 people.

Sunday's reported community case is the brother of one of the state's current cases, who is no longer infectious and believed to be a 'missing link' between the most recent cluster and a doctor who tested positive earlier this month.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said reports one of the cases had thrown a party for up to 25 guests were incorrect.

Pictured: locals queue for a test in Brisbane in January. Queesland had a relief on Sunday after finding the 'missing link' case and discovering an infected person did not throw a party after all

NSW Health is contacting more than 20,000 people who flew in from Queensland between March 20 and March 26 are being told to isolate and get tested if they were at any hotspots. Pictured: people arriving in Brisbane from Sydney in December

'We were told at the time there were 25 people that attended the residence; we needed to investigate, track those 25 people down and get them into quarantine,' she said.

Further investigations by police and health authorities suggest the people who attended were limited to the man's housemates and one other person.

Ms D'Ath said officials acted on what they understood to be true at the time and told reporters she became aware of the new information on Sunday morning.

'It is extremely unfortunate that what has been discovered over the last 24 hours, that it wasn't 25 people, but as I understand it this is the information that was received from this gentleman himself,' she said.

A coronavirus test worker in the lobby of the Mercure Brisbane hotel at North Quay, Brisbane earlier this month. Queensland contact tracers are closing in on all contacts

'Whether the health officials misunderstood what he said, I wasn't there, I didn't hear the conversation, but this is the information that they believe that he had provided them at the time.'

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the state's two active cases were both in hospital and while it was too early to relax, she was pleased testing efforts had not uncovered further examples of community transmission.

She said it was 'most likely' the historical case was one of the missing links between a doctor infected with COVID-19 and the most recent cluster.

'We won't be able to do genome sequencing on him because he dosn't have any active virus at the moment but we will continue to test him to see if we can work out what has happened.'

As well as the historical case, Queensland recorded two new cases in hotel quarantine.

A Strathpine man in his 20s tested positive on Friday night after contracting the UK strain of COVID-19 from his male friend in Stafford.

The man visited at least 15 venues in Strathpine, Lawnton, Eatons Hill and East Brisbane while he was infectious.

Together with other sites visited by the Stafford man, there are now 25 potential COVID-19 exposure sites across Brisbane.

NSW has asked that anyone coming in from Queensland please avoid non-essential visits to hospital or aged care facilities. Pictured: coronavirus testing in Melbourne in February

The KFC drive-thru at Everton Park, Brisbane was put on the hotspot list for only 5 minutes from 7.55pm to 8pm on March 22

The nine exposure sites visited by the Stafford man include Westfield Carindale, Bunnings in Stafford and Gasworks at Newstead.

Contact tracers have homed in on the Carindale Westfield and Mama's Italian restaurant in Redcliffe, where the 26-year-old spent the most time and potentially interacted with the most people.

He visited the shopping centre between 12pm and 2.16pm last Saturday and the restaurant between 12.30pm and 3.10pm on Sunday.

The Strathpine man's visit to the Eatons Hill Hotel between 3.45pm and 5.10pm last Saturday is also a concern.

Anyone who has visited those sites is being urged to get tested and isolate until they receive their results.

The cluster has sparked a lockdown of Brisbane City and Moreton Bay council area hospitals, aged care facilities, prisons and disability services providers.
Cristina Corbucci becomes first female traffic conductor in Rome's Piazza Venezia.

When Rome recently reintroduced the traffic conductor's podium in the central Piazza Venezia it was welcomed back by nostalgic Romans, happy to see once again a traffic official conducting rush-hour transport from on high.

Together with the return of the iconic symbol of the capital came a novelty: the first woman traffic controller to stand atop the retractable platform.

The new commander of Rome's Polizia Locale, Ugo Angeloni, has "decided to break the all-male tradition," writes Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

The podium is designed to make controllers more visible as they direct traffic in the busy intersection where Via Quattro Novembre, Via del Corso and Via del Plebiscito collide.

Cristina Corbucci, 43 and from Rome's Garbatella district, has generated a flurry of media interest since she first stepped onto the iconic podium last week.

Cristina Corbucci. Photo La Repubblica.

"Up there you really feel in the centre-of-the-centre of Rome," Corbucci told Rome newspaper Il Messaggero.

With a degree in political science and a background in public procurement, Corbucci decided to make a career choice three years ago, becoming a city traffic warden.

"I have no regrets"- she told Italian newspaper La Repubblica - "I really like this job. I love being in contact with people."

With their white gloves and theatrical movements, the specially-trained traffic controllers in Piazza Venezia are viewed by Romans almost as orchestra directors.

Their role, and the podium, were immortalised by Alberto Sordi in the 1960 classic comedy Il Vigile, and more recently in Woody Allen's movie To Rome With Love.

"You know what struck me the most when directing traffic from up there? Cars almost touch you. And you hear the comments of people in their cars," Corbucci told La Repubblica. "They compliment you. They even say "thank you!" And it's mostly women."

After a period out of action, the podium recently became operational again following the re-paving of the square's sampietrini cobblestones.

Once made of wood and carried by hand into the piazza at the beginning of each shift, the podium has been in use since the late 1920s and was automated in 2006.

Cover photo Il Messaggero
Contributed / Getty Images

BRIDGEPORT  Detectives are investigating after a person was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the foot following a report of a shooting in the East Side on Saturday afternoon, officials said.

Police were called to the 800 block of William Street regarding a preliminary report of a party shot shortly after 6:30 p.m., said Scott Appleby, the citys director of emergency management.
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.
American tourists - chafing at social distancing rules, impatient over the rollout of coronavirus vaccines - are surging back to Cancun.

William Cruz can't decide whether to welcome them, or worry about a new wave of coronavirus cases.

"Should gringos come here?" asked the father of two. who waits tables in the city's popular tourist district.

He knows he needs them, desperately.

He was forced to close a beer store he owned after revenue collapsed last year. Does he want outsiders to come to Cancun?

Cruz answers his own question. At first, he says, "I'd say no . . . because you risk infecting your family and us."

Then he thinks about what it would mean to lose yet another job. "So, let them come," he said, laughing at the contradiction. "What I think most about is the money, to bring something back home."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has encouraged Americans to avoid all travel to Mexico. More than 2 million coronavirus cases have been detected so far in the country, and Mexico has the third-highest covid-19 death toll in the world.

Under Mexico's four-stage "stoplight" color-coded system, the state of Quintana Roo is considered phase yellow. Hotels and restaurants are allowed to open, but at 60% capacity, and nightclubs are required to be closed entirely.

But with tourists who seem to want to keep partying, economic pressures make it hard for Cancun to contemplate turning visitors away.

Tourism accounts for 87% of the state's gross domestic product. "So, if anything happens to tourism, it happens to all of us," said Marisol Vanegas, tourism secretary for Quintana Roo.

The city saw more than 6 million tourists in 2019. That number dropped to nearly half in 2020, as countries locked down because of the pandemic, Vanegas said.

But the tourists are back this year, with Vanegas projecting 5 million arrivals in 2021.

Many of those visitors are Americans, according to Vanegas, with visitors from Texas topping the list.

"The reason is that North Americans cannot travel to Europe," Vanegas said. "Many of the airlines are redirecting flights, as an alternative, to Cancun."

The economic boom poses a health hazard for workers, especially in some crowded nightclubs along Kukulcan Boulevard that remain open by serving food, thus technically qualifying as restaurant-bars.

Rigoberto Trujillo, 32, a security guard at a nightclub on the tourist strip, says he worries about catching the virus but that he is even more worried about not having work.

His hours were cut to a few days a week during the early days of the pandemic. With the spring break influx, he is back to full time.But his fear of the virus remains.

"We try to provide a good service," he said. "I want that service to continue being that way, so I have to take care of myself as well." Every night he changes out of his work clothes before entering his home and then takes a shower before greeting his family.

On a recent evening, spring break revelers - many unmasked - packed a popular nightclub on Kukulcan Boulevard. Masked security guards patted down maskless tourists before they joined at least 100 others.

Scantily clad dancers performed in feather-plumed headdresses and bedazzled face masks. When the show was over, house music blasted and revelers flooded the dance floor. Masked waiters passed through the crowd with trays of drinks.

Across the street, hundreds of partyers lined up to see an indoor cabaret show. A representative for the club said the arena holds 1,500 people and is operating at 40 percent capacity.

The state government has strictly enforced partial capacity at restaurants across the state, and hotels maintain limited capacity - some businesses were shut down after flouting the measures.

But it seems this party strip of clubs in Cancun has found a way around the restrictions.

The nightclubs, packed with tourists, have not escaped Miriam Cortes, the president of the Vacation Club Association of Quintana Roo.

"Authorities have failed to act despite having all the evidence. It's not like it's hidden; you walk down the street and you see it. You see it every single day," she said of the clubs teeming with tourists. "We're outraged."

She said she is concerned about service industry workers in compromised conditions. "But we are also worried about people being able to eat," she said. International tourists returning to some countries, such as the United States, are required to show a negative test before boarding their flights home.

And when an international traveler tests positive for the coronavirus in Cancun, many hotels promise to provide a two-week quarantine stay free. But the quarantine is not strictly enforced - and even some testing has come into question.

In one case in Cancun, nearly two weeks ago, an unaccredited lab was found to have given faulty coronavirus tests to 44 Argentine tourists.

Mexican authorities stated the tourists provided negative tests before boarding a plane to Argentina. When they arrived to their destination, the tourists were administered another test and all 44 resulted positive for covid.

Ellie Langdon, a 19-year-old college student from Minnesota, had visited one of the clubs in the party strip the night before. She said the restrictions in the United States are overblown.

"If I'm not sick, I'm not going to put my whole life on hold," she said. "You should come here. And you should have the best time and get your money's worth because it's vacation and you're not going to come to Cancun and not live it up."

She didn't plan to quarantine when she returned home.

Anthony Rega, a 43-year-old New Jersey mortgage broker on vacation with a friend, said he too visited the clubs on the strip. "Everybody was on top of each other there," he said of partyers not observing social distancing.

He said he didn't see the need to quarantine for two weeks, as long as he did not feel ill.

"If I feel OK after a day or two - obviously I got a negative test coming home - I'm going to think it's clear sailing from there."
Statesman and late President of Senegal from 1960 to 1981, Leopold Sedar Senghor, through his philosophy of negritude, believed that Africa and its culture had manifest contributions they can make to European thought. Same for Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana who fought vigorously to build an ideology he labeled a New Africa, independent and absolutely free from imperialism. In the same vein, musical colossus, Robert Nesta Marley, sang for the actualization of Africa for Africans and Tanzanian politician, political theorist and anti-colonial activist, Julius Kambarage Nyerere, promoted a political philosophy he called Ujamaa. A Swahili word for extended family or brotherhood, the Ujamaa philosophy is predicated on the belief that one can only become a person by being a member of the community. It thrives on the phrase, I am because we are and values the spirit of cohesion, service to community and love.

Now, what, if I may ask, is the philosophy of Africa today? No, I am not asking about African philosophy. We know that already. What can be said to be the body of knowledge or thoughts which constitutes how Africa thinks of herself in todays post-modern world?

John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, late President of Tanzania, tried to re-situate the philosophy of Africa, long after any attempt was made by any African in that regard. Magufulis philosophy was close to Marleys and even Senghors and central to his thesis was raising and cultivating Black consciousness, reciprocal relationship with other continents as equal partners in the global project, as well as an inclusive humanism, all of which would open doors for Africa to integrate with and into a civilization of the universal.

But, as you jolly well know, Magufuli went down the way of all mortals about two weeks ago, precisely on March 17, 2021. As the fifth president of Tanzania, from 2015  the same year Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as Nigerian president  to the time of his death, Magufuli walked the talk of the philosophy he espoused for Africa. Campaigning as candidate of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) political party before election, Magufuli promised that he would significantly reduce the pandemic of government corruption and waste in office.

As president, Magufuli took drastic and resolute measures in favouring housing for the Tanzanian poorest, bulldozing virgin lands to construct houses and earning in the process the Swahili nickname, Tingatinga  the Bulldozer. He plucked loopholes of tax frauds and corruption and invested saved funds in education and measures to combat poverty. His first major action as president was to cut his salary by a fourth, from US$15,000 to US$4,000 per month and thus became one of the lowest-paid African heads of state. He was renowned for having cut public spending drastically, frowning at lavish ostentation in government social spending and baring unnecessary foreign travels by self and government officials. He used self as an example by driving cheaper vehicles and once shrunk a delegation touring the Commonwealth to a ridiculous four, all the way from 50 people.

At a World AIDS Day exhibition, Magufuli cancelled the ancient showmanship associated with such and diverted money meant to be spent into purchase of AIDS drugs. The same 2015 when he was sworn in, he unilaterally cancelled the klieg rituals of flowery celebration of Tanzanias Independence Day and instead ploughed the funds into an upgrade of hospitals. He then turned the day into a national sanitization exercise day, geared towards exterminating the scourge of cholera. Personally holding shovel to dig sewages and sweeping the streets of Dar es Salam to show an example, he was quoted to have said that it was so shameful that we are spending huge amounts of money to celebrate 54 years of independence when our people are dying of cholera.

Magufuli introduced free education in all government schools and, bothered by the moral slide in Tanzania, banned shisha smoking for its health effects on teeming youths. Tanzania under him became one with about the highest economic growth rate in Africa, even as he smoked out corrupt multinationals from the country.

Magufuli was however very cynical of the west and its modernism. In spite of a doctorate degree in Chemistry from the University of Dar es Salaam in 2009, he disdained science in the mould of Americas Donald Trump. He also literally barked at women who frequented family planning centers, urging them to set your ovaries free. He was also a leading light in cynicism against COVID-19. For instance, he was one of the few African leaders to go Madagascar, a euphemism for his embrace of curative herbs against COVID-19, with Tanzania becoming one of the first countries in Africa to pay for the herb. Through Gerald Chamii, a spokesman in the countrys Ministry of Health, Magufuli told the world that Tanzania was not ready to take any Covid-19 vaccine but would explore local herbs as shield against the pandemic. A major contradiction in all these is that he was accused of being a democratic dictator, running a repressive government against opposition elements and flagrantly stomped on media rights. A devout Catholic, he believed that God had cleared Tanzania of COVID-19.

All in all, Magufuli believed in Africa and lived his belief. Like Nkrumah, he espoused a New Africa genuinely independent and absolutely free from western imperialism. He might have taken his battle against imperialist powers beyond measure but he could not be accused of being a stooge, nor a leader with vacuous mind like Muhammadu Buhari.

Magufulis exploits as Tanzanian president were not in the Nigerian public domain until his unfortunate demise. And when they did, not only did they go viral, Nigerians went comparative about what they have and what Tanzania lost. Except the pre and immediate post-colonial Nigeria when leadership was committed to and worked assiduously for Nigeria, the only Nigerian leadership that can be compared to Magufulis was Murtala Muhammeds. The others were a pot-pourri of self-serving leaderships which invariably begot a despondent following. The worst ever is Buharis.

Let me ask you at this juncture: What is Buharis philosophy for Africa? If you ask me, does Buhari even know anything of that magnitude? This and others have prompted people to ask repeatedly why the worst of us rule the best of us; why, for instance, a Buhari, with his multiple failings and failures, should be Nigerian president and why Nigeria, as it is constituted at present, may never have a Magufuli-kind as leader. The reasons are not far-fetched. Chief among these is that same incubus called the 1914 mistake. Other manifestations now began to follow in tow. Our 350+ ethnic components, which should be a diversity arsenal, began to show their disadvantages.

Magufulis Tanzania has almost similar challenge. With over 100 distinct ethnic groups and tribes, excluding refugees residing in Tanzania due to conflicts in neighbouring countries, most Tanzanians are Bantu-speaking and a few speak Nilotic. Unlike Nigeria, however, none of the ethnicities constitutes clear-cut majority dominance as the Hausa Fulani does in Nigeria. Even the Sukuma, which is Tanzanias largest ethnic group, boasts of merely about 16 percent of the countrys total population. The country has nevertheless never faced any major ethnic conflict due principally to the soldering influence of the Swahili language which they all speak.

Using the 1914 mistake as canon-fodder, there has been a rat race to deploy ethnicity as weaponry and confer ethnic advantage on holders of offices. Falsification of population census figures, favouritism in appointments by ethnic holders of office and conferring undue advantages on ones ethnicity have made these divides to widen by the day. With it, mutual acrimonies are all over the place. With the introduction of federalism as system of administration, leading to the 1952 regional governments, ethnicity momentarily became a diversity advantage. Since 1966 when Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi unitarized the country, however, the ethnic contours have become more manifestly destructive.

Until the last two decades or so, Nigerians could feel Nigeria and saw it manifest in their lives. Gradually, Nigeria began to disappear from Nigerians. Today, Nigeria has totally evaporated from Nigerians. With a combination of an acute, unexampled ethnic bigotry manifested by Buhari and his governmental hirelings, the die became cast for Nigeria. Every step is seen from ethnic prism and Nigerians allegiance to Nigeria vamoosed. That is why, as I have cited elsewhere, Rotimi Amaechi can be constructing railway lines and people are going there to calibrate its steel components. It is also why North-Easterners can act as informants to Boko Haram insurgents who daily kill them, as against being friends to Nigerian soldiers. This is because Nigeria has ostracized itself from its peoples lives. It is also why Buhari can claim to be constructing rail lines from Heavens Gate to Hell and purportedly building infrastructure that no government had ever done and yet, no one reckons with him. Conversely, they submit, and rightly so too, that his is the worst government in the history of Nigeria. Garba Shehu and other Buhari lickspittles are too analytically circumspect or too lost in the maze of governmental servitude to realize these complexities when they naively make a show of this so-called lame infrastructure.

The truth is, at this juncture, what should have been Buharis greatest achievement is if he possesses or makes pretension to demonstrating capacity to unify Nigeria. However, he is too far lost inside the oeuvres of his bigotry to be capable to show this capacity to engender citizenship. The lack of trust in the Nigerian system and the dearth of core national values have destroyed and eaten deep into the fabrics of Nigeria like the metastasis of cancer. That is why anyone who is able to liberate enough billions from the non-existent Nigeria, through corruption, is considered a man of valour. To worsen matters, unlike the Babangida era when governmental attempts were made to refill sagging values through the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Buhari is just running an auto-pilot government with him busy sleeping at the center of the periphery.

The long and short of this epistle is that, anyone who looks forward to any redemption for Nigeria in a leadership that will cater for Nigerians as a collective, even at the expiration of this lack-luster administration, must be living in Alices Wonderland. It can never come from the PDP or APC or anywhere. Nigeria is not wired to be administered by qualified or Magufuli-kind leaders, but the Buhari type caste. If there is still Nigeria by 2023, it will be administered by another charlatan and ethnic bigot. And like the myth of Sisyphus, the country will roll its boulders ad-infinitum. Until thy kingdom comes, unless, of course, by a definite act of divine intervention.

Ilorin Hijab: Between Babarinsa and Kawu

The needless crisis over the wearing of veils called Hijab by students and pupils of Kwara public schools, like an ill-wind, has provoked all manner of toxic dusts in the polity. Trapped in the vortex of the arguments for and against the wearing of veils are the two religions of Islam and Christianity. While Christians seek the continuation of the status-quo of a practice of nil religious identification of their students with religion in their mode of dressing, a practice that is about a century old, Muslims insist that their wards and children needed physical demarcation of their religiosity, in the form of the Hijab. As much as this sounds very petty, very insignificant and at best diversionary, the instigator, from all intent and purposes, is the government, led by Abdurazaq, the governor. The question people ask is, what is the motive in this policy from Abdulrazaq as he deliberately pollutes the peace of a people who had worn their religious identities inside their souls, rather than on their lapels, for ages?

ADVERTISEMENT

Two interventions in this regard caught my fancy. One was from respected columnist, Dare Babarinsa and famous zealot, Ishaq Modibo Kawu. While the former, in his piece for The Guardian entitled Ilorin and the crisis of identity, did a commendable historical journey into the Ilorin Hijab crisis thus far, Kawus bile-ridden rejoinder was consumed by the usual fire of intolerance and religious insensitivity that has been the bane of Nigeria till today.

In a world that is fast erasing religious fault lines and is moving at a supersonic speed into a technological age, Kawu is still encumbered by a religious identity that has little or no bearing on human development. The truth is that, obsessive fascination for religion, to the level of the Kawu fanaticism and the kind being promoted by Abdulrazaq, is getting anachronistic. It was the same model thrown up by ex-Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, who took his a notch higher into the realm of absurdity. Today, the whole religious pack of cards has fallen abysmally.

Christianity and Islam are both anvils deployed by politicians with sagging credibility. I will not be surprised if this Hijab conundrum is a ploy by Abdulrazaq to scoop up unmerited support and Kawu is one of the messengers employed to deepen the bile. Time will soon tell.

Great Solomon At 72

One of journalisms icons from the South East of Nigeria would be celebrating his 72nd birthday tomorrow. He is ex-Akokite, (University of Lagos Mass Communication graduate, 1984) ex-Staff Writer of Enugu-based Star Printing and Publishing Company Ltd, who later rose to become its General Manager; ex-Enugu Commissioner for Information and a gentleman par excellence. I intend in this piece to use my encounter with Nnomeh to exemplify the thesis that if Nigerians manage their diversity appropriately, they will live together in peace.

In what sounded like an unexampled sacrifice to nationhood taken too far, in 2003, then governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, appointed me as his Special Assistant. I remember that on a visit to President Olusegun Obasanjo in Aso Rock two or so years later, the president was excited and verbalized it while welcoming us  Enugu State delegation  to the Villa. My mother and many other friends and family members were worried for me. How could I cross several rivers to go and live with people who eat people, one of them retorted. Nnomeh and other colleagues offered me a shield from whatever hostilities that might come.

Fast-forward to early 2005. One bright morning, the governor summoned me to his office at the Lion Building and told me that he had told Ossy Ugwuoti, the Chief Press Secretary, to hand over to me. What name did I want my office to bear: Special Adviser or Chief Press Secretary? I was too numb to reply him.

And I walked languidly out of his office and down to the adjoining building, the Press Unit. Gathered were my colleagues  Igbonekwu Ogazimorah, who had then just been named Commissioner in charge of Information; Dan Nwomeh; Nnomeh; Maxwel Ngene; Obiorah Ifo  all Igbo and the information had filtered to them. I was greeted with a deafening shout of celebration. They carried me shoulder high and their joy knew no bounds. Ugwuoti, their Igbo kinsman, had just been relieved of his duty and an ofe n manu  a pejorative name given to Yoruba  had been asked to take over his office and yet, these Igbo men were happy and excited! That day, I swore never to allow tribal, religious classifications stand by my estimation of humanity.

Nnomeh is widely known for his early morning words of wisdom programme on the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) years ago and was thus appropriately nicknamed Solomon. He deploys his versatility in native wisdom to intervene in discussions and even in his writings. This is wishing the Great Solomon a very happy birthday.

Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist.
Update:

This afternoon in a Nine News update, Melbourne presenter Alica Loxley said, Cyber hackers have targeted Channel Nine in a massive ransomware attack bringing down its network Australia-wide. No-one has claimed responsibility for the bug but IT experts are working to bring systems back on-line.

In a note to staff, Nine confirmed a cyber attack has disrupted live broadcasts out of Nine Sydney (1 Denison).

Our IT teams are working around the clock to fully restore our systems which have primarily affected our Broadcast and Corporate business units. Publishing and Radio systems continue to be operational, Vanessa Morley, Director of People & Culture told staff.

 While our IT teams work through this issue, we ask that all employees, in all markets, work from home until further notice.

Anyone working in Nines office will experience disruption to the Nine IT network. Emails do not appear to have been impacted.

We have set up an operational team which includes leaders from across business, whose role is to triage all incoming IT requests.

Nine News has broadcast a Melbourne-produced news bulletin in Sydney tonight.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports the company may be unable to fully restore systems for some time. Nine News has flown producers to Melbourne for the week and an NRL commentary panel were told to drive to Newcastle to broadcast the football as part of a series of contingencies.

Confirming Karl & Allie will host Today from Sydney on Monday morning.

Earlier:

Its been a morning of Technical Difficulties on several fronts today.

The Today show did not air due to problems at Nines new North Sydney headquarters amid speculation as to the reasons behind the problem.

Word from inside is its being investigated as possible cyber attack. https://t.co/kjYIaN9pSg  Peter Ford (@mrpford) March 27, 2021

TV Tonight understands problems began early overnight within the network, but were not rectified in time for Today.

The AFL Sunday Footy Show broadcast nationally from Melbourne later in the morning (which had its own minor glitches, presumably unrelated).

Officially the network says, Nine is responding to technical issues affecting live broadcasting. At this stage we are working through the impacts across the network and will provide an update as we resolve the systems. NRL, 6pm News Bulletins and our evening schedule will proceed as normal.

Nine Sydney may be forced to broadcast a bulletin from Melbourne tonight. Nine News Brisbane has confirmed a local bulletin as normal.

9 determined to stick with technical issues line even though AFP is investigating https://t.co/wsk3ugo86q  Peter Ford (@mrpford) March 28, 2021

Meanwhile Insiders on ABC was also subject to its share of tech problems this morning, with videos failing to roll and a crew member glimpsed on set, awkardly left to duck behind the chairs.

This post updates.

Related
(CNN)-- President Joe Biden is tasking Vice President Kamala Harris with overseeing efforts with Central American countries to stem the flow of migrants to the US southern border, the first major issue Biden has assigned directly to his No. 2.

"I asked her, the VP, today, because she's the most qualified person to do it, to lead our efforts with Mexico and the Northern Triangle, and the countries that can help, need help in stemming the movement of so many folks, stemming the migration to our southern border," Biden told reporters ahead of an immigration meeting in the White House State Dining Room.

"I said when we became a team and got elected that the vice president was going to be the last person in the room," he said. "She doesn't realize that means she gets every assignment."

The task mimics Biden's own efforts in 2014 and 2015, when he was asked by then-President Barack Obama to lead diplomatic efforts in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador after a surge of unaccompanied minors from those countries began arriving in the US.

Migrants are again arriving at the border at increased levels, causing a scramble by the administration to accommodate them and a political problem for the White House.

"Thank you, Mr. President, for having the confidence in me. There is no question that this is a challenging situation," Harris said on Wednesday. "While we are clear that people should not come to the border now, we also understand that we will enforce the law and that we also -- because we can chew gum and walk at the same time -- must address the root causes that cause people to make the trek, as the President has described, to come here."

Officials said Harris would focus her efforts on stemming the current flow of migrants and on developing a larger strategic partnership with Central American countries based on respect and shared values.

"Starting today, the Northern Triangle and Mexico will know there is one senior official dedicated to this effort," a senior administration official said on Wednesday in previewing Harris' new role.

The vice president, until now, had not been tasked with a key portfolio issue distinct from Biden. Instead, she acted as a "full partner" to Biden, appearing often physically alongside him on all the administration's efforts, including their self-proclaimed top priority of managing the coronavirus pandemic.

Those close to Harris said foreign policy and national security are key areas she wants to develop in her portfolio, and she's taken steps to beef up her experience since taking office, including by speaking with foreign foreign leaders.

During her own presidential run, Harris said she would expand the use of deferred action immigration programs and utilize executive actions to remove the threat of deportation of millions of undocumented people in the US if elected president.

She said earlier Wednesday in an interview with CBS News that the White House was frustrated by the current situation.

"Look, we've been in office less than 100 days," she said. "We are addressing it. We are dealing with it, but it's going to take some time, and are we frustrate? Are you frustrated? Yes, we are."

Officials said Harris would rely on her experience as attorney general and senator from California, a border state, to inform her diplomatic efforts.

They said she would be supported by officials from the Cabinet, including the State Department and USAID, and was likely speak with the leaders of key countries, though did not have specific phone calls to preview.

Officials said Biden brought Harris into the new role because of an inherent level of trust.

"He has experience and lived through this process as vice president himself," an official said. "Biden has said over and over again the person that I trust most, the person I turn to when there's a hard issue, is Kamala Harris."

Still, a separate official said Harris would approach the matter differently than Biden, who traveled to Guatemala City in 2015 for a trilateral meeting with the leaders of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras in part to develop solutions to issue of migrants from those countries coming en masse to the United States.

"Vice President Harris taking on this challenge in her own style, in her own way," the official said.
A reset button  Black theater leaders push for change

Whats better than a powerful voice from the Black theater community singing about change? How about 13 such voices?

Vanessa Williams, Billy Porter and Audra McDonald and other founding members of Black Theatre United have recorded the song and video Stand for Change, with all proceeds donated to social justice efforts. The friends recorded their song parts separately due to the pandemic in partnership with the Republic Records Action Committee.

Its the latest step by Black-led groups trying to make the Great White Way look more like America.

ADVERTISEMENT

I think that we are at a point now where people are listening and people are willing to make changes, says Williams. Its almost like a reset button now.

Black Theatre United was formed in response to the wave of national unrest over racial injustice that followed the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. It has hosted town halls on activism, bolstered census participation and developed mentorship programs for aspiring young Black theater artists.

The group also includes Phylicia Rashad, Kenny Leon, Darius de Haas, Norm Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Lillias White, Allyson Tucker, Michael McElroy, NaTasha Yvette Williams, LaChanze, Tamara Tunie, Anna Deavere Smith, Wendell Pierce and Capathia Jenkins.

Williams says the group wants to push for diversity in every aspect of theater, from what is programmed to staffing at theaters, who is hired, marketing and bringing Black dollars into the theater.

There are conversations that are happening and there are systems that are being put in place for change on every level, she says. This is a different time and were proud to be a part of making the change.

According to the annual study, The Visibility Report: Racial Representation on NYC Stages,

ADVERTISEMENT

nearly 80% of Broadway and off-Broadway shows writers were white and 85.5% of directors during the 2017-18 season, the latest time frame analyzed.

On stages, over 61% of all roles in New York City went to white actors, a rate double the population of white people in New York City. Data on designers is even more unbalanced: In the 2018-2019 theatrical season, 91% of Broadway design slots were filled with white designers.

Diversity is a fact, which we live with. Inclusion is a choice and its now time to make those choices across all levels of theater, not only commercially, but also regionally, too, says Williams.

Other groups created in the past few years to spur change include We See You White American Theatre,Black Theatre Coalition,Broadway Advocacy Coalition,Design Action, Musicians United for Social Equity and Broadway for Racial Justice.

Theyre asking theater companies about the racial makeup of their trustees, their hiring practices and their pipeline of talent. Theyre creating fellowships and mentorship programs and demanding equitable representation.

Instead of longing for old Broadway to come back, lets be excited for the Broadway thats coming to us if we take this time and do the work that we all deep down want to do and want to be done, says Celia Rose Gooding, who stars in Jagged Little Pill.

The group Broadway & Beyond has launched virtual networking workshops for stage managers of color, while Broadway Records and the Black Theatre Coalition have teamed up to create an album of new works by emerging Black musical theater writers, elevating their voices.

Musicians United for Social Equity is concentrating on ensuring theres a pipeline for musicians of color who want to work in the theater. It hosts a national online directory of Black orchestrators, arrangers and musicians, provides music assistant fellowships and creates opportunities for mentorship, education and outreach connections.

The directory can help chip away at the standard practice of just hiring friends and would help, say, a touring company in Cincinnati find a trombone player. So the excuse of We dont know where they are can no longer be used, says Zane Mark, a composer, orchestrator, arranger and programmer who co-founded the group.

Its not as simple as just hire a whole bunch of Black guys. Thats not what were trying to do. But we would like to go to the opening night of a show, look over into the pit and not see only white people, he adds. His organization is mulling the idea of endorsing shows by giving its seal of approval.

Trying to reflect the change, several theater companies have shaken up their staff. The Public Theater, Second Stage Theater, Roundabout Theatre Company and Lincoln Center Theater have all appointed or elevated theater artists of color. Roundabout has launched The Refocus Project to spotlight marginalized Black plays.

The recent push for racial equity sees to have had an impact on shows scheduled to open when Broadway does. Black playwrights and actors will be showcased in a revival of Alice Childress Trouble in Mind; MJ, a musical about Michael Jackson by Lynn Nottage; Skeleton Crew by Dominique Morisseau; Thoughts of a Colored Man by Keenan Scott II; and Melvin Van Peebles Aint Supposed to Die a Natural Death.

Broadway has had seasons where diversity gains have been recorded and then lost. The 2013-14 season was rich with roles for African Americans, including A Raisin in the Sun starring Denzel Washington, Audra McDonald channeling Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emersons Bar & Grill and the dance show After Midnight. That season, Black actors represented 21% of all roles. But the next season, the number fell to 9%.

Dede Ayite, who has earned two 2021 Tony Award costume design nominations and is a member of Design Action, says change has to happen before Broadway doors reopen. Her group is pushing for the day when half of all designers are non-white.

You cant expect things to open and feel like were all healed, she says. We have to do the legwork now so that when we start to come back then we can really enforce and not return to the way things were.
Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable.
We understand that the decision to do your masters abroad is a big one - that comes at a high financial cost. By now youll have started asking yourself some important questions to decide if doing a masters abroad is right for you. We're here to help.
In an exclusive interview with Republic TV, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia explained why Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is emerging as the prime opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also said that the Centre has brought the GNCTD bill as they are insecure due to the Delhi CM's increasing popularity.

What gives AAP Confidence to replace BJP?

"I agree it's been only 6 to 7 years of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) but the way the government worked in Delhi, people are now expecting the same governance and model in their state- be it Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra," he said.

"The point is not the space created by the AAP government in the last 6 to 7 years but the point is that everywhere people want to have Kejriwal Model. In the span of a few years when AAP can improve the situation of government schools, then why not PM Modi did the same for Gujarat schools in his 15 years of CM tenure. He has the mandate of India, why not improve the education system of the country. Henceforth, people now prefer the 'Kejriwal Model' over the 'Modi Model'," Manish Sisodia added.

"People have now started to notice that under 'Kejriwal Model' everyone is getting cheap electricity, schools are improving, medical treatment is good, the water is clean, women are getting free bus service, the ration is reaching door to door. If Kejriwal can think that people need not go to SDM offices to make certificates and the SDM officer instead will go to houses, why PM Modi couldn't think like that despite getting a huge mandate. That is why we are raising the question that why is PM Modi feeling so insecure? Why is BJP insecure by Arvind Kejriwal's increasing popularity? They are trying to stop the Delhi CM and his work, and that is why they have brought the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill," added the Delhi Deputy Chief Minister.

GNCTD Bill Passed in Lok Sabha

On March 25, while addressing the press, Sisodia had slammed Prime Minister Modi and the BJP, affirming that the saffron party is 'scared' of the 'Kejriwal model'. He had claimed that the bill in question (GNCTD Bill) was brought to stop the developments taking place in the National Capital of India.

On March 22, the Lok Sabha had passed the GNCTD Bill. The Bill which defines the powers of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG), has been opposed by AAP, terming it 'murder of democracy'. The Bill is yet to pass through the Rajya Sabha, where AAP MP Sanjay Singh has begun garnering support from other parties to oppose the Bill.
The Government is preparing to trigger an emergency plan to save 5,000 British jobs in the event of a collapse of Sanjeev Gupta's steel business.

Gupta, founder of Liberty Steel and its vast parent company GFG Alliance, wrote to Government officials on Thursday in a desperate bid to secure a 170million bailout from taxpayers.

Troubles at the UK's third largest steel producer follow the collapse of its main financier Greensill Capital, which counted former Prime Minister David Cameron as a paid adviser.

Plea: Sanjeev Gupta wrote to Government officials in a desperate bid to secure a 170million bailout from taxpayers

Concerns are now rising that Gupta's British operations could slide into administration unless new financing can be arranged.

Gupta's call to Ministers for help comes just months after he forked out 42million  nearly a third of the bailout request  on a house in Belgravia.

Liberty owns a dozen steel plants in Britain, including sites at Newport and Rotherham. Private equity firms are understood to be assessing parts of GFG's global empire.

In its letter to the Department for Business GFG asked for the money to cover working capital and operating losses.

But Whitehall is thought to be concerned that bailout money might be used in other parts of Gupta's global empire instead of supporting UK jobs. There are also fears the firm could then require further financial support.

Boris Johnson has taken a personal interest in the situation, industry sources said. The Government is already thrashing out emergency plans in case the situation rapidly worsens, The Mail on Sunday understands.

It is thought the preferred route would be to wait for Liberty Steel to enter compulsory liquidation, at which point the Government would step in and keep the company running until a new buyer could be found.

This would be similar to the rescue of British Steel which collapsed in May 2019. Around 3,000 jobs were saved by an intervention which cost taxpayers nearly 600 million. The Official Receiver, a state agency, took control of the firm with the backing of the Government until it was sold to Chinese metals company Jingye last March.

Another option could see the Government support administrators to find a new buyer if Liberty Steel, which is thought to comprise seven different companies, collapses.

Dame Margaret Hodge, former chairwoman of the Public Accounts Committee, said: 'You need to save the jobs, not the man.'

She said there was a lack of transparency over 'where his money has come from, where it goes', adding: 'But what you don't want to do is sacrifice the jobs.'

The union Unite said it 'is urging the Government to do everything necessary' to save Liberty, adding: 'The loss of Liberty Steel and the specialist products it manufactures for the aerospace, automotive and oil and gas sectors would have damaging consequences beyond the steel sector.'

One industry source said it would be difficult for the Government to step in without GFG Alliance first becoming insolvent, because the company is 'a sprawling beast' with huge debts. Another source said: 'It's messy, it's very, very messy.'

And with private equity firms understood to be eyeing parts of GFG, one source in the sector said: 'It's an asset-backed bet, potentially Lone Star and Cerberus [are interested].'

Cerberus declined to comment. Lone Star did not respond.

Advisers to GFG Alliance are working on a private restructuring plan called 'Project Battery'.

Liberty Steel employs 3,000 people in Britain. Another 2,000 UK jobs span other divisions of GFG Alliance including aluminium firm Alvance and renewable energy business Simec.

Liberty Steel was forced to halt production at some sites earlier this month to preserve cash. It owes Greensill an estimated 3.6 billion, according to the Financial Times.

A GFG Alliance spokesman declined to comment on the letter, but said: 'GFG Alliance as a whole is operationally strong and benefiting from strong markets in steel, aluminium and iron ore.

'While Greensill's difficulties have created a challenging situation, we have adequate funding for our current needs. Discussions to secure alternative longterm funding continue to make good progress.

'In the UK speciality steel business, where weakness in the aerospace market has cut demand for some products by 60 per cent, we have been taking specific actions to stabilise the business and improve cash flow.'

These include 'reducing steel stocks ... and working with customers to achieve terms that will bring in cash as early as possible'.

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

The governor should engage further with Church leaders, missionary school managements and other critical stakeholders by providing concrete assurances that the use of hijab is not a ploy by Muslims to obliterate the Christian heritage of their schools or enforce an outright take over.

The crisis currently rocking Kwara State over the use or otherwise of the hijab by female Muslim students, in government funded Christian missionary schools, should leave no one in doubt about the divided nature of Nigeria today. That Kwara, a liberal, moderate and accommodating State, which is well known for inter-religious harmony, will become the latest ground in the age-long battle for supremacy between Nigerias dominant Abrahamic faiths (Christianity and Islam), should be a cause for concern to every Nigerian. The controversy generated by the use or otherwise of hijab, which has become a symbol of Islamist separatism, in government funded missionary schools, is indicative of how deeply Nigeria has become polarised along ethno-religious fault lines.

The controversy surrounding the use of hijab in government funded Christian missionary schools in Kwara State started a few weeks ago, when in February, officials of Saint Anthony Secondary School prevented hijab wearing female Muslim students entrance into the school premises. According to the officials, Saint Anthony is a missionary school where the adorning of hijab by female Muslim students is not allowed. This has, once again, opened another chapter in the conversation over the ownership of government funded missionary schools.

Whereas the responsibility for the funding of missionary schools was taken up by the Kwara State government in 1974, there was an arrangement involved that allowed these schools to retain some level of the Christian religious outlook in their operations. Over the years, the original owners of these missionary schools have generally guided their operations to reflect their Christian heritage, in a manner that does not undermine inclusiveness in matters that are fundamental to the rights of Kwara State childrens access to education, without discrimination on the basis of religious orientation. And everything appeared to have worked out pretty well until recently.

Following the refusal of entry of hijab wearing female Muslim students into Saint Anthony Secondary School, the Kwara State government, in exercising its control over the Christian missionary schools in its domain, ordered the closure of 10 of such schools in the State to allow for consultations across all divides. And when it felt enough consultations have been carried out, the government ordered the opening of the government funded missionary schools, only to meet an even fiercer opposition to the hijab by the various schools managements.

If the issue of wearing hijab in missionary schools was all about religious tolerance and inclusivity, then it would not have been a problem at all, as Christendom, throughout the ages, has emerged the torch bearer of religious accommodation in the world.

The sight of the parents of Muslim school girls in hijab who were prevented entry into the premises of the Baptist School, in the Surulere area of Ilorin, in hot exchange of words with some Christian officials of the school, which quickly degenerated into the throwing of stones at each other, was shameful to say the least. The ugly incidence at the Baptist School clearly showed that if any consultation was done on the hijab issue at all, it was not far-reaching enough and interested parties are still maintaining a hard stance. And whilst Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the Muslim governor of Kwara State did not impose the use of hijab in government-funded missionary schools, his approval of the wearing of the hijab by willing Muslim female students before arriving at a resolution with the management of the concerned schools and other critical stakeholders, was a hasty decision that may worsen the already bad situation.

In the half a century after the arrival of Salafi Islam in Nigeria from the Sudan in the early 1970s, the ideology of Islamist separatism has taken a firm grip of the mainstream Muslim theology in Nigeria. In this period of separatist indoctrination, the Hijab has become elevated to an article of faith and will eventually become the most defining symbol of Islamist separatism. And with the systemic indoctrination of Muslim women to adorn the hijab as a distinguishing identity, without which their Islamic faith is either incomplete or a nullity, one can begin to understand why many are wont to wear the hijab as a matter of religious duty. And whilst it may not hurt the Christian missionary schools or their non-Muslim students if female Muslim students are allowed to adorn the hijab in accordance with their religious obligation, it is not in the place of the Kwara State government to unilaterally enforce its definition of religious tolerance and inclusion on these schools.

If the issue of wearing hijab in missionary schools was all about religious tolerance and inclusivity, then it would not have been a problem at all, as Christendom, throughout the ages, has emerged the torch bearer of religious accommodation in the world. As though in fulfilment of the eternal words of Allah SWT, in Quran 5:82, You will certainly find that the closest of them in friendship with Muslims are those who say, we are Christians. That is because among them are priests and monks, and because they are not arrogant, Christians have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Muslims in love and accommodation from ancient to modern times.

Following his first celestial encounter with Angel Gabriel in a cave on mount Hira, near Mecca in 610 AD, which left Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, so shaken that some of his kinsmen thought him out of his mind, it was Waraqa, a Christian monk, who declared him of sound mind and proclaimed him a messenger of God in fulfilment of an earlier prophecy of his coming. And three years later in 613 AD, when the idol worshippers of Mecca began a brutal persecution of Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] and his Muslim followers, it was in the Christian Kingdom of Abyssinia, whose ruler the Prophet of Islam described as a just and righteous Christian King, in whose kingdom no man is wronged, that they took refuge. This singular act of Christian accommodation of Muslim refugees, with their hijabs and turbans from Mecca, saved the light of Islam from extinguishing.

it becomes imperative for Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the Muslim governor of Kwara state to address the fear of religious domination and expansionism that has characterised Islamist separatism in Nigeria in the last five decades, of which the hijab has become its most defining symbol.

In recent times, when the Muslim lands of Syria, Iraq and Yemen went up in the flames of sectarian wars and the gates of Tehran and Riyadh were firmly shut against millions of displaced Muslim men, women and children, it was the Catholic Pontiff, His Holiness Pope Francis I (may Allah be pleased with him), the Bishop of Rome and the Vicar of Christ on earth, who appealed to Christian leaders of Western Europe to grant refuge to their Muslim brethren. In all of these cases and many more, Muslims were not given the pre-condition of either conversion from Islam or removal of their hijabs and turbans, as their Christian brethren demonstrated unconditional love and accommodation towards their fellow human kind.

Here in Nigeria, the body of Christ has not been less tolerant and accommodating of its Muslim brethren. Christian missionary schools in Nigeria have always been open to Muslims without prejudice to their Islamic faith. Not only were Muslims allowed to attend missionary schools, Arabic and Islamic studies are actually taught in some of these schools. Therefore, it becomes imperative for Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the Muslim governor of Kwara state to address the fear of religious domination and expansionism that has characterised Islamist separatism in Nigeria in the last five decades, of which the hijab has become its most defining symbol.

The governor should engage further with Church leaders, missionary school managements and other critical stakeholders by providing concrete assurances that the use of hijab is not a ploy by Muslims to obliterate the Christian heritage of their schools or enforce an outright take over. On a scale of needs, the education offered to Muslim students, which includes Arabic and Islamic religious knowledge, by Christian missionary schools, outweighs the use of hijab by female Muslim students. And while this important engagement is going on, Muslim parents will do well to imbibe the exemplary patience of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (PBUH) and desist from throwing stones at the officials of a school they want their children to attend. Until then, the use or otherwise of hijab by female Muslim students in government funded missionary schools is a needless controversy.

Majeed Dahiru, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja and can be reached through dahirumajeed@gmail.com.
Over 4,200 prisoners were released on bail and 41 on parole since the outbreak of the pandemic in March last year, Director General of Police (DGP), Prisons, V K Singh has said.

He said there is only one COVID-positive patient among the prisoners, who is being treated at a hospital in Kathua district.

"Since March last year, 4,204 inmates were released on bail and 41 on parole, in pursuance of decisions taken by the high-powered committee (constituted on the Supreme Court's directions to decongest jails to ensure social distancing among prisoners)," Singh said.

Speaking at a cultural programme organised at the Amphalla District Jail here on Saturday, he said a total of 542 inmates across various jails were infected with the coronavirus, but all of them recovered, except two elderly prisoners who succumbed due to co-morbidities.

"Presently, there is only one COVID case from the Kathua District Jail, who is admitted to the local Government Medical College," the DGP said.

He said the prisons department has introduced a video-conferencing facility for the purpose of trial and remand, the e-mulaqat facility and the Prison Inmate Calling System, besides setting up modern interview rooms in jails.

He said a cognitive behavioural therapy was taken up for inmates suffering from insomnia and it benefitted 135 of them -- 74 in Kot Bhalwal, Jammu and 61 in the Amphalla District Jail.

The inmates sang folk songs, Bollywood classics and Sufi songs during the programme, which received a thunderous applause from the audience.

Jammu District Jail Superintendent Mirza Saleem Beig highlighted various steps taken by the prisons department for the welfare of prisoners and strengthening the prison administration.

He said the prison administration is committed to providing better correctional programmes to the inmates, including educational and vocational-training courses, awareness programmes and recreational activities.

(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 mother-of-two allegedly ran over a her husband of nine years and a woman she believed was his mistress with her BMW.

Christie Lee Kennedy, 36, spotted the pair standing on Bagot Street at Wavell Heights, Brisbane's northern suburbs, on March 19.

Police allege she then drove the BMW into David Larkin and Zowie Noring before getting out of the car and punching his suspected mistress and calling her a 'moll'.

Mr Larkin and Ms Noring suffered suspected pelvic fractures and Mr Larkin also had a dislocated finger.

Christie Lee Kennedy, 36, allegedly spotted the pair at Bagot Street at Wavell Heights, Brisbane's northern suburbs, on March 19

Defence lawyer Kristie Bell told the court the couple had made plans to seek counselling in a bid to reconcile their marriage

Ms Kennedy was charged with unlawfully striking Mr Larkin and Ms Noring with a vehicle, with intention to do grievous bodily harm, and faced court on March 20.

Defence lawyer Kristie Bell told the court the couple made plans to seek counselling to reconcile their marriage, the Courier Mail reported.

They have been in a relationship for 14 years and married for nine.

Mr Larkin told his wife that he would pick up the couple's children on the day of the incident, the court heard.

Ms Bell said her client was urged by a friend to find her husband and that she responded when she discovered him with his suspected mistress.

Magistrate Anne Thacker said the defendant has no criminal history and she was 'living in a stable relationship that's now broken down.'

She granted Ms Kennedy bail on condition she steered clear of Ms Noring and Mr Larkin and his workplace, lives with parents at their Sunshine Coast home, and reports to police once a week.

Ms Kennedy will face court again on April 19.
Last Monday at Senate estimates, Labor senator Jenny McAllister put to Marise Payne a question that I have long wanted to ask myself: Is it an impossible job being a minister for women in a Morrison government?

Now I have made no secret of my feelings about our Minister for Women and the fact she has been effectively missing in action on how the pandemic has disproportionately affected women. She has also been conspicuously absent from the debate over the past six weeks on the treatment of women in the Liberal Party and in Australia generally. This glaring omission culminated in criticism that she had not attended, let alone addressed, a meeting of 400 Coalition staffers which Scott Morrison held behind closed doors last week to acknowledge the absolute rubbish female Liberals have had to deal with.

Marise Payne at a Senate estimates hearing on Monday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

I have also made no secret of my contempt for what has been referred to as the handbag brigade, the Liberal women paraded in front of the media to defend the indefensible, whenever it occurs. The most recent, egregious example: Anne Ruston, Linda Reynolds and Michaelia Cashs spirited defence of that budget last financial year, which many women, including yours truly, rightly called out for failing to deliver for women. A highlight, no doubt, was Ruston feebly telling the ABC that women will enjoy driving on all those new roads that the government stimulus would fund.

Yet when McAllister asked Payne on Monday if it is an impossible job being a minister for women in a Morrison government, I have to admit even I felt for a minister so clearly under siege.
861 Criminals Caught Crossing Texas Border Area, Including 92 Sex Offenders: Official

A Border Patrol section chief reported that more than 861 criminals have been encountered at the border, including 92 sex offenders and 63 gang members since the start of the fiscal year.

Within the copious amounts of groups being encountered in the Rio Grande Valley sector in Texas, a Salvadoran man with a prior conviction for murder was discovered along with 862 criminal aliens, Chief Patrol Agent Brian Hastings wrote on Twitter Saturday.

Hastings wrote that recently, agents encountered five large groups of illegal immigrant families, unaccompanied minors, and some adultstotalling 539.

Crossing our Borders Within the copious amounts of groups being encountered in #RGV, a Salvadoran man with a prior conviction for murder was discovered. FYTD RGV agents have arrested over 861 criminal aliens, to include 63 gang members and 92 sex offenders.#CrossingOurBorders pic.twitter.com/9MKD9cYPI1  Chief Patrol Agent Brian Hastings (@USBPChiefRGV) March 27, 2021

Embedded in the groups were about 93 unaccompanied children, Hastings said, adding that so far in 2021, more than 18,000 such children have been encountered by agents.

President Joe Biden last week said he would not apologize for rolling back a number of border policies of his Republican predecessor, President Donald Trump, and brushed off criticism that illegal immigrants were making the journey because they perceived him to be a nice guy.

He said the United States was in talks with Mexico for that country to take back more illegal immigrant families.

Biden has received bipartisan backlash, with even some Democratic lawmakers calling on the president to reinstate some of Trumps immigration policies.

The administration is doing the right thing because the law requires that we process unaccompanied minors, Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas) said in a statement on March 24. However, we are in the middle of a pandemic and our systems are being overwhelmed.

Vela, citing Border Patrol data, said that 13 percent of unaccompanied minors encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border are under the age of 12, while the majority are aged 13 or older.

One logical approach to this situation would be to return the older teenagers to their home country and provide funding for an effort supervised by the United Nations to properly care for those teenagers upon their return, Vela said. Then, once the pandemic is under control you could phase the program back in so that there would be some semblance of control over the process. I think that this would help relieve the current burden.

At the same time, the White House has faced pushback from members of the media, who have decried a lack of transparency surrounding facilities being used to hold children and other illegal migrants.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Another Capitol showdown. Photo: Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images

A legal effort to try to overturn the results of the 2020 election is still ongoing. But its not like Donald Trumps false claims of victory, which culminated in the attack on the Capitol on January 6. There are no accusations of elaborate conspiracies or Machiavellian plots hatched from Hugo Chavezs tomb. The MyPillow guy is nowhere to be found, and the parking lot of Four Seasons Total Landscaping remains unsullied.

Instead, Iowa Democrat Rita Hart is asking the House to declare her the victor in Novembers election for the open seat in Iowas Second Congressional District over Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Harts claim is simple: Iowas certified results put her six votes behind Miller-Meeks, but her legal team points to 22 ballots that they argue were wrongly cast aside by election officials and, if properly counted, would give Hart a nine-vote victory. Every legal voter in this country has a right to have their ballot counted and the remedy here is clear  count the ballots, her campaign said in a statement.

One such ballot is that of JoDonna Loetz who was told there might be issues with her absentee ballot and then went to her polling place to vote on Election Day, where she was reassured that her absentee ballot was counted. It turned out it wasnt, and she had no idea until the Hart campaign informed her after the fact. Loetz followed all the instructions and did what she was told, but her vote wasnt counted under state law. The question is whether the House should follow state law or use a different standard.

I think we have to go by the book, said Representative Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Iowa. She argued that the 22 ballots pointed to by Harts team didnt meet election law standards in Iowa and thats why, when votes were counted, recounted and certified, they didnt count, and thats why the margin is six votes and those six votes were the deciding votes, not these 22 that are in question and did not meet the standard of state law.

Under a provision of federal law, Harts legal team, led by Democratic superlawyer Marc Elias, decided to bypass Iowa courts entirely and pursue a process that requires the House Administration Committee to serve as the arbiter and eventually bring its decision to a vote on the floor of the House, where Democrats are in the majority. I dont know how anybody could say they sincerely believe Rita Hart won, said Miller-Meekss attorney Alan Ostergren.

Republicans have cried foul that Hart ignored the judicial system and has only pursued the partisan path of appealing to Congress  theyve even drawn analogies to those who supported Trumps efforts to use Congress to try to throw out electoral votes in 2020 and keep him as president. Its the ultimate in hypocrisy, in my mind, said Hinson, who voted to certify the 2020 presidential election. Ive been consistent on this. States decide elections. Congress does not. Senator Tom Cotton has even launched an effort to have corporate donors treat those who support Harts challenge the same way as those who supported overturning the 2020 election.

Zoe Lofgren, the Democratic chair of the House Administration Committee pushed back at this argument in a statement to Intelligencer. Republicans know how this process works  over the past 90 years the Congress has adjudicated, in a bipartisan manner, more than a hundred contested elections cases filed by Republicans and Democrats alike in races nowhere near as close as Iowas Second. With that history in mind, it is profoundly disappointing some of my Republican colleagues are now painting this process as somehow nefarious, she said.

While the process of contesting an election in the House may be common, it rarely leads to a result being overturned. The most recent case was in Indiana, in 1984, when Republican Rick McIntyre was originally ruled the winner by 34 votes, over Democrat Frank McCloskey, in a House district so competitive that it was infamously dubbed the Bloody Eighth. However, McCloskey challenged the results, and McIntyre was not seated. Eventually, the Democratic-controlled House determined that McCloskey won by four votes. It prompted an uproar by Republicans convinced that the race was being stolen and provided rocket fuel to Newt Gingrichs efforts to use grievance politics to take over the GOP. The once-shocking scenes, broadcast by C-SPAN, of furious Republicans angrily shouting on the House floor after McCloskey was seated now seem tame.

But this isnt just a legal debate about election processes, its also a political one that even some Democrats appear uncomfortable with, and its one that Democrats are losing in the court of public opinion. Dean Philips, a two-term representative from Minnesota, tweeted on Monday, Losing a House election by six votes is painful for Democrats. But overturning it in the House would be even more painful for America. Just because a majority can, does not mean a majority should.

For Republicans, it is a gift that keeps giving. It is an issue that energizes base voters, is perfect fodder for Fox News segments and Wall Street Journal editorials, without alienating any swing voters and helps memory-hole the ugly aftermath of the 2020 election. For Democrats, with a slim House majority, every seat in Congress is valuable  even if its one like Iowas Second, due to come under the knife in redistricting. The question is whether it is worth giving up the moral high ground that Trump handed them.
NORWALK  Spring break typically conjures up images of sunny days and trips to tropical destinations, not temperatures in the 30s and whipping winds.

But the latter is what Norwalk Public Schools families faced this year during their spring break scheduled in mid-March. The poor weather, along with scheduling conflicts created by the earlier winter break, has prompted many parents to speak out about moving spring break back to April.

The March break affects a lot of teacher families in the whole area, not just Norwalk, parent Cara ONeill said at a recent Board of Education meeting. Those of us that teach in Norwalk but live in other districts have children that are off in April, which creates child care issues and therefore sub shortages in Norwalk. Parents that teach in surrounding towns but live in Norwalk, have the same problem in reverse. ... Nothing good came from a March break.

The district is asking for parental input as it contemplates future spring break scheduling. Historically, Norwalk had spring break in April like many surrounding districts. But in 2019, the Board of Education voted to approve a March break for the 2020-21 school years to provide students with a more consistent period of uninterrupted instruction during a time period when students are most attentive and receptive to learning, according to an email sent to parents.

March breaks are common in private schools and school districts in other parts of the country, but the change sparked concerns and petitions when originally proposed. Many parents also noted the timing was close to testing and speculated that contributed to the decision.

Initial fears about the new timing were realized this year when families were faced with a blustery spring break and few activities for their children. Many camps werent open, limiting options for families in need of child care.

The kids just had some time off in February, and March is too cold and miserable to consider going outside for fun, said Cathy Hura Bartone. Also going from March to June with no break is burnout for the kids.

Daisy Sebastian, a mother of four whose children go to West Rocks Middle School and Silvermine Elementary School, wrote to the BOE and superintendent when the decision to switch the calendar was first made. She also posted on social media, urging other parents to write in as well.

I have a few issues with this decision, she said. The board and superintendent made this decision without the input from the parents and teachers, the people it directly impacts.

Sebastian is also a Norwalk parents who teaches in another district. She noted many Norwalk teachers also live in other districts, causing scheduling snafus for those whose breaks might not align with their childrens breaks. Neighboring districts, including Stamford, Greenwich and Bridgeport, all have their spring breaks in April.

I am interested to know the data on how many teachers are out during other districts April break and how many kids will be absent because parents are taking their kids out of school during their vacation, Sebastian said.

Joe Giandurco, vice president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, echoed similar sentiments at the meeting.

An early spring break now sets up students, families and staff with a long 13-week stretch to the end of the school year, he said. This is a long slog and a schedule set up to optimize test scores, not learning outcomes. We can do better than that for students and staff. We look forward to the reinstatement of April break.

As the district plans its calendar for the 2022-23 school year, its also sending out a survey to gauge parental preference after the outcry surrounding this years break.

This is a topic that has generated a lot of discussion and differing opinions in recent weeks, the email sent to parents read. While state law sets a minimum number of total school days, Connecticut does not require regional school calendars. Each district in Fairfield County sets their own calendar. The result is different days off from town to town, even when spring break is scheduled for April. For this reason, the choice for vacation timing comes down to community preference.

There are some parents, though, who prefer the March break.

This year in particular it worked well for my family, said parent Sarah Thomson McGurren. We didnt need to stick around for sports. We could visit colleges. We needed the break earlier after a long hard COVID year. I can appreciate how this affects teachers families especially if they live outside Norwalk, but it was not a problem for our family and I personally hope it continues.

erin.kayata@hearstmediact.com
ANN ARBOR, MI  Several deans at the University of Michigan signed a letter sent to the university community Sunday condemning comments made by Michigan GOP Chair and UM Regent Ron Weiser.

Weiser came under fire following comments he made during an event for the North Oakland Republic Club Thursday, March 26, when Weiser called Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson the three witches and said the GOP needs to make sure they are ready for the burning at the stake.

His comments were captured in a video shared on social media.

The letter was signed by six female deans at the university  Anne Curzan of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts; Patricia Hurn of the School of Nursing; Laurie McCauley of the School of Dentistry; Elizabeth Birr Moje of the School of Education; Lori Ploutz-Snyder of the School of Kinesiology; and Lynn Videka of the School of Social Work  and more than a dozen other deans signed in solidarity.

We find your comments about elected leaders in the state of Michigan to be insulting, demeaning to women, and contrary to the democratic values of our state and country, the letter reads. While your remarks may have been motivated by your personal views, they are damaging to the community of the University of Michigan and the schools and colleges that we lead given your role as a regent.

Your words do damage and disrespect not only to women in leadership positions, whether elected or appointed, but also to young women who will lead in the future. We must speak out in protest when women are threatened with violence because of the decisions they have made. We believe that sexist name calling and threats of violence, especially from those in positions of power, simply are not acceptable. This is not a context-dependent question: they are not acceptable.

We feel strongly that your comments do not support the universitys and our units values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Nor do your comments support robust civil debate and democratic engagement. The latter point is particularly saddening and ironic because you have been a champion of democratic values through institutions you have supported on our campus.

Whether or not you are speaking in your official capacity as a regent, you remain a representative of the university, and you have a responsibility to the university community you lead.

We call on you to repair the serious harm you have caused, the letter concludes.

Provost Susan Collins responded to the letter in full support of the deans and said she found Weisers remarks to be demeaning to women and contrary to the democratic values of our state and country.

Further, I am particularly concerned that his remarks were antithetical to our universitys focus on creating a culture that is based on shared values, and to our long-standing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, Collins said. Our speech and our behavior determine our culture (and vice versa). Leadership has a critical role to play in ensuring that we stand by our commitments.

As provost, I reaffirm that:

All members of our community can and should expect respect. This most certainly includes women and those from marginalized groups.

Violent references and images are never acceptable ways to counter those with whom we disagree.

Since Weisers comments, other UM regents have spoken out and some have called for Weisers resignation from the board, including Mark Bernstein and Jordan Acker.

In a series of tweets on March 26, Board Chair Denise Illitch called Weisers language repugnant and his comments crosses a line that is inconsistent with what should be our shared values, but she did not call on him to resign.

Related: Some University of Michigan regents call on Weiser to resign following three witches, assassination comments

UM President Mark Schlissel issued a statement on March 27 condemning any suggestion of violence against a duly elected state or federal official. He added that elected officials must adhere to a higher standard, regardless of the context of their remarks.

In a statement made on Saturday, Weiser apologized to those he offended for the flippant analogy about three women who are elected officials and for the off-hand comments about two other leaders. I have never advocated for violence and never will.

While I will always fight for the people and policies I believe in, I pledge to be part of a respectful political dialogue going forward, Weiser said.

Related: Michigan GOP chairman apologizes for assassination comments, calling top Democratic women three witches

Nessel responded to Weiser on Twitter Sunday morning with the following statement: This is not an apology. This is Ron Weiser trying to salvage his relationship with @UMich. If Rons comments inspired assasination attempts against the 5 officials he threatened, Ron would be fine with it as long as the university named another hall after him.

Weiser faced pressure to resign in January from University of Michigan faculty and students who cited his complicity in the violence at the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6.

He was elected to the board in 2016. Weisers board term runs through 2025.

Read more on MLive:

Student advocacy driving force behind University of Michigan discontinuing fossil fuel investments

University of Michigan names life sciences building after former president Mary Sue Coleman

Future civil rights attorneys gaining experience through University of Michigan initiative
Soon after crews arrived, the severity of the call was upgraded to an EMS Plan One, which sent six ambulances to a three-story apartment building that had been engulfed in flames, officials said. Schroeder said any time a firefighter is injured, additional ambulances are requested.
The Phillies announced a set of roster moves, including the news that utilityman Scott Kingery, left-hander JoJo Romeo, and catcher Rafael Marchan have been optioned to Triple-A. Outfielder Travis Jankowski and catcher Rodolfo Duran were reassigned to the teams minor league camp, and catcher Christian Bethancourt (in camp on a minors contract) has been released.

Though Kingery has had a tough time at the plate in Spring Training, it still counts as something of a surprise to see the 26-year-old not break camp with the team. While Kingery could be recalled in relatively short order, todays move underlines how the former top prospect has struggled since the start of the 2020 season, a year that saw him suffer through a positive COVID-19 diagnosis during the summer and then hit just .159/.228/.283 in 124 plate appearances once he got onto the field.

The Phillies thought so highly of Kingerys potential in 2018 that he was signed to a contract extension before even debuting in the majors. Though he had a rough 2018 rookie season, Kingery looked to be turning the corner with a respectable .258/.315/.474 slash line over 500 plate appearances in 2019 before his season-long setback last year. Heading into the current season, Kingery was seen as a candidate to win the Phillies center field job. While Kingery would still have been a backup option at multiple other positions, it seemed as though he would primarily be focused on outfield work  perhaps a necessary move, given how Kingery has spoken in the past about the extra difficulties associated with a super-utility role.

With Kingery now in the minors, it could be a sign that the Phillies are confident that Brad Miller will be ready to go on Opening Day and assume super-utility duties. Miller has been out since March 10 due to an oblique injury, but he is in Philadelphias lineup today for their Spring Training game with the Yankees.

Romeros demotion also counts as a bit of a surprise, both because hed pitched well in camp and because Jose Alvarado now looks to be the only left-hander in the Philly bullpen after Tony Watson opted out of his minor league contract earlier this week. The hard-throwing Romero (a fourth-round pick for the Phillies in the 2016 draft) worked exclusively as a reliever when making his MLB debut in 2020, but since he has otherwise operated as a starting pitcher in the minors, he could be kept stretched out as potential rotation depth.

Bethancourt signed minor league contracts with the Phillies in each of the last two offseasons, but has yet to appear in a big league game with the team. Bethancourt hit .222/.252/.316 over 489 PA with the Braves and Padres from 2013-17 and hasnt since returned to the Show, spending 2018 with the Brewers Triple-A affiliate and playing in South Korea in 2019.
Indian American Chirag Mehta was part of a group of parents who pushed to remove racist biologist Louis Agassizs name from a Chicago, Illinois, elementary school in 2017. The Chicago Board of Education voted on the name change March 24. (Chirag Mehta/Twitter photo)
Clwyd South MP urges residents to take part in Keep Britain Tidys new campaign

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Mar 28th, 2021

The MP for Clwyd South residents to get involved with Keep Britain Tidys Great British Spring Clean campaign.

This years event, which will take place between May 28 and June 13, aims to help clear Britains streets, beaches, parks and countryside from litter.

Simon Baynes MP has praised the campaign which will see members of the public from across the four nations of the UK help create a cleaner and greener Britain, whilst adhering to COVID-19 restrictions.

Litter can have devastating impacts for the environment, our seas, animals and wildlife, which can get injured due to litter.





However, Mr Baynes has praised the campaign for not only helping the environment, but also for the role it will also play in improving peoples physical and mental wellbeing.

Commenting on the campaign, Mr Baynes said: This last year we have seen the importance of outdoor areas and green spaces.

Not only is this campaign a great opportunity to get some fresh air and help the environment, but it is also incredibly beneficial for both our physical and mental health.

We have some beautiful green areas in Clwyd South and I would encourage residents in Clwyd South to take a look at the Keep Britain Tidy website and see if theyre able to pledge some of their time to make our community as clean as it can be.

More information regarding the #MillionMileMission which is due to take place late spring can be found on the Keep Britain Tidy website, where youre also able to buy litter picking kits, pledge the amount of time youre willing to help and also find the latest guidance on how to do this in a COVID secure way.
'Her freedom has been stolen from her' - Attorney Marc Pera

After a two week trial, a Miami County jury rendered a verdict of more than $10.3 million against Cincinnati-based Ethicon Endosurgery, Inc. yesterday. According to court documents, the client Nikki Simon lost most of her colon after an Ethicon stapler malfunctioned during surgery to remove a non-cancerous polyp.

The court records reveal that in December of 2016, 53-year-old Nikki Simon of Covington, Ohio, was admitted to Upper Valley Medical Center for a routine procedure to remove a benign polyp from her colon. The procedure turned out to be anything but routine.

Court documents show that during the procedure, the surgeon used an Ethicon stapler designed to cut through Nikkis colon while at the same time creating staple lines on either side of the incision. This was to prevent any intestinal contents from leaking into her system. The plan was to remove part of the colon where the polyp was and then reconnect Nikkis intestines.

But when the surgeon fired the stapler, it performed the cut but failed to staple. As a result, Nikki had to have her sigmoid and transverse colon removed. The direct result is that Nikki will have to have to wear a bag on her side to collect her bodily waste. This bag continuously fills with watery stool and needs to be emptied at least every three hours, including at night, court records reveal.

Nikki will never have a full nights sleep again, her attorney, Marc Pera of Crandall & Pera Law, LLC, told the Miami County Court of Common Pleas jury hearing the case against Ethicon. She is a prisoner to this bag. She will never enjoy another full night of sleep or have the freedom to eat, socialize, travel, or do anything in the way she was able before her surgery."

Her freedom has been stolen from her.

Yesterday, the jury came back with a $10.3 million verdict for Nikki -- $300,000 more than Pera had requested.

For more information on this case, see the Common Pleas Court of Miami County, Ohio General Division Case No.18-443.

Crandall & Pera Law, LLC is a Premier Medical Malpractice law firm focused on helping clients recover for damages caused through negligence of medical procedures, manufacturers, and individuals.
FILE PHOTO: Myanmar Military Chief General Min Aung Hlaing and Mahn Win Khaing Than, speaker of Upper House of Parliament, attend an event marking the 69th anniversary of Martyrs' Day in Yangon

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia wants to strengthen military ties with Myanmar, state media reported on Friday, after a meeting between senior defence officials and a junta condemned by Western countries for killing hundreds of civilian protesters.

Russia's deputy defence minister, Alexander Fomin, met in the capital Naypyitaw on Friday with junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who seized power in a Feb. 1 coup that triggered weeks of nationwide protests and a lethal response by security forces.

Footage of the meeting from Myanmar state television MRTV on Friday showed the two men inspecting a table displaying makeshift shields, motorcycle helmets, and unlit petrol bombs - purportedly used by demonstrators.

The items were described by MRTV as "handmade weapons confiscated during riots".

Fomin said Myanmar was a reliable ally and strategic partner of Russia in Asia, state-run TASS said, during a visit that came a day ahead of a big parade to mark Myanmar's Armed Forces Day, the military's most prestigious event.

In a video shown on the Russian Defence Ministry's Zvezda TV, Fomin is seen shaking hands and receiving a medal and a ceremonial sword from Min Aung Hlaing in a meeting room full of uniformed military officers.

"You, distinguished Senior General, took part in our parade last year, our parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War," TASS quoted Fomin as telling the junta leader, referring to World War Two.

"And this visit of ours  it's a response to yours."

WESTERN OUTRAGE

The visit is the firmest sign yet of Russia's support for the new military rulers in Myanmar, amid outrage in the West and deep concern among its Asian neighbours, some of which have condemned the violence against civilians and urged the restoration of Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.

Min Aung Hlaing, according to MRTV, told Fomin he was grateful for the visit "amid our political transformational situation and the COVID-19 pandemic".

Story continues

At least 320 people have been killed in the crackdown on dissent since the Feb. 1 coup, activist groups say. [L1N2LO05L]

The United States, Britain, Australia and the European Union have imposed sanctions on the ruling military council and the army's vast network of businesses.

Defence ties between Russia and Myanmar have grown in recent years with Moscow providing army training and university scholarships to thousands of soldiers, as well as selling arms to a military blacklisted by several Western countries for alleged atrocities against civilians.

Russia is the source of at least 16% of weaponry procured by Myanmar from 2014-2019, according to a 2020 study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Yadanar Maung, a representative for campaign group Justice for Myanmar, said Russia was legitimising the junta and called for the international community to impose a global arms embargo.

"Russia is complicit in the military's campaign of terror against the people," Yadanar Maung said.

"We are appalled that Russian officials are travelling to Myanmar to legitimise the illegal military junta."

(Reporting by Polina Ivanova in Moscow and Fanny Potkin in Singapore; Writing by Martin Petty, Editing by Gareth Jones and Angus MacSwan)
New Delhi, March 28 : The National Zoological Park in the national capital, popularly known as Delhi Zoo, is all set to reopen on April 1 after remaining closed for almost a year due to the Covid-induced lockdown and other crises.

According to sources, the Zoo has become more aesthetic in a span of a year, and witnessed an increase in the number of species of animals as well -- a fresh and new change that is expected to delight the visitors.

A large number of cameras have been installed in the zoo, and a lot of measures undertaken for the welfare of animals.

During the peak of Covid phase and lockdown, a "positive change" was observed in the behaviour of animals. The zoo staffer, upon noticing it, upped the facilities provided to the animals in their enclosures. Zoo authorities said the animals looked "very happy" due to which their appetite also increased.

Besides, among the many steps towards the beautifiction include making the zoo complex look more pleasing so that it scores on the aesthetic front right from its entrance.

Delhi Zoo director Ramesh Kumar Pandey told IANS: "Currently, there are 88 species in the zoo. Last year, there were 83. In 2020, there has been a rise in the number of some species. This year, an attempt is on to increase the total number of species to 100" "The total number of animals including all the species has increased to 1,200. The death rate last year was around 170, but this year about 120 are being reported, which is very low," he said.

Pandey further said: "Delhi Zoo has a total of 20 per cent old animals that are being taken care of. We have also approached many other zoos to bring in new species of animals. In the coming days, people will see many new animals here." He said that more than 400 cameras have been installed during the corona period.

Species that witnessed a rise in their number include wild boar, comb duck (nakta), black pheasant, etc.

Although the zoo was closed due to the fear of coronavirus, it had a very positive effect on animals. After the lockdown, the animals are less angry, a little quiet, and seen mostly playing.

An attempt has been made by the officials to present the animals a forest-like environment.

Large wooden batches have been placed in the enclosures of non-vegetarian animals so that the way the animals dig their bodies in the forests, in the same way, they can also scratch their nails while in the enclosures.

An attempt has also been made to give natural-forest like set-up to the birds, which is also showing its effect.

In the zoo premises, pictures of wildlife and animals, including wall painting have also been put up.

Besides, the old garbage bins have also been painted.
Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print.

Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition.

If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create.
Armenia 2nd President meets with leaders and officers of Police, MOD and National Security Service of various years

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative: Incumbent authorities' mistakes are irreversible

Europe sees progress in latest rounds of Iran nuclear talks

Armenian analyst: Turkey wants to push Russia out of the South Caucasus

Young Armenian says brawl with Azerbaijanis in front of Azerbaijan Embassy in Moscow might have been organized

Catholicos of All Armenians leaves for Armenia's Syunik Province and Artsakh on pontifical visit

Armenian and Russian Prosecutors General meet in St. Petersburg

Armenian acting minister: EU allocated EUR 68,700,000 to Armenia for budget support in 2020

Armenia Finance Ministry: MFA's budget grew by AMD 1,600,000,000 in 2020

Bodies and remains of Armenian soldiers are kept in morgue in Armenia's Martuni

White House confirms Biden-Erdogan meeting in Brussels

Armenia acting MOD touches upon priority directions for development of Armed Forces

Diaspora Armenian writer, publicist Toros Toranian dies

2 Armenian soldiers injured in scuffle with Azerbaijan, Armenian POW is hospitalized, Jun. 3 digest

Wedding held in Armenia's Shurnukh for first time since the war ended

EEU member states to finish preparing for negotiations over free trade zone in Iran in late June

Armenia Central Bank: Economic downfall in 2020 was due to decline in service and construction sectors

Armenia legislature adopts several bills in first reading

Armenia President meets with Nursultan Nazarbayev

Dejavu: Armenia ruling party distributes money for votes at Yerevan district election office

Chief Advisor to Karabakh President sacked

Russian MFA: Works are carried out to settle situation around Karabakh every day

Armenia opposition MP sounds alarm about Baku fabricating criminal cases against Armenian prisoners

Armenia acting health minister: I have apologized, I am not going to resign

Helga Schmid meets with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs

Armenia's deputy foreign ministers resigned or have heavy workload?

Dollar goes down in Armenia

Armenia Elections Oversight Committee reports Iranian citizenship of ruling party's MP candidate

Acting deputy minister: Only 17 of 711 Iran-Armenia power transmission line towers were installed by 2017

Armenia Parliament Council holding session

Armenia to host CSTO "Thunder-2021" military exercises

NYT: Chinese hackers launch cyberattack on New York city transportation authority

Armenia President to Kazakhstan counterpart: I would like to see much deeper cooperation between our countries

Armenia citizens shut down Etchmiadzin-Ashtarak road, complaining about lack of irrigation water

Armenia independent MP: Foreign minister and his deputies don't want to take part in treacherous acts

Armenia to get $11mn loan, 350,000 grant for agriculture

WHO worries about worsening mental health worldwide amid pandemic

Armenia health ministry on improper handling of Artsakh war victims bodies: There is no justification

Armenia bloc election foundation already in operation

Russia ambassador to Armenia paying working visit to Syunik Province (PHOTOS)

China pledges to step up resistance to foreign interference in Hong Kong

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: There can be no talk of corridor for Azerbaijan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on incumbent authorities: Wherever they flee, we will bring them by the feet

President: Impossible to ensure peace in region or stay in Artsakh without Russia army joint efforts

China Daily: Dispatch from Makit: Thriving in the desert

Karabakh President: We will never put up with being part of Azerbaijan, it is ruled out

Armenia MFA information department chief: All deputy FMs carrying out their duties

Ardshinbank invited children to the cinema on International Childrens Day

Armenia judiciary to have 10 more judges

Armenia acting premier: We had recorded 40% increase in tax revenues according to 2019 results

Armenia acting PM on Artsakh war casualties bodies: We have 50 remains in which case DNA was not separated

Azerbaijan authorities plan to "squeeze" everything from "terrorist show" related to Armenian captives

Ameriabank announces a contest for bank card design

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia parliament convenes special session

Armenia interim government holding Cabinet meeting

Catholicos of All Armenians heads for Syunik Province, Artsakh

World oil prices going up

Iran loses right to vote in UN General Assembly

Newspaper: Armenia authorities come up with new way of punishing unwanted characters

Newspaper: Russia army Southern Military District deputy commander to arrive in Yerevan Thursday

Lebanese Armenian man taken prisoner by Azerbaijan is hospitalized

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Are we getting under the burden? Then lets get under to the end

Armenia acting health minister on keeping fallen soldiers bodies in bags: What else should they be kept in?

Armenia acting health minister on citizens' demand for her resignation

Karabakh's new State Minister Artak Beglaryan on his appointment and future activities

Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani representatives hold consultations in Moscow

2 Armenian soldiers receive slight injuries after incident with Azerbaijani servicemen in Armenia's Gegharkunik

Armenian boy weighing 5 kg born at Goris Medical Center

"Armenia" bloc representative presents purpose of participation in elections and plans

Isaac Herzog elected President of Israel

Rouhani: Main issues between Tehran, Washington resolved in Vienna

Charles Michel calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume constructive negotiations

US Department of State responds to Pashinyan's proposal to deploy international observers on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Head of Armenia 2nd President's Office: Robert Kocharyan's public meetings are held in warm atmosphere

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative on photos and videos showing bags of deceased servicemen's bodies

Armenia Ombudsman, AGBU President discuss war crimes committed by Azerbaijan during Karabakh war

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representatives to hold briefings three times a week

Opposition "Armenia" bloc member: Blood-freezing photos and videos from morgue in Abovyan are authorities' reflection

Yerevan mayor receives Netherlands Ambassador
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Purdue Sports)  No. 10 Purdue volleyball (13-5) overpowered No. 9 Ohio State (15-3) in four sets (20-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-18) for the second straight night to sweep the series.

With the win, Purdue improves to 5-5 against top-25 opponents this season (including three wins over top-10 programs). Additionally, it was the first series sweep over a top-10 opponent since the 2013 Purdue squad won a pair of matches versus then-No. 8/6 Nebraska in 2013.

The defensive showing by the Boilermakers were one of the best in recent years, securing the second-most digs in a match in over five seasons (85, best: set earlier this season, 103 vs. then-No. 6 Minnesota).

Senior libero Jena Otec anchored the back row and was just one dig shy of the 30-dig club. The Crystal City, Missouri, native's 29 digs tie as the fifth-most by a Boilermaker in a four-set match in program history. Otec led the defensive effort that registered 85 total digs.

Not only did four Boilermakers record double-digit kills: Caitlyn Newton (14), Grace Cleveland (12 kills), Emma Ellis (11 kills) and Taylor Trammell (10 kills), but setter Hayley Bush also recorded a double-double with 50 assists and 11 digs. Cleveland also led the team with nine block assists, meanwhile Trammell boasted a career-high in kills after setting a personal-best in blocks the weekend prior (12 at Rutgers, 3/19).

The result signifies six consecutive wins against Ohio State, tying the second-longest in the team's storied history (all-time record: 45-46, OSU leads).

Set 1 | 20-25

The set saw 10 ties and four lead changes. The middles sparked a run for Purdue to take a lead, with Jael Johnson, then Trammell notching kills to help propel Purdue to a 9-6 advantage. Ohio State regained the lead, 15-16, which the Buckeyes held onto for the remainder of the set.

Set 2 | 26-24

After the largest lead of the match come at 3-6, in favor of Ohio State, the teams went point-for-point, with 12 tied scores in the set. The Boilermakers won a tide-turning challenge to secure Newton's kill and knot the score 23-23. Then, Trammell notched a kill to set the score, 24-23. Although Ohio State took the following point, Ellis recorded the penultimate set point, with a block assist by Trammell and Cleveland sealing the win. Ellis led the set with five kills and no errors with a .714 hitting % meanwhile Otec recorded seven digs.

Set 3 | 25-21

Johnson recorded a string of Purdue points, giving Purdue the 8-6 edge. Newton tied the score, 15-15, to start a 4-1 run to give Purdue the winning-advantage. Trammell exploded in the set, notching six of 10 kills in the set for a.625 attack %. Defensively, Otec recorded 10 digs, the most in a single set by a Boilermaker.

Set 4 | 25-18

In the most decisive set-win of the two-day series, Purdue controlled the set, never turning over the lead. Ellis recorded key points to stall the Ohio State offense maintain Purdue's momentum. The defensive showing in the fourth set included seven digs from Otec, while Marissa Hornung and Hayley Bush added six apiece.

Up Next

Purdue will close out the regular season with a Friday/Saturday matchup against Illinois. The matches are set for 5 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network Plus both days.
Visitors to the George Floyd memorial in Minneapolis must walk past concrete barricades and makeshift checkpoints to reach the site where the 46-year-old took his last breath with his face pressed to the ground.

Signs marking the entrance to the birthplace of a global racial justice movement read: "You are now entering the free state of George Floyd" and "Cops not welcome".

The world will this week revisit Floyd's death when the trial of Derek Chauvin, the white police officer who knelt on his neck during his final moments, begins. Floyd's death not only triggered a hot summer of protests but also calls to "defund the police" that reverberated across the US.

The four-block intersection where Floyd died - renamed George Floyd Square - is now a test case, with concrete barricades and a regular swarm of activists manning an "autonomous zone", effectively barring police from the area.

And it is not going well. Earlier this month, a 30-year-old volunteer was shot dead; business owners say customers have fled, and emergency services refuse to enter the area.

"I call that the United States," says Sam Willis, the owner of Just Turkey restaurant, as he gestures beyond the barrier. "Over here, this is an area where there's lawlessness."

The so-called autonomous zone was initially supported by Minneapolis's progressive city council. Last June a majority of councillors vowed to dismantle the city's police department and later cut $8m from its budget, in an immediate reaction to protests over Mr Floyd's death.

More than 100 police officers left the force last year - double the usual number - and dozens more are on leave with post-traumatic stress.

The police department says the drop in resources has forced it to respond to only the most serious crimes.

At the barriers to George Floyd Square, activists sit in the graffitied checkpoint stalls with heaters and kettles, peering out from plastic windows to ensure police do not enter.

Mr Willis said: "A guy got killed down here three weeks ago. They had to drive them to the hospital because the ambulance won't come."

Activists in the area argue that the crime levels in the square are no higher than in other parts of the city, but claim the incidents get more media attention as it is a police-free zone.

"There's always been crime here, that's the neighbourhood. Outsiders give more focus to it as they don't like what's happening here," said an activist.

He claimed volunteers like him stop troublemakers at the entrance to the area. But the signs of criminal activity are clear to see. Gangs operate openly, and residents say it is not unusual to see people carrying guns.

There was a bitter irony to the area's plight - but whatever the truths in that, tensions between law enforcement and the Minneapolis community are to be tested again in the coming weeks, with opening arguments in the trial of Chauvin to begin tomorrow. In anticipation of potential unrest, much of the city centre - including the courthouse where the trial is taking place - have been boarded up and surrounded by layers of fencing.

 Telegraph Media Group Ltd (2021)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
Photo: The Canadian Press A security guard gestures as people arrive at the City of Toronto operated mass COVID-19 vaccination site in East York Town Centre, servicing the Thorncliffe Park community on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, COVID-19 experts say, even if it's hard to see it while more contagious virus variants plunge parts of Canada into the third wave of the pandemic.

And while the route to a post-pandemic world may not be as linear as some may like, there's still reason for optimism, said Dr. Zain Chagla, medical director of infection control at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.

"There's an end goal, there's a solution, there's a way we get back to normal without necessarily walloping our health-care system," he said.

That solution is vaccination, he said, and it's worth getting excited about despite the the slow pace of the immunization campaign, which has been blamed on supply shortages.

The vaccines likely won't get rid of COVID-19 entirely, Chagla said, but the death rate is falling, as is the number of people who have become seriously ill, though case counts are rising.

"I think we're probably going to see this start drying out in the community," he said. "I don't think the vaccines are ever gonna eradicate it off the face of the Earth. They're just gonna make this much more manageable with our day to day lives."

Many epidemiologists believe COVID-19 will become a manageable respiratory infection like the flu, posing a small threat but largely manageable through vaccination.

It can be hard to know exactly when a pandemic has ended, said Heather MacDougall, a professor of the history of public health at the University of Waterloo.

"Most pandemics, there's no formal moment when the World Health Organization says it's over," she said, noting that instead, regional officials are the ones to make that call, traditionally looking for two incubation cycles with no new infections.

But she said once we get to that point, there's still much work to be done.

The period following pandemics past typically spurred some form of action, she said.

After the SARS outbreak, there were numerous reports that shed light on the shortcomings of the government's response, and following the Spanish Flu in 1918 and 1919, the organizations that would become the Public Health Agency of Canada and Public Health Ontario were both founded.

"It's likely that there will be, again, a similar series of inquiries at provincial and federal levels to examine what went right and what was less successful," MacDougall said. "And it will be from those that we see whether there is going to be a paradigm shift and major institutional modification and renewal."

She said it will be up to members of the public to pressure the government to act.

"When governments are looking for areas to cut, and programs to disband, they tend to look for groups like (public health agencies), because normally there isn't much in the way of public support for them until the event actually happens," she said. "And afterwards, people have a tendency to revert back to the pre-pandemic form of disinterest in sustained disease prevention."

The top doctor in one of the nation's hardest hit regions said he's hopeful that Canadians won't lose sight of lessons learned during this pandemic.

The demographics that were most affected by COVID-19 tended to be marginalized groups, such as people of colour and people in lower income brackets, said Dr. Lawrence Loh, medical officer of health in Ontario's Peel Region.

"It's telling that the populations that have been hardest hit by the pandemic were the same populations that had challenges with health status, even before the pandemic," he said.

That speaks to the need to strengthen health-care infrastructure and fight against structural inequities going forward, he said.

And beyond the systemic issues, people will also have to grapple with the personal, said Renee El-Gabalawy, director of the Health, Anxiety and Trauma Lab at the University of Manitoba.

The number of people experiencing stress, anxiety and depression has increased during the pandemic, and it's unlikely that those people will just bounce back once they're able to see friends and family again, El-Gabalawy said.

"We've had to change the way we act and navigate in the world, and those kinds of things get conditioned over time," she said. "After a situation like this ends, you're still left with those conditioned responses."

She said that's played out -- and been studied -- before, following mass traumas such as hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 attacks.

But she said the story of mental health during the pandemic isn't all bad.

While some people have struggled, others have found new coping mechanisms, El-Gabalawy said, such as exercising regularly and staying in close touch with friends and family, even from a physical distance.

"If people were able to figure out adaptive coping strategies, they may be able to take those with them as they progress on their life trajectory," she said.
Anyone eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine can head to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans Sunday and receive one without an appointment, New Orleans officials announced.

LCMC Health is offering walk-in coronavirus vaccinations at the center Sunday until 4:30 p.m. to all those who are now eligible for the shot. That includes residents who work in certain jobs that are considered essential and those who have specific health conditions.

Since LCMC opened up its mass vaccine site at the Convention Center on March 4, it has only offered the shots by appointment. New Orleans' city government announced the additional availability Sunday morning through its NOLA Ready Twitter account and text messaging service.

As of Sunday, there are still some limits on which adults can receive a shot. But beginning Monday, vaccinations will be available to anyone in Louisiana over age of 18, and anyone 16 and older for the Pfizer shots, Gov. John Bel Edwards said last week.

That puts Louisiana among the most inclusive states in the country when it comes to vaccinations. Though President Joe Biden has decreed that inoculations should be available widely in each state by May 1, Louisiana will join Alaska, Georgia and a few others that offer the shots to those 16 and up, after initially offering them to a narrower group.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Residents who need a ride to the Convention Center Sunday can call 504-290-5200 for a free or reduced-price Uber, city officials said. The Regional Transit Authority is also running free shuttles to the center every 15 minutes from Duncan Plaza across from City Hall, every 45 minutes from the Algiers Park and Ride at 2501 Wall Blvd., and every 45 minutes from Walmart on Bullard Avenue in New Orleans East.

Vaccines will also be available Monday during a 24-hour mass vaccination event -- "Vaccine Fest" -- at the Shrine on Airline in Metairie. The event, put on by Ochsner Health and Jefferson Parish government, begins at 10 a.m. and will run around-the-clock until 10 a.m. Tuesday. It features musicial performances from Amanda Shaw, DJ Jubilee, DJ Jess, Knockas Brass Band and others.

While appointments are preferred, none are necessary from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Ochsner Health officials said. Monday's event, which will offer Moderna vaccines, is open to anyone 18 and older.

Call 844-888-2772 for more information or visit https://www.ochsner.org/vaccineinfo.
Armenia 2nd President meets with leaders and officers of Police, MOD and National Security Service of various years

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative: Incumbent authorities' mistakes are irreversible

Europe sees progress in latest rounds of Iran nuclear talks

Armenian analyst: Turkey wants to push Russia out of the South Caucasus

Young Armenian says brawl with Azerbaijanis in front of Azerbaijan Embassy in Moscow might have been organized

Catholicos of All Armenians leaves for Armenia's Syunik Province and Artsakh on pontifical visit

Armenian and Russian Prosecutors General meet in St. Petersburg

Armenian acting minister: EU allocated EUR 68,700,000 to Armenia for budget support in 2020

Armenia Finance Ministry: MFA's budget grew by AMD 1,600,000,000 in 2020

Bodies and remains of Armenian soldiers are kept in morgue in Armenia's Martuni

White House confirms Biden-Erdogan meeting in Brussels

Armenia acting MOD touches upon priority directions for development of Armed Forces

Diaspora Armenian writer, publicist Toros Toranian dies

2 Armenian soldiers injured in scuffle with Azerbaijan, Armenian POW is hospitalized, Jun. 3 digest

Wedding held in Armenia's Shurnukh for first time since the war ended

EEU member states to finish preparing for negotiations over free trade zone in Iran in late June

Armenia Central Bank: Economic downfall in 2020 was due to decline in service and construction sectors

Armenia legislature adopts several bills in first reading

Armenia President meets with Nursultan Nazarbayev

Dejavu: Armenia ruling party distributes money for votes at Yerevan district election office

Chief Advisor to Karabakh President sacked

Russian MFA: Works are carried out to settle situation around Karabakh every day

Armenia opposition MP sounds alarm about Baku fabricating criminal cases against Armenian prisoners

Armenia acting health minister: I have apologized, I am not going to resign

Helga Schmid meets with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs

Armenia's deputy foreign ministers resigned or have heavy workload?

Dollar goes down in Armenia

Armenia Elections Oversight Committee reports Iranian citizenship of ruling party's MP candidate

Acting deputy minister: Only 17 of 711 Iran-Armenia power transmission line towers were installed by 2017

Armenia Parliament Council holding session

Armenia to host CSTO "Thunder-2021" military exercises

NYT: Chinese hackers launch cyberattack on New York city transportation authority

Armenia President to Kazakhstan counterpart: I would like to see much deeper cooperation between our countries

Armenia citizens shut down Etchmiadzin-Ashtarak road, complaining about lack of irrigation water

Armenia independent MP: Foreign minister and his deputies don't want to take part in treacherous acts

Armenia to get $11mn loan, 350,000 grant for agriculture

WHO worries about worsening mental health worldwide amid pandemic

Armenia health ministry on improper handling of Artsakh war victims bodies: There is no justification

Armenia bloc election foundation already in operation

Russia ambassador to Armenia paying working visit to Syunik Province (PHOTOS)

China pledges to step up resistance to foreign interference in Hong Kong

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: There can be no talk of corridor for Azerbaijan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on incumbent authorities: Wherever they flee, we will bring them by the feet

President: Impossible to ensure peace in region or stay in Artsakh without Russia army joint efforts

China Daily: Dispatch from Makit: Thriving in the desert

Karabakh President: We will never put up with being part of Azerbaijan, it is ruled out

Armenia MFA information department chief: All deputy FMs carrying out their duties

Ardshinbank invited children to the cinema on International Childrens Day

Armenia judiciary to have 10 more judges

Armenia acting premier: We had recorded 40% increase in tax revenues according to 2019 results

Armenia acting PM on Artsakh war casualties bodies: We have 50 remains in which case DNA was not separated

Azerbaijan authorities plan to "squeeze" everything from "terrorist show" related to Armenian captives

Ameriabank announces a contest for bank card design

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia parliament convenes special session

Armenia interim government holding Cabinet meeting

Catholicos of All Armenians heads for Syunik Province, Artsakh

World oil prices going up

Iran loses right to vote in UN General Assembly

Newspaper: Armenia authorities come up with new way of punishing unwanted characters

Newspaper: Russia army Southern Military District deputy commander to arrive in Yerevan Thursday

Lebanese Armenian man taken prisoner by Azerbaijan is hospitalized

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Are we getting under the burden? Then lets get under to the end

Armenia acting health minister on keeping fallen soldiers bodies in bags: What else should they be kept in?

Armenia acting health minister on citizens' demand for her resignation

Karabakh's new State Minister Artak Beglaryan on his appointment and future activities

Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani representatives hold consultations in Moscow

2 Armenian soldiers receive slight injuries after incident with Azerbaijani servicemen in Armenia's Gegharkunik

Armenian boy weighing 5 kg born at Goris Medical Center

"Armenia" bloc representative presents purpose of participation in elections and plans

Isaac Herzog elected President of Israel

Rouhani: Main issues between Tehran, Washington resolved in Vienna

Charles Michel calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume constructive negotiations

US Department of State responds to Pashinyan's proposal to deploy international observers on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Head of Armenia 2nd President's Office: Robert Kocharyan's public meetings are held in warm atmosphere

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative on photos and videos showing bags of deceased servicemen's bodies

Armenia Ombudsman, AGBU President discuss war crimes committed by Azerbaijan during Karabakh war

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representatives to hold briefings three times a week

Opposition "Armenia" bloc member: Blood-freezing photos and videos from morgue in Abovyan are authorities' reflection

Yerevan mayor receives Netherlands Ambassador
New Delhi:

For the first time, Researchers have revealed that the weather on the Venus during the night is very different than day hours. In the research, it is also said that the night side shows unexpected and unseen cloud types, morphologies, and dynamics - some of which appear to be connected to features on the planet's surface.

"This is the first time we've been able to characterise how the atmosphere circulates on the night side of Venus on a global scale," said Javier Peralta of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

"While the atmospheric circulation on the planet's dayside has been extensively explored, there was still much to discover about the night side. We found that the cloud patterns there are different to those on the dayside, and influenced by Venus' topography," said Peralta, lead author of the study published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

Venus' atmosphere is dominated by strong winds that whirl around the planet far faster than Venus itself rotates. This phenomenon, known as 'super-rotation', sees Venusian winds rotating up to 60 times faster than the planet below, pushing and dragging along clouds within the atmosphere as they go.

These clouds travel fastest at the upper cloud level, some 65 to 72 kilometres above the surface.

"We've spent decades studying these super-rotating winds by tracking how the upper clouds move on Venus' dayside-these are clearly visible in images acquired in ultraviolet light," said Peralta.

"However, our models of Venus remain unable to reproduce this super-rotation, which clearly indicates that we might be missing some pieces of this puzzle," he said.

"We focused on the night side because it had been poorly explored; we can see the upper clouds on the planet's night side via their thermal emission, but it's been difficult to observe them properly because the contrast in our infrared images was too low to pick up enough detail," he added.

The team used the Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer (VIRTIS) on European Space Agency (ESA)'s Venus Express spacecraft to observe the clouds in the infrared.

"VIRTIS enabled us to see these clouds properly for the first time, allowing us to explore what previous teams could not-and we discovered unexpected and surprising results," adds Peralta.

Rather than capturing single images, VIRTIS gathered a 'cube' of hundreds of images of Venus acquired simultaneously at different wavelengths.

Previous missions to Venus:

In 1963, a robotic space probe called the American Mariner 2 was launched on Venus. In 1970, a Soviet Spacecraft Venera 7 landed on the surface of Venus and beamed back data to Earth.

NASA obtained additional data with the project Pioneer Venus in 1978. According to reports, there were several flybys that were carried out between 1980-1990 apart from Russias continued interest in Venus.

In April 2006, European Space Agency put the Venus Express, long-term observation mission, into the orbit around Venus. In December 2015, Japan sent Akatsuki to the planet.

Further details of what researchers found on the night side of Venus can be found in the latest study published in Nature Astronomy.









For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
ANN ARBOR, MI - Ron Weiser, the head of the Michigan Republican Party and a University of Michigan regent, issued an apology Saturday for comments he made about Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Weiser called the women three witches and said the GOP needs to make sure they are ready for burning at the stake during an event for the North Oakland Republic Club on Thursday, March 26. His comments were shared in a video on social media.

In an increasingly vitriolic political environment, we should all do better to treat each other with respect, myself included. I fell short of that the other night. I apologize to those I offended for the flippant analogy about three women who are elected officials and for the off-hand comments about two other leaders, his statement read in part.

Weiser also floated the idea of assassinating Republican Reps. Peter Meijer and Fred Upton for voting to impeach President Donald Trump, saying Other than assassination, I have no other way other than voting them out, OK?

In the apology, Weiser said he has never advocated for violence and never will.

Related: Some University of Michigan regents call on Weiser to resign following three witches, assassination comments

The Michigan Democratic Party and University of Michigan regents Mark Bernstein and Jordan Acker, both Democrats, said the comments were sexist and called on Weiser to resign. The Michigan Daily reports two other Democratic regents, Mike Behm and Paul Brown, would also ask Weiser to resign.

Weiser was elected to the board of regents in 2016, and his term expires in 2025.

University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel issued a statement Saturday condemning the remarks.

Such words are particularly abhorrent in a climate where so recently the use of language has engendered violence and attempted violence directed at elected officials, our democratic institutions, and the individuals who guard them, Schlissels written statement said. It is never appropriate to raise the specter of assassination or perpetuate misogynistic stereotypes against anyone in any setting. Elected officials must adhere to a higher standard regardless of the context of their remarks.

Weiser faced pressure to resign in January from University of Michigan faculty and students who cited his complicity in the violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

On Friday, Weiser tweeted he will not be resigning.

More on MLive:

Democrats challenge easier to vote pitch in Senate GOP election package

Ryan Kelley pushed to arrest lawmakers, then stormed the Capitol. Now he wants to be Michigans governor.

These Michiganders were among the first exposed to COVID-19. Heres what they learned
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
The Christmas card read: In a momenteverything changed. Down through the centuries worldwide this has been acknowledged by billions of Christians.

During another moment in time everything changed for Jane and Keith (not their real names). Such happenings often prompt difficult questions like: Why did God allow this to happen to us? The notoriously difficult exercise of trying to interpret silence.

A momentous moment

In their senior years this loving couple retired for the night as they had done thousands of times before during a long and happy marriagebut this night was different. Unknowingly, somewhere between about 1- 4 a.m. whilst asleep Jane suffered a stroke the effect of which was not discovered until morning.

If a stroke occurs during waking hours apparently an emergency dash to hospital can make all the difference to the long-term outcome, but this time significant change had occurred.

In different ways they are both victims of that unexpected, uninvited and unwanted moment, now having to adapt like anyone who has to live with the result of chronic illness. A sixty three year old lady friend of mine is effectively a quadriplegic, the devastating result of slowly advancing crippling multiple sclerosis, a personal tragedy also not of her wanting.

How to explain?

Hence the perplexing issue of what some call the permissive will of God. A severe event (perhaps with irreversible consequences) is said to be within His permissive will in that God did not prevent it from happening.

We know that He is not distantly indifferent to personal suffering and encourages us to: Cast all your anxiety on Him [why?] because He cares for you. (1 Peter chapter 5 verse 7). Nor does He cause bad things to happen to us. Natural disasters, birth defects and chronic illnesses are agonisingly difficult issues, whilst some situations involve divinely preventable abhorrent behaviour such as the brutal actions of dictators.

The obvious go-to book of the Bible for seeking insight, an answer or at least some guidance or solace is the book of Job. The personal devastation that befell him was as extreme as it could get but Job never received from God an explanation or answer. Instead, towards the end of the book God asked Job seventy questions some of which appear below.

Unanswerable

Would you discredit My justice? (Job chapter 40 verse 8)

Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? (40:2)

Who is this that darkens My counsel with words without knowledge? (38:2)

Where were you when I laid the earths foundations? (38:4)

Who shut up the sea behind doors when I said: This far you may come and no farther? (38:11)

Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn? (39:1)

Do you know the laws of the heavens? (38:33)

Afterwards Job said to God: I know that You can do all thingsSurely I spoke of things I do not understandMy ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore Irepent in dust and ashes. (Job chapter 42 verses 5,6). Graciously he was restored as: The LORD blessed the latter part of Jobs life more than the firstAnd so he died old and full of years. (Job chapter 42 verses 12 & 17).

Can any mortal question or cross-examine God and expect an answer? One may come promptly or not at all, maybe not yet but later or perhaps in a way least expected.

And the answer is

Tantalisingly, the Bible does not give one. As excruciatingly difficult as that must be in the face of prolonged suffering (I have not yet experienced this), one may never come. Whilst not an answer to why, God tells us what we can do in response. He: comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we have received from Him. (2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 4).

Further, it records that: in all things God works for the good of [who?] those who love Him. (Romans chapter 8 verse 28). And Jesus says He is: with us always. (Matthew chapter 28 verse 20).

A preacher said the correct question is not why but where is God in suffering - such as at Jesus brutal crucifixion, the Holocaust insanity, and at 9/11. He was at Janes bedside that night.

Fundamentally important

One of the fundamental issues that has become so profoundly important to me as I reflect on my 73 years which bring me ever closer to the one event that every human being must face whether we are an atheist, dictator, king or president, butcher or grandmother ishow did it all begin.

This is crucially relevant to the necessity of Jesus rescue mission. It is no literary mistake that our Creator commenced His book saying In the beginning God created, making the Old Testament (OT) critical to understanding the NT.

Back to the Christmas card

In a momenteverything changed, even our calendar. Instead of counting down from higher numbers as B.C. changed to A.D, we now live in the year 2021: from what? The world-changing moment happened when God lovingly entered world history through the birth of Jesus so that reconciliation between Himself and us could occur.

He alone decided when the time was right. God loved so much the world He had created that He gave Jesus to us so that whoever believes in Him will not suffer solitary confinement in hell forever separated from Him, but instead will enjoy life forever in heaven with Him surrounded by: a multitude that no one could count. (John chapter 3 verse 16 & Revelation 6:9).

We need to make the next move.
: Andhra Pradesh reported 1,005



fresh cases of on Sunday, the highest single-day rise after November 26, pushing the gross up to 8,98,815.

The state now has 5,394 active cases, the highest number since the 5,259 on December 9.

A health department bulletin said 324 patients had recovered and two more succumbed to the infection in the state in 24 hours ending 9 am on Sunday.

The total recoveries have now touched 8,86,216 and the toll was 7,205, it said.

Guntur district reported the highest number of 225 fresh cases in a day, followed by Chittoor 184, Visakhapatnam 167 and Krishna 135.

SPS Nellore added 84 while the remaining eight districts saw the addition of less than 50 fresh cases each.

Krishna and Chittoor districts reported one fresh COVID- 19 fatality each in a day.

The overall infection positivity rate in the state now stood at six per cent after 1.49 crore tests were completed.

Meanwhile, police launched an enforcement drive across the state to make people wear facial masks.

Commissioners and district Superintendents of Police personally supervised the drive where, apart from counselling people, the police also imposed fines on those not wearing facial masks.

Also, the police distributed masks to people and advised them to take precautions to check the spread of the contagion in view of the spurt in the number of cases in the state.

They also distributed sanitisers in some places.

In all, 18,565 people were penalized for a sum of Rs 17,33,785 on Saturday alone, police said.

State Director General of Police D G Sawang said in a statement on Sunday that citizens should observe Covid- Appropriate Behaviour and take all precautions to prevent the spread of the infection.

He asked managements of educational institutions to take all steps to ensure that all COVID-19 control measures, including physical distancing, were followed scrupulously.

The DGP requested people not to come out of their homes unless there was an emergency.

Sawang suggested that parties and functions be put off, if possible, or held with a minimum number of persons.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a room full of Lego pieces, Hoang Dang carefully builds a bright blue, yellow and red fishing boat with a Vietnamese flag.

The industrial designer has loved Lego for as long as he can remember. But he only started collecting the objects seriously a few years ago on an overseas study trip to Detroit. He was interested in the many kinds of Lego sets available in the United States.

Hoang mainly recreates sights close to home in Vietnam. His Lego creations include his childhood home, a temple in Hanois Old Quarter and a 1990s living room during Lunar New Year. All of the designs are complex and have colorful details.

Hoang used the term perspective  a way of thinking or understanding something  to describe his interest in sharing his love of Lego.

I want to bring my perspective to friends all over the world, because Vietnams Lego building community is still little known regionally and globally, he said.

Hoang is halfway to his goal of building 10 large models for a public showing. He said it takes about five months to finish a 5,000-piece facade, or front of a building. But, he added, much of that time is spent finding the right pieces.

I often spend a whole evening to look for just that one brick, he said.

Even with a collection of over two million Lego bricks, Hoang says he is always looking for new pieces. Thats how he made what he calls his Lego friends, including Khang Huynh in Ho Chi Minh City.

The two met on a Facebook group for Lego builders and collectors. The name Lego is short for leg godt, which means play well in Danish.

Hoang said, Building Lego helps us to recharge our creative energy after working on long and tiring projects. Hoang and Khang like to take pictures of what interests them on the street, then recreate the objects with bricks. For Khang, that includes street sights with complex builds like a Honda Cub motorcycle.

I am drawn to the everyday things around me that are very familiar, said Khang. I build anything that I feel is cute and dear to me.

Im John Russell.

Minh Nguyen reported on this story for Reuters. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

set  n. a group of similar things that belong together

temple  n. a building for worship

brick  n. a small, hard block that is used to build structures

recharge  v. to regain energy or spirit

familiar  adj. to know about something or have experienced it many times before

cute  adj. having a pleasing appearance

dear  adj. loved or valued very much
- By GF Value





The stock of Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC, 30-year Financials) shows every sign of being modestly undervalued, according to GuruFocus Value calculation. GuruFocus Value is GuruFocus' estimate of the fair value at which the stock should be traded. It is calculated based on the historical multiples that the stock has traded at, the past business growth and analyst estimates of future business performance. If the price of a stock is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued and its future return is likely to be poor. On the other hand, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher. At its current price of $319.02 per share and the market cap of $53.2 billion, Northrop Grumman stock is believed to be modestly undervalued. GF Value for Northrop Grumman is shown in the chart below.





Northrop Grumman Stock Appears To Be Modestly Undervalued

Because Northrop Grumman is relatively undervalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be higher than its business growth, which averaged 14% over the past three years and is estimated to grow 1.28% annually over the next three to five years.

Link: These companies may deliever higher future returns at reduced risk.

It is always important to check the financial strength of a company before buying its stock. Investing in companies with poor financial strength have a higher risk of permanent loss. Looking at the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage is a great way to understand the financial strength of a company. Northrop Grumman has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.31, which is in the middle range of the companies in Aerospace & Defense industry. The overall financial strength of Northrop Grumman is 5 out of 10, which indicates that the financial strength of Northrop Grumman is fair. This is the debt and cash of Northrop Grumman over the past years:

Story continues

Northrop Grumman Stock Appears To Be Modestly Undervalued

It poses less risk to invest in profitable companies, especially those that have demonstrated consistent profitability over the long term. A company with high profit margins is also typically a safer investment than one with low profit margins. Northrop Grumman has been profitable 10 over the past 10 years. Over the past twelve months, the company had a revenue of $36.8 billion and earnings of $19.02 a share. Its operating margin is 11.05%, which ranks better than 72% of the companies in Aerospace & Defense industry. Overall, GuruFocus ranks the profitability of Northrop Grumman at 9 out of 10, which indicates strong profitability. This is the revenue and net income of Northrop Grumman over the past years:

Northrop Grumman Stock Appears To Be Modestly Undervalued

Growth is probably one of the most important factors in the valuation of a company. GuruFocus' research has found that growth is closely correlated with the long-term performance of a company's stock. If a company's business is growing, the company usually creates value for its shareholders, especially if the growth is profitable. Likewise, if a company's revenue and earnings are declining, the value of the company will decrease. Northrop Grumman's 3-year average revenue growth rate is better than 83% of the companies in Aerospace & Defense industry%. Northrop Grumman's 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is 5%, which ranks in the middle range of the companies in Aerospace & Defense industry.

One can also evaluate a company's profitability by comparing its return on invested capital (ROIC) to its weighted average cost of capital (WACC). Return on invested capital (ROIC) measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. If the return on invested capital exceeds the weighted average cost of capital, the company is likely creating value for its shareholders. During the past 12 months, Northrop Grumman's ROIC is 9.17 while its WACC came in at 5.86. The historical ROIC vs WACC comparison of Northrop Grumman is shown below:

Northrop Grumman Stock Appears To Be Modestly Undervalued

In closing, the stock of Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC, 30-year Financials) is believed to be modestly undervalued. The company's financial condition is fair and its profitability is strong. Its growth ranks in the middle range of the companies in Aerospace & Defense industry. To learn more about Northrop Grumman stock, you can check out its 30-year Financials here.

To find out the high quality companies that may deliever above average returns, please check out GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription.

Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service.




Haiti - Heritage : The production technique of Barbancourt rum protected by law





The Ministry of Communication, informs the population and the international community, that the "Technique of the traditional production of Barbancourt Rum" is officially registered in the National Register of Haitian Cultural Heritage.



In accordance with article 215 of the Constitution and in application of articles 1 and 2 of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which convention entered into force on December 17, 2009, after its ratification by the Haitian Parliament of a on the one hand, and, in accordance with the letter and the spirit of the decree of October 12, 2005 establishing the Haitian Copyright Office (BHDA) on the other hand, the "Technique of the traditional production of Barbancourt Rum" is now protected by Haitian laws.



Consequently, any commercial exploitation of this technique is subject to the legal provisions governing the matter.



Find out more about Barbancourt :



Since 1862, Maison Barbancourt has produced rums in the image of Haiti, with a diversity of aromas and styles, both subtle and noble.



Whether it is a rum with a rich and aged body, or a light white rum, the Barbancourt distillery offers rums of incomparable character, imbued with the heart of the island.



This particularity, it owes it to its founder, Dupre Barbancourt, originally from Charente (France).



By producing rums from a double distillation usually reserved for the greatest Cognacs, Dupre Barbancourt succeeded in creating a rum of unique quality, with flavors combining authenticity and refinement.



This is how, for more than 150 years, Maison Barbancourt has passed on its unique know-how from generation to generation, a strong legacy of its founder.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















(CNN)  "The United States does not have the qualification to speak to China."

As far as slogans go, it's not necessarily the catchiest. But the phrase, along with several others uttered by top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi during heated talks with the US earlier this month, has become an unlikely fashion hit in China, appearing on T-shirts, phone cases and other items.

The arrival of the T-shirts on Chinese e-commerce sites -- just hours after Yang traded barbs with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Alaska -- captures the changing mood in Beijing, as policy makers signal a new willingness to push back against criticism of alleged human rights abuses, particularly those centered on Xinjiang.

In recent days, China has leveled reciprocal sanctions against the United Kingdom and the European Union, targeting lawmakers and academics, which it accused of "maliciously spreading lies and disinformation" regarding Beijing's treatment of Uyghur Muslims.

China's so-called "wolf warrior" diplomats and state media have attacked Western governments online, rallying against what they term "hypocritical double standards," while drawing attention to the West's own legacy of historical injustice.

And all this has come as the government appears to be stoking a new wave of online nationalism.

Major European clothing label H&M was pulled from several e-commerce stores in China on Thursday after the ruling Communist Party's youth organization highlighted a months-old company statement speaking out against allegations of forced labor connected to Xinjiang's cotton industry.

Other businesses, including Nike, Adidas and Burberry, were soon dragged into the social media outcry, amid calls for a nationwide boycott. Posts containing an "I support Xinjiang cotton" hashtag on China's Twitter-like platform, Weibo, have been read almost 5 billion times.

In an editorial Friday, the editor of state-run tabloid Global Times, Hu Xijin, said the "battlefield" over Xinjiang could become the "frontline" in the ideological conflict between the US and China.

With the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party just months away, an apparent line has been drawn for those wishing to negotiate or do business with Beijing -- making clear that Western values are not necessarily compatible with access to the China market.

Reset rollback

When US President Joe Biden took office in January, the Chinese government appeared to be publicly angling for a reset in relations.

Under former US leader Donald Trump, tensions between Beijing and Washington rapidly escalated, with both sides imposing a series of retaliatory tariffs, sanctions and visa restrictions.

At the same time, the Chinese government faced allegations of serious human rights abuses in Xinjiang, where Washington alleges up to 2 million people from Muslim minorities have been detained in a network of camps across the region. China denies the allegations, insisting the camps are voluntary "vocational training centers" designed to stamp out religious extremism and terrorism.

The reset Beijing hoped for never came. Shortly before the Alaska meeting, the US announced new sanctions against officials in Hong Kong over the Chinese government's crackdown on civil liberties in the global financial hub. At the meeting in Alaska on Thursday, US and Chinese officials feuded in front of the media.

On Monday, the US, Canada, UK and EU all announced targeted sanctions against Chinese officials in Xinjiang. In a joint statement, the grouping decried China's alleged "use of forced labor, mass detention in internment camps, forced sterilizations, and the concerted destruction of Uyghur heritage."

In the wake of the Alaska meeting and new sanctions, Chinese officials and state media have escalated their attempts to deflect criticism by highlighting alleged human rights abuses in Western countries.

On Tuesday, Global Times published a list of "European countries' misdeeds on human rights," which included a reference to the continent's ongoing migrant crisis, as well as the Holocaust, in which more than 6 million Jews died at the hands of the Nazi Germany regime in concentration camps across Europe.

At a news conference on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying claimed the US was a far worse violator of human rights than China. "We hope that the US side and its Western allies will abandon hypocrisy, arrogance and double standards, face up to their own human rights issues, and take concrete actions to improve and protect human rights," she said.

And in a post to its official Twitter account Friday, state-run news agency Xinhua compared allegations of forced labor in cotton production in Xinjiang to the former use of slavery in the US.

Patriotism blowback

With political tensions again running high, business is among the few remaining bridges between the two sides. On Thursday, that too began to buckle under political pressure.

A post from the Communist Youth League, the Party's youth wing, highlighted a statement by Swedish clothing giant H&M from September where the company said it was "deeply concerned" over reports of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, specifically around allegations of forced labor in the production of cotton.

H&M had its products pulled from e-commerce stores, and Chinese celebrities quickly dropped out of sponsorship agreements with the company under pressure from those online.

Social media users helped to track down other Western brands that had previously voiced concerns about alleged human rights issues in Xinjiang, with the backlash spreading to include Nike, Adidas and Uniqlo.

China is less than a year away from hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics, and brands and participants will likely be looking on with trepidation at the apparent dilemma they now face: speak out against alleged human rights abuses and face a boycott in China. Stay silent, and risk blowback at home.

On Thursday, Japanese chain Muji appeared to change the labeling on its online store in China to highlight the cotton came from Xinjiang.

Global Times editor Hu said it was right for Chinese internet users to express their patriotism. "Let us mobilize various forces, give full play to their specific strengths and fight a people's war to safeguard our sovereignty and dignity creatively," he said in his editorial Friday.

The backlash is reminiscent of previous bursts of nationalistic fervor that have swept the country. In 2012, there were large -- and at times violent -- protests in China targeting Japanese stores and cars, amid a dispute between the two countries over the ownership of isolated islands.

In 2017, 23 stores from South Korean supermarket chain Lotte were closed in China after protests over the installation of a US-made THAAD missile defense system.

In the past, however, diplomats and officials have usually presented a calm front in a bid to quell the patriotic anger and prevent major diplomatic and economic damage. This time around, the rise of "wolf warrior" diplomacy makes such a possibility seem less likely.

"The Chinese people wouldn't allow foreigners to reap benefits in China on the one hand, and smear China on the other ... we reject any malicious attack on China and even attempts to undermine China's interests on the basis of rumors and lies," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Thursday, referring to the H&M boycott.

The campaign online was "not nationalism" added Hua, rather it was "simply patriotism."

This story was first published on CNN.com "China has unleashed the nationalist genie. Beijing may regret letting it out of the bottle".
Despite the uphill task, Sri Lanka should not cave in as that would be the end of the countrys sovereignty. Sri Lanka should however very aggressively and purposefully pursue alliances with countries in similar situations to counter the threats from not just the Western power block, but even from China at a future point in time.

by Raj Gonsalkorale

Yet it remains the case that if Nigerian public and private sector players doing business with the Chinese elephant could improve their negotiating skills and be more ambitious about their negotiating positions, making better use of Nigerias superpower qualities to minimise the drawbacks of its antlike ones, the future of NigeriaChina relations could be brighter and more beneficial for Nigeria than their past  South African Institute of International Affairs

Human rights violations allegedly committed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the government of Sri Lanka are antlike compared to the Elephantine violations committed by giants in the world including the USA.

The UNHRC and the West so concerned about the Ants, looks totally disinterested when the Military in Myanmar mows down innocent civilians fighting for their human rights. They have not raised a finger or even a finger nail to do anything tangible to halt the Military juggernaut from killing more people and subjugating them to the power of guns and other military hardware. Military might has replaced human rights and the world looks on issuing useless statements from UN pulpits. The duplicity and differential treatment being meted out is sickening.

Yet, these human rights champions are concerned about internal matters of Sri Lanka, but not concerned about the Muslim extremists who killed more than 300 people during the Easter bombings in 2019 and prior to that the marauding LTTE who killed hundreds and thousands of innocent children, women, old men and women. The dark history of the LTTE has been inconsequential for the UNHRC or the West.

Much has been written about the plight of the poor in the US who have no rights if they are poor. The world knows how rights are violated in Saudi Arabia, protected by the US. They know about the violations in Israel, again protected by the US. Palestinians have been trampled, walls built around them, and basic living conditions denied to them.

Some of the member countries of the UNHRC, who voted against Sri Lanka have appalling human rights records. Some others who sat on the fence too would not have a place to hide if their records are exposed. Others who sat on the fence did not have the guts to either side with the Elephants or support the Ant who was being trampled.

Sections of the Tamil Diaspora, the beggars with the wound that will never heal, provided plenty of falsehoods to the Core group and the US, and the world media big shots sponsored the case against Sri Lanka basing their accusations on such falsehoods, and also infringing on Sri Lankas sovereignty as if Sri Lanka was still one of their colonial outposts.

It is high time Sri Lankan Tamils who wish to call Sri Lanka their home divorced themselves from the LTTE and their supporters overseas, and also kicked out their politicians from their electorates and elected a set of politicians who would help to develop their areas and improved their lot.

They must ask themselves what these politicians have done for them since independence. They must ask themselves what development support the Tamil Diaspora, barring a handful, have done to improve the economic wellbeing of Tamils in the North and the East by investing, and creating jobs or improving agriculture and agri industries so that people would have had more self-employment opportunities. Had they done this, the private sector in the North and East would have been booming today.

Instead they contribute to fill the coffers of the LTTE rump, who in turn puts money in the pockets of politicians in the West to continue their fake allegations about their hopeless fate in Sri Lanka. This money goes to keep LTTE atrocities under the lid and make the world think that the LTTE was a lily white set of freedom fighters without any blemish.

The current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa may have his faults. After all he is human. But, few seem to remember that had it not been for him and the service commanders at the time including Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who led very brave Forces personnel, and the political leadership provided by President Mahinda Rajapakse, the island of Sri Lanka would have had two Nations by now. There are of course those with short memories, who owe their freedom to talk, write and act because the LTTE were defeated militarily in 2009, and others with an objective that is still uppermost in their minds, and that is to create a separate nation in the North and the East.

Tamil people will have to make a decision whether they wish to be in one nation called Sri Lanka, along with the Sinhalese, Muslims and other ethnic groups, or whether they wish to live in a separate Nation. Such a decision however cannot be just the decision of Tamil people, it has to be a decision of all people of Sri Lanka including the Sinhalese, Muslims and other races, as they all have ownership of the one country and island where everyone lives.

If the Tamil people in the North and East and others living in the rest of the country wish to advance and work towards the concept of one country for all, they have to choose a different set of leaders who would pursue such a concept and work towards addressing how the road blocks that might be impeding the one country concept may be overcome. It has to be clear to the Tamil people that their leadership has failed them, and they have not benefited by the divisive politics practiced by their leadership. Solutions lie in compromise and consensus decision making by all people as no group could have aspirations that disadvantage another group. In particular, majority groups need to compromise more than minority groups as majorities can and they do create imbalances simply on account of their numerical strength.

Muslim people of Sri Lanka too need to make a decision about their future in Sri Lanka and whether they wish to replicate extremism practiced in countries like Saudi Arabia or whether they wish to practice moderation as the Prophet himself articulated very well in his teachings. Extremism cannot have a place in the country. Politicians who advocate extremist ideologies should be rejected by the Muslim people.

The UNHRC vote gave a clear indication as to who were with Sri Lanka and who had the self-respect to defend their sovereignty as this resolution was clearly aimed at infringing on the sovereignty of small, poor and developing nations by those powerful ones who had become the pseudo defenders of human rights. In saying this, there is no inference whatsoever that any violation of peoples human rights should not be opposed. It must be. However, such a condemnation has to be proportionate to the alleged or actual violations, and also dealt in equal measure irrespective of a countrys wealth or power. This is not the case today as evidenced by how the rich and the powerful treat some nations differently to others.

The Nigerian simile mentioned at the outset of this article rings true when it comes to Sri Lanka too. China is the Elephant in the room which has got the Western power block which includes India, to take measures against Sri Lanka and corral it using a UNHRC resolution, hoping that Sri Lanka will yield to such international pressure and cave into their demands.

Despite the uphill task, Sri Lanka should not cave in as that would be the end of the countrys sovereignty. Sri Lanka should however very aggressively and purposefully pursue alliances with countries in similar situations to counter the threats from not just the Western power block, but even from China at a future point in time. A very aggressive China, pursuing its own agenda of being the next super power of the world, could potentially become the Elephant that tramples nations like Sri Lanka if it felt that an Ant was standing in its way.

Sri Lanka no doubt wants and must have the support of all nations to improve their economic and social wellbeing of their people. It needs investments from all corners and not loans and handouts. Sri Lankas development and self-sufficiency has to come from the confidence it generates to attract investments. In this regard, many initiatives being taken by the Rajapaksa government has to be lauded and encouraged, while those opposed to the government should offer constructive criticism of government policies and practices. A democratic opposition should not resort to spreading fake news to pursue a genuine political agenda unless that agenda is also as fake as the fake news.
Actor Mark Wahlberg is set to star in and produce a drama titled Stu, which is loosely based on a true story.

The film was announced on Deadline this week, which reported that the Hollywood actor will be working with first-time director Rosalind Ross who penned the script. Wahlberg was reportedly impressed with Ross and felt confident that she was the right person to tell the story he wanted to tell.

Ross, an actress and writer, has been romantically linked to Mel Gibson, with whom she shares a child.

The film is pegged as a faith-based film and is said to be loosely based on a true story. Its also reportedly a story that's  ... very close to Wahlbergs heart and something he had been developing for a number of years.

Source:The Christian Post
Queensland looks set to avoid a lockdown after a potential superspreader event turned out to be a small gathering of housemates  however, some of the damage in terms of travel has already been done.

Health authorities were forced to walk back claims that a man who tested positive for COVID-19 had held a gathering of 25 people at his Strathpine home while he was waiting for the results of his test.

Health Minister Yvette DAth says the mistake was unfortunate. Credit:Nine

It was revealed on Sunday that in fact there had been only five other people at the house that night, four of whom live there, along with one visitor.

Health Minister Yvette DAth said there appears to have been a miscommunication between health officials who initially interviewed the man.
India and the US on Sunday kicked off a two-day naval exercise in the eastern Indian Ocean Region, reflecting the growing congruence in their defence and military partnership. The Indian Navy deployed its warship Shivalik and long-range maritime patrol aircraft P8I in the 'PASSEX' exercise while the US Navy was represented by the USS Theodore Rosevelt carrier strike group, officials said.

A carrier battle group or carrier strike group is a mega naval fleet comprising an aircraft carrier, accompanied by a large number of destroyers, frigates and other ships.

"In a first, enhancing jointmanship, Indian Air Force fighters were also included in the exercise affording the IAF an opportunity to practice air interception and air defence with the US Navy," a spokesperson of the Indian Navy said.

The exercise came over a week after US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin flew into India as part of his three-nation first overseas tour that signalled the Joe Biden administration's strong commitment to its relations with its close allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

During the visit, both sides resolved to further consolidate their robust defence cooperation through deeper military-to-military engagement with Austin describing the partnership as a "stronghold" of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The officials said the exercise began on Sunday and will conclude on Monday.

The spokesperson said the exercise is aimed at consolidating the synergy and interoperability achieved during the Malabar exercise that took place in November last.

Besides the Indian Navy, the Malabar naval exercise was participated by the navies of the US, Australia and Japan. The four countries are part of the Quad or Quadrilateral coalition.

China has been suspicious about the purpose of the Malabar exercise as it feels that the annual war game is an effort to contain its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

In July last, the Indian Navy carried out a military exercise with a US Navy carrier strike group led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz off the coast of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The USS Nimitz is the world's largest warship.

Also Read: Mann Ki Baat: India has put up spirited fight against COVID-19, says PM Modi
At least 36 states have made some members of the clergy eligible for a vaccine before the rest of the population, according to a New York Times survey.

The vaccines come at a critical time: As religious leaders continue to work on the front lines of the pandemic in hospitals, mortuaries and long-term care facilities, many are now working with health officials to help combat vaccine hesitancy in their communities.

In Utah, mosques are sharing videos on social media of imams receiving the vaccine. In Michigan, a rabbi is weaving messages of support for vaccination into his sermons and conversations with his congregation. And at the Washington National Cathedral this month, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nations leading infectious-disease specialist, and other health officials joined 25 faith leaders from across the D.C. region as they received their vaccines on camera.

Religious figures are among the most trusted leaders, so seeing congregation leaders get vaccinated first can relieve anxiety and fears, Melissa Rogers, the executive director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, said during the vaccination event in Washington.
New Delhi: Pooja Sharma, a transgender woman who is famous among Mumbai local train commuters is popularly known as Rekha, because of her grace, dressing style and beautiful dance moves.

Pooja, who performs daily on the 7.40 Churchgate-to-Virar ladies special is now an internet sensation with more than one lakh seventy thousand followers on Instagram.

The social media influencer is also media friendly and has opened up about her traumatic past. Pooja has been captured by paparazzi photographer Viral Bhayani.

The graceful dancer fame soared when Television actress Ankita Lokhande invited her to her house on the occasion of her parents wedding anniversary. She also shared a video of the same on her Instagram account.

Pooja as well took to her Instagram to share her experience. I really love you Visiting your home was a wonderful experience Ankitadi. It made me feel like I went my own home. You showed, so much love, respect and care towards me. I really love you. You are so sweet and beautiful. I pray to god, you get all your desires and wishes fulfilled. Me and my blessings are always with you. You get the best of of all in your life. Take Care, Be Happy, Meet Soon. Didi loves you so much. My Baccchaa, wrote Pooja.

Pooja advocates for the rights of transgender people and urges society to accept them.
San Francisco, March 28 : A former Amazon worker has sued the e-commerce giant in the US for not scheduling the mandatory 30-minute meal breaks for employees.

Lovenia Scott, a former employee of Amazon's fulfilment centre in Vacaville, California, alleged that the company didn't provide enough rest breaks for workers, The Verge reported on Saturday.

"When they did get their meal breaks, workers were expected to monitor their walkie-talkies in case of any problems on the floor, which sometimes cut into their break time," the lawsuit claimed.

First filed in San Francisco County Superior Court in February, the case has now been moved to US District Court California, Northern District.

The lawsuit also alleged that shifts were "chronically understaffed," which left some employees unable to take short 10-minute rest breaks in order to finish their work on time.

Amazon was yet to comment on the report.

Earlier this month, Amazon and an independent contractor it worked with in California were fined $6.4 million for wage theft by the Labor Commission's Office.

The probe found that "Green Messengers, the subcontractor for Amazon, underpaid drivers, scheduling them 10-hour days but with a workload that forced drivers to skip meal and rest breaks".

Last week, amid a mounting evidence of allegedly ill-treating its low-paid workers, Amazon denied exploitative working conditions at its facilities, including forcing exhausted workers to 'pee in bottles'.

Replying to a tweet from US Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI), the e-commerce behemoth said that the company's union-busting tactics allegations are baseless.

"Paying workers $15/hr doesn't make you a 'progressive workplace' when you union-bust & make workers urinate in water bottles," Pocan said in a tweet.

Amazon replied: "You don't really believe the peeing in bottles thing, do you? If that were true, nobody would work for us. The truth is that we have over a million incredible employees around the world who are proud of what they do, and have great wages and health care from day one".

"We hope you can enact policies that get other employers to offer what we already do," the company further stated.

Once the Twitter war started, several journalists and people who have documented such incidents at Amazon facilities began flooding the Web.

Journalist James Bloodworth, whose 2018 book titled 'Hired: Six Months Undercover in Low-Wage Britain,' documented his experience of low-paid work for companies including Amazon.
KYODO NEWS - Mar 28, 2021 - 19:46 | All, World, Japan

The defense ministers of Japan and Indonesia on Sunday agreed to send messages to the rest of the world that the two countries will strongly oppose any action by China that could escalate tensions in regional waters.

Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi also told reporters after holding talks with his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto in Tokyo that they will urge China to refrain from trying to unilaterally change the status quo in the South and East China seas.

While voicing concern over China's introduction of a law allowing its coast guard to fire on vessels intruding into what it considers its waters, Kishi said they agreed to boost defense cooperation and hold a joint exercise of Japanese and Indonesian forces in the South China Sea.

On Myanmar's situation, Kishi said they agreed to work closely toward the early restoration of a democratic government.

The foreign and defense ministers of Japan and Indonesia are scheduled to hold talks together on Tuesday in Tokyo. The so-called two-plus-two talks will be the second of their kind since December 2015.
BANNU, Pakistan -- Police in Pakistans northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province have fired tear gas at protesters as they attempted to reach Islamabad to press their demands over the killing of four teenage boys in their region near the border with Afghanistan.



About 3,000 demonstrators from the rural area around the town of Jani Khel launched a protest caravan early on March 28 that was composed of cars, trucks, motorcycles, and the bodies of the four boys.



But the group was stopped by a police blockade on a bridge across the Tochi River, about 15 kilometers south of the town of Bannu.



The standoff is taking place in former tribal regions of Pakistan that were merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in 2018.



Mohsin Dawar, a deputy who represents North Waziristan in Pakistans national parliament, was detained by local police in the city of Karak as he tried to travel to the scene of the standoff at the Tochi River bridge.



Dawar had complained on March 26 that "instead of listening to the demands of the protesters, the state has chosen to block roads around the area to stop them from moving out if they choose to take their protest to Islamabad."

Meanwhile, in the city of Domail about 25 kilometers east of Bannu, hundreds of demonstrators threatened on March 28 to block the Indus Highway between Peshawar and the city of Dera Ismail Khan unless the protestors were allowed to proceed to Islamabad.

A government negotiating team has been meeting in recent days with protest leaders and tribal elders from Jani Khel, which is on the border of the former tribal region of North Waziristan.

The angry residents want a government guarantee that the Taliban and other militants would not be allowed to operate in the area any more.





They are also demanding an investigation into a military official responsible for security in the area, and for that official to be transferred.



The government team has agreed to a demand for the families of the four slain teenagers to receive compensation funds from the government.



But protest leaders told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal on March 28 that the government team was unable to offer the security guarantees they are demanding.



Many of the demonstrators in the blocked protest caravan were part of a sit-in protest that began in Jani Khel on March 21 after the bullet-riddled corpses of four teenagers were discovered in a field.



Relatives said their bodies bore signs of torture when they were dug out of the ground after reportedly being found by a shepherd's dogs.



The boys  aged between 13 and 17 years old -- had disappeared three weeks earlier when they went out to hunt birds.
New Delhi :

Writer Vikram Sampath's statement was recorded by the Special Investigating Team which is probing the murder of journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh.

According to Sampath, the SIT lacked a constructive approach towards the probe since the official who came to record his statement did not respond to his article on Gauri Lankesh, but like any law abiding citizen he simply cooperated.

The writer expressed concern about the way SIT is going ahead with the probe and said whether SIT will question each and everyone that Gauri Lankesh have been critical about. As a fearless journalist Gauri has been critical about many individuals including the Prime Minster.

The writer also asked media, politicians and intellectuals not to put forth their theories on who might have killed Gauri. No one  media, intellectuals, politicians or anyone else  should jump the gun.They should allow SIT to investigate the matter. Pressure would only create more confusion, he added.

The Karnataka government had on September 6 announced the formation of a 21-member SIT team to investigate the killing of Gauri that led to a wave of countrywide protests and condemnation across the political spectrum.

Gauri Lankesh, known to be an anti-establishment voice with strident anti-right wing views, was shot dead at close range by unknown assailants at her home here on the night of September 5. A few other writers were also reportedly questioned by the SIT in connection with the murder.

(With PTI inputs)

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.

Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
The owners of historic Boydtown near Eden on the NSW South Coast are planning to change its name because of associations with the slave-trader Ben Boyd.

The move comes after Environment Minister Matt Kean said he would investigate changing the name of the 100 square kilometre Ben Boyd National Park in the same area.

Environment Minister Matt Kean is looking into changing the name of Ben Boyd National Park. Credit:Getty

Indigenous leaders led calls to drop the name last June following the Black Lives Matter protests, describing it as a slap in the face to have the park named after someone who wanted to have Aboriginal slaves.

A National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman on Sunday said the agency had appointed an independent historian to evaluate Boyds place in 19th century history.
Member of Parliament for Ejura Sekyedumase, Bawah Braimah Muhammad says the dismissal of the former Central Regional Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Allotey Jacobs is a blessing to the party.



According to him, under Allotey Jacobs tenure as a Regional Chairman, the NDC lost about 15 out of 18 seats to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) because he failed to do his job.



The MP also said the suspension of Stephen Atubiga and others who have faced sanctions in the party is apt and for the betterment of the party, noting that it will serve as a deterrent to others who intend to flout the rules and regulations of the party moving forward.



He said every party has its rules and regulations and therefore if someones actions seek to tarnish the image of the party, it is necessary to mete out punishment to offenders.



The Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) suspended a member of the partys communication team, Stephen Atubiga, following some publications made by the communicator on March 8, 12 and 14.



This was few hours after the party fired its Central Regional Chairman, Bernard Allotey Jacobs.



In a press release signed by General Secretary Johnson Aseidu Nketia, the party said its disciplinary committee found Mr Jacobs guilty of misconduct and anti-party conduct brought against him.



Reacting to the above on Atinka TVs morning show, with host, Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu, Mr Bawah Braimah Muhammad said, When Allotey left, we have come back, at least we have appreciated. Now we have about 14 seats in the Central Region. We have been able to claim those seats, so it means that Allotey did not have the belief and the spirit of the NDC in him.



The MP added that "As a Regional Chairman, what could be the course that instead of steering the affairs of the party, you are sitting unconcerned and criticizing the party. He was bequeathed with 18 seats but couldnt even maintain the figure. Instead, he lost more seats. Just Central Region, you couldnt manage.



Mr Bawah Braimah Muhammad again said it is better to take him out of the party than to allow him in and destroy it.



For people like that, if you do not take them out for people to know that they are not part of you, he will be an insider causing trouble and someone sitting outside will say Allotey is an NDC but listen to what he is saying about NDC. Now, everyone knows Allotey is not an NDC member, he has been dismissed and it is the right thing to do, he added.

Source: Ghanaweb









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Women made to feel 'uncomfortable or frightened' by people wolf-whistling at them have been urged to report the matter to police.

Louisa Rolfe, an assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan Police, says all incidents of unwanted attention would be taken seriously by officers.

And The Times reported she encouraged women to come forward with if faced with sexual harassment and abuse.

She said: 'I would urge them to report to us. We do take them seriously.

Louisa Rolfe, an assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan Police, urged women to come forward when faced with harassment (stock image)

'While every incident might not have a criminal justice outcome, we want to know about patterns of offending.

'If you said to somebody about wolf-whistling [that they should] report it to police, they might think that's strange. But, actually, if anything is making you feel frightened or so uncomfortable and upset that you're adjusting your daily life to avoid it, then let us know.'

She added the police needs to 'build confidence' with victims after the murder of Sarah Everard in Croydon and the police response to the vigil held in her memory on March 13.

Louisa Rolfe says police needs to 'build confidence' with women after Sarah Everard's recent vigil

Labour MP Stella Creasy recently called on the Government to make misogyny a hate crime via the domestic abuse bill.

She said to the Independent: 'I urge every woman who has walked with keys in her hands at night, been abused or attacked online or offline to come forward and be heard.

'This is our moment for change. Rather than telling women not to worry about violence or to stay home at night if they want to be safe, it's time to send a message that women should be equally able to live free from fear of assault or harm from those who target them simply for who they are.'

In 2018 Police chiefs were looking at recording misogyny as a hate crime  including incidents of men whistling at women.

Forces were asked to 'consider the case' for monitoring sexist abuse and harassment.

There are calls for the Government to make misogyny a hate crime via the domestic abuse bill.

It meant misogyny  defined by police chiefs as 'behaviour targeted towards a woman by men simply because they are a woman'  would sit alongside crimes where victims are attacked for their race, religion or sexual orientation.

If agreed, abuse directed at women would be treated more seriously than comparable crimes against men, and could even lead to tougher sentences in the courts.

Misogynistic incidents will include harassment in the street, verbal abuse, unwanted physical approaches, taking photographs without consent or sending unwanted text messages.

Nottinghamshire Police began trialling the scheme in July 2016 and were followed by a handful of other forces.
Ethiopia says Eritrea agrees to withdraw troops from Tigray

Ethiopias prime minister said Friday that Eritrea has agreed to withdraw its forces from the Tigray region, where witnesses have described them looting, killing and raping civilians.

The statement by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmeds office comes after intense pressure from the United States and others to address the deadly crisis in Tigray.

ADVERTISEMENT

Abiys statement after a visit to Eritrea said that Ethiopian forces will take over guarding the border areas effective immediately.

Abiy only in the past week has acknowledged the presence of soldiers from Eritrea, long an enemy of the Tigray leaders who once dominated Ethiopias government.

The new statement doesnt say how many Eritrean soldiers have been in Ethiopia, though witnesses have estimated well in the thousands.

Eritrea in a statement said Abiy and its president, Isaias Afwerki, discussed in depth the common strategic partnership and envisioned joint trajectory, the vicious military attacks unleashed in the past five months, and attendant disinformation campaigns but it did not specifically mention Tigray. Eritreas statement added that important lessons have been gleaned from temporary hurdles precipitated by this reality that will further bolster the joint undertakings by the two sides in the period ahead.

In a tweet, Eritreas ambassador to Japan said that as of today #Eritrea/n Defense Forces units shall hand over all posts within the borders of #Ethiopia which were vacated by the Ethiopian Defense Forces.

Abiy shocked the region in 2018 by making peace with Eritrea after a long border war in the Tigray region, an achievement for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. But since the current Tigray conflict began in November, Abiy has been accused of teaming up with Eritrea to pursue the now-fugitive Tigray leaders.

ADVERTISEMENT

Abiys statement accuses the former Tigray leaders of starting the conflict by attacking Ethiopian forces, then drawing Eritrea into the fighting by firing rockets into Eritreas capital. But witnesses have alleged the involvement of Eritrean soldiers from the start of the fighting.

The U.S. weeks ago demanded that Eritrean soldiers leave Tigray immediately, and pressure increased in recent days with the Biden administration dispatching Sen. Chris Coons to Ethiopia nearly a week ago for hours of talks with Abiy.

No one knows how many thousands of people, especially civilians, have been killed in the Tigray fighting. The region of some 6 million people has been largely cut off from the world, and despite some progress in aid delivery, humanitarian workers have warned that food and other supplies coming in are far from enough amid fears of starvation.

And only in recent days has the United Nations human rights office said its been allowed into the Tigray region in a limited capacity to support investigations into alleged atrocities including mass rapes by Eritrean soldiers and others.

The U.N. refugee agency told reporters in Geneva that it had finally reached two refugee camps that had hosted some 20,000 people from nearby Eritrea and found them completely destroyed. It said just 9,000 of the refugees have been accounted for.

A spokeswoman for Abiys office did not immediately respond to questions about Fridays statement, including why the Eritreans had not withdrawn after earlier requests.
Gurugram, March 28 : After a section of an under-construction flyover on the Dwarka Expressway collapsed on Sunday morning, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Gurugram Police have launched separate probes into the matter.

"A high-level technical committee of the NHAI will probe the incident. The committee members will also visit the spot to take stock of the incident. Till then the construction work has been suspended. We will ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future. The area was cordoned off," said Nirman Jambulkar, Project Director of the NHAI who was present at the spot, adding that three workers received minor injuries, who are undergoing treatment.

Engineers from the Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which was constructing the structure, who were also present at the spot said they too are investigating the matter.

Local residents, who had gathered at the spot, said, "We had noticed that huge machines of the construction company were installed on the damaged sections for a long time and the construction work on the Dwarka Expressway near the Daultabad village Chowk was stopped.

"We feel that this portion of the flyover collapsed due to the heavy loads of the machines as the work on this part of the flyover was stopped, and another reason could be the quality of the concrete used in the crushed segment. There is a need for investigating by an independent agency," said a resident of the area requesting anonymity.

For now, to prevent further problems, officials have cordoned off the area and are placing sandbags under the portion that is still suspended to prevent any further collapse. The collapsed stretch and machines will be removed only in the next few days, after a proper method is devised for removing it without any further damage, said the officials.

According to the officials from NHAI, the incident took place around 7.30 a.m. on Sunday, when 100-meter of concrete slabs on the Expressway collapsed. As there was no work underway at the time and the number of workers was less due to the Holi festival, a major tragedy was averted. NHAI officials said three workers sustained minor injuries.

Teams of NHAI, Gurugram Police, civil defence and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were rushed to the spot.

After the incident, the spot was barricaded and no labourers were working on the stretch.

"We have deployed police personnel as a security measure to prevent people going to the incident spot. The concerned police station team will also probe the matter and if we receive any complaint in connection with the matter it will be considered as per the prescribed law. The police will soon record the statements of the victims," Deepak Shahran, DCP (west) told IANS.
Update:

The cold front is off to the south of San Antonio but wind gusts near 35 mph are still possible. A cool night is also expected this evening with temps dropping down in the 50s for San Antonio. Temps will start to warm up tomorrow afternoon until the next cold front moves in early this week.

Monday (High 77 and Low 51): Skies will be clear with temps in the 50s to start the day. Winds will be breezy at 15 mph.

Tuesday (High 82 and Low 52): Clouds are in store ahead of an approaching cold front that will move past San Antonio overnight through early Wednesday.

Wednesday (High 65 and Low 60): A slight chance of showers will be in the early morning with a passing front and clouds. However, by the afternoon drier air will start to move in bringing clear skies.

Thursday (High 63 and Low 47): San Antonio will start to feel cooler weather for the next couple of days with jackets needed especially in the morning hours.

Friday (High 67 and Low 55): Another cool day with mostly cloudy skies and winds near 15 mph.

Saturday: (High 70 and Low 57): A cloudy and breezy day with high temps more comfortable in the low 70s.

Previous Story:

A cold front is bringing San Antonio windy conditions and thunderstorm activity for this Sunday morning.

Wind speeds have been reported at 22 mph with wind gusts at 31 mph at the San Antonio International Airport around 8 a.m. this morning. However, Wind gusts from this front can be as high as 40 - 45 mph as the skies clear.

RELATED: Will the Texas drought affect your bluebonnet photoshoot?

There is also a line of showers and thunderstorm activity stretching across the San Antonio area with some spots seeing heavy rainfall. No severe weather is expected at this time.

Skies will clear by the afternoon with drier air and high temps in the mid 70s.

READ MORE: Former Mexican politician pleads guilty to money laundering in areas including San Antonio

Teresa Velasco is a digital producer for MySA and the San Antonio Express-News. She has a bachelors degree in broadcast meteorology. She uses data provided by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and others for her forecasts.
Lauren Ro is interested in baby gear (shes a new mom) and the ins-and-outs of decorating a home. Prior to the Strategist, she was a writer at Curbed, and before that was Wes Andersons assistant. Photo: Retailers

While the first major wave of Chinese immigrants arrived in the U.S. in the 1850s, Andrew Hsiao, senior editor at Verso Books, says that Asian American was an invention of the 1970s. He goes on to explain that the generation of young activists in the late 60s and 70s who came up with the pan-Asian political identity Asian American are the folks we now call the Asian American movement. Christine Bacareza Balance, an associate professor of Asian American studies and performing and media arts at Cornell University, puts it another way: Before it was a census category or a niche marketing term, they were actual people who were fighting to understand themselves as a kind of pan-ethnic coalition.

Lisa Lowe, a professor of American studies and ethnicity, race, and migration at Yale University, adds that anyone looking to better understand the meaning of the term Asian American should also look to the historical and ongoing relationship of U.S. wars and military occupation in the countries from which many Asian migrants, immigrants, and refugees come. As she explains, the recent murders of Asian women in Atlanta brings anti-Asian violence to public attention, but it also exposes many other everyday forms of violence that go unnoticed. According to her, these include the concentration of Asian immigrant women in service work, who are often disproportionately exposed to danger, harassment, COVID, or other kinds of harm, all things that Lowe says tie back to the histories of war that prompted their immigration. Summing up what we learned from talking to 13 writers, scholars, historians, and editors about the best books on Asian American identity, Lowe notes that there are many ways to approach the understanding of Asian Americans today.

To help anyone looking to deepen their own understanding, we put together the below list of 15 books on the topic that those experts recommend. In the tradition of our reading lists, most of the books come recommended by at least two people. (While nobody was allowed to recommend their own book, the list includes a few written by our experts that received single recommendations from others.) Speaking of our experts, they include Hsiao; Balance; Lowe; journalist Tammy Kim, a contributing opinion writer at the New York Times and co-host of the podcast Time to Say Goodbye; erin Khue Ninh, an associate professor of Asian American literature at UC Santa Barbara; political strategist, storyteller, and artist Tanzila Ahmed; editor and writer Shawn Wong, who is also a professor of english at University of Washington; Jafreen Uddin, executive of the Asian American Writers Workshop; David Palumbo-Liu, a professor of comparative literature at Stanford University; New Yorker writer Hua Hsu, who is also an associate professor of english and the director of American studies at Vassar College; New Yorker writer Jiayang Fan; poet and critic Cathy Park Hong; and poet Mai Der Vang.

Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People by Helen Zia $18 now 17% off $15 Three of our experts say Helen Zias Asian American Dreams would be a good place to start for those who havent read it. Part memoir and part history, the book, published in 2000, covers key crisis moments of the Asian American political experience, including the 1982 murder of Vincent Chin and the Los Angeles riots, as it traces the role of activism in the formation of the concept of Asian Americanness. According to Balance, Zia weaves these stories together by talking about her own politicalization while grounding it in working-class issues and highlighting the role that the LGBTQ community and people in organizing and activists played in the movement. Kim agrees. What I loved about this book, besides the fact that it was written by a queer woman journalist, is that it places labor struggles at the center of East, Southeast, and South Asian American life, she says. Summing it up, Ninh calls the book a user-friendly overview of the Asian American movement. $15 at Amazon Buy $16 at Bookshop Buy

The Gangster We Are All Looking For by Le Thi Diem Thuy $16 now 31% off $11 For those who prefer fiction, Le Thi Diem Thuys novel about Vietnamese refugees also came recommended by three of our experts, including Palumbo-Liu, Hsu, and Lowe, who describes it as a haunting and lyrical novel written from the perspective of a young girl who travels by boat from Vietnam with her father and four uncles to settle in San Diego. Palumbo-Liu calls it both a family narrative and a narrative about the Vietnam War and its aftermath, adding that the book is one of the most moving and intimate accounts of the flight of Vietnamese refugees to the United States. Hsu says the story unfolds like a series of dreams or hazy, childhood memories, resulting in an absolute masterpiece that conveys how the pains of our pasts never quite leave us. The novel, Palumbo-Liu adds, teaches us a great deal about how families can be reconstituted and reimagined after tragedy. $11 at Amazon Buy $15 at Bookshop Buy

Body Counts: The Vietnam War and Militarized Refugees by Yen Le Espiritu $30 According to Lowe, Yen Le Espiritus 2014 book is a riveting study that explores how the Vietnam War was important to the creation of Vietnamese identity, and focuses especially on the politics of war memory and commemoration practices. Balance adds that its a useful book for learning how refugees experiences in U.S. wars in Southeast Asia help diversify who we understand to be part of the Asian American community, which, as she notes, is a very heterogeneous community. $30 at Amazon Buy $36 at Bookshop Buy

Any list of people who should shape our sense of what an Asian American life can be should include Grace Lee Boggs, says Hsiao. He adds that her autobiography Living for Change is really worth reading to see how a passionate revolutionary negotiates the 30s, 60s, and the 90s. Ahmed agrees, calling Boggs, who died in 2015, such an important figure to the Asian American movement and a key leader in the civil rights and Black Power movements. Ahmed recommends Boggss 2011 book The Next American Revolution, which she describes as a manifesto of sorts that presents a blueprint for how to bring about social change in our world today. She especially appreciates the books message, which Ahmed says is about the need to focus on local organizing and working with people and how that will create a revolution.

Aiiieeeee!: An Anthology of Asian American Writers by Frank Chin, Jeffery Paul Chan, Lawson Fusao Inada, Shawn Wong $25 now 12% off $22 When it comes to Asian American fiction, Hsiao says you cant talk about the genre without talking about Aiiieeeee!, an anthology of Asian American writers compiled by editors Frank Chin, Jeffery Paul Chan, Lawson Fusao Inada, and Shawn Wong (whose name you might recognize from the list of experts we consulted for this story). Hsiao told us that anthologies and other collected works are in general important to the Asian American movement, but says Aiiieeeee!, published in 1974, is the first of its kind and a key book that reintroduced forgotten texts and writers when it was first published. (Some of those writers, including Carlos Bulosan, John Okada, and Hisaye Yamamoto, wrote works that appear on this list.) While Hsiao explains that the texts in the anthology were written at a time when the authors werent addressing Asian American identity in the same way we might, he says they are still considered formative in shaping Asian America because they made us see that we Asians in America had shared histories of oppression and resistance. Put another way, he says the book allowed a Chinese American like me to read about and identify with a Japanese Americans story, which is the essence of Asian American identity. $22 at Amazon Buy

Charlie Chan Is Dead: An Anthology of Contemporary Asian American Fiction by Jessica Hagedorn $35 This 1993 anthology of contemporary Asian American fiction edited by Filipino playwright, writer, poet, and multimedia performance artist Jessica Hagedorn came recommended by Balance and Hsiao, who says it balances out the too-male, too East Asian cast of Aiiieeeee! He loves the anthology for its breadth and variety of works, which include short stories and excerpts by writers such as Amy Tan, Maxine Hong Kingston, Joy Kagawa, Meena Alexander, and Fae Myenne Ng. Balance says the anthology came at a time when people were starting to understand that there is a thing called Asian American literature and helped to push that idea and bring a lot of new writers into the scene. (If you read and enjoy the anthology, you might consider its second volume, Charlie Chan Is Dead 2: At Home in the World.) $35 at Amazon Buy

No-No Boy by John Okada $18 now 17% off $15 John Okadas seminal novel No-No Boy was first published in 1957, reissued in 1976, and excerpted in Aiiieeeee! The only book written by Okada, No-No Boy is about the (fictional) Japanese American Ichiro Yamadas reacclimatization into his Seattle community after spending two years in an internment camp and two more years in prison for refusing to serve in the U.S. military during World War II. It was mentioned by several of our experts, including Wong and Balance, who calls it a significant book that influenced many Asian American writers who came after Okada. Balance adds that the book is multi-dimensional, tackling issues such as mental health and the politics within certain Asian American communities around allegiance and loyalty to this nation that interned them. It also puts forth a different figure of Asian American masculinity, according to her. $15 at Amazon Buy $17 at Bookshop Buy

America Is in the Heart: A Personal History by Carlos Bulosan $17 Filipino writer Carlos Bulosans autobiographical novel was first published in 1946 and was also excerpted in Aiiieeeee! Again, it came up several times; Palumbo-Liu told us the story begins in the Philippines and moves to the United States at a critical moment in Asian American history. He adds that, over the course of the books 327 pages, the author touches on several topics, including the relationship between the Philippines and the United States and the diasporic Filipino community, the role of migrant labor, the beginnings of socialist and communist organizing in the fields, and Bulosans acquisition of a literary education and subsequent writings as an essayist, journalist, and novelist. According to Ninh, this and No-No Boy are two of the most-taught books in Asian American studies courses. Palumbo-Liu agrees, noting that America Is in the Heart is often read and taught side by side with John Steinbecks Grapes of Wrath. $17 at Amazon Buy $18 at Bookshop Buy

Two of our experts, Ahmed and Balance, mentioned the work of Vietnamese American writer Ocean Vuong. Balance suggests pairing Espiritus Body Counts with Vuongs debut poetry collection Night Sky with Exit Wounds, which she says tackles similar issues like war, memory, and family, but in a much more intimate and everyday way. Ahmeds pick is Vuongs novel On Earth Were Briefly Gorgeous, which she calls a genre-defining book that combines refugee narrative, fiction based on reality, and queerness while also capturing a beautiful snapshot of the contemporary Asian American narrative. Adds Ahmed: You could feel how Asian American literature shifted after this book came out.

Good Girls Marry Doctors: South Asian American Daughters on Obedience and Rebellion Edited by Piyali Bhattacharya $19 Uddin told us about this anthology, edited by Piyali Bhattacharya, that features short nonfiction essays by 27 South Asian women. (One of which is our expert Ahmed.) According to Uddin, it is one of the first collections that focuses on the perspective of daughterhood in South Asian American families. Uddin goes on to explain that the book includes a selection of personal vignettes that honors the unique experience of straddling multiple cultures while simultaneously balancing the delicate ties that bind a family together. $19 at Amazon Buy $19 at Bookshop Buy

Immigrant Acts: On Asian American Cultural Politics by Lisa Lowe $27 now 4% off $26 Heres a book by Lowe that Balance recommends. When thinking about books that have really reshaped how we think about Asian American identity, history, and culture, this is one of the first that I would put on the list, she says. While she admits that its more of a scholarly read, she says its an important one because it was, in many ways, one of the very first Asian American cultural studies. Not only does it look at literature and other types of culture, it also deals with this contradiction thats happened within U.S. history around Asians, she says. The 1996 book examines the ways in which Asian Americans have been included in the workplace and the markets of U.S. nations, yet have also been excluded through various laws and barred from citizenship, explains Balance. $26 at Amazon Buy $27 at Bookshop Buy

Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong $18 now 22% off $14 Fan recommends Hongs Minor Feelings, a collection of essays that combine memoir, cultural criticism, and history. Together, they explore the authors formation of her political and racial consciousness through her experience as a child of Korean immigrants. Fan calls out one included piece, An Education, as particularly enlightening, telling us the essay about Hongs friendship with two other Asian American women ranks among my favorite about Asian American identity. She adds that all of the books unsparing and penetrating writing interrogates the meaning of Asian Americanness without feeling compelled to reduce the definition to something mainstream America is capable of understanding. If Minor Feelings piques your interest, Vang says you might consider picking up another book: Dictee by the Korean American artist and writer Theresa Hak Kyung Cha, who played an important role in Hongs life  and in writing Minor Feelings, which includes an essay about Chas influence on her work. Editors note: The book is on backorder at Amazon, but you can preorder it now and the retailer says it will ship on April 9. $14 at Amazon Buy

get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us.

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Vietnamese textile and garment enterprises have received orders for the end of April 2021.











The most optimistic forecast for Vietnams textile and apparel industry shows that the sector may recover from the second half of 2022 while another recovery scenario for the sector predicted a production normalization by the end of 2023, according to local insiders.

The garment factories producing knitwear and basic clothes are running at full capacity and this situation would go on until July and August. That is a good signal for the industry, said Le Tien Truong, General Director of the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex).

Vinatex targets to gain export revenue of US$2.9 billion, equivalent to that of the pre Covid-19 level (2019). Export revenue of Hung Yen Garment Corporation is expected to grow 5-10% in 2021 compared to 2020. Our orders come from the US (50% of total revenue), the EU and Japan, Nguyen Xuan Duong, the companys Chairman said.

In the first quarter of this year, Vietnamese textile and garment enterprises have received orders throughout the end of April 2021.

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, in the first three months, the industrys export revenue stood at US$3.7 billion, up 18.3% against the same period of last year.

The increase was attributed to a surge of personal protective equipment (PPE) orders that flowed in from around the world. Local manufacturers exported almost 1.2 billion masks through to December 2020 to North America, Europe and around Asia, according to Forbes.com.

Among the manufacturers, Vietnam Goods and Exports (VGE) is an example, which turned to making cloth face masks. "We made the decision to switch in early 2020, and sees an ongoing demand for the product," VGE founder Anh Tran was quoted as saying.

If vaccines are effective, you will probably see a drop-off in the wearing of masks near the end of 2021," Anh said, "but from now until then, it is still a massive industry that just exploded overnight."

Vietnam has definitely become a shining star in the global PPE trade in 2020 because prior to that most PPE was manufactured in China or the US, Anh added.

Goal for 2021

The industry is projected to reach export turnover of US$39 billion this year. To fulfill the target, local businesses are expected to expand to more markets, taking advantage of the free trade agreement (FTAs) of which Vietnam is a signatory.

Vinatexs leader said that in order to take advantage of the tariff reduction from FTAs, they need to prove the their products originate is from Vietnam or other FTA members. This is in line with the rule of yarn forward as required by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific partnership (CPTPP) and the EU-Vietnam FTA.

In 2020, Vietnam's textile and garment exports dropped by 10.5%, reaching US$35 billion. While the total world demand decreased by more than 22% from US$740 billion to US$600 billion and all textile and garment manufacturing countries saw a decrease of 15-20%, the figure of Vietnam was still much lower than the general level.

The sector has suffered the decline for the first time after 25 years penetrating the global market, Truong said.

hanotimes
JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Fighting raged for the fifth day in northern Mozambique as rebels fought the army for control of the strategic town of Palma.

Dozens of civilian casualties are reported with accounts of bodies in the streets.

An attempt by a band of expatriate energy workers to flee to safety came under heavy fire, causing many deaths, according to local reports.

The battle for Palma highlights Mozambiques military and humanitarian crisis, which has been caused by the rebels, who are primarily disaffected young Muslim men.

Their three-year insurgency has taken more than 2,000 lives and displaced an estimated 670,000 people.

A Mozambique government spokesman confirmed the fighting Sunday but said hundreds of residents of Palma had been rescued.

(Copyright 2021 The Associated Press)
Govt. climbs down from decision to hold PC polls in June Parliamentary Select Committee to be appointed to review election laws; long drawn-out process likely By Our Political Editor View(s): View(s):

The Government wants to review different election laws in the country in a move that will recede prospects of any early Provincial Council polls.

When Parliament meets on April 6, House Leader and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena will introduce a motion for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) for this purpose. Such a PSC, comprising government and opposition members, will examine election laws relating to presidential, parliamentary, provincial council and local council elections.

The exercise, government officials said, would be long drawn out since the proposed PSC would have to focus on different sets of polls laws. In addition, they said, public representations also would have to be called.

On Thursday, Minister Gunawardena told a party leaders meeting, chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, of the governments move to appoint a PSC.

The new move appears to be a climbdown from the Governments earlier plan to hold PC elections, possibly by the third week of June. Towards this end, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa held talks with Election Commission members. He later announced the move at a March 3 meeting of former Provincial Council members and urged them to prepare for the polls. The matter also came up at last Mondays meeting of the cabinet of ministers. The plans then were to move amendments to electoral laws governing PC polls.

This development comes after the UN Human Rights Council last Tuesday adopted a Resolution on Sri Lanka promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights. Among other matters, it also calls for the conduct of PC elections.

This is besides India which has re-iterated its call for PC elections after the visit to Sri Lanka by its External Affairs Minister, Dr Subramanyam Jaishanker. Two more calls were made thereafter, one by Indra Mani Pandey, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, and the missions third secretary, just ahead of the voting on the Sri Lanka resolution.

A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Hiring employees from other countries and working with companies all over the world can improve your business. Not only will you get to hire people with a unique assortment of skills, education, and training, but you'll also get exposure to different cultures. Higher diversity in business can lead to more innovation, higher productivity, and greater morale.

But there's one significant hurdle to hiring and working with people in other countries: the communication barrier. In some cases, you may not speak the same language (at least not as a mother tongue). In other cases, you may struggle to bridge the gaps between your cultures.

Fortunately, several strategies can help.

Meet in Person When Possible

While right now you should be meeting virtually because of the ongoing pandemic, eventually business travel will become safer and more available. When that happens, thanks to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), it's easy for people in other countries to visit the United States; citizens in 39 countries around the world (plus Croatia, beginning in September 2021) can travel to the U.S. for business purposes for up to 90 days, no visa required.

Take advantage of this and try to meet in person whenever possible. You'll especially want to meet in person a few times during the interview process if the position you're hiring for is significant to your company. Talking over the phone or in a video chat simply doesn't carry the same weight; in person, you'll be able to bond more effectively, witness each other's body language, and hopefully, communicate more effectively.

Learn the Language

If this person is applying to your job in the U.S, they probably speak at least a little English. But it's also a good idea to learn their language--at least the basics and key phrases used in your industry. There are some issues that may be difficult to resolve in one language or the other, but if each of you speaks a bit of the other's language, it will be much faster and easier to reach a place of mutual understanding.

Additionally, learning someone else's language (even if it's on an elementary level) is a sign of respect and appreciation. The other person will value your efforts, leading to a stronger professional relationship.

Overcome Time Zone Barriers

There's a good chance your team will be split across multiple time zones. If your new employee lives halfway around the world, your day and night cycles will be practically reversed. If there's an emergency or if you need to have a team meeting, this can make communication alignment hard to manage.

The best approach here is to establish a proactive understanding of how to navigate these differences. Is this person expected to be available during U.S. work hours? How much overlap should there be? What are the protocols for an emergency situation? It's best to clarify these questions as early on as possible.

Understand Different Points of Etiquette

People in different cultures are often used to different kinds of business etiquette. It pays to learn the hallmarks of other cultures, specifically, so you avoid offending someone.

For example:

Punctuality and timing. In the U.S., we tend to take time very seriously and attempt to be on time as much as possible. But some cultures are even more serious about timing and punctuality; for example, in Germany, 85 percent of people take appointments very seriously and expect others to do the same. Being late can be considered offensive.

In the U.S., we tend to take time very seriously and attempt to be on time as much as possible. But some cultures are even more serious about timing and punctuality; for example, in Germany, 85 percent of people take appointments very seriously and expect others to do the same. Being late can be considered offensive. Appropriate dress. Different cultures have different standards for what is considered "appropriate" business attire. While your khakis and a collared shirt may be perfectly fine in the United States, it may be considered underdressed elsewhere.

Different cultures have different standards for what is considered "appropriate" business attire. While your khakis and a collared shirt may be perfectly fine in the United States, it may be considered underdressed elsewhere. Physical engagement. You'll also need to think about how you physically engage with others. In some cultures, it's not only common but also expected to shake hands, make eye contact, or even hug. In others, it's better for business people to keep their distance.

You'll also need to think about how you physically engage with others. In some cultures, it's not only common but also expected to shake hands, make eye contact, or even hug. In others, it's better for business people to keep their distance. Gift etiquette. Business associates in Japan frequently exchange wrapped gifts. In China, it's polite to give gifts--but it's also polite to put on a show of refusing gifts before eventually reluctantly accepting. In other cultures, gift giving is frowned on or uncommon.

Business associates in Japan frequently exchange wrapped gifts. In China, it's polite to give gifts--but it's also polite to put on a show of refusing gifts before eventually reluctantly accepting. In other cultures, gift giving is frowned on or uncommon. Power dynamics. Depending on where you're working, it may be seen as offensive or disrespectful to question authority. If you're expecting honest criticism from your employees, this can be a problem.

Generally, you can improve your position by communicating openly. Be open and honest about your expectations and do your research. Every culture is different and it's your job to learn what those differences are.

Identify and resolve points of contention. Look for potential points of contention and resolve them however you can. Also, compromise when possible. Try to find a middle ground if you disagree or if you have different cultural values.
Acadia Parish  Shortly after 9:30 P.M., on March 27, 2021, Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash on Louisiana Highway 100 near Sensat Cove Road in Acadia Parish. The crash claimed the life of 52-year-old Stacy Leona Monceaux of Egan.

The preliminary investigation by State Police revealed Monceaux was driving a 2015 Nissan Versa west on LA Hwy 100. For unknown reasons, Monceaux crossed the center line into the eastbound lane of travel. Upon doing so, the Nissan struck an eastbound 2010 Dodge Ram pickup.

Monceaux was not restrained and suffered fatal injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Acadia Parish Coroners Office. The driver of the Dodge was properly restrained and suffered non-life threatening injuries. Impairment is unknown, but a toxicology sample was taken from Monceaux for analysis. The driver of the Dodge submitted a breath sample which resulted in no alcohol present and the driver displayed no signs of impairment. This crash remains under investigation.

Troop I has investigated 14 fatal crashes resulting in 16 deaths in 2021.
Jihadis have seized a town and also allegedly attacked a convoy of fleeing civilians, including foreign workers, as fighting continued in the gas-rich region.

Islamist militants have seized control of the town of Palma in Mozambique's northern province of Cabo Delgado, killing several people, including a foreign worker.

They also allegedly attacked a convoy of fleeing civilians. At least one person was killed and a number wounded in the attack.

Nearly 200 people had been sheltering in the Amarula Palma hotel during the attack, three diplomats and one of the organizations with people inside told Reuters news agency.

Around 80 people were taken away from the hotel in military trucks on Friday, but some of the vehicles were ambushed, an official from a private security firm involved in the rescue operation, told AFP news agency.

It was not immediately clear how many people, if any, remained in the hotel and how many were missing.

Most means of communication with Palma are down.

Security concerns in the region

Fighting in the region began on Wednesday, hours after the French energy giant Total announced that it would gradually resume work at its $20 billion (16.9 billion) project in the area after halting operations in January due to security concerns.

Human Rights Watch said witnesses had spoken of seeing "bodies on the streets and residents fleeing after the ... fighters fired indiscriminately at people and buildings."

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

But recent attacks have increasingly been claimed by the Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP), affiliated with the "Islamic State" group.

What did Total say?

Total said on Saturday it had postponed the restart of work at its site near Palma, a logistics hub adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion.

No project staff members were among the victims of the fighting, it added.

But the company "has decided to reduce to a strict minimum level the workforce on the Afungi site."

"Total trusts the government of Mozambique whose public security forces are currently working to take back the control of the area," it said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mozambique Conflict Energy 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.

Efforts to rescue foreign nationals

Portugal's Foreign Ministry said one of its nationals had been injured in the fighting but did not specify the circumstances.

The person had since been rescued, and its embassy in Maputo was working to identify other Portuguese nationals who needed support, the ministry said.

South Africa's Foreign Ministry said some of its citizens had been affected by the attacks on foreign nationals. It did not elaborate.

Meanwhile, Spain's Foreign Ministry confirmed there had been a Spanish citizen in Palma who managed to flee the town.

Restoring order in Palma a huge challenge

Mozambique's government said on Thursday that security forces were working to restore order in Palma.

In a statement, the country's Defence Ministry said the group had "attacked simultaneously from three directions" including from the local airfield.

The extremists have since October 2017 raided villages and towns across Mozambique's north, causing nearly 700,000 to flee their homes.

Beheadings have been a hallmark of attacks by the jihadis.

The violence has left at least 2,600 people dead, half of them civilians, according to the US-based data collecting agency Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED).

sri/sms (AFP, Reuters)
Syracuse, N.Y.  A stabbing was reported late Saturday night on Taft Avenue in Syracuse, according to Onondaga County dispatch reports.

Syracuse police responded to the stabbing at 10:22 p.m. at the Eastwood Homes on Taft Avenue, according to dispatch reports.

Police found a trail of blood from the front door of an apartment to the street, according to dispatch reports.

Dispatch reports later show a person being brought in a personal vehicle to St. Josephs Hospital. The hospital was also put on lockdown, according to dispatch reports.

Police cruisers blocked Taft Avenue between Beacon Road and Granville Street.

Staff writer James McClendon covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? Reach him at 914-204-2815 or jmcclendon@syracuse.com.
Valencia City, Bukidnon (CNN Philippines, March 28)  Some health and safety protocols were not followed during the service celebrating Palm Sunday at San Agustin Parish Church, the largest catholic church in Bukidnon.

Despite wearing face masks and face shields, churchgoers did not observe physical distancing, as they crowded the church to get their palm fronds blessed.

A church marshal was present to spray alcohol on the hands of churchgoers, but this was not enough to control the crowd.

Valencia City had the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Bukidnon when the pandemic started in 2019.

So far, it has 607 confirmed cases, 592 recoveries, 13 deaths, and two active cases recorded as of March 25.

On Saturday, the country logged a total to 712,442 cases nationwide. The number of daily cases reached 9,595. It was the second consecutive day that the country recorded more than 9,000 new cases.

Reuters

Nowhere is this more evident than in the rising popularity of a Federal Reserve program that lets firms stash their cash overnight with the U.S. central bank in exchange for at best a small return. But usage is soaring to record highs as money market funds and other eligible firms cope with what some analysts are calling a "tsunami" of cash. The banking system is swimming in nearly $4 trillion of reserves, thanks in part to the Fed's asset purchases, a fall off in Treasury bill issuance and a rapid drawdown in the government's store of funds at the Fed. The Treasury General Account, or TGA, has dropped by nearly $1 trillion since last fall, mirrored by the surge in bank reserves.
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 Madison Police Department says drivers should avoid the area of Cleghorn Boulevard near Cracker Barrel until about 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Power lines are down and the roadway is closed.

Turn to WAAY 31 for everything you need to know to stay safe during severe weather. Chief Meteorologist Kate McKenna will provide you with the most accurate information on storms by using our StormTracker Early Warning Radar Network.

Stationed in Muscle Shoals, Decatur and Guntersville, the radars provide the best data for all of North Alabama by scanning EVERY community in North Alabama.

See all the radars HERE

Access the Muscle Shoals radar HERE

Access the Decatur radar HERE

Access the Guntersville radar HERE

And download our news and weather apps HERE


Cortical Dynamics Update

Perth, Mar 26, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cortical Dynamics Limited is very pleased to announce that its "Project Analgesia Investigation" using the Brain Anaesthesia Response Monitor (BARM(TM)) has been accepted by the Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) of Flinders University.Led by Professor Karen Reynolds, the MDPP has a strong track record of research excellence and commercialisation experience. The MDPP leverages the capacity of their research organisation, the Medical Device Research Institute (MDRI), and facilitates partnerships across industry and government connecting the MedTech ecosystem and turning ideas into proven concepts.It is supported by the Marshall Liberal Government through the Department for Innovation and Skills, and nationally through MTPConnect's $32 million Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry (REDI) initiative made possible by the Medical Research Future Fund.The Ideas Incubator provides successful applicants with 250 hours of research and development assistance, as well as 30 hours market intelligence, furthering products in medical device development pipeline. At the end of the project, all results, data, prototypes and any generated intellectual property are released unencumbered to the applicant with future steps required to commercialise the device. The focus of the collaboration will be further investigation of the Cortical Input component (CI or pain) of the BARM(TM) technology.About BPH Energy Limited

BPH Energy Limited (ASX:BPH) is an Australian Securities Exchange listed company developing biomedical research and technologies within Australian Universities and Hospital Institutes.

The company provides early stage funding, project management and commercialisation strategies for a direct collaboration, a spin out company or to secure a license.

BPH provides funding for commercial strategies for proof of concept, research and product development, whilst the institutional partner provides infrastructure and the core scientific expertise.

BPH currently partners with several academic institutions including The Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research and Swinburne University of Technology (SUT).
The in Assam on Sunday said



that it has expelled seven leaders from the primary membership of the party for six years for contesting as independent candidates in the assembly election after being denied tickets.

"The state party president Ranjeet Kumar Dass has expelled the seven persons for six years with immediate effect for contesting as independents against the party's nominated candidates," Assam general secretary Rajdeep Roy said in a statement.

Earlier on March 18, the Assam had expelled 15 leaders, including former deputy speaker Dilip Kumar Paul, from the party for six years for joining the assembly poll fray as Independents after being denied tickets.

The BJP is contesting in 92 of the 126 assembly constituencies, leaving the rest to its allies - the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL).

The first phase of the Assam assembly election was held on Saturday. The state will have polling in two more phases on April 1 and 6.

(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.)
Calling Mamata Banerjee's opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act an eyewash, Owaisi slammed her for using the Muslims for her votebank politics. (PTI file photo)

Berhampore/Kolkata: Backtracking from his pledge to support Peerzada Abbas Siddiqui, the influential cleric of Furfura Sharif, after his outfit Indian Secular Front (ISF) allied with the Congress and the Left Front, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday declared that his party would fight the Assembly elections in West Bengal alone.

Kickstarting his campaign at Sagardighi in Murshidabad, Owaisi announced the names of two candidates: Noore Mehboob Alam from Sagardighi and Asadul Sheikh from the Jangipur Assembly constituencies in the district, with a promise to field more candidates in the next few days.

Asked about his previous pledge to support Siddiqui, the AIMIM chief later said, "No one is needed. We will fight the polls on our own strength." According to him, the Sangjukta Morcha, the alliance of the Congress-Left-ISF, would fail as the Muslims were upset because of the Left. AIMIM sources indicated that Owaisi has plans to field candidates at 13 seats in Murshidabad and four in Malda district.

Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Owaisi earlier told a rally, "The PM claimed in Bangladesh on Friday that he followed satyagraha for the independence of that country. If you did that, then why are the people of Murshidabad called Bangladeshis?"

He tore into Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging, "She claims she worked for the Muslims but she has done nothing for them. The Muslims of Bengal are still lagging far behind in education, employment and health sectors. I found the people of Sagardighi facing scarcity of pure drinking water despite having a TMC MLA twice. Besides most bidi workers are not getting proper wages in Jangipur."

Calling Mamata Banerjee's opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act an eyewash, Owaisi slammed her for using the Muslims for her votebank politics and accused the BJP of trying to divide the state between the Hindus and Muslims.
CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio -- Valley Art Center plans to spin tall tales and yarns into a colorful kaleidoscope of a community art installation outside its front door at 155 Bell St. to celebrate its 50th anniversary at that location.

With help from internationally known fiber artist Carol Hummel, VAC artists and volunteers will create 50 vibrant crocheted circles, which will be knitted together and wrapped around the trees growing in front of the center. The installation is planned for May 15-21 and will be visible throughout the year.

Two workshops are offered from 2 to 4 p.m. April 17 and April 18 for those interested in learning to crochet the yarn circles needed for the installation. Led by VAC instructor Carla Guieslo, the workshops are limited to 12 participants each.

There is a total of 50 crochet kits for the project. Those interested in the workshop should register at valleyatcenter.org/classes.

Hummel, a Chagrin Valley resident, has completed installations around the United States, as well as in India, Norway, Switzerland, Mexico and the Czech Republic.

She said she is delighted to have one in her own yard. She and her two daughters have taken classes at various times at VAC, bringing the project full circle.

Hummels daughter Molly Sedensky will assist in the design, coordination and installation. She is a skilled equipment operator and is the lead installer on her mothers projects. The family owns Hummel Construction Company.

The goal is to provide inspiration to bring people together in a positive way to celebrate art and community and mark the VACs anniversary. The project is supported by an ArtsNEXT grant from the Ohio Arts Council and sponsored by The Artful Yarn, with a store located in the village.

VAC offers a variety of classes and workshops onsite, offsite and online, as well as gallery shows and a gift shop. Contact 440-247-7507 or valleyartcenter.org.

Writing by nature: May 1 is the deadline to submit your nature-inspired poetry and prose in the Geauga Park Districts 26th annual contest. Open to creative writers of any age, the contest application is available online at geaugaparkdistrict.org under the news and updates heading. It is also available for in-person pickup at The West Wood Nature Center.

Several age categories are open. Winners receive cash prizes during the Aug. 8 Nature Arts Festival at Big Creek Park and publication on the park website and activity guide.

Recover stolen art: Park Synagogue is hosting a free program on The Holocaust Art Recovery Initiative at 4 p.m. April 11 via Zoom. The program features Detroit attorney Jonathan Schwartz, an art recovery activist, who will discuss the effort to locate and return art stolen by the Nazis from Jewish owners in Europe from 1933-1945.

Schwartz co-founded the initiative in 2016 to work through the U.S. and international legal system. Open to the community, pre-registration is required by April 8. Register at parksynagogue.org or email epetler@parksyn.org.

Local businesses shout-out: The Chagrin Valley Chamber of Commerce reinvented its annual Business to Community Expo this year as a series of virtual events. Instead of sponsoring a table or booth to promote individual businesses at a conventional trade show venue, businesses are encouraged to sponsor their own day and the CVCC is showcasing it online on social media.

The twenty-six spots available were all sold. The online presentations will air during April. Contact cvcc.com for more information on viewing platforms and times.

Shout-out to students: Victoria Jepson, Alexandra Harris and Michael Weimann, all of Chagrin Falls, and Rachel Buchinsky of Solon all made the deans List for the fall semester at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.

Classical studies major Clark Austin of Chagrin Falls and biology major Megan Herbruck of Bainbridge Township earned spots on the Colgate University deans list in central New York. Graduate students Eleanor McCreary and Thomas Butler of Chagrin Falls and Nathan Cohen of Solon were also named to Colgates deans list.

Kendall Wouters of Chagrin Falls was recognized on the deans list at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C.

Max Lauster, a mathematics and Japanese major, received deans list honors at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.

To post your news and events, contact Rusek at jcooperrusek@gmail.com.

Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
In a recent article for Vestnik Kavkaza, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of the Russian State Geological Prospecting University named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze, Academician, Vice-President of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Honorary Oilman of the Russian Federation, Honorary Inventor of the Russian Federation, Azizag Khanbaba oglu Shakhverdiev, assessed some aspects of the information conflict after the end of the Second Karabakh War. Here he analyzes the mental characteristics that prevent the speedy normalization of the situation in the region.

Professor of the University of Michigan, senior adviser to the President of Armenia in 1994-1997, Zhirayr Liparitan, speaking about the peculiarities of the Armenian mentality, noted: To what degree of irresponsibility can one descend to protect that cherished mentality that makes us feel good, but brings only harm ; a mentality that knows how to cope with defeat but not victory, a mentality that has infected the failed dictator Kocharian, despot Sargsyan and democrat Pashinyan. Such an accurate, professional assessment of the two presidents of Armenia, who came from the mountainous part of Karabakh, who imagined themselves to be the rulers of the destinies of the world Armenians and Great Armenia.

Armenian human rights activist Georgy Vanyan rightly notes on this: The war revealed all the artificiality of nationalist propaganda, it is no longer possible to close our eyes to the fact that for many years thieves and racketeers robbed the country and insolently manipulated the people, forcing them to believe in fairy tales that we were victorious, an exceptional people, endowed from birth with some kind of ancient culture. "

I just want to add to this that now it is necessary to bring the aberration of the historical and social consciousness of the zombified part of the Armenian people back to normal. That is, everyone should understand: Armenians are no better and no worse than others, they are also born, live a short life and leave for another world. So let's dispense with imitating American exceptionalism and Armenian mythology.

Why did the Armenian intellectuals suddenly pay such close attention to the Armenian mentality, or rather to its flaws? I will try to share some considerations. The deviation from the norm of the historical and social consciousness of many Armenians occurred through the transformation of the mentality of each individual into a collective mentality. At the same time, the attributes that make up the content of the mentality were too simplified and crystallized due to a specific monocultural code, a separate direction of the Monophysite church and religion, a closed environment designed only for "friends", neglect and intolerance of "aliens." This also includes several imposed complexes and phobias such as existential fear, physiological incompatibility with Azerbaijanis, in combination with a complex of narcissism. The "purebred" nature of the collective environment sharply raises the internal mutual threshold of trust, which always causes dissatisfaction with all those around who are outside this field of trust.

The collective mentality of the Armenian ethnos has a limitation, in contrast to the Russian or Azerbaijani, or other international people. The mono-national code contracts to the point of attraction - to the attractor, and being self-sufficient, it becomes limited in development, easily controlled or manipulated from the outside. The international code, on the contrary, due to the diversity of the mentality of individuals and collective mentality, diverges from the point of development and functions on the basis of a regularly updated social agreement between the carriers of various individual mentality. Of course, this is a complex process that requires the age-old wisdom of all participants in this internationalization process.

Azerbaijani multiculturalism influences the international essence of the individual's mentality, provides multi-confessional freedom, easily adapts the culture of life and, as a rule, keeps social justice under public control. Thus, the formation of a free people takes place. I dare to recall the statement of the French thinker Nicola de Chamfort Sebastian-Roca: "The history of free peoples is the only subject worthy of the attention of a historian; the history of peoples oppressed by despots is just a collection of anecdotes." For clarity, I recommend one copy from this "collection of jokes" on the topic of the day, which is already walking on social networks: "God sent Adam and Eve to the ground, and there under a tree the Armenians are sitting and wrapping dolma. Adam says:" Lord, who is this? " The Lord replies: "I don't know, they were here before me ..." "

This is the whole quintessence of Armenian myths, claims and appeals - it must certainly be recognized that the Armenians are "the first in everything, the best in everything, ancient in everything, early in everything, well, all the wonders of the world, of course, are the hands of the Armenians."

Here the age-old question arises: "What's next?"

First, there is always an acceptable solution - this is voluntary adherence to the law and obedience to the rule of law, and not before field commanders: Kocharyans, Sargsyans and other war criminals. Strict fulfillment of all the orders of the Russian peacekeeping forces temporarily in Nagorno-Karabakh and the joint Turkish-Russian ceasefire control center will ensure complete security in the post-conflict region for everyone who is going to live there.

Secondly, summing up the results of the 30-year Karabakh war is the main historical act for the entire world community, especially if we take into account the four resolutions of the UN Security Council ignored by Armenia demanding the liberation of the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. It is obvious that the assessment of the lessons of the war cannot be considered complete and fair without convening an international military tribunal over war criminals who committed genocide against civilians and demonstrative vandalism in the occupied lands of Azerbaijan.

Thirdly, after the Second World War, the world community witnessed the summing up and legal assessment of the war crimes of the fascists at the Nuremberg military tribunal organized by the countries of the winners. After the Balkan War, the world witnessed a legal assessment of the war crimes investigated by the Hague Tribunal. Everyone got what they deserved. Now the convocation of an international military tribunal on the Karabakh wars is more relevant than ever. This is extremely important for the South Caucasus, for Armenia itself, so that it will not be manipulated in the future by playing the Armenian card again. Russia, the legal successor of the USSR, being a federal state, by definition has potential centers of separatism, therefore it should also be interested in the establishment of a military tribunal. Vaccination as a military tribunal would act like a cold shower on all potential participants in conflicts.

It is fundamentally important for Baku to achieve a decision of the tribunal over war criminals, since everything took place on the torn land of Azerbaijan. Since the civilian population was mostly affected, Azerbaijan, as a victorious country, is obliged to achieve the punishment of war criminals. Even if it somehow proves impossible to arrest convicted war criminals, whom patrons can hide, the judgment must be announced publicly.

After the delimitation and demarcation of borders with Azerbaijan and mutual recognition of the sovereignty and inviolability of the borders recognized by the world community, if you like, Armenia can engage in its own glorification and creation of "Great Armenia", but within its own state borders.

Only after the triumph of law and order will everything enter a civilized channel, the Karabakh Armenians - citizens of Azerbaijan, will live a peaceful and safe life, and they will be able to live not only in Karabakh, but also in any other places of Azerbaijan, like all representatives of this international state.
Rio De Janeiro: Brazil currently accounts for one-quarter of the entire worlds daily COVID-19 deaths, far more than any other single nation, and health experts are warning that the nation is on the verge of even greater calamity.

The nations seven-day average of 2400 deaths stands to reach to 3000 within weeks, six experts said. Thats nearly the worst level seen by the US, though Brazil has two-thirds its population. Spikes of daily deaths could soon hit 4000; on Friday (Brazil time) there were 3650. On Saturday there were 3438 deaths, the Health Ministry said.

Tercio and Alicea Galdino, dressed in protective astronaut costumes, walk along Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro. Credit:AP

Having glimpsed the abyss, there is growing recognition shutdowns are no longer avoidable  not just among experts, but also many mayors and governors. Restrictions on activity they implemented last year were half-hearted and consistently sabotaged by President Jair Bolsonaro, who sought to stave off economic doom. He remains unconvinced of any need for clampdown, which leaves local leaders pursuing a patchwork of measures to prevent the death toll from spiralling further.

It may be too late, with a more contagious variant rampaging across Brazil. For the first time, new daily cases topped 100,000 on March 25, with many more uncounted. Miguel Nicolelis, professor of Neurobiology at Duke University who advised several Brazilian governors and mayors on pandemic control, anticipates the total death toll reaching 500,000 by July and exceeding that of the US by year-end.
US lawmakers decry violence against Asians in Georgia visit View Photo

ATLANTA (AP)  Members of Congress laid flowers Sunday at the three massage businesses in Georgia where a gunman killed eight people, six of them women of Asian descent, and demanded that prosecutors charge the suspect with a hate crime and the U.S. Department of Justice take a leading role in the probe.

The congressional delegation was led by members of the Asian Pacific American Caucus, which said Asian Americans have faced increased hostility since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The lawmakers said they wanted to experience the shooters roughly 30-mile (48-kilometer) trip from Cherokee County, where police say he killed four people at Youngs Asian Massage, to Atlanta, where he is accused of shooting and killing four more people at two businesses across the street from each other.

New Jersey Rep. Andy Kim said he came to show solidarity with the local Asian American community and try to understand how it felt after the March 16 attack.

As I come here, what comes to mind is the idea that this could have been anywhere, Kim, who is Korean American, said. And thats what makes us so fearful right now. Were fearful because what happens next, what other violence could there be.

Kim later recalled crying the night of the shootings and struggling to explain them to his 3 and 5-year-old boys.

New York Congresswoman Grace Meng said she wanted to honor the lives of the victims, particularly the Asian women, whose stories and lives are just as American as anyone else.

For too long in this country, we have made invisible so much of the history and contributions of Asian Americans, specifically Asian American women in this country, she said.

The lawmakers spoke outside Gold Spa, one of the shooting sites, where the ground was covered with bouquets and tree branches that spelled out, Love. Signs read, Asian Women Are Sacred and Stop Asian Hate. They also held a news conference in an Atlanta suburb and met with the families of two of the victims, Xiaojie Tan and Young A. Yue, and local leaders of the Asian American community.

Robert Aaron Long, the 21-year-old white man facing murder charges in the attacks, has told police he had a sex addiction. Authorities have said he apparently lashed out at what he saw as sources of temptation. Long told police the shootings were not racially motivated, but those statements have spurred widespread skepticism given the locations and that six of the eight victims were of Asian descent.

It is clear that this was a deliberate journey, said California Rep. Judy Chu, who chairs the Asian Pacific American Caucus. She added, It is clear that you would not choose those three places unless you were targeting Asian women.

Chu said later she was concerned about comments she has heard from local investigators, including that the shooter was having a bad day and said he had a sex addiction. She said they were improper and wrongly cast doubt on whether the shootings were a hate crime. She said the Justice Department should use its resources to call these murders a hate crime.

Mark Takano, another representative from California, said there were plenty of non-Asian businesses that the suspect could have hit on his trip from Cherokee County to Atlanta, so his actions speak louder than what he has said.

He called on the Justice Department to help local prosecutors, who he said may not have as much experience with hate crimes cases.

We cannot allow the AAPI community to be gaslighted into thinking that this is not a hate crime, he said. They see with their own eyes, and they feel what they feel.

By SUDHIN THANAWALA

Associated Press
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.

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks continued to raise his concerns Saturday about election security surrounding the 2020 election during his first swing to coastal Alabama since announcing his candidacy for U.S. Senate on Monday.

He also took swipes at the Democratic-backed voting reforms in the For the People Act, raised concerns about an Iowa congressional election outcome being reversed by House Democrats, and praised Georgia state lawmakers for passing their latest election-related law that President Joe Biden referred to on Friday as Jim Crow in the 21st Century.

Brooks continued to label the Democratic Party socialists repeatedly and warned of dire days ahead if Republicans do not reclaim majorities in the House and Senate in 2022.

But he stopped short of agreeing with attendees  some of whom were wearing T-shirts and hats supportive of former President Donald Trumps 2020 presidential candidacy  that the country was sinking into a Communist nation and that people were losing faith in the country.

Im not ready to give up on our republic, said Brooks, congressman for Alabamas 5th district in North Alabama. I believe that we need to double our efforts in the election process.

Brooks said that Democrats, in the 2020 elections, outspent the Republicans and were highly motivated with volunteering during the campaigns.

One of the things that the opposition wants to do is depress us, Brooks said. A lot of our people are despondent from voter fraud, election theft. We have a choice. We can either fight and beat them at the ballot box or surrender. I want us to fight. Dont get depressed. Get angry. Do what is necessary to win these elections in the state of Alabama in other states across the union.

Brooks spoke for approximately 45 minutes and followed up with a 25-minute question-and-answer session during a tea party rally tagged, Stand Up, Alabama! Brooks was the keynote speaker.

It was held outside in a public park in Spanish Fort and culminated a weekend of activity in the south end of the state for the congressman who hopes to improve upon past elections in regions far from his Huntsville home base.

In his last statewide campaign, the GOP primary for the 2017 special Senate election, Brooks placed third overall but finished a distant fourth in Mobile and Baldwin counties.

Brooks also struggled in the Wiregrass area, but he has said in recent days that his name ID has been elevated in the past four years and that he considers himself the early frontrunner in the 2022 Senate campaign. Thus far, only Brooks and Lynda Blanchard, the former U.S. ambassador to Slovenia under Trump, have announced their candidacy.

I know Im early, Brooks said about his campaign announcement, 14 months before the May 24, 2022 Republican primary. You got to get out early nowadays.

That name ID was especially raised on Jan. 6, when Brooks took the Ellipse near the White House and delivered a fiery speech before a mob of pro-Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol.

Brooks faces a censure resolution in the U.S. House for his participation in the rally before the Capitol insurrection, and Democrats have claimed that he helped incite violence that day. Brooks has not apologized for the contents of his speech and has accused the national media for taking his words out of context.

For months, TV programs have replayed Brooks comment of wanting American patriots to start taking down names and kicking ass. He has since said that his comments were meant to serve as a rallying cry for the 2022 and 2024 elections.

Brooks, an attorney and former prosecutor in Madison County, was the first member in the U.S. House to publicly say in December he would challenge the 2020 election results on Jan. 6, during the electoral college vote certification in Congress. He has since cited unproven allegations of widespread voter fraud that he and other Republicans have said could have overturned the election result.

During an interview with AL.com on Friday, he called the Capitol rioters fools who wrecked efforts by Republicans in Congress to have a debate over the 2020 election. He also accused the rioters for doing more to hurt the Republican Party than the Democrats.

He only made a passing reference to the riot during Saturdays remarks.

In my judgment, this was the most voter fraud and the most illegal votes cast in the United States, Brooks said. Unfortunately, what happened on January 6 with the attack on the Capitol diverted public attention from what would have been an excellent House and Senate floor debate where we itemized our grievances that were allowed to itemize under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Outside of the election, Brooks blasted the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act for including $5 billion that would benefit historically disenfranchised farmers. Around a quarter of the disadvantaged farmers are Black and the funds would go toward grants, debt relief, education, training, etc., according to The Washington Post.

Brooks called the $5 billion an especially repugnant portion of the COVID-19 relief bill, and called on it to be challenged in federal court.

Are you aware of who can and cannot apply for that assistance? Brooks said. African American farmers can apply. Asian American farmers can apply. Native American farmers can apply. But white farmers are barred from that kind of assistance in that $5 billion that is going to be handed out.

He added, Racism, by anyone against any race or ethnicity, is wrong. We fought a Civil War over that. The 13th and 14th Amendments combined were passed because of that with the 14th Amendment having an equal protection clause. Now the socialist Democrats are engaged in a virulent strain of racial division to divide based on skin pigmentation and thats wrong. In my judgment, its a violation of the equal protection clause. I hope someone will challenge that in court because unless our Supreme Court has gone crazy left, thats unconstitutional.

Brooks also echoed other Republican lawmakers in Congress in pushing for the closure of Confucius institutes, including those at Troy University and at Alabama A&M University. The State Department, under Trump, classified the Washington, D.C.-based Confucius Institute U.S. Center (CIUS) a foreign mission of the Chinese government. It also accused the institute as serving as an entity to advance Beijings global propaganda in the U.S.

The Alabama GOP executive committee has also adopted a resolution to prohibit their operations in Alabama.

If they are such a good thing, why wont Communist China allow us to have American institutes over in China? Brooks said. I would love to have an institute of George Washington or Thomas Jefferson over there. But they wont allow it. There ought to be some reciprocity or none at all.
In Lucknow, the capital of Indias most-populous state Uttar Pradesh, crowds gathered at three major centers to receive Covid-19 jab, after the city launched a campaign Tuesday that aims to vaccinate over 10,500 people a day. The campaign is part of the state governments drive to vaccinate at least 10 million people this month

Jun 03, 2021 05:20 PM
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.
While a variety of careers are open to maths majors as mathematics is involved in most sectors related to science and technology, students should prepare to adapt to their future jobs, experts have said.

Students study information about professional orientation and exams at a Career Day held at Vinh University in Nghe An Province. VNA/VNS Photo Ta Chuyen

According to Vu Ha Van, Scientific Director of Vingroup Big Data Institute, Professor in Mathematics at Yale University, after graduating, maths majors tends to engage in teaching or do research at universities or institutes and use math tools in their work at businesses but this number is very small.

Van cited the Microsoft corporation, where he used to work, as an example. Every week, the manager would talk to the mathematicians about a problem that needed to be solved, from which the mathematicians would find the proper tool. Then the work was assigned to coders.

Normal coders will not be able to come up with solutions, so a mediator with math skills was needed.

"Thus, if you can both write code and have maths skills, your chance of advancement in the company is very high," said Van.

Nguyen Ngoc Doanh, from Thuy Loi University, a member of the safety group of National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, said his group was seeking staff for a project that involves the development of COMOKIT- a COVID-19 modelling kit.

Although the requirements are not high, with even part-time work from students acceptable, few people have applied for the job, he said. It showed that there was a shortage of labour in applied mathematics.

Nguyen Xuan Hoang, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of MISA Joint Stock Company which specialises in software production, said human resources majors in maths and informatics are always in great demand in his company, adding that priority was given to those with a good mathematical background.

The knowledge of maths that students learned at university provides a strong foundation for them to work in a wide variety of sectors, particularly information technology, he told Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper.

Phan Thi Ha Duong, managing director of Vingroup Innovation Foundation, said there were a lot of job opportunities for individuals with maths degrees or other advanced training in mathematics.

Speaking at an event entitled 'Math  How to learn & Where to do?' held recently by Vingroup Innovation Foundation  Vingroup Big Data Institute, Institute of Mathematics and Centre for Information and Documentation, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, she said scientists, even students majoring in maths, took part in many projects that seemed not to relate to maths such as applying artificial intelligence systems to diagnose myocardial infarction in hospitals, or 3D printing technology.

For these applied research projects, it is a must for workers to have a good maths background.

The good news for all students is that whether they study theoretical maths or applied maths, job opportunities are always open, she said.

Meeting the demand

Vo Sy Nam, head of the Translational Biomedical Informatics Department at Vingroup Big Data Institute (VinBigdata) said though his current job seemed unrelated to maths, he still wished he had learnt more about the subject.

Nam said he was in a class for gifted students with maths as a major, learned IT at the university and then went to the US to study for a doctorate and researched biomedical informatics. Now he has returned to Vietnam and works in the major he pursued in the US.

However, he said sometimes he had to read maths books to find solutions to problems he was facing.

Students who major in maths at university shouldnt worry about what they are learning for. In my experience, we should learn more about probability and statistics, combinatorics and graphs, Nam said.

He also advised them to learn to programme in modern programming languages.

Ha Minh Hoang, from Phenikaa University, suggested students who major in maths in college master programming skills, learn how to manage time properly and the ability to work in groups to improve their job prospects.

Regarding theoretical maths, you usually do it alone or collaborate with only a few people. With applied maths, you have to work with many parties. The bigger the project, the more people you will work with, Hoang said.

According to Doanh, what students need to prepare for depends on their future jobs. However, he said, projects that use applied maths now need people with knowledge of graphs and differentials.

Maths is a broad concept so students should focus on subjects that are relevant to current trends, according to Van.

Nowadays, as most technologies are related to computers, discrete mathematics, and probability and statistics are essential subjects.

For example, every year VinBigdata enrols between 100 to 150 students majoring in their final year to train in artificial intelligence. The first prerequisite is that they have mastered probability and linear algebra. Then comes programming and English.

VNS

High school uses 3D technology to teach maths Le Quy Don High School in HCM City on Tuesday began using 3D technology to teach mathematics for 11th grade classes.
Press Release

March 28, 2021 Villanueva recommends to IATF: Draw up 'battle plan' to decongest hospitals Senator Joel Villanueva is requesting the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to expand its enhanced community quarantine directives for Mega Manila with an "urgent plan" to save hospitals from being "completely overwhelmed" by COVID-19 cases. "Hospitals are hanging 'No admission for COVID patients' signs. Sa isang pasyenteng naghihingalo, ito na po ang pinakamasakit mong mababasa. Ano kaya po ang magandang solusyon dito?" Villanueva said in a statement on Sunday. Villanueva, chair of the Senate labor committee, said the "battle plan" to help hospitals in distress was absent in the IATF guidelines for the one-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna, which were announced on Saturday. "Mukhang ito po ang missing link doon sa IATF advisory. Sana naman maihabol ito kaagad. If hospitals were ER patients, this is the urgent cure and care they require," Villanueva stated. Villanueva described hospitals, public or private, as the Ground Zero of the pandemic, and should not be left to deal with the surge of COVID-19 patients on their own. Metro Manila hospitals have been releasing statements indicating they have reached maximum capacity to deal with COVID-19 cases and could no longer admit more patients. In large hospitals such as Chinese General Hospital, Makati Medical Center, Ospital ng Makati, Tondo Medical Center, University of Perpetual Help Dalta Medical Center Inc., Metropolitan Medical Center, the Medical City, St. Luke's Medical Center and Lung Center of the Philippines, bed capacity is almost neck-deep to 100% occupancy. In fact, health department data as of March 26 also showed that of the total 159 hospitals in NCR, about 40 of them are now in critical state with more than 85% occupancy of their ICU beds, isolation beds, ward beds and the use of ventilators, while 25 are considered "high risk" with 75% to 80% occupancy. Villanueva expressed that if the ECQ is being called for the benefit of medical frontliners so they won't be overwhelmed, "then why is there no concrete program for their alleviation?" "While the Holy Week ECQ is a circuit breaker to stop the surge of patients, the problem our hospitals are facing cannot be solved from the demand side alone," the senator explained. "Halimbawa po: Paano po makakatulong ang gobyerno sa pag-restock ng mga hospital pharmacies ng mga COVID-19 medicine tulad ng remdevisir at tocilizumab. Kailangan na po ba nating mag-SOS sa mga kapitbahay natin sa ASEAN? Siguro isa po ito sa mga bagay na dapat isinama ng IATF sa kanilang guidelines sa pagpapatupad ng ECQ," Villanueva said.
US President Joe Biden has invited President Muhammadu Buhari to a virtual climate change summit scheduled to hold in April.

Buhari was invited to attend the summit alongside 39 other world leaders including four presidents from Africa.

The White House said in a statement at the weekend that the 'Leaders summit on climate' will underscore the urgency and economic benefits of stronger climate action.

"Today, President Biden invited 40 world leaders to the Leaders Summit on Climate he will host on April 22 and 23. The virtual Leaders Summit will be live-streamed for public viewing," it said.

"The Summit will reconvene the U.S.-led Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, which brings together 17 countries responsible for approximately 80 percent of global emissions and global GDP.

"The President also invited the heads of other countries that are demonstrating strong climate leadership, are especially vulnerable to climate impacts, or are charting innovative pathways to a net-zero economy. A small number of business and civil society leaders will also participate in the Summit."

Shortly after he took office in January, Biden announced he would convene the summit to galvanise efforts by major economies to tackle the climate crisis.

This was after he took action to return the US to the Paris Agreement which Donald Trump, his predecessor, dumped after describing climate science as a hoax.
DUBAI (Reuters) - The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthi forces has destroyed two explosive-laden boats that the Iran-aligned group planned to use in an "imminent" attack launched from the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Saudi state media reported on Sunday.

The coalition in separate statements also said it intercepted and destroyed three armed drones launched towards southern Saudi Arabia, including the city of Khamis Mushait.

The Houthis, who ousted Yemen's internationally recognised government from the capital, Sanaa, and now hold most of north Yemen, have kept up missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia after Riyadh last week presented a new peace initiative.

U.S. Special Envoy Tim Lenderking on Thursday returned to the region to push for the initiative, which includes a nationwide ceasefire.

The Houthis want the coalition to fully lift its sea and air blockade on areas the group controls.

The conflict, seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has caused what the United Nations says is the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression.

(Reporting by Ghaida Ghantous and Maher Chmaytelli; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Elaine Hardcastle)
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Mar, 2021 ) :Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday wished the Hindu community a very happy Holi.

In a tweet he said, "Wishing all our Hindu community a very happy Holi, the festival of colours." The Diwali Festival is being celebrated by the Hindu community on March 28-29.

The festival is celebrated in several parts of the country especially in educational institutions.

The hindu community is important part of our society and their religious festivals are respected across the country. Pakistani nation congratulates the Hindu community on the festival of colours "Holi".

Islamic teachings and sayings of Quaid-I-Azam give us lesson of inter-faith harmony.

After the independence, Quaid-i-Azam gave clear vision that every citizen of Pakistan would have the liberty to practice their religion.

Pakistan came into being because equal rights were not provided to Muslims of sub-continent.

At present, equal rights are not provided to religious minorities in so-called secular India. Rather, controversial laws like Citizenship Amendment Act were introduced to further the Hindutva ideology. Besides, low caste Hindus like Dalits are suppressed and maltreated.
New York, March 28 : As the emergence of new Covid-19 variants from different parts of the world complicate the fight against the pandemic, there appears to be some silver lining now. This is because an expert has found that the different strains of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the disease, do not appear to be highly variable.

Writing an opinion piece in the magazine 'Scientific American', evolutionary microbiologist, Vaughn Cooper, said that the evidence suggest that SARS-CoV-2 variants that have emerged so far share similar combinations of mutations.

This suggests that the fight against Covid-19 might not be as difficult as it was thought at the time when new variants started emerging, triggering fears that the vaccines developed to protect against the disease might not work against some variants.

Some feared that achieving herd immunity against the virus that has disrupted lives and caused deaths of more than 2.7 million people worldwide would be quite hard if more infectious and lethal variants keep emerging.

Studying how SARS-CoV-2 is evolving, Cooper, who is a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the US, said that it can now be speculated that the virus is beginning to run out of new and major adaptations.

However, he warned that chances of mutations occurring are more when there are more infections. So the fight against Covid-19 needs to focus on curbing new infections.

"It's also critical that we make significant investments in building an early-warning system to detect new SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as many other emerging pathogens, both known and yet to be discovered," Cooper wrote in the article published in 'Scientific American' last week.

The Union Health Ministry in India last week said that a total of 771 variants of concerns (VOCs) and a new double mutant variant of Covid-19 had been detected in a total of 10,787 positive samples shared by the states and union territories.

It now appears that a mutation in the double mutant variant seems to be similar to a mutation found in the B.1.351 (South Africa) and P.1 (Brazil) variants, the BBC reported citing Jeremy Kamil, a virologist at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport in the US.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The multibillion-Pula uranium deposit project which could have started three years ago is still to take off due to the collapse of uranium market worldwide.

The uranium deposits discovered near Serule in the Central District is one of the large undeveloped deposits in the world with indicated reserves of 74.7 million pounds. Had everything gone according to A-Cap Resources (Pty) Ltd - which received a mining license to mine uranium in September 2016 - the company would have started production of 3.75 million pounds (Mlbs) of uranium with an anticipated 18 year Life of Mine (LOM) in 2018 with at least 402 employees.

Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Lefhoko Moagi told parliament this week that uranium deposits discovered in Botswana in the Serule area is one of the large undeveloped deposits in the world but not the biggest. He explained that the project did not take off due to the collapse of the uranium market given the over-supply of uranium at the time, which was further exacerbated by the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station accident in Japan in 2011, resulting in most countries closing some of the older nuclear plants and cancelling new projects.

Moagi said in addition to depressed uranium prices, staged project optimisation work currently being undertaken by the Company affected the target timelines as set out in the Companys mining license application. Moagi mentioned countries with biggest uranium deposits as Kazakhstan, Australia, Canada, China, South Africa, and Russia. The type of jobs created by uranium mining range from mining engineers, geologists, mineral processors, environmental and safety practitioners, various technical and artisan cadres, supporting functions like finance, human resource, IT among others.

All mining companies are regulated under the Mines, Quarries, Works and Machinery Act. Moagi added that Uranium mining and processing requires stringent safety and security protocols due to possible adverse impact to human health when exposed to radiation. Uranium mining can be done by Surface or Underground mining processes and also by heap leaching.

In all methods, land can be left with radioactive, toxic elements and pollution of the soil and water and these associated adverse impacts require close monitoring. Uranium is mainly used to produce electricity. It provides thermal energy which is used to heat and convert it to steam which is then used to turn turbines to generate electricity.

A-Cap Resourcess proposed project is closer to the serviced rail line, a tarmac road as well as an established power line, and the nearby settlements of Serule and Gojwane are about 1.3km and 3.8 km respectively from the boundary of the lease area.
YAZOO CITY, Miss. (AP)  Authorities say at least six people were wounded in a nightclub shooting in Mississippi over the weekend.

WLBT-TV reports that two of the injured people are in critical condition.

One of them, a 19-year-old man, suffered two gunshot wounds to the head.

Yazoo County sheriff's officials say the shooting happened early Saturday morning at Big Mickie's in Yazoo County.

The county is in the west-central part of the state.

Noble Brooks, an investigator with the Yazoo County Sheriffs Department, says that a seventh person suffered a laceration.
International

US, Canada slam China for tit-for-tat sanctions

WASHINGTON, MAR 28 (IANS) | Publish Date: 3/28/2021 1:08:36 PM IST

The US and Canada have criticized China for retaliatory sanctions imposed by Beijing in an ongoing row over human rights.

In a coordinated move, the US, the EM, Britain and Canada on March 22 slapped sanctions on Chinese officials and entities for abuses against the mostly Muslim Uighur people, reports dpa news agency.

In a retaliatory move on Saturday, Beijing sanctioned Chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Gayle Manchin; Vice Chair of the USCIRF Tony Perkins; Canadian MP Michael Chong; and the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development of the House of Commons of Canada, citing Washington and Ottawas sanctions that it said were based on rumours and misinformation.

The individuals will not be able to travel to Chinas mainland, Hong Kong or Macao and Chinese businesses and institutions are barred from doing business with them or holding exchanges with the Canadian committee.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the move. Beijings attempts to intimidate and silence those speaking out for human rights and fundamental freedoms only contribute to the growing international scrutiny of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, Blinken said in a statement. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the sanctions were unacceptable actions.

Chinas sanctions are an attack on transparency and freedom of expression - values at the heart of our democracy, Trudeau tweeted late Saturday night.

China had already retaliated against the UK and the EU with tit-for-tat sanctions last week.

In the last few years, hundreds of Uighurs, Kazakhs and Huis have testified that they were held in internment camps in Xinjiang as part of what observers say is a government campaign to forcibly assimilate the minorities.

There have been reports of torture and sexual abuse.

The Chinese government says the camps - estimated to have held more than 1 million people since 2017 - are vocational education centres to eradicate extremism and terrorism.

Hong Kong: Join forces to stop doxxing: SJ

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng

The Court of First Instance in a recent judgment sets out the principle that criminal contempt is engaged when there is serious interference with the due administration of justice, adding that offenders are punished for the sake of public interest. It is important that members of the public should, in a law-abiding city, respect and comply with court orders including injunctions.

In the second half of 2019, various police quarters had been surrounded by large crowds targeting police officers and their families. Serious harassment had been escalated to violent acts against the residents, endangering their personal safety and even resulting in mental distress. Facilities of the quarters were also severely damaged.

As guardian of public interest, the Secretary for Justice obtained an injunction in October 2019 to restrain the conduct of such activities. In granting the order, the court acknowledged that there is a high risk that, unless restrained, the defendants will cause substantial harm and damage to the occupants of the quarters and to the quarters.

At the same time, the Airport Authority was granted an injunction order restraining persons from unlawfully and willfully obstructing the proper use of the airport in light of the severe disruptions and chaos.

Amidst the social unrest and street violence, a sizeable number of netizens weaponised personal data and engaged themselves in doxxing activities against police officers and those with political views contrary to their own. Certain police officers and their family members even received letters threatening to hurt them brutally. In order to curb such despicable acts, the Secretary for Justice and the Commissioner of Police sought and obtained an injunction in October 2019 restraining persons from unlawfully and willfully conducting themselves in those acts. It is noteworthy that the court expressed that the promotion and maintenance of the rule of law is not sensibly or rationally pursued by repeated and escalating breaches of the law, and [p]ersons who commit such crimes are simply, and properly described as, criminals. Criminal activity does not cease to be criminal activity simply because the actor believes himself or herself to be acting for a particular, perhaps higher, cause.

Doxxing activities towards counsel, judges, legislators and other persons involved in the administration of justice were found to be on the rise in 2020, especially when cases relating to the 2019 incidents were heard. Such unlawful acts must be curtailed. As pointed out by the court in its decision in a case of contempt of court, doxxing itself is capable of constituting criminal activity. In the injunction issued in October last year restraining the conduct of such activities towards Judges, Judicial Officers and their family members, the court held that [i]t remains fundamental to the rule of law that litigants and the general public are able to place reliance on and have confidence in a Court system that is free from bias, and that the Judge or Judicial Officer in any case is the person who decides that case according to its evidence and the applicable law.

Notwithstanding the injunctions, some people still blatantly violated these orders. Such conduct gave rise to serious challenge to the administration of justice and the rule of law. As a result, the Department of Justice has lodged committal applications for contempt of court. Contemnors, who admitted liability for contempt of court, were sentenced, including immediate imprisonment, and below are some significant messages set out in the judgments:

(1) It is fundamental to the rule of law that court orders are made to be obeyed. Contempt of court orders is a serious matter. Thus, the starting penalty for both civil and criminal contempt of court in breaching an injunction order is imprisonment, perhaps measured in months.

(2) Criminal contempt threatens the due administration of justice as a whole and presents a direct challenge to the rule of law. The immense public interest involved in protecting the due administration of justice as an integral component of the rule of law ordinarily calls for a deterrent sentence on the contemnor.

(3) Punishment and deterrence are the major sentencing considerations for cases of criminal contempt. The sentence to be imposed should contain an element of general and personal deterrence.

(4) Rights and freedoms do not exist in a vacuum and they come with responsibilities. Any person exercising their own rights and freedom must simultaneously have respect for the rights and freedom of others. Freedom of speech certainly does not embrace any right to harass or intimidate, threaten or menace. Irrespective of a persons political stance, there are proper channels to express ones views in a legitimate and proper manner.

Whilst these injunctions relate to specific categories of persons, a common thread from these judgments is that doxxing activities are not to be condoned. The Government will legislate to prevent doxxing so that the general public will also be protected in their own rights. Not only would these doxxing activities violate privacy rights, when conducted with a view to deter or levy a direct or indirect threat against a person from discharging his/her duties or exercising his/her rights, these must be stopped. It falls upon each of us to join hands and condemn these actions so that the law and order that has been restored after the passing of the National Security Law is maintained, so that people are free to exercise their rights whilst respecting that of others. All of us should jointly bear the responsibility to respect, promote and further the rule of law as a fundamental basis of our society.

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng wrote this article and posted it on the Department of Justice website on March 28.

This story has been published on: 2021-03-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Amanda Burke covers Pittsfield City Hall for The Berkshire Eagle. An Ithaca, New York native, she previously worked at The Herald News of Fall River and the Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise. Find her on Twitter at @amandaburkec.
Lankan Govt on UN notice: Big Brother is watching you PEOPLE SPARED SANCTION WOES: LEADERS GIVEN GRACE TO CLEAN UP ACT - UNHRC mandated to monitor all human rights violations View(s): View(s):

The United Nations watchdog on human rights, the UNHRC, this week put the Government of Lanka in the dog house and warned: From henceforth, everything you say, every move you make will be monitored and held against you in any future legal proceedings. We will be watching you.

This was the blunt message delivered to Lanka by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) which received its mandate to tag the Government after the resolution on Sri Lanka, brought by Britain and a core group of members was adopted at its 46th Session held in Geneva on Tuesday.

The resolution Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka was comfortably passed with 22 members of the council voting in favour of the resolution, namely, Britain, France, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, Ukraine, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cote Divoire, Czechoslovakia, Fiji, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Poland, Korea and Uruguay.

The resolution was opposed by 11 countries, namely, Bangladesh, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Somalia, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.

Of the 47 strong membership of the UNHRC, 14 member states abstained, namely, Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, India, Indonesia, Japan, Libya, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Senegal, Sudan and Togo.

But for Lankas Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, this was no crippling defeat but a euphoric victory. Shortly after receiving the result, his upbeat reaction to the shock news was to exclaim to reporters: Its a victory for Sri Lanka because 14 members had abstained so only 22 out of the 47 members supported the resolution.

Perhaps, a striking example to clearly demonstrate that abstention from voting is not equivalent to opposition to the resolution, is the enlightening case of India.

Shortly before abstaining from voting, India made no secret as to where she exactly stood on the resolution when she expressly declared that, first, it believes in the primary responsibility of States for the promotion and protection of human rights; secondly it supports the international communitys call and, thirdly, it urges the Sri Lankan Government to carry forward the process of reconciliation, address the aspirations of the Tamil community and continue to engage constructively with the international community to ensure that the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all its citizens are fully protected.

But the good Minister should not have descended to the very depths of profound despair when sober scrutiny would have revealed the resolution was not totally bereft of some good cheer for the people of Sri Lanka to find temporary solace. The threatened trade sanctions that had dangled over their heads, like a Damocles Sword arrayed to fall, had been mercifully lifted; and, to the masses great relief, not even a whisper of it sounded in the tedious text to bedevil their troubled minds further.

And that wasnt all. Gone, too, with unwritten flourish, was the incessant call made in the past for the setting up of an international mechanism, a hybrid court with foreign and local judges on the bench, presiding over legal proceedings brought against those charged with war crimes. This demand, which has been not so much a persistent thorn but more a perpetual poisoned dart embedded deep in the flesh of all governments, has been removed from the present resolution; and its welcome absence from the Geneva stage would have greatly relieved the government of its torment.

In its stead, seems to be the first hazy outline of grudging acceptance of the Lankan Governments insistence on having its own domestic mechanism to deliver comprehensive reconciliation.

On February 26, last year, the Government formally announced its decision to withdraw from Resolution 30/1 and others it had adopted after 2015. Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena addressing the Geneva sessions said: Firstly, the Government of Sri Lanka declares its commitment to achieve sustainable peace through an inclusive, domestically designed and executed reconciliation and accountability process, including through the appropriate adaptation of existing mechanisms, in line with the Governments policy framework.

This would comprise the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry (COI) headed by a Justice of the Supreme Court, to review the reports of previous Sri Lankan COIs which investigated alleged violations of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (IHL), to assess the status of implementation of their recommendations and to propose deliverable measures to implement them keeping in line with the new Governments policy.

Towards the beginning of the Session in March, the UNHRC High Commissioner Bachelets update on the Sri Lankan Governments decision to withdraw came under scathing attack. The update highlighted ongoing impunity for past grave human rights abuses in the country. The new Sri Lankan government, which came into power in 2019, has said that it intends to renege on Human Rights Council resolution 30/1 which provided commitments to accountability, truth and reconciliation.

But Britain and the core group that sponsored the present resolution seem to have realised that though a horse could be led to water, it couldnt be forced to drink. Accordingly, they have changed their tactics, adopted a new strategy and hence they have extended dim recognition to the Governments domestic mechanism as spelt out by Foreign Minister Gunawardena last year at the Geneva sessions, namely the Commission of Inquiry headed by a Supreme Court Justice.

Clause 5 of the adopted resolution: Notes the persistent lack of accountability of domestic mechanisms, and that the domestic commission of inquiry announced on 22 January 2021 lacks independence and that its mandate is to review reports of previous Commissions and Committees and does not include a mandate to pursue accountability for past gross violations of human rights, or for serious violations of international humanitarian law.

This clause thus recognises in principle the Governments right to have its own domestic mechanism which no other resolution brought before the Council has ever advanced or accepted. But the tacit recognition is attended with two qualifications.

Firstly: The grouse it has is that the domestic Commission of Inquiry lacks the halo of independence and thus is devoid of credibility.

Secondly: While it tacitly and grudgingly acknowledges the government is on the right track, its complaint is that the government has not gone far enough in extending the Commissions mandate to pursue accountability for past gross violations of human rights, or for serious violations of international humanitarian law, without merely confining the commission to review past reports.

This, of course, presents a new opportunity to make a new beginning with a clean slate; a fresh starting point for the government to clean its act and cleanse Lanka of its marked taint which has so aroused the worlds ire and earned its scorn. It may, indeed, be the last chance offered to the Lankan Government to walk the straight and narrow before consequences of a more dire nature start to ensue, forcing even the few friends left in the free world to abandon Lanka and leave her to her self-damned fate.

Especially, when the Councils powerful core group led by Great Britain seem to have given up the ghost on its long pursued aim to establish mechanisms, domestic or otherwise, in Lanka; and, instead, has shifted its prime focus on arming the UNHRC with additional powers and financial facilities with a view to bringing the culpable to justice, before the bar of international courts.

The newly adopted resolution has already paved the path for the long-term strategy to take effect. While Clause 5 languidly muses on the desirability of the Governments own domestic Commission of Inquiry to be visibly cloaked with the aura of independence and empowered with the mandate to pursue accountability for gross human rights violations, the subsequent Clause 6 sets the resolutions ambitious sights on higher ground; and carves the Councils path to the uplands to support any arraignment for human rights abuse.

Consider the resolutions damning Clause 6. And the trap it intends to set to snare the unwary Lankan human rights abuser.

n FIRST: It places importance on preserving and analysing evidence relating to violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes in Sri Lanka with a view to advancing accountability.

n SECOND: It strengthens in this regard the capacity of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence. This effectively means that the Lankan Government itself will be monitored 24/7 to collect and collate necessary evidence of possible human rights abuse.

n THIRD: It tasks the High Commissioner Bachelets Office with developing possible strategies for future accountability processes for gross violations of human rights or serious violations of international humanitarian law in Sri Lanka.

n FOURTH: It calls for the OHCHR to advocate for victims and survivors. Will the OHCHR henceforth play a more activist role in supporting, safeguarding and promoting victims interest, akin, perhaps, to Amnesty International?

FIFTH: It tasks the OHCHR with supporting relevant judicial and other proceedings including in Member States with competent jurisdiction.

Certainly, Clause 6 will, no doubt, leave Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet with her hands full with work and the Lankan Government with its mind filled with worry.

The resolution also expresses serious concerns over the trends emerging during the past year and concludes that it represents a clear early warning sign of a deteriorating situation of human rights in Sri Lanka. Among the trends identified are the accelerating militarisation of civilian government functions; the erosion of the independence of the judiciary and key institutions responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights.

By Clause 9, the Lankan Government is called upon to ensure the prompt, thorough and impartial investigation and, if warranted, prosecution of all alleged crimes relating to human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law. The words if warranted gives the Government the discretion to pick and choose whom to prosecute and whom not to, but if the Government fails to use its discretion bona fide, no doubt, such instances will be collated and preserved to be used against the Lankan Government at some future proceeding in a foreign court.

The resolution whilst ignoring the US demand for the right to extradite Lankan personnel, has not attempted to rock the Lankan boat presently. In fact it has spared the people of any trade sanctions which would have served only to aggravate their present woes. It has striven, not to torpedo the government boat but, to urge the Government, in clause after clause, to strengthen the democratic pillars, prevent abuses of power and arrest the emerging tide towards the deterioration of human rights.

But whether the resolutions undertones suggest its patiently laying the ground work in accordance with some sinister stratagem, is another matter. Evidently the resolution which binds its members, including Lanka, has granted the Government a reprieve, a stay of execution for 18 months or three more sessions during which time the Council will hear an oral update, a written update and a comprehensive report on the progress of reconciliation and accountability with further options presenting on advancing accountability.

Thus the Government cannot wish it away but will have to run the Geneva gauntlet and survive its spikes for a considerable time in the future. After going through the wringer in what crumpled wretched state Lanka will emerge is anyones guess.

As the representatives of the voiceless masses, the Government should not miss the granted grace to redeem Lanka of past aberrations; and work towards achieving an impressive track record on human rights to showcase Sri Lanka in reformed light.

Else, like the sins of the parents visiting the children, the transgressions of the Government will visit the citizens.
As the recent events in our area including in Rochester, Wolcott and Syracuse suggest, our local police forces have their share of bad cops. One thing that has allowed this problem to fester and worsen is the doctrine of qualified immunity, the legal doctrine that for decades has shielded bad police officers from lawsuits when they violate citizens rights.

This needs to go now. We must hold police accountable when they endanger the public with reckless actions. It's past time to end "qualified immunity."

Balance is key to law and order and to justice, and cops must not be above the law. There is no justice with the legal loophole of qualified immunity that allows police to carry out unreasonable searches and to use excessive force without any consequences.

Ending qualified immunity will help good cops by increasing trust between police and the general community. It's long past time to do away with it.

Legislation has been introduced in the New York Senate. Now, we need our lawmakers to support S.01050 and end qualified immunity in New York state.
Hasbro creates 'modern families' Potato Head with 2 moms, 2 dads

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Toy manufacturer Hasbro stirred controversy immediately after it announced the launch of a "modern version of its iconic Mr. Potato Head toy line that will drop the honorific Mr., to be more inclusive and to let kids create their own type of potato families, including two moms or two dads.

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 company said in an announcement Thursday about the new line that will be released this fall.

Soon thereafter, in response to numerous responses on Twitter against the name-change and "inclusion," the toy giant updated the announcement: Hasbro is officially renaming the Mr. Potato Head brand to Potato Head to better reflect the full line. But rest assured, the iconic Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head characters arent going anywhere and will remain Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.

In a promotional video for the new line, Hasbro said it's offering a "modern look for modern families."

The new version will come with two non-gendered adult potatoes, one baby potato and 42 removable parts like eyeglasses, a mustache, nose and mouth, Bloomberg quoted a Hasbro spokeswoman as saying. That will let kids decide the parents gender, rather than being told they are Mr. and Mrs.

They are looking to broaden the franchise, The Associated Press quoted Robert Passikoff, founder of marketing consultancy Brand Keys, as saying. You take the focus of what is essentially one character and now allow it to be a platform for many characters.

The removal of Mr. from the name of the toy line is likely to encourage other companies to not assign genders to their toys, Ali Mierzejewski, editor in chief at toy-review site the Toy Insider, was quoted as saying.

Its a potato. But kids like to see themselves in the toys they are playing with, Mierzejewski added.

A prominent gay rights organization, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, welcomed the move.

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, Rich Ferraro, the groups chief communications officer, said in a statement.

Mr. Potato Head was launched in 1952.

In 2019, GLAAD started pushing for 20% of all television characters to be LGBT by 2025.

In a report called Where We Are on TV, GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis noted that less than one-quarter of Americans have a close friend or family member who is transgender, meaning that many Americans learn about trans people from what they see in television, movies, and news.

ROBERTO SCHMIDT/Getty

On Nov. 5, 1605, English authorities were able to stop a political attack on the English Parliament, to save the building from being destroyed, and to protect the lives of the members of Parliament inside. That action  the stopping of the Gunpowder Plot and the arrest, conviction and harsh judgment of the plotters  led to the English observance of Guy Fawkes Day, a celebration of stopping the attempt to overthrow the government. That celebration continues today, perpetuating the memory of how institutions and governments can be destroyed by those who wish they could accede to power or to grasp power that they have not legitimately earned.



On Jan. 6, 2021, that same type of attack  recorded verbally and on film  happened in the U.S. Capitol, where a flag-waving mob of directed revolutionaries attempted to destroy the U.S. government. They had a leader. It may be wise for this country to name Jan. 6 as a national day of remembrance  named after the leader of the mob  and to celebrate the fact that a virtually unprotected Capitol police staff was able to withstand the mob and protect the vice president, whom the mob wanted to lynch, and the members of Congress who were also the targets.



If we do that, and the commemoration grows year by year as historians gain more evidence of the facts, then we will be able to imbue our children, our grandchildren and generations to come with the awareness that democracy must be protected.



Just as the English celebrate the failure of the Gunpowder Plot and its leader, Guy Fawkes, we can burn scarecrows here on Jan. 6 to celebrate the failure of the mob and its leader.



Bruce Shubert

Albany
New Delhi, March 28 : Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Sunday attended the hoisting ceremony of the 60-feet tall national flag at Brij Vihar in Shakur Basti.

"Attended the flag hoisting ceremony of the newly constructed 60-feet tall national flag at Brij Vihar society in Shakur Basti. Watching our national flag hoisted filled me with immense pride and honour," Jain tweeted after attending the event.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on March 9 while presenting the annual 'deshbhakti' Budget had proposed to allocate Rs 45 crore to install high masts to hoist the national flag at 500 places in the national capital.

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of India's Independence this year, the Delhi government had also announced that it would organise programmes promoting patriotism throughout the year, not only in the national capital but also in other states.

In its 'deshbhakti' initiative, the Delhi government has also announced to include a curriculum on patriotism in schools, cultural events on the lives of Bhagat Singh and Babasaheb Ambedkar and yoga instructors in colony parks. For this purpose the state government has set aside Rs 90 crore.

Calling the tricolour as the greatest symbol of our individual identity, Sisodia had announced that like the one in Connaught Place, Delhi government would install national flags in such a way that at least one is visible every two kilometres.
The Oregon State University Board of Trustees last week accepted the resignation of President F. King Alexander (F. King Alexander resigns as Oregon State president after just eight months, March 23). He will receive a lump sum of $670,000 from private sources and medical benefits for one year. What was the vetting process before this hiring decision? What was the responsibility of the search firm? Certainly, all or half of its fee should be refunded. Critical information should have been obtained before a job offer. How did the Louisiana State University Board of Trustees evaluate Kings performance? Why did King want to leave LSU for OSU? What was his relationship with the board, faculty and students at LSU? How would his direct reports at LSU evaluate his leadership and decision-making? What were some of Kings biggest challenges at LSU and how did he resolve them? Tough questions needed to be asked. I am not sure they were. Now private sources will dig deep.

Tom Kelley, Portland
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Mumbai, March 28 : Actress Shriya Pilgaonkar says the industry needs to work on eliminating pay disparity on the basis of gender. Shriya, who will be seen in the film "Haathi Mere Saathi", says she has heard actresses discussing how male stars often get paid as much as the entire budget of a heroine-centric film! "I have heard conversations of the biggest leading actresses on how the budget of their entire film has been the salary of a male actor," she told IANS.

She says that even though you don't know how much your co-actor is earning, you are able to guess based on the film's progresses.

"I don't know how much my co-actors get but you get a sense of it. You know how negotiations are done. At a personal level, I made sure that I get the best deal in my capacity," she says.

The actress says that it's important to stand up for yourself.

"I don't know how something like this (can change). Maybe over the period of time when people will take a stand for themselves, things will become better," she says.

She adds: "We need to understand at a personal level that if we don't value ourselves, no one else will." Shriya has been seen in films such as "House Arrest" and "Fan" and shows such as "The Gone Game", "Crackdown", "Beecham House" and "Mirzapur".
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released separate reports on Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on March 23.

Relative to Central Asia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have the most media-friendly environments but the CPJ reports highlight various problems. In Kazakhstan, for example, the government has been limiting the ability of journalists to do their job. Meanwhile, troll factories have been operating in Kyrgyzstan to discredit the work of some reporters, and at least one journalist says death threats are being posted on his social network accounts.

The situation is still grim for independent media in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, although some outlets in Uzbekistan have been testing the limits of what can and cannot be reported.

On this week's Majlis Podcast, RFE/RL media-relations manager Muhammad Tahir moderates a discussion on the problems media outlets and journalists face in Central Asia.

This week's guests are: from Kazakhstan, Diana Okremova, the director of the Legal Media Center in Nur-Sultan; from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Timur Toktonaliev, the Central Asia editor for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting; from New York, Gulnoza Said, the Central Asia coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists; and Bruce Pannier, the author of the Qishloq Ovozi blog.

Listen to the podcast above or subscribe to the Majlis on iTunes or on Google Podcasts.
A petition calling for the reinstatement of a suspended RE teacher who sparked a blasphemy row after allegedly showing students a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad has passed more than 50,000 signatures.

The Batley Grammar School teacher, a 'burly Yorkshire lad' in his 20s, apologised after showing the caricature, reported as taken from the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, during a religious studies lesson last week.

He was suspended on Thursday pending an investigation. However, a school governor is backing calls for the teacher to be reinstated, and is said to feel that the teacher is being 'unfairly blamed' for the row.

The school, in Batley, near Bradford, West Yorkshire, is facing calls to reinstate the teacher after a petition in support of him reached more than 50,000 signatures in two days, hitting the figure just after 2am on Sunday.

Furious protesters gathered outside the school gates on Thursday and Friday, claiming the school has not taken the issue seriously.

Speaking 'on behalf of the Muslim community' on Friday, one protester said: 'The teachers have breached the position of trust and failed their duty of safeguarding, and this issue must be addressed as a matter of urgency.'

However, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick called reports the teacher was in hiding 'very disturbing' and branded the protests 'not right', adding teachers must be free to 'appropriately show images of the Prophet Mohammed'.

Protesters give a statement to the Press outside Batley Grammar School on Friday

Batley Grammar School in Batley, West Yorkshire, where a teacher has been suspended for reportedly showing a caricature of the Prophet Mohammed to pupils

A police officer arrives at a protest outside Batley Grammar School in Batley, West Yorkshire

Imam who protested over Charlie Hebdo cartoons outside grammar school spreads anti-vax propaganda - and condemns Strictly Come Dancing By JAKE RYAN, MAIL ON SUNDAY A Muslim preacher who told protesters outside Batley Grammar School of his 'disgust' over the Prophet Mohammed cartoon controversy has spread anti-vaccine propaganda and shared a vile smear against the UK's Chief Rabbi, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Mohammed Amin Pandor, who announced the suspension of a teacher to protesters outside the Yorkshire school last week, has opposed gay marriages and even condemned Strictly Come Dancing. The 62-year-old, who belongs to the ultra-conservative Deobandi branch of Islam, has courted controversy for a number of years and recently shared a fatwa, or ruling, on Facebook and Twitter stating that 'the uncertainty about the ingredients' in Covid-19 vaccines meant they should not be promoted. Mohammed Amin Pandor, has opposed gay marriages and condemned Strictly Come Dancing The fatwa declared that God had given a 'definite remedy for safety from every form of harm and disease' and urged followers to recite a prayer three times. In 2017, Mr Pandor went on social media to post a false story from a website linked to an Iranian disinformation campaign that accused Ephraim Mirvis, the UK's Chief Rabbi, of saying it would be permissible to take sex slaves. He has also signed letters opposing gay marriage and comments by Mak Chishty, a Muslim former Metropolitan Police commander, who wrote a newspaper article headlined 'We must reclaim Islam from extremists'. The imam, from Dewsbury in West Yorkshire, has also used a religious slur when talking about Ahmadi Muslims, a persecuted Islamic sect in Pakistan. And speaking on BBC radio in 2016, he even told an interviewer that his religious beliefs meant Strictly Come Dancing was 'not acceptable'. Mr Pandor, a mechanical engineer by training and former Department of Health worker, last week told protesters outside the school: 'What happened here, we are disgusted. What has happened is totally unacceptable and we have made sure they are aware. The teacher has been suspended. They can't just sack him, they need to do their due process. We've asked for an investigation, an investigation to be independent. We are going to work with the school to make sure things like this don't happen.' Advertisement

However, Dr Alyaa Ebbiary, a researcher in Islamic studies at the SOAS University of London, disagreed with Mr Jenrick's comments.

'From the majority Muslim community perspective it's safe to say that showing images of the Prophet Muhammad would not be considered a 'right', but at best disrespectful, and at worst a provocation,' she said.

'For some pious Muslims, it's so hurtful to the point of going beyond the realm of common decency - I know that's hard for a Western liberal mindset to understand.

'The matter of depicting a Prophet in images is very problematic in the Islamic tradition, and so creating images, in and of itself, is considered disrespectful to someone held to be sacred.'

West Yorkshire Police said a number of complaints have been made in relation to the incident. Officers attended both protests after dozens of people stood outside the school, partially blocking the road.

A police spokesperson said: 'As might be expected given the high public profile of what has happened, there have been a number of complaints about various matters relating to this issue.

'These are being reviewed in more detail but this is an ongoing situation.'

It comes after MailOnline revealed that the RE teacher reportedly 'defended his right to freedom of speech' in a heated telephone call with the father of a Muslim pupil.

The teacher, who has not been named, is also disclosed as saying 'British values allowed him to present a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad to his class of year nine students as part of their course work'.

The Muslim parent demanded to speak to the teacher after his year 9 son returned from school and reported the matter to him.

When the teacher returned the call he told the father that he had warned his pupils that some would find it offensive, but his aim was to pose a question to his class.

He believed he was 'right' to show the cartoon which has offended Muslims across the world. He wanted to discuss whether the cartoonist was to blame or the terrorists who had committed murder over it in France after the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo had published it.

The angry father said the teacher did not appear apologetic when told that showing the cartoon to his son was offensive and instead was 'arrogant'. The teacher asked the father to voice his concerns to another staff member.

In a group WhatsApp message, shared among Islamic parents and protesters who have demonstrated outside the school and seen by MailOnline, the father said: 'He should have known better.

'I expressed I was not happy with his actions and he had caused offence to the community. He should have known better, after all these images caused international outrage.

'He was not apologetic and was arrogant in his response that what he did was right. He stated that he knew some of the pupils would tell their parents.'

But the suspended teacher, who has apologised, has been forced to leave his home and into hiding with his family.

A source who is related to one of the school's governors told MailOnline: 'Intimidation all round is the feeling why few people are speaking out on the teacher's behalf and asking not to be identified.

'I spoke to my relative who is a governor at the school who has a child there and they feel the teacher Is being unfairly blamed.

'The governors are going to consider whether they should ask for the section about blasphemy to be removed from the GCSE RE syllabus which the pupils are taught.

'They're going to investigate whether other schools in the area may have also used this method of power point teaching with a picture of the Islamic Prophet as required by the GCSE syllabus.

'It is clear that the teacher in question did all he could to warn the pupils that some might be offended before he showed the caricature.

'But when you get shouting and swearing and protests at the school gates, any chance of having a sensible debate just dies.'

The source added: 'I feel really sorry for the children. They've been through a year of losing out on school because of Covid and now they've got this to deal with.

'There's never been any question of any racial problems or religious problems between the Muslim children and the non-Muslim children. They mix after school too at each other's homes That is why this is all so ridiculous.

'At least the school will be closed from Monday for the Easter break until April 9th, so hopefully things will cool down while they work out if the teacher can be brought back.'

Protesters gathered outside Batley Grammar School in Batley, West Yorkshire

Chained gates at Batley Grammar School in Batley, West Yorkshire

Robert Jenrick (pictured, file photo) said protests taking place outside the school were 'not right', adding that suggestions the teacher was in hiding are 'very disturbing'

Teacher who sparked Batley school 'blasphemy' protests wrote of his love for his 'fantastic' job The RE teacher who sparked a blasphemy protest at the gates after allegedly showing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad to students is a 'burly Yorkshire lad', it was revealed. The amateur rugby player, who is in his late 20s, had trained to teach in the mid-2010s after going to university in the north of England. In an article about life as a trainee teacher, he wrote: 'Teaching is a fantastic profession. One which I cannot wait to start.' He added: 'You also teach them about life'. He had spoken of his experiences as a trainee teacher, saying how it was a 'fantastic' profession that he 'could not wait' to begin, The Telegraph reports. One neighbour called him a 'nice man', while another called him a 'good, honest, burly Yorkshire lad' who 'always had a smile for us'. Advertisement

Meanwhile, Mr Jenrick has said children should be taught 'contentious issues appropriately'. He told the BBC: 'It must be right that a teacher can appropriately show images of the Prophet Muhammad.

'In a free society, we want religions to be taught to children and for children to be able to question and query them.'

He also told Sky News: 'I was disturbed to see scenes of people protesting outside the school - that is not right.

'We shouldn't have teachers, members of staff of schools, feeling intimidated, and the reports that a teacher may even be in hiding is very disturbing.

'That is not a road we want to go down in this country, so I would strongly urge people who are concerned about this issue not to do that.'

On Thursday, the school 'unequivocally' apologised for showing 'totally inappropriate' material to children, and said a member of staff was suspended pending an investigation.

A protester speaking 'on behalf of the Muslim community' read out a statement outside of the school on Friday, in which he said: 'The teachers have breached the position of trust and failed their duty of safeguarding, and this issue must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

'We do not accept that the school has taken this issue seriously, given that it's taken them four days to merely suspend only one of the teachers involved.'

He called on the entire British Muslim community to review the materials being taught in their children's schools.

One protester, whose children attend the school, and who only wanted to be identified as Mr Hussain, said: 'What people are trying to convey here to the media, and to the British public at large, is we would not like any form of extremism, any extremist viewpoints, to be taught to children.'

He said the western world 'is at a loss in understanding the reaction' from the Muslim community when the Prophet Muhammad is 'insulted in any way, shape or form'.

He said: 'A Muslim is required to stand up when Prophet Muhammad is insulted, and when all the prophets are insulted, including all the prophets of the Old Testament, including Jesus.'

Labour MP for Batley and Spen, Tracey Brabin, condemned those who 'seek to fan the flames of this incident', and welcomed the school's apology.

'No teacher should be facing intimidation or threats, there is no excuse for that,' she said. The focus must be on the welfare and education of the children at this school.'

Mr Jenrick said the Department for Education (DfE) is working with the school and local council as it investigates the incident.

'What I can say is there has to be an appropriate balance - we have to ensure there is free speech, that teachers can teach uninhibited but that has to be done in a respectful and tolerant way and that's a balance to be struck by teaching professionals and the schools concerned,' Mr Jenrick said.

Baroness Warsi, former chairwoman of the Conservative party, said the incident has been 'hijacked by extremists on both sides' to create a culture war.

Batley Grammar School in Batley, West Yorkshire, where a teacher has been suspended for reportedly showing a caricature of the Prophet Mohammed to pupils during an RE lesson

Protesters take part in a prayer outside Batley Grammar School in Batley, West Yorkshire

Speaking to the Today programme, the peer said she had spoken to pupils and parents over the past 24 hours, and 'it's obvious that many pupils were left distressed because of what happened'.

She said: 'What we're forgetting in all of this is the most important party in all of this, which is the kids and their learning.'

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the school should be allowed to investigate the matter 'without a running commentary in the media, on social media, and outside the school gates'.

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, who chairs the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: 'Children's education should not be disrupted by protests in what has already been a difficult year.

'The school is taking action and ought to be trusted to do so. A teacher's identity being shared, making them fear for their safety, is simply unacceptable and could result in enforcement action from the police.

'Schools are places where children learn about ideas, values, difference and respect. This sometimes involves exposing them to contentious issues and different views and ideas.

'For schools to meet their legal duty to foster good relations between people from different groups, this should be done in a balanced, respectful and sensitive way.'

The DfE came under fire for amplifying divisions after it branded the protests 'completely unacceptable', and said they included 'threats' and 'intimidation'.

Muhammad Shafiq, chief executive of Manchester-based Ramadhan Foundation, said: 'It is alarming that the Department for Education chose to amplify those divisions by attacking the parents and pupils rather than looking how we can come together to have a respectful discussion and seek an end to this issue.'
The new National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics is built on a strong and solid foundation of Higher Education in Home Economics at St Angelas College, which spans 69 years.

Today in 2021, there are over 650 students of the discipline Home Economics at Honours Bachelors degree and Masters level  an increase of 130% in students studying Home Economics at the College since 2012, and a long way from the 12 original students who commenced study in Home Economics in 1952. These students are part of a total student population of 1,600 students including other programmes delivered across the School of Education and the School of Nursing, Health Sciences and Disability.

Speaking at the recent launch of the Centre Amanda McCloat, College President, explained This National Centre of Excellence will provide a key platform and foundation for the future growth and development of the academic discipline Home Economics and acknowledges the historical importance and existing prominence of the discipline at St Angelas as the College moves towards full incorporation within an ever changing higher education landscape.



With the launch of the new Centre St Angelas College, as the sole provider of Home Economics in Higher Education in Ireland, is building on its legacy in delivering valuable life skills to students, developing quality, collaborative research and innovation projects and continuing to focus on local, regional and national community engagement initiatives.

Helen Maguire, Head of School of Home Economics acknowledged We are the only Higher Education institution in Ireland to have a significant critical mass and expertise in the discipline Home Economics, indeed we have the largest School of Home Economics in Europe with 30 academic staff involved in teaching and specialist research. It is a privilege to work with such committed and capable academics who are passionate about the capacity of Home Economics to improve the quality of life for all.

The launch of the National Centre of Excellence coincided with World Home Economics Day 2021 (21st March 2021) with this years focus being on home as an environment for healthy ageing.

The President of the International Federation for Home Economics, Professor Gwendolyn Hustvedt took the opportunity, in her launch speech, to convey the exciting news that, following a lengthy proposal process, St Angelas College has won the bid to host the 25th IFHE World Congress in 2024.



This is the largest, most prestigious event for Home Economics in the world and the international conference attracts up to 1500 international delegates. Planning for the event will commence imminently and the event will be support by Failte Ireland.

The National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics was launched virtually on Friday, March 19 by Minister Frank Feighan (Minister of State responsible for Public Health, Wellbeing and National Drugs Strategy), with Amanda McCloat (President, St Angelas College) and Helen Maguire (Head of School of Home Economics) in attendance. The College were honoured to have a number of prestigious international guest speakers from the field contribute virtually.



Speaking at the launch Minister Feighan noted the Colleges excellent standing in the delivery of Home Economics education is recognised nationally and internationally.

Minister Feighan also recognised that one of the recommendations of the Report on tackling childhood obesity published by the Joint Committee on Children and Youth affairs is to consider making Home economics a compulsory Post Primary subject and I look forward to working alongside you to achieve this.

The launch event will be available to view for a limited time on the College website www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie
Armenia 2nd President meets with leaders and officers of Police, MOD and National Security Service of various years

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative: Incumbent authorities' mistakes are irreversible

Europe sees progress in latest rounds of Iran nuclear talks

Armenian analyst: Turkey wants to push Russia out of the South Caucasus

Young Armenian says brawl with Azerbaijanis in front of Azerbaijan Embassy in Moscow might have been organized

Catholicos of All Armenians leaves for Armenia's Syunik Province and Artsakh on pontifical visit

Armenian and Russian Prosecutors General meet in St. Petersburg

Armenian acting minister: EU allocated EUR 68,700,000 to Armenia for budget support in 2020

Armenia Finance Ministry: MFA's budget grew by AMD 1,600,000,000 in 2020

Bodies and remains of Armenian soldiers are kept in morgue in Armenia's Martuni

White House confirms Biden-Erdogan meeting in Brussels

Armenia acting MOD touches upon priority directions for development of Armed Forces

Diaspora Armenian writer, publicist Toros Toranian dies

2 Armenian soldiers injured in scuffle with Azerbaijan, Armenian POW is hospitalized, Jun. 3 digest

Wedding held in Armenia's Shurnukh for first time since the war ended

EEU member states to finish preparing for negotiations over free trade zone in Iran in late June

Armenia Central Bank: Economic downfall in 2020 was due to decline in service and construction sectors

Armenia legislature adopts several bills in first reading

Armenia President meets with Nursultan Nazarbayev

Dejavu: Armenia ruling party distributes money for votes at Yerevan district election office

Chief Advisor to Karabakh President sacked

Russian MFA: Works are carried out to settle situation around Karabakh every day

Armenia opposition MP sounds alarm about Baku fabricating criminal cases against Armenian prisoners

Armenia acting health minister: I have apologized, I am not going to resign

Helga Schmid meets with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs

Armenia's deputy foreign ministers resigned or have heavy workload?

Dollar goes down in Armenia

Armenia Elections Oversight Committee reports Iranian citizenship of ruling party's MP candidate

Acting deputy minister: Only 17 of 711 Iran-Armenia power transmission line towers were installed by 2017

Armenia Parliament Council holding session

Armenia to host CSTO "Thunder-2021" military exercises

NYT: Chinese hackers launch cyberattack on New York city transportation authority

Armenia President to Kazakhstan counterpart: I would like to see much deeper cooperation between our countries

Armenia citizens shut down Etchmiadzin-Ashtarak road, complaining about lack of irrigation water

Armenia independent MP: Foreign minister and his deputies don't want to take part in treacherous acts

Armenia to get $11mn loan, 350,000 grant for agriculture

WHO worries about worsening mental health worldwide amid pandemic

Armenia health ministry on improper handling of Artsakh war victims bodies: There is no justification

Armenia bloc election foundation already in operation

Russia ambassador to Armenia paying working visit to Syunik Province (PHOTOS)

China pledges to step up resistance to foreign interference in Hong Kong

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: There can be no talk of corridor for Azerbaijan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on incumbent authorities: Wherever they flee, we will bring them by the feet

President: Impossible to ensure peace in region or stay in Artsakh without Russia army joint efforts

China Daily: Dispatch from Makit: Thriving in the desert

Karabakh President: We will never put up with being part of Azerbaijan, it is ruled out

Armenia MFA information department chief: All deputy FMs carrying out their duties

Ardshinbank invited children to the cinema on International Childrens Day

Armenia judiciary to have 10 more judges

Armenia acting premier: We had recorded 40% increase in tax revenues according to 2019 results

Armenia acting PM on Artsakh war casualties bodies: We have 50 remains in which case DNA was not separated

Azerbaijan authorities plan to "squeeze" everything from "terrorist show" related to Armenian captives

Ameriabank announces a contest for bank card design

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia parliament convenes special session

Armenia interim government holding Cabinet meeting

Catholicos of All Armenians heads for Syunik Province, Artsakh

World oil prices going up

Iran loses right to vote in UN General Assembly

Newspaper: Armenia authorities come up with new way of punishing unwanted characters

Newspaper: Russia army Southern Military District deputy commander to arrive in Yerevan Thursday

Lebanese Armenian man taken prisoner by Azerbaijan is hospitalized

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Are we getting under the burden? Then lets get under to the end

Armenia acting health minister on keeping fallen soldiers bodies in bags: What else should they be kept in?

Armenia acting health minister on citizens' demand for her resignation

Karabakh's new State Minister Artak Beglaryan on his appointment and future activities

Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani representatives hold consultations in Moscow

2 Armenian soldiers receive slight injuries after incident with Azerbaijani servicemen in Armenia's Gegharkunik

Armenian boy weighing 5 kg born at Goris Medical Center

"Armenia" bloc representative presents purpose of participation in elections and plans

Isaac Herzog elected President of Israel

Rouhani: Main issues between Tehran, Washington resolved in Vienna

Charles Michel calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume constructive negotiations

US Department of State responds to Pashinyan's proposal to deploy international observers on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Head of Armenia 2nd President's Office: Robert Kocharyan's public meetings are held in warm atmosphere

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative on photos and videos showing bags of deceased servicemen's bodies

Armenia Ombudsman, AGBU President discuss war crimes committed by Azerbaijan during Karabakh war

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representatives to hold briefings three times a week

Opposition "Armenia" bloc member: Blood-freezing photos and videos from morgue in Abovyan are authorities' reflection

Yerevan mayor receives Netherlands Ambassador
Social settings are particularly demanding, said David Badre, the author of the book On Task: How Our Brain Gets Things Done and a professor of cognitive, linguistic and psychological sciences at Brown University. When we have to really focus and plan what were doing, that comes with an experience of mental effort, he continued. It feels like a mental fatigue.

There is good news, however: Youll most likely find it easier to relearn old behaviors than learn entirely new ones. The key is to not avoid that effort, Dr. Badre said. By re-engaging, you will get used to it again.

Set boundaries for yourself.

Though the past month has seen a spate of reopenings across the country, some scenarios might still set off a siren in your head. And because these facilities are open, doesnt mean you need to go.

But what if a friend or family member does want to see a movie, or dine out? If you express disagreement over what is safe, you might feel as though you are implying your companions are less responsible or unethical.

Sunita Sah, a professor at University of Cambridge and Cornell University has researched this phenomenon, which she calls insinuation anxiety. In studies, Dr. Sah has found that patients frequently follow medical advice from their doctor even if they believe their doctor to have a conflict of interest, and that job candidates often answer interview questions they know are illegal to ask. These reactions come partly out of concern that to disagree would suggest the other person  the doctor or the job interviewer  is not trustworthy.

A similar situation can play out if youre confronted with someone whose attitude toward public-health protocols differs from your own. Dr. Sahs research has shown that when individuals have the opportunity to weigh their decisions in private, they are less likely to experience this anxiety and do something that makes them uncomfortable. She recommended writing down the boundaries that you would like to adhere to and taking time before agreeing to someone elses plan.

Assess your own risk level and comfort, Dr. Sah said, so youre very clear about what you would and would not like to do. This will also provide you with a clear document of how your comfort levels are changing over time as you readjust.
The South African government is considering greatly increasing limits on gatherings of people while reintroducing an alcohol ban for the incoming Easter weekend as part of revised temporary COVID-19 lockdown measures.

This is according to a report in The Sunday Times, citing two senior sources familiar with discussions at meetings of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) this week.

According to the sources, the government is weighing allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 5,000 people, and 1,000 for indoor gatherings, to cater towards religious groupings who have Easter plans.

This is specifically for churches, one NCCC member told The Sunday Times.

He said the option of allowing 5,000 people outdoors and 1,000 indoors received fierce opposition.

Another proposal included a limit of 500 people for indoor gatherings and 1,000 outdoors, while another suggested 250 for indoor gatherings, and 500 for outdoor events.

Under current level 1 restrictions, indoor gatherings are limited to 100 people while a maximum of 250 are allowed for outdoor occasions.

The NCC member said while there was disagreement around increasing the number of people and limiting interprovincial travel to curb the spread of COVID-19, almost all members agreed on banning the sale of alcohol over Easter.

It should be noted that none of these options have been finalised, with President Cyril Ramaphosa only expected to meet with premiers from the countrys various provinces on Monday before tabling the temporary measures before cabinet.

Alcohol ban will collapse industry

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 ministerial advisory committee has recommended that South Africa be moved to level 2 temporarily during Easter.

This would restrict all gatherings to a maximum of 50 people, move the curfew two hours earlier, and only allow for the sale of alcohol for off-site consumption between Monday and Thursday.

The curbing of alcohol sales has been viewed as a measure to reduce trauma cases and alleviate strain on hospitals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the South African Liquor Brand Owners Association (SALBA) on Friday warned that another alcohol ban would have a devastating impact on the industry.

SALBA chairperson Sibani Mngadi told Newzroom Africa that the three alcohol bans over the last year crushed the alcohol industry, with R38 billion in sales lost while the government missed out on R9 billion in taxes.

The association has presented an alternative proposal for dealing with short-term pressure on hospitals during a COVID-19 surge while maintaining economic viability of the alcohol industry.

These recommendations for the Easter weekend include:

Our family came here from Cuba back in 1964. We came here legally and because of the generosity of the American people. They offered us an opportunity to come here and start a new life. Last, but not least, we came to the U.S. in an orderly fashion.

Sorry, but that's not what we are watching at the U.S.-Mexico border. What we see there is chaos brought to you by a U.S. president who did not have the backbone to tell the immigration activists to shut up.

I loved what Senator Collins said a few days ago:

Border Patrol is overwhelmed, overworked, & discouraged by new policies. Agents took us through a dangerous path to the Rio Grande where we could hear the Cartel members taunting us across the river. Human trafficking, child abuse, & drug smuggling are rampant. This is a crisis.

Yes it's a crisis. Worse than that, we've created a brand new business for criminal elements to exploit. Back to Senator Collins:

Mexican cartels control who crosses the border. A young mother from Guatemala, sitting on an aluminum blanket with her 1-year-old, told me she paid smugglers $6,000.

I guess everybody knows what's going on except The White House and the reporters who would rather ask him about filibuster. It is incredible that President Biden did not get a single question about how criminal elements are making money out of all of this.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Evacuation is underway in seven north-west Sydney towns that have been affected by floods. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in the Hawkesbury Napean Valley, the Mid North Coast and parts of Moree. As the water level in the river is expected to fall in a few days, the evacuation order is expected to be lifted. In the western part, major flooding is expected along the Barwon river over the next few weeks.

Eastern New South Wales is presently in recovery mode as nearly 80,000 people have returned to their flood-affected home, the New South Wales(NSW) State Emergency Service said in a statement on March 27. If the people have floodwater on their hands, they have been advised to wash with soap and water, and sanitise as soon as you can. New South Wales State Emergency service has urged the people to take care of their health including their mental health. People who have returned home after floods feel traumatised to see their home. The authorities are assessing the damages and thousands of residential and commercial buildings have already been deemed as damaged.

NSW State Emergency Service has received over 23,000 calls from the public and volunteers have been called for more than 13,000 jobs since the floods began. Rain has eased over the past few days and the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast showers to be mostly light in the East and North-East parts of the state in the coming few days. They have said that these conditions will not have an effect on river levels but it would affect clean-up activities in the region.

Here are some photos we took that show the flooding near Moree

Remember, if you need flood &/or storm assistance, call us on 132 500. For life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately

For the latest Flood Bulletins & info, visit https://t.co/t578A4uJoA pic.twitter.com/nZLl19pdzL  NSW SES (@NSWSES) March 27, 2021

Weve begun assessments of impacted properties w/ @FRNSW & @NSWRFS & other support agencies

This is an important process before we issue an All Clear. Once issued, there are steps you can take to ensure your property is safe before entering

More info: https://t.co/pbmY5x2tGM pic.twitter.com/5GscJsmx2O  NSW SES (@NSWSES) March 26, 2021

The Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny Morrison on March 27 visited the some of the residents in flood affected areas of Western Sydney. He has said that helping flood-affected people will make their recovery easier. The Prime Minister has also announced financial help to the people affected by floods. The Prime Minister announced an extension of a $5 million loans scheme for flood-affected businesses up to $250 million in turnover, with no payments required for two years for the 10-year loan.

(Image Credits: The Associated Press)
State's Attorney for Baltimore Marilyn Mosby speaks to reporters in Baltimore, Md., on Aug. 24, 2016. (Larry French/Getty Images for BET Networks)

Baltimore Permanently Ends Prosecution of Low-Level Crimes Like Prostitution

The city of Baltimore is permanently ending the prosecution of crimes described as low-level and nonviolent, including prostitution and drug possession.

Officials late last week said the adoption comes after a one-year period of trying the criminal justice approach, which they said was successful, as crimes across the board decreased.

Clearly the data suggests that there is no public safety value in prosecuting these low-level offenses, Marilyn Mosby, a Democrat who serves as the states attorney for Baltimore, told reporters at a press conference.

Not prosecuting offenses such as trespassing, urinating in public, and drug possession will allow prosecutors to focus on more serious crimes as courts reopen from closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mosby said.

I want my prosecutors working with the police to focus on violent offenses like armed robbery, carjackings, and, yes, drug dealing and distribution organizations that are the underbelly of the violence in Baltimore, not using valuable jury trial time on those that suffer from addiction, she said.

Americas failed war on drugs and drug users in the city of Baltimore is over.

Mosby initially stopped prosecuting lower-level crimes such as trespassing and some traffic offenses in March 2020. At the time, she said the measure was one way to try to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in prison, through decreasing prisoner density.

Since then, the overall population of prisoners in Baltimore is down 18 percent, while Baltimore experienced a reduction in crime in many areas, such as a 20 percent drop in violent crime and a 36 percent decrease in property crime, according to data from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Unlike most cities in America, Baltimore recorded a decrease in homicides in 2020.

Susan Sherman, a Johns Hopkins University professor, said the policy change is making a positive impact on communities, based on a lower number of 911 calls for the crimes Mosby is no longer prosecuting and a low recidivism rate for those who saw their warrants dismissed under the policy last year.

A person walks past a police car in Baltimore on July 28, 2019. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The permanent changes drew support from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and local officials.

Reimagining public safety in Baltimore requires innovation and collaborative effort. I applaud States Attorney Mosbys Office for working with partners to stem violence in Baltimore and ensure residents have the adequate support services they deserve, Mayor Brandon Scott, a Democrat, said in a statement.

Police Commissioner Michael Harrison also signaled his backing.

We are perfectly aligned with the mayors office in the police department that were focused on violent crime, he told reporters during a separate briefing with Scott.

The officials said theyve seen a spike in some crimes in the city in recent weeks, including a 31 percent increase in violent crimes related to domestic violence since the beginning of the year. Baltimore, which has struggled for decades with heightened violence, also saw 8 shootings in the 24 hours leading up to the press conference.

There are too many people getting shot on the streets of Baltimore city, and we have to push harder on that, Scott said.

The Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3, a police union, said at a city council meeting that the new prosecution policies appear to allow people to trespass at Camden Yards, City Hall, and Mosbys own office with impunity, as well as openly use drugs.

Whats next? the union wrote in a tweet on March 27.

State Sen. Robert Cassilly, a Republican, also took issue with the changes.

Prosecutors take an oath to uphold the constitution in the state of Maryland and the constitution says the general assembly sets the policy, not the prosecutors, he told Fox 45. I respect the whole prosecutorial discretion. Thats not prosecutorial discretion, thats an exercise in legislating. Thats what the legislature is supposed to do.
Informa Markets has signed an agreement with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), a non-profit society that specialises in sharing insights and knowledge with the global oil and gas industry, to co-organise technical conferences for the Middle East Oil & Gas Show and Conference (MEOS) in Bahrain and the Kuwait Oil & Gas Show and Conference (KOGS).

Shaikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrains Minister of Oil, believes the combined strength of the alliance will ultimately benefit MEOS and the wider oil and gas industry.

He said: We warmly welcome the renewed strategic partnership between the Society of Petroleum Engineers and Informa, who together work diligently to position MEOS as a leading platform in oil and gas which attracts the largest and most influential local, regional and global specialized oil companies to participate. This strategic alliance will act as a catalyst to not only push the industry forward but will boost the economy and attract investment to the Kingdom of Bahrain in other sectors as well.

MEOS will be held from May 24 to 27 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. KOGS is scheduled to be held form October 10-13.

Mark Rubin, CEO and Executive Vice President of SPE, believes the delivery of critical insight from oil and gas professionals as part of the agreement will be key to sustainable growth for the industry in the region.

SPEs vision is to advance the oil and gas communitys ability to meet the worlds energy demands in a safe, environmentally responsible and sustainable manner, said Rubin. Our strategic alliance with Informa will assist in fulfilling that vision through two key multi-disciplinary events in MEOS and KOGS. We look forward to delivering more to our members and the industry as we advance through these challenging times.

Informa Markets say the SPE backing for both MEOS and KOGS will chart a new, dynamic course for the industrys future as it looks to massively improve efficiencies and source innovative solutions to diversify product ranges.

Informas continuing strategic alliance with the SPE underpins our commitment to the growth of our oil and gas portfolio in the Middle East, said Michael Champion, Regional EVP - MEA of Informa Markets.

MEOS is the first of two planned Informa Markets events where SPE will organise the conference and dedicated content streams. The 22nd edition of the biennial show will take place under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre (BIECC).

The MEOS technical conference will focus on innovative 4th Industrial Revolution technology to solve industry challenges and create future-focused opportunities with onsite content streams tackling a wide remit of industry topics. The exhibition and conference is hosted by Bahrains National Oil & Gas Authority (NOGA), chaired by Saudi Aramco and co-chaired by Italian energy major Eni.

Faisal Al Nughaimish, the MEOS Conference Chairman and Head of Gas Drilling Engineering at Saudi Aramco, said: MEOS is long established as the must-attend upstream oil and gas event in the region. It attracts the leading global players, its a gateway for us to find partners and develop lasting business relationships. We enjoy discovering the cutting-edge products and innovative solutions on display from others while showcasing our own projects and accomplishments.

The Middle East Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition is one of the oldest and most prestigious conferences in the Middle East, which the Kingdom of Bahrain has been honoured to host since 1979 due to the Kingdom's reputation, position and strategic location in the region, as well as the support provided by the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the facilities for convening these types of events in the country, said Shaikh Mohammed.

MEOS has contributed to presenting the best modern technologies in oil and gas exploration in addition to research and technical papers attracting international companies from the globe to exchange knowledge, experiences and investment opportunities in the sector.

Champion added: With expertise from the leading society for petroleum engineers, SPE, and the partnerships with Saudi Aramco and NOGA, we are empowered to deliver an unparalleled technical conference at MEOS and KOGS, where well conceive the next generation of transformative ideas. Together, working as one team, we will unlock the full potential of both events and place our clients on a path to success in the rapidly evolving oil and gas industry. -TradeArabia News Service
Senator Elizabeth Warren toured two Western Mass. facilities connected with fighting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, both the disease itself and the economic effects it has created.

Warren met with the management and medical staff at the Berkshire Community College vaccination site in Pittsfield, one of three sites operated by the Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative.

The site has delivered more than 19,000 doses of COVID vaccine to residents of Berkshire County.

In an interview after her tour, Warren said she was impressed with the organization of the sites.

It is clear that the Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative has created a terrific distribution system out here where no mass sites exist. It is quick, easy and friendly, she said. The obvious problem is they need more doses of the vaccine, but thats a supply problem.

The federal government is making efforts to address the vaccine shortage, she said.

A new FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) site is coming to the Boston and it will bring in 6,000 doses per day. Even though the site will be in Boston, it will increase the number of doses for the whole state including Western Massachusetts.

Later in the day, Warren met up with U.S. Rep. James McGovern to tour the Food Bank of Western Mass at its warehouse and distribution center in Hatfield. Hunger has been a problem long before the COVID but the pandemic has exacerbated the problem, Warren said.

Once we started getting sick demand for food banks went through the roof, she said. First we need to get more federal and state money into these food banks. Then we need to address the problem of hunger head-on. People need to earn more money; they need jobs that pay better so they dont have to turn to food banks.

Warren said she wants to see infrastructure funding that better addresses the regions needs for long-term benefit.

We need to make sure that we get real investment in broadband internet access and for an east-west rail link to connect Springfield with Boston. Those are the investments I will push for Western Mass.

Warren said an east-west rail link will have a net positive effect on the state not just in Springfield but the entire region. High-speed internet access would open rural areas to job creation and increase productivity everywhere.

We need to broadband every square inch of Western Mass, she said.

The transportation part of the proposal would build high-speed rail and more mass transit, then of course highway funding. The highway part would come with some restrictions on the funding so that there are power charging stations along the highways. The rail portion would have to be electric and agencies must buy green energy. We can build this so that we help economic development and be ecologically friendly.

The last piece of her infrastructure plan for Western Mass is childcare.

Childcare is infrastructure, she said emphatically. It is all about getting to work. Affordable childcare should not be reserved for the well-to-do. Every parent should have access.

Warren said she would work with the state to create an economic boost for the region.

Childcare is small business, she said. It creates jobs and income so more parents can afford to work or go to school  it is a win for everyone.
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.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Zoom? Thats worse than being seen naked with the overhead light on

Its strange, conducting a new(ish) flirtation entirely over the internet. Preferable, in many ways. If hes annoying, you can just switch him off, blaming the rural internet. You dont have to wax anything. Your feet can become pit ponies, let loose in a paddock for the summer, liberated, free. You dont have to buy any strange Man Food: biscuits, gin, marmalade. Its all fantastic and exciting, texting and WhatsApping, watching the dots. Until the day he asks you to Zoom. Dooooom, more like.

Famous Man: I want to see you.

Me: (replying exactly five weeks before spas and hair salons can open; Im already booked in, from 9.30am  the facial threader will certainly have her work cut out) You cant. Its against the law. You chose a different bubble.

Him: I know that. I mean we can Zoom.

This is tantamount to a man wanting you to stand there naked with the overhead light on. Ive already sent him a few stills, to keep him at bay. Not of me, dont be stupid. Of my new kitchen, and my new claw-foot bathtub. Seeing that last photo, he observed not that it had been painted a lovely dark green, or that he loved the antique brass taps, but that, Oh, great. The taps are central, so neither of us gets the tap end.

Why do men only see things through the prism of How It Affects Me During Sex? Dont sully my bathroom! Its my Spa at Home! Im so in love with my expensive products  Aesop, an Australian brand that makes me feel closer to the photographer hunk Nigel*  that the last time a man came to stay I asked him to bring his own soap. To divert him from wanting to send a Zoom link, I asked if he has furloughed any of his staff.

Him: What staff? I dont have any.

Me: Yes you do. Who was that woman cooking when I stayed the last time?

Him: My sister-in-law.

Oh dear. I think there was one morning I asked her to make me a vegan sandwich. This is the problem with famous people. You stay in their house, and strangers wander around. Surly teens drift in to sit at the table during breakfast, and you have no idea who they are. I once spent the weekend at a house party, and not one woman said hello, or What do you do? When I went over to the wife of perhaps the most famous rock star in the world and said, Hi, we used to work together years ago, she looked so nervous I worried she would press some sort of alarm. Anyway, he went on and on about Zoom, so I finally relented, and said I could do 13 April.

Him: Thats the day after spas open. Dear god, hes almost a woman.

Me: And?

Him: Well, thats ridiculous. Ive seen you without make-up.

Me: Yes, but not with really bad lighting and from the wrong angle.

Him: So you dont like the reality of you being seen [not sure that is even grammatical]. But you will portray any man in your life as if glimpsed under a microscope.

Me: Listen, did Pattie Boyd complain to Eric Clapton about being written about?

Him: No, but the song was called Wonderful Tonight. Not Crap in Bed.

Me: I never wrote that about you. And she could have taken offence by saying, What, you mean I looked dreadful yesterday?

Him: Are you saying Im Pattie Boyd in this relationship!?

Me: No. But just get over it. There was a profile of me in a newspaper last year and I didnt even read it! What annoys me is people in the public eye, writers especially, which is what you are minus a neckerchief, who throw a hissy fit if someone writes something about them they object to. Move on!

Anyway, sod all that. Did you see he typed relationship? That must mean something, surely

* Please bring on series seven of Married at First Sight. Im getting withdrawal symptoms

Contact Liz at lizjonesgoddess.com and stalk her @lizjonesgoddess

Everyones talking about Liz Joness Diary: The Podcast! 

Join Liz and her trusty (long-suffering) assistant Nicola as they dissect her weekly YOU magazine diary and delve into the archives to relive the bust-ups, betrayals, bullets and so much more in this brilliant podcast. Theyre outspoken, outrageous and utterly hilarious. Find it now at mailplus.co.uk/lizjones, iTunes and Spotify.
Longford County Council is among 30 county and city councils that will light up public sites in green to highlight the message that #LifeIsAGift to support the Irish Kidney Association led Organ Donor Awareness Week initiative.

Going Green

Green is not just the national colour for Ireland, it is also the official international colour of organ and tissue donation, symbolising the hope organ donors provide to patients-in-need and their families.

Green is also the colour of nature, associated with sustainability and renewal. When days are dark and the future is uncertain, the green colour provides confidence and optimism.

As Longford buildings and landmarks prepare to light up green for Organ Donor Awareness Week from March 27 to April 3, Chief Executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon said, We are delighted to be playing our part in Longford to highlight organ donation. We hope the campaign will generate lots of awareness and important conversations about peoples wishes.

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Paul Ross also welcomed the initiative. This campaign is a great opportunity to generate awareness about the importance of carrying an organ donor card which could ultimately save a life.

Patients on the transplant list live in hope, that organ donation will become available to them. But this is also a dark time as their future is uncertain and they know that another family will have to experience death for their own lives to change. By lighting up public sites in green, we are drawing attention to the fact that organ donation is an integral part of active citizenship and we are highlighting how important it is that we all have family discussion on our organ donor wishes.

Spread the word

While ensuring compliance with public health guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the Irish Kidney Association is encouraging those within their own 5k to snap a photo of themselves outside their nearest green building or landmark in Longford and share it on social media using the hashtag #LifeIsAGift and tagging @LongfordCoCo.

Tag three or more of your friends to do the same to spread the word about organ donation. Here is a suggested post to make things easy:

Life Is A Gift, Pass It On! I'm saying yes to Organ Donation, and I'm asking @friend1 @friend2 & @friend3 to do the same! Freetext DONOR to 50050 to get your Organ Donor Card. #LifeIsAGift

Win a facemask

By tagging the Irish Kidney Association on any of the accounts below, your social media post will be entered into a raffle to win one of 100 quality face masks. #LifeIsAGift, #Donorweek21, @irishkidneyAs on Twitter @irishkidneyA on Instagram and @Irishkidneyassociation on Facebook.

More details can be found at http://ika.ie/donorweek2021 where a range of posters and school educational tool kits can be downloaded.

Individuals who wish to support organ donation are encouraged to keep the reminders of their decision available by carrying the organ donor card, permitting Code 115 to be included on their drivers licence and having the digital organ donor card APP on their smartphone. Organ Donor Cards can be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association on 01 6205306 or Free text the word DONOR to 50050. You can also visit the website www.ika.ie/get-a-donor-card or download a free digital organ donor card APP to your phone.
Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Heavy thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Areas of patchy fog. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Heavy thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Areas of patchy fog. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Copper prices rose on Friday, tracking gains in the equities market buoyed by optimism over the global economic recovery on positive US labour data and its faster-than-anticipated covid-19 vaccination roll-out plans.

Copper for delivery in May was up 2.11% by midday, with futures touching $4.06 per pound ($8,932 a tonne) on the Comex market in New York.

Equities markets rose as the United States completed its 100 million covid-19 vaccine shots 42 days ahead of schedule and posted a drop in unemployment benefits claims.

Dow futures have rallied by some 130 points  and metals are duly following its lead, Malcolm Freeman, a director at UK broker Kingdom Futures told Reuters.

The gradual slide in industrial metals prices, however, continued this week.



Source: Capital Economics

The main news of the week  the blockage of the Suez Canal  failed to give a lift in prices, probably because the trade-in refined metal will be largely unaffected, said Capital Economics commodities team on its weekly wrap.

We had always suspected that the rally in the copper price could not be justified by underlying fundamentals and we expect further falls later this year.

The bull and bear case for copper price

Industry opinion is strongly  and evenly  divided between the two camps.

Bears will point out that this years price spike occurred during Lunar New Year when Chinese traders were away, indicating that the surge was largely speculatively driven, without much fundamental support and during the quiet season for consumption in the Rest of the World, said Roskill.

The bulls rightly argue that with the Mainlands fabricators reigniting their furnaces from maintenance shutdowns demand will pick up sharply,

Chinese industrial production surged 35% yoy in Jan-Feb 2021.

Any meaningful disruption to supply will quickly create physical shortages that would push cathode premiums and prices sharply higher, said Roskill.

By Mining.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
People receive COVID-19 testing at a makeshift testing site near Seoul Station, Sunday. Yonhap



By Jun Ji-hye



The government decided to institute "vaccination leave," beginning from April 1, to ensure people suffering from immune responses after getting their COVID-19 vaccine shots have time to recover, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters announced, Sunday.



The decision was finalized during a government meeting earlier in the day, attended by Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol, Labor Minister Lee Jae-kap and Personnel Management Minister Kim Woo-Ho.



The headquarters said those who undergo adverse reactions such as fever, headache and muscle pain after getting their vaccine shots will be able to receive one-day leave the day after vaccination.



A doctor's note would not be necessary when the application for the leave is made.



"Those who continue to suffer abnormal reactions can take an additional one-day leave," an official from the headquarters said, noting that the decision was made as most people see improvement in symptoms within 48 hours.



But the leave is not mandatory for companies, and the official added that the government will recommend private companies permit workers to take paid time off or sick leave when they suffer abnormal reactions after vaccination.



The decision followed continued reports that a number of people experienced more severe-than-expected reactions after vaccination and thus faced difficulties in working.



According to the headquarters' data, 32.8 percent of people who received the shots suffered the abnormal reactions.



The country began its vaccination program on Feb. 26, wishing to form herd immunity by November and return to "normal" pre-COVID-19 life.



But health authorities are raising concerns over the continued cases of COVID-19 mutations here as they are more transmissible than the original strain, and thus are poised to complicate the global fight against the prolonged pandemic.



According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), more than one in three patients infected with variants of COVID-19 had no symptoms, while more than one in five patients showed only mild signs such as coughing.



The KDCA announced its findings through a report  the first of its kind  Saturday, after surveying people confirmed to have been infected by coronavirus variants in Korea.



A total of 162 cases of COVID-19 variants have been reported here as of March 1. The country confirmed the first such cases on Dec. 28 when three Korean nationals who had returned from the United Kingdom were confirmed to have the new strain of COVID-19 discovered in the European country.



The results of the KDCA's epidemiological investigations into the 162 cases and analysis of clinical characteristics showed that 78.4 percent, or 127 patients, were infected with the variants during their stay in other countries, while the rest were infected here.



Patients infected with the variant believed to have originated in the U.K. accounted for 85.2 percent, followed by 11.1 percent with the South Africa variant and 3.7 percent with the Brazil variant.



Among them, male patients accounted for 65.4 percent, and Korean nationals took up 64.8 percent. The average age of the patients was 36.4.



Five patients infected with the variant from the U.K. suffered severe symptoms, and one of them died.



Patients with severe symptoms are ones requiring respirators or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machines, which work by inserting a plastic tube into a large vein or artery through the neck, chest or groin of a patient, allowing blood to flow out into an oxygenator or artificial lung.



"Consistent analysis is necessary as studies into COVID-19 variants are still underway, and patients infected with such variants have continued to be reported," a KDCA official said. "We need to come up with a scientific basis by keeping analyzing characteristics of the variants in a bid to block their inflow and spread."



According to the KDCA, the country added 482 more COVID-19 cases, including 462 local infections, for Saturday, raising the cumulative number of cases to 101,757 amid the ongoing third wave of infections that began here in mid-November.


----

There's a reason that homeownership is at the center of the traditional American Dream: It's a foundation that can lift a family across generations. More than just housing, it's an investment, a way to build security, to work toward both material and financial stability.

In that light, the cruelties of redlining go beyond direct discrimination.

Redlining  a set of housing and lending practices that for decades restricted where Black residents were able to buy homes, and that suppressed investment in traditionally Black neighborhoods  denied people of color the ability to invest in their neighborhoods and in their own futures. In Albany, its enduring consequences are seen in abysmally low rates of Black homeownership, and in the boarded-up windows and red X placards that mar the city's majority-minority neighborhoods.

Investing in underserved communities is a key step toward addressing systemic racism. So is providing more opportunities for homeownership. With a new partnership, the Albany County Land Bank is doing both.

The land bank is working with Syracuse-based nonprofit Home HeadQuarters Inc. to help city residents who are interested in buying a land bank property, but who are unable to qualify for a traditional mortgage, access the financing they need. More than half of the land bank's properties countywide are located in historically redlined neighborhoods, so this partnership can help people invest in their futures and in neglected communities.

To emphasize the urgency of this work, consider: An Urban Institute analysis found that nationwide, 41 percent of Black residents own a home, compared with 71 percent of white residents. In Albany, just 20 percent of Black residents are homeowners. Thats right: Albany's number is less than half of an already-jarring disparity. Even if the city doubled its percentage of Black homeowners, it would still be far from equitable.

So as the land bank does its part with this and its other homeownership programs, local and state governments must look to do more. Perhaps Albany could put some of its promised federal stimulus money toward expanding its own homeownership initiatives.

On the state level, the Iowa Legislature is considering a bill that would waive property taxes for homeowners who rehabilitate houses in historically redlined neighborhoods. Perhaps something similar could be considered here  with the stipulation that the properties are owner-occupied to prevent absentee landlords from taking advantage. Theres certainly precedent for such an incentive here: the Start-Up NY program, which lets qualifying businesses operate tax-free for 10 years if they locate on or near eligible university or college campuses. Their employees may be exempt from state income tax, too.

It took decades of racist policy and disinvestment to create the blight that Albany and other cities struggle with today. Revitalization of our neighborhoods, and opportunities for underserved residents, may have to happen house by house, block by block, but happen they must.
A new study suggests that clearing the invasive woody weed Prosopis julifora and grassland restoration in Baringo County, Kenya, may have significant financial benefits for local stakeholders and contribute to climate change mitigation.

A new study suggests that clearing the invasive woody weed Prosopis julifora and grassland restoration in Baringo County, Kenya, may have significant financial benefits for local stakeholders and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Climate change, land degradation, and invasive alien species (IAS) such as Prosopis julifora are major threats to people's livelihoods in arid and semi-arid areas with each of these having negative impacts on ecosystem services - including vegetation biomass, which is a prime resource for pastoralists and agro-pastoralists.

The team, comprising PhD students and established scientists from four countries and different disciplinary backgrounds, developed land use scenarios and assess what the implications of Prosopis management and grassland restoration are for soil carbon accumulation and local communities.

The scientists studied the impacts of Prosopis invasion and grassland degradation on soil organic carbon (SOC) in nine sublocations in Baringo County where it was introduced in the 1980s and promoted by the Kenyan government to provide wind breaks, a source of timber, fuelwood and charcoal.

The study combined data collected by several PhD students of the Woody Weeds project, such as socio-economic data to determine the size of the budget available for Prosopis management (Bekele et al. 2018) and the financial benefits of making charcoal from removed trees, soil measurements to assess changes in SOC following Prosopis removal (Mbaabu et al. 2020) and establishment of grassland. The data were linked to spatially-explicit land cover and land use maps derived from satellite data (Mbaabu et al. 2019). Then, spatially explicit Invasive Alien Species (IAS) management and restoration scenarios were generated.

Dr Rene Eschen, an ecologist working for CABI in Switzerland and lead author of the paper, said, "While Prosopis does provide these benefits, it has also spread rapidly across a large area, leading to a loss of native vegetation, agricultural areas and grazing land. These changes are primarily driven by Prosopis invasion, along with human activities like deforestation, land clearing, overgrazing, and climate change.

"Our results show that the one-off budget based on the average willingness to pay expressed by inhabitants of Baringo would suffice to manage a considerable area of Prosopis in Baringo in a single year, and that the conversion of invaded areas into grassland would provide significant financial benefits. A sustained effort over several years might enable sustainable management of a large part of the areas invaded with Prosopis in most sublocations.

"The results also indicate what generates the financial benefit and which areas could be prioritized for treatment. Although Prosopis management is expensive, the results suggest that a large part of the costs in Baringo can be offset by immediate financial benefits from the sale of charcoal. This is important, because the affected communities have limited human and financial resources for environmental management."

The researchers also argue that there are financial and immaterial benefits of restoring grasslands that may re-establish within 30 years if they are not overgrazed. They say that part of the benefits could, in fact, be realized within less than 10 years with only the full accumulation of SOC needing three decades.

Dr Sandra Eckert, remote sensing specialist of the Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Switzerland, said, "Grasslands provide non-monetary benefits, including cultural and regulating services including the regulation of climate, floods and erosion. However, the likelihood of grasses establishing depends on suitable climatic conditions and grazing management.

"With climate change and the associated higher variability of the beginning and duration of the various seasons, grass is considered a more secure crop compared to local staple crops like maize or beans; particularly perennial grass species require less rain for completion of a cropping cycle. Growing grass for seed production is widespread in some of the sublocations, and farmers can also sell the hay."

"Spatial and integrative management scenarios should be used more extensively to support land management decisions, especially where natural as well as financial resources are scarce and where the costs and benefits of managing IAS are unequally distributed among local stakeholders."

This study of Prosopis in Baringo County shows that relatively small investment in IAS clearing and restoration of degraded grassland in Eastern Africa may result in significant benefits for local communities managing the land that will support traditional livelihoods and increase SOC in the long term.

Dr Charles Kilawe, an ecologist from Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania, said that the benefits realized from the management of Prosopis juliflora revealed by this study should not be used to promote the introduction of the species to new areas, as this would likely cause serious negative environmental and livelihood impacts.

Dr Eschen concluded, "Addressing climate change and land degradation are major issues that affect livelihoods of many people and that require targeted use of scarce financial resources. This study describes IAS management scenarios using a novel spatial and integrated approach using various detailed data about IAS distribution and density, management costs, financial benefits and land use history.

"Integrating and linking such data may be particularly useful to develop accurate and realistic IAS management scenarios that can be used to illustrate costs and benefits of management interventions, where they are most needed and most cost-effective, and thus help stakeholders select the most appropriate and feasible approach that suits their needs."

###

Additional information

Full paper reference

Rene Eschen, Ketema Bekele, Purity Rima Mbaabu, Charles Kilawe and Sandra Eckert, 'Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. management and grassland restoration in Baringo County, Kenya: Opportunities for soil carbon sequestration and local Livelihoods,' 29 March 2021, Journal of Applied Ecology, DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13854

This paper can be viewed open access here:

https:/ / besjournals. onlinelibrary. wiley. com/ doi/ 10. 1111/ 1365-2664. 13854

Media enquires

Dr Rene Eschen,

Senior Scientist,

Ecosystems Management, and Risk Analysis and Invasion Ecology,

email: r.eschen@cabi.org

Dr Sandra Eckert,

Senior Research Scientist,

Centre for Development and Environment,

University of Bern,

email: Sandra.eckert@unibe.ch

Wayne Coles,

Communications Manager

CABI,

email: w.coles@cabi.org
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Malagons wife told police she was driving a friend home near a White Castle on Calumet Avenue just before midnight on March 21 when her husband drove up beside them in a truck. Worried about a confrontation, she circled around a parking lot near a Dunkin Donuts and made a U-turn when the man told her to let him out at Nicks Liquors, the affidavit states.
(Natural News) The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has warned the United Kingdom that the countrys current crop of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines may be as much as 30 percent less effective when dealing with the South African coronavirus variant.

An analysis conducted by SAGE found that the South African strain, known as B.1.351, can make the antibodies produced by previously infected people or by people who have received a coronavirus vaccine 10 times less effective.

During a meeting on March 12, SAGE scientists said the drop in antibodies translated into a potential 30 percent drop in vaccine efficacy.

The groups review of the data found that B.1.351 was able to infect many people in South Africa who had already contracted the original strain of the coronavirus. The data also suggests that many people who have been vaccinated will still catch it. (Related: New, more transmissible coronavirus variant from the Philippines detected in the UK.)

SAGE was quick to add that it is still not clear what the implications are for the ability of the vaccines to protect people from a severe case of COVID-19.

The B.1.351 variant has been found in 48 countries, including the U.K., a well as in 23 U.S. states. It was first detected in coronavirus samples from South Africa back in Oct. 2020.

Multiple other cases bearing B.1.351s signature have been found in different parts of London. The British government has deployed surge testing in parts of London as a response to the spread of the strain.

However, the usual coronavirus testing is unable to detect whether the persons case is from the South African variant. To combat this, the Department of Health and Social Care has stated that positive cases will be sequenced for genomic data to help identify what strain of the coronavirus a person has.

British health authorities are fearful of B.1.351s spread because of its three mutations on its spike protein  known as E484K, K417N and N501Y. These mutations supposedly help the strain hide from the bodys immune system.

Listen to this special Situation Update breaking news episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks about how the listeners of his show should avoid going down the vaccine suicide cult being aggressively peddled by left-wing vaccine zealots.

Studies confirm coronavirus vaccines are less effective against South African variant

In a study published in the journal Nature, scientists found that the coronavirus vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are significantly less effective against B.1.351.

The study collected blood samples from volunteers who had already been vaccinated to compare how the persons antibodies responded to the original strain of the coronavirus and to the B.1.351 variant.

The research found that those who had been vaccinated using the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines had significantly fewer antibodies that could fight the B.1.351 coronavirus variant.

Another research has found that the coronavirus vaccines developed by Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca are also less effective against the B.1.351 variant.

In Jan. 2021, both Pfizer and Modern said they were planning to develop and test booster shots that can supposedly improve the effectiveness of their vaccines against the B.1.351 variant. This means people who have already finished the two-dose regimen have to check in to get a follow-up shot.

Until the booster shot is developed, Pfizer and Moderna have warned people who have been previously vaccinated that they are still at risk of infection from either the B.1.351 or the P.1 variant first found in Brazil.

Learn more about the supposed effectiveness of the coronavirus vaccines by reading the latest articles at Vaccines.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

BusinessInsider.com

The-Sun.com

Nature.com [PDF]
Lachlan Simpson, from south-east Queensland's Moreton Bay region, was falsely accused of ignoring orders to self-isolate and holding a party at his home

A Covid-positive man who was wrongly accused by the Queensland government of throwing a party for 25 friends while waiting for his test results has hit out at health officials over the embarrassing mix-up.

Queensland Health claimed on Saturday Lachlan Simpson, 25, ignored orders to self-isolate and instead held a party at his home in the Moreton Bay suburb of Strathpine a day earlier.

Mr Simpson was a close contact of a 26-year-old Stafford man from Brisbane's north who tested positive to the highly-infectious UK variant of Covid-19.

But the 'party' was in fact a meeting of just five people at his home - four of whom were housemates - while a gathering and pub crawl happened two weeks ago.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk plunged Greater Brisbane into lockdown in a surprise press conference on Monday morning, which will begin from 5pm, after four more new cases were found in the community.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured) has admitted a mistake was made but neither she or state health authorities have issued an apology

She did not apologise though for mistakenly accusing Mr Simpson of throwing a party, a day after Health Minister Yvette D'Ath also refused to do.

Mr Simpson said he believed the government had muddled the dates after he told them he hosted a party two weeks ago - likely well before he was infectious.

'I told them that I had a gathering two weeks prior to me getting tested and somehow theyve taken that day and moved it forward to Friday,' he told 9News.

'We went on a pub crawl the next day (after the party two weeks ago) but I think at that point I had no symptoms at all.'

Mr Simpson said he believed the government had muddled up the dates after he told them he hosted a party two weeks earlier

Descent of a Champion 1997: Announces himself as a force in kayaking when he comes second to Olympics Gold medallist Clint Robinson in the K1 1000m race at the Australian Sprint Championships. 1998: Baggaley beats Robinson to become Australian 1000m champion, ending Robinsons seven-year title reign. 2000: Baggaley is selected for the Sydney 2000 Olympics in the K1 500m event but loses to Bulgarian Petar Merkov, a suspected drug cheat. 2001: Cleo Bachelor of the year finalist. 2002: Wins the first of three consecutive world championships in the K1 500m race at Seville, Spain. 2004: Wins two silvers in the K1 500m and K2 500m (with Clint Robinson) at the Athens Olympics. 2005: Test positive to steroids, which he blames on drinking from a bottle of juice owned by his brother Dru. 2006: Suspended for 15 months by the Court of Arbitration and Sport, who accept his excuse. 2007: The suspension increased to two years as Baggaley prepares for the 2008 Olympics. 2009: Nathan and Dru receive jail sentences for a pill-making operation. 2015: Jailed again for two years for multiple drug offences. 2018: Arrested along with brother Dru and boat driver Anthony Draper for his involvement in a plot to import $200 million worth of cocaine into Australia. 2021: Found guilty of his involvement in the plot, alongside Dru. Advertisement

The Strathpine man said he was stunned to discover he had been accused of flouting self-isolation rules.

'My hearts been racing for the last 24 hours,' he said. 'I didnt have a party with 25 people.'

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath - who revealed the mix-up on Sunday - said the information they provided the public was 'given by the man himself' while assisting contact tracers.

But she admitted there is a possibility that authorities misunderstood the information he provided.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said authorities were only told the information they received about Mr Simpson was wrong on Sunday morning

She said the update that the information was wrong only came through on Sunday morning.

'I understand that as time has gone on, and overnight, there has been further investigation, an independent investigation from what the gentleman had said, whether it was a misunderstanding at the time or what it was, I can't tell you, ' Ms D'ath said.

'But that's what the health officials who originally spoke to this gentleman, when they first picked him up, that is what they understood had been said and that had to be acted on quickly.'

Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said it was 'inflammatory' to refer to the gathering on Friday night as a party.

He said there was 'no evidence' anybody in attendance committed an offence.

The 25 people first identified as being at the party were initially forced to self-isolate, but there are now just five people who are undergoing mandatory quarantine.

It is understood most of the people at the gathering and now in isolation were hia housemates.

Ms D'Ath asked people to refrain from threatening and abusing people online as mistakes can occasionally happen, but said the outcome was 'extremely fortunate'.

'That the numbers are far lower and it is contained to predominantly housemates, that is a good outcome, much better outcome than what we thought was occurring yesterday,' she said.

The Sunshine State was put on high alert on Friday after a 26-year-old Stafford man, from Brisbane's north, tested positive to the highly infectious UK varient of the virus. Pictured: Two people wear face masks

The public are urged to continue coming forward to seek testing. Pictured: People lining up at a testing clinic in Brisbane on January 8, 2021

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk closed aged care centres, hospitals and prisons to visitors in Brisbane in the wake of the outbreak (pictured, testing in February)

Dr Young said the scare is a reminder that Queensland is not out of the woods yet and that Covid still poses a major risk as she urged people to seek testing. Pictured: A drive through testing clinic in Brisbane back in January

The state recorded three new cases of Covid on Sunday, including one within the community.

The new case is the brother of the 26-year-old man who sparked the fears of an outbreak when he tested positive on Thursday.

Dr Young explained on Sunday the brother is likely the 'missing link' contact tracers have been searching for.

Early indications suggest the virus was in his system longer than his brother and that he has entirely recovered, suggesting he was infected first and passed the virus on.

Authorities are investigating whether he came into contact or had any connection with a doctor from the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane on March 13.

Genomic sequencing confirmed that his brother had the same strain as the doctor, and Queensland Health say the cases are likely linked, but authorities are still scrambling to work out how.

Some other states have quickly imposed restrictions on travel from Queensland (pictured: people arriving in Brisbane from Sydney in December)

On Saturday, Queensland Health announced personal visits to hospitals, aged care facilities, prisons and disability accommodation within Brisbane City and Morteton Bay would be temporarily suspended.

Several new locations have been added to the long list of venues on alert after Covid-positive cases attended while potentially infectious, dating back more than a week.

Black Hops Brewery in East Brisbane and Eatons Hill Hotel were both exposed to the virus on Saturday, March 20.

Authorities are investigating whether the latest confirmed case came into contact or had any connection with a doctor from the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane on March 13
[March 28, 2021] bfound and Virtuzone Partner to Digitize the SME Industry in UAE

DUBAI, UAE, March 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- UAE-based company bfound, the one-stop-shop for digital marketing solutions, and Virtuzone  a top-tier company incorporation service specializing in business setup across a range of zones across the UAE have built a powerful partnership to digitally transform and innovate the SME segment in the country. This partnership provides SMEs everything from company registration to marketing support, all under one partnership. The pandemic has proven hard and both bfound and Virtuzone are on a mission to make it easier for anyone to launch, grow and make their business digital in the region. This partnership gives Virtuzone's current and new clients a competitive edge by getting access to exclusive discounts on bfound's digital marketing and technology services. "Now more than ever before, people want to secure their futures by setting up their businesses," said Osman Sultan, bfound board member and former CEO of Du; "These entrepreneurs and founders need all the support with their digital presence and awareness we can provide. bfound & Virtuzone's partnership offers them the foundation they require to prosper and expand with access to bfound's full range of digital marketing services, e-commerce, and technology solutions that help them market their business." >



Amer Yehia, Head of Customer Experience & Business Partnerships at Virtuzone, said: "We are happy to introduce and welcome bfound as one of our key partners. We are tapping into bfound's digital marketing expertise to help our clients boost their online engagement and reach their target customers more effectively. One of our goals as the UAE's leading company formation specialists is to ensure our clients get connected with the best people and service providers in the industry, to help them succeed." Over 3,000 small and medium businesses have benefited from bfound as the one-stop-shop for digital marketing in the UAE and the number continues to grow rapidly.

Erik Bjerlestam, bfound's CEO, said: "Our partnership with Virtuzone and their ambitious mandate in the market is going to ensure that all businesses go to market with the digital marketing and technology solutions they need to grow and get ahead." The partnership enables Virtuzone to offer all business owners, founders, and aspiring entrepreneurs a competitive edge with the digital tools and solutions they need to get online and grow online. They now have the opportunity to work with bfound's experienced consultants to find the right digital marketing mix to meet their needs. Together, bfound and Virtuzone will serve as a hub that helps businesses in UAE, both existing and new from scratch to work their way up to build a successful business. About bfound bfound is one of the UAE's leading providers of digital marketing solutions for SMEs. bfound allows SMEs of all sizes to benefit from the latest technology and growth opportunities that digital marketing platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, Google, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and more) have to offer. Some of bfound's most popular services include eCommerce websites, digital marketing campaigns, and content creation. About Virtuzone Virtuzone offers professional business incorporations services across the UAE. The concierge-level service handles the entire process  from liaising with government licensing authorities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. The flexible services help them to identify the type of business license they need - including office setup services for Mainland and Freezone incorporations. For media enquiries, please contact:

Gregary Luke, Director

+97155-137-6079 (gregary.luke@bfound.io)

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zanzibar Gold Inc. (ZBR  CSE; ZNZBF  OTC Pinks) today announced that Greg Bronson, P.Geo, has been named as President and Chief Executive Officer.



I am very excited to be joining the Zanzibar team, said Greg Bronson. I believe Zanzibar has a great future with its newly acquired Sonora Gold project. Zanzibar has developed a talented Canadian/Mexican exploration team that uniquely positions it to capitalize on the growing gold environment. As the gold sector evolves through higher commodity prices, I believe Zanzibar can provide cost-effective exploration results and timely project news with Sonora Gold project.

Bronson has more than 29 years as senior Geologist experience, with excellent technical and leadership skills. Mineral exploration project management and property acquisition. Exploration program design and implementation. Geological mapping. Structural modelling. Resource estimates. Selection and supervision of geophysical programs. Interpretation of geological, geophysical, and geochemical data. Computer modeling. Drill program design and execution. Author property assessment reports. Qualified person for NI43-101 compliant reports.

Greg has worked for Noranda Exploration, Rockgate Capital Corp, Madjak Management Ltd, and Sentinel Resources Ltd and his consulting company Rae-co Consulting Ltd.

The company would like to thank Abby Farrage for his services with Zanzibar Gold Inc and wish him well in the future.

The Sonora Gold project (The Project) is located 110 Km due north from Hermosillo, in Sonora, Mexico and 140 Km south of Tucson, Arizona, USA. The project area has exceptionally good infrastructure, highway access, available power, skilled labor, etc. The project concessions cover a continuous area of 6000 Hectares.

Details of Sonora Gold project: https://bit.ly/ZanzibarGold_August2020

The Property lies in the Caborca gold belt that hosts a number of operating and historical mines. The project area is cut by the district scale NNW trending Mojave Fault. Zanzibar geologists believe this large structural feature controls the distribution of mineralization in the region. Recent field observations indicate the project area is favorable for structurally controlled epithermal deposits in the north and iron oxide copper gold replacement deposits in the central part of the concession adjacent to the Mojave fault. The Caborca gold belt hosts several operating mines including the San Francisco Gold Mine, where over 1 million ounces gold have been mined to date, the San Francisco mine is located 18 km north of the Sonora Gold project and hosts gold mineralization that can be linked to the Mojave Fault sic and is mapped from the Mojave Desert in California, across Northern Mexico, to the Gulf of Mexico.

Tyrone McClay  Director

604-728-4428
Most scientists in this workforce were trained in teams located in universities and research institutes whose research was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), and the Australian Research Council (ARC). Over the past two decades Australian taxpayers have spent about $15 billion on life science research funded through these schemes .

It has become clear in recent weeks that if most Australians are to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2021, it will be mainly thanks to locally made supplies of the AstraZeneca vaccine. These vaccines will be manufactured by the Australian-owned and operated biotechnology firm CSL in Melbourne under a licensing agreement with AstraZeneca . That we have this high-tech manufacturing capacity in Australia at all is thanks to a remarkably cost-effective Australian investment over the past 20 years in a skilled biomedical workforce.

In the coming weeks Australians will start to be vaccinated against COVID-19 using product manufactured in Melbourne by CSL, and approved last Tuesday by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), a feat made possible by the extremely hard work of highly skilled staff at both CSL and TGA.

However, such expenditure is considerably less than that of similar economies. Australian investment in research and development (less than 1.8 per cent as a percentage of GDP) lags far behind technologically advanced economies in our region like Japan (3.3 per cent) or Korea (4.1 per cent). Our investment is also dwarfed by the immense human benefits and financial savings that will flow from being able to expeditiously immunise Australia and our near neighbours using an Australian-produced vaccine.

But the production of a workforce with the knowhow to put together this super -high tech vaccine is only one benefit of this investment in life sciences. Australian research funded by taxpayers has led to drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics against numerous human diseases, protected and enhanced our agricultural sector, created a better understanding of our ecosystem, and improved knowledge of the basis of life itself.

Australian research has also underpinned the striking emergence of an Australian biotech industry that is now valued at over $100 billion. Credit:Peter Braig

Australian research has also underpinned the striking emergence of an Australian biotech industry that is now valued at over $100 billion and employs 48,000 people and the strengthening of Australian universities as world-leading institutes. In 2005 Australia had two universities widely considered to be in the top 100 in the world  today we have seven, mainly on the basis of improved research output, contributing to what is now Australias third largest export sector.

The path to creating this workforce isnt a predictable one  scientists trained in my own laboratory researching basic questions about the malaria parasite now work in product approval at TGA and therapeutic development in CSL. Other researchers who developed their skills through fundamental discovery projects in our school now work to sequence and track Australian COVID outbreaks, to predict the spread of COVID, and were the first outside China to isolate and sequence the virus that causes COVID-19.
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.
S.C. senators started the week by sending a bill to a House-Senate conference committee to let school districts create multiple schools of innovation  think Meeting Street @Brentwood. Thats a wonky way of saying lawmakers finally are close to passing one of the most controversial elements of the big education reform package that died last year the result of the pandemic and Senate  um, Senateness.

And H.3589 isnt the only reform effort on the move. The Senate also has passed S.201, which makes it easier for the state superintendent to take over struggling school districts and, critically, remove the school board, thus eliminating what often is the biggest problem.

As well as S.203, which lets the governor remove any school board member who engages in malfeasance, misfeasance, absenteeism, conflicts of interest, misconduct, persistent neglect of duty in office or is deemed incompetent or incapacitated  much as he can remove special protected state government employees for those causes. It may seem strange to let the governor remove school board members, but currently no one has that authority, which resided in county boards of education back when we had county boards of education.

Although the House hasnt taken up similar bills, House leaders have introduced bills to enact other parts of the 2019-20 reform bill.

But dont expect to see that next wave of reforms that weve been promised and that we so desperately need: the ones that finally get serious about providing early childhood education to get our neediest children ready to succeed in school, and overhauls a school funding system that too often fails to provide money for the extra classes and better teachers that impoverished students need most.

House Education Chairwoman Rita Allison told me that her goal this year is extremely modest.

Pre-pandemic, we were at a place to take a look at everything in education and move it forward, she said, stretching her arms out to encompass the world. But when the pandemic came along, we got in survival mode, and now were just trying to pick up along the way and make sure we dont put any undue pressure and meet the needs.

Senate Education Chairman Greg Hembree is more blunt.

Theres long-term effects that I dont think were going to overcome with lots of kids, he told me, and lawmakers cant afford to focus on all the reforms we needed pre-pandemic until the more urgent needs created by the pandemic are addressed.

Both lawmakers have been asking education officials how they plan to catch kids up, and the answers have been vague. Likely because the solution is pretty mundane, and theres not a lot for the Legislature to do except keep pushing educators.

Its going to be plain, hard ugly work, Mr. Hembree said. Theres no magic bullet. Theres no broadband thats going to fix all this. Its going to be sitting down with kids who are struggling. Its basically more seat time, one way or another. You can build it a lot of different ways: longer school days, weekends, summers, pods. Theres lots of ideas. Theyre just common sense.

Sign up for our opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email

Sign Up!

Unfortunately, not everyone uses common sense. And the kids who will be lost forever are the ones in the districts that fail to engage that hard work  that is, largely the districts that the 2019-20 education reform package had sought to protect kids from.

This is going to be an example of the strong get stronger and the weak get weaker, and you can already see it, Mr. Hembree said. Youve got districts that went ahead and opened up, and youve got districts that didnt. And race seemed to play a role. Youre going to have this hue and cry in a couple of years about how the white kids are doing well on tests and black kids are not. But its because, guess what: Oconee opened up, and Richland 1 didnt. And theyre going to say If you give us more resources we can fix this. Which is not true, because those districts created the problem by making bad choices.

I dont know how much of a role race played in school districts lockout decisions and how much was about political philosophy, party and competence of school board members and administrators. But hes right about the effect: A national survey released Wednesday by the Biden administration showed that 30% of white students and 61% of black students were still learning remotely earlier this month.

And he's right about the fact that the districts that have focused on the demands by their most vocal teachers to keep the schools closed are likely to have the worst outcomes. Unless they do extraordinary things in the coming weeks and months to catch the kids up.

So heres the upside: They can do extraordinary things. Particularly if those that lack the leadership they need turn to the state Education Department for ideas and assistance. It wont be easy, and it wont be cheap, especially since it requires hiring more teachers.

But its possible.

And not only is the federal government throwing money at them, but Ms. Allison and Mr. Hembree both assured me that they and their colleagues are ready to assist those districts that are willing to do that hard work to save their students from a life of failure.

Walk into the Statehouse and say, We need this money for this purpose, and this is exactly why, Mr. Hembree said. Youre going to get a very sympathetic ear. But the clock is ticking.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 19:27:45|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Members of Indonesian anti-terror squad stand in front of the church hit by a bombing in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, March 28, 2021. Two suicide bombers, one man and a woman, in the blast outside the cathedral church in Indonesia were killed on Sunday, spokesman of Provincial Police Office Senior Commissioner E. Zulpan told local media. The number of injured people from the blast rose to 19. The explosion happened at the cathedral church complex in South Sulawesi's Makassar city, when the church was about to start the third mass congregation. (Photo by Masyudi F./Xinhua)

JAKARTA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Two suicide bombers, one man and a woman, in the blast outside a cathedral church in Indonesia were killed on Sunday, Spokesman of Provincial Police Office Senior Commissioner E. Zulpan told local media.

The number of injured people from the blast rose to 19. The explosion happened at the cathedral church complex in South Sulawesi's Makassar city, when the church was about to start the third mass congregation.

"Two suspected attackers tried to enter the church grounds, and then security officers tried to arrest them, and an explosion occurred," Pastor Wilhelminus Tulak said.

The Indonesian government strongly condemned the bombing attack, saying it was a heinous act that had tarnished the peace of social life.

Indonesian Religious Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said he hoped that the police could reveal the mastermind behind the attack as soon as possible.

Chairman of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia Rev. Gomar Gultom said this bombing attack added to the list of acts of violence and terror in Indonesia.

The incident occurred when Christians in Indonesia were celebrating Palm Sunday, a Christian feast that falls on the Sunday ahead of Easter.

Churches have been targeted by extremists in Indonesia.

In 2018, dozens of people were killed when suicide bombers launched attacks at three churches during Sunday services in the city of Surabaya in East Java. Enditem
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  The Gallery ABQ wanted to honor photographer Jeremy Stein and his love for the Albuquerque BioPark.

Stein died in August 2020 from leukemia. Prior to his death he enjoyed taking photographs at the ABQ BioPark. Many of those photos were showcased at The Gallery ABQ.

In January, the gallery decided to remember Steins legacy with a salon show after being approached by his family. Steins family said he had always wanted donations instead of flowers to go to the New Mexico BioPark Society. The family asked that 25% of the proceeds from Steins salon show go to The Gallery ABQ and 75% go to the BioPark Society.

The Gallery ABQ recently presented a check to the New Mexico BioPark Society for $1,451.21. The money was raised through sales of Steins work purchased from the gallery. The BioPark Society was grateful for the contribution and enjoyed doing the collaboration in honor of Stein.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

We ended up running the sale from January (2021) into the end of February so that we could try to get as much sales as possible, Patricia Cream, director of The Gallery ABQ. You know, with the COVID, it has been a little harder to get people into the galleries. But, but were happy to say that the gallery is able to present a donation check to the New Mexico BioPark Society.

In the near future sales from Steins work will benefit another nonprofit. There has been discussion of a portion of the proceeds benefitting a local food bank.

And then were hoping, because (Steins wife) Nancy donated all of Jeremys work to the gallery, were hoping that we can maybe help another organization, Cream said. Were thinking maybe in June well try it again. So that we can help someone else with his photography.

Some of Steins photography can be found hanging at the gallery located at 8210 Menaul NE and also can be viewed online at thegalleryabq.com.

I think one of the things that has been really good is that our gallery does want to help more in the community, Cream said. And so with us being given this donation of (Steins) artwork it will give us that chance to be able to do that more. You know, as were able to have the opportunity to sell more of his work well be able to help more people.

According to Steins artist statement provided by the gallery, he regarded himself as a nature photographer trying to capture and display the forms and aspects of our world.

I want to show the underlying patterns and details in nature and the world in general, especially those elements which we usually see fleetingly or not at all, his statement reads. I am fascinated by the unimaginable complexity and richness of detail seen in all life, and do my best to capture it in my photographs.

In the statement Stein added that he had been a photographer of some sort all of his life.

From the very first time I saw a blank sheet of paper in the developing tray magically turn into a photograph, I knew I had to be a photographer, the statement says. That magic is still there for me, undiminished. I went on to a very different career, but always took pictures as an avocation, until I retired from my day job and could do photography full time.
The Leader of the INRI Evangelical spiritual church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has warned the President of Cameroun, Paul Biya against dullness...





The Leader of the INRI Evangelical spiritual church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has warned the President of Cameroun, Paul Biya against dullness in his government as he foresees his government being hijacked.

Primate Ayodele during a live service in his Lagos church on Sunday said he foresees a serious crisis in Cameroon which will lead to unexpected killings in the country.

He warned Paul Biya to pray against death as he foresees his health failing

Cameroun will have a crisis, there will be a big problem between the English speaking and French-speaking part of the country.

The country will have political problems, and unexpected killings will occur in the country, the president, Paul Biya will have issues and if he is not careful, He will have problems and his government will be hijacked.

He should pray for his health, He needs to wake up or else, it will be worse both economically and politically

The primate predicted that the President of Uganda will continue to have issues with his opposition and there will be efforts to make him irrelevant politically.

The prophet also claimed to foresees another coup threat in Africa.

Ugandan president will keep facing opposition challenges, efforts will be made to destroy his political relevance, let us pray against a major disorderliness in the country that looks like a protest. I foresee another coup threat in Africa he said.

Ayodele also revealed that some states in Nigeria need to pray against bomb scare which will threaten the security of the country like never before.

In Nigeria, I see a major bomb scare that will threaten the security of our country than ever before.

We need serious prayers, our security agencies must fight the issue of Boko Haram. These states should pray against Bomb scare; Abuja, Lagos, Portharcourt and Oyo state.
  ,  Cookies        .          cookies.




Two days after Amhara regional state announced that relative peace has returned to the region, reports that fighting has been ongoing in the Oromo Special Zone of the Amhara regional State resumed, started to surface.

The violence that has been reported to have been started on Friday March 19, 2021 after an imam was gunned down in front of his mosque in Ataye has spiraled out of control after attempts by elders tried to resolve the matter.

In Kemise, the violence left an unknown number of casualties and caused a lot of damage to properties.

North Shewa Zone Peace and Security bureau head, Abera Mekonnen at the time told Addis Standard, "A mosque and a church have been burned down in Ataye as a result of the violence, I can't give more details as investigations on the matter are ongoing."

Not long after the breakout of violence, the Oromia Regional State chapter of the ruling Prosperity Party (PP), the Oromo Prosperity Party (OPP) accused Amhara Special Forces of fomenting violence in the Oromo Special Zone of the region. The party also described in its statement earlier attempts to shift the blame from Amhara Special Forces towards 'OLF-Shene' as "Attempts to hide the truth."

On its part the Amhara Regional State chapter of the ruling Prosperity Party (PP), Amhara Prosperity Party (APP) slammed the statement its counterpart chapter in Oromia Regional State and described it as "irresponsible and irrational," further explaining that the party would have not engaged in issuing such statement had not been forced to. The party also made claims about the existence of the group called 'OLF-Shene' and detalined it in its statements the group's attempts at disturbing Amhara Regional State peace and security.

Sa'eed Mohammed, the head of Bati Woreda (One of the woredas in the Oromo Special Zone of the Amhara Regional State) culture and tourism bureau contacted Addis Standard and confirmed that fighting has reached Bati Woreda and he spoke of new development in the woreda. He said, "Amhara and Afar regional States have come together with the aim of ending Oromo dominance in this Zone (Oromo Special Zone). Everyone heard about the involvement of Amhara Special Forces in the violence in North Shewa and Oromo Special zones but everyone ignored the Afar special forces who are now involved alongside the Amhara Special Forces." He added speaking on the conditions in the zone., "Lives are lost, properties are destroyed and people are being displaced.

Six villages in the zone are empty of its residents, these are: Gamato, Ona Borana, Kanta Heru, Maretu, Aba Bayyan and Gerba Hora and i can tell you that so far in the woreda 57 houses and 5 hectares of land with its crops have been burned," he continued, "Elders, women with their children are fleeing the violence in every direction and you can see them as drive by major roads in the woreda." He talked about the difficulties facing the woreda in keeping the peace and safeguarding civilians, "We are faced with two well equipped special forces, one of which is supposed to protect us. We have limited manpower and we are under equipped, we are trying to safeguard civilians with everything we have." According to Saeed soldiers from both special forces are still arriving and the available resources will not be enough to stop their aggression. When asked about the timing of the arrival of both Amhara and Afar Special Forces Sa'eed told Addis Standard, "Two days ago but there were skirmishes for the past five days."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ethiopia Conflict 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.

Another eyewitness who resides and asked to remain anonymous whom Addis Standard contacted to confirm Sa'eed's accounts, she said, "They (Afar Special Forces) came two or three days ago and first started attacking the nearby villages of Burqaa and Hawsaber and they are going to all nearby villages before entering. They planted the Afar Regional State flag." She explained that the Afar claim over territories in the Oromo Special Zone of Amhara Regional State is old and added, "They claim all land from the two regions' borders until Kombolcha (a city in the South Wollo Zone, Amhara Region).

Addis Standard's repeated attempts to reach the head of the Afar Regional State communication bureau head and the Amhara Regional State communication bureau head were unsuccessful. However, Addis Standard was able to reach Ahmed Hasan the Oromo Special Zone administrator who declined to answer questions.
What's a Japanese spring without university entrance ceremonies in cherry blossom season? That&'s precisely what happened last year after many festivities were canceled due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Things then took a turn for the worse. For the class of 2020, campus life in Japan was reduced almost entirely to remote lectures and online interactions with people the students never actually met in person.

One year later, universities nationwide are getting ready to hold a new round of entrance ceremonies and welcome new students, albeit with strict precautions observed by both the faculty staff and the freshmen.

The University of Tokyo, which was the first institution in Japan to hold online lectures when the outbreak emerged last year, announced earlier this month that an in-person entrance ceremony will be held at Nippon Budokan Hall  the universitys traditional venue  on April 12.

The University of Tokyo is by no means the only university to stake out a claim at Nippon Budokan Hall  Toyo University and Meiji University have booked the venue as well. Nippon Budokan Hall had been off-limits for these events in 2020 as it was being renovated for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Back in business, Nippon Budokan Halls entrance ceremonies may pave the way for other large event venues to open their doors.

NHK reported on March 10 that some universities in the Kansai area are holding double ceremonies  one for freshmen students, and another for sophomores that missed out on their own in-person ceremonies last year.
has written to key ministries, associations like COAI and Nasscom and nodal agencies like NIC in a massive information outreach as it pulls out all stops to ensure smooth implementation of its new regulations on bulk messages after March 31.

Sources in the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said NIC has assured the regulator that it is in a state of readiness to assist government organisations and agencies, and resolve any issues, as new rules for commercial messages come into force.

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) provides technology support to governance services.

The regulator has written to key stakeholders across sectors informing them at length about the rules, and urging them to advise entities and organisations under their jurisdiction to "strictly comply with the new regulatory requirement without further delay".

As part of this outreach program, also sounded out industry associations CII, FICCI, Assocham, Nasscom and COAI, urging them to inform their member organisations about new regulatory requirements, the sources said.

has also written to entities such as NIC, CDAC as well as all government organisations that are availing benefits of concessional SMSes.

This is in addition to outreach to key central ministries, and chief secretaries of states on the issue.

TRAI's new regulatory requirement for commercial messages, based on blockchain technology, aims to curb unsolicited and fraudulent messages.

The norms require bonafide entities sending commercial text messages to register message headers and templates with telecom operators.

The SMSes and OTPs, when sent by user entities (banks, payment companies and others), are checked against the templates registered on the blockchain platform -- a process called SMS scrubbing.

The allotment of header, registration of template, and various others checks and balances would allow the verification of identity and purpose of communication by genuine entities.

Earlier this month, however, transactions, including banking, credit card payment and certain other services that involve SMSes and OTP generation, had faced a major outage when telcos implemented the TRAI norms without the balancing measures in place by principal entities (which send out bonafide bulk, commercial messages).

Following the disruption, TRAI had given a temporary breather to such companies, but had insisted that they take immediate measures to comply with the norms.

The telecom regulator, this Friday, released a list of 40 "defaulter" principal entities, including large banks like HDFC Bank, State Bank of India and ICICI Bank, that were not fulfilling its regulatory norms on bulk commercial messages, despite repeated reminders.

Toughening its stance on the issue, TRAI warned that defaulting entities should comply with the stipulated requirements by March 31, 2021 "to avoid any disruption in the communication with customers" from April 1, 2021.

"As sufficient opportunity has been given to principal entities/ telemarketers to comply with the regulatory requirements and that the consumers cannot be deprived of the benefits of the regulatory provisions any further, therefore it has been decided that from April 1, 2021, any message failing in the scrubbing process due to non-compliance of regulatory requirements will be rejected" by the system, TRAI had said in a statement recently.

(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 Union Ministry of Education has announced that the registration process for admissions in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) will begin on April 1, 2021.

The Ministry informed that the online registration for admission to Class I in Kendriya Vidyalayas for the Academic Year 2021-2022 will commence from April 1, while registrations for Class II and above will be done from April 8 in offline mode.

It said that for Class I, the online registrations will begin at 10:00 am on April 1 and will close at 7:00 pm on April 19 2021.

The admission details can be obtained through the website https://kvsonlineadmission.kvs.gov.in and also through the android mobile app.

"The official android mobile app for KVS Online Admission for Class I for the academic year 2021-2022 and instructions for downloading and installing the App will be available at https://kvsonlineadmission.kvs.gov.in/apps and also on Google Play Store," stated the Union Ministry of Education.

On the other hand, the registration for Class II and above will be invited on the basis of the availability of seats from 8:00 am on April 8 to 4:00 pm on April 15 in offline mode.

For Class XI, the registration forms can be downloaded from the Vidyalaya website as per the schedule for admission 2021-2022 available on the KVS (HQ) website (https://kvsangathan.nic.in).

Reckoning of age for all classes will be as on March 3, 2021, and the reservation of seats will be as per the KVS Admission Guideline available on the official website.

This is to be noted that currently, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan is running a chain of 1247 KVs across India.


Lummus Technology has announced an award for its ethylbenzene technology from a customer in Jiangsu Province, China. Once complete, the unit will produce 508 KTA of ethylbenzene via the EBOne technology, a statement said.

"We look forward to continuing to provide our world-class technology to customers in China, a critical market for us now and in the future," said Leon de Bruyn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lummus Technology. "This award is a testament to the superior performance of our ethylbenzene technology, which is proven to maximize plant uptime, provide high-quality products, optimize production costs and reduce investment costs," he added.

The scope for this project includes the technology license, basic engineering, training and related site services.

Lummus' customer has previously licensed technology solutions including the BP para-xylene process technology and Isocracking technology via Lummus Technology's Joint Venture with Chevron called Chevron Lummus Global (CLG).

The EBOne ethylbenzene technology has earned the reputation for being one of the most modern, efficient, and reliable processes for the production of intermediate ethylbenzene. In addition, through innovations Lummus has continuously expanded its broad base of expertise with this technology since it has been awarded nearly 50 projects since the early 1990s.-TradeArabia News Service
As Holy Week dawns and we edge closer to the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, research shows one thing for certain: The faster people get back to church, the better it will be for them, and for the country as a whole.

A recent Gallup survey found that those who have prioritized weekly attendance at worship services throughout the pandemic have emerged  not merely unscathed  but mentally improved. Weekly worshippers reported a 4-percentage point increase in their mental health. Every other sub-group went negative.

Regardless of race, age, political affiliation, gender or income, only those who consistently attended religious services each week (online or in person) are happier today than they were a year ago when COVID-19 began to capsize the globe.

This lines up with historical research on mental health and church attendance. Broad-based evidence demonstrates that attendance at worship services is indispensable to a happy, generous and flourishing society.

Pew Research found that actively religious adults are more likely to be happy, volunteer time to good causes and be more civically involved than non-religious or non-practicing religious folks.

Pew Research found that actively religious adults are more likely to be happy, volunteer time to good causes and be more civically involved than non-religious or non-practicing religious folks.

Other studies, like one from the National Library of Medicine, provide evidence that regular churchgoers live longer, happier lives.

Support systems provide help

Many perks accompany engaging with members of a congregation. They include better support systems, personal encouragement, group prayer, access to financial help, and a reminder that there is a hope far greater than our tired and discouraged selves.

Indianapolis-based psychotherapist Priscilla Johnson, who considers herself spiritual but not religious and does not attend church regularly, counsels her patients dealing with depression to consider seeking out a faith community to help them.

Ive witnessed firsthand the value of faith community in mental health treatment with my patients, Johnson said. It can address some of the basic human needs, like belongingness, purpose and sense of security.

Story continues

Attendance at worship in decline

Yet, not surprisingly, the number of people who attended worship services in 2020 declined. In-person church restrictions have obviously taken their toll on downsizing attendance. It took nearly a year for the Supreme Court to rule that California churches had to be allowed to resume in-person services.

After streaming sermons from the couch (or forgoing them all together) for so long, will Golden State residents actually return to sanctuaries? How eager has the rest of the country been to file back into the pews as churches ticked open nationwide?

Growing amid hardships: Lights, cameras and Zoom preaching: How I kept my church connected during a year of COVID

Not very. All but 3% of churches in the United States closed their physical doors when the pandemic began last March. As of late 2020, four out of five churches had returned to in-person services, with attendance levels hovering around 36% of normal capacity.

Despite the option of in-person attendance, most people still opt out. In large part, that is because of the continued danger of COVID-19, but if habit is any measure, pre-COVID attendance levels may take awhile to resume in a fully vaccinated world.

Barna, a Christian research firm that has done extensive analysis on church trends amid COVID, found that 79% of practicing Christians went to church weekly before COVID, but that number has dropped to 51% during the pandemic. Another survey found that one in three practicing Christians nationwide had stopped attending church online or in person. When even the church people are skipping church, its bad.

Faith test: In Chattanooga, faithful persevere as coronavirus, tornadoes hit

America didnt need help generating church dropouts, but COVID certainly assisted. The double whammy of personal disaster and spiritual decline means harmful long-term outcomes for our nations well-being.

Given the data on the comprehensive good that attending religious services brings to society, pre-COVID worshippers must reprioritize faith and urge others to join them if we hope to swiftly revitalize a public oppressed by collective trauma.

As Americans make plans for a post-COVID world, putting church back on the agenda should not be overlooked as a healthy step forward.

Ericka Andersen is writing a book about the importance of church attendance in the lives of women. Follow her on Instagram: @Ericka_Andersen.

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How attending church during Holy Week can boost your mental health
Margaret Cross Norton, first superintendent of the Illinois State Archives, is a towering figure in state and national librarianship who not only overcame social hurdles but professional ignorance.

She still is revered in her field today, more than three decades after her death.

Norton earned a stellar reputation in archival management and supervised the move of the archives into its own building, a model that other states raced to copy. The building, just south of the Illinois State Capitol, was named in her honor in 1994.

Born on July 7, 1891, in Rockford, Norton earned bachelors and masters degrees in history from the University of Chicago and graduated in 1915 from New York State Library School, now a part of Columbia University. She found work as a cataloger in the library at Vassar College, where  ironically  she began to realize that she didnt care for library work.

However, at a meeting of the American Historical Association, Norton learned of the extremely poor condition of records organization nationwide. Inspired, she decided to become an archivist.

On April 1, 1922, Norton was named the first superintendent of the new Archives Division of the Illinois State Library and quickly began to organize the states records from scratch. It proved a mammoth task. Many were stashed in various places around the Capitol building and had succumbed to dampness, dirt and vermin.

While searching the Capitol attic, just under the roof on the sixth floor, Norton found the states territorial and first census records stuffed in a ventilating shaft. Other vital records were found, covered in rubbish, under the front steps. Still others were in the basement, further damaged by mud created when rain softened the dirt floors.

There were other hazards in the basement, where Norton recalled cockroaches as big as mice and rats as big as cats. For her own protection, she was accompanied to the basement by the Secretary of States document clerk, who carried a revolver. Norton later was given a long piece of pipe (and) whenever a rat came and looked at me, Id bang on whatever was nearest with that pipe and scare him off.

In an era when few understood the value or meaning of an archive, Norton also dealt with the ignorance of peers. The architect of the Centennial (now Howlett) Building, which originally housed the Archives Division, once asked by the way, Miss Norton, what is an archive? She also had to persuade or beg a number of reluctant state officials to turn their records over to her for safekeeping in the archives.

From these humble beginnings, Norton managed to create an Archives Division that became the envy of the nation. Despite her best efforts, a lack of space in the Centennial Building hampered archival growth, but the loss by fire of the Illinois State Arsenal in 1934, including its valuable military records, made government officials recognize the value of proper archival storage.

In 1935, in the midst of the Great Depression, the state appropriated $500,000 to construct a new Archives Building. That figure was supplemented by an additional $320,000 from the Public Works Administration. At the time, there were only two archives buildings in the nation  the State Archives of Maryland and the National Archives in Washington.

The move to build an Archives Building in Illinois is a testament to the foresight and persuasion of Norton, who oversaw even the smallest details of the construction. In selecting proper steel filing cabinets, the successful bidder was required, under Nortons supervision, to open and close a loaded drawer 10 times a minute for a total of 100,000 times.

She also oversaw the installation of time switches on lights in the vault, to reduce energy usage and fire hazards. Similarly, Norton insisted on the use of carbon tetrachloride in fire extinguishers, a chemical that would not damage paper or ink.

The genteel Norton also wielded considerable political influence. At the dedication of the Archives Building on Oct. 26, 1938, she spied Gov. Henry Horner in the outer lobby, smoking a cigarette. Norton calmly informed Horner that smoking was not allowed in the building. The governor quickly put out his cigarette.

In the years that followed, many other states requested assistance from Norton and Illinois in designing and managing their archives. The stature of the Illinois State Archives was so great that the National Archives in Washington, in the event of evacuation during World War II, determined to send its most valued artifacts to Springfield for safekeeping under Nortons watch.

Norton held a variety of posts in national archival agencies and taught the first course in archivology ever offered in an American library school, at Columbia in 1940. She authored numerous articles and constantly befriended younger archivists, always encouraging their advancement in the field. The first three African-Americans to achieve professional status in Illinois government were archives staffers, which made Norton proud.

She retired by choice on April 15, 1957, and rarely returned to the archives that she had painstakingly supervised. Norton authored books in 1975 and 1981 but rebuffed repeated requests for more writings. She traveled extensively before her death at age 92 on May 21, 1984.

Nearing four decades after her death, Norton remains a godlike figure to archivists throughout America. In a 2009 interview, longtime archives staffer Elaine Evans noted a spate of recent requests from across the nation for information on Norton. She laughed that Margaret must be hot this week to one requester, who replied, Honey, Margarets always hot!


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
A man stands behind a barricade in Yangon during a protest yesterday against the coup

As Myanmar's military celebrated the annual Armed Forces Day holiday with a parade yesterday in the country's capital, soldiers and police elsewhere killed scores of people as they suppressed protests in the deadliest bloodletting since last month's coup.

A count issued by an independent researcher in Yangon put the total at 100 dead by 9pm local time, spread over more than two dozen cities and towns.

The online news site Myanmar Now earlier reported the death toll had reached 91.

Figures collected by the researcher, who asked not to be named for his security, have generally tallied with the counts issued at the end of each day by the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners, which documents deaths and arrests and is widely seen as a definitive source.

There is no other way to independently confirm the death tolls.

The killings quickly drew international condemnation, with multiple diplomatic missions to Myanmar releasing statements that mentioned the killing of civilians yesterday, including children.

Expand Close Myanmar's junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Myanmar's junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

"This 76th Myanmar armed forces day will stay engraved as a day of terror and dishonour," the European Union's delegation to Myanmar said on Twitter.

"The killing of unarmed civilians, including children, are indefensible acts."

US ambassador Thomas Vajda said in a statement that "security forces are murdering unarmed civilians".

"These are not the actions of a professional military or police force," he wrote. "Myanmar's people have spoken clearly: they do not want to live under military rule."

The death toll in Myanmar has been steadily rising as authorities grow more forceful with their suppression of opposition to the February 1 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup reversed years of progress toward democracy after five decades of military rule.

Before yesterday, the Association of Political Prisoners had verified 328 people killed in the crackdown.

Junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing did not directly refer to the protest movement when he gave his nationally televised Armed Forces Day speech before thousands of soldiers in Naypyitaw. He referred only to "terrorism which can be harmful to state tranquillity and social security" and called it unacceptable.

This year's event was seen as a flashpoint for violence, with demonstrators threatening to double down on their public opposition to the coup with more and bigger demonstrations. The protesters refer to the holiday by its original name, Resistance Day, which marks the beginning of a revolt against Japanese occupation in World War II.

State television MRTV on Friday night showed an announcement urging young people - who have been at the forefront of the protests and prominent among the casualties - to learn a lesson from those killed during demonstrations about the danger of being shot in the head or back.

The warning was widely taken as a threat because a great number of the fatalities among protesters have come from being shot in the head, suggesting they have been targeted for death.

The announcement suggested that some young people were taking part in protesting as if it was a game, and urged their parents and friends to talk them out of participating.

In recent days the junta has portrayed the demonstrators as the ones perpetrating violence for their sporadic use of Molotov cocktails.

Yesterday some protesters in Yangon were seen carrying bows and arrows. In contrast, security forces have used live ammunition for weeks against what have still been overwhelmingly unarmed and peaceful crowds.

The military government does not issue regular casualty counts, and when it has released figures, the totals have been a fraction of what independent parties such as the UN have reported.

It has said its use of force has been justified to stop what it has called rioting.

In his speech yesterday, Min Aung Hlaing used the occasion to try to justify the overthrow of Suu Kyi's government, accusing it of failing to investigate irregularities in last November's general election, and repeating that his government would hold "a free and fair election" and hand over power afterward.

The military has claimed there were irregularities in voting rolls for the last election, which Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won in a landslide.

The junta detained Suu Kyi on the day it took power, and continues to hold her on minor criminal charges while investigating allegations of corruption against her that her supporters dismiss as politically motivated.

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for New York-based Human Rights Watch, said yesterday's events showed that the military, known in Myanmar as the Tatmadaw, should be prosecuted in international courts of law.

"This is a day of suffering and mourning for the Burmese people, who have paid for the Tatmadaw's arrogance and greed with their lives, time and time again," he said.

 Associated Press
Mr Daniel Baccah, a member of the Keta branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region has hailed Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, as the most outstanding in the lineage of Speakers of the Parliament of the Fourth Republic.



Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the performance of the Speaker so far, he said We have all seen this in the way he stood up to Jubilee House over cuts in the budgetary allocations to the Legislature and the Judiciary.



We have also seen the way he has so far been neutral to the interest of both his party, the NDCs side of the House and the NPPs side of the House; so much so that the NDCs Communications Officer has accused him.



According to him, Bagbin has so far lived up to the Speakership duty to fight for the ordinary Ghanaian. If ever there was a Speaker who has been so effective and resourceful in such a short time  less than six months into office  we dare anybody to name him, he said.



He added, It is so refreshing and heartwarming that the most outstanding Speaker of the Fourth Republican Parliament is from the NDC, our great party. The high standards that Speaker Alban Bagbin is setting is to the pride and good name of us all Akatamansonians.



He said Speaker Bagbin had since educated that he was the Speaker of Parliament, not a member of the Minority caucus and that even though he was NDC, his position demanded that he was neutral.



Mr Beccah advised those attacking the Speaker to put an end to it as it was unhealthy for democracy.



As a party, our philosophy is one that demands fairness and firmness and there is no better ambassador of these in Parliament than the current Speaker. The tone he has set shows that the Executive is not going to have a walk in the park and at the same time Parliament is not going to be a hotbed of nation-wrecking politics. And this is what the NDC has always stood for.



He reminded that the same Bagbin that was being accused as a traitor, was the same man who led the NDC in Parliament when the NDC was in the minority under the Kufuor regime. If he did not sell his conscience as Minority Leader, is it now that he is Speaker that he will sell his conscience? he asked.

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
Published:

27 March 2021





Before we delve into the biographies of both, we would like to trace the origins of philanthropy back to the History of Westfield College which as an institution, would not have been possible without Ann Dudin Brown [pictured right], a wealthy heiress and philanthropist who provided financial backing and bought the campus, buildings and provided personal financial assistance for students in need.

Ann contributed 10,000 in the first instance which had the purchasing power of 1.2 million today! Ann's legacy and philanthropy has lived on through alumni donors such as Beatrice and Sally and this culture of giving still exists in present times.

Dr Beatrice Worthing (French BA, 1936; PhD, 1950)

The late Dr Beatrice Worthings study at Queen Mary College was a life-changing adventure, far removed from her upbringing in a mining village in 1920s South Wales.



Although she had a burning ambition to become a journalist, the intervention of World War II meant teaching was her first career priority. She was invited back to Queen Mary as an assistant lecturer after undertaking research into the Belgian poet Emile Verhaeren. Living in Belgium and travelling through war-torn Europe in pursuit of her material gave Beatrice the insight and determination to succeed in a long career, which included writing for Reuters and France Press, as well as publishing.

Dr Worthing was a participant in the round table event at the The Women at Queen Mary Exhibition launch on 4th October 2007.

The late Dr Worthing left a generous gift in her Will to Queen Mary to support students experiencing financial hardship. Her gift has supported students from disadvantaged backgrounds and enabled them to travel abroad to broaden their university experience. She said,

Queen Mary gave me everything. I now want to give something back to help young people achieve their ambitions, as I did mine.

Miss Sally Sainsbury (History BA, 1962)

The late Miss Sally Sainsbury studied History at Queen Mary College (1959-62) and then went onto study for the Graduate Diploma in Social Administration at the London School of Economics in 1962. She became an assistant lecturer in 1969 and taught continuously until she became an Emeritus Reader in Social Administration in her retirement. As a scholar, she was a leader in the field of social policy and disability, an advisor to disabled students and a pioneer for women to have equal opportunities to study further.

Before her death in 2013, Miss Sainsbury left Queen Mary a generous gift in her Will for the financial support of students from the local area reading history. Thus far, the Sally Sainsbury Scholarship has supported 19 students, from east London, studying History at Queen Mary.

Inaya Zaman, a first-year History student [pictured right] was awarded the Sally Sainsbury Scholarship earlier this year, and said,
The Dambai Police Command is investigating the alleged drowning of a 30-year-old man in River Oti.



Fisherfolks retrieved the body of the deceased, David Gbande who was alleged to have fallen from a ferry during a crossing from Dambai to Checki overbank in the Oti Region.



Police Superintendent, Mr. Samuel Aboagye, Dambai Municipal Police Commander, confirmed the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and said an official report was lodged at the office on Sunday.



Mr. Aboagye said the body was retrieved on Wednesday and released to the deceased family for burial.



He said the Police Command had initiated investigations into the incident.



He said dockets were prepared from the Municipal police command office to be submitted to the Regional police command for commencement of investigations.



The Ghana News Agency (GNA) gathered that the deceased came from Togo to visit his mother at Dambai in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region and was making a return journey when the accident occurred.

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
TORRINGTON  Residents want to be sure the Torrington School Building Committee is using every advantage it has to hire local workers for the $159 million construction project, which is in the early stages since voters approved it in November 2020.

During the Board of Educations recent building committee meeting, people concerned with using out-of-state contractors and subcontractors for the multifaceted project spoke up, saying they want the committee to establish a Planned Labor Agreement with the contractor. The PLA would require that 25 percent of those hired for the project are local companies and employees.

Committee chairman and interim Director of Business Services Ed Arum said he would take all the information provided on behalf of the committee, but no discussion was held on the request from the public.

Keri Hoehne, who was part of the Vote Yes, New School, Bright Future group that supported the project, said Torrington is obligated to have a PLA.

PLAs provide internship opportunities for new workers and provide a level playing field for all those applying for jobs with the companies involved, she said.

The building project includes razing the existing Torrington High School, and building a new facility with separate areas for high school and middle school students, as well as shared spaces for meal times and events. The new building also will have an are for a new administrative central office. Voters approved the project by a vote of 9,524 to 6,204.

Torrington is a community desperate for good jobs, she said. If we are building in Torrington, we should be employing Connecticut workers and create good, local jobs for Torrington residents. There are already hundreds of building tradespeople in Torrington.

Hoehne said the reputations of herself and others who promoted the project to get it passed were on the line, if the committee makes a decision that wastes taxpayer money.

Building projects using a PLA are done on time, and come in under budget, she said. Before the (project vote), we talked about creating a community center, something we could all be proud of. Imagine if we could use those extra tax dollars to create something.

Corey Vailey, a Torrington High School graduate, also urged the committee to use local workers. And resident Gary Simick, a member of Local 478, the Union of Operating Engineers, said he has worked all over Connecticut.

A PLA could guarantee local workers, he said. Our tax dollars are paying for this school, and we should be paying local workers. Bring quality help in and youll get a quality project out. Its what you guys should do.

Bill Finch, former Bridgeport mayor, also spoke on behalf of PLAs. Keep the money in the community, he said. Youll never regret it.

But Chris Fryxell, president of the Connecticut Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, said PLAs dont work well in many cases.

If a PLA is not used, all qualified workers get the chance to work, he said. PLA would use all union-only workers. Theres job site fairness. ... This would be a prevailing wage job. As far as a project being on time and on budget, theres no magic contract that guarantees a project will be done on time. PLAs repress competition, and youll get more bids without one.

The only thing a PLA will ensure is that 100 percent of the workforce on the project is union labor, he said. A PLA  will not provide a more cost-effective job, a safer job, a better product, or any value whatsoever to the taxpayers of Torrington. The only beneficiary is the unions.

He said that hiring local workers is a reasonable goal but that a good faith effort to hire local can be built into a contract. It doesnt have to have a PLA, he said.

Joe Toner, president of CT Building Trades, and Kimberly Glassman, president of the Foundation for Fair Contracting, also shared their opinion about hiring local workers and establishing a PLA

One of the big misconceptions is that unions push contracts, Glassman said. All of them employ thousands of workers, and they also support PLAs.

A PLA is a pre-hire agreement between the municipality and the building trades, and the only way to ensure resident requirements, and resident participation, Toner said.
Chief Thomas Cummings, 57, leads the Southampton Village force of 30 in the Hamptons and is paid $442,000 but is due $1.24 million upon retirement

A police officer from the tiny New York village of Southampton who makes almost half-a-million dollars annually is set for a million dollar payout once he finally retires.

Chief Thomas Cummings who leads the force of 30 officers in the Hamptons on Long Island's east end pulled in almost $442,000 in 2020 when holiday pay, retirement benefits and healthcare are taken into account.

But even the chief's base pay of $264,000 is greater than that of NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea of $239,000 who commands a force of 36,000 sworn officer in New York City, home to more than 8 million residents. At last count, Southampton was home to just over 3,000 villagers.

It's not clear what factors go into deciding the chief's salary but crime in the wealthy Hampton's locations is virtually non-existent. The quaint village hasn't had a murder since 2008.

The tiny village of Southampton has a population of 3,000 and hasn't had a murder since 2008

Last year was very quiet indeed with no homicides, rapes, robberies or aggravated assaults reported throughout the whole of 2020.

However, according to data from the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, two cars were reported stolen, there was one burglary and 42 non-violent larcenies.



A closer look at 57-year-old Cummings' compensation package details how he received $86,000 in retirement contributions; $31,000 in extra vacation with a bonus $24,000 for working nights.

When Cummings finally decides to retire he will be eligible to receive more than $1.24 million dollars in post-employment costs including $737,000 for healthcare benefits and a further $504,000 in accrued leave.

The issue of Cummings' salary was addressed during a village council meeting on Zoom

The details of Cummings' salary was shared at the village meeting

The salary is more than NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea's $239,000-a-year who commands a force of 39,000

The chief's own bounty was revealed at village board meeting earlier this month.

'Perhaps the most egregious thing is that the previous administration inserted an evergreen or perpetuity clause into his most recent contract, basically making him chief for as long as he wants to be,' said Deputy Mayor Gina Arresta in a video recording of the village meeting posted to YouTube.

The mayor of the village, Jesse Warren, explained that the village is now negotiating Cummings' next contract.

'While I can't comment on Chief Cummings' contract since we are in the midst of negotiations, I do fully support our Village police and will ensure they always have the resources to keep us safe,' Warren told The New York Post.

Cummings has been with the department for 34 years after joining in 1987.

He also managed to hire his son a police officer in 2019 despite an ethics code that bars family members from hiring one another, according to Newsday.

Cummings has been with the department for 34 years after joining in 1987
An ex-police officer broke into a government vehicle and grabbed an AK-47 as he escaped an ISIS massacre in Mozambique.

Nick Alexander, a dual British-South African citizen, was rescued on Sunday having spent two nights crawling through the bush after his convoy fleeing a hotel in Palma was ambushed.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack on Monday and announced they had seized the coastal town after days of fighting, the terrorist group said in a statement on its Telegram channels.

Seven people, including a British contractor, were killed as they fled the Amarula Lodge hotel compound on Friday after two days of gunfire near the site of a 14billion major gas project.

Philip Mawer, a caterer from Somerset who works at the hotel, has not been seen since the attack and is among an unknown number of expats who remain missing.

Thousands of survivors were evacuated by boat or plane on Sunday, with witnesses forced to wait on beaches strewn with headless bodies after the decapitations by the militants.

Battles are continuing between the insurgents and government forces after the terrorists arrived in Palma on Wednesday, Omar Saranga, a spokesman for Mozambique's defence ministry, said in a statement.

Palma is six miles away from Africa's biggest gas project which is run by French energy giant Total.

Briton Philip Mawer (left) has not been heard from since attempting to flee Palma, while Nick Alexander (right) grabbed an AK-47 while fleeing militants

An ex-police officer broke into a government vehicle and grabbed an AK-47 amid the bloodshed in Mozambique

Al-Shabab, an ISIS-affiliated jihadi group, has made gains in Cabo Delgado, the northeast of Mozambique, and seized the strategic port of Mocimboa da Praia in August before the latest attack in Palma

The Sea Star 1 has evacuated around 1,400 people, mostly workers from the French energy giant Total, after armed insurgents attacked the city of Palma

The rise of ISIS in Mozambique Mozambique is a majority Christian country, with Muslims comprising around a fifth of its population. A religious movement, Ansar al-Sunna, first appeared in 2015 in the north of the country, formed by followers of radical Kenyan cleric Aboud Rogo Mohammed who has been linked to the 1998 US embassy bombings. The group attracted disaffected young men who resented a lack of opportunities in an area of rich natural resources. It started building mosques and religious schools, becoming more and more popular with locals. But in 2017, the group starting launching attacks and became known locally as al-Shabab, although they do not have any known connection to Somalia's jihadist rebels of that name. Militants started posting photos on the encrypted messaging service Telegram posing in front of the ISIS flag and praising its then leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Islamic State then confirmed that jihadis in Mozambique had joined its Central Africa Province division (ISCAP), along with militants in the Democratic Republic of Congo. ISIS have since claimed responsibility for many of the attacks carried out in Mozambique, including brutal beheadings and massacres, often posting photos of the victims online. In an official ISIS news bulletin in June last year, leaders taunted the West and African nations for failing to stop the insurgency in Mozambique, and said its interest there is financial with the country's huge coal and gas reserves. The militants still refer to themselves as al-Shabab but they are now strongly considered to be an arm of ISIS, which was confirmed by US officials in December. Coordinator for counter-terrorism Nathan Sales said: 'What we're seeing today is a committed ISIS affiliate that embraces the ISIS ideology, that embraces the ISIS tactics and procedures, and embraces the ISIS vision of a caliphate with territorial control.' As part of ISCAP, al-Shabab is part of ISIS's formal structure and the jihadi group in the Congo allegedly helps fund its Mozambican counterparts. Attacks have become increasingly sophisticated, using new and advanced weapons which indicate the group's involvement in the militant network. The rebels are mainly active in Cabo Delgado province and their attacks became much more frequent and deadly in the past year as they look to hold strategic towns. In August, they captured the port town of Mocimboa da Praia and nearby villages, one of the first territory gains by ISIS in months. The terrorist group then declared Mocimboa da Praia the capital of ISCAP. The insurgents are fighting against Western and Christian values as they seek to install a radical form of Islam and Sharia law in the country, targeting civilians as security forces struggle to quell their uprising. Their attacks have left an estimated 2,600 dead and caused 670,000 to flee their homes, creating a humanitarian crisis. US special forces arrived in Mozambique this month to train marines in counterinsurgency. Advertisement

Mr Alexander is one of hundreds of expats working as a contractor on the natural gas site where he builds camps for the staff.

After spending two days hiding out since gunning down the jihadis, he found safety on Sunday and made contact with his daughter Jayde, 29, in Johannesburg.

She told The Times: 'He saw the commotion with the ambush ahead and got out.

'There was a government vehicle with an AK47 in it, so he broke in, got it.

'He and two others from the car then ran to hide into the bushes with the gun. They were literally crawling through the bush until they were rescued.'

One survivor said that he shot a couple of people but his daughter said later that the gun had not worked.

Philip Mawer, believed to be in his 50s, is understood to have been with around 200 other expatriates at Palma's Amarula Lodge hotel, from where a convoy of vehicles fled on Friday and ran into militant ambushes, the newspaper reported.

Mawer works for RA International, a Dubai-based firm that provided living quarters and other logistics for expatriate workers.

A statement from the firm said: 'Our last communication with him was on Friday afternoon after which he was part of a convoy of vehicles that left the Amarula Lodge later that day.'

Evacuees included foreign gas workers, the BBC reported.

A South African woman, Meryl Knox, said that her son Adrian Nel died in the attack.

Her husband and another son hid with his body in the bush until the following morning, when they were able to make it to safety in Pemba, she told Reuters.

'He died on a very violent and unnecessary day,' Meryl told AFP.

Nel, his younger brother and father had only been in the coastal town since January, leaving Meryl to run a hotel business in the southeastern Kwa-Zulu Natal province of South Africa.

He had been contracted to build workers' accommodation camps in the town, a gas hub in the province of Cabo Delgado.

On Wednesday, an unknown number of gun-wielding terrorists set upon the town, shooting indiscriminately and forcing nearly 200 workers, including expatriates, to seek refuge at the Amarula Hotel.

The family was holed up in the hotel for two days as the sound of heavy artillery echoed outside the walls.

With communications cut, Nel's father got hold of a satellite phone and told Meryl of plans to evacuate them from the besieged hotel where food was beginning to run low.

A convoy of cars was ready to take them to safety.

'As they were leaving, they were ambushed. They shot my son,' Meryl said.

'There's no way to possibly describe what you feel when you get news like that.

'It's just devastating, body numbing, mind numbing.'

Six other people were killed during the ambush.

Only seven of the 17-car convoy that had planned to make a dash from the hotel made it to safety.

Some had to turn back, witnesses said.

Meryl has no details of the exact nature of the attack that claimed her son's life

Her youngest son will return to South Africa on the available first flight while her husband will wait to complete formalities to bring the remains of their son home.

Nel's body is at a morgue in Pemba, the provincial capital where many survivors have been evacuated to.

Speaking to Sky News, Knox said of her son's death: 'When they were driving out unfortunately the insurgents ambushed them and my son was shot,' she told the news outlet.

'I learnt on Friday night that people had been killed as they tried to leave the hotel. We didn't hear who had been killed.

'It was only on Saturday morning that I got news that unfortunately it was Adrian.'

Thousands of survivors evacuated by boat or plane on Sunday, with witnesses forced to wait on beaches strewn with headless bodies

Battles are continuing between the insurgents linked to Islamic State and government forces

Hundreds of people fleeing the attack are arriving by boat in the port city of Pemba, a diplomat and an aid worker said.

Militants struck Palma, a logistics hub for international gas projects, on Wednesday. The government has yet to re-establish control, the diplomat and a security source directly involved in the operations to secure Palma said.

Reuters could not independently verify the accounts, as most communications with Palma were cut on Wednesday.

Calls to officials at the foreign ministry and provincial government went unanswered or did not go through on Sunday.

The government has said it is working to restore order in Palma.

Adrian Nel, 40, pictured above, from South Africa was shot dead in a vehicle he was trying to escape in with his father and younger brother

Locals gathered at the port on Sunday for news of family members after the savage attacks

The boats arriving in Pemba on Sunday carried both locals and foreigners, including employees from the gas projects, the aid official and diplomat said. One boat was carrying around 1,300 people, said the diplomat.

French energy group Total said on Saturday it was calling off a planned resumption of construction at its development following the attack and would reduce its workforce to a 'strict minimum'.

The company pulled out the majority of its workforce in January due to insecurity in Cabo Delgado province, which has been the target of an insurgency linked to Islamic State since 2017.

Government-contracted helicopters were searching for more survivors. Lionel Dyck, who runs a private security firm working with the government, said his helicopters had rescued at least 17 people on Sunday.

The number of people injured and killed in the five-day assault on Palma, or still unaccounted for, remained unclear. The town had previously been a refuge for people fleeing violence elsewhere in the province.
Stylist: Holly Elgeti. Hair: Alex Szabo at Carol Hayes Management using T3. Make-up: Nicky Weir using Hourglass. Dress, Emilia Wickstead. Earrings, Alighieri. Large ring, Emefa Cole

I am currently on a judging panel for the Womens Prize for Fiction, which is awarded every year to an exceptional novel written by a female author, and earlier this month we revealed the 16 books that made the longlist.

There are four judges and one chair and we all come from different walks of life and age ranges. We include a Booker Prizewinner, a news presenter, a radio DJ, two columnists and authors. We were allotted around 60 books each to read and when it came to the judging process, which took place over Zoom, what struck me most was the generosity with which we disagreed.

The novels we all loved were easy to put through, but when it came to a book that one judge was mesmerised by and another wasnt, we were nonetheless respectful. We allowed each other the space to speak. Our language was kind and thoughtful. It was, for me, a lesson in how to communicate with clarity and compassion. And it wasnt a coincidence that those involved were women.

In my experience, when a group of women get together to try to solve a problem or come to a mutual decision, the process is one of building up rather than dragging down. Historically, the cultural narrative around women working together has been fraught with tales of bitchiness and backstabbing.

I remember, as a 20-something news reporter on a different Sunday newspaper, constantly being asked to dig into the supposed rivalry between two female breakfast TV presenters. The rumoured animosity between them was, quite literally, deemed front-page news even though they both denied it existed.

By contrast, when Ranvir Singh stepped up to be Susanna Reids co-host after Piers Morgan had walked off Good Morning Britain earlier this month, there was not a single dissenting murmur. They clearly got on well and did a great job in difficult circumstances.

It makes me hopeful that we no longer assume that female colleagues are at each others throats. If there is a difference of opinion, women talk about it without feeling their egos will shatter if they need to concede a point. We admit our vulnerability without fearing it will be mistaken for weakness or overshadowing it with misplaced anger. Women, I believe, are great at being able to separate a person from their opinion. We might disagree but that doesnt mean we automatically need to dislike them.

There was, for me, no greater example of this than what happened in the aftermath of the candlelit vigil held on Clapham Common in memory of Sarah Everard. The vigil turned into an unsightly scuffle between those who had come to pay their respects and the police sent to oversee the event. The images that emerged of women manhandled to the ground and handcuffed were unedifying.

There were immediate calls for the head of the Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick, to resign. But when Anna Birley, a representative from Reclaim These Streets who had originally organised the vigil before cancelling due to safety concerns, was asked whether she too would like to see Dame Cressida go, she replied, We are a movement of women seeking to support other women, and as one of the most senior women in British policing history, we do not want to add to the pile-on. She went on to say that although the organisers were hugely disappointed by what had happened, they wanted the chance to meet with Dame Cressida to discuss it. Sitting down to talk about disagreements: its what women do best.

This week I'm...
Authorities say a Clifton man tried to stab a store clerk Friday in what they are describing as a bias incident.

Shairo Gil, 24, walked into Barrales Grocery, located on Main Avenue in Clifton, around 2:45 p.m. on Friday and, without prompting pulled a knife and tried to stab the clerk in the chest, according to the Passaic County Prosecutors Office.

Gil was targeting anyone he believed to be of Mexican descent, investigators said, and purposely chose his victim for that reason.

No injuries were reported.

Gil was charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault and first-degree bias intimidation, along with third- and fourth-degree weapons offenses. He was placed in Passaic County Jail pending court hearings.

The state is seeking pre-trial detention, according to the prosecutors office.

Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to contact the prosecutors office tip line at 1-877-370-PCPO or email tips@passaiccountynj.org.

Gil faces up to 20 years in prison on the attempted murder charge and a maximum sentence of 30 years on the bias crime charge.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times eastern):

People arrive at the city of Toronto-operated mass COVID-19 vaccination site in East York Town Centre, servicing the Thorncliffe Park community on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times eastern):

5:45 p.m.

Alberta's chief medical health officer says that of the 668 new COVID-19 cases identified today, 207 are variants of concern.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw says in a series of tweets that almost 25 per cent of Alberta's active COVID-19 cases are variants of concern.

She says one new death has been reported in the previous 24 hours.

Alberta's test-positivity rate is 5.4 per cent.

5 p.m.

Saskatchewan is reporting zero new COVID-19 deaths today, but is warning that variants of concern are beginning to rise in the province's south, particularly in the Moose Jaw area.

The province's daily pandemic update says Regina remains the area with the most confirmed variants of concern, with 83 per cent of those cases.

More restrictions take effect in Regina on Sunday, including a ban on in-person dining in restaurants and the closure of facilities ranging from banquet and conference halls to museums and galleries.

Earlier this week, the province recommended that people avoid travelling into or out of Regina unless it was absolutely necessary, in order to stop the spread of more infectious variants of the novel coronavirus.

2:45 p.m.

Manitoba is reporting that as of today, more than 10 per cent of residents aged 18 and older have received a COVID-19 vaccine.

The province says that in the last four months, more than 163,000 doses of three different vaccines have been administered.

Public health officials are also reporting one additional death of a person with COVID-19  a man in his 80s whose case is linked with an outbreak on a unit at Winnipeg's Grace Hospital.

The province says 57 new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Manitoba as of this morning.

1:45 p.m.

New Brunswick is reporting 12 new cases of COVID-19  all of them in the Edmundston area.

Health officials said today four of the new cases were under investigation while the rest involved contacts of previously reported infections.

The province has reported at total of 1,571 COVID-19 infections since the pandemic began, and that includes 110 active cases, 1,430 recoveries and 30 deaths.

Five patients remain in hospital with the disease.

12:30 p.m.

Nova Scotia is reporting five new cases of COVID-19  all of them in the province's central zone.

Health officials said today the new cases all involve close contacts of previously reported infections, including one probable case identified Friday at Sackville Heights Junior High in Lower Sackville.

Premier Iain Rankin issued a statement today saying the province has dispatched a mobile testing unit to the school.

Nova Scotia has 25 active reported COVID-19 infections, which brings the province's overall total to 1,709 cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

11 a.m.

Quebec is reporting 1,009 new COVID-19 cases today and eight more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus, including two in the past 24 hours.

Health officials say hospitalizations remained stable at 481, and 108 people were in intensive care, a drop of seven.

The province said it administered 53,796 doses of vaccine Friday, for a total of 1,176,670.

Quebec has reported a total of 307,394 COVID-19 infections and 10,645 deaths linked to the virus; it has 7,617 active reported cases.

10:45 a.m.

Ontario is reporting 2,453 new cases of COVID-19 today and 10 more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus.

Health Minister Christine Elliott says there are 814 new cases in Toronto.

She says there are also 411 new cases in Peel Region, 263 in York Region, 156 in Hamilton, 139 in Durham Region and 115 in Ottawa.

More than 61,000 tests were completed since Friday's update.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2021.
Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Heavy thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Areas of patchy fog. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Heavy thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Areas of patchy fog. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Do you have a news tip?

Want to share good news story, or do you have information that should see the light of day? Then we want to hear from you.

More here
Boris Johnson has sparked a row by saying Britons have had enough 'days off' as he dismissed calls for a bank holiday when lockdown is lifted.

The PM was accused of being 'irresponsible' after he insisted the most important thing is to get people 'back into the office' when the pandemic subsides.

The remark came as Mr Johnson addressed the online Conservative spring forum yesterday, delivering an upbeat message about his hopes for getting back to normal.

There have been warnings that the huge move to home working during Covid could permanently devastate city centres, hold back young people at the start of their careers and hamper team working.

Boris Johnson was accused of being 'irresponsible' after he insisted the most important thing is to get people 'back into the office' when the pandemic subsides

There have been warnings that the huge move to home working during Covid could permanently devastate city centres. Pictured, central London yesterday

The premier said he can see 'nothing' in coronavirus data to change his lockdown easing roadmap, and joked that he is looking forward to a pint and a haircut.

He said: 'In just a few days' time, I'm finally going to be able to go to the barbers.

'But more important than that, I'm going to be able to go down the street and cautiously, but irreversibly, I'm going to drink a pint of beer in the pub.

'And as things stand, I can see absolutely nothing in the data to dissuade me from continuing along our roadmap to freedom, unlocking our economy and getting back to the life we love.'

However, he added that a 'third wave' is being witnessed in parts of Europe and said 'bitter experience' has taught him that this could hit the UK 'three weeks later'.

Asked whether the UK can have a bank holiday called 'national hangover day' once the pandemic subsides, he said Chancellor Rishi Sunak 'was pretty keen' for people to get back into the office.

'The general view is people have had quite a few days off, and it wouldn't be a bad thing for people to see their way round to making a passing stab at getting back into the office,' he added.

Shadow employment minister Andy McDonald told the Observer Mr Johnson's remarks were 'cavalier'.

'He is trying appease the libertarian wing of his party on the one hand by talking about getting back to the office, then suggesting he is being cautious. He just throws out comments like this. You can't ride two horses at once. It is not leadership, it is simply cavalier,' he said.

He suggested that employers should have a duty to grant requests for remote working where possible, rather than treating home working as days off.

'A right to seek flexible and remote working should be matched by a duty on employers to grant such a request so far as is reasonable,' he added.

Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at Southampton University, said people should be encouraged to work from home 'for the foreseeable future'.

'At this point, the focus has to be on keeping new daily cases as low as possible, whilst the vaccination rollout continues,' he said.

'We know that transmission is higher when people gather indoors for prolonged periods of time. Therefore, people should be encouraged to continue working from home for the foreseeable future.'
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey holds a press conference in the lobby of the Confederation Building in St. Johns on Friday, January 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Liberal Premier Andrew Furey was re-elected Saturday in Newfoundland and Labrador's pandemic-delayed election.

Furey, 45, is an orthopedic surgeon who entered politics last year, but he comes from a political family. His father, George Furey, is the current Speaker of the Senate in Ottawa, and his uncle was a provincial cabinet minister.

In 2010, Andrew Furey helped create Team Broken Earth to provide medical relief after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. He was later named humanitarian of the year by the Canadian Red Cross.

His political life has been short but eventful. He was elected leader of the province's Liberal party last August and was sworn in as premier later that month. On Oct. 6, 2020, he was elected as the member for the Humber-Gros Morne district in a byelection.

With the province facing towering financial struggles, including the highest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the country, Furey adopted a strategy of assembling teams of leaders from across the province to tackle issues such as boosting tourism, improving health care and tackling the debt.

Premier Andrew Furey and his wife, Dr. Allison Furey, arrive to speak to the media at the Delta Hotel in St. John's, N.L., on Saturday, March 27, 2021 after his Liberals won a majority government . THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly

"We have come to a time in our history when the road ahead is a little foggy, perilous no doubt" he said in his victory speech Saturday. "But if we are bold now, we have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change the trajectory of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Furey ran a safe campaign, making low-stakes promises and staying far away from the heated debate about the delayed election's management. Still, he didn't escape scrutiny.

After he resumed his attendance at the province's public health briefings when a COVID-19 outbreak erupted in early February, Furey was back in the line of fire. Sitting next to chief medical officer of health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, he was regularly pelted with questions from reporters asking that he justify his decision to call an election on Jan. 15, in the midst of a global pandemic.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2021.
Amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases across the country, the Goa government has imposed section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure ahead of the festivals of Holi, Shab-e-Barat, Easter and Eid.

As per an order by the District Magistrate of North Goa Ajit Roy on Friday, public celebration, gatherings and congregations will be prohibited during the upcoming festivals.

"In exercise of the power vested in me under sub-section 1 of section 144 of code of criminal procedure, public celebration and gatherings, congregations during these upcoming festivals like Holi, Shab-e Barat, Easter and Eid-ul-Fitr etc, shall not be allowed in public places in the State of Goa," the order read.

Any person contravening this order shall be punishable under Section 188 of the Indian penal Code, it added.

Holi will be celebrated on Monday while Easter will be observed on April 4. Shab-e Barat will be observed on Sunday.

The Goa government also announced earlier that the Shigmo festival parade in the state stands cancelled this year due to rising COVID-19 cases.

Other states and union territories to take similar steps include Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, among others.

Over the last few weeks, cases have been on the rise across the county. As many as 62,258 new cases were registered in the last 24 hours, the Union health ministry informed on Saturday.

As per the state health department, there are currently 1,379 active cases in Goa, including 170 in the last 24 hours. The total death toll in the state stands at 824.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Korea should dismiss 'No. 1 illusion' in semiconductor, battery industries



Major industrial powers recently announced strategies to intensively promote the semiconductor and battery sectors, in which Korea has been occupying the top spot in the world. Last week, semiconductor behemoth Intel unveiled a $20 billion investment plan to build two chip manufacturing factories in the U.S. to catch up with global leaders in the foundry business, opening the door to a global semiconductor war.



Intel's plan attracted global attention, as it will move beyond healthy competition among companies and rather ignite rivalry between countries that regard computer chips as national security assets. Industry executives interpret Intel's move as reflecting Washington's intention to jump into the global semiconductor war by putting its largest company at the forefront and reducing the U.S. reliance on Asia. The EU, Japan and China also announced their plans to bolster their semiconductor industries.



Nevertheless, some analysts say the semiconductor industry "stands at a crossroads of life and death" in Korea, the world's No. 1 manufacturer of memory chips. Instead of assisting businesses, the Korean government is tying their hands and feet tightly with new regulations in labor, environment and corporate governance areas. But a sense of mission to promote strategic industries for national security but an anachronistic "anti-big business" mindset is not in the minds of government officials and ruling party leaders responsible.



Similar things are happening in the battery sector, too. Volkswagen announced recently that it would build six battery factories in Europe. The world's No. 2 automaker also said it would gradually switch to unified prismatic battery cells for its electric vehicles, breaking away from the current pouch-type cells supplied by LG Energy Solution and SK Innovation, and chose China's CATL as its partner.



The government, which put forth the "K-battery" as an axis of the Korean New Deal, also should examine difficulties facing the domestic industry and provide policy supports. The global industrial map is changing at the speed of light. Still, Korean leaders are now engrossed only in partisan fights. In the meantime, the nation's flagship industries are losing their luster one after another. Now is the time for both government and business leaders to throw away the illusion that Korea is No. 1 in these sectors and go back to square one.


Right now Missouri native Karlie and her upwardly mobile hotness by way of panty promo inspires this quick peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.

Kansas City COVID Vaxx Calendar Debuts

Kansas City area COVID-19 vaccine planner for March 28 - April 3 KANSAS CITY, Mo. - As the COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues in the Kansas City area, 41 Action News is compiling a list of vaccination events and where people can sign up for a vaccine interest form each week. Check back for updates. Vaccine slots fill up quickly and often are scheduled before each week.

Show-Me Fight For Healthcare

Opinion: It's time to move Missouri forward - The Missouri Times Last week, I told a friend I was preparing to hear a Republican bill to lower the state minimum wage, and their response was, "Have they ever considered moving forward, rather than backward?" Sarcasm aside, they had a point. As a first-term state representative, I'm growing increasingly frustrated by the regressive rhetoric and policies coming out of the Republican party.

Kansas Vaxx For Everybody

Kansas to move to Phase 5 of vaccination plan Monday, allowing all adults to receive a vaccine All adults over the age of 16 in Kansas will become eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday, after a new announcement from Gov. Laura Kelly. Kelly announced in a news release Friday that the state will move to Phase 5 of its vaccine distribution plan on March 29.Phase 5 makes all adults 16 and older eligible to sign up to receive a vaccine.

STIMMY LIFTS PANTIES!!!

Victoria's Secret owner L Brands raises financial outlook - again Shares of Victoria's Secret's owner surged more than 6 percent on Friday after the company raised its financial outlook for the second time in two weeks. L Brands said "improved sales trends" at the lingerie giant and at its Bath & Body Works chain convinced it to raise its first-quarter earnings guidance to between 85 cents to $1 a share, up from 55 cents to 65 cents a share.

El Papa Warns Of El Diablo

Pope, on Palm Sunday, says devil taking advantage of pandemic VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis led Palm Sunday services in an almost empty St. Peter's Basilica because of coronavirus restrictions for the second consecutive year and said the devil is taking advantage of the pandemic. In pre-coronavirus times, Palm Sunday, which marks the start of Holy Week and leads to Easter, tens of thousands of people would pack St.

Prez Biden Blackout

White House press secretary Jen Psaki gives no timeline for media access to border White House press secretary Jen Psaki insisted Sunday that President Biden is "absolutely committed" to providing media access to government border facilities - but wouldn't say when. Her words ignited a tense exchange with anchor Chris Wallace during the interview on "Fox News Sunday."

Sunday Attack

At least 20 hurt in Palm Sunday bombing at Indonesia cathedral; attackers believed to be part of militant group, police say MAKASSAR, Indonesia - Two attackers believed to be members of a militant network that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group blew themselves up outside a packed Roman Catholic cathedral during a Palm Sunday Mass on Indonesia's Sulawesi island, wounding at least 20 people, police said. Rev.

Everybody Hates Filibuster?!?

Senate faces a new post-tragedy quagmire as anti-Asian hate crimes rise "It all fits in that same swirl of the things that the American people want us to do. But Congress continues to fail because of the filibuster," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). The hate crimes measure Schumer plans to force a vote on would make a small-scale but potentially meaningful change by creating a Justice Department point person to focus on the problem.

Hottie Home Debated

Awkward? Ivanka Trump visits Karlie Kloss' Miami home, after Kloss denounced Trump over Capitol attack Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were photographed Thursday leaving the Miami Beach home of Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner - 10 weeks after Kloss publicly agonized over her in-laws' role in President Trump encouraging rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol. Ivanka Trump notoriously called the rioters in the deadly attack "American patriots."

Sounds Like Local Comeback

Kansas City Musicians Feel 'Nothing But Joy' As They Prepare To Reunite With Live Audiences In June of 2020, as Kansas City's streets erupted in pent up frustration over brutality and racism, a Kansas City band was sitting on a protest song that spoke to the moment with urgency and love. "Rise Up" had been in the works for a while.

Sunday Real Estate Peek

Don't miss it-Tamara Day's 'As Seen on Bargain Mansions Sale' continues tomorrow Courtesy photoWith last year's Bargain Mansions 'As Seen On HGTV Sale' being such a success, Tamara Day and her crew couldn't resist doing another to kick off spring. The Kansas City designer has not only curated a TV personnel lifestyle through a well-loved home makeover show featuring debilitated spaces that come to life through her design-oriented eyes.

Windy Week Ahead

Clearing sky and cool temperatures tonight, great Sunday weather in Kansas City Clearing sky and chilly overnight low temperature Sunday looks great! The best weather day of the weekend Rain chances are near zero as we end March and start April KANSAS CITY'S MOST ACCURATE FORECAST Tonight: A light freeze is possible in some locations with a clear sky. Wind: NW 5-15 mph.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now . . .
While I admire heart-throb actor Douglas Booth for not breaking lockdown rules by making an illicit trip to the barber, that is not an acceptable excuse for ditching the hairbrush.

Douglas, 28, who shot to fame in a BBC adaptation of Great Expectations alongside The Crown's Vanessa Kirby, and who recently played Nikki Sixx in Netflix's Motley Crue film The Dirt, displayed a mop of hair that looks so overgrown it made me forget he has modelled for Burberry.

Completing the wild look with facial fuzz, sunglasses and face shield during a trip to Rome, he quipped: 'Mi scusi, please do not lean on the glass.'

I bet he's counting down the days until April 12

Douglas Booth (right), who shot to fame in a BBC adaptation of Great Expectations alongside The Crown's Vanessa Kirby, and who recently played Nikki Sixx in Netflix's Motley Crue film The Dirt, displayed a mop of hair (left) that looks so overgrown it made me forget he has modelled for Burberry

He will fight to protect his own privacy but Hugh Grant doesn't mind interrogating his famous friends for juicy gossip.

The actor confessed last week that he subjected Nicole Kidman to a grilling about her private life while filming The Undoing.

Hugh Grant confessed last week that he subjected Nicole Kidman to a grilling about her private life while filming The Undoing

'My favourite moments of filming were getting Nicole to give me the dirt on her personal history,' says Hugh, 60.

'When it comes to gossip I'm insatiable.'
Huntington, WV (25701)

Today

Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
The Independent Directors of Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited are pleased to announce today that they have reached an agreement with the Manager, AMP Haumi Management Limited, to terminate the Management Services Agreement and internalise the management of Precinct.

The transaction is expected to provide cost savings of $14.6 million per annum and be 6.0% accretive to adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share on a pro forma basis which assumes that current development projects are complete. Importantly, Precinct will retain key management personnel and the transaction positions Precinct to deliver on the next phase of its strategy.

Craig Stobo, Independent Chairman of Precinct said Since listing in 1997 Precinct has continued to evolve through a changing market, to become one of New Zealands leading listed property businesses today. AHML has helped create significant shareholder value for Precinct shareholders as we have transformed the quality of this business over the past 10 years. The shareholders of AHML have a global perspective of real estate markets and their influence is evident in the successful completion of over $1.5bn in developments in that time. We are delighted that we have been able to agree terms with AHML to internalise the management of Precinct.

The independent directors believe that internalisation will best position Precinct for future growth and is an appropriate progression considering the scale and breadth of Precincts business. The internalisation will ensure the retention of key staff, the continuity of Precincts successful strategy and ongoing stable shareholder returns.

Key terms of the transaction include:

 A gross payment from Precinct to AHML of $215m.

 As a result of this transaction, $10m of fees on current development projects are no longer required to be paid.

 Precinct will apply for a binding ruling from the IRD to confirm the termination payment is deductible for income tax purposes.

 The net cost to Precinct is expected to be $145m.

 Scott Pritchard, George Crawford and Richard Hilder have been retained as CEO, Deputy CEO and CFO respectively under new employment agreements with Precinct.

 All other employees of the Manager have entered into new employment contracts with Precinct.

 The Board will remain unchanged through the transition, which includes Mohammed Alnuaimi who will retain his board seat as a representative of Precincts largest shareholder who maintain their 17.3% stake. Chris Judd and Rob Campbell will be non-executive directors, and eligible for election at the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders.

 Settlement will occur on 31 March 2021.

Please see the links below for details:

Precinct Internalisation Agreement

Precinct Internalisation Presentation

Source: Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited

Comments from our readers

No comments yet

Add your comment:

Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process.

Related News:

Fletcher Building Limited (NZX: FBU) Share Buyback to Commence on 10 June 2021

4th June 2021 Morning Report

3rd June 2021 Morning Report

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Limited (NZX: NZK) Market Update

Me Today Limited (NZX: MEE) Confirms $10m Placement to Wholesale Investors

2nd June 2021 Morning Report

New Zealand Rural Land Company Limited (NZX: NZL) Rights Issue Documents

Infratil Limited (NZX: IFT) Update on Infratil Infrastructure Bond Offer

1st June 2021 Morning Report

Synlait Milk Limited (NZX: SML) Update Following Canterbury Flooding


CANYONVILLE, Ore. --- A woman is being held in the Douglas County Jail after allegedly stabbing her boyfriend in the hand with a knife Saturday afternoon.

Police arrested 40-year-old Lacy Reaney in connection with the stabbing. She is facing several charges including Assault II, Menacing, and Disorderly Conduct.

Police told KEZI 9 News that the victim was transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. According to officials, he should be released soon.
Patna, March 28 : The Bihar police headquarter has written to the Superintendents' of all the police distrcits, seeking whereabouts of the 211 dismissed cops, who were involved in illegal liquor trades across the state.

The liquor prohibition cell of Bihar dismissed 211 police personnel including constables, inspectors, sub-inspectors, home guard personnel, Bihar Special Armed Force (BSAP) and chowkidars, since the enforcement of the liquor ban in the state in April 2016.

The unit has asked SP, SSP, of all districts, commandants of home guard and BSAP to submit their reports by April 6.

"We have asked all the 43 police districts to provide details including addresses, phone numbers, present occupations of the dismissed police personnel. The reason is to ascertain whether they are living normal lives or involved in any criminal activity like smuggling of liquor," said a senior police officer.

The officer added that the initiative comes after an inspector has been recently arrested for his alleged involvement in liquor smuggling in Muzaffarpur district. He was dismissed from the service three years ago for his alleged connection with the liquor mafia, when he was the SHO of Kajra police station.
The long-running unrest in Belarus has spilled over into this years Eurovision Song Contest, with organisers ejecting the country from the competition for songs found to have repeatedly violated rules barring political content.

The countrys original song entry, Ya Nauchu Tebya (Ill Teach You) by the band Galasy ZMesta, was criticised by opposition figures who assert that lyrics such as I will teach you to toe the line endorsed President Alexander Lukashenkos violent crackdown on anti-government protests. Eurovision fans started an online petition asking organisers to make Belarus withdraw from the competition.

The banned Belarus entry to Eurovision appeared to advocate the governments tough and violent line against the oppostion, which has mounted massive protests since last years rigged election. Credit:AP

This month, the European Broadcasting Union, which organises the international musical spectacular, wrote to Belarus national broadcaster, BTRC, saying that the entry was not eligible to compete in the musical talent show in May in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The song puts the nonpolitical nature of the contest in question, the broadcasting unions statement said.
A total of 85,983 defects were recorded in 2020. (Joe Giddens/PA)

Over 85,000 defects, including potholes, were recorded on Northern Irelands roads in the past 12 months.

Figures released to BBC News NI under the Freedom of Information Act reveal a total of 85,983 defects in 2020.

The Fathom Line (125), linking Newry with the border on the shores of Carlingford Lough, recorded the greatest number of defects.

This stretch of road has seen resurfacing and patching repairs in recent months however a large number of defects remain in place.

Plans are advancing to build whats known as the southern relief road over the top of it which would link the A1/N1/M1 Belfast-Dublin road with the A2 Warrenpoint dual carriageway.

This 100m project is hoping to secure funding under the Belfast Region City Deal.

Preparatory work for the final phase of the cross-border Newry-Carlingford greenway is also under way on land running parallel to the Fathom Line.

The Kilnacolpagh Road (105) in Co Antrim, which runs from Lough Road to Carnalbanagh Road between Broughshane and Glenarm, had the second highest number of defects.

The Shore Road in Newtownabbey between Doagh Road and Mount Street was third with 101 recorded defects.

Read More

According to The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) figures, between 2016 and 2020 it paid out 2,067,351.17 on 8,412 successful vehicle damage claims where the cause was a pothole.

The 650m section of road from the Ballygowan roundabout to Tullygarvan Road had 44 defects in 2020 and 39 in 2019.

DfI said there was a rolling programme of maintenance and repair across the roads network, adding that Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon had made clear she wanted to do more to improve conditions for all road users.

All roads across Northern Ireland are inspected on a regular basis with all defects which meet the departments current intervention criteria being recorded and prioritised for repair, they said.

However, she is constrained by the level of funding available and continues to stress to executive colleagues the need for investment in roads infrastructure to help address regional imbalance, promote sustainable travel, help communities and improve safety.

The minister made a bid for 11m for roads in June and did not receive an allocation.
(BPT) - Most small business owners start their business to pursue a passion, not to crunch numbers. However, its important to get the finances right in the beginning to have the best chance at success. If youre not a numbers expert, you may need the help of an experienced professional, because accurate taxes and bookkeeping can help you avoid missed deductions or costly mistakes.

If youre thinking about starting your own small business, also think about getting help from day one, said Ian Hardman, General Manager and Vice President of small business at H&R Block. Block Advisors small business certified tax pros can help you make sound tax and financial decisions, guiding you to better outcomes so you can focus on what you love.

Here are four smart money moves to make when starting your small business.

Secure funding

It costs money to start a business, so if you cant personally cover your start-up costs, youll have to secure financing. This can be difficult, yet proper financing is one of the most important elements a company needs to succeed. Also, how you choose to finance your business could impact how you structure and run your business.

There are numerous financing options  not just the traditional bank loan. In fact, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) outlines several small business funding options. One thing to note: youll need a strong business plan and an accurate view of your financial situation and runway before you start.

Choose the right entity structure

Your business structure impacts everything from your day-to-day operations to your taxes and personal liability, so its important to choose the business structure that provides the best legal protection and least amount of tax responsibility for your business type. Many small businesses start as a sole proprietorship or limited liability company (LLC). However, do your homework before deciding which structure makes the most sense for your business.

Set up a business bank account

Separating your business and personal finances is a must. Itll make your accounting, quarterly, and end-of-year tax filings easier if there is a clear divide between your business and personal funds. Plus, a dedicated business account helps provide proof to the IRS that youre running a legitimate, money-making operation.

Before deciding to open a business bank account, evaluate your options to identify banks that specialize in helping new and emerging businesses. H&R Blocks subsidiary, Wave Financial, offers a business bank account and debit card with built-in bookkeeping, with no monthly fees, account minimums, transaction fees, or ATM withdrawal fees if you withdraw from its network of 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Wave Money offers fast access to payments, automates bookkeeping and creates tax-ready records, freeing entrepreneurs from time-consuming administrative tasks.

Track your start-up expenses, including mileage

Every dollar counts when youre a small business owner. If you're even thinking about starting a business, keep track of your miscellaneous expenses, including mileage, while you explore your options. You won't get to deduct these costs immediately, but when your business flips the on switch, you may be able to capture them on your taxes as start-up expenses.

If you use your car for both personal and business purposes, you must divide expenses based on the percentage of actual mileage driven for each use. Using a mileage and expense tracking app, like Everlance, can make it easy, both on you and your tax advisor. Block Advisors and Everlance have partnered to offer small business owners an opportunity to save money  discounted tax prep with an Everlance premium account.

We understand that the financial aspects of running a small business can seem overwhelming, but Block Advisors can be your partner in figuring it out. Were here to help take on some of those important financial tasks so you can focus on building your business, Hardman said.

Block Advisors, a team within H&R Block, is dedicated to meeting the tax, bookkeeping and payroll needs of small business owners year-round. To start working with the tax experts at Block Advisors, visit blockadvisors.com.

Our small business tax professional certification is awarded by Block Advisors, a part of H&R Block, based upon successful completion of proprietary training. Our Block Advisors small business services are available at participating Block Advisors and H&R Block offices nationwide.

This sponsored article is presented by Brandpoint.
Opening statements are set for Monday in the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder and manslaughter in George Floyd's death.

Derek Chauvin's trial is expected to last about four weeks and it will be streamed online.

Floyd, who was Black, was declared dead on May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for about nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and pleading that he couldn't breathe.

Precautions to guard against the spread of COVID-19 have limited courtroom space, leading the judge to try Chauvin before three other fired officers charged with aiding and abetting.

The pandemic all but wiped out the possibility of public seating, so the judge is allowing the trial to be broadcast and livestreamed a rare occurrence in a state that doesn't usually allow cameras in court.

Barbed and razor wire and concrete barriers surround the courthouse, and strict security is in place. City and state leaders want to avoid a repeat of last year's rioting that destroyed dozens of businesses and a police station.

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill is respected and has a reputation as a no-nonsense, fair judge.

He started in the county public defender's office in 1984 and worked for 10 years as a prosecutor, serving as top advisor to US Sen. Amy Klobuchar when she was the county's head prosecutor.

Cahill has been a judge since 2007.

He's known for being decisive and direct, and he held firm on his decision to allow video cameras over the state's objections, and to start the trial in March despite prosecutors' pandemic concerns. He reversed himself and reinstated a third-degree murder charge.

He also denied defense requests to delay or move the trial out of Hennepin County after the city of Minneapolis reached a USD 27 million settlement with Floyd's family.

Days after Floyd's death, Minnesota's governor announced that Attorney General Keith Ellison would take the lead on prosecuting the case. This was a win for local civil rights advocates who said longtime Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman didn't have the trust of the Black community.

Ellison, the state's first African American elected attorney general, previously served in Congress and worked as a defense attorney. He was a frequent presence in the courtroom during jury selection, though he did not question jurors.

His team includes Matthew Frank, an experienced attorney who recently won a guilty plea in the case of Lois Riess, a Minnesota woman who got life in prison without parole for killing her husband in 2018. Riess became notorious after she fled Minnesota, killed a woman in Florida, and assumed her identity before she was captured.

Also on board are: Jerry Blackwell, who last year won a posthumous pardon for a Black man wrongly convicted of rape before the infamous Duluth lynchings of 1920; and Steven Schleicher, a former federal prosecutor who led prosecution of the man who kidnapped and killed Jacob Wetterling in 1989. Schleicher took the lead for the prosecution in jury selection.

Chauvin, 45, started working for the Minneapolis Police Department in 2001, making him by far the most experienced of the four officers involved in Floyd's arrest.

He was fired soon after bystander video emerged. He was charged days later, and moved to a state prison for security reasons. He posted USD 1 million bond in October and was allowed to live out of state due to safety concerns.

His attorney, Eric Nelson, is among several attorneys in Minnesota who often represent police officers. One of his bigger cases involved Amy Senser, the wife of former Minnesota Vikings tight end Joe Senser, who was convicted in the 2011 hit-and-run death of a Minneapolis chef. Nelson argued that Senser should be sentenced to probation, but a judge gave her 41 months in prison.

Nelson also has tried murder cases. He helped win an acquittal for a Minnesota man who was charged with fatally shooting his unarmed neighbour in 2017. He also won an acquittal for a Wisconsin man who testified that he feared for his safety when he fatally stabbed a man who confronted him in 2015.

Nelson has not said whether Chauvin will testify.

Floyd, 46, moved to Minneapolis from Houston several years before his death in hopes of finding work but had lost his job as a restaurant bouncer due to COVID-19. On May 25, an employee at a Minneapolis grocery store called the police saying Floyd tried to pass a counterfeit USD 20 bill.

Floyd had five children, including a young daughter who lives with her mother in Houston. His friend Christopher Harris told The Associated Press last year that Floyd had been looking to start over fresh, a new beginning.

Chauvin's fate will be decided by 12 Hennepin County residents, whose names will be kept confidential until further court order. Two alternate jurors were selected to listen to testimony, but will not be part of deliberations unless needed. A third alternate will be sent home before opening statements Monday unless that person is needed to replace someone at the last minute.

(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.)
H&M logo is seen on one of the Swedish retailer's shops, on Jan. 30, 2020. (Ints Kalnins/File/Reuters)

CCP Inciting Nationalism Cant Get It Out of Diplomatic Dilemma

Commentary

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is suddenly caught in a diplomatic dilemma with the United States and the European Union and knows that it cannot resolve it. What is worse, it is not able to explain it domestically.

Once again, it has to take the path of inciting nationalism in an attempt to cover up its diplomatic failure. However, this approach cannot really eliminate the bad diplomatic effects, and it is difficult to shirk responsibility.

The CCP is targeting foreign manufacturers statements last year, and now suddenly starts retaliatory behavior. This behavior in fact harms the Chinese economy and peoples job opportunities and shows the ineffectiveness of high level officials in the predicament.

On March 25, the CCPs mouthpiece Xinhua News Agency became delirious again, and two of its articles, reportedly being the two most read, were eye-catching. The first article titled, Xinhuas Hot Comment: No way for Foreign Companies to Earn Money in China while Smearing China at the Same Time, directly named H&M Group, saying H&M does not cooperate with any apparel manufacturing factories in Xinjiang, nor does the company source products or raw materials from the region.

The article continued, In doing so, they (H&M) will only be spurned by Chinese consumers, adding in a defiant manner, If you want to screw China and make money in China, there is no way!

The second article titled Really Absurd! specifically marked out the pinyin for the Chinese characters for absurd, as the pinyin of one character starts with an H and the other with an M. The article says, In a recent statement, H&M wrote that the H&M Group is deeply concerned about reports from civil society organizations and media reports, including allegations of forced labor and religious discrimination against ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The Chinese people are outraged.

It goes on to say, No brand or company should ever dream of making money from the Chinese people!  This is a behavior of eating rice from the pot and then smashing it and they will end up insulting themselves! Its really absurd!

Eating rice from the pot and then smashing it is a literal translation of a Chinese idiomatic expression for being ungrateful.

Did H&M really make such a statement at this critical juncture?

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying was asked by an AFP reporter on March 25: H&M, Nike, and some other brands are now criticized on the [Chinese] Internet for what they said last year about forced labor in Xinjiang. We notice that relevant statements were made last year, but it is only now that some official agencies and netizens bring up the issue. To some, it looks like that China is leveraging its economy and market access to pressure and intimidate certain international brands into explicitly supporting Chinas position on Xinjiang-related issues. What is Chinas response?

Hua replied, I wasnt concerned as to when the companies in question made their statements, but they did make them. After some lengthy remarks, she finally said that foreigners are not allowed to eat Chinese rice while smashing Chinese bowls.

Hua was actually admitting that H&M, Nike, and other brands had issued statements as early as last year about the CCPs human rights issues in Xinjiang, but the CCP was not being, according to its own standards, patriotic at that time. Only this year did it suddenly remember to be patriotic.

It seems that the CCPs patriotism is a lie for political convenience, with its real intention now to cover up the diplomatic scandal, divert attention, and shirk responsibility for its failures. The CCP has hired an army of cyber trolls, sending out huge amounts of fake messages and posts.

Some people may have fallen for it, but if the result of this pushes foreign manufacturers out of China, will Chinas economy get better? The European Union, which was about to sign the China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, is now observing the CCPs style of diplomacy and may find it harder to proceed with the final signing.

Nike has also unfortunately been targeted and, together with Tesla, became the CCPs scapegoat.

Given the situation, should the United States decouple with the CCP?

The top brass of the CCP may think they can get away with their actions for the time being, but senior CCP officials know they wont be able to shrug off the blame for the botched diplomacy.

In 2020, the CCPs efforts to leverage the epidemic for hegemony failed, and it has been plunged into unprecedented international isolation. As the top CCP echelons tried to shirk their responsibilities, the internal struggle intensified.

In January, seeing Biden would take office, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said time and momentum are on Chinas side.

But now, before the first quarter of 2021 is over, the CCP is unexpectedly caught in a new round of diplomatic difficulties and has to resort to its regular path of inciting nationalism to cover them upagain.

On March 25, Xinhua published a third article titled Hua Chunying Responds to Questions on Xinjiang Issues by Asking Back and Expressing Counterattacks, in which the CCPs tone seems to have returned to the Mao era.

Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said from a meeting at NATO headquarters that the United States had noted the Chinese regimes military aggressiveness and warned Beijing against further threatening behavior.

In response, Hua argued, No one is more suited than the U.S. for the label of militarization and jeopardizing freedom of navigation  No one is more suited than the US for the label of breaking rules of the international system.

It is the U.S. and Western countries themselves who are undermining their own values, she added.

The CCPs Ministry of National Defense (MOD), at the behest of the CCPs top brass, has also come to the fore. On March 25, Xinhua News Agency reported that Ren Guoqiang, spokesperson of the MOD, has said in response to reporters questions on U.S.-China Military Relations and vaccine aid that, China has no intention to challenge anyone, but it is not afraid of facing challenges from anyone. He also said that China doesnt want to threaten anyone, but that any threat from anyone would not work on China.

While claiming that the CCP has no intention to challenge or threaten, the MOD, however, continued to say that it would continue to make contributions to serving the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, which was a response to the United States Department of Defenses (DOD) listing of China as the number one pacing challenge. I just cant help wonder what the United States military thinks of the response.

In addition, on March 25, the MOD announced that it will send a team to participate in Sayanling Range March snowfield combat and march competition in Russia from April 4 to 20. It also announced on the same day that it was officially commissioning its Type 055 destroyer Lhasa, while saying that countries concerned should not mess up with or create trouble in the South China Sea.

The latest stance of the CCPs military is actually a new round of muscle-flexing towards foreign countries at the behest of the top echelon of the CCP. With the Chinese regimes military joining the CCPs other diplomatic wolf warriors and being blatantly provocative, it is time for the United States, Asian, and Western governments to decide their response. If no real changes are made to the Chinese regime, the CCP will become increasingly assertive.

Not only should the other governments work together to impose stronger economic and technological sanctions, and demonstrate stronger military deterrence, it is also time for them to jointly hold the CCP accountable for concealing the Wuhan virus epidemic.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Kolkata: Sinking political differences, Trinamool Congress candidate and maverick politician Madan Mitra on Sunday celebrated Holi with three actors-turned-BJP nominees on board a vessel on river Hooghly.

Mitra, the TMC candidate from Kamarhati constituency, celebrated the festival of colours with Payel Sarkar, Srabonti Chatterjee and Tanushree Chakraborty, who are contesting the West Bengal assembly elections on BJP tickets from Kolkata's Behala East and Behala West seats and Howrah's Shyampur respectively.

Singing popular Holi-special Bengali song, 'Khelbo Holi rong debona', Mitra said, "They are my friends. We have known each other for many years. There shouldn't be any politics on Holi. I invited them and they are here."

"Political differences should not overshadow our personal relations. We can have different political ideologies but we are all together on Holi, which speaks of amity and harmony. This is the culture of West Bengal," he added.

Tanushree said, "I was on a campaign trail till yesterday but today, I have taken a break."

Srabonti and Payel also called for forgetting political differences and celebrating the festival.

They also shook a leg with Mitra and smeared colours on each other.

In other parts of the state, too, many candidates including actor Rudranil Ghosh and filmmaker Raj Chakraborty celebrated the festival while campaigning in their respective constituencies.

Live TV
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.

Opening arguments are set to begin Monday in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who faces murder charges in the death last May of a Black man, George Floyd. Floyds death in police custody triggered protests around the world.

A 12-member jury and three alternates are set to hear the case, while testimony in the high-profile trial could last a month.

The 45-year-old Chauvin, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges in the death of Floyd, who was 46. If convicted, Chauvin could face years in prison.

Chauvin says he was following police training in arresting Floyd as he pinned him to a city street by keeping his knee on Floyds neck for about nine minutes. A shopkeeper had accused Floyd of passing a counterfeit $20 bill.

Floyd died in custody after gasping that he could not breathe. Aside from claiming his client was following police training in the way the arrest was carried out, Chauvins defense attorney, Eric Nelson, is expected to argue that Floyd died from underlying medical conditions, not because Chauvin was holding him down on the street.

In a victory for the defense, the judge overseeing the trial said Nelson could tell the jury about a 2019 encounter between Floyd and Minneapolis police during which Floyd allegedly exhibited behavior similar to his actions in the incident in which he died.

Nelson has said the 2019 incident is central to his argument that Floyds health issues and the level of drugs in his system killed him, not Chavin pinning him down on May 25, 2020.

Prosecutors opposed admission of a two-minute video of the 2019 incident, contending that it was an attempt to tarnish Floyds character in the minds of the jurors.

Street protests against police treatment of minorities, some of which turned violent, erupted in numerous U.S. cities and elsewhere throughout the world in the weeks after Floyds death.

Over the last three weeks, the jury was picked to try the case. The panel, including the three alternates, is racially diverse.

It includes six white women, three white men, three Black men, one Black woman and two multiracial women, according to court records.

The city of Minneapolis agreed recently to pay Floyds relatives $27 million in damages to settle their claims of abuse in the case. But the trial was not delayed because of the settlement.
China, Iran vow to boost ties, promote regional peace

Xinhua) 13:36, March 28, 2021

TEHRAN, March 27 (Xinhua) -- China and Iran on Saturday agreed to further boost bilateral relations and work together to promote regional peace and stability.

The consensus was reached during the meeting between visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Ali Larijani, advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Calling China and Iran as traditional friendly partners, Wang pointed out that China has always viewed the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.

No matter how the international and regional situations change, China will unswervingly maintain its friendly policies towards Iran, the Chinese diplomat stressed.

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the China-Iran ties stand at a new historical starting point, Wang said, adding that China is willing to work with Iran to open new frontiers of cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples, and world peace and development.

Also on Saturday, Wang and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif signed the China-Iran comprehensive cooperation plan, as agreed by both sides in the joint statement on building a comprehensive strategic partnership issued in January 2016.

The plan maps out future cooperation between China and Iran in such fields as economy and people-to-people exchanges, which will help push for the continuous development of the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang said.

He also reiterated China's willingness to continue its assistance to Iran in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

China firmly supports Iran in opposing hegemony and safeguarding national sovereignty and dignity, the Chinese diplomat said, noting that the unilateral sanctions against Iran violate international law and cause harm to the Iranian people.

Urging the international community to jointly oppose any acts of bullying by powers, Wang expressed China's commitment to defending the legitimate rights of the two nations and other developing countries.

For his part, Larijani said Iran attaches great importance to its relations with China, noting that the bilateral relations have ushered in a new era.

Iran appreciates China's great support in helping control the COVID-19 pandemic, Larijani said, voicing his hope that the bilateral cooperation in this regard will be further intensified.

Larijani hailed the signing of the comprehensive cooperation plan by the two sides for laying a good foundation for the future development of their ties.

Iran is willing to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with China in various fields, including the anti-terrorism cooperation, he said.

Larijani also said that Iran highly appreciates China's just position of opposing the U.S.-led unilateral sanctions imposed on Iran.

He added that Iran is ready to cooperate with China closely to find a way, through dialogues and negotiations, to resolve the differences among the parties in the Iranian nuclear deal, so to safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)

Mount Greylock School Committee Sends FY22 Budget to Member Towns



Mount Greylock Superintendent Jake McCandless addresses the School Committee during Thursday's virtual meeting. WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Mount Greylock Regional School Committee on Thursday advanced a fiscal 2022 budget proposal that features investments in expanded summer offerings and diversity work but minimizes the impact to local property tax payers.

Member towns Lanesborough and Williamstown will be sent FY22 assessments that call for increases of 2 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively, over their FY21 assessments under the spending plan passed by the committee on a 7-0 vote.

District Business Administrator Joe Bergeron explained that while the preK-12 district's operating budget is up by about 4.6 percent, much of that increase is absorbed by grant funding and use of the district's three reserve accounts: excess and deficiency, school choice and tuition.

Williamstown voters will be asked to approve an assessment of $12,346,994, up $233,570 from the $12.1 million figure they approved at last summer's annual town meeting.

Lanesborough's assessment under the proposed budget stands at $5,876,831, a hike of $114,995 from last year's $5.7 million school bill.

First-year Superintendent Jake McCandless walked the School Committee through a number of investments that the proposed budget makes.

"A budget is a mark of what we believe about the world, what we believe about our role in it and what we want to do and see for students in the district," McCandless said. "A budget is a moral document, a document of who we are and what we believe in."

Two significant changes in the world the last couple of years drive the increased expenditures in the FY22 spending plan. The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the district's students has prompted the district to offer new summer programming for its regular education students. Increased calls for the schools to address societal inequities have inspired significant investments in McCandless' Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging initiative.

That investment, for now, does not include a dedicated position in the district to oversee that DEIB work. But, as McCandless said at the School Committee's March 11 meeting, for him, "it is not a matter of if, it's a matter of when" such a position will be funded.

"Right now, in this current budget, was not necessarily the when,' " McCandless said. "We have a lot of work to do from the leader of the district on down -- to get more practiced and adept and with a better toolkit to use to actually be full allies to a host of different types of students before a position like that would be anything but a frustration for an individual."

Instead of that position, the proposed FY22 budget includes $45,000 in additional spending for professional development with an emphasis on DEIB training, $60,217 for a new social worker at Lanesborough Elementary School, $63,428 for a social worker at Mount Greylock Regional School and $122,500 for new textbooks at the two elementary schools.

"The purchase of an elementary English and language arts curriculum is a one-time ever five- to 10-year expense, however, as we consider the age and appropriateness of our math curricula, of our social studies curricula, of our science curricula and other materials needs in our elementary schools, we really felt like it was important that we draw some lines in the sand and project sizable amounts of money every year for curricula renewal," McCandless said. "Like most districts in the United States, we are, to some degree, playing catch-up. And if we're doing curricula the right way and listening to the voices of our teachers, our in-house experts, on what works, we want to have the flexibility to be able to put the best tools into their hands.

"Not every 15 years or even every 12 years but maybe every five to 10 years. So we do include these in the regular budget and not simply as one-time items."

On the other hand, the district is hoping that the expanded summer school offerings will be a one-time, post-pandemic expense.

Although, like most districts, Mount Greylock has a history of providing summer programs for special needs students, this July and August it will open up, "powerful learning opportunities that are powerfully fun" for all students, McCandless said.

"We would see the programs at all three schools as being perfectly appropriate for regular ed students and students who need special education support ," McCandless said. "We are right now seeing this as a summer of 21 thing that may be a one-time cost, but I don't want that etched in stone."

Fortunately for the district, it has some reserve funds built up that will help pay for some of the increases in the budget -- both those that are potentially one-time expenses and others, like new staff and a commitment to curriculum improvement, that are long-term commitments.

"We view this transition from a pretty significant tuition revolver balance of $1.767 million down to $1.313 million as something that, in this year, pulling out of the pandemic, trying to reinforce as many areas as we can and covering some one-time expenses that we do not view as being carried forward into FY23, along with a similar level of reductions in our School Choice balances  we view this as a responsible way to move forward with our towns, gradually introducing new increases in assessments in a way that, per conversations with both towns, they appreciate the approach we're taking," Bergeron said.

Bergeron characterized the expanded use of reserves to lower the assessments while increasing the budget as a way to give Lanesborough and Williamstown a "runway" to gradually higher assessments.

"Given what we're doing here, we're only going to need this year, perhaps next year of runway to be able to move to this updated form with being able to serve our students in new and better way," Bergeron said.

The tuition revolver account started at $1.7 million at the beginning of FY21. Including projected expenditures of just more than $1 million from account in FY22, the district expects it to stand at just over $1.3 million at the end of the coming fiscal year.

For School Choice, which stood at just over $1 million going into the current fiscal year, $505,000 in expenditures next year would leave it at about $702,000 going to FY23.

Excess and deficiency -- a school district's equivalent of towns' free cash account -- started FY21 at just more than a million and would end FY22 at about $532,000 after the proposed FY22 expenditures of $240,000 in the spending plan passed on Thursday.

"If we were to introduce all of the increase as assessments, meaning not increase our use of revolver accounts, we'd be up in that 5 percent range [in assessment increases]," Bergeron said. "By not going that far in how we push our member towns, we've been able to keep those assessment increases lower."

At Thursday's meeting of the School Committee's Finance Subcommittee, Steven Miller indicated that the district was fortunate to have healthy revolver accounts to tap.

"This shows the advantage of having rainy day funds so when something like this hits, we can deal with it," Miller said. "So we can do this without having a major sticker shock."
Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop.

Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News

Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time.

Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up!

Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.
An explosive episode has erupted on our Saturday night, marking the start of "Vincenzo" second half. Now that the identity of Babel Group's real owner has finally been revealed, Song Joong Ki is up to show no mercy.

As the second part starts, the connection and mystery behind each character also begins to change.

After putting his life in line to know who the real enemy is, Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong Ki) tried ringing the chairman's phone after a 3v1 fight at the underpass - but he got no answer.

Meanwhile, Jang Jun Woo's (2PM's Taecyeon) phone vibrated but he managed to escape suspicion and took his other phone that wasn't ringing.

The Evil in Hong Cha Young Shows Itself

The three gang members who fought with Vincenzo were brought in an abandoned warehouse while ensconced a car, and the two lawyers started to interrogate them.

Hong Cha Young (Jeon Yeo Bin) used exhaust fumes of the car. She attempted to suffocate the men if they wouldn't speak up.

Hong Cha Young also learned that the men in front of them are the same ones responsible for killing all the victims' families. The lady lawyer couldn't hide her anger and put the control at a maximum level to suffocate them.

Vincenzo was stunned seeing Hong Cha Young's wicked side as she punished the evil.

Confused Hong Cha Young Tests if She Has Feelings for Vincenzo

After a tiring night, Vincenzo and Hong Cha Young went for a drink again.

The two discussed all the things that had happened, until the female lawyer was tipsy and remembered the warm embrace she gave Vincenzo - which made her heart pound while she was hugging her partner in crime.

And in order to test whether she has feelings for him or not, she told Vincenzo to stand up and recreate exactly what she did at the underpass.

Hong Cha Young ran a few steps and hugged the man in front of her for 10 seconds. Vincenzo, meanwhile, tried his best not to look at her and composed himself.

Ten seconds ended and Hong Cha Young concluded she was just worried and didn't have feelings for him, making Vincenzo disappointed.

The next day, Vincenzo made an unexpected visit to his mother at the hospital. He reminded her not to be guilty anymore about abandoning his son, and told her that she should focus more on getting better.

The Real Mafia Playing the Mafia Game

While in the middle of a meeting, the Jipuragi Law Firm squad was invited by the Geumga plaza residents to join them in playing the mafia game. Hesitant at first, Vincenzo ended up playing with them until cops interrupted them and arrested Vincenzo for abetting murder, and that he's a mafia lawyer who keeps on threatening the Wusang law firm.

The residents were shocked to know about Vincenzo's real identity. Hong Cha Young followed Vincenzo as his lawyer.

At the station, the police warned Vincenzo that if everything is proven, he will be deported.

A New Hero from Geumga Plaza Emerges

When Vincenzo was about to be put behind bars, Mr. An (Lim Chul Soo) showed up with two men. With swag and confidence, Mr. An finally introduced himself as the International Security Intelligence Service team leader, and with him is the warrant by the Ministry of Justice to take Vincenzo into his custody.

Wusang Law Firm didn't expect the sudden turn of events, and they are now wondering how powerful and connected Vincenzo Cassano is.

Meanwhile, after saving him, Mr. An wanted to join forces with Vincenzo and Hong Cha Young in finding the real Babel Boss.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 'VINCENZO' tvN (@vincenzodrama)

But Mr. An had 3 conditions, and one of it was to give him Vincenzo a hug as it was an honor for him to meet a real mafia consigliere.

Vincenzo and Jang Han Seok's First Face-off

Mr. An helped Vincenzo and Hong Cha Young locate the man named Kim Sang Yun, a weapon lobbyist. He was the last card for them to know who the real Babel Group boss is.

Vincenzo then captured him after several hours, and he tried to scare Kim Sang Yun via Russian roulette. Eventually, he revealed who it is - Jang Han Seok is a lawyer working in Wusang Law Firm who goes by the name Jang Jun Woo.

Shocked and worried, Vincenzo phoned Hong Cha Young, who was with Jang Jun Woo at the time, to tell her the truth.

Jang Jun Woo headed back to his apartment. A familiar voice called his name, and was shocked to see Vincenzo inside his home.

Tension escalated as Vincenzo revealed he knows he is Jang Han Seok. He put his gun on his head. The Babel Group boss didn't expect the surprise, and his monstrous eyes appeared.

Are you ready for a more hair-raising face-off between Song Joong Ki and 2PM's Taecyeon? Check out what to look forward to in "Vincenzo" Episode 12 here!

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 island has only one chance to reopen for tourists.

Local business owner Ken Haga said more needs to be done to ensure the reopening is done right  including reassessing the timing of the opening and ensuring small businesses that support tourist activities get the help they need.

"If you hurry to open the business with an unrealistic idea, it will give visitors a chewy image and change the image of tourism in Guam  make it worse," said Haga, owner of the tour agency U.S. Explore & Study Inc.

He said Guam's main source markets, Japan and South Korea, "are not ready anyway."

Local officials are looking at May 1 to begin welcoming tourists. Preparations are in full force  from island beautification projects slated for next month, to vaccine clinics for industry workers, and even incentives in the form of discounts on various airport fees to airlines flying from Asian markets to Guam.

Haga said restrictions on island are just beginning to ease, and businesses need this time to prepare for tourists and promote a more realistic opening day.

"Maybe October because October is a reasonable month to open and we have time to prepare for all," Haga said.

The additional time would allow local small businesses to prepare and dust off equipment that's been sitting for a year.

And to do that requires money, he said, while also acknowledging many small business owners don't have much, given mounting debts and no revenue for the past year.

Larger businesses have deeper pockets than small businesses. Many larger businesses have taken time and spent money on renovations or upgrades to their facilities in anticipation of the end of the pandemic.

'Small business first'

Noting the disadvantage, Haga questioned the governor's plan to dedicate $18 million to make safety upgrades to Matapang Beach Park while small businesses need help.

"Why do we need the cleanup of the beach? They must be concerned for the small business first. If the small local business can't run, we don't have any gasoline anymore; we cannot survive," Haga said.

He added that many tourists come to Guam and utilize either tour groups or rental cars to go around the island to enjoy the food and various activities. He said it would be "ridiculous" to think tourists would just come to Guam and stay at the hotels and walk to the beach.

Guam Visitors Bureau President and CEO Carl Gutierrez pushed for the upgrades at Matapang, which will include a facility for the Guam Fire Department's rescue team, which he said would benefit not only tourists, but locals as well.

Haga said the money would be better spent on ensuring everyone is ready when tourists begin to return to Guam.

"We are not ready, we need to prepare to welcome the people. Not just my company, not (just) big hotels, but small hotels even, have to be fair," Haga said.

"The money needs to go to small business first. Without them we can't survive. Tourism is nothing, ... people come to enjoy Guam. That's why optional tourism is very important, like rent-a-car, but without that there's nothing fun on Guam. This is reality and common sense," he said.

"If I were to talk to GVB I think I would say the time is not now, not ready on either side, so let's keep quiet and see what we can do for the preparation for the opening day. Maybe not tomorrow but for sure this year, maybe October."

Haga wrote a letter to Sen. Amanda Shelton raising concerns over GVB being tasked to lead the reopening of tourism.

"The GVB hasn't contacted any of its affiliated members in the past year, so I'm categorically opposed if they allocate funding. They should not take industry initiative," said Haga in a letter to Shelton.

Shelton said she appreciates input from all stakeholders.

"We all share the common goal of keeping our local community and our visitors safe  and this will be key to our efforts for tourism recovery and reopening," she said. "I hope to work closely with (Department of Public Health and Social Services), GVB and the entire tourism sector, large and small businesses alike, to ensure that Guam is prepared and our people and future visitors will be kept safe come reopening in May."
Soi Dog mobile clinics to sweep Phuket, starting in Wichit

Soi Dog Foundations mobile clinic, which provides a free sterilisation and vaccination service for dogs and cats, will be setting up in Wichit from Mar 29 to Apr 9 as part of a wider project thats scheduled to run until the end of the year.

Community

By Soi Dog Foundation

Sunday 28 March 2021, 10:00AM

Following Wichit, the clinic is due to visit Kamala, Cherng Talay, Srisoonthorn, Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi in Phang Nga, Karon, Rawai, Sakhu, Mai Khao, Koh Kaew, Rassada, Chalong, Kathu, Thepkrasattri, Pa Khlok, Muang District and finally Patong.

Soi Dogs animal rescue officers will survey and pick up street dogs and cats from across each subdistrict before bringing them to the mobile clinic for sterilisation and vaccination against major diseases, including rabies, distemper and parvovirus.

Pet owners and street animal feeders are invited to bring their dogs and cats to the clinic too. However, they are asked to check the Soi Dog Thailand Facebook page or email bern@soidog.org ahead of time as the above schedule is subject to change. They are also requested to withhold food from the dog or cat after midnight the night before their spay/neuter surgery for the animals safety.

Mobile clinics form an integral part of Soi Dogs CNVR programme (Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return.) The mass spay and neuter programme is at the very forefront of the foundations operations and is proven to be the only ethical and the most effective way of managing the stray dog and cat populations. Since 2003, over 530,000 dogs and cats have been neutered and vaccinated across Thailand through what is now the largest programme of its kind in the world.

To effectively reduce the number of stray animals in the long-term, each Tambon Administration Organisation [OrBorTor] must continue and support spay and neuter programmes, explained Soi Dogs Community Relations Manager Sakdapol Thongjan.

They must also support pet owners and animal feeders in the community in taking care of newborn puppies and kittens as this can lead to pet abandonment problems later.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A Republican Minnesota state representative is proposing legislation that would let Minnesota counties secede from the state and join border states.

Rep. Jeremy Munson, of Lake Crystal, introduced the bill Thursday and tweeted out an image promoting a union with South Dakota. It shows nearly every county west of the Twin Cities metro as part of a newly imagined South Dakota.

Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem appeared to support Munsons idea by retweeting his plan with a note that said her state will roll out the red carpet for people who love personal responsibility and freedom.

(Newser)  When Sao Paulo city officials put out a call for 4,500 public school cleaning jobs, they were unprepared for the response. More than 90,000 women applied in two days. The initiative was aimed at alleviating skyrocketing unemployment among mothers and helping schools comply with Brazil's new COVID-19 protocols for keeping classrooms hygienic. The response offers a glimpse at how Brazilian womenparticularly mothershave been disproportionally sidelined by the crisis, the AP reports. Worldwide, as schools remain closed, many mothers juggle fewer work hours with homeschooling and household duties. Others put their careers on hold, or were laid off. In Brazil, economists say, the worsening health and economic crises are further delaying the return of women to the workforce. "This job fell from the sky for me," said Marilene Paixao, one of the mothers selected for the cleaning jobs. But a month after Sao Paulo hired the women, the city closed schools again on March 15.

story continues below

Even before the pandemic, only 53% of Brazilian women were in the labor market, compared to 71% of men. This is partly due to Brazilian women facing worse labor choices or requiring flexible hours to raise their children. Thassy Cruz, a 26-year-old nurse and single mother, lost her job at a prestigious medical facility when it began treating only COVID-19 patients. Her 8-year-old daughter Alice suffers from asthmatic bronchitis, putting her at greater risk if she caught the virus, so Cruz quit rather than work with infected patients. Now Cruz is homeschooling her daughter five days a week and has emptied her savings account. She said she feels hopeless. "Not working goes far beyond not being able to pay your bills," Cruz said. "It's about the difficulty of facing the world without having an activity to go to every day. Its about feeling useful to yourself, and being part of a society."

(Read more Brazil stories.)
Kathmandu, March 28

The government has decided to let the Nepal Telecommunications Company (commonly known as Nepal Telecom) carry out a test about the use of 5G internet technology in Nepal.

After the piloting, the government will give the company a licence for the commercial use of the 5G technology.

A recent meeting of the Radio Frequency Determination Committee headed by Communications and Information Minister Parbat Gurung decided to begin the piloting with the government-run company. However, the committee is yet to decide which frequencies the company will use for the test.

Now, the telecommunications regulator, Nepal Telecommunications Authority, will make other decisions in this regard, informs Communications Secretary Hari Prasad Basyal.

The authoritys chairperson Purushottam Khanal says the company will be given frequencies based on how the company experiments its use.

Meanwhile, the authority also says it has launched a project to study appropriate frequencies, investment and trade potentials, needful infrastructures and regulation of the 5G technology among others.
The U.S. government should take pity on its own people

11:39, March 28, 2021 By Zheng Yan ( People's Daily Online

China has recently published a report on human rights violations in the U.S. in 2020, which has brought to light America's "double standards" and hypocrisy regarding human rights issues.

The report, issued by the State Council Information Office of China, revealed America's wrongdoings related to human rights, including incompetent COVID-19 pandemic containment, American democratic dysfunction, racial discrimination, continuous social unrest, growing polarization between the rich and poor, and its trampling on international rules.

A protester holds a sign near the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on June 8, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

By the end of February 2021, the U.S., home to less than 5 percent of the world's population, accounted for more than a quarter of the world's confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the report.

American police shot and killed a total of 1,127 people in 2020, and African Americans were approximately three times more likely than white people to be killed by police, the report noted.

The website for Bloomberg reported on Oct. 8, 2020 that the 50 richest Americans now hold almost as much wealth as the combined money and assets of the poorest 165 million people in the country, the report noted.

The U.S., a world leader in healthcare, and the so-called "city upon a hill" and "beacon of democracy", has been trapped in the nightmare that is the COVID-19 pandemic, hitting rock bottom with its seething social turmoil and unprecedented post-election insurrections.

The country, which has always considered itself to be an exceptional and superior force in the world, saw its own epidemic situation run out of control, accompanied by heightening political disorder, inter-ethnic conflicts, and social division.

Various new records of human rights violations in the U.S. have revealed that the American people enjoy their civil and political rights in name only.

The utterance "I can't breathe," the last words of unarmed African American George Floyd before he was brutally suffocated to death by a U.S. police officer, is not only now the rallying cry of black Americans, but also the inner voice of other ethnic minority groups and even the broader general public in the U.S.

The U.S., a country that has long masqueraded as a defender of human rights, has always ignored and trampled on the human rights of other countries.

Its most recent actions, such as imposing unilateral sanctions on some countries amid a raging worldwide pandemic that has hindered them from accessing medical supplies, forcibly expelling at least 8,800 unaccompanied illegal immigrant children regardless of risks to the spread of the virus, and withdrawing the country from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Agreement, have fully proven that the U.S. has been relentlessly fueling isolationism and unilateralism, and has become a breaker of international rules, an instigator of humanitarian disasters, and the biggest troublemaker threatening global security and stability.

Human rights are never a mirror to be held up to the U.S. from which it can observe itself, but rather a big stick it waves around to strike others when opportune to do so.

The U.S., ignoring its sustained, systematic and massive infringement on human rights, is even acting as a "lecturer on human rights," piecing together human rights reports targeting other countries with invalid information, adopting so-called human rights acts, pointing fingers at other countries' internal affairs, and turning a blind eye to the questioning it receives on its own human rights record.

Such "double standards" once again prove that human rights issues are just a tool employed by the White House to meddle in other countries' domestic affairs. By slandering other countries and distorting facts, the U.S. is merely pursuing its own private interests and containing the development of others.

There are historical reasons for the human rights troubles found in the U.S. today. The philosophy of human rights in America is "congenitally" defective as the country's founders failed to shed enough ink on notions of equality, including for ethnic minority groups, women's suffrage, and the residency of migrants, in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

The historical human rights practices of the U.S. are even more notorious and telling, from hundreds of years of systematic slavery, to unreasonably starting wars in Iraq and Syria that have since led to the innumerable deaths of innocent civilians.

The U.S. owes an incalculable debt to both the international society and its own people given its flagrant human rights abuses  both past and present. Human rights protection is not achieved through empty talk, and history tolerates no fabrication in this domain. Self-righteous boasting and ill-intentioned cherry-picking can only be scoffed at by those who stand with justice.

Recently, representatives from 116 countries and international organizations reviewed the human rights situation in the U.S. and made 347 recommendations on human rights improvements.

It is well understood that the world of today no longer follows the same old pattern where only a few countries decided all major matters of international concern. The era when such countries could arbitrarily interfere in other countries' domestic affairs by cooking up a series of presupposed human rights concerns has now gone for good.

Anyone who attacks other countries with trumped up lies and rumors must eventually be brought before the court of human history.

A crooked man is never qualified to serve as a mediator to try and correct others' ways. Facing fury at home and growing opposition from international society, the U.S. government had better deal with the pains felt by its own nationals at home, abandon its hypocrisy, hegemony and "double standards", and meet the rest of the world halfway.

If some American politicians continue to go down a wrongful path, they will eventually pay the price for their stupidity and ignorance.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
There is no national data on how many Irish people are suffering with Long Covid-19, and no health units for treatment of Long Covid patients have been established, it has emerged.

A study on the long-term effects of Covid-19 by Kings College London last year showed one in 20 infected people in the UK were deemed to have symptoms for two months or longer.

Long Covid symptoms include: fatigue, prolonged loss of taste or smell, respiratory and cardiovascular issues, and mental health problems, among various other ailments.

While a HSE spokesperson said a national approach to Long Covid is currently under consideration, there are no specific health units or centres dealing with long Covid in Ireland.

Read More

Ths HSE also confirmed that there is no national data at this time on how many Irish people experience prolonged symptoms, though there are some reports from individual centres.

In response to the growing evidence on the long tail of Covid-19, Health Secretary Matt Hancock established more than 60 health centres specifically for long Covid across the UK.

Fine Gael spokesperson on Health TD Colm Burke believes that planning by the HSE for the impact of Long Covid is now a matter of some urgency and should include a dedicated health unit on Long Covid within the HSE.

I understand that some hospitals have established post-Covid clinics to follow up with patients who need further care, but a network of clinics should be established to focus on research and treatment of the condition.

If 5pc of patients suffer from Long Covid then the numbers suffering from the condition in Ireland may exceed 10,000 and as the number of infections continue to rise, so too will the number of those suffering from Long Covid.

Some patients make a very slow recovery and for others a full recovery does not appear to be in sight. The symptoms of Long Covid may include chronic fatigue, joint pains, breathlessness, brain fog, lung damage, damage to other internal organs and disruption to the bodys regulatory systems.

In particular, the HSE and private healthcare providers have a duty of care to healthcare workers who put their health and their lives on the line during the pandemic. During the past year more than 27,000 healthcare workers became infected with Covid. A full range of supports must now be put in place for healthcare workers suffering from Long Covid, Deputy Burke said.

The HSE said specific guidance on what has been referred to as the long-tail is presently under development in Ireland and that people who have had Covid-19 are being followed up by their doctors as appropriate. People who have been discharged from hospital following Covid-19 are followed up as appropriate by their team, the HSE said.

Longer-term observational studies will be required to understand the health consequences presently being attributed to post Covid-19 infection. The HSE has beenin touch with and will be engaging a group of people who are suffering post-Covid symptoms.

Guidance is being developed to align needs with care provision and to develop criteria and strategies for the ongoing evaluation of patients.
China Strikes Back

A long list of Western brands including Tommy Hilfiger, H&M, Adidas, Nike and Burberry are feeling the chill of Chinese wallets snapping shut. The Chinese government is pushing consumers to boycott those companies after they pledged to stop using cotton produced in the region of Xinjiang, where the Chinese authorities are imprisoning ethnic minorities in detention camps. (The United States and several of its allies also imposed a new round of sanctions on Chinese officials earlier this month, citing human rights abuses that the Chinese government has continued to deny.) Its unclear whether Beijings calls for a boycott will make a serious dent. Previous state-sponsored campaigns against brands like Apple and Starbucks havent had much success in deterring Chinese consumers from buying what they want.

Image Credit... Giacomo Bagnara

Whats Next? (March 28-April 3)

Seeing Green

New York lawmakers reached a deal to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over, opening the state to a potential $4.2 billion industry that could create tens of thousands of jobs and become one of the largest markets in the country. The law may be approved as soon as this week, although the first legal sales are probably more than a year away. Once up and running, marijuana commerce is expected to generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for the strapped state. Lawmakers have promised to reinvest a major chunk of that money in minority communities that have been disproportionately punished by drug policing in the past.

The Union Vote

Workers at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Ala., will conclude a weekslong vote on Monday on whether to form a union. Notorious for its union-busting tactics (some of which are under legal scrutiny), Amazon has encouraged its workers to vote no. It also denied claims of harsh working conditions and lack of coronavirus safety protocols, and pointed out that its starting wage of $15 an hour is significantly higher than what workers could find elsewhere. If the union is approved, it would be a first for Amazon workers in the United States and could embolden labor movements across the country.

Infrastructure Now

President Biden has outlined his next big plan for boosting the economy: a giant infrastructure package. The details are still in flux as administration officials shop around the proposal to members of Congress and industry leaders. But the broad strokes remain consistent with Mr. Bidens campaign promises to make the economy more equitable, address climate change and bolster Americas manufacturing and technology industries in an escalating competition with China. Who will pay for the plans estimated $3 trillion costs? The administration has suggested that it may be financed in part through tax increases on corporations and the rich.
Farrukhabad : , March 28 (IANS) A man has been booked for issuing death threats to former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and former Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh.

The accused, Gautam, had issued the threat through a video that reached former MLA Urmila Rajput, who then lodged a complaint with the police.

Police said that Rajput's husband had received the video recently.

In the video, Gautam can be seen making derogatory remarks and issuing threats to kill Kalyan Singh.

Inspector Farrukhabad Kotwali, Ved Prakash Pandey, told reporters, "Urmila Rajput filed a complaint with Farrukhabad Kotwali police demanding that an FIR be lodged and inquiry be instituted into the video clip being shared on WhatsApp showing Gautam threatening former Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh." A case has been registered against Gautam under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code including 507 (criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication), 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc. and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), Pandey further said.

"Investigations are underway and the content of the video is also being examined. Besides, separate teams have been formed and raids are underway to arrest the accused," he added.

Rajput has also urged the state government to probe the video where 'highly derogatory remarks' have been made against Kalyan Singh.
One of the most important festivals in the Christian faith, Easter celebrates the period during which Christians believe Jesus Christ was resurrected following the crucifixion.

For people who are not Christian, it is also a time to come together as a family.

Unlike Christmas, the date of Easter is subject to change, as its date is determined by a lunisolar calendar.

So when is Easter, why does its date vary and how is it celebrated? Heres everything you need to know:

When is it?

Easter marks the end of the 40-day period of Lent, during which those who observe the festival abstain from everyday luxuries such as rich foods.

The week before Easter is widely referred to by Christians as Holy Week, as it recalls the events surrounding the passion, crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

2016 Easter celebrations around the world Show all 20 1 /20 2016 Easter celebrations around the world 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Willy Salvador, 59, hangs from a cross as part of his penitence during a reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for Good Friday celebrations ahead of Easter in the village of San Juan, Pampanga Getty images 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines articipants lie on the ground after whipping their bloodied backs with bamboo as part of their penitence during a ceremony reenacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for Good Friday celebrations ahead of Easter in the village of San Juan. Getty images 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines articipants whip their bloodied backs with bamboo as part of their penitence during the re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for Good Friday celebrations ahead of Easter in the village of San Juan. Getty images 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Hungary Dancers of 'Matyo Folklor Art Association' in traditional clothes, react as boys throw water in Mezokovesd, some 130 km east of Budapest. Getty images 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines A resident carries a statue of Jesus Christ to the church in preparation for the Good Friday procession during Holy Week celebration in Gasan, Marinduque. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Ruben Enaje, who is portraying Jesus Christ for the 30th time, screams while a resident acting as a Roman soldier pulls up a nail on his palm Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Penitent Ruben Enaje, who is portraying Jesus Christ for the 30th time, is carried on a stretcher by rescuers after he was nailed on a wooden cross during a Good Friday crucifixion reenactment in Cutud town, Philippines Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Mexico A man holding a rabbit looks at men dressed as ancient Romans as they take part in a procession, during Holy Week celebrations, in Taxco. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world South Africa Nuns carry a cross during a silent march celebrating Good Friday in Durban. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Mexico Masked penitents prepare before the start of a procession, a part of Holy Week celebrations, in Taxco. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Penitents locally called "Morions" wear masks and centurion garbs as they take part in a Good Friday procession as part of Holy Week celebration in Gasan, Marinduque. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world El Salvador Members of the El Jesus Nazareno brotherhood participate in the Los Cristos Procession as part of Holy Week celebrations in the town of Izalco. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Paraguay Actors take part in a re-enactment during a Holy Week procession to prepare for Good Friday celebration in Luque city. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Paraguay Actors take part in a re-enactment during a Holy Week procession to prepare for Good Friday celebration in Luque city. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Peru Local and foreign inmates participate in a performance of the play Jesus Christ Superstar to celebrate Holy Week at Sarita Colonia prison in Callao. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Penitents wearing masks, known locally as "Morions" take a selfie during the start of Holy Week celebrations in Mogpog, Marinduque. Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Hungary Hungary Reuters 2016 Easter celebrations around the world Philippines Resident portraying Roman soldier pulls up a nail on a foot of penitent Ruben Enaje in Pampanga, Philippines. Reuters

This year, Easter Sunday is taking place on Sunday 4 April.

Some sectors of Christianity celebrate Easter on a different date in accordance with the Julian Calendar, a Roman calendar first proposed by Julius Caesar in 46 BC.

Orthodox Christianity will celebrate Easter on Sunday 2 May this year, almost a month after Western Christianity.

Why does the date change every year?

Much like other religious events such as the Hindu celebration of Diwali and the Jewish festival of Rosh Hashanah, Easter is a moveable feast.

This means its date on the Gregorian calendar can vary every year.

The date of Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox in March.

By taking into account the date of the vernal equinox (which this year fell on Saturday 20 March) and the next following full moon (Sunday 28 March), it was therefore calculated that Easter Sunday would take place on Sunday 4 April in 2021.

What does Easter commemorate?

Those who observe the Christian festival of Easter celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after he was crucified, as outlined in the New Testament.

Easter has strong links with the Jewish festival of Passover, another moveable feast which is taking place this year between Saturday 27 March and Sunday 4 April.

How is it celebrated?

The first church service that some Christians attend in celebration of Easter is held on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday and the last day of Holy Week.

However, church services will not be able to talk place this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, with places of worship being closed as a safeguarding measure.

In addition to church services, its tradition for Christians to commemorate Easter with music, candles, flowers and the ringing of church bells.

While Easter is a religious festival, it is also celebrated by a variety of communities of different faiths across the globe.

 Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Many mark the occasion by exchanging chocolate eggs, which are traditionally symbolic of rebirth and new life.

Lots of children also take part in the festivities by participating in Easter egg hunts.
The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday March 27, 2021.

People arrive at the City of Toronto-operated mass COVID-19 vaccination site in East York Town Centre, servicing the Thorncliffe Park community, an area disproportionally impacted by COVID-19, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday March 27, 2021.

There are 961,083 confirmed cases in Canada.

Canada: 961,083 confirmed cases (42,025 active, 896,206 resolved, 22,852 deaths). The total case count includes 13 confirmed cases among repatriated travellers.

There were 4,428 new cases Saturday. The rate of active cases is 110.58 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 30,011 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 4,287.

There were 26 new reported deaths Saturday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 209 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is 30. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.08 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 60.13 per 100,000 people.

There have been 27,233,666 tests completed.

Newfoundland and Labrador: 1,015 confirmed cases (five active, 1,004 resolved, six deaths).

There were zero new cases Saturday. The rate of active cases is 0.96 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there has been a total of one new case. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is zero.

There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 1.15 per 100,000 people.

There have been 218,126 tests completed.

Prince Edward Island: 156 confirmed cases (12 active, 144 resolved, zero deaths).

There were zero new cases Saturday. The rate of active cases is 7.52 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of eight new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is one.

There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is zero per 100,000 people.

There have been 123,020 tests completed.

Nova Scotia: 1,709 confirmed cases (25 active, 1,618 resolved, 66 deaths).

There were five new cases Saturday. The rate of active cases is 2.55 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 27 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is four.

There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 6.74 per 100,000 people.

There have been 412,974 tests completed.

New Brunswick: 1,571 confirmed cases (111 active, 1,430 resolved, 30 deaths).

There were 12 new cases Saturday. The rate of active cases is 14.2 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 82 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 12.

There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 3.84 per 100,000 people.

There have been 259,073 tests completed.

Quebec: 307,394 confirmed cases (7,617 active, 289,132 resolved, 10,645 deaths).

There were 1,009 new cases Saturday. The rate of active cases is 88.83 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 5,703 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 815.

There were eight new reported deaths Saturday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 51 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is seven. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.08 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 124.15 per 100,000 people.

There have been 7,005,580 tests completed.

Ontario: 340,692 confirmed cases (17,519 active, 315,865 resolved, 7,308 deaths).

There were 2,453 new cases Saturday. The rate of active cases is 118.9 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 13,609 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 1,944.

There were 16 new reported deaths Saturday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 85 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is 12. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.08 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 49.6 per 100,000 people.

There have been 12,165,414 tests completed.

Manitoba: 33,867 confirmed cases (1,190 active, 31,744 resolved, 933 deaths).

There were 57 new cases Saturday. The rate of active cases is 86.28 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 604 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 86.

There was one new reported death Saturday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 13 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is two. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.13 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 67.64 per 100,000 people.

There have been 581,892 tests completed.

Saskatchewan: 32,783 confirmed cases (1,817 active, 30,536 resolved, 430 deaths).

There were 224 new cases Saturday. The rate of active cases is 154.16 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 1,324 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 189.

There were zero new reported deaths Saturday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 13 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is two. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.16 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 36.48 per 100,000 people.

There have been 647,337 tests completed.

Alberta: 145,696 confirmed cases (7,366 active, 136,350 resolved, 1,980 deaths).

There were 668 new cases Saturday. The rate of active cases is 166.58 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 4,317 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 617.

There was one new reported death Saturday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 19 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is three. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.06 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 44.78 per 100,000 people.

There have been 3,642,961 tests completed.

British Columbia: 95,677 confirmed cases (6,362 active, 87,866 resolved, 1,449 deaths).

There were zero new cases Saturday. The rate of active cases is 123.59 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 4,335 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 619.

There were zero new reported deaths Saturday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 28 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is four. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.08 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 28.15 per 100,000 people.

There have been 2,143,116 tests completed.

Yukon: 73 confirmed cases (one active, 71 resolved, one deaths).

There were zero new cases Saturday. The rate of active cases is 2.38 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of one new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is zero.

There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 2.38 per 100,000 people.

There have been 8,487 tests completed.

Northwest Territories: 42 confirmed cases (zero active, 42 resolved, zero deaths).

There were zero new cases Saturday. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of zero new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is zero.

There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is zero per 100,000 people.

There have been 15,825 tests completed.

Nunavut: 395 confirmed cases (zero active, 391 resolved, four deaths).

There were zero new cases Saturday. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of zero new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is zero.

There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 10.16 per 100,000 people.

There have been 9,785 tests completed.

This report was automatically generated by The Canadian Press Digital Data Desk and was first published March 27, 2021.
by Mathias Hariyadi

There are only a few injuries and human remains in front of the crime scene: perhaps those of the bomber.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - A suicide bomb attack took place this morning at the entrance to the Catholic cathedral in Makassar (South Sulawesi).

According to police sources, the incident occurred at the side entrance of the cathedral, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, right at the end of the Palm Sunday Mass, when the faithful were still inside the building.

The attack created several injuries and chaos among the people who, in panic, tried to flee home as soon as possible. Human remains were found in the crime area, probably of the assailant.

The incident occurred at 10.26 (local time; 9.26 Jakarta time).

The representative of the Archdiocese Curia, Fr. Frans Nipa Pr (photo 4), released this statement:

1. The series of Palm Sunday celebrations, which was to be held from 12 until evening, is canceled.

2. The Archbishop of Makassar, Msgr. John Liku 'Ada, like all the priests who reside near the cathedral, are doing well.

3. Some faithful were injured by the blast and are now being treated in the local hospital.

4. The suicide attack took place near the side gate of the church, next to the medical dispensary of the cathedral.

Another priest, Fr. Wilhelmus Tulak Pr, said the bomber most likely tried to enter the church through the side gate, but he must have been stopped by the church security guards, who were keeping an eye on him. And all of a sudden the bomb went off.

Up to now there have been some injured, but no deaths, with the exception of perhaps the bomber himself.

Out of a population of about 12 million, the Archdiocese includes almost 200 thousand faithful (roughly 2%).
Raise your hand if youre surprised by the latest crisis at our southern border. Only a naif would invite everyone to a party and then be shocked when they show up at the door.

President Joe Biden is hardly naive, but his legendary empathy may be his downfall. Despite what is so obviously a crisis, the Biden administration refuses to use the word. To make matters worse for himself, Biden is refusing media access to the Border Patrol compounds that are housing thousands of children and teens for too long and under dubious conditions. He has allowed some reporters into some shelters  just not the overcrowded ones. You cant make this up.

It would seem that a president who presumes to make solving long-running border problems a crux of his campaign might have wanted to think things through more carefully before opening the floodgates to unaccompanied minors.

Make no mistake: President Donald Trumps border policies, especially separating children from their parents, were terrible by anyones standards. That unfathomable policy, erroneously created to discourage mass immigration, is morally indefensible. But what Biden has done  and with far less transparency than Trump  is awful, too, if not exclusively his fault. The parents who sent their children on such a dangerous journey also bear responsibility, even if Bidens inducements essentially gave them tacit permission.

But here at home, the buck stops with Biden. He deserves at least as much scrutiny as Trump got.

At least Trump can validly claim that he allowed reporters to visit his border encampments on organized tours. But media access is complicated when children are involved because of privacy concerns. The little we do know about the current deluge of unaccompanied children is thanks to photos released to Axios by Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Tex., who reported overcrowding and terrible conditions. The photos show plastic-sheeted pods with a holding capacity of 260 each. But Cuellar said that one pod he saw during a recent visit contained 400 teenage males.

The flow of these unaccompanied children seems nowhere near ending. No sooner do some find homes, either in Health and Human Services facilities or with family members willing to take them in (40% have a parent or legal guardian in the United States), than new arrivals fill their spots. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas is near capacity. The League of United Latin American Citizens has requested temporary legal status for the teens and has pleaded for media access to help humanize the detainees to the American public by telling their stories.

Meanwhile, Biden & Co. need to come clean. Contrary to the narrative of their defense, sending unaccompanied children back home does not mean turning them out into the desert to starve. When asked during Thursdays news conference whether he might have rushed his open-door policy, the obvious answer to which is yes, Biden instead blamed Trump for making the process of receiving migrants difficult and said he makes no apology for reversing what Trump did.

If an unaccompanied child ends up at the border, were not just going to let him starve to death and stay on the other side, he said.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas repeated this preposterous dodge: We are not expelling children, girls, 5, 7, 9 years old back into the desert of Mexico, back into the hands of traffickers.

For the record, not even Trump did that. When he returned children to their families in Mexico and elsewhere, he typically had them flown home, where they were greeted by local officials and taken to their parents.

It never takes long for a new president to fall into the familiar pattern of evading the press and trying to deflect attention from mistakes. But Biden was supposed to be a different kind of president  a transparent leader, an open book and, yes, empathetic to a fault. On all counts but the last, he is failing right now, reminding us of what they say about marriage: The thing you loved most about your mate in the beginning is the thing youll end up hating the most.

Bidens empathy shouldnt be his  or our  undoing. Theres no dishonor in admitting a mistake. Americans have big hearts and are suckers for apologies. Though his intentions were good, Biden created a predictable crisis that he had been warned against. No one wants to bring more suffering to these children, but neither can we care for all those born to misfortune. Say that, Mr. President.

And let us see what there is to see.

KATHLEEN PARKER is a columnist for The Washington Post.
The risk of near-term gas shortages in south-eastern Australia has eased, with a new import terminal expected to counter the effect of a faster-than-expected output drop in ageing Bass Strait fields, the Australian Energy Market Operator said in its annual forecast.

The so-called Gas Statement of Opportunities report, which assesses demand and supply scenarios out to 2040, said the industry was on the cusp of transformation as the market shifts.

Andrew Forrests Port Kembla LNG import venture envisages importing gas for as much as 25 years.

Critical to the improved supply prospect compared with a year ago is the Port Kembla Gas Terminal near Wollongong becoming operational before the 2023 winter. That project alone pushes back the threat of a gas gap by three years.

Even so, gas shortages for Victoria could still emerge if the facility  backed by billionaire Andrew Twiggy Forrest  is delayed. A demand spike because of a one-in-20-year extreme cold snap could also squeeze supplies, the report said.
Historic Jewish Temple is located 'stone's throw away' from Dome of The Rock: 'Temple Revealed' author

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Contrary to the prevailing view, groundbreaking new research argues that the Dome of the Rock Islamic shrine, which sits atop the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, is not the location of the historic Jewish temple.

In his debut book, The Temple Revealed: The True Location of The Jewish Temple Hidden In Plain Sight, author Christian Widener challenges the widely-held belief about where the ancient structure was once situated. He explains in great detail why the actual site is a mere stone's throw away on the Mount. And though unbeknownst to many, biblical prophecies are being fulfilled right before our eyes.

Widener told The Christian Posts "Life in the Kingdom" podcast that he became interested in the subject after reading various news reports and articles. As he heard specific claims that didn't make sense to him, it became a proverbial pebble in his shoe that he couldn't ignore. So, he decided to explore the topic more deliberately.

An engineer by training, he always wants to make two and two equal four, he said, and so if something does not add up to me, it somehow calls to me, and I keep digging.

The strongest evidence he found was when he was watching a rabbi give a tour of the East Gate in the Old City. The rabbi explained that this was the famed Messianic gate but not actually the real gate because the real gate has to be in front of the Temple, and the temple is where the Dome of the Rock is and, therefore, it could not be the real gate.

Yet Widener revisited Ezekiel 44, where the prophet records looking out at the Eastern Gate, and the LORD says that it is to remain shut, that it must not be opened and no one may enter through it because the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered through it.

You look at a landmark like that, and you think its either not a real landmark because the rabbis record a lot of things in the Mishnah about Temple practices that are not in the Bible but are their best faithful recollections of Temple practices and things like that. And theyre very explicit that all of the gates in the Temple out to the outer sanctuary were in line, Widener said.

The Mishnah is the first major written collection of Jewish oral traditions, known as the Oral Torah. It is also the first major work of rabbinic literature.

In the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, a giant Temple model as it looked during the time of Herod and Jesus likewise shows the gates aligned together, he added.

It has to be one or the other, Widener reasoned. Either the Temple is not where the Dome of the Rock is located, or the gate in question is not the real gate. As he dug deeper, he found considerable historical attestations about this, that the Golden Gate is indeed the real one.

Thats where I kept peeling back the onion layers, and the more I looked, the more evidence I found that the Golden Gate was truly an original temple landmark and thats then what started undoing the case  the belief that the Temple site is where the Dome of the Rock now sits, he said.

The other major factor that led Widener to believe this was precisely where the Temple was located in the first place was because 2 Chronicles 3:1 reveals that Solomon started building the Temple on Mount Moriah on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David.

A threshing floor has to be flat. Its a place where you lay out the grain, put the threshing sledges over it to separate the wheat from the chaff and tear off the stalks. ... Its a really common practice that you see all over Israel. And when we look at the rock in the Dome of the Rock, its not flat. Its not even close to flat, he elaborated.

As part of his investigation, he engaged Asher Kaufmans The Temple Mount: Where is the Holy of Holies?

Kaufman points out in his book that in the Dome of the Spirits  a small dome resting on a hexagonal base on the Mount that was built in the 10th century  is an area of flat bedrock that is built into the platform (what the Dome of the Rock sits on today) and it is actually level to it.

As an engineer, a lot of people could look at that and say, Yeah, so what. So the bedrock is level with the floor there,' Widener said.

But that doesnt happen by accident, he stressed.

The only way you can get bedrock level with a giant platform like that is if they actually built the platform and leveled it to the bedrock, which means that the bedrock then predates the platform because the bedrock goes all the way back to the earliest [time], back to the days of Abraham when he visited Mount Moriah before there was anything built there, because its part of the mountain, Widener explained.

In other words, the landmarks are all there, and the kicker, he said, is that theyre all in line.

Its not some randomly located piece of flat bedrock out there. Its directly in line, in front of the Golden Gate, he said, adding that it's not as though people didn't know that these landmarks existed but that they did not recognize them as belonging to the Temple.

If Widener's thesis is correct, it's a profound paradigm shift, and it is conceivable that the Temple could be rebuilt and sit in its actual location.

The question then becomes how soon that might happen given the region's political dynamics, which is known for being a tinderbox of ethnic and religious conflict. This is especially the case since the Temple Mount is arguably the most bitterly contested piece of real estate on the planet.

Organizations like the Temple Institute, the Temple Mount, the Eretz Yisrael Faithful Movement and other like-minded Jewish groups have already made considerable preparations to rebuild the temple should a window of opportunity arise, the author said.

They absolutely have all that they need. They have plans drawn. They have materials cut and prepared, very much like David did in his time before Solomon, he said.

He believes that recent geopolitical developments in the Middle East could bring about the circumstances in which the Temple might be reconstructed, particularly the Abraham Accords, the peace agreements brokered last year between Israel and the Gulf nations of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

That is such an enormous change of wind than weve seen in decades. And that is changing how at least their southern partners are looking at Israel and even the Temple Mount. There are statements coming out from Islamic scholars, Sunni scholars, that are questioning, for example, whether Jerusalem truly was the furthest mosque, because that was something that came several decades after the death of Muhammad, that became the lore, he said.

And so was that really the case? Or did that become sort of an invented association that happened after the fact? Im not making these arguments. Those are Islamic scholars that are making those arguments ... We should let the Jews do what they do, and we have Mecca and Medina, and thats our holy place.

Such a pivot in political and religious thinking is tremendous, Widener maintains, and if it continues, the Temple Mount could lessen in significance. When Jerusalems spiritual status is lowered in the Islamic mind, it does nothing but elevates Mecca and Medina. This might be seen more visibly if Saudi Arabia decides to sign on to the Abraham Accords.

Among the prophecies that he believes have been fulfilled in recent decades, in 1967, almost 20 years after the birth of the modern nation-state of Israel, the Jews recaptured the ancient city of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount, in the Six-Day War. Yet, 10 days after that victory, the Jews returned the Mount to their enemies. To this day, the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, an Islamic religious trust, controls and manages the Temple Mount's affairs.

When you read Ezekiel 44:8, it literally says instead of carrying out your duty in regard to my holy things, you put others in charge of my sanctuary,' Widener explained.

That definitely happened in 1967. They got control of the Temple Mount and they turned around and gave it back to the country that had just invaded them and tried to wipe them out. The holiest place on Earth for [the Jews], and I think for us, too, because its God who said that that place is important. And its important because His Word says it is.

Ezekiel 47 describes the Temple as the place of Gods throne, where He will dwell among Israel forever. That the Jews gave up that holy site to their enemies makes no sense, he reiterated, except for the fact that it was prophesied.

If youre feeling like your Bible reading is not invigorated lately ... reading the Scriptures with the recognition that the things that were prophesied are beginning to happen, it will change how you read the Bible, Widener said.
WINSTED  Dickering over a contract isnt as important as providing quality education, according to a Winchester Board of Education official.

Since last fall, members of the Gilbert and Winchester school boards have attempted to agree on a contract between them with details overseeing financial decisions, designations and other responsibilities.

But in early 2021, contract negotiations between the two school entities broke down, and Winchester board members decided not to pursue more talks.

They walked away, and we were at an impasse, said Gilbert School Superintendent Anthony Serio. They ended the discussions. We thought we gave them an offer, but they didnt feel that way about it.

Doug Pfennenger, chairman of the Winchester Board of Education, said there were more important things to work on between the two school boards than a contract.

The important thing to remember is that a lot of students are attending Gilbert; theres no other alternative for them, Pfennenger said. The success of Gilbert is important, and we are committed to the school.

This years proposed tuition budget from Gilbert totals $7.345 million, and includes capital improvements. Pfennenger indicated that the financial part of the two schools relationship has always been challenging.

We also know that the Gilbert School Corp. can charge whatever they deem is reasonable, Pfennenger said. Well pay the tuition. More importantly, though, we believe we should pay on a per-pupil basis. The other two endowed academies in Connecticut (Norwich Free Academy and Woodstock Academy) each serve a number of other districts, but Gilbert only serves us, and we pay 95 percent of their costs.

We also have four of nine seats on the Gilbert School Corp. board, even though we pay the bills, he said. Thats not going to change. So in many ways, spending endless hours negotiating a contract is not important for us. Curriculum and quality instruction is where our priorities lie.

The Gilbert School recently hired New Milford High School Principal Greg Shugrue as its new head of school. Shugrue has served New Milford High School for 16 years. After the announcement was made on March 16, Gilbert said he will begin his new job July 1, a day after Serio retires.

Pfennenger is looking forward to working with the new head of school.

We all look forward to working with Mr. Shugrue, he said. Were very proud of what weve done with the Winchester schools, and were looking forward to sharing that.

As far as any further contract talks are concerned, Pfennenger said they werent worth it.

Its no longer productive for us to do those negotiations, he said, adding that he wants both boards to have a mutually beneficial relationship.

Its important for both boards to come to terms with that. ... A contract is just a small piece of that, he said. Most of the relationship issues can occur outside a written document.
The size of the stuck container ship is illustrated by the comparative size of the machinery removing sand to help free it.

analysis

In the early hours of March 23, the container ship Ever Given was blown off course by high winds on its way through the Suez Canal. At 400 metres long, the Ever Given is longer than the canal is wide, and the ship became wedged firmly in both banks, completely blocking traffic.

Dredgers, excavators and tug boats are working frantically to free the ship, but the operation may take weeks, according to the head of one of the rescue teams. About 10% of the world's maritime trade passes through the canal, which allows ships to shorten the trip between Europe or the American east coast and Asia by thousands of kilometres, saving a week or more of travel time.

Around 50 ships a day pass through the canal under normal circumstances, split almost equally between dry bulk carriers, container carriers (like the Ever Given) and tankers. As the blockage continues, some shipping lines are considering diverting ships around Africa rather than wait for it to clear.

Coming on top of the COVID-19 pandemic, this event has highlighted the fragility of global supply chains - and is likely to accelerate changes in the world economy that were already under way.

Good news for oil tankers

The blockage is disrupting important energy trades, but probably not dramatically as there are alternative routes and sources should the blockage last a long time.

About 600,000 barrels of crude oil are shipped from the Middle East to Europe and the United States via the Suez Canal every day, while about 850,000 barrels a day are shipped from the Atlantic Basin to Asia also via the Suez Canal. While the SUMED pipeline, which runs parallel to the Suez Canal, will enable some crude to continue to flow between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, European and North American refiners will want to replace Middle East oil with oil from sources that don't usually pass through the canal. Similarly, Asian refiners will want to replace North Sea crude oil.

Interest is growing in shipping crude oil around the Cape of Good Hope, which adds seven to ten days to the shipping time from the Middle East to Europe and North America, increasing the demand for ultra large crude carriers.

While the rerouting of crude oil is unlikely to have much effect on oil prices generally, as inventory levels are currently high, this comes at an opportune moment for crude oil tanker owners, as the charter rates for such ships have been rock bottom due to the depressed global demand for oil and the aftereffects of pandemic lockdowns. Owners of tankers carrying refined oil or LNG can expect a similar increase in demand for their ships and therefore charter rates.

A reminder of supply chain fragility

For commodities such as oil, LNG, coal and iron ore, there is a world demand and a world supply which must balance. However, one source can often be substituted by another. This means the blockage of the Suez Canal will affect the spot price of commodities locally and the charter rates for the ships that carry them, but the trade will continue.

It's a different story for products carried by container ships like the Ever Given. These products tend to be highly differentiated and more difficult to substitute. The blockage of the Suez Canal will undoubtedly cause shortages of specific products around the world, either because they don't arrive at their destinations on time or because manufacturers run short of key inputs or components.

Shortages will remind manufacturers of the fragility of global supply chains, and they may look at how to reduce their dependency on specific sources, particularly those that are distant and rely on container shipping.

Global supply chains are already shrinking

Advances in technology associated with digitisation and automation are making manufacturers less dependent on large skilled workforces found only in certain parts of the world. Production is becoming more mobile and therefore able to locate closer to the markets served.

More mobile production, along with the continued miniaturisation of some products (for example, flat screen TVs becoming ever flatter) and the advancing digitisation of things like books and manuals, is gradually shrinking global supply chains and reducing freight-kilometres, measured in terms of value or volume. Major disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the blockage of the Suez Canal can only hasten this development.

This trend predates the pandemic and the current blockage. It can be seen in a number called the world seaborne trade-to-GDP multiplier, which measures how much of the world's economic activity depends on shipping.

After the global financial crisis of 2008-09, this number fell below 1% on average. This tells us that a 1% increase in world GDP now leads to a less than 1% increase in world seaborne trade.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Trade Egypt Middle East and Africa 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.

Who will pay the price?

The cost of the disruption caused by the blockage of the Suez Canal will weigh heavily with the insurers of the Ever Given. The ship is owned by Japanese firm Shoei Kisen Kaisha and chartered to the Taiwanese line Evergreen. The hull and machinery are insured on the Japanese marine insurance market, but at the moment damage to the ship appears to be minimal.

The major costs are loss of earnings by the Suez Canal Authority while the canal is closed to traffic, and losses incurred by the owners of the cargo in the many ships held up by the blockage. Depending on how long the blockage lasts, these may lead to huge insurance claims. Third party claims are covered by the London P&I Club, which is reinsured by the International Group of P&I Clubs.

In the long term, however, the blockage may be a good thing. If it offers a further nudge to shorten supply chains, the benefits to the global economy and environment will surely outweigh the cost to the insurers.

Michael Bell, Professor of Ports and Maritime Logistics, University of Sydney


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
The Queen has been deluged with hundreds of letters of support and encouragement in the wake of the Meghan and Harry interview, The Mail on Sunday has learned.

Every day, sacks full of post are delivered to Windsor Castle where the Queen has been in lockdown with the Duke of Edinburgh since his release from hospital.

The cards, gifts and letters are said to be a source of great comfort to the Monarch after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex accused the Royal Family of racism.

A source said the Queen has been 'pleased' to receive messages of support at what has proved to be a difficult time for the family.

The Queen has been deluged with hundreds of letters of support and encouragement in the wake of the Meghan and Harry interview, The Mail on Sunday has learned

The Queen's 83-year-old lady- in-waiting Dame Mary Morrison replies to every letter, with the help of other Palace aides, including fellow ladies-in-waiting.

Some responses are said to be deeply personal, with Dame Mary thanking correspondents for their 'loyal support', adding that the Queen appreciates the good wishes and 'kindness' shown towards the Royal Family 'at this time'.

A source said: 'We have seen a spike in correspondence after the interview in the same way that it might spike after any other event.'

The Queen has said that the concerns raised by Meghan and Harry in their US TV interview with Oprah Winfrey would be treated 'seriously' but pointedly remarked that 'recollections may vary' when it came to specific allegations.

The Queen has said that the concerns raised by Meghan and Harry in their US TV interview with Oprah Winfrey would be treated 'seriously' but pointedly remarked that 'recollections may vary' when it came to specific allegations

On Friday, the Queen received public support from Prince Albert of Monaco, who criticised the Sussexes for publicly voicing their dissatisfaction with Royal life.

He said their decision was 'inappropriate' and that he believed the couple should have expressed their complaints 'within the intimate quarters of the family'.

A YouGov poll found that Harry and Meghan's popularity plummeted after their interview, but the Queen's remained high.
UPDATE: 7 p.m. ET March 28: This article has been updated to reflect information released by Indonesian authorities indicating that at least 20 people were injured during a suicide bombing after a Palm Sunday service believed to have been carried out by two attackers affiliated with a militant network that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

Updated:



More than a dozen people were injured when two attackers blew themselves up outside a Catholic church in the Muslim-majority archipelago of Indonesia on Palm Sunday, the first day of the Holy Week.

The bomb exploded at the Cathedral Church in the city of Makassar in South Sulawesi province at about 10.30 a.m. on Sunday as the church was preparing for its third service, according to reports.

Police disclosed that at least 20 were wounded in the incident and that two attackers  one likely a woman  were instantly killed by the blast, according to the Associated Press.

Source:The Christian Post
Four days after Scott Kell and his family evacuated their Wisemans Ferry property via an old bush track as floodwater inundated the region, he returned to find his entire life floating in the living room.

It was actually mind-boggling. It was pretty emotional, Mr Kell said on Sunday afternoon.

You cannot fathom your life just floating around like that.

Zahra Kell and her cousin Mischa survey the flood damage at Wisemans Ferry on Sunday. Credit:Dean Sewell

Mr Kell, who owns a wakeboarding school on the southern bank of the Hawkesbury, said he was cut off by floodwater on Sunday evening a week ago. On Monday morning, he and his family travelled by four-wheel-drive through a bush track on a neighbouring property to reach safety.
Violence is increasing even faster every day with increasing organizations and protests against human rights, every day, victims of violence, losing their lives, or even fulfilling their demand for several days.

In Brussels, human rights organizations and several Bangladesh institutions demonstrated against Pak in front of the European Union. The protestors were demanding international recognition of the massacre of Bangladesh in 1971 by Pak, just like other massacres in Europe and Africa.

At the same time, the protestors are also being requested to take stringent action against Pakistan. In Brussels, human rights activist Manel Aramami said that civil society and human rights organizations had come to protest against the victims on the 50 anniversary of the massacre by Pak and for the recognition of the European Union and the United Nations.

Also Read:

Earthquake tremors felt again in Japan, know intensity

Rock Music concert to conduct in Barcelona, 5000 people tested for COVID-19

Earth Hour 2021 : Singapore to Hong Kong went dark by turning off lights
A sum of 5,000 compensation was paid over last week to the victim of a serious assault in Carrick-on-Shannon in 2017.

Joseph Kyle, 66 Gleann Rua, Galway City, had pleaded guilty last November to assault causing harm to Fionbarr Quinn at Quay Road, Carrick-on-Shannon, on December 30, 2017.

At the court in November, Mr Kyle pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Fionbarr Quinn and to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour on the same date and location at Quay Road, Carrick-on-Shannon.

The court in November heard Mr Kyle and another defendant who has been dealt with by the courts, punched and kicked Mr Quinn. The assault lasted a few minutes and was all captured on CCTV.

Solicitor, John Anderson, said Mr Kyle is 20-years-old and is attending college in Galway. He said he made a mistake getting involved and did so in the heat of the moment.

Last November, Judge Kevin Kilrane said that according to a Probation Report Mr Kyle did not present as a risk of re-offending but he certainly joined in like a pack of dogs on this poor victim.

Speaking last week, Judge Kilrane described it as a very serious aggravated assault and said his views on Section 3 assaults were well known.

At that time in Carrick-on-Shannon they had reached epidemic proportions, he said, and noted that life-changing injuries had resulted in some cases.

He said Mr Kyle was 18 at the time and was not the chief protagonist and in those circumstances he had to look at the positives and that compensation had been paid.

He applied the Probation Act 1.1 and directed the 5,000 be paid over to the victim.
COLONIE  On the glass window of a nondescript office plaza on New Karner Road, the words "Executive Success Programs" are cracking and falling away.

From the Capital Region to Mexico and living rooms across the world, the shuttered office is now notorious as the former headquarters of NXIVM, the cult-like organization run by Keith Raniere.

Three years ago this week, the man known to his followers as "Vanguard" was arrested by police in the Mexican fishing village of Chacala. Raniere, 60, is serving a 120-year sentence in an Arizona prison for sex trafficking, forced labor conspiracy and racketeering. Many of his closest followers in the once tight-knit NXIVM community have publicly denounced him as a narcissistic predator and described Executive Success Programs (ESP) as little more than a corporate front for his systems of control. Some testified against him during his 2019 trial in Brooklyn, or cooperated with the government in less public ways. Several have shared their stories in books and documentaries that have anatomized NXIVM's collapse.

Some former members of Raniere's inner circle have remained scrupulously quiet  especially the four women who pleaded guilty in the months before his trial and nearly two years later are still awaiting sentencing. Initially scheduled in the months after Raniere's trial, those sentencings have been delayed repeatedly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A fifth co-defendent, 41-year-old Seagram's heiress Clare Bronfman, was sentenced last fall to six years and nine months in prison for conspiracy to conceal and harbor undocumented immigrants for financial gain and fraudulent use of identification  and she remains loyal to Raniere. The four other co-defendants do not appear to share her support for the man who led NXIVM.

That includes former NXIVM president Nancy Salzman, 66, known within the group as "Prefect," who along with Raniere founded NXIVM two decades ago. Salzman, who pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, is still in the Capital Region: In February, she underwent a foot procedure at a local hospital that briefly required the removal of her ankle monitor. She no longer lives in the large home on Oregon Trail in Halfmoon where she kept hundreds of thousands of dollars in her basement alongside boxes of files on the perceived "enemies" of NXIVM. Her forfeiture agreement included the surrender of NXIVM's intellectual property  its so-called "tech."

Her daughter, 44-year-old Lauren Salzman, once a high-ranking NXIVM member, delivered damning testimony for prosecutors that exposed Raniere's history of cruelty, including emotional and at times physical abuse of women and his unquestionable role atop Dominus Obsequious Sororium (DOS), in which female "slaves" pledged lifetime vows of obedience to "masters." Lauren Salzman, a "first line" master in DOS who answered directly to Raniere, pleaded guilty to racketeering and racketeering conspiracy; due to her testimony, she could receive leniency at sentencing.

Allison Mack, 38, the onetime "Smallville" actress who was a high-ranking NXIVM member and first line master in DOS before she pleaded guilty to racketeering charges, remains in California, far from her former townhouse in the group's Knox Woods enclave. NXIVM bookkeeper Kathy Russell, 63, another former Halfmoon resident who pleaded guilty to visa fraud, is living out of state.

When Raniere went to trial in 2019, federal prosecutors released an exhibit identifying 25 members of his inner circle, including longtime Raniere partner Pamela Cafritz, who died of cancer in 2016, and Barbara Jeske, who died in 2014.

Of the 23 other members, at least half no longer support Raniere. In addition to high-profile defectors such as Lauren Salzman and filmmaker Mark Vicente, who also testified against Raniere at trial, other once high-ranking NXIVM members such as Karen Unterreiner, whose ties to Raniere date back to their days at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute several decades ago, and former NXIVM member Dawn Morrison, do not back him anymore.

But support for Vanguard remains. Edgar Boone, a high-ranking NXIVM member in Mexico, wrote a character letter on behalf of Raniere to U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis. So did Damon Brink, a longtime NXIVM loyalist whose own wife, Sally Brink, delivered a victim impact statement at the Bronfman's sentencing. (A December story in the Vermont publication Seven Days suggested that Damon Brink's feelings toward NXIVM have become more ambivalent in recent months.)

The father of three Mexican sisters who became involved with Raniere wrote a letter to the judge on his behalf. According to trial testimony, Raniere sexually abused one of the man's daughters when she was 15, and another was confined for nearly two years in a room in her family's home because she kissed another man; his oldest daughter has a child with Raniere and like her father supports the jailed guru.

And in Brooklyn, actress Nicki Clyne, a member of Raniere's inner circle and a first-line master in DOS, has remained one of Raniere's staunchest backers. Clyne was deeply involved in We Are As You, a group of NXIVM loyalists who danced and played music last summer outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where Raniere was at the time locked up. The effort, which drew scorn from NXIVM defectors, evolved into an effort called Make Justice Blind, cast by NXIVM loyalists as an effort to hold judges and prosecutors accountable.

Six months later, the website of Make Justice Blind opened with a page devoted to Raniere's case. The supporters involved include Clyne and NXIVM loyalists Eduard Ansusolo, Suneel Chakravorty, Marc Elliot and Michele Hatchette, a former DOS member.

And they are hardly the only supporters. Several longtime NXIVM members who wrote character letters for Raniere and/or Bronfman are working for an independent insurance firm called the Summers Agency, based in Fredericksburg, Va. None of these individuals were charged with wrongdoing.

A day after the Times Union reached out to the Summers Agency seeking comment, the "Who Are We?" section of its website became password-protected. Neither the Summers Agency nor its parent, Symmetry Financial Group, returned calls and messages seeking comment.

Linda Chung, an attorney who works for the Summers Agency, is among eight women  including Clyne  who continue to defend their membership in DOS. Believe me, my life would be easier if I just said the charges were true and Keith Raniere and DOS were bad, Chung wrote recently in an essay posted on another NXIVM-themed website called The Dossier Project  a play on the once-secret group's acronym. However, I know that is not true to my experience.

The manner in which NXIVM has fractured is not unusual for similar groups, according to Rick Ross of the Cult Education Institute, who fell victim to a lengthy litigation attack by the group and testified at Raniere's trial.

Typically, without the leader who is the defining element and driving force of the group, it begins to disintegrate and ultimately fade away, Ross told the Times Union.

Its potential survival, he said, might depend on whether or not the group has substantial assets and cash flow that allows a new leader to step in. Ross noted that wealthy individuals in Mexico and elsewhere who still support Raniere have been trying to keep NXIVM training going under different names.

"You just keep wondering: Where does the money come from to support these advocacy efforts and what we see online and, you know, all of the lawyers? Ross said.

Though shuttered, Raniere's old headquarters on New Karner Road retains traces of his work. Anyone looking through the glass door of the headquarters can see the sashes that were used as signs of advancement within the group, and a whiteboard scribbled with activities and concepts from Raniere's tech.

Outside the building, a sign on a patch of landscaping has been painted over. It used to read "NXIVM."
Wally the wandering walrus that made such a splash during its visit to the coast of Co. Kerry is back in Wales, where it has been spotted sunbathing in Pembrokeshire.

Crowds gathered by the boathouse in Tenby to take pictures of the walrus splayed out on the slipway.

Meanwhile, speculation about how the creature made its way from the Arctic to Ireland continued to swirl since its first sighting.

Experts - who are unsure of Wally's gender, as both males and females have tusks - believe the meandering mammal may have dozed off on a block of ice and drifted across the ocean during its trip to Ireland.

The Arctic walrus made waves when it was spotted on Kerry's Valentia Island on March 15, when a stunned public and baffled experts watched in amazement as it sunned itself on the rocks thousands of kilometres from home.

Expand Close Wally heads out to catch some waves / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Wally heads out to catch some waves

Read More

The walrus, believed to be a young adult, is over two metres long and was first spotted by a father and daughter as they strolled along the beach.

The sudden appearance of the walrus - which the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group think is the same creature who was spotted in the waters off Denmark in mid-February this year - is an extremely rare occurrence in Ireland, with less than 20 confirmed sightings over the past several centuries.

The walrus next appeared 450km away at Pembrokeshire in Wales on March 21.

After it had vanished for the second time, locals began to fondly call it 'Wally' in a reference to the children's puzzle book series Where's Wally?

Read More
Cardi B is giving her two cents on a viral TikTok sound called Sad Song that has swept the platform over the past month.

The WAP hitmaker took her musings to Twitter on Friday morning where she gave a special shout out the sound's original creator  which has been revealed to be Gia Giudice, the daughter of Real Housewives of New Jersey vet Teresa Giudice.

Speaking about the now inescapable tune  a song Gia originally wrote and performed on the Bravo show when she was 10-years-old  Cardi joked she would miss the song if she were to delete the app.

Shoutout: Cardi B gives her two cents on viral TikTok sound Sad Song as she contemplates deleting the app before giving a shout out to the song's creator Gia Giudice

Going viral: The 20-year-old daughter of Real Housewives of New Jersey vet Teresa Giudice originally wrote and performed the song on the show when she was 10-years-old

The tune, which uses the soundbite: 'Waking up in the morning/thinking about so many things/I just wish things would get better...' has been paired with countless videos from users about the memorable and often cringeworthy things they've done in the past.

Responding to the song's resurgence on the platform Gia, 20, had joked 'This is gonna haunt me my whole life,' but Cardi showing her some love made all the difference.

'Thinking about deleting this app until I drop my next little project ...but then again where I'm going to hear 'wakin up in the morning thinkin about so many things I just wish things will get better'?' Cardi tweeted.

Inescapable tune: Cardi B tweeted about how she would miss the viral soundbite if she were to delete the app, garnering a response from Gia

A floored Gia wrote: 'this is unreal!! CARDI I'm in Bahamas let's meet up.'

Other celebrities including Will Smith, have paired their own videos with the sound, Smith writing: 'Remembering the time I thought it would be a good idea to make a St. Patrick's Day video alone in a hotel room.'

The video of him dancing in a kilt accrued 21.5M views, Gia telling E! News: 'I had a bunch of friends sending me text messages saying Will Smith was singing your song on Instagram and when I saw it, I couldn't believe it. I love Will Smith and I thought it was really cool that he did that.'

Will's take: Will Smith made his own video with the sound writing: 'Remembering the time I thought it would be a good idea to make a St. Patrick's Day video alone in a hotel room'

Cringe memories: The video of him dancing in a kilt accrued 21.5M views with Gia telling E! News: 'I couldn't believe it. I love Will Smith and I thought it was really cool that he did that'

Other users whose videos have garnered 5M likes on the platform include one person who wrote: 'Remembering the time i ran into Ariana Grande while crying because i was in the middle of a fight with my dad.'

And another viral video creator wrote: 'Me thinking about the time i gave a freshman one of my tampons and told him it was a vape.'

Gia gave the people what they wanted on Friday as she made her own version and wrote 'here you go everyone...'

The song was originally written as an expression of her sadness over her mom Teresa's explosive fight with her brother and RHONJ star Joe Gorga in 2011.
The world never welcomes or needs the so-called "lecturers in human rights"

10:12, March 28, 2021 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily

Photo taken on March 10, 2020 shows a stop sign and a plane approaching to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

At the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that concluded on March 24, a few countries in the west were condemned by a large number of international organizations and developing countries for infringing human rights, though these western countries themselves have been taking human rights as a weapon to slander and attack others.

This fully proved that there is no such thing as a "lighthouse for human rights," and the world neither welcomes nor needs the so-calledlecturers in human rights.

Pretending to be "lecturers in human rights," these western countries always point fingers at and even accuse other countries of human rights issues. However, their own poor records of human rights protection will never be covered no matter how hard they try to smear others.

During the general debate on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action on March 19, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, together with many countries, criticized racism and racial discrimination in some western countries.

Ten months after the killing of George Floyd set off new waves of outrage and demands for change across the world, a key trial related to his killing is now beginning.

She pointed out that a key trial related to the killing of George Floyd didn't began until 10 months after his death, and many cases involving deaths of people of African descent never made it to court. Families of victims believe that relevant departments of the U.S. were not doing enough to dismantle systemic racism in law enforcement.

Police brutality in the U.S. also triggered serious concern of the world. Statistics indicate that from January to November last year, only 17 days passed without anyone being killed by the U.S. law enforcement. At the session, nearly 20 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called on the U.S. government to take broad reform measures, so as to end police brutality and resolve systematic racism and racial discrimination.

Some western countries have long aroused strong dissatisfaction among the international community for practicing interventionism in the name of human rights protection and causing massive humanitarian disasters.

Since 2001, the U.S. has carried out so-called anti-terrorism operations in 80-plus countries around the world. More than 800,000 people, including 335,000 civilians, have died from direct war violence and tens of millions of people have been displaced. Today, about 21 million people in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and other countries are still displaced or living in extreme conditions.

When attending the Adoption of the Outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of the U.S. on March 17, developing countries condemned U.S. armed interventions that resulted in serious humanitarian crises. In a joint statement, China, Russia, Syria, Iran, Cuba, Belarus, Venezuela, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Zimbabwe and North Korea all criticized relevant western countries that seriously infringed human rights with unilateral coercive measures, and urged them to stop these measures. These western countries should carefully listen to the voice of justice from developing countries.

Human rights are not a privilege of a few countries, or a tool to pressure other countries and interfere in their domestic affairs. Standing at the moral high ground and pointing fingers at other countries under the disguise of human rights only reveals the hegemonic thinking of some western countries, as well as their increasing panic when facing the major changes in the international landscape.

During the 46th session of the UNHRC, Pakistan, on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, opposed the discriminative measures adopted by some European countries against the Muslim community, and condemned the European countries that released cartoons that slandered religious personnel in the name of freedom of speech; Iran expressed concerns over the hate speeches against Muslims by mainstream media outlets in Europe; Egypt introduced the serious discrimination received by people of African descent and Muslims in some European countries.

By opposing western double standard, these developing countries are making a voice of justice on human rights issues.

Curtains have been brought down for the dramas put on by some "lecturers in human rights" from the west. Their hypocrisy is no secret.

These "lecturers" had better stop taking human rights as a tool to achieve hegemony and take a look at their own human rights problems. They shall enhance dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect, and make some real contributions to the healthy development of global human rights protection.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy.)

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
ORLANDO, Fla.  Father Frank Pavone, who was once named among the "Top 100 Catholics of the Century," served as a consultant for the new film Roe v. Wade. While he aims to change the minds of those who are pro-choice, he said its important for the Church not to reject those who've either had abortions or work in the abortion industry.

Pavone, who's also the national director of Priests for Life and president of the National Pro-Life Religious Council, attended the movie premiere of Roe v. Wade held at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 26.

While there, Pavone told The Christian Post that the pro-life film has a powerful message for such a time as this.

The film is based on the lesser-known history of "what happened from 1966 through 1973" that led to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision declaring state laws banning abortion unconstitutional.

Source:The Christian Post
She's been keeping busy juggling her career with being a mother to her two-month-old son Santiago.

And Dani Dyer revealed she wore jeans for the first time since giving birth as she celebrated her boyfriend Sammy Kimmence's 25th birthday with a cosy date night in on Saturday evening.

The Love Island star, 24, looked typically radiant as she dressed up for a candle-lit dinner with her child's father.

New mum: Dani Dyer revealed she wore jeans for the first time since giving birth as she celebrated boyfriend Sammy Kimmence's 25th birthday with a cosy date night in on Saturday

Catching the eye, the influencer styled her ripped denim trousers with a black racerback bodysuit.

The reality star complemented her complexion with neutral-toned make-up, while her tresses were worn in loose waves.

Romance was alive for the new mum and the stockbroker, who marked his occasion with a three-course meal.

'Love you forever!' The Love Island star, 24, looked typically radiant as she dressed up for a candle-lit dinner with her child's father

Radiant: Catching the eye, the influencer styled her ripped denim trousers with a black racerback bodysuit

Cute: Romance was alive for the new mum and the stockbroker, who marked his occasion with a three-course meal

Earlier in the week, the blonde uploaded a gushing message to celebrate her partner's milestone.

The media personality wrote: 'Happy birthday to my boyfriend, baby daddy and best friend.

'Today is all about you and hope you have a special day even though we are celebrating it again in lockdown!

'You are such an amazing dad to Santi and we are both so lucky to have you. Love you more than I could ever describe'

'Today is all about you': Earlier in the week, the blonde uploaded a gushing message to celebrate her partner's milestone (pictured with their two-month-old son Santiago)

The TV star first dated Sammy in 2018 before they split up and she rose to fame on ITV's Love Island, where she won the show with Jack Fincham later that year.

The former couple called it quits in April 2019 and soon after it was reported Dani and Sammy had rekindled their romance.

They confirmed they are expecting their first child together in July 2020, with Dani documenting much of her pregnancy journey on social media, and they welcomed baby Santiago in January.

The pair are set to tick off another big milestone in their lives as they're currently in the process of moving into a new home.
A brother and sister have found opals in the Outback worth $1.2 million on their first attempt at digging for the precious stones.

Isaac and Sofia Andreou teamed up with two others to try their luck near the tiny town of Yorah, population 141, west of Brisbane.

One of the most luminous stones they found is museum-quality and the size of a man's fist. It is even shaped like a giant egg, just in time for Easter.

Brother and sister Isaac and Sofia Andreou found opals worth about $1.2 million in the Australian Outback

Some 90 percent of the world's opals found in the Australian outback and they are worth to 500 times more than gold

Their incredible discovery is life-changing, the siblings say. They can even afford to buy their very own mine

'It's literally every single colour of a rainbow you can imagine to hold within your hand,' Sofia said.

To their astonishment, on their last day of searching, an actual rainbow appeared from nowhere in the middle of the desert.

Describing the emotions they felt in finding such treasures, Sofia said: 'It was a mixture of shock and just pure amazement.'

'Words cannot describe the way the heart beats, hairs standing up on end,' Isaac added.

Their incredible discovery is life-changing, the siblings say. They can even afford to buy their very own mine.

'It will make life a hell of a lot easier and more enjoyable,' Isaac said.

Describing the emotions they felt in finding such treasures, Sofia (pictured) said: 'It was a mixture of shock and just pure amazement.'

Their friend David Darby has spent decades searching for opals but has never found anything as fabulous as this

They were joined by Sofia's partner, Chris Daff (bottom right), and their friend David Darby (top left), who has spent decades searching for opals

He is an opal cutter and seller based in Byron Bay, a single dad to five-year-old daughter Xalianna.

Sofia, who has an opal shop in the Whitsunday Islands, teaches yoga and music.

Both decided to fulfil their dream of getting their hands dirty in mining for opal.

They were joined by Sofia's partner, Chris Daff, and their friend David Darby, who has spent decades searching for opals, but who has never found anything as fabulous as this. They teamed up with local miner Rod Griffin.

With 90 percent of the world's opals found in the Australian outback, and worth up to 500 times more than gold, opal is a prized gem.

Most opal miners are excited by the prospect of one day striking it rich and becoming an overnight millionaire.

Sofia (pictured with Mr Daff) has an opal shop in the Whitsunday Islands and teaches yoga and music

Sofia says: 'It's literally every single colour of a rainbow you can imagine to hold within your hand'

Opal nuts are a type of matrix boulder opal valued for their unique pattern of coloured gem found within cracks intersecting the ironstone in which it has formed

Opal fever is at an all-time high, but the risks are real, and the brutal, rugged Australian outback is as unforgiving as ever  with scorching summer heat, tropical storms and some of the deadliest snakes.

'Australia is such a barren and tough country that all the animals that have managed to survive until now have had to evolve to be dangerous to protect themselves,' Sofia said.

'So you're not just dealing with super-harsh elements, but some of the most dangerous species of animals in the entire world.'

The discovery will be shown on the television series, Outback Opal Hunters, which features miners searching for opals and which is so popular that it is now into its fourth season.

In Koroit opal, the prized gem colours are green, blue, purple, and flashes of red peeking through a dark brown backing

Opal fever is at an all-time high, but the risks are real, and the brutal, rugged Australian outback is as unforgiving as ever

None of the discoveries in the previous seasons have come close in value. The average find was worth about $18,000, although there were a handful up to $250,000, depending on the colour, clarity, patterning and size.

The Andreou siblings were mining for Yowah and Koroit nuts, a specific type of opal found in the region.

Opal nuts are a type of matrix boulder opal valued for their unique pattern of coloured gem found within cracks intersecting the ironstone in which it has formed.

In Koroit opal, the prized gem colours are green, blue, purple, and flashes of red peeking through a dark brown backing.

In 1921, architect Ernest Hebrard visited Vietnam to plan the development of Da Lat and started field research in Hanoi.

The spatial planning outline of Hanoi released by architect Ernest Hebrard in 1923 and the Hanoi space development plan by 2010 released in 1995

Two years later, he was appointed director of Indochina department of planning and architecture and published the spatial planning outline of Hanoi.

The Hanoi development plan focused only on developing the riverside southward, while the northern riverside was untouched. This was because the Red River was gentle in the dry season but became aggressive in the flood season, which went beyond the technical capabilities at that time.

The big flood in 1926 directly threatened the inner city and only when the Lam Du dyke broke did the danger ease. The dykes around Hanoi have dammed up, creating a wall that splits streets and the riverbank.

In 1995, Hanoi released the space development outline to 2010, when the city celebrated the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long  Hanoi's establishment.

However, Hanoians were still haunted by a big flood from upstream that occurred three years before, despite the existence of Da River hydropower dam. So Thang Long and Chuong Duong Bridges were then built later.

However, the city development still focused on the southern riverside.

In 1995-1998, foreign investors gave wings to the dream about a city on two riverbanks. The new city of Bac Song Hong suggested by Daewoo was larger than Hanois inner city, which had been taking shape for 100 years.

To connect the two riverbanks, Hanoi designed six more bridges.

The city was expected to be enlarged by 2030 with the administrative boundary increasing by three times. The design of 15 bridges is in the new city development plan.

At the beginning of the second millennium, Hanoi had more bridges, Thanh Tri (2005), Vinh Tuy (2010) and Nhat Tan (2015). The riverbanks have become closer with a series of real estate projects developed.

But Hanoi also faces traffic congestion, river pollution, and garbage and air pollution. More seriously, the Red River is seeing its clean water storage space shrink due to peoples encroachment and water resources decline in volume and quality.

In the past, the pump stations along Red River could get water if hydropower reservoirs just discharged 2.5 billion cubic meters of water. But now, even when 4.3-5.7 billion cubic meters of water is discharged, some stations still cannot get water. The water volume stored at reservoirs is small.

Hydrological statistics show that the river water flow is decreasing. The upstream dams (including the Da River) are preventing alluvial sediment from going downstream. Water pollution from the watershed and localities has been identified by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the World Bank, but no solution has been found.

While danger for floods is on the decrease, the risk of city inundation because of rain is on the rise. Not only Hanoi, but all 11 cities on the river suffer from inundation. The irrigation system has improved over the last 1,000 years but it has become ineffective.

According to the General Department of Irrigation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the past, the pump stations along Red River could get water if hydropower reservoirs just discharged 2.5 billion cubic meters of water. But now, even when 4.3-5.7 billion cubic meters of water is discharged, some stations still cannot get water. The water volume stored at reservoirs is small.

The Red River has total water capacity of 118 billion cubic meters per annum, but 70 percent of the volume comes in flood season, while it lacks water in dry season. So, more water storage spaces are needed, including low-lying and semi-submerged areas.

Pierre Gourou, a French geographer, said the major floods in the early 20th century alone caused Tich and Day River valleys to flood.

A French irrigation expert built a Red River flood drainage corridor which served as a water valve to save Hanoi, and a semi-submerged alluvial area for agriculture and fishery development.

Before merging with Hanoi, Ha Tay province had allocated tens of thousands of hectares to investors to develop real estate projects, thus posing challenges for Red River planning.

Red River solutions

Hanoi lies between rivers. The Song Me  Song Ca (the old name of the Red River, which means Mother River) created a prosperous Hanoi.

Hanoi, for the first time, doesnt intend to build houses and sell land, but has placed as a top priority the task of ensuring enough water for the Red river in the dry season and safety in the flood season, using the thuan thien (let things flow naturally) as the principle.

Tran Huy Anh

Hanoi Architects Association

Hanoi to approve Red River subdivision planning in June It is expected that Hanoi authorities in June will approve and issue the Red River subdivision planning, which will help the capital city become more spacious and modern.
Seth Whitehead is executive director of the Illinois Petroleum Resources Board, a nonprofit organization that provides public awareness and education programs regarding the Illinois oil and natural-gas production industry and works to clean up and restore abandoned oilfield sites throughout the state. Its programs are funded entirely by voluntary contributions of oil and natural-gas producers and royalty owners in Illinois.
Lisa Wilkinson has blasted Scott Morrison for allowing a disgraced Liberal MP accused of abusing two women on social media to stay in Parliament.

The Project host derided the Prime Minister for the decision and accused him of showing no empathy during a passionate address on Sunday night's program.

'One of the coalition's scandal-ridden MPs is stepping away from politics, and the fact we even need to specify which one it is shows how dire things are for the government,' Wilkinson said.

'Lets hope whoever is in charge of Lamings empathy training isnt the same team in charge of Scott Morrisons empathy training because we all know the taxpayer funded bin-fire thats turned out to be.'

Queensland MP Andrew Laming harassed two women on Facebook and has been accused of photographing a woman bending over without her consent.

He has confirmed he will not be contesting the next election, but will continue to stay in Parliament until then.

If Mr Laming were to leave straight away, it would leave the government in a minority.

Host on Channel 10's 'The Project' Lisa Wilkinson slammed Scott Morrison on Sunday night

Coalition MP Andrew Laming harassed women on social media but will remain in Parliament

The LNP member for Bowman has admitted to trolling two women on social media - which one said left her on the brink of suicide.

He has also been accused of taking a photo of another woman who accidentally showed her underwear while bending over.

Despite the allegations, Mr Laming has not been asked to step aside but said he will not re-contest his seat at the next election.

Deputy Nationals leader David Littleproud denied Mr Laming was just retaining his position because it would throw the government into minority if he was kicked out.

'With respect, I don't think that's the case. It's about making sure we do the right thing,' he told the Sky News' Sunday Agenda program.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Mr Laming will see out his term in Parliament until the next election.

'His behaviour has been absolutely unacceptable,' Mr Frydenberg told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday.

'[But] he was elected by representatives and constituents of his community to support them in the parliament  that is what the coalition does.'

Mr Laming (pictured) has been accused of 'trolling' women on social media

Brisbane woman Crystal White (pictured) said Mr Laming photographed her underwear

In a statement on Saturday, Mr Laming had said he would step down from all parliamentary roles to undergo counselling.

'The common thread of the last week has been not demonstrating anything close to understanding how my actions affect others. I intend to own those mistakes,' he said.

Screengrabs of Mr Laming's now-deleted Facebook post in which he used laughing face emojis after an apology he made to Alix Russo and Sheena Hewlett in parliament

He is due to return to parliament on May 11 when the budget is handed down.

Brisbane mum Crystal White accused Mr Laming of snapping a picture of her bottom and exposed underwear while she put drinks in a fridge at a landscape supply business in 2019.

'The photo was really inappropriate, especially when I was bent over,' Ms White told Nine News.

Sean Blinco, who was working at the time, said the store manager forced Mr Laming to delete the photo and questioned the MP over the 2019 incident on social media.

'Remember that time you took a photo of an employee bending over at local landscaping yard, you perve? We had to force you to delete it before you left the store. We remember,' he wrote on Facebook.

'I do but it wasn't meant to be rude. I thought it was funny but your reaction was awkward,' Mr Laming replied.

'In this climate - I willingly apologise - I didn't even know what for at 4pm when I did it,' he wrote on a Facebook post, which has since been deleted.

Mr Laming accused Alix Russo (left) of misappropriating funds at a homeless charity, while Sheena Hewlett (right) said she was forced to contact police after claiming Mr Laming hid in the bushes and took photos of her in a public park

Mr Laming was forced to apologise after telling charity worker Alix Russo on Facebook, 'Unfortunately for you, I make the rules and you follow them.'

The single mother said trolling by Mr Laming left her suicidal.

'I want to be alive, I don't want to be attacked anymore,' she said.

'This man has to stop. He cannot continue abusing his community like this.'

Mr Laming's social media response to his own apology was accompanied by several laughing emojis - which he claimed were accidentally posted by his phone when he put it in his pocket, news.com.au reported.

Queensland Labor MP Kim Richards has since come forward claiming Mr Laming 'weaponised social media to attack women'.

'It's just been constant. I blocked him years ago for my own mental health,' she said.

'The character assassination, the personal nature of the way he's posting, is harassing and bullying by its very existence.'

Ms Richards said locals in Redlands have been left 'fearful' of Mr Laming due to his conduct online.

A spokesman for Mr Laming rejected Ms Richards' claims about the MP's online behaviour as his social media accounts post about political issues in the electorate.

Queensland Labor MP Kim Richards (pictured) came forward claiming Mr Laming 'weaponised social media to attack women'

A schoolteacher said she complained about Mr Laming (pictured) several times

Schoolteacher Sheena Hewlett said Mr Laming asked for her teaching timetable then hid in bushes while taking photos of her in 2019.

The incidents were reported to police.

Ms Hewlett has said she complained about Mr Laming 'countless times' both under Mr Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull's leadership, The Australian reported.

Mr Laming apologised for causing Ms Russo and Ms Hewlett distress in a speech in Parliament on Thursday. He also apologised to the women in writing.

It came after being hauled into the PM's office, conceding his social media commentary had caused significant distress to two 'well regarded individuals' of his electorate.

'His comments were not acceptable to both women and also to the Prime Minister,' a spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office said.

'Every Australian has the right to feel safe online and Mr Laming has made a commitment to change his online communication practices.'

Talk about a chip off the old block. Jasper Cable-Alexander and his actress girlfriend Connie Martin are attracting comment for their uncanny resemblance to Jasper's father Lord Snowdon and Princess Margaret in their glamorous heyday.

And just like his father, Jasper, 22, is making a name for himself as a photographer  even if not everyone has got the memo. He said: 'It's funny  a few occasions on jobs I've been mistaken for the intern!'

His mother is former Country Life journalist Melanie Cable-Alexander, who embarked on an affair with Snowdon while he was married to his second wife Lucy Lindsay-Hogg.

Jasper Cable-Alexander and his actress girlfriend Connie Martin (left) are attracting comment for their uncanny resemblance to Jasper's father Lord Snowdon and Princess Margaret (right) in their glamorous heyday

Although Jasper describes himself as 'the only child of a single mother', he is in fact the fifth of Snowdon's offspring.

In addition to Viscount Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto, his children with Princess Margaret, the Earl fathered a daughter before he married the Queen's sister and later had a daughter with Ms Lindsay-Hogg.

Melanie famously appealed for child support from Snowdon after Jasper was born and the youngster was left 250,000 in the Earl's will.

I know the end of lockdown in Los Angeles is a silver lining but do you think supermodel Kylie Jenner is taking the phrase too far?

With Hollywood's finest ditching the track pants for something more glamorous once more, the Kardashian clan member stepped out for dinner on Friday in this rather bizarre latex coat teamed with chunky necklaces  but I'm afraid the look was more Michelin Man than 500 million Malibu mogul.

I imagine the garish coat is worth thousands  though it looks like it cost cents to produce.

Kylie Jenner stepped out for dinner on Friday in this rather bizarre latex coat teamed with chunky necklaces  but I'm afraid the look was more Michelin Man than 500 million Malibu mogul

Internet sensation Jackie Weaver is discovering the price of fame  strange men want to marry her and take her money.

Jackie, whose parish council meeting went viral after her no-nonsense handling of squabbling men, says she's been targeted by fortune hunters from abroad.

The married 62-year-old jokes: 'I've turned them down. I'm still holding out for Richard Gere!'
California to expand vaccine eligibility to anyone over 16

California will start vaccinating anyone 16 and over against the coronavirus starting in three weeks, expanding eligibility to the shots along with a host of other states as a long-awaited boost in vaccine supplies is insight.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that the nations most populous state would start vaccinating anyone 50 and over in a week and the population more broadly  except those under 16, for whom vaccines have not yet been authorized  on April 15.

The decision comes as California, which was initially slow to roll out the vaccines but has ramped up inoculations in recent weeks, expects to receive 2.5 million doses a week in the first half of the month and more than 3 million a week in the second, a big jump from the roughly 1.8 million doses a week currently.

ADVERTISEMENT

In just a few weeks, therell be no rules, no limitations, as it relates to the ability to get a vaccine administered, Newsom said at a news conference in Orange County. This state is going to come roaring back.

The move comes as some California counties have veered away from the states eligibility criteria by opening up the shots for people with a broader range of medical conditions than those required in most places, and in some cases, at younger ages. It also comes as governors across the country have expanded eligibility for the vaccine as supplies have increased. Earlier this month, Alaska opened eligibility to any resident over 16. Florida said Thursday it will open eligibility to anyone 18 and over on April 5, while Texas will start inoculating all adults next week.

President Joe Bidens administration wants all states to make every adult eligible for the vaccine by May 1.

Even with the expansion, it will take several months for willing Californians to be vaccinated, state officials said.

Some county officials were eager to vaccinate more people while others said they were concerned there wouldnt be enough doses to keep up with rising demand. In Southern Californias Riverside County, more appointments have been available recently due to the boost in vaccine supplies. The county opened up 30,000 appointments this week, far more than previous weeks when slots hovered in the low 20,000s, said Jose Arballo, a spokesman for the countys health agency.

Any time we can vaccinate more people, thats a good thing, Arballo said. We believe well have the supply needed to handle any increase in eligibility.

But while Kern County health officials welcomed the expansion, they also urged residents who qualify now to sign up for their shots as we are unsure what the availability of vaccination appointments will look like once these additional eligibility groups are opened. Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Marty Fenstersheib said his county has been told it will get 58,000 doses next week, but the state will begin allowing about 400,000 more people between the ages of 50 and 64 in the county to sign up, in addition to the current backlog.

That 58,000 doses doesnt go very far. We have the capacity to administer over 200,000 doses, he said. We dont have the vaccine and we are concerned, beginning next week when we add that additional 400,000.

California so far has administered more than 15 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine. Initially, more affluent residents who could afford to spend hours scouring complicated web portals were snagging more appointment slots, prompting public health officials to take measures aimed at getting more of the doses to underserved communities where the virus has hit the hardest.

ADVERTISEMENT

In recent weeks, the state of 40 million people has seen coronavirus infections plummet following a winter surge. That has paved the way for more businesses to reopen and more schools to bring back in-person instruction, and state public health officials have said more activity can resume as vaccinations continue to rise in the poorest communities.

Newsom said Thursday the state will continue to target underserved communities by working with labor groups to reach essential workers and letting health providers target vaccinations by ZIP code.

Since California opened eligibility earlier this month to people with developmental disabilities and those with serious health conditions such as cancer, some residents said theyve seen people without those conditions get in line for a shot, too, knowing that vaccination sites are operating on an honor system and wont require medical documentation.

Dr. Louise Aronson, a leading geriatrician at University of California, San Francisco and member of the governors vaccine drafting guidelines committee, said in a recent interview that she knows of too many people who have received the vaccine who dont qualify. She said she has heard of people claiming eligible occupations at pharmacies that dont verify and of a worker at a vaccination site in the East San Francisco Bay Area holding back doses for friends.

Part of the problem has been the lack of uniformity between counties, which makes people believe the standards are arbitrary, she said. Some counties have already allowed residents 50 and up to get shots while San Diego County has expanded the range of qualifying conditions to include moderate to severe asthma and being overweight.

There are a whole lot of cheaters, and this is just my anecdotal experience, Aronson said.

Eyal Oren, associate professor of epidemiology at San Diego State University, said there have been many changes in the vaccination system as supplies have increased and he believes the doses are finally there to expand eligibility.

Were in this race of trying to get more people immunity, he said.

Associated Press writers Janie Har, Juliet Williams and Jocelyn Gecker in San Francisco contributed to this report.
(Newser)  The atrocities committed by the military regime that ruled Argentina from 1976 to 1983 have been well documented, with an estimated 30,000 people "disappeared" during the stretch that has come to be known as the Dirty War. Now, the children of that generation are increasingly speaking out to demand justice and accountability, the BBC reports. But there's a twistthe BBC's story isn't about the children of victims, it's about the children of the men who imprisoned, tortured, and killed people under the regime. One woman interviewed is Analia Kalinec, who discovered only at the age of 25 that her father, Eduardo Emilio Kalinec, was a notorious police officer known as "Doctor K" who participated in brutal interrogations and the torture of political prisoners. After his arrest in 2005, she confronted him in prison. "He asked me: 'Do you think I'm a monster?'"

story continues below

"What did he expect me to say?" says Analia. "It was my beloved dad, I was so close to him I was stunned." Her father, now serving a life sentence, showed no remorse for his actions, which are laid out in hundreds of pages of case files and in the testimony of those who managed to survive their imprisonment. Instead, he attempted to justify what he did as necessary for the country. That's a common experience among those interviewed in the story and a big part of why Analia and others have formed a group called Disobedient Stories to speak out against their own fathers and push back against the possibility of early release. They also want to amend Argentina's law to allow children to testify against their parents in cases involving crimes against humanity, in order to bring others to justice or perhaps shed light on the fates of some of the disappeared. (Read the full story.)
April Dembosky, KQED (TNS)

For months, journalists, politicians and health officials  including New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Dr. Anthony Fauci  have invoked the infamous Tuskegee syphilis study to explain why Black Americans are more hesitant than white Americans to get the coronavirus vaccine.

Its Oh, Tuskegee, Tuskegee, Tuskegee, and its mentioned every single time, said Karen Lincoln, a professor of social work at the University of Southern California and founder of Advocates for African American Elders. We make these assumptions that its Tuskegee. We dont ask people.

When she asks Black seniors in Los Angeles about the vaccine, Tuskegee rarely comes up. People in the community talk about contemporary racism and barriers to health care, she said, while it seems to be mainly academics and officials who are preoccupied with the history of Tuskegee.

Its a scapegoat, Lincoln said. Its an excuse. If you continue to use it as a way of explaining why many African Americans are hesitant, it almost absolves you of having to learn more, do more, involve other people  admit that racism is actually a thing today.

Its the health inequities of today that Maxine Toler, 72, hears about when she asks her friends and neighbors in Los Angeles what they think about the vaccine. As president of her citys senior advocacy council and her neighborhood block club, Toler said she and most of the other Black seniors she talks with want the vaccine but are having trouble getting it. And that alone sows mistrust, she said.

Toler said the Black people she knows who dont want the vaccine have very modern reasons for not wanting it. They talk about religious beliefs, safety concerns or a distrust of former U.S. President Donald Trump and his contentious relationship with science. Only a handful mention Tuskegee, she said, and when they do, theyre fuzzy on the details of what happened during the 40-year study.

If you ask them What was it about? and Why do you feel like it would impact your receiving the vaccine? they cant even tell you, she said.

Toler knows the details, but she said that history is a distraction from todays effort to get people vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Its almost the opposite of Tuskegee, she said. Because they were being denied treatment. And this is like, were pushing people forward: Go and get this vaccine. We want everybody to be protected from COVID.



The Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male was a government-sponsored, taxpayer-funded study that began in 1932. Some people believe that researchers injected the men with syphilis, but thats not true. Rather, the scientists recruited 399 Black men from Alabama who already had the disease.

Researchers told the men they had come to Tuskegee to cure bad blood, but never told them they had syphilis. And, the government doctors never intended to cure the men. Even when an effective treatment for syphilis  penicillin  became widely available in the 1940s, the researchers withheld it from the infected men and continued the study for decades, determined to track the disease to its endpoint: autopsy.

By the time the study was exposed and shut down in 1972, 128 of the men involved had died from syphilis or related complications, and 40 of their wives and 19 children had become infected.

Given this horrific history, many scientists assumed Black people would want nothing to do with the medical establishment again, particularly clinical research. Over the next three decades, various books, articles and films repeated this assumption until it became gospel.

That was a false assumption, said Dr. Rueben Warren, director of the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care at Tuskegee University in Alabama, and former associate director of minority health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 1988 to 1997.

A few researchers began to question this assumption at a 1994 bioethics conference, where almost all the speakers seemed to accept it as a given. The doubters asked, what kind of scientific evidence is there to support the notion that Black people would refuse to participate in research because of Tuskegee?

When those researchers did a comprehensive search of the existing literature, they found nothing.

It was apparently a fact known more in the gut than in the head, wrote lead doubter Dr. Ralph Katz, an epidemiologist at the New York University College of Dentistry.

So Katz formed a research team to look for this evidence. They completed a series of studies over the next 14 years, focused mainly on surveying thousands of people across seven cities, from Baltimore to San Antonio to Tuskegee.

The conclusions were definitive: While Black people were twice as wary of participating in research, compared with white people, they were equally willing to participate when asked. And there was no association between knowledge of Tuskegee and willingness to participate.

The hesitancy is there, but the refusal is not. And thats an important difference, said Warren, who later joined Katz in editing a book about the research. Hesitant, yes. But not refusal.

Tuskegee was not the deal breaker everyone thought it was.

These results did not go over well within academic and government research circles, Warren said, as they indicted and contradicted the common belief that low minority enrollment in research was the result of Tuskegee.

That was the excuse that they used, Warren said. If I dont want to go to the extra energy, resources to include the population, I can simply say they were not interested. They refused.

Now researchers had to confront the shortcomings of their own recruitment methods. Many of them never invited Black people to participate in their studies in the first place. When they did, they often did not try very hard. For example, two studies of cardiovascular disease offered enrollment to more than 2,000 white people, compared with no more than 30 people from minority groups.

We have a tendency to use Tuskegee as a scapegoat, for us, as researchers, not doing what we need to do to ensure that people are well educated about the benefits of participating in a clinical trial, said B. Lee Green, vice president of diversity at Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida, who worked on the early research debunking the assumptions about Tuskegees legacy.

There may be individuals in the community who absolutely remember Tuskegee, and we should not discount that, he said. But hesitancy is more related to individuals lived experiences, what people live each and every day.



Some of the same presumptions that were made about clinical research are resurfacing today around the coronavirus vaccine. A lot of hesitancy is being confused as refusal, Warren said. And so many of the entrenched structural barriers that limit access to the vaccine in Black communities are not sufficiently addressed.

Tuskegee is once again being used as a scapegoat, said Lincoln, the USC sociologist.

If you say Tuskegee, then you dont have to acknowledge things like pharmacy deserts, things like poverty and unemployment, she said. You can just say, That happened then  and theres nothing we can do about it.

She said the contemporary failures of the health care system are more pressing and causing more mistrust than the events of the past.

Its what happened to me yesterday, she said. Not what happened in the 50s or 60s, when Tuskegee was actually active.

The seniors she works with complain to her all the time about doctors dismissing their concerns or talking down to them, and nurses answering the hospital call buttons for their white roommates more often than for them.

As a prime example of the unequal treatment Black people receive, they point to the recent Facebook Live video of Dr. Susan Moore. When Moore, a geriatrician and family medicine physician from Indiana, got COVID-19, she filmed herself from her hospital bed, an oxygen tube in her nose. She told the camera that she had to beg her physician to continue her course of remdesivir, the drug that speeds recovery from the disease.

He said, Ah, you dont need it. Youre not even short of breath. I said Yes, I am, Moore said into the camera. I put forward and I maintain, if I was white, I wouldnt have to go through that.

Moore died two weeks later.

She knew what kind of treatment she should be getting and she wasnt getting it, said Toler of L.A., contrasting Moores treatment with the care Trump received.

We saw it up close and personal with the president, that he got the best of everything. They cured him in a couple of days, and our people are dying like flies.

Toler and her neighbors said that the same inequity is playing out with the vaccine. Three months into the vaccine rollout, Black people made up about 3% of Californians who had received the vaccination, even though they account for 6.2% of the states COVID-19 deaths.

The first mass-vaccination sites set up in the Los Angeles area  at Dodger Stadium and at Disneyland  are difficult to get to from Black neighborhoods without a car. And you practically needed a computer science degree to get an early dose, as snagging an online appointment required navigating a confusing interface or constantly refreshing the portal.

White, affluent people have been snatching up appointments, even at clinics intended for hard-hit Black and Latino communities, while people of color have had trouble getting through.

Its stories like these, of unequal treatment and barriers to care, that stoke mistrust, Lincoln said. And the word travels fast when people have negative experiences. They share it.

To address this mistrust will require a paradigm shift, said Warren of Tuskegee University. If you want Black people to trust doctors and trust the vaccine, dont blame them for their distrust, he said. The obligation is on health institutions to first show they are trustworthy: to listen, take responsibility, show accountability and stop making excuses. That, he added, means providing information about the vaccine without being paternalistic and making the vaccine easy to access in Black communities.

Prove yourself trustworthy and trust will follow, he said.



(KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation. This story is from a partnership that includes NPR, KQED and KHN.)

___

(c)2021 Kaiser Health News

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
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.
An Oregon police department has agreed to change the name of a K9 called 'Lil' Kim' following anger that it shared a name with the Grammy award-winning black rapper.

Community leaders complained the Belgian Malinois' name was insensitive given the use of police dogs against black people  including in the civil rights era - and the musician's status as a leading black hip hop star.

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz insisted the dog was never named after the rapper and 'lil' was simply a reference to its size - but said nonetheless the canine would now be known only as Kim.

Community leaders complained the name Lil' Kim for a K9 owned by Bend Police Department was insensitive given the use of police dogs against black people

Lil' Kim is the stage name for Kimberley Jones, a multi Grammy-award winning hip hop artist who has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide

It followed a complaint from Riccardo Waites, the founder of the Central Oregon Black Leaders Assembly, who said in a video Thursday: 'If you're a person of color, or if you're a fan of Lil' Kim, you know her significance in Hip Hop.

'You also know that she's a gangster rapper. Just to be honest, I don't want to see Lil' Kim out there biting people of color.'

Lil' Kim is the stage name for Kimberley Jones, a multi Grammy-award winning hip hop artist who has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide.

Chief Krantz told Oregon Public Broadcasting: 'Although the dog is not named after a musician, it's important to recognize that some people may assume that or believe that.

'I think in the eyes of some community members there is a connection historically to the use of dogs, specifically on protesters and Black community members, and that, that could bring a fear of canines.'

Police routinely referred to the dog as Lil' Kim in public statements, including a Facebook post on January 29 which read: 'Bend PD K9 Kim (aka Lil' Kim as she is little but mighty) is turning 6!

'K9 Kim is a Belgian Malinois who is a rockstar suspect apprehension dog. She is trained to locate a suspect who is fleeing or hiding.

'Her skills are not limited to only tracking suspects; she can also help with searching for missing people, like a child or elderly person who has wandered away from home.'

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz (left) insisted the dog (seen right in a training scenario) was never named after the rapper

On February 28, officials used the name in a press release about the dog helping to apprehend a domestic violence suspect.

Social justice campaigner Waites insisted the move would help improve community relations.

'While it may appear a small or inconsequential matter to some, it is not to those of us who remember how police dogs were used against peacefully protesting civil rights workers and People of Color in the 1960s and are still used as a means of crowd control and intimidation today,' he wrote.

Pictures of police dogs snarling or attacking African Americans at protests became some of the most iconic images of the civil rights eras.
(Newser)  It could have easily killed someone or multiple people if mishandled. Thats what Oliver Alkire, a deputy state fire marshal in Maryland, had to say about a piece of unexploded Civil War-era ordnance discovered in Frederick County, CNN reports. A resident got in touch with state authorities after receiving the cannonball from a relative, who found it near the Monocacy Battlefield, where Union and Confederate forces fought more than 150 years ago, per the Herald-Mail. The cannonball had reportedly been at the persons house for several months. Technicians on Monday determined that the cannonball's fusing mechanism was still intact and moved it to a quarry, where they safely detonated it, according to reports.

story continues below

The finding of military ordnance from the Civil War is not uncommon in Maryland, and these devices pose the same threat as the day they were initially manufactured, the states fire marshals office said in a statement. During the Battle of Monocacy, the Union fought to prevent the Confederate takeover of Washington DC, according to the National Park Service. The Confederates won the battle, which was fought on July 9, 1864, but the Union was successful in its efforts to delay the Confederate advance on the Capitol, providing time for Union reinforcements to arrive in DC, which is why Monocacy is known as the Battle that Saved Washington. (Read more Civil War stories.)

Armenia 2nd President meets with leaders and officers of Police, MOD and National Security Service of various years

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative: Incumbent authorities' mistakes are irreversible

Europe sees progress in latest rounds of Iran nuclear talks

Armenian analyst: Turkey wants to push Russia out of the South Caucasus

Young Armenian says brawl with Azerbaijanis in front of Azerbaijan Embassy in Moscow might have been organized

Catholicos of All Armenians leaves for Armenia's Syunik Province and Artsakh on pontifical visit

Armenian and Russian Prosecutors General meet in St. Petersburg

Armenian acting minister: EU allocated EUR 68,700,000 to Armenia for budget support in 2020

Armenia Finance Ministry: MFA's budget grew by AMD 1,600,000,000 in 2020

Bodies and remains of Armenian soldiers are kept in morgue in Armenia's Martuni

White House confirms Biden-Erdogan meeting in Brussels

Armenia acting MOD touches upon priority directions for development of Armed Forces

Diaspora Armenian writer, publicist Toros Toranian dies

2 Armenian soldiers injured in scuffle with Azerbaijan, Armenian POW is hospitalized, Jun. 3 digest

Wedding held in Armenia's Shurnukh for first time since the war ended

EEU member states to finish preparing for negotiations over free trade zone in Iran in late June

Armenia Central Bank: Economic downfall in 2020 was due to decline in service and construction sectors

Armenia legislature adopts several bills in first reading

Armenia President meets with Nursultan Nazarbayev

Dejavu: Armenia ruling party distributes money for votes at Yerevan district election office

Chief Advisor to Karabakh President sacked

Russian MFA: Works are carried out to settle situation around Karabakh every day

Armenia opposition MP sounds alarm about Baku fabricating criminal cases against Armenian prisoners

Armenia acting health minister: I have apologized, I am not going to resign

Helga Schmid meets with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs

Armenia's deputy foreign ministers resigned or have heavy workload?

Dollar goes down in Armenia

Armenia Elections Oversight Committee reports Iranian citizenship of ruling party's MP candidate

Acting deputy minister: Only 17 of 711 Iran-Armenia power transmission line towers were installed by 2017

Armenia Parliament Council holding session

Armenia to host CSTO "Thunder-2021" military exercises

NYT: Chinese hackers launch cyberattack on New York city transportation authority

Armenia President to Kazakhstan counterpart: I would like to see much deeper cooperation between our countries

Armenia citizens shut down Etchmiadzin-Ashtarak road, complaining about lack of irrigation water

Armenia independent MP: Foreign minister and his deputies don't want to take part in treacherous acts

Armenia to get $11mn loan, 350,000 grant for agriculture

WHO worries about worsening mental health worldwide amid pandemic

Armenia health ministry on improper handling of Artsakh war victims bodies: There is no justification

Armenia bloc election foundation already in operation

Russia ambassador to Armenia paying working visit to Syunik Province (PHOTOS)

China pledges to step up resistance to foreign interference in Hong Kong

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: There can be no talk of corridor for Azerbaijan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on incumbent authorities: Wherever they flee, we will bring them by the feet

President: Impossible to ensure peace in region or stay in Artsakh without Russia army joint efforts

China Daily: Dispatch from Makit: Thriving in the desert

Karabakh President: We will never put up with being part of Azerbaijan, it is ruled out

Armenia MFA information department chief: All deputy FMs carrying out their duties

Ardshinbank invited children to the cinema on International Childrens Day

Armenia judiciary to have 10 more judges

Armenia acting premier: We had recorded 40% increase in tax revenues according to 2019 results

Armenia acting PM on Artsakh war casualties bodies: We have 50 remains in which case DNA was not separated

Azerbaijan authorities plan to "squeeze" everything from "terrorist show" related to Armenian captives

Ameriabank announces a contest for bank card design

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia parliament convenes special session

Armenia interim government holding Cabinet meeting

Catholicos of All Armenians heads for Syunik Province, Artsakh

World oil prices going up

Iran loses right to vote in UN General Assembly

Newspaper: Armenia authorities come up with new way of punishing unwanted characters

Newspaper: Russia army Southern Military District deputy commander to arrive in Yerevan Thursday

Lebanese Armenian man taken prisoner by Azerbaijan is hospitalized

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Are we getting under the burden? Then lets get under to the end

Armenia acting health minister on keeping fallen soldiers bodies in bags: What else should they be kept in?

Armenia acting health minister on citizens' demand for her resignation

Karabakh's new State Minister Artak Beglaryan on his appointment and future activities

Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani representatives hold consultations in Moscow

2 Armenian soldiers receive slight injuries after incident with Azerbaijani servicemen in Armenia's Gegharkunik

Armenian boy weighing 5 kg born at Goris Medical Center

"Armenia" bloc representative presents purpose of participation in elections and plans

Isaac Herzog elected President of Israel

Rouhani: Main issues between Tehran, Washington resolved in Vienna

Charles Michel calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume constructive negotiations

US Department of State responds to Pashinyan's proposal to deploy international observers on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Head of Armenia 2nd President's Office: Robert Kocharyan's public meetings are held in warm atmosphere

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative on photos and videos showing bags of deceased servicemen's bodies

Armenia Ombudsman, AGBU President discuss war crimes committed by Azerbaijan during Karabakh war

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representatives to hold briefings three times a week

Opposition "Armenia" bloc member: Blood-freezing photos and videos from morgue in Abovyan are authorities' reflection

Yerevan mayor receives Netherlands Ambassador
A rally to protest the current migrant situation on the border was held Friday morning by various Republican leaders to call for action by the Biden administration.

The We The People Stand for Border Security rally featured numerous speakers and presenters from the national, state and local scenes, including political candidates and pastors.

The event was spearheaded by the Patriots at Large and the WFFA as Christie Hutcherson, who is the founder and CEO of Women Fighting For America, hosted the event and presented the various speakers.

The event was originally scheduled to last seven hours. It included a press conference that was highlighted by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, although he was not seen present by LMT.

Even though Laredo is not considered one of the locales of the growing number of migrants crossing illegally to the U.S. or looking for asylum, the city was said to be chosen as a location for the event as it was believed that the numbers would soon grow in the area if nothing was done.

Among those that shared that sentiment was one of the most outspoken participants  Allen West, the Chairman of the Texas Republican Party. The former congressman and colonel criticized the Biden administration stating they were putting illegal immigrants before the people of the U.S. and attacked his use of executive orders.

Our safety and security of all of our border cities were being taken care of, but now with the stroke of a pen  the stroke of a pen, not through a legislative process  we are seeing an open borders agenda implemented in the United States of America by executive order, West said. We are a constitutional republic, not a constitutional monarchy. I think I remember Barack Hussein Obama saying that I got a pen and I got a phone, and I guess that Joe Biden thinks the same.

Joe Biden needs to understand that if he does not want to accept his constitutional duty to protect the people of Texas and the people of this country that we the people, as empowered through our Constitution, we need to stand up and encourage our states to do something and encourage our local municipalities to do something. We cannot sit back and let ourselves become victims.

In Bidens first day of office, he signed over a dozen executive orders on numerous topics, including immigration. However, executive orders are a fairly common practice by U.S. presidents, and Bidens immigration orders were actually reversals of Trump orders. They included revoking Trumps exclusion of undocumented immigrants from the census, strengthening protections for Dreamers, abolishing the Muslim Ban, canceling Trumps interior enforcement rule, halting construction of the border wall and ending deportation protections for Liberians.

Sandra Whitten, this past elections opponent for Laredos Rep. Henry Cuellar and his District 28 seat, spoke about how the event and its national issue is related to the Laredo area.

I love Laredo, this is my home. But I will be silent no more, Whitten said. When we are not calling out these cartels for the terrorist organizations that they are, and we are allowing our politicians to just play games on national news so they can just get some fame and fortune, then we are being compliant. This is my border reality.

During the event, West and Whitten said that conservatives have been accused of not having morals when it comes to immigration issues while they claim to be pro-life and religious. West challenged this notion and said that even good Christians and good-hearted people as specified in the Bible are individuals governed by governments and laws.

The laws say we have a sovereign border, West said. We Christians are compassionate people, but we want to show the compassion on the other side of the border.

Whitten said that the compassion should be toward the people being trafficked by drug cartels. She said they care for children being trafficked into the country, and that is why some form of action needs to be taken.

Other speakers at the event included local Pastor Jorge Tovar of Laredos Jordan River Church.

We should not hate the people that are crossing, but we should hate the inconsideration of the present administration in the United States for opening up the borders without any security, without any due process, Tovar said.

Tovar added that the best thing to do is to unite in efforts is for President Biden to take quick action on the growing problem before it becomes out of control.

West also claimed that the issue of immigration is not about morals but rather the fact the countrys people must be put first over incoming immigrants. He used an example of the government needing to provide more assistance and benefits to veterans.

West said the current administration is allowing thousands of people, including adult males who come by themselves, into the country and providing them with room and shelter in hotels.

Biden did secure a contract to house migrants in hotels this past weekend starting in April, although that is not a unique step. It has been done numerous times in the past including last year by Trump before migrants began being deported due to the pandemic.

The current policy being followed by the federal government is the enforcement of Title 42, which stipulates that any migrants apprehended by the Border Patrol can immediately be returned to Mexico to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 virus. There are hundreds and potentially thousands waiting in Nuevo Laredo for their court proceedings in Laredo, with 500 having pre-registered. Of the individuals that do remain in the country  some family units and unaccompanied children  they are currently going to local shelters such as the Holding Institute in Laredo.

During the event, many of the speakers cited voter fraud, stating it was how Biden was elected. They said it is related to the current immigration issue as progressives want to make these individuals able to vote in American elections.

By bringing in illegals, they will allow them to vote in our elections, West said. What they are doing is trying to create a new victim class. What they are trying to do is create a new class of people that will be dependent on them.

jorge.vela@lmtonline.com
Tunis/Tunisia  President Kais Saied promised to pardon the youths arrested during last January's protests once the final judgments are rendered "so that they do not fall victim to those who want to involve them in their conflicts."

"Prison must be a punishment depriving freedom and not humanity," stated the Head of State who visited Friday evening the Mornaguia civil prison, recalling that there are alternative non-custodial sanctions, said a Presidency of the Republic press release.

Kais Saied talked to several young people arrested during the January 2021 protests and enquired about the circumstances of their arrest and detention conditions.

He reaffirmed in this regard, keenness to guarantee them justice and equity, especially those who had been imprisoned without real reasons requiring a prison sentence.

"A large number of these young people were used in the protests by parties who only think of their own interests at the expense of these young people in the prime of their lives," he underlined.

The President of the Republic also conferred with the Director General of the Penitentiary and Rehabilitation Establishments and the Director of the Mornaguia prison. He inspected wards, spoke with inmates and learnt about the cases of many of them, the same source specified.
A giant container ship grounded in the Suez Canal could be freed by the start of next week if heavier tugboats, dredging and a high tide succeed in dislodging it, a Dutch firm working to free the vessel said.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
An Irish mother in quarantine with her three children and her husband is renewing her appeal to be released from their "cramped and unsuitable" hotel rooms.

Michelle O'Dowd and her husband Ciaran O'Reilly and their three young daughters have been confined to their hotel room at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin, since being taken there from Dublin Airport last Friday.

On Friday evening, they lodged an appeal with officials to be moved out of the two interconnecting rooms on the basis that the rooms were too small.

"We do not have enough space for our children. There isn't even enough room to move around freely or to play board games. There is just a tiny circular table in each room that are completely unsuitable," she said.

She told the Sunday Independent that families should be given more space to live in, such as an aparthotel or an apartment.

Read More

"I was told I was lucky we had one of the few inter-connecting rooms on the floor. That means other families won't even have the space we have," she said.

"The meals in the hotel are really good and the staff are very helpful and lovely. But the rooms are too small and unsuitable," she said.

She said the PCR test at the hotel which would facilitate the family going outside for fresh air and exercise did not take place for almost 24 hours.

The couple have returned to Ireland after spending seven years working abroad. They have a home in Easkey in Co Sligo.

The quarantine rules became active at 4am on Friday and their jet landed in Dublin shortly after 11am. They now face a hotel bill of more than 5,000, they said.

Ms O'Dowd is a nurse and will begin a new job in Sligo University Hospital where she worked in the past. "It is very unfair that we have to pay more than 5,000 just because our plane landed in Dubai on the way to Dublin," she said.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said the department is "in constant contact with Tifco Hotel Group about all issues relating to the management of mandatory hotel quarantine.

"At all times, our priority is to ensure that everyone completing their period of mandatory quarantine is comfortable and secure," she said.
Former President George W. Bush leaned over to U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn at President Joe Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration ceremony and reminded him of something that the longtime Democratic politician already knew.

"You know, youre the savior because if you had not nominated Joe Biden, we would not be having this transfer of power today," Bush reportedly told Clyburn.

It's no secret that Clyburn's coveted endorsement in South Carolina's 2020 Democratic presidential primary paved the way for Biden's path to the White House. Now, the third-ranking member of Congress hopes Biden will return the favor.

"Endorsing Joe Biden to me was about the country and it still is about the country," Clyburn, D-S.C., told The Post and Courier in a recent interview. "I do have some things I would love to see happen in South Carolina and the South, but I have to wait and see whether or not he responds to that agenda."

In recent weeks, the House majority whip has had a spring in his step and took to Twitter to brag about some key Democratic legislative successes.

He applauded Biden for signing the $1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan into law, and the Democratic congressman's effort to pass a comprehensive broadband infrastructure plan for rural America is quickly finding allies in the Senate. The House also passed the South Carolinian's bill to close the so-called "Charleston Loophole" on gun purchase background checks, though it faces an uphill climb in the evenly divided Senate.

In his interview with the newspaper, Clyburn said this may be his most significant term in Congress since going to Washington in 1993. And, with a personal wish list of bills he's proposed, he hopes Biden will help them cross the finish line.

Clyburn said he already calls White House staff every day to discuss his concerns and his policy agenda. "I'm interested in seeing other things happen that I'm confident that he is going to be helpful with," he said.

The 80-year-old congressman said he plans to run for reelection. If he wins, it will be his 16th term in Congress.

But the longtime politician also faces obstacles, such as potentially pestering some White House administrators with his bullish political style and the fact some of his bills could be doomed in the Senate because of the filibuster. Washington media reported this month that some White House officials have been irked by Clyburns public condemnation about a lack of diversity in the administration.

However, Clyburn's allies and close friends said he's not worried about being a thorn in the White House's side. Because, at the end of the day, the Democratic congressman is going to focus on results, not methods.

"When Clyburn sets his mind to something, it is hard to get him off of it," said Democratic National Committee chairman and longtime friend Jaime Harrison. "And I can guarantee you, he usually sees success in some measure or fashion."

The administration also dismissed any talk of tension.

Biden and Clyburn have "maintained a close working relationship for decades  one that has resulted in pieces of legislation that have had an enormous amount of real-world, positive impact on South Carolinians and Americans across the country," the White House said in a media statement.

"President Biden considers Whip Clyburn a trusted adviser and confidante, and whether in the Senate or in the White House, will continue to turn to the Whip for his guidance and counsel in shaping policy that helps working families," the statement continued.

From primary to presidency

President Biden's relationship with Clyburn has formed from their overlapping career trajectories in Washington since the 1990s. So when it came time for the influential congressman's endorsement in last year's Democratic primary, Clyburn told The Post and Courier he had pretty much had made up his mind.

Several months earlier and just before his longtime wife, Emily, died, she told Clyburn she loved Biden more than any other political leader. He had always trusted his wife's opinion.

On Feb. 26, 2020, at Trident Technical College in North Charleston, Clyburn uttered the secret that was no big surprise. I know Joe, we know Joe, but most importantly Joe knows us, Clyburn said at the time.

Amanda Loveday, a political strategist in South Carolina, said the endorsement was a receipt in a relationship that had been built for 25 years.

Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email

Sign Up!

"From 2013 to 2019, before Biden even announced for president, he visited South Carolina 14 times in an official capacity," Loveday said. "But Jim Clyburn had a hand in every single one of those in some sort of capacity. And that doesn't go unnoticed as these relationships get built."

Clyburn's imprint on the Biden presidency has been seen in several ways, including when Harrison, who made headlines for record-breaking fundraising in his unsuccessful bid to replace U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., was tapped by Biden to lead the Democratic National Committee.

Clyburn also lobbied for his protege, former U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, to join the White House. He now serves as a senior adviser in charge of public engagement for Biden.

Burying the filibuster

Clyburn has a lot he wants to accomplish this term. And even with Biden's support, he faces difficulties with some of the legislation.

His wish list: Passing the Charleston Loophole bill into law; rolling out his rural broadband internet effort; and helping modernize U.S. election laws and procedures.

Each of them are rooted in subjects he's deeply passionate about.

When Dylann Roof gunned down nine Black parishioners at Emanuel AME Church in 2015 with a firearm he should never have had, Clyburn vowed to pass reforms.

As a former schoolteacher in South Carolina, he knows how important education is, and said offering affordable internet will help level the playing field for a lot of rural students.

As a longtime defender of civil rights, he's passionate about passing the largest overhaul of U.S. election law since 1965 in an effort to improve voting access.

But even with the U.S. House, Senate and White House in Democratic control, all of his bills face trouble because of the filibuster.

The parliamentary procedure, used in the Senate to prevent a measure from being brought to a vote, has been used to cause legislative gridlock for decades. Prior to 1917, the Senate rules did not provide for a way to end debate and force a vote on a measure. This lead to grandstanding by charismatic politicians in an effort to delay legislation they didn't like.

In 1957, U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina broke the record for the longest filibuster at 24 hours and 18 minutes when the ardent racist attempted to block passage of the Civil Rights Act. Despite his attempt, the bill passed two hours after his daylong speech.

By 1975, it was decided that three-fifths, or 60 of the 100 members in the Senate, would have to vote to close the debate and stop a filibuster.

This means Clyburn has to win over 10 GOP senators to make sure he can confidently get his bills to Biden's desk.

But in a fiercely partisan post-Donald Trump Washington, Republicans aren't surrendering their use of the filibuster anytime soon. Last week, Graham told reporters he "would talk until I fell over" to prevent passage of the For the People Act if the Senate changes the filibuster rules.

Clyburn has been doing what he can to encourage parliamentary procedure to change regarding the filibuster. He told The Post and Courier he has been in contact with Biden's staff to share his views and concerns about it.

But Clyburn also believes he can pass his bills without the elimination of the filibuster. Citing the passage of the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, which required only a simple majority to pass, the Democratic congressman said his bills might be able to fall outside of those rules.

"There needs to be a work around the filibuster when it comes to civil rights and voting rights, just like we did for the budget," Clyburn said. "Those are not things that require extended debate on legislating those things are guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States."

Loveday agreed, and said that Clyburn's experience in Congress puts him in a unique position to accomplish a lot of his policy goals even with the filibuster in place.

"It may mean that you're not going to get 100 percent of your wish list," Loveday said. "But there are ways to get things accomplished that are on Jim Clyburn's wish list that don't necessarily require a 60-person vote in the Senate."
Sunday, March 28, 2021

From BioEdge:

Russias liberal surrogacy rules are under threat, reports The Economist. The country has become a haven for foreigners seeking cheap surrogate mothers. A womans services can be purchased for about US$20,000, much less expensive than the United States.

But after bad publicity over the death of a baby who was intended for a Filipino couple, the practice could be banned for foreigners. Russia is not an incubator, says Irina Yarovaya, a deputy speaker of the Duma, Russias parliament.

The Economist interprets hostility towards surrogacy as hostility towards commissioning parents who are single men or gay and hostility towards a womans right to choose surrogacy as an employment option.

It is true that Russia is not a haven for gay couples. Last year, President Vladimir Putin pushed through a new constitution which included a ban on same-sex marriage. As far as parent number one and parent number two goas long as Im president this will not happen. There will be dad and mum, he said.

Read more here.

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/family_law/2021/03/russian-surrogacy-laws.html
LONDON, March 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- During a press conference on Tuesday, the Prime Minister of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr the Hon. Timothy Harris said that almost 24 percent of the target vaccination population had received a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Since the vaccination roll-out campaign started three weeks ago, nearly 8,000 people received their first shot. After encouraging more citizens to participate, the Prime Minister highlighted that despite St Kitts and Nevis being a small country, it was closer to herd immunity than Europe and the US.

Despite the nation's international borders opening on October 31st, St Kitts and Nevis continues to be one of the least impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting no current community spread and zero deaths overall. The dual islands ask visitors to take a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival and utilise a contract tracing app for the first 14 days with obligatory quarantine in an approved hotel.

The Prime Minister noted that due to St Kitts and Nevis' impeccable track record of COVID-19 management, many positive developments were coming forth. Over 600 students have returned to the world-leading Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, bringing business for landlords, rental cars companies and restaurants. "Educational tourism is critical to long-stay tourism," he said. The government is continuing its work to bring more students back, he added.

He also said that moviemaking is becoming "a new niche in tourism" on the islands. Presently, two movies are being filmed in St Kitts and Nevis, and five more are in plan for this year to"bring visibility to St Kitts and Nevis as the best place to do business and to live."

Prime Minister Harris added that "confidence is returning to the business climate." Several hotels are at an advanced state of completion, and several are dated to be completed this year. He also said that in 2021, the government issued 28 percent more business licenses compared to the previous year.

Amidst this pandemic, many businesspeople and digital nomads have chosen the Caribbean nation as a temporary home to escape lockdown in beautiful weather and nature. Those looking to make it a more permanent abode have also resorted to St Kitts and Nevis' Citizenship by Investment Programme, which has been pivotal in developing sectors like healthcare, education and business in the nation. The Programme empowers wealthy foreign investors and their families to acquire second citizenship once contributing to a government fund.

After passing the necessary security checks, successful applicants gain a wealth of opportunities. These include increased travel freedom, the right to live and work in the country and the option to pass down citizenship for generations to come. Under an extended limited time offer, it presents citizenship to a family of up to four for $150,000.

St Kitts and Nevis' Citizenship by Investment Programme is the world's longest-standing and enjoys over three decades of experience within the industry, culminating in its recognition as a 'Platinum Standard' brand.

[email protected]

www.csglobalpartners.com

SOURCE CS Global Partners
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is open to limits on alcohol in Parliament House and drug and breath testing of politicians if thats what it takes to clean up the poor workplace culture that has come under scrutiny over the past month.

The suggestion came as Queensland MP Andrew Laming announced he would quit politics at the next election after a string of stories about his poor behaviour towards women.

Liberal MP Andrew Laming has announced he will quit politics at the next election and in the meantime seek professional empathy training. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

He will seek professional assistance and counselling at his own expense but is expected to remain a member of the Coalition for the rest of the term.

Liberal backbenchers Katie Allen and Sarah Henderson have floated the idea of limits on alcohol within parliamentary workplaces or drug testing and breathalysers for politicians while working.
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.
Press Release

March 28, 2021 De Lima urges youth to use their voices, talent to stand up against injustice Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima thanked the young debaters and public speakers within and outside Bicol for joining her in her causes and expressing solidarity with her fight for justice and human rights by participating in the 1st online Bicol-wide public speaking workshop and competition dubbed as "Leila de Lima Cup" yesterday (March 27). In her opening remarks for the Leila de Lima Cup delivered by her youngest brother Vicente "Vicboy" M. de Lima II, De Lima urged the participants to use their analytical minds and speaking prowess to denounce all forms of injustices promoted and tolerated by the present regime. "I know that your participation is propelled by your genuine desire to help the country, to join me in my causes, and to aspire justice for all the victims of human rights and social injustice under this murderous regime," said De Lima, the most prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime. "All of you here have a distinct advantage because you have a way with words and can use them with impact and clarity. You can unravel big and complex issues and deliver them to the public in persuasive and unique way. And you can expose the grave lies and injustice of this regime using your analytical minds and speaking prowess," she added. The public speaking workshop and competition, spearheaded by the Universidad de Sta. Isabel (USI) Libertas & Debate Society with the theme "Amplifying our Voices through Public Speaking," registered over 100 participants from junior high school, senior high school, and college levels. The USI Debate Society said they named the event after De Lima not only because of her excellent public speaking skill but also because of her courage to speak out and fight against injustice. The main speakers in the event include Hans Xavier Wong, Executive Secretary of the Philippine Debate Union (PDU) and youth Petitioner against the Anti-Terror Law; Mikee De Vega, former PDU President; and Bobby Quitain, lawyer, law professor and Catholic lay preacher. De Lima, who hails from Iriga City, Camarines Sur, reminded the youth that these are critical times for human rights and self-expression, which she considers as the innate force that drives people to speak, or use sign language, and be understood. "Takot ang berdugo sa katotohanan. Kaya ang ating unang sandata ay katotohanan din. Ayaw na ayaw niya sa karapatang pantao kaya mortal na kaaway para sa kanya ang sinumang nagsusulong ng karapatang pantao. "Kaya ang ating sandata ay ang lalong pagsusulong din ng karapatang pantao. Ayaw na ayaw niya sa mga nag-iisip at nagsasalita nang taliwas sa propaganda nila. Kaya ang atin ding sandata ay ang magsalita at umalma laban sa kanilang kasinungalingan," she said. "Here, our words are powerful against a tyrant and against injustice and government corruption. And to appropriate Ralph Waldo Emerson's aphorism: Words are alive. Use them and the tyrant bleeds. Kaya may magagawa tayo," she added. Once people have lost their self-expression, or an external force suppressed their rights to freely self-express, De Lima stated that their humanity could be erased and lead the tyrant force to turn them into slaves and treats them without human dignity. Meanwhile, De Lima, who remains detained over trumped-up drug charges, maintained that there is no better way to use one's talent than to causes beyond oneself and for the greater good because by doing so, one "will find greater satisfaction, along with personal freedom."
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Editors note: The fourth Sunday of each month, Journal Arts Editor Adrian Gomez tells the stories behind some of the hidden gems you can see across the state in Gimme Five.

New Mexico is full of mission churches.

Located around the state and varying in size, each is a symbol of its community.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

For more than a decade, the idea of a book on the subject danced around in New Mexico author Donna Blake Birchells head.

On April 5, the author will share what shes learned with the world as New Mexico Mission Churches is released.

As a huge fan of Southwestern adobe architecture, the cruciform lines of these structures have always caught my interest and eye, she says. The peach tones of the adobe accented in white against the turquoise skies are a photographers dream and epitomize the essence of New Mexico. I wanted to capture the often-turbulent history and beauty of the churches to share with the world that the pueblos were far more than the casinos which represent them today as you drive along Interstate 25.

The book took Blake Birchell nearly nine months to complete.

As a fan of adobe architecture, Blake Birchell is still amazed that each is made of the most basic of building materials in New Mexico  earth, straw and water.

These materials added with wooden vigas and latillas, create an organic building which has a life of its own, she says.

This feeling draws people, as well as me, to the simple churches to reflect and refresh, she goes on. The sacred ambiance surrounds those who enter, and special care is given by the parishioners to the churches in return. Annual mudding of the exterior walls preserves the buildings from eventually incinerating with the elements.

Having done tons of research and traveled to the locations, Blake Birchell recommends a handful of mission churches that one shouldnt miss:

1. El Santuario de Chimayo: Blake Birchell says when you descend into the village of Chimayo, you are transported into another world, one where you can completely forget about the events going on in this world.

I have always considered El Santuario de Chimayo to be one of the most sacred spots in New Mexico, she says. Others seem to agree judging by the amount of people who make the annual pilgrimage to the Santuario during Holy Week. (Note: The Archdiocese of Santa Fe announced on March 15 that it was canceling the annual pilgrimages to El Santuario de Chimayo, as well as other gatherings, out of an abundance of caution during the pandemic and for safety concerns.)

2. St. Joseph Apache Mission : Another mission church, not connected to a pueblo, is St. Joseph Apache Mission in Mescalero, Blake Birchell says.

This stunning rock church stands tall over the village of Mescalero and was the dream of Father Albert Braun, who was a veteran of both World War I and II, as well as a POW, she says. His determination was legendary and highly respected. St. Joseph is now in desperate need of restoration to keep Fr. Brauns dream alive  donations are gladly accepted.

3. Kewa Pueblo Mission Church: Kewa Pueblo (formerly known as Santo Domingo) Mission Church is a striking example of early Spanish Colonial architecture as its white, orange, and turquoise facade rises from the flat brown earth graveyard which lays in front of the church.

As with tradition, there are no markers for the graves on a perfectly smooth surface, she says. Please respect all the rules of the individual pueblos and unfortunately, no photography or sketching is allowed at the Kewa Pueblo Mission Church, so you must relay the images to memory.

4. Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Church: As you travel the High Road to Taos, you will pass some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. Along this route are several historical mission churches which are accessible to the public.

One being the Sacred Heart Church of Nambe Pueblo, she says. A special feature to look for at Sacred Heart is across the street in the cemetery  as an exact replica of the church was lovingly made as a headstone.

5. The Salinas PUEBLO Missions: The three Salinas Pueblo Missions in Torrance County, Gran Quivira, Quarai, and Abo are steeped in history and tradition.

Nearby salt lakes helped to provide a means of food preservation, as well as a trade income for the meager missions, Blake Birchell explains. As with many of the other pueblos in New Mexico, drought, famine, and raids were too much for the Puebloan People to withstand, so they moved on to other locations leaving behind architectural masterpieces. Tales of treasure and outlaw visits give these stone structures mystic appeal.

Blake Birchell hopes that readers will visit the many pueblos and mission churches of New Mexico once it is safe to do so.

Even though New Mexico is my home state, I can honestly say I am in love with the Land of Enchantment and find new fascinating facts and journeys each time I leave my carport, she says. The amount of history contained within our borders is astounding and needs to be fully savored.
Pilibhit : , March 28 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Pilibhit, Varun Gandhi, has sent a letter to the Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh seeking a 'fair investigation' into the murder of two sisters, aged 18 and 20, in the Jasoli village on March 22.

Gandhi wrote in the letter that he was informed about the incident by residents of Bilaspur and they have sought his intervention in the matter.

The police have claimed it to be a case of honour killing and have booked the mother and two brothers, along with two others, for 'concealing evidence'.

The local residents claim that the family members are innocent and are being framed by police.

None of the brothers have any criminal history. The elder brother was collecting money for his sister's marriage for the past few months.

Earlier, in a complaint to the police, the girls' younger brother had alleged that the brick kiln owner, the manager and the contractor had coerced his elder sister into physical relationships with them.

"They would rape her. On that night, my younger sister saw the three of them in a compromising situation. The accused strangled her, afraid she would spill the beans. Then, they hanged my elder sister from a tree to destroy all evidence," the complaint said.

A day after the two sisters were found dead -- one hanging from a tree and another dumped in a field, the girls' family said that they were under pressure to confess to the murder.

The girls' mother and younger brother were taken into custody for "honour killing". The elder brother is absconding.

Ironically, contractor Ramdas, who was mentioned as an accused by the family, was made an eyewitness in the case.

The then Pilibhit Superintendent of Police Jai Prakash Yadav had implicated the family. "It was a case of honour killing. We have collected evidence to prove this," he had told reporters before being transferred later in the week.

"The autopsy reports reveal that the younger sister died by hanging and the elder sister died of strangulation," he had said.

"This is an extremely horrifying and tragic case and I have impressed upon the district administration, the need to urgently deliver justice. The facts are not easy to dissect because there are two different versions of what happened or what could have happened. I have asked them to immediately reinvestigate the matter. The new superintendent of police has joined in Pilibhit, and I would request him to make this case a priority. I will keep an eye on this case and ensure justice is delivered," the BJP MP told local reporters.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber seem to be on good terms. Keller endorsed Webber when Webber won the top post in the City Different in 2018. Both are progressive Democrats.

So, it probably wouldnt be much of a bother for Webber to give his friend to the south a phone call and ask for a little advice. Somehow, Kellers Albuquerque administration continues to be able to do things in the public interest that Webbers Santa Fe government says it cant legally do. Webber should ask if Keller can tell him how this can be so.

Specifically, Santa Fe city government continues to refuse to release the results of investigations by the police departments internal affairs unit, which looks into complaints about officers or whether officers followed the SFPDs use-of-deadly-force policies in police shooting cases.

Meanwhile, Kellers Albuquerque administration  operating under the same New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) as Santa Fe  does make police internal affairs investigations public.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Just last week, in response to a Journal IPRA request, Albuquerque released an internal affairs report on a high-profile 2020 case in which an APD officer shot and critically wounded a 26-year-old man who was in the midst of a mental health crisis. The IA investigation found the officers use of force was appropriate, but that he had also escalated the situation. Force only became necessary because it was predicated on the lack of command and control of the scene, an IA commander wrote in the report.

Santa Feans never get to see such professional analysis of how SFPD officers act in similar situations.

In 2017, two Santa Fe officers fired 17 shots at another mentally unstable young man, killing him inside the apartment hed recently been evicted from. The shots were fired through an opening created when police ripped out a window in the ground-floor apartment as part of a long SWAT standoff. The officer who started the gunfire just seconds after the window was removed later said he mistook a knife in the mans hand for the same kind of gun that was part of a police training exercise from earlier in the day.

A group of district attorneys called on to assess the case did not find grounds for criminal charges, but the city paid $400,000, the maximum for wrongful death, to settle a lawsuit filed by the dead mans family.

Did Santa Fe officers follow policy or standard procedure in this fatal incident? Should police have just waited out the young man inside the apartment? Dont bother to ask City Hall. Someone there will say a legal exception to the state open records law bars public release of IA reports and disciplinary actions against officers because such information constitutes mere matters of opinion about personnel matters.

But thats not how Albuquerque interprets the same public records law. It has released large portions of IA reports  minus interview transcripts  using IPRA as its standard. Albuquerque also made public the discipline meted out to the officer in last years shooting of the mentally ill man  an eight-hour suspension.

In Santa Fe, the weekly Santa Fe Reporter has engaged in a long legal battle over whether City Hall can withhold information about whether officers have been disciplined. A district judges ruling in the case had something for both sides, but hasnt pried open IA reports. The case is now before the state Court of Appeals.

Webber just needs to call Keller, or have Santa Fes lawyers call Albuquerques. IPRA is like any other law  it can be interpreted in various ways. For some reason, Santa Fe has decided to use its interpretation to stonewall public access to IA investigations in its police department.

Santa Fes legal team always says the city might get sued if it releases police disciplinary or IA information. And the Reporters case in fact shows how difficult it is to crack open some records, particularly when it comes to court precedent on public access to personnel matters involving public employees.

But Santa Fe has put its fear of litigation over releasing public records over the publics right to know. No legal authority has come down on Albuquerque for releasing its IA reports. There has been no massive payout to a police officer who was the subject of an Albuquerque IA report that was made public. That should be plenty of legal precedent for Santa Fe to go ahead and do the same.

In the wake of last years national uproar over policing that erupted after a man was killed in police custody in Minneapolis, Webber established the Community Health and Safety Task Force to look into policing and other issues in Santa Fe.

As weve said before, police reform is a difficult issue. Police must have the tools, support and respect they need to fight crime and keep communities as safe as possible, while any bias, brutality or ineptitude should be rooted out.

But transparency should be the easy part of police reform. It requires no balancing act between civil rights and police authority or arguments over police use of military gear, nor debates over bringing the values of the community and the police together, or whether money needs to be diverted from law enforcement into mental health programs.

This should be an issue in the November municipal elections. All candidates for mayor and City Council should be asked if they support, or would push for, the release of police IA reports.

Santa Fe leaders, if theyre really just afraid of being sued, also could urge legislators to amend and clarify IPRA to specify that these types of documents should be open to the public.

Come on  just let the public know whats going on within the police department. Release the IA reports.

Police reform without transparency  and the accountability that comes with it  is a non-starter.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
New Delhi: The Delhi government has issued a standard operating procedure (SoP) for the protection of inter-faith and inter-caste couples from harassment and threats and directed setting up of ''special cells'', headed by deputy commissioners of police, to look into such matters.

According to the SOP, the government will provide accommodation in its ''safe house'' to those couples whose relationship is being opposed by their families or the local community or khaps.

The government said the existing 181 toll-free women helpline of the Delhi Commission for Women will serve as a round-the-clock helpline to receive from interfaith and inter-caste married couples complaints of threat and harassment and provide necessary assistance.

"The telecallers trained to handle distress calls and already aware about available services can provide necessary assistance/advice to the couple in distress. If required, they can be further trained to handle such calls," stated the SOP issued by the social welfare department.

It stated that after hearing the couple, the DCP of the area concerned, who will perform as head of the ''special cell'', will bring the entire facts to the knowledge of the district magistrate and convey their requirement for stay in ''safe house''.

Earlier this week, violence had erupted at southeast Delhi's Harijan Basti in an alleged connection with an interfaith marriage. The Delhi Police has arrested several persons for their alleged involvement in the incident.

"Adequate security shall be provided to the couple in form of PSO (protective service officer) and the ''safe house'' will also be secured by the DCP of the area concerned. The couple shall be briefed about the threat to them and in no case they be exposed till the issue is resolved," the department said in SOP.

In case the couple doesn't want to stay in the ''safe house'', the special cell will provide protection to them in accordance with the threat perception at their place of stay.

If a preliminary enquiry ascertains the authenticity of threats, the DCP concerned will direct an ACP or sub-division police officer to register an FIR against those threatening the couple.

According to the social welfare department, the government has established ''Safe House'' at a state-run residential area in north Delhi's Kingsway Camp which can accommodate a maximum of three couples.

It said in March 2018, the Supreme Court had directed the state to create ''special cell'' in every district comprising the superintendent of police, the district social welfare officers and others to receive petition or complaints of harassment and threats to inter-caste and inter-faith couples.

Live TV
(Reuters) - British ministers have rejected a request from mining magnate Sanjeev Gupta for a 170 million pound emergency loan to prevent his group, GFG Alliance, from collapsing, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

The FT said Gupta was working on plans to raise new loans against parts of the group outside the UK, adding that he also aimed to generate cash from an expedited sale of goods.

GFG, a holding company for Gupta's assets, was the biggest recipient of financing from Greensill, a British financing company that filed for insolvency this month.

The British government wrote back to Gupta formally rejecting the request last week due to multiple concerns, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the situation.

GFG and the government did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the report.

The conglomerate had been in talks with administrators of its former financial backer Greensill on a so-called standstill agreement.

Last week, Reuters reported that GFG had secured a loan from Trafigura in 2018 by agreeing a six-year deal to sell aluminium to the commodity trader at a discount to market prices.

(Reporting by Derek Francis and Vivek Vishal in Bengaluru; Editing by Alex Richardson and Philippa Fletcher)
For the last six months, Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva  known to most by his nickname, Pato  has been trying to trust his gut.

The Brazilian star took a leap of faith when he terminated his contract with S 1/4 u00e3o Paulo in August because he was unhappy and no longer enjoying the sport. He spent months searching for a new home and for a sense of clarity about his own place on and off the pitch.

By the time Orlando City scouting director Ricardo Moreira reached out, Pato had received offers from teams across Europe, Asia and Brazil. But Pato said something about the call felt right to him.

That initial conversation lasted close to an hour. Within 10 minutes, Pato says, he was sold.

I believe in God, Pato said. I tried to have my decision be what, in that moment, I feel in my body. I felt something speak in my head, Go there and try to go get back your happiness.

The moment the striker came onto the market, Orlando Citys front office was interested.

The team knew a loan for young striker Daryl Dike was imminent. Although the Lions still plan on Dike returning in May, they needed a striker to fill the position in his absence.

Moreira had tracked Patos career since they were both young.

I was still a kid when he started, Moreira said.

He remembers watching Patos breakout moment as a fan  his debut for Brazils Internacional in 2006, when he scored in the very first minute of his professional career.

Before that match, Moreira heard rumors that Internacional had done its best to hide Pato from foreign scouts and press. Once his talent was visible, Patos rise was meteoric  breaking Pele's record as youngest player to ever score at the FIFA Club World Cup on the way to winning the tournament and signing with AC Milan by the time he turned 18.

Patos career began at such a young age that Moreira said its easy to forget hes only 31.

Hes been a pro for 16 years, Moreira said. Its crazy to think. Theres only a few players, like Kaka, who can be a professional player for 16 years, playing every day, training, traveling. And Pato is still doing that with such a big smile.

Story continues

On the surface, Pato knows there wasnt an obvious reason for him to leave S 1/4 u00e3o Paulo.

He started matches regularly. He wasnt scoring as prolifically as he had in China  where he netted 36 goals in 60 games for Tianjin Quanjian  but he was beloved by S 1/4 u00e3o Paulo fans, many of whom had followed his entire career.

Still, something was missing.

I think people outside of soccer, they just see the goals, Pato said. They think if your team wins you are happy, you are the best. But behind it, you have to work so hard. Its not always the truth.

After several months of research, Moreira reached out with his pitch. Pato said he wanted to speak with Moreira directly, rather than working through an agent.

That first call lasted 50 minutes as the pair pored over every detail of the potential signing: where Pato would fit tactically and technically, how to structure his contract and his future in Orlando on and off the pitch.

As a scouting director, Moreira said the key to winning over a player is doing homework. Before speaking to Pato, he reached out to each of his former teams  Tianjin Quanjian, S 1/4 u00e3o Paulo, Corinthians, even Chelsea, where hed played only two matches  to make sure his personality was the proper fit.

Pato did his homework as well. The striker was intrigued by the Lions success under coach Oscar Pareja. Hed known Nani throughout their respective careers, and they spoke for several weeks ahead of his signing.

Ultimately, Moreira said the move was a no-brainer for both parties.

For the Lions, signing Pato was low-risk and inexpensive. The striker didnt come with a transfer fee and the team didnt tap into any Targeted Allocation Money or General Allocation Money for his salary, meaning his baseline paycheck is below the $612,500 league maximum for 2021.

Despite Patos recent market valuation  long-deflated by consistent injuries during his years in Europe  both Moreira and Pareja feel that low price is a steal.

People can say his stocks are low at the moment, Moreira said. But no, we believe that were bringing a unique player here.

Pato cant remember ever taking six months off from soccer before.

Eventually, the grind of 16 years wore on him. His time away from the sport offered something new  time to spend with his wife and his family, to focus on himself. It also reignited his desire to get onto the pitch.

Now, Pato says he feels fresh. He played half of the Lions preseason match against New York City FC and a little over an hour against Philadelphia, scoring a goal in both outings.

Hes still working to regain match fitness, but the striker said his body feels younger, the way it felt at the height of his career. Pareja said Patos enthusiasm was visible from his first training session.

What I have found in these two weeks is desire, generosity with his teammates, Pareja said. I have seen a professional player coming in and adjusting to our team, which is not easy. I see a player who is willing still to put his capacity, that technical ability and experience that he has into the club.

He loves the game. The way he is adapting, it just creates more optimism.

Although hes only had two weeks with his new team, Pato said the transition has been effortless.

Besides knowing Nani, Pato had played with Antonio Carlos at Corinthians 1/4 tand met Urso when they both played in Brazil. It helps that Pato is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and English, allowing him to communicate with every player on the team the moment he arrived.

When I arrived here, all of the players is like a family, Pato said. We dont have any fighting; we dont have any little problems. Everyone tries to push and tries to help anyone.

Here, I can have two families  a family at home and a family at work.

Both Pato and Pareja acknowledged theres plenty of work to mold him into the striker the Lions need this season.

But when Orlando City takes the pitch for its MLS season opener April 17, Pato hopes to show a new version of himself  happier, healthier and ready for a restart.

I feel here is like home, Pato said. I think its the best choice of my life.

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Julia Poe at jpoe@orlandosentinel.com.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Srinagar, March 28 : Two terrorists killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Saturday night have been identified as one each of the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Lashkar-e-Taiba, police said on Sunday.

A police statement said that on a specific input generated by Shopian police regarding presence of terrorists in Wangam area of the district, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by police, 34 Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF's 178 Bn CRPF in the area on Saturday.

During the search operation, the presence of terrorists was ascertained and they were given opportunity to surrender, but however, opened indiscriminate fire upon the security personnel, which was retaliated. During the initial exchange of fire, three Army soldiers sustained bullet injuries and were evacuated to hospital for treatment, but one of them, identified as Pinku Kumar, subsequently succumbed.

"In the ensuing encounter, two categorised terrorists were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Anaytullah Sheikh, son of Mohd Amin Sheikh, resident of Ramnagri Shopian, affiliated with proscribed terror outfit HM, and Adil Ahmad Malik, son of Nazir Ahmad Malik, resident of Danwathpora Kokernag, affiliated with proscribed terror outfit LeT (TRF)," police said.

Police said as per its records, terrorist Sheikh was active since 2018 and has recently infiltrated back from Pakistan, while Malik was active since September 1, 2020. They were involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on security forces and civilian atrocities.

"Arms and ammunition including an M4 rifle, an AK 47 rifle, pistol and other incriminating materials were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crimes," police said.

"The last rites of the killed terrorists shall be performed after conducting medico-legal formalities at Baramulla and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in the last rites."
Three Victorians are isolating in hotel quarantine and more than 20,000 people have been contacted to get tested for COVID-19 as health authorities scramble to trace travellers from Queensland in the wake of a growing outbreak in the northern state.

Victoria has recorded no new local coronavirus cases for the 30th day in a row, after 11,708 test results were received on Saturday. There are no active cases in the state.

Health Minister Martin Foley. Credit:Eddie Jim

Department of Health staff have texted all 20,000 people who entered Victoria from Brisbane and the Moreton Bay area from March 12.

Health Minister Martin Foley expressed confidence in Queenslands contact tracing team after they announced they had found an important clue that helps explain how the new Brisbane cluster began.
Last Thursday, the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD launched the European Unions new research and investment programme, Horizon Europe (2021-2027) in Ireland.

The new Horizon Europe programme is the largest transnational programme ever supporting research and innovation, backed by a budget of over 95bn.

The event was also an opportunity to celebrate the success of researchers and innovators under the Horizon 2020 programme that recently concluded.

When Horizon 2020 launched in 2014, Ireland set an ambitious target for the Irish research and innovation community to drawdown over 1.25bn.

We currently forecast that when all the funding is accounted for, Ireland will likely achieve this target. This success has been made possible through the commitment of Irish researchers across many disciplines, including the social sciences and humanities, and Irish enterprise. Applicants worked individually and in collaboration nationally and with European partners to compete for and win funding. Irish entities were involved in over 2,700 grant agreements over the period of the programme.

We will now support the Irish research and innovation community to build on this achievement under Horizon Europe.

The launch event marked the beginning of a seven-year journey of opportunity. More than 2,000 people registered to attend, and this level of interest is evidence of the ambition of Irish researchers and companies.

The Horizon Europe programme has three key pillars.

Pillar One, Science of Excellence, with a budget of nearly 25bn, will drive scientific excellence through the European Research Council (ERC) to enable talented researchers to push the boundaries of knowledge. The Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowships and exchanges will support researchers to expand on their knowledge and further develop their skills. Ireland has achieved much in these areas in the past and has the talent to build on our experience.

Pillar Two, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, with a budget of nearly 54bn, will fund collaborative research relating to societal challenges and will reinforce our European technological and industrial capacity through thematic clusters, where in partnership we can address many of the challenges we face as European and global citizens. Here there will be opportunities to collaborate in areas including health, culture, creativity and inclusive societies, digital, industry and space, climate and food agriculture, and the environment.

Under the third Pillar, Innovative Europe, the programme is introducing new features such as the European Innovation Council (EIC).

The EIC, which has already been running in a pilot phase, will now have a budget of over 10bn to provide support for emerging and breakthrough innovations by researchers, SMEs, start-ups, and larger companies. In the pilot phase we saw Enterprise Ireland-supported companies Aquila Bioscience, Kite Medical, NVP Energy, GlasPort Bio and Kastus Technologies awarded funding. Ireland has a strong pipeline of High Potential Start Ups to build on their success.

A new feature of this framework programme is the five Missions which are commitments to solve some of the greatest challenges facing our world.

By 2030, the Missions aim to achieve three million lives saved from cancer diseases, 100 climate neutral cities, healthy oceans, seas and inland waters, healthy soils and food, and regions resilient to climate changes. Researchers and innovators will be critical to achieving these aims and there will be many opportunities to contribute and to compete for funding.

At the launch event we heard from a panel of researchers and innovators from the University of Limerick, Athlone Institute of Technology, the Tyndall National Institute, IBM Research-Ireland, Sirius XT and Hibergene about their experience of winning European funding. All agreed the application process took a lot of planning and preparation, that it is very competitive and, most importantly, that is well worth the effort.

I would encourage all researchers and innovator companies to look at the opportunities under the programme and to contact their national contact points in Enterprise Ireland and across the Horizon Europe national support network for information, funding, guidance and expert support in evaluating opportunities and making applications.

Speaking at the launch event, Commissioner Gabriel stated that with Ireland being a strong innovator, she was confident that its top talents will continue to participate with great success in Horizon Europe and help deliver new knowledge and solutions for a sustainable future.

I couldnt agree more.

Garrett Murray is National Director for Horizon Europe at Enterprise Ireland

This afternoon hosted an impressive sign of NEXTGEN unity and a great many new visitors to the West Bottoms.

So many local homeless who live in the area or near the surrounding woods might be impressed by the sign of compassion and love.

Take a look and realize that this probably only makes you mad if you're over 40 with rapidly hardening arteries . . .
Hagerstown Housing Authority closes in on end of McCleary Hill project

After objections from neighbors, the Hagerstown Housing Authority's McCleary Hill project is done its first phase. Officials held an open house.

Students came up with several innovative solutions to reduce plastic waste pollution

Discarded plastics are littering cities, rivers, and oceans, contributing to health problems in humans and animals worldwide and creating unprecedented and environmental damage. Plastic production is increasing in a world unable to deal with this problem. The problem is more pressing than ever due to the increase of single-use plastic consumption during COVID-19.

In light of the growing concerns of plastic waste and environmental pollution, Vietnamese students have dedicated time and effort to design practical solutions to solve some real-world problems during the eProjects Innovation Showcase.

Students from Lac Hong University in Dong Nai province have created a new packaging design for the e-commerce industry to reduce plastic waste. Another group of students from Can Tho University proposed a unique solution to sort plastic waste. Meanwhile, students from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education have developed a solution to prevent chewing gum litter. Other students have brought up the ideas of reusing construction materials and building a platform for plastic waste management.

Over the past semester, students have developed their prototypes through regular consultation with professional mentors, who set out a vision for each project, shared their technical expertise, and regularly met with the students. Thanks to the efforts, some solutions are highly appreciated by leaders as they are feasible to roll out in practice.

eProjects is an engineering innovation programme during which faculty and industry mentors guide teams to address an industry-proposed problem statement by implementing a student-led project. During eProjects, teams learn the hard and soft skills needed to become a professional engineer, including hard skills like designing, building, and testing a prototype and soft skills like team and project management.

The showcase was a part of USAID BUILD-IT and the Dow Vietnam Stem Programme which has been carried out for four years. According to Bradley Bessire, USAID Vietnams acting mission director, these applied projects demonstrate how the BUILD-IT Alliance links industry expertise with universities teaching capacity to give students experiences that develop both the technical and soft skills they will need to succeed in Vietnams ever more advanced workforce.
Filling an important void in these days of environment degradation The Soils of Sri Lanka- Edited by Ranjith B. Mapa. Reviewed by Prof. C.B. Dissanayake View(s): View(s):

The Soils of Sri Lanka edited by Prof. Ranjith B. Mapa, one of the prominent soil scientists in the country provides current information on local soils and is now published as a World Soils Book series by Springer International. Dedicated to Vidya Jothi C.R. Panabokke who pioneered in mapping the soils of Sri Lanka, the book consists of chapters on Soil Research and Soil Mapping History, Climate, Geology and Geo-morphology, Soil Mineralogy, Classification and Mapping of Soils of Wet, Intermediate and Dry Zones, Land Use, Soil Degradation and Environmental Soil Issues authored by the experts in respective fields with 128 pages, 38 black and white illustrations and 59 colour plates. The Soils of Sri Lanka edited by Prof. Ranjith B. Mapa, one of the prominent soil scientists in the country provides current information on local soils and is now published as a World Soils Book series by Springer International. Dedicated to Vidya Jothi C.R. Panabokke who pioneered in mapping the soils of Sri Lanka, the book consists of chapters on Soil Research and Soil Mapping History, Climate, Geology and Geo-morphology, Soil Mineralogy, Classification and Mapping of Soils of Wet, Intermediate and Dry Zones, Land Use, Soil Degradation and Environmental Soil Issues authored by the experts in respective fields with 128 pages, 38 black and white illustrations and 59 colour plates.

The chapter on Soil Research and Soil Mapping history describes the landmarks of the history of Soil Science in Sri Lanka during the early (prior to 1956), middle (1956-1972) and present (from 1972 to present) periods including the soil maps produced by the father of Soil Science, Dr. A.W.R. Joachim and subsequently improved by Kingsley de Alwis and C.R. Panabokke. It also describes how the soil classification of Sri Lanka developed starting from Great Soil Groups to international methods.

The chapter on the Climate of Sri Lanka authored by Dr. B.V.R.Punyawardena highlights the distribution of major climatic factors as rainfall, temperature, relative humidity and evaporation. The principles used in naming the major climatic zones to Wet, Intermediate and Dry zones are described. Subsequently, with the availability of data these were revised to Agro-climatic Zones and presently to Agro-ecological regions, which has become the planning unit for agriculture.

Chapter three is on Geology and Geomorphology of the country by Prof. Rohana Chandrajith. Even though the country is small, the complexity of geomorphology is discussed using height and slopes dividing the island to peneplains as coastal lowlands, uplands and highlands. Colour plates and sketches showing these peneplains are included in the chapter. The geology is important as the soils are formed from rocks which weather into parent material. The Highland, Vijayan and Wanni complexes are discussed showing their occurrence in the country using colour plates. In addition the sedimentary rocks in the northern region and Jurassic beds found in Tabbowa and Andigama areas in the northwestern part of the island are discussed.

Knowledge on the mineralogy of the soils of Sri Lanka is limited and Chapter four authored by Prof. Srimathi. P. Indaratne fulfils this need. The different types of clay minerals found in tropical countries as Sri Lanka and using the clay mineralogy to understand the weathering stages are discussed. The mineralogy of the Wet, Intermediate and Dry zones are discussed providing an excellent literature review and x-ray diffractograms also showing examples of identifying major clay minerals as kaolinite, smactite, illite etc. Finally, the chapter summarizes how soil mineralogical properties influence the pollutant behaviour in soils.

Chapters five, six and seven are authored by A.R. Dassanayake and others, describing the major characters and classifying the Wet, Intermediate and Dry zones of Sri Lanka. These are grouped into major categories for easy understanding. The soils of the Wet and Intermediate zones are described using the Agro-climatic zones where the rainfall and elevation is considered.

One sheet of the soil maps are published as colour plates providing information on how to locate the complete detailed soil maps from literature. The classification of soils used in the 1972 classification by de Alwis and Panabokke, as well as their equivalents in Soil Taxonomy (USDA) and WRB-FAO legend are included. Soil names of these updated international classifications are needed when publishing in recognized journals elsewhere. A colour plate showing the landscape and soil profile of each soil series is included for easy identification by the reader. All the soil data used to write these chapters could be downloaded from Elsevier as first 3-D soil database of Sri Lanka from https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/5sc7njfcyn/1

Chapter eight covers the Land Use in Sri Lanka outlining information on major land use systems including rice, plantation crops, forestry etc. and changes in such land uses. The legislation related to land, land tenure issues and landlessness which leads to encroachment of state lands is discussed. The need for sound land use planning for the future is highlighted.

Chapter nine covering soil degradation by Dr. H.B. Nayakekorale outlines the human induced land degradation processes and ways of overcoming them. The need to bring in legislative measures to combat land degradation in the country is highlighted in this chapter.

The final chapter addresses the environmental soil issues of the country. The release of trace elements from lithogenic and anthropogenic activities and use of low quality chemical fertilizers and pesticides is discussed. The quality of surface and ground water of the country depends on the agricultural inputs added to soils and the future research needs to combat such pollution of water resources is highlighted.

Soils of Sri Lanka fills a gap in knowledge on soils as well as related factors that deal with soil formation and management.

(The reviewer is Emeritus Professor, University of Peradeniya)
E.T. could be phoning, and Earth will soon be better equipped to hear him: A collection of radio telescopes built in a remote Northern California valley to look for alien broadcasts is getting an upgrade.

The Allen Telescope Array at Hat Creek Radio Observatory in eastern Shasta County is a 42-dish radio telescope that can survey vast swaths of the sky, listening for radio broadcasts from alien civilizations. The telescope is named for the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen who gifted millions to the project. It's managed by the SETI Institute, a non-profit research organization based in Mountain View devoted to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

Wael Farah, a research scientist with SETI, explained the project will improve the sensitivity of all 42 antennas that are designed to "sense" radio waves of light as well as upgrade the digital signal processing system, i.e., the computers that actually "crunch" numbers and process data.

"This new compute power will allow us to process a much bigger bandwidth (a factor of ~10 compared to the old system), meaning that we can perform astronomical at a much faster surveys pace," Farah wrote in an email.

The project is on track to be completed by summer 2022.

Farah said the main goal of the telescope is to perform searches for what are known as "technosignatures"  in other words, tell-tale signs of technologically advanced civilizations.

Robert Durell/MCT

The upgraded instrument will also study rapidly rotating neutron stars known as "pulsars" and search for radio signals coming from halfway through the universe of unknown origin known as "fast radio bursts."

While scientists must usually rely on existing radio astronomy telescopes such as the 305 m Arecibo dish in Puerto Rico and schedule time for extraterrestrial searches, the Allen Telescope Array is fully dedicated to SETI missions seven days a week, thanks to Allen's gift of nearly $30 million to build the array and its affiliated technology.

Farah is hopeful the upgraded instrument will help in the search for alien life.

"There are more stars in our universe than there are sand grains on Earth," he said. "In my opinion, it would be very arrogant of us to think that life only exists on Earth. It is one of the most profound questions human-kind has ever asked: 'Are we alone?'

"We are explorers by nature, we instinctively seek answers to such questions."
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

The governor of Montana recently made news by sadistically  and illegally  trapping and killing a wolf as that state gears up to slaughter more of its native wildlife.

Despite protests from numerous professional wildlife managers, the Montana legislature recently passed several bills that will allow gruesome, unethical and unsustainable wildlife baiting and killing methods that were outlawed a century ago.

Fortunately, the New Mexico Legislature has chosen a more sensible and humane path in regard to wildlife and public lands by passing Senate Bill 32, Roxys Law, that would restrict traps, snares and explosive poison devices on our public lands. If enacted, this law will protect people, pets and wildlife from these cruel, indiscriminate devices on public lands. SB 32 is widely supported in both rural and urban areas across the state, and would offer numerous benefits to residents, visitors and the states economy.

But be warned: SB 32 will not become law unless Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signs it. She has until April 9 to do so.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Trapping on public lands continues to be a source of intense conflict. Limb-crushing steel jaw traps, steel cable strangulation snares and M-44 explosive cyanide devices are present unmarked on our public lands, and all are notoriously indiscriminate killers. Current regulations on these devices are almost nonexistent; trappers can set as many traps and kill as many animals as they want for a mere $20 trapping license, and sell the body parts for personal profit without even paying gross receipts tax. This lax approach by state wildlife managers has led to widespread illegal trapping and snaring, and is a clear and present danger to all public lands users.

The presence of traps on public lands is not compatible with other uses of public lands or with the demands of basic decency in contemporary society. Animals caught in traps often suffer for days before they are killed and are subject to extreme and agonizing body mutilations. Trapping and snaring inflict some of the most extreme animal cruelty that still persists in our society. Traps, snares and poisons have destroyed many lives, and they will continue to do so unless they are restricted from public lands.

As a member of the TrapFree New Mexico coalition, I have seen too much destruction to ignore or trivialize this issue. Roxys Law is named after a snare victim, a dog, who died struggling in her owners arms on New Mexico public lands in 2018.

New Mexico wildlife managers have done an abysmal job of protecting people and wildlife from the cruelty and unlimited exploitation of trapping. SB 32 is a rare opportunity to make significant improvements to public safety, wildlife protection and public lands management. Banning traps on public lands would open up the potential for a robust outdoor recreation industry, diversify the states economy and drive employment in a truly sustainable way.

Should it become state law, SB 32 has the potential to save hundreds of thousands of wild lives and improve many others, both human and nonhuman. But this legislation will not go into effect unless the governor signs it.

Please take a minute or two and be heard! Call the office of Gov. Lujan Grisham at (505) 476-2200 or submit written comments at https://www.governor.state.nm.us/contact-the-governor/.

Urge her to sign SB 32 into law.

Charles Fox of Santa Fe is an avid public lands user and member of the TrapFree New Mexico Coalition.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has for years disregarded repeated warnings against the suspicious $418 million judgment debts said to be owed by the states and their local governments with respect to the Paris Club refunds, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively report today.

But despite the warnings, including a report by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against the legitimacy of the debts, the minister has been contributing to what anti-corruption activists consider a desperate push for the settlement of the purported creditors through monthly deductions from the allocations of states and local governments.

This newspaper, now in possession of copies of tens of official correspondences and documents concerning the matter, exclusively reported how the AGF, along with two other powerful officials, has been working against the demand by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) that the legitimacy or otherwise of the huge debts be determined through a forensic probe.

Others with whom Mr Malami has been countering the governors are Ibrahim Gambari, the chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed.

Some individuals who claimed to be agents of the judgment creditors, our reporters gathered, have offered as much as $40million in bribes to the Chairman of the NGF, Governor Kayode Fayemi, to break his resistance to the settlement of the suspicious debt.

But the Ekiti State Governor rejected the overtures, insisting that the debts and the judgments around them should be thoroughly investigated in the interest of the Nigerian people, those familiar with the matter said.

However, following PREMIUM TIMES expose on the matter last week, some publications were orchestrated in the media to smear the NGF chair, claiming he was blocking the payment because his demand for a cut of 10 per cent of the outstanding amount was rebuffed.

The judgment debts

The controversial debt arose from various court judgments ordering that some contractors and consultants be paid for certain services and projects executed for the various states and the 774 local governments.

Some of the claimants were said to be consultants who helped the states and local governments to secure recovery of funds over-deducted from their allocations between 1995 and 2002 to service then London and Paris Club loans.

On the other hand, the contractors among them were purportedly engaged to execute certain projects in all the 774 local governments in anticipation that they would be paid from the Paris Club refunds.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how past leaderships of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and the NGF had given tacit support to six claimants in securing court judgments to validate their claims to their shares of the refunds.

NGFs query

The judgment debts, which currently stand at $418,953,670.59 (amounting to about N159 billion at a conservative exchange rate of $1 to N380.5), are being contested by the NGF leadership under Mr Fayemi.

The Mr Fayemi-led NGF is demanding a probe to ascertain the service rendered by the said creditors to prove or disprove their entitlement to the planned humongous payments.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier report on the matter indicated that President Buhari, following protests by the NGF in January, directed that the moves for the settlement of the debts be suspended.

But that has not deterred the Mr Gambari-led camp from continuing to push for the payments to the creditors as quickly as possible.

Warnings received by AGF

Mr Malami has received at least three warnings, including an EFCC report intimating him that at least a part of the debts is unjustifiable.

ADVERTISEMENT

PREMIUM TIMES, after its first report on the matter, obtained two letters authored by successive presidents of ALGON in 2018 and 2019 protesting the judgment claims credited to Ted Iseghoghi-Edwards and RIOK Nigeria Limited.

In the letter dated September 10, 2018, with reference number, ALGON/NP/FMJ/VOL1/001/18, and which was received by the AGF office on September 13, 2018, the then ALGON President, Gambo Kagara, informed Mr Malami that neither Mr Iseghoghi-Edwards nor his law firm, worked for the association as claimed by them in the recovery of the refund of the over-deducted Paris Club loans to be entitled to any payment.

ALGON as an association did not at any time engage Ted Edwards/Edwards and Partners to recover on its behalf or on behalf of Local Governments, funds related to the refund of Paris and London debt over-deductions, Mr Kagaras letter read in part.

Mr Kagaras letter, which was a reply to an earlier enquiry by Mr Malami, explained that ALGON actually engaged the services of some lawyers that represented the association and by extension its members during the litigation process that ended in favour of the association.

But it added, A perusal of all the relevant court records will show that neither Dr Ted Edward nor Edwards and Partners were counsel on records throughout the entire court proceedings.

Concerning RIOK, which is laying claim to a court judgment awarding it over $142 million (about N54 billion) as its share of the Paris Club refunds, Mr Kagara stated that there was no evidence the firm executed the contracts it was awarded by ALGON in December 2013 to be entitled to the monetary claim.

His letter to Mr Malami reads in part, ALGON via an award letter dated December 17, 2013, awarded a contract to RIOK Nigeria Limited for the provision of boreholes and other water reticulating apparatus in all the 774 Local Governments and Area Councils in Nigeria.

This was subsequently followed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) executed by both parties.

The entire contract sum was $318,807,950,596, to be funded from the Paris Club refund funds accruable to Local Governments.

From ALGONs records, there is no evidence that RIOK has executed the required job.

It added that there was also no communication from the company informing ALGON of the job execution/completion.

No job inspection has been carried out by ALGON and RIOK has not formally handed over any site of job completion; no certification of job completion has been issued to RIOK; consequently, the association categorically denies execution of the work by RIOK to justify any claims for payment, the letter added.

ALGONs second warning to Malami

ALGON, under a new administration led by Kolade Alabi as president, wrote another letter dated October 8, 2019, to Mr Malami, restating the associations position on the judgment debts as canvassed in Mr Kagaras September 10, 2018 correspondence.

In the new letter with reference number, ALGON/LSD/AGF/VOL1/002/19, which was received by the AGF office on October 15, 2019, Mr Alabi also referred to Mr Malamis earlier queries on the matter.

The queries were responded to via ALGONs letter dated September 10, 2018, Mr Alabi stated in part.

He further stated that the feedback from the associations lawyer underscores and re-emphasises ALGONS position as expressed in our previous letter to the office of the AGF concerning the mentioned parties.

Restating the previous position of the association, Mr Alabi said Dr Edwards/Edwards and Partners Law Firm were never at any time engaged by ALGON EXCO to recover on its behalf or on behalf of the local governments, funds related to the Paris /London Club Debt Refunds.

He also recalled that ALGON entered into a contractual agreement with RIOK Nigeria Limited for the provision of boreholes and water reticulation apparatus in the 774 local government areas in the country with the contract aimed to be funded from the Paris/London Club refund proceeds due to local governments.

But Mr Alabi stated again that The contract was never executed in part or full because the condition precedent for its execution never materialised. Consequently, RIOK cannot claim payment for a non-executed project.

He also begged the AGF to use his good offices to ensure that funds belonging to local governments are not used to settle dubious and illegal claims.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, were copied the letter.

EFCC report

The ALGONs letters are not the only warnings that Mr Malami received.

Mr Malami, in his letter, dated July 17, 2020, sent to the Presidents Chief of Staff, Mr Gambari, acknowledged an EFCC report questioning the legitimacy of the $159 million being claimed by Mr Iseghoghi-Edwards, one of the six judgment creditors

He said in the letter that the recent EFCC report shows that Mr Iseghoghi-Edwards is not entitled to this sum.

The minister also informed the Chief of Staff in the letter that, although he had initially referred the matter to the EFCC for investigation, the report of the commission was not served on his office.

But despite admitting the existence of a damning EFCC report on the controversial debts, Mr Malami did not try to discourage Mr Gambari on its settlement or at least recommend its suspension until further probes are done.

The judgment creditors

PREMIUM TIMES has extensively reviewed the details of the Paris Club-related judgment creditors from a series of letters and documents sent to the presidency by the AGF and the Minister of Finance at various times.

The claimants include a former member of the House of Representatives, politician and lawyer, Ned Nwoko, who is laying claim to $142,028,941 (about N54 billion) via a consent judgment he obtained from the Federal High Court in Abuja in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/148/2017.

Three beneficiaries laying claim to $143,463,577.76 (about N54.6 billion) via a judgment of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/2129/2014 are Riok Nigeria Ltd, Orji Nwafor Orizu, and Olaitan Bello.

From the $143,463,577.76, Riok Nigeria Limited has a share of $142,028,941.95 (about N54 billion), Mr Nwafor is entitled to $1,219,440.45 (about N464 million), while Mr Bello is posturing to be paid $215,159.36 (N81.7 million).

The claimant with the singular lion share is Ted Iseghoghi Edwards, who is laying claim to $159,000,000 (about 60.5 billion) through a judgment he obtained from the FCT High Court in suit number FCT/CV/1545/2015.

A firm, Panic Alert Security System Limited, owned by George Uboh, is also laying claim to $47,831,920 (about N18.2billion) based on another consent judgment it obtained in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/123/2018, which was filed as recently as 2018.

As earlier reported by PREMIUM TIMES, the suits leading to the judgments were either feebly defended or outrightly consented to by past leaderships of ALGON and NGF.

The current NGF leadership under Mr Fayemi is questioning the legitimacy of the entire debt.

Malamis frantic push

PREMIUM TIMES reported previously that Mr Malami is the only one that has been in the picture from inception, among the three top officials pushing for the settlement of the judgment debts.

The duo of Mr Gambari and Mrs Ahmed only got involved in the matter from the points their predecessors stopped.

Mr Malamis roles are so crucial in the matter that his office is involved in the compilation of the list of all the judgment debts against the government and the verification of the judgment debt lists compiled by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

He was also responsible for the categorisation of the judgment debts into three groups  the Paris Club refunds-related debts; Top Priority Debts due to enforcement actions, and General Debts incurred by the Federal Governments MDAs.

He also advised the government on the level of priorities to assign to each of the categories of debts.

PREMIUM TIMES observes from his various correspondences on the matter that his legal advice was consistently tilted towards how the Paris Club refund-related debts could be settled without delay.

Ever-shifting positions

A meeting of officials from the federal ministries of finance and justice, the Debt Management Office (DMO), the Budget Office. and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which held on June 12, 2017, had recommended four alternative sources of funds to defray the judgment debts.

The recommended sources were: Budget and or supplementary budget, promissory notes, Federal Government bonds; and extra-budgetary votes.

Following the recommendations by the committee, Mr Malami, in his letter dated June 16, 2017 with reference number, MJ/LIT/ABJ/SH/JD/598/Vol.1/17, advised the President to approve the payment of the judgment debts from budgetary sources.

But in her own recommendation to the presidency via her letter dated September 27, 2017, with reference number FMF/OHMF/JDAA/VP/1/2017, then Minister of Finance went outside the committees suggestions and advised that the funds should be sourced from recovered funds.

Following the Minister of Finances recommendation, Mr Malami quickly dropped his former advice that the funds should be sourced through budgetary means.

In his letter dated November 3, 2017, with reference number MJ/LIT/ABJ/SH/JD/598/101/16, he advised President Buhari that the approved judgment debts should be paid from recovered funds as advised by the Minister of Finance.

But the then Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, did not accept the recommendation of defraying the debts from recovered funds.

Mr Kyari, in a letter dated November 8, 2017, with reference number SH/COS/08/B/395, sent to the Ministry of Finance, sought expert advice on alternative sources of funds that may be utilised to settle the relevant judgment debts other than recourse to recovered funds.

In the end, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Ahmed, through her letter dated October 6, 2020, requested Mr Gambari to advise the president that the most viable option is to settle all categories of judgment creditors through the issuance of promissory notes.

She also advised that creditors in Category A (Paris Club Refunds Related Debts) be settled through equal monthly amount deductions from statutory allocation due to states and local councils over a period of 10 years.

Mr Malami had no objection to the new recommendation by Mrs Ahmed and in fact further advised that the consent of either the Federal Executive Council (FEC) or that of the National Assembly would not be required for the issuance of the promissory notes.

Mr Buhari on December 24, 2020, approved the recommendation for the issuance of the promissory note as tabled before him by Mr Gambari.

The NGF subsequently obtained Mr Buharis fresh directive suspending the settlement of the debts pending a forensic audit.

But since January, the NGF has not been able to secure the commitment of Mr Gambaris camp to abide by the Presidents fresh directive.
Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast

After more than a year of lockdowns and restrictions, some stir-crazy travelers will do anything to get away from it alleven if that means paying a hefty fine. In the U.K., the government is set to fine anyone who travels abroad without a valid reason 5,000 pounds ($6,895) starting Monday.

But where there is a will, there is always a way, and we found a number of loopholes that are sure to send people packing. From Tuscany to Portugalboth favored holiday spots for sun-deprived Britsreal estate agents are hoping to cash in on a clause in the new British regulation that lists house hunting as a valid reason to travel.

Keyholders International, a real estate firm based in Edinburgh that deals in property in Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey, unabashedly suggests ways to skirt the rules right on their homepage. Its still been possible for more intrepid travellers to squeeze in a sneaky week by taking less direct routes to their destinations, swapping flights here and there or perhaps dreaming up urgent reasons for travel which havent been entirely legitimate, they say. There are exceptions though and were delighted to confirm that, if youre buying or viewing property, then travel remains possible.

In Tuscany, one real estate agent, who asked not to be named, said she cant keep up with requests from Brits who suddenly have their eye on a Tuscan villa that they just have to see around Easter time. Its clear that they likely have no intention to purchase anything, she told The Daily Beast. But since I also rent holiday homes, it is a win-win situation.

British holidaymaker Scotty, who didnt want his surname to be used so as not to blow his devious plan, told The Daily Beast he is happy to take the risk. Our government is banning foreign travel so that the population have to stay and holiday in the U.K., boosting the economy. Essentially keeping people prisoners for their own gain, he said. The [property] loophole is clearly in place to let wealthier people holiday without any repercussions. If you can afford a 5,000 fine or youre lucky enough to have a second home abroad then the rules do not apply to you. Baffling.

Story continues

He used the house-hunting loophole last year, and booked property viewings in Madrid and Tenerife during the first lockdown. I didnt turn up to either and enjoyed a lovely holiday, he said. Theres every chance Ill do the same thing again.

Other top destinations are banking on vaccines to keep the visitors coming. In tourist-dependent Greece, full islands have been vaccinated to be ready for tourists to return. There, too, real estate agents are now advertising house-hunting tours as a way to lure travelers who might otherwise face risks. On the island of Kastellorizo, deputy mayor Stratos Amigdalos says the fact that the entire island population is vaccinated means they can welcome visitors more easily. They are also considering offering a rebate of sorts to help Brits who want to travel pay back any fines incurred. We can't handle an outbreak on the island, but we also cant go another summer without tourists, he says. We are looking for ways to make it worth the visit, and a tourist rebate for anyone who comes here could offset the fines but still help the local economy.

But not everyone is willing to risk the fines. Gary Speary, a frustrated would-be traveller in the U.K., said he doesnt want to feed the coffers of the British government. We have all had an incredibly hard year. Ive had my holiday put back five times, he told The Daily Beast. I know its not anyone elses drama but Ive worked all the way through [the pandemic]. Im due to go at the end of May... but we will get charged five grand to go. Im truly done with it now we need to start to resume some normality. I dont think they truly understand how tired we all are of rules and regulations that make no logical sense.

If the restrictions are still in place, though, he has no intention of risking it. No, Ill just push it back, he said. Im not paying these pricks anything.

Another would-be traveler tweeting under the handle @laurynmillerx says she will just pay the fine. They can fuck clean off, I'll pay the 5 grand fine because there's no way I'm staying in the house for another whole year, holiday is booked end of August and I'll be going whether they like it or not, she tweeted.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Still others, like Strictly Come Dancings Brendon Cole, doesnt have to look for property since he owns a villa on Mallorca. Still, when he posted on Instagram how happy he was to be on the Spanish island to support bars and restaurants devastated by ridiculous and unfair closers he was lambasted for bragging about being able to skirt the rules. One clearly envious person asked, Why do we want to see you gloating with a beer in your hand. We are playing by the rules, you however are a selfish tit. Another asked if his beer in the sun was better than losing your life or that of a loved one.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Several other travelers are concerned that because the rules are vague, they will lose deposits or even fully paid for holidays. One woman who booked a holiday in 2019 for May 2021 is concerned that she wont qualify for a refund, telling The Daily Beast that the government needs to be clear with holidaymakers, that refunds should be mandatory. Will she keep her reservation? She says yes. I think I would have to go, and deal with the fine when I come back.

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.
Germany deported more than 750 people to Africa in 2020. Most African countries are ill-prepared to welcome rejected asylum-seekers, and activists say the coronavirus pandemic could make matters worse.

Toure explains the nightmare he had to endure in January, as he faced the real prospect of being deported. "I became sick with worry. I could hardly move for three weeks. I was nauseous, dizzy, couldn't go outside," he told DW.

To protect his identity, Toure only uses his last name. He fears repercussions, not from German authorities but from security forces in his native Guinea. Toure said Guinean police arrested and tortured him before he fled the West African nation because he was affiliated with an opposition party.

No chance of getting a passport

Normally, someone like Toure would be welcome in Germany. He speaks fluent German, has a steady job in a flat-sharing community for young people and plans to finish his studies in the summer. But his right to stay in Germany is far from guaranteed. Despite avoiding deportation in January, authorities gave Toure a probation period of just six months.

"Sometimes I can't sleep because I think someone will come for me in the middle of the night," Toure said, adding that his studies have suffered because he is sometimes so nervous that he cannot focus on exams.

Toure's only way out of his predicament is to provide the German authorities with a passport to prove his identity. Yet, the Guinean Embassy in Berlin does not issue passports, so Toure would have to fly back to Guinea and apply for one there. This, however, is unthinkable for Toure.

"Probably the same torture that I experienced then will happen again. Who knows, I might arrive at the airport, and after that, no one will hear from me again," Toure said, struggling to get the words out.

Toure has a good reason to be scared. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, deportations from Germany have continued. Last year, 755 people were deported from Germany, according to the federal government. Most were sent to north African countries like Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. Others were sent to Nigeria, Ghana and Gambia.

Deportation flights have already begun this year. In January, 24 people, including convicted criminals, were flown from Munich to Nigeria.

Refugee activist Rex Osa is against this practice. His network Refugees 4 Refugees supports Nigerian-born refugees in southern Germany.

"They are bundled on board close together for a six or seven-hour flight. If there is an infected person on board, it's clear they could be infected with COVID," he told DW.

Some fear that deportations could increase the risk of the coronavirus spreading in the refugees' countries of origin.

Demands to stop deportations

Osa is not the only one demanding a halt to deportations. Refugee organizations and large churches have voiced similar concerns. Many African countries do not have enough doctors, ICU beds or ventilators to care for coronavirus patients. Vaccination programs are also only available in a few countries. Another problem for migrants facing deportation is the dire economic prospects at home. Many do not know how they will survive.

German courts have become stricter in determining who can be deported. In December, an administrative court in the southern German state of Baden-Wurttemberg stopped the deportation of an asylum-seeker from Afghanistan. It ruled that Afghanistan's situation had become so bad because of the pandemic that deported migrants with no families or assets on the ground faced "destitution."

Additionally, some migrants -- like Toure -- face deportation simply because they do not have documentation to prove who they are. In this pandemic period, getting such official documents can prove especially difficult.

"The pandemic did not deter the authorities from compelling refugees to identify themselves," Osa said. "Refugees were still being sent letters giving them time frames by which they would have to submit their documents, even though the borders were closed and the embassies were not functioning."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Coronavirus Europe and Africa 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.

Germany undeterred

After the collective deportation to Nigeria in January, the Bavarian State Office for Asylum and Repatriation stated: "The current coronavirus pandemic poses new challenges for the State Office for Asylum and Repatriation, as well as for the countries of origin. The current unusual medical situation due to the coronavirus pandemic does not fundamentally change the current legal standpoint."

The Interior Ministry has so far not responded to DW's request for comment.

Meanwhile, Toure is hoping for a happy ending. The Guinean Embassy in Paris is scheduled to start processing passport applications, and he hopes he will be allowed to travel there to apply for a passport. Then perhaps Toure's dream of staying in Germany and building a future with his girlfriend could come true.

This article has been adapted from German.
Soma Sara, who launched the Everyone's Invited website which has inspired thousands of current and former pupils to come forward with their stories - Geoff Pugh

Britain's elite schools are at the centre of a major Whitehall investigation involving police chiefs, government officials and Ofsted over their handling of the emerging "rape culture" scandal among pupils.

Officials from the Home Office and Department for Education are leading a cross-Government response with senior officers, who have been urged to take claims seriously.

Inspectors from Ofsted and the Independent Schools Inspectorate are ready to launch immediate and surprise investigations if safeguarding concerns are raised at particular schools, Whitehall sources said.

On Saturday night a senior officer said thousands of current and former pupils had come forward as a result of a website "shining a light on peer-on-peer abuse within educational settings across the UK". Officers are examining accounts on the site, called Everyone's Invited, after the National Police Chiefs Council and Government officials met its organiser last week.

Robert Halfon, the chairman of the Commons education select committee, criticised senior school staff for being more worried about "woke" issues than the "welfare of students". Writing for The Telegraph, Mr Halfon called for an independent inquiry and demanded that an education minister make a statement in Parliament after the Easter recess.

Protest signs are seen on railings at James Allen's Girls' School in Dulwich, London - Eddie Mulholland

Revised government advice on sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges is now being drawn up and will be in force in time for the next academic year in September, The Telegraph can disclose.

Ministers are expected to meet with officials in the coming weeks to discuss next steps. A source added: "We take all allegations and concerns about sexual abuse or violence extremely seriously and are working with multi-agency safeguarding partners to ensure the safety of all children in all schools, including in independent schools.

"Where schools do not meet the strict safeguarding standards that we have in place, we will always take action. If it becomes clear that there are current failings in any school's safeguarding practice, we will immediately ask Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate to conduct an inspection. If a school is found to not be meeting the required safeguarding standard, we will make sure it either improves or closes."

Story continues

The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation on Friday night after saying it had received multiple reports of offences, with officers reviewing dozens of distressing accounts on Everyone's Invited by girls of the harassment, abuse and assault they face from male pupils.

Scotland Yard said officers had been establishing whether any potential victims in London could be encouraged to report crimes, with several already coming forward. A link is also now available on the website to report crimes directly to Scotland Yard.

Chief Constable Simon Bailey, the National Police Chiefs Council's lead for child abuse and investigation, said on Saturday that "thousands of children and young people have come forward to report allegations of sexual offences within schools" as a result of the work of Everyone's Invited.

He added: "We will now work at pace with Everyone's Invited and partners, including the Home Office and Department for Education, to progress a joint response. If victims wish to report sexual abuse to the police, they can be confident that they will be believed and treated with compassion and respect before a thorough investigation is undertaken."

An Ofsted spokesman vowed to conduct "surprise" inspections of schools where "safeguarding issues" arise.

On Saturday night, Soma Sara, a former private school girl and sexual abuse survivor who set up the website, asked to meet senior Government ministers. She told The Telegraph: "Everyone's Invited would very much like to meet with ministers in the coming days to discuss the best way forward in eradicating rape culture."

A sign attached to a tree outside the entrance to Highgate School, in London - John Sibley/Reuters

Many of the country's top independent institutions have been named on Everyone's Invited. Interest has grown exponentially amid the conversation about female safety prompted by the death of Sarah Everard earlier this month.

The Everyone's Invited team is involved in ongoing discussions with police and other bodies about the shocking accounts of harassment, abuse, assault and everyday misogyny by boys on girls at state and private schools. However, on Saturday night there were fears the scandal would lead to all boys being "demonised" for the behaviour of a small minority.

Ms Sara said: "We have had meetings with people who deal directly with survivors. We are currently working with various experts because we believe that serious change is essential."

Mr Halfon said he feared "a Lord of the Flies culture has engulfed respected private education institutions and spread to some state schools", adding: "Countless stories have emerged of female pupils being objectified, harassed and sexually assaulted. Websites set up by these students have highlighted 'a rape culture'.

"Moreover, it appears that senior school staff have been at best unable or at worst unwilling to deal with what has gone on. It seems safeguarding in some of these schools has become more of a tick box exercise or a form of wokery, rather than genuinely looking after the welfare of students."

Questioning the role of parents, Mr Halfon said: "Why is it that some boys  from mostly privileged homes  are arriving at these famous private schools, not seeing girls as equal or fellow pupils to be treated with dignity, as should be expected?

"We won't solve the grim experiences too many females students have by ignoring them. Whether they go to independent or state schools, it is incumbent on the Government, education bodies and schools to safeguard these children and not damage their life chances to climb the education ladder of opportunity."
In 2021, NASA's Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, or CAPSTONE, CubeSat will launch to a never-before-used cislunar orbit near the Moon.

As a pathfinder for Gateway, a Moon-orbiting outpost that is part of NASA's Artemis program, CAPSTONE will help reduce the risk for future spacecraft by verifying the dynamics of a unique halo-shaped orbit. The mission will also demonstrate innovative spacecraft-to-spacecraft navigation technology and communications capabilities with Earth.

CAPSTONE's journey to the Moon will take about three months, starting with its launch to low-Earth orbit on a Rocket Lab Electron. Rocket Lab's Photon spacecraft will take over next and conduct a series of orbit-raising maneuvers to prepare the CubeSat for its transfer path to the Moon. After separating from Photon, CAPSTONE will utilize an energy-efficient ballistic lunar transfer using its onboard propulsion system and enter into a near rectilinear halo orbit in the vicinity of and around the Moon. There, it will maintain the orbit to inform future spacecraft and demonstrate new technologies.

CAPSTONE's propulsion system is designed and built by Stellar Exploration Inc. of San Luis Obispo, California. Initially funded by NASA's Small Business Innovation Research program, the system is approximately 8-inches square by 4-inches deep. The system's eight thrusters are fed hydrazine propellant from an unpressurized tank. CAPSTONE's super small, high-performance thrusters integrate proven NASA technology with state-of-the-art industry fabrication techniques.

CAPSTONE is led by Advanced Space of Westminster, Colorado. Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems of Irvine, California, is building the microwave oven-sized CubeSat platform. NASA's Small Spacecraft Technology program within the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate funds the demonstration mission. The program is based at NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley. The Launch Services Program at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida manages the launch service.

Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
Jessica Rowe and her daughter Allegra, 14, got the fright of their lives when their car burst into flames in the middle of a busy road in Sydney last Thursday afternoon.

But the former Studio 10 host spirits were lifted when she attended the star-studded opening of the musical Hamilton in Sydney on Saturday night.

The 50-year-old TV star stunned on the red carpet, twirling for the cameras in a stunning sheer black dress by Australian designer Romance Was Born.

Nothing will rain on her parade! Jessica Rowe showed off her incredible figure in a sheer dress at she attended he opening of Hamilton at Lyric Theatre, Star City, on Saturday night after her car exploded during the school run

The mother-of-two teamed the fabulous frock with neon pink Prada wedges and wore striking makeup that accentuated her beautiful features.

The dress showcased Jessica's slender toned legs.

On Friday, Jessica spoke out about her terrifying ordeal after her car caught fire while she was driving along a busy Sydney road with her daughter on Thursday.

Appearing on Studio 10 on Friday, the TV presenter described the blaze as 'full on', but said she was thankful both she and her daughter, Allegra, emerged from the wreckage 'absolutely fine, safe and sound'.

Sheer daring: The 50-year-old stunned on the red carpet, twirling for the cameras in a stunning sheer black dress by Australian designer Romance Was Born

Fun with friends: Jessica attended the event with her good friend and actor Lara Mulcahy

Jessica explained that she was driving up a hill after picking Allegra up from school when her car 'really started to slow down'.

'All this smoke started pouring out of the bonnet and then was coming through the car, and it smelt like smoke, and I was thinking, "Oh, my God!" [I was] in a little bit of shock really, thinking, "What is happening?"' she recounted.

Jessica praised a quick-thinking school bus driver on the opposite side of the road, who pulled over and yelled at her and her daughter to get out of the vehicle.

She said the bus driver then helped get Allegra's school bag and hat out of the car, before clearing onlookers away from the burning vehicle.

Frightening: Jessica and her daughter Allegra got the fright of their lives when their car burst into flames in the middle of a busy road in Sydney last Thursday afternoon

Up in flames: The TV presenter described the blaze as 'full on', but said she was thankful both she and her daughter Allegra emerged from the wreckage 'absolutely fine, safe and sound'

'I still cannot quite believe it,' Jessica said of the ordeal.

She added that while Allegra was doing 'okay' now, she was 'very upset' at the time and the horrifying incident 'really gave her such a fright'.

She revealed a 'hysterical' Allegra called her father, Channel Nine news anchor Peter Overton, after the explosion as he was preparing to go on TV.

Scary: 'All this smoke started pouring out of the bonnet and was coming through the car, and it smelt like smoke, and I was thinking, "Oh my God... what is happening?"' she recounted

The 54-year-old newsman was 'so worried about her and so concerned' that he immediately left work and went straight home to be with his family.

'He couldn't believe it. I think for all of us, we were like, "What? What do you mean the car's on fire?"' she said.

'Everyone at work could see that I was absolutely traumatised when I saw my 14-year-old on FaceTime absolutely inconsolable,' Peter told 2GB on Thursday.

How it happened: Jessica, 50, explained that she was driving up a hill after picking Allegra up from school when her car 'really started to slow down'

Jessica admitted she had no idea what caused the blaze, and claimed that up until the fire it had been a 'really good, reliable car'.

Her manager told Daily Mail Australia on Friday: 'The car is a write-off and [the] cause is a mystery at this stage.'

The government issued a recall on certain Volvo models in January 2020, including the XC60, which was the car Jessica was driving at the time.

Heroic: The former Studio 10 host praised a quick-thinking school bus driver on the opposite side of the road, who pulled over and yelled at her and her daughter to get out

According to a report by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission last year, there was a problem with the car's engine valve.

'If the engine intake manifold melts or deforms, there may be unusual engine operation, activation of the engine malfunction indication light, engine interruption or lack of power, or the possibility of a localised engine bay fire,' the ACCC reported.

In addition to Allegra, Jessica and Peter, who married in 2004, are also parents to an 11-year-old daughter, Giselle.

Safe and sound: Jessica posted about the terrifying ordeal on Instagram on Thursday night, sharing a photo of herself and Allegra at home

Jessica posted about the terrifying ordeal on Instagram on Thursday night, sharing a photo of herself and Allegra at home.

'We're safe and sound! Thank you for all of your kindness and love,' she wrote.

'Thank you to the thoughtful, fast thinking and kind school bus driver Mev who got us out of the car, called the fire brigade, cleared the road and then stayed to drive us home.

Terrifying: Jessica revealed a 'hysterical' Allegra called her father, Channel Nine news anchor Peter Overton (left), after the explosion as he was preparing to go on TV

'Thank you to the police and paramedics who are angels. And the tow truck driver! And the mums and dads who stopped to help. We love you.'

The incident occurred on New South Head Road in Rose Bay, with dramatic footage posted online by onlookers showing the black vehicle engulfed by flames.

The car was on fire for a short period of time before it was extinguished by firefighters, and the wreckage was later towed away.
Imagine youre in a movie theater  you might remember them from the Before Times  and someone yells Fire! Everybody jumps up in a frenzy and sprints for the door, crashing into each other and filling the auditorium with screams of panic and the sound of brittle, elderly bones snapping.

But you smell no smoke, and as you press yourself against the wall in an attempt to stay out of the suck-tide of humanity, you see the woman who issued the warning standing, hands in pockets, in the middle of the empty rows of seats. Standing next to her is an attorney.

What reasonable person could possibly have believed her? the fire-shouters mouthpiece says with a neat little grin.

Minus the grin, this is essentially the argument being made by attorneys for Sidney Powell, the Texas-based lawyer responsible for what became known as the Kraken lawsuits challenging the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. In the weeks following President Donald Trumps defeat, Powell claimed  among many, many other things  that software used by Dominion Voting Systems had been created at the behest of Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez (dead for almost a decade), and that the company, whose systems are used in almost half of U.S. states, had been paid to rig the election for Joe Biden. (Why the globalist cabal allegedly behind this didnt rig the election to defeat more Republican House and Senate candidates was not addressed.)

In a court filing last week, Powells attorneys argued that Dominions lawsuit should be thrown out for various reasons, including venue and jurisdictional deficiencies. Notably, they also claimed that her zany claims against Dominion are protected by the First Amendment as mere statements of her opinion on matters of pressing public importance.

They claimed that under the test of whether something could be proven true or false and whether it was being expressed as an opinion, no reasonable person would conclude that the statements were truly statements of fact.

They attempted to spring a nifty trap on Dominion by noting that the plaintiffs were among those calling Powells claims totally bananas: Indeed, Plaintiffs themselves characterize the statements at issue as wild accusations and outlandish claims. They are repeatedly labelled inherently improbable and even impossible. Such characterizations of the allegedly defamatory statements further support Defendants position that reasonable people would not accept such statements as fact but view them only as claims that await testing by the courts through the adversary process.

This argument flies in the face of the facts that millions of Americans  many of them, to be sure, gullible dingbats  took Powells claims to be the truth, and werent sitting around waiting for the courts to settle the matter. The courts, of course, tossed the Kraken suits out like bad oysters at the raw bar.

Powells filing is the ultimate depiction of a legal Catch-22: By its logic, the nuttier her statements the more theyre protected by the Founding Fathers.

Her New York-based attorney Howard Kleinhendler responded to the horselaughs that greeted the filings argument with a supplemental comment that appeared to contradict it. First, let me be clear: any suggestion that no reasonable person would believe Ms. Powell or her comments on the election is false, he said. The language ... is a legal standard adopted by the courts to determine whether statements qualify as opinions which are exempt from defamation liability.

The filing goes on to liken her speech to journalism, which is similar to the claims made by InfoWars impresario Alex Jones in his own defense against legal action filed by the families of the children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. Jones online programs had propounded the notion that the parents were crisis actors and that the massacre was a hoax.

These people are not journalists, in any definition of the word. They are hucksters.

To be clear, the previous sentence and the rest of this column is my opinion. If, however, I included claims of fact that were wildly irresponsible  that Sidney Powell shot my uncle at the dog track (she didnt) or was responsible for the disappearance of Judge Crater (she hadnt yet been born in 1930, when the jurist went missing in Manhattan), the person editing this piece as well as the lawyers for this fine newspaper would almost certainly take issue.

If Powell  who according to the filing believed the allegations then and she believes them now  is able to defame companies and individuals under the color of being a zealous advocate for her client, theres really no point in making libel or slander actionable in the civil court system.

The victims here werent just Dominion: Powells claims were prominent among the falsehood that fueled the deadly Jan. 6 frenzy at the U.S. Capitol, and resulted in elections officials across the nation receiving online hate up to and including death threats. In that sense, she kept yelling Fire! until somebody actually started one, and then tried to claim she wasnt among the those pouring kerosene all over the theaters carpet.

cseiler@timesunion.com
Pardon my Lucknow chauvinism, but the benighted city once had intimate links with the centre of Shia Islam, Najaf, in Iraq

Pardon my Lucknow chauvinism, but the benighted city once had intimate links with the centre of Shia Islam, Najaf, in Iraq, which Pope Francis visited early March in what must be counted among the pontiffs most epoch-making journeys. His 50 minutes conversation with Shia Islams highest spiritual authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, in his modest, rented house in a Najaf alley, must have enriched both.

A humble and wise man, the Pope said of Sistani. It felt good, for my soul, this meeting. This was no hyperbole; this seemed to reflect the tenor of the conversation, where only interpreters were present.

Yes, that Lucknow link: in 1850, the Begums of Oudh (Awadh) established what came to be known as a bequest, a trust, of Rs 6 million to be spent on the maintenance of the shrines at Najaf and Karbala. Stipends for Indian scholars were also established. After the first war of Independence in 1857, the British administered the bequest, which gave them leverage over the Shia clerical authority from Najaf to Tehran. By default or deliberation, the system continued until 1979 when Saddam Hussein consolidated power in Baghdad. Saddams Baath atheism would have been uncomfortable with Indian indulgence of Shia sectarianism. What would Pope Francis have made of the fact that Allah o Akbar was inscribed on the Iraqi flag only after Operation Desert Storm in 1992?

Another Lucknow link would have come up tangentially: Awadh antecedents of Ayatollah Khomeini, leader of the Iranian revolution. Khomeinis ancestors migrated from Kuntur, a qasbah not far from Lucknow, known for a line of Shia theologians.

The Pope would have been briefed on the vast difference between Sistani and Ayatollah Khamenei (Khomeini before him) on the role of the clergy in the affairs of the state. The issue had divided the Shia clergy down the middle. How can the Iranian revolution of 1979 be deemed to be an Islamic revolution without the second coming of the messiah who, in Shia theology, happens to be the 12th Imam who had disappeared in Samarra, Iraq. He would appear only on the Day of Judgement.

The clergy in Qom were at sixes and sevens. I was in Qom to meet Ayatollah Montazeri when this was a common topic of discussion. A revolution had come their way, pending Roz e Mahshar, Judgement Day. What label was to be pasted on the great happening? That is when the theory of Vilayat e Faqih or Vali Faqih, the Intermediate Imam, was enunciated. Pending the return of the Imam, an Intermediate system, under the Supreme leader, would govern, guided by the teachings of Islam.

Sistani and a section of the clergy even in Qom see their role differently  as spiritual guides only. Was Francis comfortable with Sistani on this score? The different circumstance of Tehran and Baghdad must have been part of the briefs prepared for Francis.

In 1979, the Shah was eased out and the Ayatullahs ushered into Tehran. Ayatollah Khomeini, who had been moved from Najaf to the suburb of Neauphle-le-Chateau on the outskirts of Paris, was that very year flown to Tehran. Why this complicated trapeze act?

In the mid-1970s, the US had Communist parties coming out of their ears in Angola, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, Chile, why, even in Afghanistan. Post Shah fervour in Iran would cause Persian Communist Parties, Tudeh and Mujahedin e Khalq, to surface from the underground. The Ayatollahs, the mosques filled with their cadres, would pounce on the Communists. That the Ayatollahs would be no friends of the Americans became apparent only when the siege of the US embassy in Tehran lasted 444 days, an embarrassment on a scale the Americans had never experienced.

1979 also happened to be the year in which Saddam Hussein consolidated himself in Baghdad. Neither the Ayatollahs nor Saddam were buddies of the US, but each could easily be tempted to seek US help against the other. This suited US officials like Martin Indyk, former Ambassador to Israel, who devised dual-containment  supply arms to both and make them fight. The monkey-between-two-cats policy lasted eight long years.

More to the point for the Pope would have been the after-effects of the post 9/11 wars thrust on Iraq, Syria, Libya, leading to the trek of millions looking for havens in Europe which, in this instance, was fighting xenophobia at home, a creeping aversion to the outsider, resulting in avowedly illiberal politics. True they are religious leaders whose mission was not to discuss politics, but rampaging identity politics are nothing but putrefied religious ideas.

Islamic terror, for instance, is cited as a cause for increasing Islamophobia by politicians like, say, Marine Le Pen in France. Such examples are strewn across Europe and other parts of the world. What was at fault was a one-sided media focus on Islamic terror, fuelling a Muslim sense of helplessness and anger, there being no outlet for his point of view.

Some of this Sistani must have addressed during their conversation. I hope he reminded the Pope that the first act of occupying forces was to vandalise the National Museum, the great storehouse of artefacts, books, scrolls representing one of the worlds great river civilisations.

It might be something of a hyperbole that his meeting with Sistani, laden with peaceful intent, reversed the Jehad or crusade launched in 1095 by one of his earlier predecessors Pope Urban II. The eleventh-century Pope was rattled by the Muslim occupation of the holy lands. Also, within a hundred years of Prophet Muhammads death, the Muslims had established their rule over Spain and beyond. The pace of Muslim spread was unnerving. Pope Francis expedition, on the other hand, provides a soothing touch to a people battered and bruised, having been on the declining side of the civilisational giant wheel for too long, a far cry from the days of Pope Urban.
Xi extends condolences to Egyptian president over train collision

Xinhua) 09:03, March 28, 2021

BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message of condolence to his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, over the train collision accident in the country.

In the message, Xi noted that he is shocked to learn about the accident, which caused heavy casualties.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people as well as in his own name, Xi expressed deep condolences over the victims, extended sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured, and wished the injured a quick recovery.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden's vaccine coordinator said on Sunday repeated delays of COVID-19 vaccine deliveries meant Sweden would not be able to meet the target of having all adults vaccinated by June 30.

Sweden, which has rejected lockdowns throughout the pandemic, is rushing to get its population vaccinated amid a third wave of the pandemic. It registered its highest number of new cases since the end of last year on Thursday, although deaths remain at a relatively low level. [L8N2LN5H4]

"It will take a bit longer before everyone is fully vaccinated, but maybe five million people will be fully vaccinated by the end of the first half of the year, June 30," vaccine coordinator Richard Bergstrom told Swedish Television.

"It will take maybe a couple of weeks into July before everyone has had two shots," he said.

Bergstrom did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sweden, with a total population of 10 million, has so far vaccinated over a million people with one dose and 450,000 people with two doses.

The country has more than 13,000 deaths from COVID-19. Sweden's death rate per capita is many times higher than that of its Nordic neighbours but lower than in several European countries that opted for lockdowns.

A compilation of European excess mortality data on Wednesday showed Sweden had a lower increase in deaths than most European countries in 2020.

(Reporting by Johan Ahlander; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Its no secret that Meri Brown and Kody Brown of TLCs Sister Wives have been struggling in their marriage for years. But what would happen if Meri was wrestling with her health during the COVID-19 pandemic? The polygamous couple had very different ideas about how they would respond in that scenario in a sneak peek of an upcoming episode of Sister Wives.

Kody Brown, Meri, Janelle, and Christine Brown | Ida Mae Astute/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

Kody Brown said he would take care of any wife if she contracted COVID-19

When asked whether he would take care of his wives if any of them contracted COVID-19, Kody was quick to answer in the affirmative in a recent Sister Wives sneak peek. The Brown family quarantined in their four separate homes in Flagstaff, Arizona, but he insisted that hed be at any of his wives houses in a heartbeat if they were ill. He brought up Robyn Brown, his fourth wife, as an example.

If Robyn was sick, my first reaction would be that I need to be there to nurse her and basically to help take care of Solomon and Ariella, the dad of 18 explained.

Kody continued, Yes, if youre sick and you need to be taken care of, Im going to have to come there and do it. And that goes for any wife. Period.

RELATED: Sister Wives: Christine and Mariah Brown Agree On 1 Thing About Kody Brown

Christine, Janelle, and Robyn Brown had different ideas about quarantine

But Kodys wives didnt agree with his assessment. In fact, they seemed to suggest it might be dangerous. After all, if Kody contracted the virus himself, he could spread it to the rest of the family.

Instead, Janelle Brown (Kodys second wife) said, If I were to get sick, I would tell Kody to stay away. My kids are old enough that they can take care of themselves. God forbid, if something really horrible happens to me and I end up in the ICU or something, I need one of their parents whole and well.

Christine Brown, Kodys third wife, wholeheartedly agreed with Janelle. She didnt think it would be a good idea for Kody  the only member of the Brown family who visited the other households during the COVID-19 pandemic  to come over if she was sick.

If we got sick in our house, Kody wouldnt come over, she asserted. Theres no way. We would quarantine ourselves and hunker down ourselves and do our best to doctor each other while were all sick. But definitely Kody wouldnt come over if we got sick.

But Robyn was the only one who disagreed with her sister wives. She argued that she couldnt keep her husband away from any of his wives if they might be sick or even on their deathbed.

I know, logically, what we should do, Robyn said. Kody should stay away. But I cant tell Kody that. What if someone is super, super ill, and thats their last week of life? Im going to sit there and tell Kody to stay away from them? No.

Meri Brown said she didnt believe Kody would help her if she was sick

As for Meri, she made it clear that she didnt think Kody would come around at all if she was sick. Kody and Meri have been estranged for around five years, and they recently admitted they had stopped dating and spending the night together.

If I was to get sick? Meri mused. If I was to get sick, nothing would happen. I mean, Id just be at home alone sick. Nobody comes over here anyway. We dont see each other.

When Sister Wives producers told Meri that Kody had promised to take care of any of his wives if they contracted COVID-19, Meri retorted bluntly, I disagree with him.

Sister Wives fans had mixed reactions to Meri and Kodys disagreement

A few Sister Wives fans defended Kody on Instagram, suggesting that he wouldnt bring his marital troubles into something as serious as COVID-19.

Kody would be there, one fan wrote. Even if they didnt want him to. Dont you know Kody by now. Quit making assumptions. He loves his family. He doesnt have to be in love to be caring. Sorry. Stop setting him up for failure.

But others pointed out that Robyn, who has long been speculated to be Kodys favorite wife, was the only one he mentioned specifically.

If Robin were to get sick was the first thing, probably the only thing he wanted to say, one commenter remarked. Instead of if ANY of my wives get sick.

Another fan wondered why Meri and Kody continued to stay together.

At this point they have both made it clear, they really dont what anything to do with each other, the Sister Wives viewer wrote. Kody doesnt even go and see Meri or stay the night at her house. Meri stays because she likes being part of the family and loves all the kidsbut as for her and Kody, its pretty much over.

Another fan agreed, arguing: Meri needs find someone who will value, love and take care of her. Its painfully obvious that Kody doesnt give a flip about her anymore. My heart broke for her when she explained what would happen if she got sick.

Sister Wives airs Sundays at 10 p.m. EST on TLC. Episodes are also available on Discovery+.
PRAGUE (Reuters) - Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovic has offered to swap roles with Finance Minister Eduard Heger, a proposal welcomed by the coalition parties and which could resolve a month-long government crisis.

Matovic said he had decided to drop all previous conditions for his resignation. He and Heger are from the ruling coalition's strongest party, OLANO.

Slovakia has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the crisis erupted on March 1 after Matovic ordered a shipment of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine without his coalition partners' knowledge. He offered to resign last week but gave a long list of conditions.

"We won't insist on meeting any of those conditions... we want to remove any obstacle preventing the coalition from coming back together," Matovic said at a televised press conference on Sunday.

"Today at the OLANO leadership meeting, I also proposed a swap between me and Eduard Heger as finance minister," he said.

Coalition party Sme rodina chairman Boris Kollar pledged his support for Heger as prime minister at the press briefing. Za ludi party chairwoman Veronika Remisova said her party backed Heger too for the top government post.

SaS, whose leader Richard Sulik has been Matovic's most vocal opponent in the past weeks, also welcomed the proposal.

Heger, 44, is a trained economist who worked in various managerial posts before being elected in 2016 on OLANO's ticket to parliament, where he served as the caucus chief.

The crisis hit the country of 5.5 million as it slowly emerged from its worst coronavirus wave to date, which has over-filled hospitals and put Slovakia among Europe's worst-hit countries in recent weeks.

Slovakia has received 200,000 doses of the Sputnik vaccines, but has yet to start administering the shots, pending testing of the batch. It would be the second European Union country after Hungary to vaccinate with a product not approved by the EU drug regulator, EMA.

(Reporting by Robert Muller; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
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.
Several more Houston families of victims of the February freeze are among the latest to sue CenterPoint Energy for allowing vulnerable people to languish without power during what were supposed to be brief blackouts.

Travis Flowers, 66, and Qazi Momin, 83, relied on oxygen tanks to survive, according to separate lawsuits  both of which were filed Friday by lawyer Tony Buzbee.

In the case of Flowers, the power at the Army veterans Houston home went out Feb. 15 and his wife, Brenda Flowers, swapped out his powerless tank for a portable device. By then, the home was too cold for the backup tank to work, according to the lawsuit. Flowers oxygen levels dropped dangerously low and he died at a hospital.

Two days later, when the power went out at another residence, Momins caretaker found him breathing rapidly. His oxygen tank was without power, the suit states. She tried to make him comfortable using pillows to support him but hours later, he stopped breathing.

Her phone was dead so she went to her car to charge it so that she could call for help.

Details surrounding Flowers and Momins deaths could not be found in medical examiner records.

The wrongful death litigation, among several filed after the winter storm that knocked out power for millions of Texans, both accuse CenterPoint  a private utilities company  of negligence for cutting power to Flowers and Momins homes as the temperature lingered below freezing.

HISTORIC TEXAS FREEZE: What went wrong with the Texas power grid?

The outages appeared targeted, the suit claims, with some neighborhoods losing power for days while others had electricity for the entire weather event. The lawyer referenced viral images of downtown Houston office buildings  which includes the JPMorgan Chase Tower where Buzbees lawfirm is located  which retained power for most of the week.

The range in which homes in Houston lost power and for how long differed greatly. Some never lost power, while others for only a day. Public housing complex Cuney Homes in Third Ward went without electricity for three days. Fallout from the storm caused weak water pressure throughout the region due to burst pipes.

Although CenterPoint was acting on instructions from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to lighten the power load, the regional energy company, Buzbee contends, was able to choose which circuits to sever power to and for how long. ERCOT, who is named in this case but not a defendant, manages most of Texas electrical grid through a deregulated market.

The lawsuit claims the energy company failed to disclose the possibility of a failing power grid or prepare Houstonians to keep warm or leave the area. The nine-page document points to a tweet that CenterPoint officials wrote the morning of Flowers death that states controlled, rotating electric outages would begin but that they would be temporary.

At (the) same time that CenterPoint and others were telling the public that the blackouts were temporary and rolling, public officials were urging people to stay home and off the roads, the suit reads.

TEXAS COLD SNAP: Texas grid fails to weatherize, repeats mistake feds cited 10 years ago

Transparency and balanced rotations of power in Houston neighborhoods, Buzbee argues, could have saved their lives.

These load-shedding obligations were meant to be performed in a manner such that no customer was subjected to an outage of more than twelve hours, the lawsuit continues. CenterPoint failed miserably in this respect. The deceased and many others paid the price for this failure.

CenterPoint officials on Sunday issued a statement declining to comment on the pending litigation but expressed condolences to those who died.

We mourn for all the lives that were lost as a result of the severe winter weather event, according to the statement. CenterPoint Energy is fully committed to working with the Governor, Texas Legislature, Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), Texas power generators, and all stakeholders to take measures to address the issues related to this historic winter storm.

Buzbee did not respond to emails.

Buzbee is also representing the family of Acres Home-area resident Earlie Baylock, who died of hypothermia during the storm.

Another lawsuit unrelated to the deep freeze was also filed against CenterPoint on Friday in connection to a lineman who plunged 100 feet to his death March 21 while installing new towers in Mont Belvieu. In that incident, plaintiff Aron Angheluta survived the fall but his co-worker was killed.

nicole.hensley@chron.com
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
It was the handiwork of a local leader who once used to be in our party, said Mamata Banerjee to Proloy Pal.  DC file photo

Kolkata: Two-time West Bengal chief minister and Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, who is contesting from Nandigram in the Assembly elections, landed in a tight spot on Saturday after an audio clip in which she is allegedly heard asking a local BJP leader, who was earlier in her party, to work for her victory in the hot seat against her nemesis Shuvendu Adhikari surfaced.

While Ms Banerjee remained silent, her party strongly supported her over the audio clip of two minutes and 52 seconds which appears to be a phone conversation she recently had with Proloy Pal, BJP district vice-president of East Midnapore.

In the evening, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, in a bid to counter the BJP's attack on the CM over her plea, claimed having an audio tape which allegedly has the conversation of two saffron party leaders  Mukul Roy and Sisir Bajoria  about creating pressure on the Election Commission in tweaking the rules for fielding party agents at polling booths which require them to be voters in the particular constituencies first. Mr Roy, however, called it fake".

During her alleged talk with Mr Pal, Ms Banerjee said, "You are a very young chap. You also work very well. I know everything about you. Please help us this time. You will have no problem. Be assured about that."

Mr Pal, however, replied, "My family, inspired by you and your ideology, came into politics. The day you took oath as the CM, I performed a yagna inviting five Brahmins to it and took out rallies also. But I feel sad to see myself not getting the president's post (in the district) after doing so much for you, Didi."

To placate him, the TMC chief allegedly argued, "I know everything. But do you know who did it? It was the handiwork of a local leader who once used to be in our party. He did not allow me to visit either Nandigram or Midnapore. They ran it like their zamindari. You know everything brother!"

Mr Pal, however, reasoned, "You may think of anything but I already left the party. I want to work for the present party with dedication. I cannot betray it" The CM still sounded keen and tried to convince him to work for her.

Refusing her politely this time, Mr Pal said, "I thank you a lot for calling up me despite you being such a big leader, Didi! But please forgive me (for not accepting your request)." The BJP which tweeted the audio clip lodged a complaint against the CM with West Bengals Chief Electoral Officer, Ariz Aftab, and demanded her resignation.

Teasing Ms Banerjee, Shuvendu Adhikari alleged, "She has lost her credibility. She is totally bankrupt now. Apart from Proloy, she also warned some senior police officers of not following my words. But they alerted me of her threat then and there."

TMC minister Subrata Mukherjee, however, said, "The CM has done nothing wrong. I am proud of her. Can a top party leader not make a polite appeal to someone who has made an exit? Should that be spread as a canard in the media? Think again where the politics will go down to if such type of tricks are adopted."
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Saturday that Chinas tit-for-tat sanctions against two Americans in the growing dispute over Beijings treatment of Uyghurs were baseless and would only shine a harsh spotlight on the genocide in Xinjiang.

Beijings attempts to intimidate and silence those speaking out for human rights and fundamental freedoms only contribute to the growing international scrutiny of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, Blinken said in a statement.

He spoke out after China announced sanctions against two Americans, a Canadian and a rights advocacy body, in response to sanctions imposed this week by the two countries over Beijings treatment of the Uyghur minority.

Blinken called the sanctions on the two members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom baseless.

At least one million Uyghurs and people from other mostly Muslim groups have been held in camps in Chinas Xinjiang region, according to rights groups, who accuse authorities of forcibly sterilizing women and imposing forced labor.

The European Union, Britain, Canada and the United States have sanctioned several members of Xinjiangs political and economic hierarchy in coordinated action over the allegations, prompting retaliation from Beijing in the form of sanctions on individuals from the EU and Britain.

We stand in solidarity with Canada, the UK, the EU, and other partners and allies around the world in calling on the PRC to end the human rights violations and abuses against predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang and to release those arbitrarily detained, Blinken said.
Menzies Had a Message for Morrison: Gender Quotas Are Unfair and Illiberal

Commentary

While Australians are worried about rising unemployment and exorbitant electricity bills, the government is concerned about gender balance.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he is deeply committed to boosting female representation in the Liberal Party, and is pushing for structural reforms to his party to improve such representation in Parliament.

First of all, the idea that the Liberal Party needs to have more female representation in Parliament is a misuse of language. After all, every member of Parliament is supposed to represent Australian men and women alike.

The premise that only a woman can truly represent the interests of women is not only is absurdly sexist but was discredited last year when Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne claimed she had yet to speak to her Qatar counterpart about the invasive internal examinations Qatari authorities subjected 13 Australian women to in Doha in October.

However, Payne and other Liberal MPs, including Karen Andrews, Sussan Ley, Melissa Price, and Katie Allen, have seized on Morrisons support for gender quotas, and are calling for greater female representation in Parliament.

MPs depart question time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House, on June 18, 2020 in Canberra, Australia. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Curiously, there is no push for gender quotas in other exciting employment areas where women are massively underrepresented. Rarely can women be found in the fields of garbage collection, grave digging, and road construction.

Their fixation on gender quotas indicates these MPs are potentially taking the Liberal Party down the same path of identity politics as the Australian Labor Party (ALP), only more slowly.

Currently, about 50 percent of Labor MPs are female. How is that working for them? The ALP lost the last federal election and received around 300,000 fewer votes from women than the Liberal Party did.

Morrison and his colleagues in Parliament should think twice before dishonouring the founder of the Liberal Party by upholding such a divisive agenda.

As his main biographer David Furse-Roberts points out, Sir Robert Menzies distanced himself from the view of affirmative action feminists who argued that women should be promoted merely by virtue of the fact that they were women.

Furse-Roberts also explains that, to Menzies, such an attitude was deficient because it overlooked the personal merits and talents of the individual female candidate.

Headshot of Sir Robert Menzies (1894-1978), Australian politician who served two terms as Prime Minister of Australia, from 1939 to 1941 and 1949 to 1966, Australia, circa 1945. (FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

Calling for better treatment of women, current-Prime Minister Morrison said, I want women to have at least the same opportunities and the same voice and the same safety as men in this country.

Surely, a competent and capable woman would have no need for such rhetoric to advance their lives and careers?

Menzies would be appalled to see what the prime minister and these Liberal Party MPs with a small l are doing to the party he created.

He regarded it as profoundly unfair and indeed a great absurdity to claim a persons gender as a qualification to become a Liberal MP.

David Furse-Roberts holds a PhD in history from the University of New South Wales and is a research fellow at the Menzies Research Centre. His book Menzies: The Forgotten Speeches has an entire chapter on the Status and Role of Women.

The first section in the chapter, entitled Women for Canberra, is based on a broadcast delivered by Menzies on Jan. 29, 1943. There, Australias longest serving prime minister said:

Of course, women are at least the equals of men. Of course, there is no reason why a qualified woman should not sit in Parliament, or on the bench, or in a professional chair, or preach from the pulpit, or, if you like, command an army in the field. No educated man today denies a place or a career to a woman because she is a woman. But there is a converse proposition which I state with all respect but with proper firmness. No woman can demand a place or a career just because she is a woman. If it is outmoded and absurd to treat a womans sex as a political disqualification; it seems to me equally absurd to claim it as a qualification in itself  For myself, I declined to vote for any woman just because she is a woman, but I will vote for her with no prejudice and with great cheerfulness if I am satisfied that she is, in the homely phrase, the better man of the two. For, like most electors, I am not half so interested in the sex or social position or worldly wealth of my representatives and rulers as I am in the quality of their minds, the soundness of their characters, the humanity of their experience, the sanity of their policy, and the strength of their wills.

Years later, in a 1958 address to the Conference of the Headmistresses Association of Australia, Menzies re-affirmed his opposition to the idea of gender quota:

It is true that over these many years women have played a small part in Parliament. We have had a few women in Parliament; not very many compared to the great body of Parliament. It has been a small part and you may say to me, Why does that happen? Some of you  will say to me, That is the fault of men. They wont have women in Parliament. To which I reply: There are more women on the [electoral] rolls than there are men in Australia, and if women are not in Parliament more than they are, it is because women dont vote for them! Now why? Well, I think it is explainable. I have myself, on more than one occasion, listened to a woman candidate for Parliament who stood up and made it her great policy speech to say, I am a woman. The womans point of view ought to be represented. If I were to stand up and say in Kooyong (which through sheer animadvertence does me the honour of returning me to Parliament), I am a man and the mans point of view ought to be listened to, they would think I had become a little odd. I have frequently had to say to my female political friends, Look, dont ask people to vote for you because you are a woman. Ask them to vote for you because you are the best person in the field. You are the one to represent them. You are the one who will understand public problems. But to say, I think the womans point of view should be represented, the womans point of view being, with infinite respect, as elusive as a mans point of view, since who knows it  there are thousands of different points of view. That kind of statement is not an expression of equality, because if equality ought to be expressed there would be no occasion to say either, I am a man, or I am a woman. It is rather an expression of nervousness and uncertainty.

As can be seen, advocating gender quotas was entirely anachronistic to Menzies classical liberal philosophy.

Clearly, he would completely abhor modern identity politics, and the leftist agenda of gender quotas in particular.

Mark Powell reminds us in The Spectator that quotas for women in Parliament stem from the creation of Emilys List by the Labor Left in 1994a progressive network supporting women seeking political office.

So, how can the modern Liberal Party dishonour Menzies legacy by promising to introduce gender quotas that will surely result in unfair treatment based on gender?

It is quite simple. These individuals are not true Liberals in the sense conceived by Menzies. Indeed, according to Powell, Menzies was deeply concerned as to how the left had started to infiltrate the party he had founded.

As Maurice Newman wrote in The Australian,

Lest there be any doubt about Menzies philosophy, it is clearly expressed in a 1974 letter lamenting that the state executive is dominated by what we now call Liberals with a small lthat is to say who believe in nothing, but who believe in anything if they think it is worth a few votes. The whole thing is tragic.

It goes without saying that Morrisons beliefs on the supposed unequal treatment of women should be challenged.

Affirmative action policies, like quotas, tend to leave job applicants with the same experience and qualifications disadvantaged.

Meanwhile, discrimination against white male applicants has become increasingly widespread, occurring in both blue-collar and working-class contexts.

Laws make their employment increasingly more difficult. Australian white men swell the ranks of the homeless, and the prison population.

Most of these depressing statistics apply particularly to white working-class menfar more than any other ethnic or gender group. These are men who have lost their place in society and have no encouraging narrative to advance their life.

Despite these sobering realities and statistics, railing against white male privilege continues to be the rallying cry of those who control the mainstream media, academic, and politics.

Of course, one would still expect the party founded by Menzies to pre-select candidates solely on the basis of merit, and regardless of gender.

There is also a fine irony in the fact that such gender quotas are now being considered precisely when the New Left cannot even define the word woman.

Dr. Augusto Zimmermann is professor and head of law at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education in Perth. He is also president of the Western Australian Legal Theory Association, editor-in-chief of the Western Australian Jurist law journal, and a former law reform commissioner in Western Australia.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A new tax on chewing gum is set to be introduced to help meet the costs of cleaning Britain's streets.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hopes to raise more than 100million from the new scheme which will target gum manufacturers.

Around 300,000 pieces of discarded chewing gum can be found on Oxford Street, London at any one time and it takes around three months to clean them all away.

Now, the Government aims to recover the costs of disposing of the gum by taxing manufacturers - and hope to make the hundreds of millions of pounds spent on cleaning each year, according to the Sunday Times.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson (pictured) plans to announce a new tax on chewing gum to help raise more than 100million to cover the cost of clearing discarded gum from Britain's streets

Previous plans for a tax on chewing gum already received backing from the Local Government Association and Clean Up Britain campaign.

A Whitehall source told the paper that the new tax would be implemented unless chewing gum manufacturers voluntarily offer to cover cost of cleaning gum off of Britain's streets.

They said: 'There are talks to see if they will cough up voluntarily but officials are already looking at how you would impose a levy.

'We want cleaner streets so we can make a meaningful difference to communities.'

The Prime Minister, who has described gum on streets as 'a monstrous acne of sticky grey blotches', has previously written a newspaper column in 2010 discussing the cost of having to clear away discarded gum, which he termed a 'plague'.

A Whitehall source said that the new tax would be implemented unless chewing gum manufacturers voluntarily offer to cover cost of cleaning gum off of Britain's streets (stock image)

This isn't the first time a chewing gum tax has been proposed by the Government, with former Chancellor Philip Hammond having suggested one in response to tackle plastic waste.

Hammond had been seeking advice on which products and substances to include in a tax package, with chewing gum one of the options having been considered.

The proposed new tax comes as part of the Prime Minister's bid to rebuild Britain after the pandemic to make it 'stronger and better'.

While relaunching his Government last year, speaking in Dudley, in the West Midlands, the Prime Minister said that, despite the continuing health challenges and looming economic crisis, it was the moment to be ambitious about the future.

Mr Johnson said the Government wanted to build, build, build, but added that he would build back better, build back greener, build back faster.

The proposed new tax comes as part of the Prime Minister's bid to rebuild Britain after the pandemic to make it 'stronger and better' (file image)

Additionally, the Government announced a 56million fund last week to help prop up Britain's high streets.

6m would be given to seaside towns to help spruce up their highstreets and make them more attractive.

Councils can use the money to 'spruce up' their high streets with flower boxes, improvements to green spaces and the removal of graffiti.

Rogue parking firms will also be tackled to allow shoppers easier access to town centres.
(Photo : Youtube/ Justin Henton) Comic-Con San Diego convention

The Sand Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), the biggest comic book convention in the world, will be returning in 2021 in San Diego, California as a special edition gathering.

Comic-Con to have in-person convention

Despite the recent news that the massive pop culture convention would be going virtual in July this year, the plans for November have moved forward. Comic-Con International has announced its plans to finally hold an in-person convention in the fall of 2021.

The three-day event is called the "Comic-Con Special Edition," which would take place over Thanksgiving weekend from November 26 through November 28 at the San Diego Convention Center.

The announcement said that it is their hope that by fall, the conditions will finally permit larger public gatherings as the COVID-19 vaccinations are already rolling-out, as per Deadline.

Also Read: Samsung Unpacked 2021: Galaxy S21 Reveal in Jan. 14 Virtual Event Date Confirmed-Here's How to Watch!

The San Diego Comic-Con Special Edition would be the first in-person convention produced by the organization since Comic-Con 2019 and the first since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The fall event will allow the organization to highlight all the significant elements that make SDCC such a popular event every year, as well as generate a lot of revenue for the organization, the local businesses, and the community.

David Glanzer, the spokesperson for the organization, noted the impact of the quarantines and restrictions on small businesses in his statement. He is hopeful that this event will shore up their financial reserves and mark a slow return to normal gatherings in 2022.

The additional convention was announced earlier in the year on the heels of the 2021 virtual announcement. The massive, 100,000-plus attendee convention of the Comic-Con has been moved to 2022.

This November, the organization offers an entirely separate convention but will be held in the same place and backed by the same company.

There are no additional details on badge costs or attendance capacity as of yet.

Immediate criticism

Right after the people behind Comic-Con announced their in-person event in November, the organization received immediate criticism across social media platforms, with tons of people noting that the pandemic impacted the ability for many to be with their families during the holidays in 2020.

Charles Soule, the writer and author for Daredevil and She-Hulk, shared on Twitter that it is reckless to schedule the in-person San Diego Comic-Con on the same weekend as the first chance that most families will be fully able to celebrate Thanksgiving in two years.

Author Tara Bennett wrote on her Twitter account that Comic-Con is doing the convention during the one non-denominational fall holiday weekend in the United States with peak airfare prices, and she ended her tweet by implying sarcastically that A-list celebrities will love doing it.

Linda Ge, the writer for CW's series "Kung Fu" wrote on Twitter that Comic-Con does not realize that most people did not get to spend last Thanksgiving with their families because of the pandemic, and doing a convention wherein people will fight for plane schedules and spots would lessen the chance of families meeting up this year.

Related Article: Gamescon 2021: Annual Video Game Trade Fair Pushes Through as Virtual Event With Limited In-Person Participants

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Sieeka Khan

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The sharing economy, from taking Uber rides to uploading our lives to the cloud, seems so 21st century. But electricity has been all about networks since 1909. That's when Thomas Edison's protege Samuel Insull began tying farm towns into his nascent Chicago grid. He found that by serving different patterns of demand, shared generating stations could deliver more power, cutting the price of modernity for everyone.



This founding principle should be rediscovered  both to fight climate change and to make energy supply more resilient.



The Biden administration has called for a zero-carbon grid by 2035. It's a stiff challenge, one that would require years of sustained effort uninterrupted by changes of political control in Washington  and the cost would run into trillions. But the goal is right, and settling for the status quo really isn't an option. The question is how to make progress toward carbon-free power as quickly and as cost-effectively as possible. And part of the answer is renewed attention to networks.



Texas's recent energy crisis offered a brutal reminder of their importance. More interconnection of the state's famously isolated grid would have helped stave off disaster. The widespread ice storm hit neighboring networks, too, but better linkages with the wider U.S. allowed them to move scarce power around, limiting the severity of their own blackouts.



The grid has a less recognized role in fighting climate change. An example: Virtually all U.S. onshore wind-power potential and more than half its solar potential lie in 15 states between the Rockies and the Mississippi (including Texas). Yet those states account for less than a third of U.S. electricity demand.



Linking those clean resources with demand elsewhere in the country is critical to cutting emissions. Tying intermittent renewable sources together over larger areas also enhances resilience: Wind farms hundreds of miles apart spin at different times but supply the same grid.



As Insull discovered more than a century ago, networked power sources also enjoy higher utilization, reducing the cost of each kilowatt-hour. In a report published last August, researchers modeled linking the separately managed southeastern grids under a single regional operator. Their conclusion? The move would save consumers almost $400 billion by 2040 while cutting carbon emissions roughly in half.



Similarly, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory considered a scheme to strengthen connections between the Eastern and Western grids covering most of the lower 48 states (excluding much of Texas), and found this would yield up to almost $3 for every dollar invested.



The economic aspects of interconnection are straightforward, but its regulation is not. Reforms since the 1990s have brought about two-thirds of U.S. electricity consumers under competitive wholesale markets, some of which span multiple states. Yet the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's push for further integration and regional planning has met local resistance and stalled  in the process, slowing efforts to address climate change.



For example, at the end of 2019, some 734 gigawatts of proposed generating capacity  most of it in the form of renewables or storage  languished in queues awaiting connection. FERC's powers may be limited, but it can do more. Taking a firmer line on transmission investments proposed by utilities could push more of them to put their planning in the hands of independent regional bodies.



In addition, the 2005 Energy Policy Act grants the Department of Energy the power to designate priority transmission corridors; if states refuse to comply, FERC has the authority to approve projects. Court challenges stymied early efforts, yet the legislation remains on the books. The Biden administration should work to revive it.



The best way to knit the U.S. grids together would be for Congress to set a net-zero goal via legislation and empower FERC to impose bigger regional transmission operators. Biden's Build Back Better infrastructure plan could be turned to that end. The promise of new federal investment in a more connected grid might persuade states to cede some planning authority.

New federal funding should aim to bring in private capital. And this support should be conditional on projects conforming to national climate goals and long-term planning. Similar to existing renewable portfolio standards, this approach could grant states flexibility in how they procure cleaner energy, while building efficiency of grid operation and bang for the buck into their calculations  thereby favoring region-wide plans. And then there's job creation: Transmission, distribution and renewable energy account for more than half the construction jobs in the U.S. energy sector.



A green grid is a giant investment, making it an easy target for opponents. But the benefits greatly outweigh the trillion-dollar costs  and tapping the scale economies of networks would maximize the return on private and public money spent. What was true a century ago, surprisingly, remains true today.





This editorial appeared at the Bloomberg Opinion and was distributed by Tribune Content Agency.


There is a giant sequoia in Northeast Portland that elicits a lot of emotions.

The tree, 100 feet tall and either 70 or 100 years old, depending on who is talking, straddles two property lines near Northeast 12th Avenue and Mason Street.

On one side, it is Mother Sequoia, a benevolent and calming presence, beloved by property owners Claire Bollinger and Shayan Rohani and the legions who follow the tree on GoFundMe and Instagram.

On the other side, it is a giant tree, planted in the 1950s, growing into a house built in 1908, pushing it over, destroying its foundation.

No one has lived in that house since it was deemed uninhabitable in 2017, but the couple that owns it -- Theo Smith who is listed as the homeowner, and his wife, Carole Johnson-Smith -- say they are still paying the mortgage, and they now owe about $25,000 in fines from the city related to the homes foundation.

For years they have been trying to get the tree removed, first, they said, to prevent damage and then so they could fix the damage the tree caused.

In April of 2020, the City of Portland issued a notice saying Bollinger and Rohani had to remove the tree. The couple has appealed the decision and lost but they currently have an open petition for a writ of review against the city in Multnomah County Court.

The giant sequoia pushes up against the Smith house. (Courtesy of Carole Johnson-Smith)

The couples do not speak to each other directly. Each has retained lawyers. For several years, they have been in an intractable situation, battling each other and the City of Portland over the tree.

In the last few months, however, there appeared to be a solution at hand. Ethan Beck, a tree-friendly developer was under contract to buy the Smith property.

Beck, who was also involved in a sale to save three sequoias in Southeast Portland, was in the final stages of due diligence when it was discovered in late February that someone drilled holes into the tree and injected it with herbicide -- a lab test commissioned by Rohani found glyphosate, the main ingredient in the weed killer Round-Up.

It doesnt make any sense at all, Bollinger said. This is a horrible situation because weve been working for a year to get this closed.

Beck broke the contract, he said, because he couldnt build a property around a possibly damaged or dying tree.

It was really heartbreaking, Beck said. We had a great solution.

But there was too much uncertainty about the health of the tree.

From how I understand it, he said, no one really has an idea of how long a sequoia can live in an urban area.

And, he said, there is no precedent for a sequoia injected with herbicide.

Who tried to hurt the tree, and why, is a complete mystery.

A sign outside the yard where a giant sequoia sits in Northeast Portland. (Lizzy Acker/The Oregonian)

In a statement, Portland Parks & Recreation said it was saddened by the possible poisoning of the sequoia. PP&R is committed to working with property owners, neighbors, contractors, and communities to protect trees and enhance the urban forest.

The Portland Police Bureau confirms there is an open case regarding the tree, and The Oregon Department of Agriculture is conducting its own investigation as well.

Portland Audubon is offering a $1,000 reward for information about the incident.

Bob Sallinger, Director of Conservation at Portland Audubon told The Oregonian/OregonLive last week that the damage to the tree a crime against the environment and a crime against the community.

Portland puts tremendous value on its trees, Sallinger said at the time. Weve been working incredibly hard to restore our urban tree canopy. I think theres a growing awareness of the role that trees play in community health. Especially in a neighborhood like this, thats so tree deficient, its particularly sad.

Sallinger said Thursday that so far tips have been more speculative than substantive.

Neighbors on both sides of the tree have their suspicions.

Police are saying that theres some random tree killer, Rohani said. But he said he doesnt buy it.

The question is who would want to undermine the deal -- someone who is in the deal who no longer wants to be in it, Rohani added.

The holes were drilled on the Smith side of the tree, though the Rohani-Bollinger side is always under the watch of a security camera.

Rohani and Bollinger think the tree attack happened sometime after Feb. 3. They said they noticed some browning of the needles around Valentines Day and found the holes on Feb. 24.

Johnson-Smith said they were notified of some browning needles on Feb. 26. The next day, she said, the couples attorney told them that holes had been drilled into the base of the tree and it had been poisoned.

Rohani said that there was a bottle of Round-Up on the back porch of the Smiths house sometime before the tree was attacked.

Johnson-Smith agreed that there was Round-Up at the house in January -- they were killing weeds so Beck could better see the property.

But she is unequivocal: We had nothing to do with it. We had no reason whatsoever to do this.

According to Johnson-Smith, the deal was a lifeline for the couple, who just want to be rid of the drama of the property. Now that the deal is off, she said, they are once again mired in the situation.

She is a teacher and her husband is an accountant. We are private people, she said repeatedly. But now, many in Portland consider them the enemy of a tree.

This has been such a horrible experience for us, Johnson-Smith said.

Johnson-Smith also has some questions. How did Rohani and Bollinger know to test for the chemical in Round-Up, for example?

For his part, Rohani said the toxicologist recommended they test for glyphosate.

So many things do not add up, Johnson-Smith said. We dont know why someone would do this.

There isnt a clear motive for anyone involved to want to halt the deal or harm the tree.

It is also not clear that the incursion of herbicide will do much long-term damage to the tree. Round-Up is a weed killer, generally applied to leaves. It can sometimes also be applied to cuts in stumps, but injecting it into a tree is not a normal use for the substance.

And a giant sequoia is a tough tree. According to Portland arborist Damien Carre, giant sequoias can withstand fire and drought.

And a tree that is 70 to 100 years old could really be considered a sapling, Carre said. A giant sequoia, he said, can live up to 3,000 years and grow the whole time. So a tree that age should be expected to get substantially bigger.

According to Beck, his arborist said it would be difficult to know how damaged the tree was for some time.

Its a wait-and-see situation, he said.

Multiple experts we contacted agreed that it would be difficult to know for sure how damaged the tree would be from the herbicide.

For Rohani and Bollinger, who bought their house in 2010, and other supporters of the tree, the answer is clear. Protecting the tree and the canopy cover it gives a part of the city without much cover is the most important thing.

Giant sequoia in Northeast Portland (Corey Arnold)Corey Arnold

We need a partner on the other side of the fence to help us preserve and protect that tree, Rohani said. The only way to gain that partner is to change the ownership of that lot.

Smith purchased his property in 1996 with a then-girlfriend, according to Johnson-Smith. He bought her out in 1998 and he lived there until he moved in with Johnson-Smith in 2008, when he began renting it out.

In 2017, after the renters complained to the city about several things including plumbing and smoke detector issues, an inspector determined the foundation problems made the house uninhabitable.

According to Rohani and Bollinger, Smith is a negligent property owner and the house is unsalvageable.

According to Johnson-Smith, Smith has been trying to come to a solution with his neighbors for years, even as a tree made the house he owns uninhabitable. The removal of the tree, she said, would allow them to fix the houses foundation.

We love trees and we believe the city needs more tree canopy, Johnson-Smith said. That said, when a large fast-growing tree has endangered a house and the owners financial investment in the property, the tree needs to be removed.

As of now, the tree will stay standing as Rohani and Bollinger continue to fight the citys decision to have it removed.

And if the tree gets healthy, Beck still wants to be part of the solution, he said.

If the tree remains, its possible it will outlive the 113-year-old house it is overtaking, as well as everyone currently consumed in its saga, including the mystery person who bored holes in its side and put in an herbicide.

It could easily outlive the city of Portland, the state of Oregon and the human race.

It will face many more challenges, certainly. This one will be a tiny blip, a small scar.

Three thousand years is a long time.

Giant sequoia in Northeast Portland. (Lizzy Acker/The Oregonian)

-- Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker
New Delhi, March 28 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday arrested a Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) racketeer having association with a gang of Bangladeshi smugglers involved in the illegal trade.

Jakir Sekh, a resident of Bahargoria in Purba Bardhaman district in West Bengal, used to receive FICNs from Bangladesh based smugglers through multiple couriers. He further used to circulate these FICNs to different couriers.

The accused is an associate of Bangladeshi FICN supplier Munshi. The NIA recovered two mobile phones during search at his premises.

The case is related to seizure of FICN of face value Rs 4.01 lakh from the possession of Golam Martuja on January 8, 2020 by the officials of Siliguri unit of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

The NIA had registered the case on March 9, 2020 and taken up the investigation. The NIA had earlier filed charge sheet against four arrested accused persons in Special NIA Court in Siliguri under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Investigation had revealed that Sekh and the charge sheeted accused persons were part of a terrorist gang comprising smugglers, couriers and distributors of FICN and had entered into a criminal conspiracy in association with other known and unknown accused.

They smuggle and circulate high quality Counterfeit Indian Paper Currency Notes with the intention to cause damage to monetary stability of India, the NIA said.
3 1 of 3 File /Associated Press Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Courtesy photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3





In a high-profile case that dragged on for years as he avoided arrest by both U.S. and Mexican authorities, the former governor of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas has pled guilty to one count of money laundering.

Tomas Yarrington Ruvalcaba entered a guilty plea in court Thursday, eight years after he was hit with a 53-page indictment, as reported by Jason Buch of the San Antonio Express-News.
Patna, March 28 : At least 5 persons were killed and 10 others injured after a speeding truck rammed into a roadside eatery in Bihar's Nalanda district on Sunday, police said.

"The incident tokk place at around 3 pm when a truck going towards Nalanda from Jahanabad district, rammed into a eatery, leaving 5 persons, including the owner of the shop, dead on the spot. Prime facie it appears that the driver might have lost his control over the wheels," said Shri Krishna Murari Prasad, SDPO Hilsa Nalanda.

During the mishap, over 20 persons were present at the eatery. About 5 persons were seriously injured.

Police added that the toll may rise later.

The injured are being treated at private clinic and Sadar hospital. Sources, however, said that 3 more lives were lost during the treatment.

Following the mishap, locals resorted to violence, pelting stones at police team who then tried to pacify the crowd. An Assistant Sub-inspector rank officer was injured in the incident.

"We have impounded the truck and search is on for the errant driver. An FIR was registered under rash and negligence driving amounting to murder in Telhara police station. Further investigation is on," the officer added.
Volunteers load a vehicle with food items during Thursdays food distribution at the old Tiyan carnival ground in Barrigada, Guam.

Photo by Dontana Keraskes/ The Guam Daily Post
An investigation into the July sinking of a Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicle that killed nine troops uncovered a series of troubling shortfalls across the chain of command -- a revelation that comes at the same time the service is returning to more ship-based operations.

The problems, which spanned mechanical, training and leadership failures, raise serious questions about whether the Marine Corps and its equipment is ready for more operations at sea.

Sixteen Marines inside an AAV fought for their lives after water seeped into their 35-year-old vehicle during a training exercise off California's coast. The transmission, generator, pumps, emergency lighting and other systems inside the vehicle all malfunctioned; the investigation revealed that it never should have been in the water.

Read Next: Groundbreaking VA Study Shows How Long COVID-19 Vaccine Immunity May Last

The crew, infantrymen and Navy corpsman inside also lacked the needed training to escape the slow-sinking tracked vehicle that carries Marines to and from shore. The crisis was compounded by the fact that, against Navy and Marine Corps regulation, the AAVs were in the water without a safety boat present that might have helped save lives.

The Marines were also more experienced operating the vehicle ashore rather than at sea -- something not uncommon for a service that has focused on land-based missions since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"The land is much more forgiving than the sea," a senior Marine leader who previously commanded a division said this week.

The Marine Corps is revising four servicewide orders in response to the findings of the investigation into the July 30 tragedy, the deadliest AAV training accident in the service's history. Those include changes to policies on Marine expeditionary unit operations and how units prepare to deploy.

The Marines were preparing to deploy with a Marine expeditionary unit, or MEU, when their vehicle sank. The investigation found that most of the AAVs that were assigned to the MEU were inoperable before they joined the unit, and their maintenance wasn't prioritized once they arrived.

The orders, the senior Marine leader said, will be rewritten to incorporate the findings of the safety and the command investigations into the fatal accident. The command investigation was released this week. The safety investigation, officials said, won't be released publicly.

The goal, according to the senior leader, is to "tighten those orders up to make sure that we learn from this accident, and we don't repeat some of the same mistakes."

The Marine Corps is in the process of inspecting its entire fleet of AAVs. Those inspections, which involve more than 800 vehicles and include water checks to spot leaking parts, remain ongoing, and water operations for AAVs have been paused since last summer.

The Marine Corps has also created a mishap library so junior leaders can readily access lessons learned from past accidents. The service also wants to implement new reporting tools, so Marines anonymously can report hazards they're spotting in their units and squadrons to safety officers and commanders, a Marine safety expert said.

Marines' amphibious missions are only likely to get more complex as the service reorients and returns to its roots in naval operations. Commandant Gen. David Berger wrote at length in his 10-year plan for the Marine Corps about expeditionary advanced-base operations in contested littoral environments that could leave small teams dispersed across vast distances. He has described sending Marines onto beaches in big teams from traditional amphibious warships or onto islands from smaller new vessels, carrying just dozens of leathernecks, that can pull right up onto the sand.

Amphibious operations, Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder, head of Marine Corps Forces Pacific wrote in a letter accompanying the investigation into the deadly July accident, "are at the very center of the storied history and promising future of the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy."

"It is vitally important for Marines and sailors to participate in realistic training like the exercise in which this mishap occurred," Rudder added.

Still, officials said this week, policies and procedures must be followed to mitigate risks associated with those missions. What happened in July, the safety expert said, was "not what right looks like on the most basic level."

"We are extremely good at managing risk when we are in a tactical mode and in a tactical mindset," he said. "I think one of the things revealed [in the investigation] ... is we need to maintain that level of discipline and focus. We can't relax and go into an administrative mindset and wind up not accounting for a situation where significant hazards are starting to accumulate."

Even after 20 years of focusing largely on land-based operations, there's still a slice of the Marine Corps that has continued to experience amphibious operations.

"But that slice is not large enough; that depth of experience is not deep enough," another senior Marine leader, who previously commanded a MEU, said this week. "We've got some work to do going forward to make sure that we can do expeditionary advanced-base operations."

-- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins.

Related: 'Tragic Mishap Was Preventable': How the Marines Failed 9 Troops Whose 35-Year-Old AAV Sank in the Pacific
Princess Diana was allegedly tricked into granting her Panorama interview after Martin Bashir showed her a faked abortion 'receipt' for royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke.

The shocking claim is among bombshell evidence given to the inquiry into the BBC and Bashir.

Retired Supreme Court judge Lord Dyson has interviewed 17 witnesses as he probes allegations the broadcaster covered up a trail of deceit by the journalist. Bashir is accused of peddling lies and vile smears to the vulnerable princess to land his explosive 1995 scoop, in which she famously proclaimed 'there were three of us in this marriage'.

Diana was said to have been obsessed with the bizarre idea that Charles wanted her murdered in order to marry the nanny.

The princess was so convinced Miss Legge-Bourke had become pregnant by Charles that an investigation was launched by Sir Robert Fellowes, the Queen's private secretary and Diana's brother-in-law, after the princess allegedly approached Tiggy at a party and hissed: 'So sorry to hear about the baby.'

Princess Diana is pictured with Martin Bashir during their Panorama interview

Television sources have told the Daily Mail that Lord Dyson, commissioned by the BBC in November, has started writing his report, which could be damning of former corporation chiefs. Among the startling evidence given to his investigation, it is understood he has been told:

Diana was enraged by 'proof'  which was untrue and preposterous  that Miss Legge-Bourke had had an abortion;

The princess had pulled out of agreeing to the historic interview, before Bashir fired her up with more lies just a week before filming;

Diana was 'like a bull given an electric shock', confiding in her lawyer days after meeting the BBC reporter that 'reliable sources' had warned of an assassination plot against her;

She said the 'sources' had also told her the Queen would abdicate and Prince Charles would take the throne;

A handwritten letter from Diana to the BBC exonerating Bashir was allegedly dictated 'word for word' by the reporter himself.

The sources said yesterday that Lord Dyson was 'determined' to stick to the six-month estimate for his inquiry, and has been interviewing witnesses via Zoom video meetings.

An insider said: 'He's been making really good progress. He's been going great guns and doing it a lot quicker than expected.'

While the former judge's final report into Panorama is expected in May or June, ironically the BBC is preparing another Panorama on the case to be broadcast first, in mid-April.

Princess Diana was allegedly tricked into granting her Panorama interview after Martin Bashir showed her a faked abortion 'receipt' for royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke (pictured)

Meanwhile, sources have been busy briefing out Bashir's version of events, before Lord Dyson issues his verdict. BBC sources are said to be furious at briefings given on behalf of the corporation's religion editor to The Daily Telegraph about his evidence to Lord Dyson, in which he blames Diana for many of the royal smears.

While the senior BBC correspondent admits using fake bank statements, he is said to have disputed claims by Diana's brother Earl Spencer that they were used to gain his trust, the sources have told the Telegraph.

The Mail's own investigation has uncovered a wide variety of claims made to Lord Dyson.

One source said the former judge had been 'courteous', 'extremely well informed' and 'forensic' in his interviews with witnesses, and had asked many former staff what they 'thought of Martin Bashir'.

They added: 'He was exactly what you expect a wise judge to be  the best of British.'

All requests for interviews with Lord Dyson, Bashir and Lord Spencer have been declined.

It is understood the judge is considering evidence that Diana was stung into the Panorama interview by a series of preposterous lies  including about the nanny's 'abortion'.

She told lawyer of assassination fears On sick leave: Martin Bashir One or two days after meeting the BBC's Martin Bashir, Princess Diana raised her fears about an assassination plot with her lawyer, Lord Mishcon. The extraordinary meeting took place at Kensington Palace at 4pm on October 30, 1995. The late Lord Mishcon made a detailed note, which was read out at her inquest. It said: 'Her Royal Highness said she had been informed by reliable sources that: 'A: The Queen would be abdicating in April and the Prince of Wales would then be assuming the throne. 'B: Efforts would then be made, if not to get rid of her, be it by some accident in her car, such as pre-prepared brake failure or whatever, between now and then, at least to see that she was so injured or damaged as to be declared 'unbalanced'. 'She was convinced that there was a conspiracy and that she and Camilla Parker Bowles were to be put aside. 'She had also been told that [Tiggy] Legge-Bourke [the former royal nanny whom Princess Diana believed Prince Charles wanted to marry] had been operated on for an abortion and that she, HRH, would soon be in receipt of 'a certificate'.' Advertisement

In an explosive interview with the Mail last year, Lord Spencer revealed how he had reluctantly helped to introduce Bashir to his sister in 1995. To clinch his scoop, the BBC reporter claimed to have evidence the siblings would be interested in.

Bashir allegedly gained the trust of the earl by showing him forged bank statements purporting to reveal  falsely  that his head of security Alan Waller was in the pocket of national newspapers and the security services.

Then, during a September 1995 meeting with Diana and Lord Spencer, Bashir peddled an astonishing catalogue of jaw-dropping smears about the royals  designed to play to the princess's paranoias  including that her husband Charles was 'in love' with her children's nanny, Miss Legge-Bourke. The BBC reporter allegedly told her that her bodyguard was plotting against her, her friends were betraying her and MI6 had recorded Charles and his private secretary planning the 'end game'.

He said Charles and Miss Legge-Bourke went on a secret holiday together. He lied that Prince Edward was having treatment for Aids at the Royal Marsden Hospital, that the Queen was a 'comfort eater' with 'heart problems', and that both Charles and Diana's private secretaries were taking bungs from the security services.

The Mail has been told Lord Dyson is aware of claims that, although Diana was motivated by 'all this nonsense filling her head' to speak out, she had last-minute nerves and was thinking of pulling out of the Panorama interview.

However, around the end of October 1995, her mind was changed when she was 'fired up' in a last-ditch meeting with Bashir and possibly Steve Hewlett, the then editor of Panorama, on the final weekend of October  a week before she eventually sat down in front of the BBC cameras.

The exact contents of this meeting are unknown. However, just a day or two later  on Monday, October 30  Diana met with her lawyer Lord Mishcon, who wrote a bombshell note later read out at her inquest. It detailed Diana's fears that she would assassinated, and mentioned Miss Legge-Bourke's 'abortion'.

The nanny's relationship with William and Harry had led to jealousy from Diana and by 1995 the princess was open to rumours about a closeness between Miss Legge-Bourke and her estranged husband. Bashir is accused of playing on that false belief.

Now Lord Dyson has been told a 'receipt' of the supposed abortion that never happened had convinced Diana she needed to go ahead with the Panorama interview. The 'frightened' princess allegedly felt she must speak out publicly, despite her fears about doing so.

Having just been told the Queen would renounce the throne and Charles wanted Miss Legge-Bourke to take Diana's place, the urgency to speak to Panorama was said to be acute. The Mail previously revealed how Earl Spencer regarded Bashir as a 'fantasist' at the extraordinary meeting with him and Diana on September 19, 1995, but did not realise his sister had kept in touch afterwards  leading to the explosive interview.

The princess's brother has said he would never have introduced them if Bashir had not shown him the faked bank statements.

But according to sources briefing the Telegraph, the mocked-up statements were shown to the earl only after the reporter had been introduced to Diana.

Bashir ordered BBC artist Matt Weissler to create the forgeries. According to Bashir, this was done in September or October. But Earl Spencer has previously insisted he was shown the forgeries in August. Lord Dyson will have to decide which version to believe. BBC bigwigs, including former director-general Lord Hall, are expected to come in for serious criticism for an alleged 'cover-up' in 1996 after The Mail on Sunday exposed Bashir's methods.

Bashir, 59, who is on sick leave from the BBC, is believed to have told Lord Dyson it was Diana, rather than him, to blame for the vast majority of the shocking comments. He apparently said many of the allegations were consistent with Diana telling him on a later occasion that she spoke with mystics and clairvoyants.

Bashir ordered BBC artist Matt Weissler to create the forgeries. According to Bashir, this was done in September or October. But Earl Spencer has previously insisted he was shown the forgeries in August. Lord Dyson will have to decide which version to believe

Martin Bashir 'claims fake bank statements were shown to Earl Spencer AFTER he met Princess Diana and were NOT used to gain his trust ahead of Panorama interview'

Martin Bashir says faked bank documents not used to gain Earl Spencer's trust

Instead he claims they were shown after his introduction to Princess Diana

Journalist facing a probe into how he secured the 1995 Panorama interview

By Anthony Thrower for MailOnline

Martin Bashir says fake bank statements were only shown to Earl Spencer after he met Princess Diana and were not used to gain the trust of her brother.

The journalist is facing an independent investigation into how he secured the explosive Panorama interview with Princess Diana in 1995 about her marriage to Prince Charles.

Bashir previously admitted ordering mocked-up financial documents by a BBC graphics artist.

Martin Bashir says the faked statements were not used to gain the trust of Earl Spencer to instigate a meet, as he had already met Diana, ahead of their infamous interview in 1995 (pictured)

But according to the Telegraph the 59-year-old, currently the BBC's religious affairs editor, says they were shown to Earl Spencer after his initial introduction to his sister, Princess Diana.

The claim goes against previous reports which claimed the faked documents were shown to him to gain his trust and earn a meeting with the princess.

Earl Spencer says he introduced the pair, leading to the interview.

The revelation comes days after Bashir blamed Diana for the royal smears he allegedly spun to clinch his Panorama scoop with her.

Martin Bashir, the BBC's religious affairs editor, faces a probe into the Panorama chat with the princess

Giving evidence to the official inquiry into how he secured the historic interview, Mr Bashir denied inventing preposterous lies about the royals.

Earl Spencer claimed to have introduced the pair, leading to the interview.

Instead, he is said to have claimed that Diana herself  and the 'mystics' she consulted  were more likely to be responsible for the outlandish remarks.

Former Supreme Court judge Lord Dyson's inquiry is examining claims the BBC covered up a trail of deceit and forgery, and that Bashir allegedly peddled 32 lies and vile smears to land his interview.

Last year Diana's brother Earl Spencer gave details of a string of alleged falsehoods Bashir allegedly told Diana to gain her trust, including cruelly pretending he had evidence her staff were spying on her.

The alleged smears included an allegation that Prince Edward was being treated for Aids in a London hospital, the Queen was a 'comfort eater' with 'heart problems', and Prince Charles was 'in love' with their children's nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke, and went on a secret holiday with her.

The Panorama interview is thought to have led to the Queen demanding that Charles and Diana swiftly divorce.

Lord Dyson, who is expected to heavily criticise Bashir as well as senior corporation executives, will deliver his findings late next month or in early May.
More students than previously understood may be attending school virtually, survey data released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Education reveal. And many students  particularly remote learners from rural schools  are getting little to no live instructional time with teachers.

While the survey finds that over three-quarters of elementary and middle schoolers attend schools that offer at least some classroom learning, a smaller share of students have actually opted into in-person classes. As of late January and early February of this year, 43 percent of fourth-graders and 48 percent of eighth-graders were learning virtually, according to the new data.

Within the eighth-grade cohort of remote learners, 1 in 10 werent getting any live instruction from a teacher at all, and another 6 percent were receiving less than an hour per day.

At rural and town middle schools, 13 and 16 percent of virtual learners respectively were receiving no live teaching, compared to only 3 and 4 percent of their urban and suburban counterparts, meaning they may be working on activities such as homework packets or watching pre-recorded lessons instead of attending online class in real time.

Adding in those who receive less than an hour per day of real-time instruction, the numbers grow to 21 and 30 percent of remote middle schoolers in rural and town settings left to learn on their own without facetime from their teachers.

Though over 40 percent of rural middle school students attend school in person five days a week  more than twice the share of in-person suburban students and nearly triple the rate of urban students  a full 28 percent of rural youth continue to learn remotely.

Gary Funk (Missouri State University)

The biggest barrier to high-quality online school in rural areas, according to Gary Funk, director of the Rural Schools Collaborative, is broadband access.

Its so uneven, and theres many areas where its still not prevalent to any degree, he told The 74 in response to the new survey data.

Story continues

Last year, the federal government estimated that upwards of a third of all people in rural America have little or no access to the internet. Over a year into the pandemic, 12 million students still lack reliable Wi-Fi access, according to recent analysis.

Related: 12 Months After Pandemic Closed Schools, 12 Million Students Still Lack Reliable Internet

Through anecdotes, Funk heard of many rural schools printing out worksheets and mailing or delivering them to students in lieu of real-time virtual instruction.

I would not call that interactive learning, he said.

Preliminary reports have found a steep learning debt for remote students. Especially in asynchronous learning models, experts worry for the impact on young people.

We know that kids are struggling with online instruction, said Dan Goldhaber, director of the Center for Education Data & Research and a professor at the University of Washington.

Its not crazy to speculate that in terms of online instruction, its better if the kids are having more facetime, even if its over a screen, with teachers than just going off and doing work on their own.

Related: Starting My Teaching Day at 3:30 PM and Sharing Friday Movie Nights With My Students: Bringing Joy To Remote Learning in Rural North Carolina

Differences by race

The federal survey data, which covers a nationally representative sample of nearly 7,000 schools and is the first in a series of polls to be released monthly through at least July, provides the clearest national picture to date of learning during the pandemic.

In addition to observations on remote learning at rural schools, the survey raised other equity concerns and confirmed large differences nationwide across racial lines, including:

49 percent of white elementary students were attending in-person school full time, while the same was true for only 28 percent of Black, 33 percent of Hispanic, and 15 percent of Asian elementary schoolers.

Conversely, 68 percent of Asian, 58 percent of Black and 56 percent of Hispanic fourth-graders were learning fully remotely, compared to just 27 percent of white elementary students.

Though many experts believe children with special needs ought to be prioritized for in-person learning, only 42 percent of fourth-graders with disabilities and 29 percent of eighth-graders with disabilities have returned to classrooms operating five-days-a-week  just a smidge above the rates for all learners.

Jonathan Collins, an education professor at Brown University who conducted his own survey on school reopenings during the pandemic, thinks that parental trust and school investments in safety measures might play a sizable role in the disparate return rates by race.

Jonathan Collins (Brown University)

His survey revealed that over three-quarters of parents want their schools to implement safety protocols such as masking, ventilation and distancing. Rates were even higher among parents of color, who may be up to three times more likely to personally know someone whose life has been taken by the virus, previous polling indicates.

Where school districts fall short on safety measures, at times due to resource constraints, parents of color may be especially hesitant to opt into in-person learning.

A lot of districts that havent put together clear plans on how theyre going to reopen safely, theyre unable to assuage a lot of the apprehension, explained Collins. Folks of color and low-income folks are particularly keen on making sure that  implementation of safety protocols is in place and strong.

Related: Bucking the Trend: How 2 D.C. Principals Restored Black Parents Trust in Returning Kids to the Classroom

An opportunity to level the playing field

After the Trump administration last year punted on school data collection during the pandemic, claiming it was not the role of the federal government, the Biden Education Department created the reopening survey in response to an executive order signed by the president on his first day in office. A key goal was to better understand the differential impacts on learners by race, class, ability status, and locale.

When it comes to rural schools, disparities have existed for years, Funk says. But the coronavirus has only made matters worse.

What COVID has done is exacerbate and worsen existing inequities that are out there for kids in rural regions, and particularly underserved rural regions where theres high poverty levels, he said.

With the pandemic bringing these gaps into sharper focus, Funk hopes that leaders will use the opportunity to focus on helping students who have been left behind. Hes cheering the Biden infrastructure bill, soon to be introduced in Congress, which includes provisions for universal broadband internet access.

Related: Five Ways Bidens $4 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Could Help Kids and Schools

Connecting rural America with high speed Wi-Fi access would be a game changer for schools, he said.

Digital learning, it has the potential to really help level the playing field in rural places, said Funk. Its currently a disadvantage. It needs to be flipped into something that strengthens opportunities.

Related: Sign up for The 74s newsletter
When Elyjah Machado, usually an active 10-year-old, slept all day two Saturdays ago, his mother chalked it up to letting him stay up late the night before.

But when a 101-degree fever at night rose to 102.5 degrees on Sunday, Eryka Machado rushed her son across the street from their Wilson Borough home to St. Lukes Hospital-Easton Campus to get checked out.

The whole family had battled COVID-19 in February  Eryka and her husband Emanuel, who goes by E.J., Elyjah and their 8-year-old twins Elysse and Ezmerelda.

Doctors diagnosed Elyjah with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children  MIS-C, a still-mysterious affliction that affects children and young adults up to age 21, many of whom had contracted the coronavirus illness or been around someone with COVID-19. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a year into the pandemic, researchers still arent sure what causes the syndrome.

I thought I was going to lose my son, Eryka Machado recalled thinking several days after Elyjahs symptoms began. His fever had risen to and persisted at 104.9 degrees for days.

Elyjah was transferred Sunday, March 14, from St. Lukes in Wilson Borough to Reilly Childrens Hospital at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township, because his pediatrician is affiliated with Lehigh Valley Health Network and they have all his records, Eryka Machado told lehighvalleylive.com.

Today hes recovering, but not 100%. His family had hoped to celebrate his 11th birthday this weekend at Dave & Busters in Whitehall Township but had to cancel.

Eryka Machado said she wanted to share her sons battle with MIS-C in the hopes that other parents know what to look for with the complicated condition.

Were talking about something that is still low frequency, but not rare, said Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, St. Lukes University Health Network senior vice president of medical and section chief emeritus of infectious diseases. In terms of how many children come down with COVID, its a very small portion of children that come down with this.

Symptoms of MIS-C can be severe, local health experts and the CDC say. Families are urged to seek emergency medical attention if their child experiences:

Trouble breathing.

Pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away.

New confusion.

Inability to wake or stay awake.

Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds, depending on skin tone.

Severe abdominal pain.

General symptoms of MIS-C are as follows, and the CDC says to contact a childs doctor, nurse or clinic if he or she has:

Fever.

Abdominal pain.

Vomiting.

Diarrhea.

Neck pain.

Rash.

Bloodshot eyes.

Or is feeling extra tired.

At Lehigh Valley Reilly Childrens weve seen over a dozen cases of MIS-C, the LVHN hospitals Dr. Nathan Hagstrom said. Its about what one would expect. We have a protocol, like many childrens hospitals, specific to this syndrome, and its worked well.

The most common symptoms of MIS-C that Hagstrom has seen are persistent fever, rash, abdominal pain and general malaise, he said. Routine tests can confirm the syndrome so health care providers can chart a treatment course.

When first examined, Elyjah was hooked up to intravenous fluids, as emergency care providers palpated his abdomen.

Nothing was really hurting him, Eryka Machado said. He was spiking this crazy fever and it was like a mystery.

Elyjah Machado, 10, of Wilson Borough, recovers March 17, 2021, from an appendectomy in Reilly Children's Hospital at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township. He continued, however, to battle Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19.Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com

Once admitted, he underwent 15 different lab tests and an ultrasound that showed his appendix was ruined and his intestines inflamed, his mother said. He underwent an emergency appendectomy on Wednesday, March 17. But that night, his fever was back above 104.

With his inflammatory signs still sky high the next day, doctors knew the persistent fever wasnt the result of anesthesia from his surgery, Eryka Machado said.

The diagnosis of MIS-C came in, and on Friday, March 19, Elyjah received an immunoglobulin infusion that was just brutal in itself because theres also side effects like headache, nausea and vomiting, she said.

Speaking to a reporter on Thursday, Eryka Machado said Elyjah hadnt run a fever since the infusion. He was discharged Saturday, March 20, to continue a course of steroids and blood thinners, and will need to keep seeing his primary care physician and cardiologist.

He has to get a lot of rest, she said. Hes still not himself and they said he wont be himself for a few months.

A fifth-grader at Wilson Area Intermediate School, Elyjah will only be able to attend classes for a half a day, now that the district has returned hybrid students in kindergarten through eighth grade to five days a week of in-school instruction beginning March 22, his mother said.

This is not done

With schools returning from hybrid models of remote and in-classroom instruction, Jahre from St. Lukes urged vigilance in the continuing fight against the coronavirus.

The public needs to be aware that this is not done, he said. We all want it to be, but unfortunately -- and theres hope on the horizon as were getting many more vaccines out there that will help to reduce the populations that have this -- but theres no question in the last four weeks, were not at a plateau (of new cases), we are at an increase.

That rise in cases is being seen in New Jersey, which of late is leading the nation in new cases per capita, as well as metropolitan New York City and eastern Pennsylvania, Jahre said. He attributes the increase to more contagious variants of the virus that are circulating, as well as COVID fatigue.

The good news is obviously that the vaccines that exist right now are effective in the more severe areas and were getting more vaccines into arms, he said. Where were not getting vaccines into arms is children.

Thats likely to change by this fall or 2022, but as of now children are not getting vaccinated unless they are in vaccine trials, Jahre said.

Finally fever-free, 10-year-old Elyjah Machado, of Wilson Borough, is discharged March 20, 2021, from Reilly Children's Hospital at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township as he battles Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19.Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com

Children, teens and young adults who come down with MIS-C may not even be aware they had COVID-19, since young people are more likely than adults to experience more mild or even asymptomatic coronavirus infections, according to Jahre.

A prior coronavirus infection can be confirmed by testing for antibodies, and a physician investigating a possible case of MIS-C has to rule out an alternative, plausible diagnosis. Kawasaki disease, for example, is a disease marked by fever and clinical signs affecting multiple parts of the body, primarily in children younger than 5 years old.

MIS-C treatments can be intensive, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, for getting oxygen into the body when lungs are compromised; cardiac support; drugs to boost blood pressure; immunoglobulin to combat inflammation; blood thinners to fight coagulation; and steroids.

Do most children with MIS-C require that kind of advanced support? The answer is no, but you have to be aware at least that it could be, Jahre said.

Have there been children who have died from this around the country? Yes, he also said. From all the children that weve treated with this, theyve done well. Some have a prolonged course and can require major supportive therapy.

Eryka Machado praised Elyjahs doctors and nurses who treated him.

First I need to give the lord all the glory, honor and praise because our prayers were heard and he was released from the hospital fever-free, she said. Right after that are the doctors. They took such good care of us.

They didnt stop, man, they did not stop until they found out what was going on with him.

Elyjah Machado, 10, of Wilson Borough, goes on an outing with his mother, Eryka Machado, on March 23, 2021, for the first time since his admission to Reilly Children's Hospital at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Expert report affirms accuracy of Antrim County presidential election results

Expert report affirms accuracy of Antrim County presidential election results

MARCH 26, 2021

A report by an elections technology security expert who performed an analysis of the voting equipment used in Antrim County again affirmed the county's official presidential election results were accurate and that unofficial results were initially reported incorrectly due to human error.

The analysis by J. Alex Halderman, a professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Michigan, conducted as part of an ongoing lawsuit, confirmed statements from the county and state that errors in reporting election results were the result of human error and were not caused by a security breach, and that there is no credible evidence errors were caused deliberately. This again disproved false claims about Dominion Voting Systems equipment, which were debunked previously when a hand-tally audit of the county's presidential election, carried out by both Republican and Democratic election officials, confirmed that the Dominion machines tabulated the presidential election accurately.

The report provided greater details about the user errors that occurred in setting up the equipment and reporting election results, and determined that the tabulators counted the ballots in the presidential contest properly, but because of human error the un

official results were reported incorrectly. The report also determined that human error resulted in incorrect tabulation of some down-ballot races, and concluded software improvements should be made to help users more easily identify when such human error occurs.

The report affirmed there was no credible evidence the Dominion system was deliberately designed to induce errors, and found the Allied Security Operations Group report contained an extraordinary number of false, inaccurate or unsubstantiated statements. The report identified areas for improvement including voting system design, training and security, but concluded the errors in Antrim County were not the result of a security breach.

A copy of the report can be found here.

# # #

For media questions, contact

Tracy Wimmer at 517-281-1876.

We welcome questions and comments at the Contact the Secretary of State page.

Customers may call the Department of State Information Center to

speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).
In Ireland for the first time, after 429 years, the male dominance of the Presidency of Irish public universities has been shattered. Women have been appointed to head up four of the 10 public universities (University of Limerick  Prof Kerstin Mey; Munster Technological University, Prof Maggie Cusack; Maynooth University, Prof Eeva Leoinen; and one of the three women in contention in Trinity College Dublin).

So 40% of the heads of universities in Ireland will be women as compared with an EU average of 14%. This will help break the equation between masculinity and power  but will these women be able to make a difference to womens under-representation at professorial level?

Progress to date in this area has been steady but slow: increasing from 19% in 2013-15 to 26% in 2019 (marginally above the EU average of 24%).

But womens chances of a professorship in Irish universities are still only 1:13 as compared with a 1:5 chance for men. Womens chances vary between universities (from 1:24 to 1:9) and they vary over time. If the crucial thing was the fact that women bear children; have maternity leave; are less confident; less politically astute etc this variation should not exist. The fact that it does exist suggests that the crucial factor is the organisation rather than the women.

NUI Galway discrimination case

A new era started when Micheline Sheehy Skeffington won her gender discrimination case against NUI Galway in 2014 and was awarded 70,000 which she gave to the five other women who had been shortlisted but not promoted there in 2008-09. Settlements were reached between all five of these women and NUI Galway by 2018.

There have been a number of initiatives since then. Athena SWAN, a gender equality mark for higher education institutions, was introduced in 2015 and having it is now essential to compete for research funding.

Pat O'Connor, professor emeritus sociology and social policy at the University of Limerick, and visiting professor Geary Institute, University College Dublin.

The Expert Review on Gender Equality in Irish Higher Education Institutions was undertaken by the HEA in 2016. It included an online survey of just under 5,000 people which highlighted a misogynistic old boys culture. Its recommendations included a quota of 40% of those at professorial level being women by 2024 and the linking of state funding to the gender profile of two senior positions. The Task Force Report in 2018 reiterated these recommendations.

A Senior Leadership initiative was introduced in 2019. It created 45 senior positions in areas where women were under-represented. More recently there have been initiatives to deal with sexual harassment.

But mens chances of a professorship have not changed over time (1:5 since 2013-15) and they vary little between universities (1:4 to 1:7). In some cases, they have actually improved since 2013.

Designed for men

The structure and culture of universities are effectively designed by men for men. They continue to value male-dominated staff areas (e.g. engineering and ICT) more than female-dominated ones (e.g nursing and midwifery). One reflection of this is that there are more professorial posts in male-dominated areas in the national interest, frequently aided by Science Foundation Ireland.

The criteria for recruitment and promotion in universities officially includes teaching, research and service  but in practice research is prioritised. Men are likely to produce more publications; have higher citations and more research funding  at least partly because they are men in male-dominated institutions.

Recruitment practices frequently lack transparency (not only in Ireland but in Denmark, Netherlands etc). Predominantly male boards increase mens chances of a professorship.

Both men and women when given identical CVs  one with a mans name and one with a womans name  favoured the one with the mans name - and at a higher salary.

Men get sponsorship to move up: women get mentors to help them to change themselves

Women are seen as more suited to teaching and administration and this is reflected in workload models. These activities are essential  but are undervalued in promotional competitions.

Rates of change

Change is possible. In Trinity College Dublin the percentage of women in the professoriate was, with NUI Galway, the lowest at 14% in 2013. Now at 31%, Trinity College Dublin has been the fastest to change. Change is neither inevitable nor irreversible. In the University of Limerick, 34% of those at professorial level were women in 2012. It has declined since then.

The initiatives taken since 2014 have improved womens chances, but mens chances have remained more than twice as high. Maybe we are not asking the right question? Maybe we should be asking about mens privileging rather than womens under-representation?

Will the four women appointed at Presidential level be able and willing to tackle this problem of male privileging? Will they be supported by their male colleagues in doing this? By the Higher Educational Authority, the systemic infrastructure and the new Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science? Maybe these are the right questions.

Prof Pat OConnor, Professor Emeritus, Sociology and Social Policy, University of Limerick, and Visiting Professor, Geary Institute, Dublin.
Local fact of life that might inspire a bit of survivor's guilt . . .

61% of Americans Say They Gained Weight During the Pandemic

Accordingly, here's a local propaganda plan to slim down as the weather gets warmer . . . Fun fact, it's worth a try given that city hall will NEVER tighten their belt.

Read more . . .
I was having a hard time thinking creatively. It had been 15 years since I was with a kid who had to go. What to do ... what do to?

I can just go behind that thing, said Hunter helpfully, pointing to a storage container at the end of a row.

GREAT IDEA! I said.

Pulling over as far as I could, Hunter quickly jumped out, skipped right through a mud puddle (ME: WATCH OUT FOR THE  OH HECK WHY NOT) and popped out of sight.

About 10 seconds later, he re-emerged. All done, he said matter-of-factly.

Wow, that was easy, I thought. And I spent all those years putting little girls down on porta potty seats while barking at them to NOT TOUCH ANYTHING.

One hour and one dinosaur bubble wand souvenir later, we were headed to Hunters Moms office in downtown Sacramento for the hand-off, when I took another wrong turn.

Uh oh, I said.

Are we lost again? asked Hunter.

No, no, no I said, laughing. Were just doing a little tour of downtown Sacramento. Look, Hunter, theres the Capitol building where all the laws are made and serious government stuff gets done! This is the most important building in the entire state!
Police clash with protesters in Bradford (@man_marrow)

At least 13 protesters were arrested after clashing with police as they tried to storm a coronavirus vaccine centre.

A group of around 400 anti-lockdown demonstrators, anti-vaccination groups and anti-government protesters took to the streets of Bradford on Saturday afternoon.

The crowd gathered to march from City Hall and Bradford Magistrates Court to Centenary Square.

West Yorkshire Police said the majority of demonstrators were peaceful but some attempted to cause disruption as they headed towards a vaccine clinic.

Read: School facing Mohammad cartoon anger turns pupils away as protesters return

The force added that many people who attended were not believed to have been from the Bradford area.

Whilst the majority of protesters were peaceful, some protesters attempted to cause disruption by making their way to a vaccination centre in the city, West Yorkshire Police said.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in Bradford on Saturday (@BadNogbad)

Officers intervened to stop this from happening. At no time were any vaccination centres or testing centres affected.

Nine police officers were injured during the clashes, the force said.

Police said 13 people have now been arrested on suspicion of several offences including public order.

Another 19 people were issued fixed penalty notices for breaching COVID-19 regulations and several dispersal orders were issued.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Oz Khan, of West Yorkshire Police, said: We are grateful to the communities of Bradford, who have attended the protest in a peaceful way.

However, there was a group of people who had travelled from outside the Bradford district to cause trouble.

Protest policing is challenging and complex  and even more so during these unprecedented times and public safety is, and always will be the polices top priority.

The majority of people were peaceful, and I am pleased to say there was no significant disorder, he added.

Watch: Bristol police urge people to avoid further Kill The Bill protests after another night of chaos

West Yorkshire Police is continuing to work hard to keep the public safe during the ongoing threat from Coronavirus.

Story continues

It came as demonstrators descended on cities like Manchester, Brighton, Bath and Sheffield, for further Kill The Bill and anti-lockdown protests.

Tensions have been high since MPs passed the controversial Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill earlier this month, which gives extra powers to police forces to clampdown on protests.

On Saturday, 18 people were arrested after protesters blocked tram lines in Manchester.

On Friday night, violence erupted as a crowd of more than 1,000 people marched through Bristol city centre.

Read more:

New COVID variants could reinfect people every two to four years', warns professor

Minister defends plans to extend excessive and disproportionate COVID lockdown powers in England for another six months

Police officers wearing helmets and holding shields moved towards the protesters after 10pm, after calling for the crowd to disperse due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Avon and Somerset Police said glass bottles, bricks and eggs were thrown at officers.

Fireworks were launched at the force's mounted division, with one horse being daubed with paint.

Protesters had also shone laser lights into officers faces, the force said.

Watch: Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill: What's in it and why it's caused controversy
A date has finally been announced for the 2021 TV Week Logie Awards after it was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 28, at The Star Gold Coast.

It will be televised on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Ready to roll! A date has finally been announced for the 2021 TV Week Logie Awards after it was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic

'TV WEEK is thrilled to have landed on a date we know we can deliver a spectacular show on,' TV WEEK editor Amber Giles said in a statement.

'After spending way too much time on the couch in stretchy pants over the past 12 months, its important to us and our partners that we come together at a time when we can all frock up and be in the same room.

'We cant wait to head back to The Star Gold Coast to celebrate and honour the best in Australian TV in the style for which were famous.

'On November 28, we look forward to seeing on the red carpet all those who have kept us entertained and informed during trying times.'

Last year ARE Media group publisher Fiona Connolly regretfully announced the cancellation of the 2020 ceremony, originally scheduled for June, in April last year.

'We have spent the last few weeks discussing with our event partners what the TV WEEK Logie Awards could look like in 2020 while adhering to government restrictions and working around the challenges of COVID-19,' the statement read.

'All parties agree the most positive outcome is to not hold the Logies, including public voting, in 2020, but to stage an even bigger event on the Gold Coast in 2021.'

Exciting times: The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 28, at The Star Gold Coast and will be televised on Channel 9 and 9Now Pictured: Waleed Aly and his wife Susan Carland at the 2017 ceremony, held in Melbourne

Shelved: Organisers promised 'an even bigger event on the Gold Coast in 2021' when the 2020 event was officially cancelled in a statement released early last year. Pictured: Delta Goodrem (left) and Kelly Rowland (right) at the 2019 ceremony

The 2019 event, which featured a packed red carpet and celebrity guests seated at tables inside, was held at The Star on the Gold Coast and aired on Channel Nine.

The cancellation of the prestigious event last year would have caused a financial blow for Gold Coast tourism.

Meanwhile, comedian Tom Gleeson, 46, still holds the top honour, having been awarded the Gold Logie in 2019.

During his acceptance speech, The Hard Quiz host poked fun at the candidates who had sincerely campaigned for the award, and said his victory was a win for 'taking the p**s' and 'not giving a s**t'.

Top honour: Meanwhile, comedian Tom Gleeson, 46, still holds the top honour, having been awarded the Gold Logie in 2019

Fellow 2019 Gold Logie nominee Amanda Keller, 58, admitted on her WSFM radio show in July 2019, that she found Tom's Gold Logie speech upsetting.

'He's a comedian and I get what he was doing, which was trying to subvert the result and good luck to him, he did it. That's how it goes. I have no problem at all with that,' she said on Jonesy & Amanda.

'But I think in his speech when he said, "Everyone that works in television, if you want to win this, you're a wanker", that kind of upset me.'


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
They first met on the set of their upcoming thriller Midnight In The Switch Grass in early 2020, before launching into a full fledged real life romance in May.

And Megan Fox and her rapper-turned-punk beau Machine Gun Kelly were spotted looking as loved up as ever, while surveying the highly anticipated UFC 260 event in Las Vegas.

The 34-year-old actress kept her famously fit physique concealed beneath an ultra cozy looking longline coat as she held onto the 30-year-old musician's hand.

Date night: Megan Fox and her rapper-turned-punk beau Machine Gun Kelly were spotted looking as loved up as ever, while surveying the highly anticipated UFC 260 event in Las Vegas

Her long brunette hair flowed down from a neat middle part in voluminous waves and she amplified her pout with a generous amount of nude pink lipstick.

Megan and Machine Gun Kelly, born Colson Baker, were seated in the venue's VIP area, complete with lounge seating and a table to rest their beverages and belongings.

Fox kept her essentials tucked away in a chic mini handbag with silver handles.

Kelly had his disheveled mint green strands on full display, as well as his tattoos, which poked out of his grey tee.

Punk: Kelly had his disheveled mint green strands on full display, as well as his tattoos, which poked out of his grey tee

Knockout: Although it was unclear who Fox and Kelly were rooting for, Francis Ngannou of Cameroon delivered the perfect punch to solidify his victory over opponent Stipe Miocic

The Bloody Valentine hitmaker had a slew of chains fastened around his neck, as well as a slew of rings on his manicured hands.

Although it was unclear who Fox and Kelly were rooting for, Francis Ngannou of Cameroon delivered the perfect punch to solidify his victory over opponent Stipe Miocic.

Ngannou, shortly after being declared the night's big winner, raised one fist and faced the cheering crowd, which also included the likes of Kourtney Kardashian and her boyfriend Travis Barker.

Winner: Ngannou, shortly after being declared the night's big winner, raised one fist and faced the cheering crowd, which also included the likes of Kourtney Kardashian and her boyfriend Travis Barker

After the fight, Kelly was photographed greeting Miocic backstage, where they gave one another a fist bump.

Megan and MGK famously went public with their relationship in May after meeting on the set of Randall Emmett's directorial debut, Midnight In The Switchgrass.

She filed for divorce from her husband of 10-years, Brian Austin Green, on the day before Thanksgiving, and the couple are currently trying to figure out a custody arrangement for their three children.

Machine Gun has a 12-year-old daughter from a previous relationship named Casie.

First meeting: Megan and MGK famously went public with their relationship in May after meeting on the set of Randall Emmett's directorial debut, Midnight In The Switchgrass; Randall, Megan, and Machine Gun Kelly pictured in March 2020

Split: She filed for divorce from her husband of 10-years, Brian Austin Green, on the day before Thanksgiving, and the couple are currently trying to figure out a custody arrangement for their three children; Megan and Brian pictured in 2019

The couple made their red carpet debut at the American Music Awards where she revealed a new tattoo likely dedicated to her musician beau with the Spanish words 'el pistolero' scrawled across her collarbone, which roughly translates to 'the gunman.'

During an interview on Lala Kent's podcast, Megan said she 'knew right away that he was what I call a twin flame.'

She added: 'Instead of a soul mate, a twin flame is actually where a soul has ascended into a high enough level that it can be split into two different bodies at the same time. So we're actually two halves of the same soul, I think.'

Twin flame: During an interview on Lala Kent's podcast, Megan said she 'knew right away that he was what I call a twin flame'
The attack on Palma began late Wednesday afternoon when around 100 militants  divided into two groups  made their way into the area on foot, according to private security contractors in East Africa.

After establishing some control, around 100 additional insurgents descended on the area, attacking villages along the way and cutting off roads leading into the town center that government forces could use to send in reinforcements, the contractors said. Insurgents then hunted down government officials and attacked government buildings.

As the attack unfolded, nearly 200 people took refuge inside the Amarula Palma hotel  a guesthouse popular with foreign gas workers  while Mozambiques security forces and private security contractors with a South Africa-based military company tried to repel the insurgents.

On Friday afternoon, dozens of people who were trapped inside tried to escape in a 17-vehicle convoy but were ambushed outside the hotel. Only seven vehicles managed to escape the town, the private security contractors said. At least several people were killed, including a South African national, and dozens of others were injured, according to news reports.

Around 20 people were evacuated by helicopters on Saturday morning, according to news reports. It is unclear how many people remained trapped inside the town on Saturday night.

Unconfirmed news reports and accounts on social media said that some people made it to the beach, where boats carried them to safety.

Mozambique defense officials did not respond to multiple calls on Saturday. In a statement on Thursday, officials said the countrys security forces were pursuing the enemys movement and are working tirelessly to restore security and order as quickly as possible.
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.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 17:50:44|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (CPCCC) and Chinese President Xi Jinping extended gratitude to Cuban leaders for their congratulations on China's complete victory in poverty alleviation.

Xi made the remarks in a reply letter recently to Raul Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee, and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Noting China and Cuba are good friends, good comrades and good brothers, Xi said that in recent years, the two countries' traditional friendship has been deepening and their friendly cooperation has undergone all-round development.

In the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Cuba have stood together and supported each other, which has enhanced their friendship, he added.

Xi said that China will, as always, support Cuba in keeping to the path of socialism and push bilateral relations to higher levels.

Castro and Diaz-Canel wrote to Xi earlier, extending warm congratulations, on behalf of the Communist Party of Cuba, the Cuban government and people, on China's complete victory in poverty alleviation.

They spoke highly of China's remarkable achievement in eradicating absolute poverty under the strong leadership of the CPCCC with Xi at its core, which has met the poverty eradication target set in the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule.

Cuba stands ready to unswervingly deepen the two countries' friendly cooperative relations, they added. Enditem
From Geneva vote to Pakistan National Day View(s):

Pakistan celebrated its National Day on Tuesday and a reception was held at a Colombo Hotel to mark the occasion. Significantly, the reception took place a few hours after the UN Human Rights Council adopted a tough resolution against Sri Lanka with Pakistan being one of the 11 countries that supported Sri Lanka. Among those present were Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne, Foreign Secretary Retired Admiral Jayanath Colombage and Sri Lanka Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana. They are discussing the Geneva vote. Pic by Indika Handuwela.
People walk past Tommy Hilfiger store in a shopping area of Sanlitun in Beijing, China, 27 March 2021. After H&M and Nike many other international clothing brands face backlash in China for refusing to buy Xinjiang cotton over claims of forced labor and repressions against Uighurs in the region. EPA-Yonhap



China on Saturday announced new sanctions against U.S. and Canadian officials in a growing political and economic feud over its policies in the traditionally Muslim region of Xinjiang.



A statement from the Foreign Ministry said the head of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Gayle Manchin, would be barred from visiting mainland China, Hong Kong or Macao, and having any dealings with Chinese financial entities.



The commission's vice chair, Tony Perkins, was also included on the sanctions list, along with Canadian Member of Parliament Michael Chong and the body's Subcommittee on International Human Rights.



China has strongly rejected accusations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang and has launched calls for boycotts and other punishments against foreign firms including retailer HM and Nike, along with sanctions against foreign government officials and activists whom it says are spreading false information about its policies toward Uyghurs and members of other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang.






The event is an important forum for telecommunications managers and experts to promote the development of services in the Vietnamese market. The theme of this year is developing 5G and broadband infrastructure to enhance the digital transformation process in Vietnam.

The report "e-Conomy SEA 2020, which is conducted by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company, showed that Vietnam's digital economy reached a total value of US$14 billion last year, US$2 billion higher than that of the same period of the previous year.

Out of the total number of digital service users in Vietnam, new users account for 41 percent. This turned Vietnam into a country with the highest rate of new digital service consumers in the region.

Statistics from the General Statistics Office said that Vietnam was one of the three Asian countries with positive growth with the size of the economy is more than US$343 billion. Singapore reached US$337.5 billion and Malaysia US$336.3. billion.

The Vietnamese Government has defined one of the pillars of the digital economy as the telecommunications infrastructure, including both mobile and fixed broadband infrastructure.

The development of broadband infrastructure has paved the way for all other economic sectors to grow within the past two to three years.

The total number of fixed broadband subscribers in Vietnam exceeded 17.2 million, and the total number of mobile broadband subscribers reached nearly 69.5 million by the end of last month, reported the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority.

However, in order to contribute to the realisation of the national digital transformation project by 2030 and further promote the digital economy, telecommunication investment and exploitation activities in Vietnam, it still needs a lot of innovation.

Assessing the development of Vietnam's telecommunications market, Tran Duc Lai, chairman of the Radio and Electronics Association of Vietnam, said this year, operators have deployed 5G and achieved very positive results.

The country will test 5G on a large scale and even with Make- in-Vietnam devices from this year.

A study by the National Institute of Information and Communications Strategy said that the contribution of 5G to the national GDP growth is forecast to reach 7.34% by 2025.

The socio-economic development strategies for the 2021-2025 and 2021-2030 periods have repeatedly mentioned digital transformation, telecommunications, digital technology, digital government, and digital skills.

Science, technology, innovation and digital transformation are some of the strategic breakthroughs of the next 10 years to help Vietnam develop and be among the top middle-income countries by 2030 and high-income industrial countries in 2045.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A typical art education program for teens at a major American art museum might result in an exhibition of student work displayed in an out-of-the-way hallway.

As for curating an actual exhibition in a highly visible gallery, few, if any museums would turn over the keys to a bunch of high school students.

But thats exactly what the Cleveland Museum of Art did in its outstanding current show, Laura Owens: Rerun,' on view at the Transformer Station gallery, the museums part-time satellite in Ohio City, through Sunday, May 30.

The exhibition is a high-spirited riff on the theme of time travel,' a focus chosen by participating students from Cleveland-area schools in collaboration with Owens, a Northeast Ohio native known for multilayered paintings that blend gestural abstraction with images taken from pop culture, newspaper graphics, advertising, and cartoons.

The show combines a selection of works by the artist from throughout her career, including her teen years, with objects selected by the students from the museums 10,000-object Education Art Collection.

Also on view is a frieze of artistic clocks created by Owens and mounted high on a gallery wall, with quirky imagery on their faces and hands that occasionally run in the wrong direction. Plus, theres an extraordinary site-specific installation that blends 52.5 sheets of custom-made wallpaper produced by Owens studio in collaboration with the students.

Hand-printed in tones of mauve and turquoise that evoke a dreamy state of mind, the room combines linoleum block prints, photos of the participating students, plus memes created by the students based on famous works from the museums permanent collection, and much more.

Its a large-scale meditation on how teens plaster their bedroom walls with photos, posters, and ads clipped from magazines.

Owens, born in Euclid in 1970 and now based in Los Angeles, is a smashing hometown success.

After having grown up in Norwalk and having spent many hours as a teen soaking up inspiration at the Cleveland Museum of Art, she earned her bachelor of fine arts degree at the Rhode Island School of Design, and a master of fine arts at the University of California, Valencia.

Her mid-career retrospective debuted at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 2017 and later traveled to the Dallas Museum of Art and the Geffen Contemporary at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.

For her show at Transformer, Owens agreed to work with teens participating in the Cleveland museums Arts Mastery Program, called Currently Under Curation.' The program is an outcome of a $368,400 grant awarded in 2017 by the Ford and Walton Foundations, along with another $368,520 from the Cleveland Foundation to help diversify museum professions long dominated by whites.

From Left to Right: Skylar Fleming, Jamal Carter, Yomi Gonzalez, Agatha Mathoslah. The CUC teens are reviewing reproductions of Laura Owens works for Laura Owens: Rerun. Photo by Steven Bivens, courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art.Photo by Steven Bivens, courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

The participating students, Jamal Carter, Xyhair Davis, Skylar Fleming, Yomi Gonzalez, Joseph Hlavac, Agatha Mathoslah, Arica McKinney, Maya Peroune, and Deonta Steele, hail from several Cleveland Metropolitan School District schools or Holy Name High School and Shaker Heights High School.

Starting in 2018, they were paid stipends to co-organize the Owens show, to choose objects from the Education Collection, to write explanatory labels, and to perform other tasks working alongside Owens and staff members in the Education and Curatorial departments.

The students also worked with Owens to create a time capsule that will be buried in the Education Department archive until 2031.

The pleasures of the show spring directly from its unusual nature, and from the wall power of Owens paintings. Viewers are essentially challenged to draw connections between Owens artworks, the oddball objects on display, and the wallpaper room.

The main gallery at Transformer focuses on Owens paintings, which readily invite rumination on time travel. Paintings on view are printed with manipulated pages of newspaper stories and classified ads that blend undated images and texts from various historical periods with passages of Abstract Expressionist-style brushwork.

Untitled,' made in 2015, displays stories written in a telegraphic, wire-story style and laid out on an archaic, eight-column page with headlines such as Screwball Ideas Essential,' Convict Leper Gets Hearing for New Trial,' and Explosion Unlikely to Derail Private Space Travel.' Alongside the stories are ads for various products, some smeared with flamboyant strokes of paint in ways that recall the combines and collages of Pop artist Robert Rauschenberg.

Untitled, 2015. Laura Owens (American, b. 1970). Acrylic, oil, Flashe, and screenprinting ink on linen; 108 x 84 in. Collection of Martin and Rebecca Eisenberg. Copyright Laura Owens. Courtesy of the artist; Sadie Coles HQ, London; and Galerie Gisela Capitain, Cologne. Photography by Jorit AustCourtesy Laura Owens, Photography by Douglas M. Parker Studio

The trick of Owens painting is that the newspaper stories seduce a viewer into trying to decode their meanings and connections. The work pulls you in and holds your attention.

In an untitled and very different work from 2001 that depicts a pair of monkeys resting on a tree branch, Owens displays affection for classic themes from Asian art. And in a 2016 abstraction, she plays with tensions between flatness and three-dimensionality in a work that combines a digitally-manipulated, screen-printed collage with colorful schmears of paint as thick as cream cheese.

Scattered throughout the show are works that explore Owens love for accumulating newspaper clippings on topics such as her apparent obsession with Vincent van Gogh, and the art awards she won as a teen.

Also sprinkled throughout are the enigmatic objects from the museums Education Collection, including a reproduction of a pre-Columbian frog vessel,' a quaint needlepoint picture of the museum, and linoleum blocks carved by Cleveland high school students in the 1920s for a project to create a kind of bestiary.

All of these elements and more are thrown together in the exhibitions wallpaper room. Technicians at Owens studio used a laser-cutting machine to reproduce a wallpaper pattern carved on antique blocks that the students unearthed in the Education Collection. The technicians used the bestiary linocuts to create new linocuts, which they hand-printed on the wallpaper sheets.

Amazingly, they also used a screen-printing process to print the wallpaper with multi-colored images of Owens high school artworks, photographs of the Cleveland teens, and images of the memes they created from artworks in the museums permanent collection.

Thousands of human hours were spent making this wallpaper,' said David Berezin, one of Owens studio assistants. Its so time-consuming. At no point does it get anywhere close to a computer printer. Everything is hand done.

The wallpaper rooms thrust is that Owens is showing how work from her teen years has led in a continuous way to her ongoing, high-profile career. Its another variation on the time travel theme.

By extension, Owens is sending a message to the teens with whom she worked that theyre fully capable  with the museums support  of collaborating with a pro to produce a stimulating, high-quality exhibition.

Viewers get to share the fun vicariously and to witness the results of an innovative education program that provided a potentially life-changing experience for the students involved.

On a poignant note, the wallpaper room will be destroyed when the show ends. Its a fleeting, experience, like youth itself. But as the show also argues, anyone can travel through time to recover and revive the past.

REVIEW

Whats up: Laura Owens: Rerun.'

Venue: Transformer Station.

Where: 1460 West 29th Street, Cleveland.

When: Through Sunday, May 30.

Admission: Free. Timed tickets required. Call 216-938-5429 or go to transformerstation.org.
Phuket Opinion: Giving July 1 a reality check

PHUKET: The Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA) approving the Phuket Tourism Sandbox model for reopening the island to international tourists has been greeted with a collective sigh of relief. The announcement has brought hope, but there are many factors to overcome before people across the island will see any real sign of recovery from financial hardship they are currently suffering.

opinionCOVID-19Coronaviruseconomicstourism

By The Phuket News

Sunday 28 March 2021, 09:00AM

Staff from 5 Star Marine make another bag drop of 2,000 Life Bags last weekend as part of the ongoing efforts to provide food relief coordinated by the One Phuket campaign. Photo: One Phuket

To repeat Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorns explanation on Friday (Mar 26), the lifting of the quarantine requirement will be a step-down process, and will apply to vaccinated tourists only.

From next Thursday (Apr 1), the quarantine period for vaccinated tourists will be only seven days.

After that, from July 1, vaccinated tourists will not have to observe any mandatory quarantine on three provisos: at least 70% of the islands resident population is vaccinated; tourists undergo swab tests on arrival, and tourists have the ThailandPlus tracking app installed on their phones during their stay here.

Even if the vaccination campaign manages to inoculate 70% of residents on the island against COVID-19 by July 1, Federation of Phuket Industries President Chernporn Karnjanasaya on Wednesday delivered a clear, realistic perspective of the expected impact of the quarantine easing, explaining that she believes the July 1 deadline was more likely to mark a soft opening of tourism for the island.

I think the opening in July will be like a soft-opening to encourage us to work on preparation. We may need to start by setting sealed areas, so we can review the strength and the weakness of our plan, Ms Chernporn said.

TAT Governor Yuthasak on Friday even gave a mild projection for the early stages of the reopening. We expect about 100,000 tourists to visit Phuket in the second quarter [Apr-June], and more tourists thereafter, he said.

That is a far cry from pre-COVID levels. According to Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Thailand is expected to return to the pre-pandemic level of international arrivals of almost 40 million in five years, with a great number of foreign arrivals in 2023 once the country opens to more international tourists as the pandemic spread eases.

Foreign tourist arrivals reached 6.7 million last year, generating revenue of about B300 billion, compared with almost 40 million arrivals in 2019 generating revenue of almost B2 trillion.

With leading tourism industry figures from the private sector and tourism officials finally admitting how protracted the recovery will be in reality, the fanfare of the July 1 announcements over the past two weeks can be better understood.

Some relief will come to businesses and the people they hire in the coming months, but it will be a long, slow road to recovery.

Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO, or OrBorJor) President Rewat Areerob this week revealed that 14,500 residents on the island had registered to receive help from the PPAO through its campaign to provide assistance to those left without any income during the current economic crisis.

Not only were the registrants out of work, they did not have enough money to pay basic living expenses, Mr Rewat noted.

Until the benefits of having some tourists on the island start to reach those who need help the most, food relief efforts by the likes of One Phuket will remain crucial for thousands of people across the island.

As it was pointed out earlier this week, a donation of just B160 funds a Life Bag that feeds a family of four for five days. Let that sink in.
Insurance Regulatory Commission marks 20th anniversary View(s):

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) celebrated its 20th anniversary on March 1. The IRCSL is established in terms of provisions of the Regulation of Insurance Industry Act, No 43 of 2000 with effect from March 01, 2001, the Commission said in a media release.

Being the regulator of the insurance industry, the IRCSL regulates, supervises and facilitates the development of the insurance industry for the last 20 consecutive years with the object of safeguarding the interest of policyholders. The main object and responsibility of the IRCSL is to ensure that the insurance business in Sri Lanka is carried on with integrity and in a professional and prudent manner with a view to safeguarding the interest of policyholders and potential policyholders.

The IRCSL has constantly implemented regulatory measures for the development of the insurance industry since its establishment in the year 2001. During the past 20 years, the IRCSL has achieved many milestones.

The IRCSL will celebrate its 20th anniversary by relaunching the IRCSL website providing more user-friendly and content driven information; and launching of the IRCSL YouTube Channel, Facebook and LinkedIn Pages to disseminate messages on insurance; and by recognising its long-standing employees.
The Indian Air Force is all set to get a major boost with the arrival of 10 new Rafale fighter aircraft in the coming month. "Three Rafale fighters would be arriving in India in next two to three days directly flying from France with mid-air refuelling support by a friendly Air Force," a senior government official said.

"Following that, we would be getting around 7-8 more of these fighters and their trainer version in the second half of next month. This would greatly boost our capability to carry out our missions," added the official.

After arriving from France, some jets would be stationed in Ambala, while others would be later sent to Hasimara where the process of setting up the second squadron has already started, as per news agency ANI.

The new additions would take the number of Rafale fighter aircraft in IAF to 21 as 11 of them are already flying with the Ambala-based Golden Arrows or No. 17 Squadron.

India had ordered 36 of these fighter aircraft from France in September 2016 and by April-end 2021, more than 50 per cent of these fighters would have arrived in India.

The Rafale aircraft were inducted into the Air Force fleet in July-August 2020 and were operationalised by IAF in the shortest possible time. The aircraft had also been deployed for patrolling in eastern Ladakh during the height of the China confrontation.

The twin-engine Rafale jets are capable of carrying out a variety of missions - ground and sea attack, air defence and air superiority, reconnaissance, and nuclear strike deterrence.

The planes are also equipped with the Hammer missiles, which enhanced their capability to carry out air to ground strikes like the one in Balakot. Rafale aircraft carrying the long-range Meteor air to air missiles have given an edge to Indian planes over their Chinese and Pakistani rivals.

Also Read: India reports 62,714 new Covid-19 cases, 312 deaths; Maharashtra tops at 35,726 cases

Also Read: Adani Transmission to acquire Essel's Warora-Kurnool Transmission for Rs 3,370 crore

Also Read: Cairn Energy to file lawsuits in US, other nations to seize Indian govt assets

Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 17:06:31|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

-- As China advances rural vitalization following its eradication of absolute poverty, improved rural roads have helped farmers dispatch their goods and brought tourists and other resources, facilitating the development of industries including e-commerce, tourism and agriculture with local characteristics.

-- The country is not simply pursuing an increase in its rural road mileage, but strives to promote the integration of transportation construction, resource development and industrial development in rural areas to better serve rural vitalization.



-- The huge rural road network has strongly stimulated rural production and consumption and played a big supporting role in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.



by Xinhua writers Lyu Mengqi, Gao Jianfei and Lyu Qiuping

BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The major road in Lingtou, a small village in north China's Shanxi Province, is named "Weishang," meaning small online shops. Many locals are engaged in e-commerce, including villager Zhang Xiaoying.

Zhang, 53, sells millet, beans, eggs, honey and other agricultural products both online and offline. With logistics services available at her doorstep, she brought home more than 100,000 yuan (15,290 U.S. dollars) in 2020.

In the same year, the cement road to her village was widened, allowing large trucks to enter. "My business wouldn't be as booming as it is without the road," Zhang said.

As China advances rural vitalization following its eradication of absolute poverty, improved rural roads have helped farmers dispatch their goods and brought tourists and other resources, facilitating the development of industries including e-commerce, tourism and agriculture with local characteristics.

Aerial photo taken on June 18, 2019 shows a road in Wuxiang County of north China's Shanxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

The total length of China's rural roads will stabilize at approximately 5 million km by 2035, and the quality of roads leading to townships and villages will be further improved, Wang Zhiqing, vice minister of transport, told a press conference on Wednesday.

Currently, China's rural roads total 4.2 million km in length. The country is not simply pursuing an increase in its rural road mileage, but strives to promote the integration of transportation construction, resource development and industrial development in rural areas to better serve rural vitalization.

After a section of the "Great Wall No.1 Tour Road" was built in Shanxi in 2018, tourists swarmed into Zhenbianbu, a formerly impoverished village at the foot of the Great Wall in Yanggao County.

Former migrant worker Zhang Yuewen, 25, has returned home and opened a small workshop selling homemade grain liquor to tourists.

"Despite the epidemic, I earned more than 70,000 yuan last year, twice my income as a migrant worker," he said.

In 2020, the per capita net income of villagers more than tripled from the level in 2014 to over 7,000 yuan.

Aerial photo taken on Aug. 3, 2020 shows mountain roads leading to Chenqiao Village, Zhouning County, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

From 2016 to 2020, China's investment in its rural road network topped 310 billion yuan.

In Longxi County, northwest China's Gansu Province, a 7-km road connecting Liujiazhang Village to a nearby township was constructed in 2017, enabling villagers to sell their herbs with much lower transport costs.

Villager Li Yanjie said that before the new road was built, vehicles were reluctant to come as they were often stuck in the mud after it had rained. "Herbal plantation has become our pillar industry, partly because of the better road access."

According to the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, China will put forward a "road chief" system, in which specific personnel will be responsible for building, managing, maintaining and operating rural roads.

Aerial photo taken on Nov. 9, 2020 shows the Zhehong highway in Bulenggou Village, Dongxiang Autonomous County of northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Ma Xiping)

The huge rural road network has strongly stimulated rural production and consumption and played a big supporting role in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, said Yang Wude, vice president of Shanxi Agricultural University.

"Roads remain a priority for rural vitalization. More developed transportation will further stimulate the vitality of rural development and the market," said Yang.

(Xinhua correspondents Xu Xiong, Xie Yuan, Zhang Wenjing and Wu Shuguang contributed to the story. Video reporter: Zhao Yang; Video editor: Zhu Cong)
The Japanese government is considering ending support for the exportation of coal-fired power plants to follow the lead of the U.S. and Europe on decarbonization, Nikkei has learned.

This marks a change in strategy for Tokyo, which had positioned power plants as the pillar of its effort to boost infrastructure exports.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is set to discuss cooperation on decarbonization in his first meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden early next month. They plan to announce their initiative in the U.S.-led climate change summit to be held April 22, according to Japanese government sources.

Japan supports overseas coal power projects with loans from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation only when certain conditions are met, such as the project using cutting-edge equipment with lower greenhouse gas emissions than conventional plants and the other country has adopted a policy to shift away from carbon.

Japanese companies including Mitsubishi Corp. have signed such deals with Vietnam and Indonesia.

A new coal power plant typically stays in service for around half a century. Japan has come under fire from the international community for its exports in this field, on the view that they lock in greenhouse gas emissions over the long term. This prompted Japan to introduce the current conditions for coal power equipment exports last July.

Pressure on Japan grew with the inauguration of Biden, who has positioned climate change as a top priority. Biden's special presidential envoy for climate, former Secretary of State John Kerry, has called on Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi to end government support for overseas coal projects.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the U.K., which will host the next Group of Seven summit in June, has also pressed Japan to end such support.

The Japanese stance on coal has long been criticized by overseas investors on the grounds that it goes against efforts to combat climate change. Foreign governments, mainly those of the U.S. and European nations, have joined the chorus.

The Suga government decided that it should work toward terminating support for coal projects, given that it has made decarbonization as a pillar of its growth strategy.
Mumbai, March 28 : Bollywood actress Sanya Malhotra, who recently made a guest appearance on the show "Dance Deewane", recalled a time when she was rejected by choreographer Dharmesh Yelande.

Dharmesh, who is a judge in the dance reality show, did not select Sanya in an audition at the start of her career.

Talking about the incident, she said,"Life has come a full circle for me today. Six years back, I had come to this studio for a dance-reality show audition and I did not clear it." "And I remember, it was 1 a.m. in the night when I got free and I called my friend and said that I have not been able to get through and to come and pick me up. And you were there, Dharmesh sir. I was not able to clear it because of you. But now, I am here to promote my film," she added.

Dharmesh congratulated Sanya for all the hard work that she had put in and applauded her for still moving on and achieving her dreams. He also said she was a great example for anyone who faces rejection and continues to forge ahead.

Meanwhile, Sanya's film "Pagglait" is being streamed on Netflix.
Oglesby, Denny

Denny Oglesby age 73, of Boaz, Ky passed away at 12:34 a.m. Saturday, March 27, 2021 at the Ray & Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center. Denny was a member of Lone Oak First Baptist Church and an active member of his Sunday School Class. He was a native of Clay County, Arkansas and graduated from Knobel High School. Denny loved fishing and deer hunting. Denny retired from Bunzl Inc. where he was employed as Purchasing Manager.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Elaine Snookie Wilson Oglesby; two daughters, Kristi Oglesby and partner, Michelle McDermott of Holly Springs, NC and Lindsay Alexander and husband, Law of Montevallo, AL; one sister, Modene Davis and husband, Roy of Kevil, KY; four grandchildren, Keisha (Johnny) Matos, Brittany (Austin) Jackson, Savannah (Will) Blanton and Gage Oglesby McDermott; several nieces and nephews.

Preceding in death was his parents, R.B. Oglesby & Mary Eva Lemmons Oglesby and two sisters.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at the Lone Oak Chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Home with Revs. Jeff Wallace and Bob Martin officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at the Lone Oak Chapel of Milner & Orr from 9:00 a.m. until service time of 11:00 a.m.

Expression of sympathy may be made to the Lone Oak First Baptist Church Building Fund, 3601 Lone Oak Road, Paducah, KY 42001 or Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1727 Washington Street, Paducah, KY 42003.

We appreciate your help in maintaining state mandated Covid restrictions. This includes wearing a mask and maintaining the minimum 6 feet of distancing within our facility at all times.

During this difficult time, you may show your support by joining the "Hugs from Home" program, where your message will be attached to a balloon in the chapel to remind the family of your love and support. Please go to www.milnerandorr.com to send a hug.

You can send a message to the family and light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com.
Inter-Regional Debating Competition underway by South Asia Students For Liberty View(s):

The Sri Lanka chapter of Students For Liberty (SFL), along with South Asia Students for Liberty (SASFL), has launched their first ever inter-regional debate competition this year, with the partnership and participation of seven regions across South Asia, namely Sri Lanka, North India, South India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nepal.

The objective of this debate is to educate the future leaders on Liberty and Libertarian concepts, and to connect people around Asia by sharing their ideas. Through the debate, we try to spark conversations on the topic of liberty while encouraging young change makers to think critically about the idea of liberty.

SFL South Asia Programs Manager Ayemen Fatima commented, At SFL we believe ideas are best propagated through an enriching discourse. With the Pandemic, as most of our events shifted online, the regional debates provided us a bridge to share the ideas of Liberty across borders.

Young attendees were introduced to the topics of free markets and individual rights, and encouraged to think deeply about effective policy making. Im very proud of the efforts of our organizing team and we look forward to hosting the finals.

Students For Liberty is a rapidly growing network of pro-liberty students from all over the world. Our mission is to educate, develop, and empower the next generation of leaders of liberty and we pride ourselves as the largest pro-liberty student organization in the world. We accomplish this through a strategy of empowerment, identifying the top student leaders and training them to be agents of change in their communities.

In 2019, SFL officially initiated their Sri Lankan chapter under the South Asia Students for Liberty which currently represents 8 countries in the South Asian region. Starting with just 8 local coordinators, in 2020 SFL Sri Lankan chapter has grown into 20+ local coordinators working tirelessly in advancing liberty, freedom, democracy, human rights, rule of law, freedom of expression, individual freedom, free markets and education for liberal thinking throughout the country. We have also had the privilege of conducting several collaborative events with some of the leading local think tanks such as Advocata Institute and Hashtag Generation as well as youth organizations like Rotaract and Hype Sri Lanka covering various areas of public interests.

The first phase of the debate tournament was a series of national level debates on the ideas of freedom, equality and liberty. Regionals were held in both regions in India and Bangladesh, with the participation of many teams clamouring to make their way to the inter-regional debate. Following the national tournament, the three winners of the regions proceeded to the semi-finals.

The remaining regions conducted their qualifier round on the 13th of March, with team Sri Lanka emerging winners and going on to compete in the semi finals against the teams from North India, South India, and Bangladesh.

Speaking on the debate tournament, Regional Coordinator for Sri Lanka ThilokaYapa said, I am extremely happy that the local coordinators from South Asia came up with the idea of organizing this debate, coordinating with each other across South Asia, despite the physical barriers they had to bring out a successful event at the end of the day. I am grateful to all the hard work, commitment and dedication exhibited by these local coordinators throughout the five months of organizing the debates.

The debate was organized with local coordinators from across South Asia joining in the efforts, and has been one of the biggest projects done by the Sri Lanka Students For Liberty chapter this year.

IynulHamdiyaThahir, one of the members of the finalist team of Sri Lanka, said, This debate competition was not just a mere competition but a platform that helped me understand my true potential and meet more people who were like me not just in Sri Lanka but all throughout Asia. This gave me the opportunity to explore ideals of culture and different people despite the fact that I was only present virtually.

The finals are scheduled to be held this weekend with the participation of the South Asia region as well as the Students For Liberty regional staff.
HONG KONG (AP)  Hong Kong suspended use of the Pfizer vaccine Wednesday after its Chinese distributor informed the city that one batch had defective bottle lids.

The city's government said the suspension was immediate while the matter is investigated by distributor Fosun Pharma and BioNTech, the German company that created the vaccine with American pharmaceutical firm Pfizer.

BioNTech and Fosun Pharma have not found any reason to believe the product is unsafe, according to the statement. However, vaccinations will be halted as a preventive and safety measure.

The defective lids were found on vaccines from batch number 210102. A separate batch of vaccines, 210104, will also be not be administered.

The semi-autonomous territory of Macao also said Wednesday that its residents will not receive the Pfizer shots from the same batch.

The vaccines from the batch comprise a total of 585,000 doses, with the other batch number 210104 holding 758,000 doses, according to Hong Kongs Director of Health Constance Chan.

Although about 150,000 doses from the batch 210102 have been administered in the city so far, officials said during a press briefing Wednesday that the vaccines were safe to use despite the packaging defects, and that suspending the vaccination was a precautionary measure. Batch number 210104 remains in the warehouse and has not been used.

Chan said that there were over 40 instances when medical personnel found defective packaging, such as cracks on the vaccine bottles or leakages when the vaccine was diluted with saline before being administered.

None of these vaccines were given to residents and they were thrown away, officials said.

Fosun has promised to carry out an immediate investigation so they are going to approach the manufacturer in Germany to look into their plant, Chan said. "When the vaccines arrive in Hong Kong, they will have a review of the whole logistics chain to see if that's the cause of the current situation."

Story continues

She said that officials are urging manufacturers to give a report as soon as possible to check if the batches of vaccines in Hong Kong can be used, otherwise the manufacturers will have to deliver another batch of shots as soon as possible.

Residents who are slated to receive their second Pfizer dose starting on Saturday should get the second shot administered as soon as possible, if new vaccines arrive in Hong Kong after the recommended 19- to 42-day window following the first dose.

BioNTech said in a statement that it had launched an investigation to find the root cause of the vaccine packaging issues. It said the investigation would look into the entire supply chain of the vaccines from the time the vials were filled all the way to their handling at vaccination centers.

The safety of our vaccinees and patients is of utmost importance to BioNTech," the statement said. At this point, we have no reason to believe there is any safety risk posed to the population.

The company also said that no other region aside from Hong Kong and Macao had been supplied with doses from the affected batch.

Fosun Pharma said in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange that it received notice from BioNTech regarding the packaging defects on Tuesday night and informed Hong Kong and Macao authorities on Wednesday to temporarily suspend the vaccines.

The suspension of the Pfizer jab means the only vaccine currently offered to residents is China's Sinovac. The two vaccines are the only ones that were offered to residents in Hong Kong.

German expatriate Jannis Partsafas was among a group of people who received the Pfizer shot ahead of the suspension.

I got vaccinated this morning at 8.30 a.m. before the news went public about the vaccine suspension, and heard the news when I was on my way home, said 32-year-old Partsafas, who works in the sporting goods industry.

I'm not very concerned about the safety, but I am worried that this may mean more people will turn down the option of getting vaccinated in Hong Kong which would impact herd immunity and the lifting of social-distancing measures, he said.

Some residents who had appointments to receive the Pfizer shots stood in line outside a community center in the city's Sai Ying Pun neighborhood at about 10.30 a.m. They eventually left when it became clear the vaccines would not be administered.

As of 8 p.m. Tuesday, 403,000 people had received vaccines in the city, of which 150,200 had received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, compared with 252,800 who had taken the Sinovac jab.
Kosovo became the last European country to kick off a COVID-19 inoculation campaign when Prime Minister Albin Kurti was vaccinated live on television on March 29 after the country received a batch of 24,000 AstraZeneca vaccines through the COVAX sharing scheme.



Kurti said he wanted to set an example that would encourage people to take part in the campaign as health workers lined up after him in a sports hall in the capital Pristina to get the jab.

With the first batch, Kosovo aims to vaccinate around 11,000 doctors and nurses and people aged 80 years and older.

"With my example here I want to say and encourage all the citizens to get vaccinated and get rid of the dilemmas on the benefits of the vaccine," Kurti told reporters. "Vaccines are necessary because we are facing a difficult pandemic.

WATCH: Kosovo PM Receives COVID-19 Vaccine

Kosovo, one of Europes poorest countries, registered 88,754 cases of coronavirus infection and 1,844 deaths since the start of the pandemic. In the past 24 hours it reported four deaths and 774 new infections.

The Balkan nation of 1.8 million people will receive a total of 100,800 doses of the vaccine through the COVAX scheme.



Washington and Brussels are the main contributors to the COVAX program.



A few hundred Kosovar health workers were vaccinated last week in Albania.

Kosovo is in negotiations with Pfizer to acquire doses of its drug against COVID-19, but no agreement has been reached.

The European Union announced on March 27 that the Western Balkans will receive 650,000 dosages of the Pfizer vaccine from the European Union.

With reporting by Reuters
Following the successful completion of the design stage of the Tamale-Damongo and Yendi Water Supply systems, works on the projects are expected to start by the second quarter of this year.



This was disclosed by the Northern Regional Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the GWCL, Nii Abbey, in an interview with the Daily Graphic at a stakeholders forum in Tamale last Thursday in commemoration of this year's World Water Day.



The works are expected to be completed in four years from now, and will address the perennial water shortages in Tamale, Damongo and Yendi and their neighbouring communities.



Project estimates



The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, cut the sod for the Tamale Water Supply Project on July 28 last year. The project is estimated a cost of $223 million. That for Damongo is estimated at $49 million, while that of Yendi would cost about $30 million.



Forum



The stakeholders forum was on the theme: "Finding lasting solution to the water supply challenges in Tamale" and was organised by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in collaboration with the GWCL.



In his address, the Northern Regional Production Manager of the GWCL, Mr Nicholas Okyere, said if sand winning and agricultural activities in the White Volta basin were not minimised, and the 200 metres buffer zone from the river was not respected, water supply to Tamale and its environs would be affected even if the new water supply system for the area came on board.



He said it costs GWCL an average of GH10 million a year to treat water for consumption for Tamale and its environs because the water intake area of the river at Nawuni was heavily polluted.



The Programme Manager for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme at CRS, Mr Emmanuel Kogo, said to mitigate water security challenges, especially in Northern Ghana, the CRS was supporting the government to deliver on its mandate of improving access to safe drinking water in communities and institutions.



Sources of raw water



Due to excessive sand winning and agricultural activities, the White Volta, which is the source of potable water for Tamale and its environs, is under threat of siltation. Meanwhile, the River Dakar which provides Yendi with its water supply has dried up as a result of agricultural activities along the river bed.



Mr Kogo said the CRS was partnering the Tamale Metropolitan and Sagnarigu Municipal Assemblies and the GWCL to implement the Urban WASH and Resilience project, as part of measures to solve the perennial water shortages that hit Tamale and neighbouring communities.



Protect water bodies



The Northern Region Economic Planning Officer, Alhaji Inusah Abubakar, who represented the Northern Regional Minister, said the government was committed to addressing the challenges of water in the region as demonstrated by the sod-cutting event for the Tamale and Yendi water supply projects last year.



The Coordinating Director for the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TaMA), Mr Gilbert Nuuri-Teg, commended CRS for its WASH interventions in the Tamale metropolis and added his voice to calls for water bodies which were sources of drinking water to be protected.



A representative of the Water Resources Commission (WRC), Mr Aaron Bundi Aduna, called on metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the region to collaborate and form an integrated water management body.

He also called on government agencies, traditional authorities and community leaders to join forces to protect water bodies for water security in the region.



Ya-Na appeals



Meanwhile, the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari II, has made a passionate appeal to the Yendi Municipal Assembly and philanthropists to lend their support towards finding a solution to the acute water shortages that hit Tamale, Damongo, Yendi and their environs.

Source: Daily Graphic









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
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
In Worcester, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented children from attending in-person classes at school. It left office buildings around the city nearly empty. It even halted the construction of major projects like Polar Park, South Community High School and the public library.

More than a year after Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency, even with the seven-week construction stoppage, commercial and real estate development remains one aspect in the city that appears immune to the effects of the pandemic.

As cities like Boston have been priced incredibly expensive for development, Worcester has been seen as a place of opportunity from a return on investment perspective, said James Umphrey, a principal at Kelleher and Sadowsky Associates, during a web series sponsored by Worcester Business Journal and State House News Service titled Worcester Emerging.

Umphrey was one of five developers who joined the web series last week to discuss Worcesters position in the state coming out of the pandemic.

While COVID-19 unquestionably sacked some sectors of the economy, many remain optimistic that Worcester will recapture the momentum that drove the birth of its renaissance before the pandemic.

Worcester has a story to tell, CEO of Synergy Investments David Greaney said.

Weeks before the pandemic shut down many businesses, Greaney said he held a meeting with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito to discuss bringing commercial real estate brokers from Boston to Worcester for a day trip.

This is not the Worcester you think of or you may have perceptions about, Greaney said. It has changed a lot and theres a lot of great things going on. We look forward to getting that back on the calendar and really just highlighting downtown Worcester as a fantastic place.

In October of 2019, Synergy Investments purchased the glass tower at 446 Main St. one of the most prominent buildings in Worcesters downtown. A year later the office building was at about 50% capacity.

None of it has dampened Greaneys optimism of his decade-long plans in Worcester.

A big criteria for us is putting our dollars and investments in the path of progress, Greaney said. We really felt that Worcester, and that particular building at 446 Main St., was in the path of progress.

Worcester City Hall, Worcester Common and scenes in downtown Worcester on May 3, 2018.

Other developers echoed Greaneys sentiments in Worcester because of the citys stable foundation.

The city, Rich Mazzocchi, managing director of Boston Capital Development LLC, highlighted Worcesters strong demographic and stability in medical and educational institutions along with the emergence of biotech and life sciences sectors.

Boston Capital is set to begin the first phase of a housing development by the end of the year at the site of the Table Talk Pies bakery at Kelley Square.

Those types of things are traditionally driving factors for our investment strategy, Mazzocchi said. The thing that really adds to our attraction to Worcester is the momentum, particularly downtown with public investment and private investment.

Not far from downtown, the Reactory biomanufacturing park, located alongside UMass Medicine Science Park, allows room for the emerging industries in the city to continue growing.

Located on Belmont Street near the intersection of Shrewsbury Street, The Reactory is a 46-acre campus dedicated to biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing that is shovel-ready with permits in place.

In life sciences, on the tip of everyones tongue is speed to market, said Michael OBrien, a principal at Galaxy Development and Galaxy Life Sciences. Having the ability to have your permits in place and start construction in 30 days from signing a lease agreement is a huge advantage. We have that at the Reactory.

In August, Galaxy Life Sciences announced a $50 million project on a 6-acre plot at The Reactory biomanufacturing park located alongside UMass Medicine Science Park.

Beyond land, Worcesters other natural resources can attract business, specifically its young talent. The colleges that populate Worcester host more than 35,000 students.

The No. 1 draw to a new city for a company, the developers said, is harvesting talent.

The largest determining factor in terms of where they locate their business is their ability to attract and retain talent, Greaney said. I think thats where we got to keep our eye on the ball in terms of what Worcester is when its presented as a potential site.

The top attraction for employees in a city, Greaney said, is cleanliness, public safety and amenities such as housing, nightlife and restaurants.

Worcester has plans to address all three of those categories, specifically downtown. Public art kiosks will be installed this year on Main Street to encourage more walking and lends to a safer feeling environment.

The DCU Center, the Hanover Theatre, the Brickbox Theater, the Palladium, Mechanics Hall and Polar Park are all within walking distance of each other.

Not far from those performance venues, Shrewsbury Street and the Canal District have each emerged as a paradise for foodies.

Housing developments are in progress or close to completion in the Canal District and downtown.

It all falls into a recipe for success in Worcester.

The blueprint is there for successful cities, Greaney said. ... When there has been a concerted effort to address safety and cleanliness and make apartment renters feel like they can walk the streets, that theyre proud of the city theyre living in, thats driven quite dramatically by public safety and cleanliness.

Related Content:
Washington's special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has traveled to Turkey and the region as part of an effort to encourage the Taliban and the Afghan government to work toward a peace agreement as a deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops looms.



The U.S. State Department said on March 27 that Khalilzad "will build on recent efforts by regional and international partners to encourage the two Afghan parties to accelerate their negotiations to end the conflict."



The statement said Khalilzad left for Turkey on March 25.



The trip comes as President Joe Biden faces a decision on the deployment of troops in Afghanistan, where the United States has had a sustained military presence for 19 years.



Biden is deciding whether to meet a May 1 deadline for the withdrawal of the last 2,500 American troops that comprise about one-quarter of a NATO force that is in Afghanistan to train and advise local security forces. NATO allies have said they are willing to stay if Washington decides to remain.



Biden has said it will be difficult to meet the May 1 deadline, which was set in a February 2020 accord struck between the United States and the Taliban.



The United States has sought to build international pressure on the Taliban and U.S.-backed Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's government to reach a peace agreement and a cease-fire before the deadline.

Taliban Threat



The Taliban on March 26 threatened to resume hostilities against foreign troops in Afghanistan if they do not withdraw by May 1.



The Taliban has said failure to meet the deadline would be seen as a violation of the 2020 agreement.



Taliban assaults on foreign troops in Afghanistan have largely ceased since the deal was signed in Doha, Qatar. But attacks have continued against Afghan security forces and government personnel.



Under the accord, all foreign forces are to leave Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees from the militant group such as severing ties with Al-Qaeda and refusing to harbor any foreign terrorists.



The Taliban also pledged to negotiate a cease-fire and a power-sharing deal with Kabul. But the intra-Afghan peace talks, launched in Qatar in September 2020, have bogged down.

With reporting by Reuters and dpa
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
and have inked a long-term cooperation agreement in Tehran, the state television reported.

The comprehensive agreement signed on Saturday by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, aims to expand bilateral cooperation in various fields in the next 25 years, DPA news agency reported.

The agreement paves the way for billions in Chinese investment in Tehran, and in return, wants to supply oil to Beijing at favourable prices. Military cooperation is also part of the plans.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described cooperation with as strategic and said that the new agreement will deepen this partnership even further. "We want to be a major trading partner," he said during his meeting with Wang Yi on Saturday.

is facing a crippling economic crisis due to sanctions imposed by the US in 2018, which have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. With US President Joe Biden seemingly unwilling to lift sanctions in the short term, the government in Tehran has been aligning itself more closely with Russia and China.

--IANS

int/pgh

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.

An Offaly is to withdraw cash desk services from its branch in Tullamore.

Permanent TSB customers were informed last week that from April 19 next the branch in Connor Square in Tullamore will become a fully automated digital experience branch and there will no longer be a physical cash desk.

The decision is part of a nation-wide plan by the bank which will affect 44 of its 76 branches around the country.

The moves comes as another blow to the banking sector in Tullamore with the decision by Ulster Bank to close its branch in the town after announcing it is to withdraw from the market in the Republic.

It also follows on from Bank of Ireland's announcement to close its branches in Clara, Edenderry and Banagher.

Permanent TSB's decision has been greeted with dismay by customers locally and by the business community in the town.

One long-standing customer, who contacted the Tribune last week, expressed anger at the language used by the bank in the letter sent to him and others announcing the move.

He said the public relations speak used in the letter tried to camoflouge what was effectively a downgrading of the Tullamore branch.

The letter stated that at Permanent TSB, we understand that our customers needs are always evolving and this has never been more evident than over the last year.

Its important that we evolve with you and we are continually looking for better ways to meet your changing needs, to ensure your experience with us is convenient, easy and always secure.

People and community will continue to be at the heart of what we do, and while we are transforming our Branch Network to meet your needs, we are delighted to advise that all 76 of our branches nationwide will remain open.

Weve listened to our customers and over the last number of years we have seen more and more customers move towards use of our digital channels and a significant reduction in over the counter cash transactions in our branches.

In response to this shift in our customers behaviour, we are converting some of our branches to become a fully automated cash and digital experience, as well as continuing to invest in our digital capabilities.

We will continue to invest in training and development for our branch colleagues and our team will remain on hand to support and guide you, should you need assistance.

This evolution of our branches will also allow our experienced team to spend more time supporting you, our customer, through your big financial decisions.

We are confident these changes will meet our customers evolving needs and we look forward to welcoming you to your updated branch service.
Burma Three Karen Villagers Killed in Myanmar Military Airstrike

A house burned during military airstrikes in Deh Bu Noh, Papun District, Karen State, on March 27. / Thoolei News To Insert

Three ethnic Karen villagers died and at least seven were injured as Myanmars military launched airstrikes against the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the military wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), with two fighter jets on Saturday night in Papun District, Karen State.

The airstrikes were between 7pm and 2am near Htee Swal Nee in Deh Bu Noh village tract, according to KNUs information department on Sunday.

A house was destroyed and a resident inside was burned to death.

Three people died and seven others have been injured from last nights attack on the villages in Deh Bu Noh. One of them, who was believed to be hit, was burned after the bomb fell into their home, according to a Karen relief worker, who asked not to be named.

More than 1,000 villagers, who live near military outposts, have fled their homes, he said, adding that some families had crossed the Thai border.

He said: The villagers, mostly women, children and elders, from villages along the Salween River have left their homes as they are afraid of further military attacks.

The offensive is believed to be in retaliation to the KNLAs seizure of a hilltop outpost previously held by the regimes Light Infantry Division 349 in Thi Mu Hta on March 27. The KNLA killed 10 soldiers, including an officer, and detained eight soldiers as prisoners of war.

Clashes were also reported in Kawkareik, Karen State and Nyaung Laypin and Taungoo in Bago Region near KNU territory on Saturday.

On March 27, KNU Brigade 5 said in a statement that it will intensify its defensive action against the regime while protecting its territory.

The group said it does not recognize the regime and supports the elected lawmakers Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Union Parliament).

KNU, Myanmars oldest ethnic armed organization, last Monday urged the military to stop killing civilians and free all those detained since the Feb. 1 coup.

Among those detained are President U Win Myint and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Regime forces crackdowns on protesters have left more than 400 dead, including children and bystanders, since February.

You may also like these stories:

Wounded Mandalay Volunteer Burned Alive by Myanmar Regime

Myanmars Striking Civil Servants Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

US and UK Sanction Myanmar Military-Owned Conglomerates
ECU Nursing student Alex Yllanes gives COVID-19 vaccines during a clinic event at the Greenville Convention Center on March 22, 2021. | Photos: Cliff Hollis | Video: Rich Klindworth

ECU Nursing student Eric Japczyk Schuler gives a COVID-19 vaccination at a clinic event in the Greenville Convention Center.

Nursing Faculty Serving Our State

ECU Nursing student Brooke Rebarker, left, and Vidant nurse practitioner Laura Carmon work at Vidants large-scale COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Greenville Convention Center on Monday, March 22. Lauras sign indicates to other clinic workers that they need more vaccines brought to their station.

This post appears here courtesy of ECU News Services . The author of this post is Natalie Sayewich Alex Yllanes and Eric Japczyk Schuler began their nursing education just a few months ago, but they're already playing a crucial role in helping to slow the global pandemic that recently marked its first anniversary.They were among a group of 20 accelerated second-degree BSN students from ECU's College of Nursing helping to give the life-saving  and what are hoped to be pandemic-ending  vaccines at Vidant Health's large-scale COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Greenville Convention Center on Monday, March 22.As of March 18, Monday's group at the convention center was one of 44 nursing student clinical groups that have participated in five vaccine clinics in Pitt, Wilson and Wayne counties since the spring semester began. More than 230 students from both undergraduate and graduate programs have recorded 1,128 contact hours in vaccine clinics in that time. Another 30 groups with a total of 15 faculty and 175 students are scheduled to assist with clinics between March 21 and April 30.Combined with faculty volunteer efforts, the College of Nursing has provided more than 1,800 hours of COVID-19 related support across the state since the pandemic began.said Japczyk Schuler, who gave his first intramuscular injections as part of the clinic.With oversight from ECU Nursing faculty and Vidant nurses, the students spent the day guiding patients through the registration process, answering their questions, helping with logistics, administering vaccines and monitoring those who were newly vaccinated as they relaxed to the soothing sounds of ECU's Four Season's chamber musicians (part of the Dose of Hope Concert Series at Vidant's large-scale clinic) for 15 to 30 minutes after their shot.Graduate nursing students  who are already licensed RNs  have also served in these roles with the added responsibility of drawing up the vaccines into syringes from vials. Students are able to use their vaccine clinic hours toward fulfilling up to 10% of their program's clinical requirements as they serve area communities and keep people healthy.said ECU College of Nursing Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Annette Peery, adding that students have not been put in positions where they would come in contact with COVID-positive patients.For agencies like Vidant that have organized to provide thousands of vaccines a day, the student assistance is a valued resource.said Vidant Education Specialist Andrea Kelly.Students, meanwhile, have benefitted from working closely with clinic nurses and gaining first-hand experience with being part of interprofessional health care teams.Kelly said.Being part of the historic effort to end the pandemic that has now claimed more than two million lives worldwide is especially rewarding.Yllanes said.The faculty's volunteer efforts have had an even broader footprint across North Carolina since the pandemic began more than a year ago. They have logged 689 volunteer hours across 28 agencies in 14 counties, and assisted statewide entities such as NCDHHS as of March 18. Their work has included assisting at COVID-19 vaccine clinics, testing sites, helping with disaster planning, providing community education about the virus and aiding food distribution to those with limited access.Dr. Laura Gantt, professor and associate dean for nursing support services, has so far volunteered 53 hours giving vaccines, most of those in Tarboro with the Edgecombe County Health Department. As a rural area, they have access to fewer resources to manage a large-scale vaccine program, Gantt said.Gantt said.Gantt added that volunteering to provide vaccines was a "refreshing change of pace" from her day-to-day responsibilities with the college.she said.Additional COVID-19 community service leave provided by the university for volunteer efforts like these was one of the factors that made the decision to volunteer an easy one, according to faculty members.said Dr. Robin Webb Corbett, who has logged 41 COVID-19 volunteer hours with the Pitt County and Edgecombe County health departments so far in 2021.Two part-time faculty of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program are also spearheading COVID-19 vaccine clinics as part of their full-time public health positions in Surry and Cumberland counties.Dean Sylvia Brown was also among the College of Nursing faculty members who have volunteered their time and expertise as part of this effort, working with nursing students providing vaccines at the Brody School of Medicine clinic. She said the experience offered the opportunity to demonstrate the importance of the vaccination as a role model for students, as well as faculty and staff from the health sciences campus who were being vaccinated.Although the pandemic has caused immeasurable loss and significantly increased the workload and burden on health care professionals, Brown noted that it has also provided incredible teaching opportunities and new opportunities to meet the university's mission to serve.Brown said.
Eric Trump, seen in a file photograph, said that the Trump Organization would be taking legal action after MSNBC ran an unverified report it retracted only after a lawyer for President Donald Trump sent a letter to parent company NBC Universal. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

Eric Trump: Illegal Immigration Wasnt a Problem, Was Fixed Under Fathers Administration

Former President Donald Trumps son Eric Trump said that illegal immigration wasnt a problem under his fathers administration because he dealt with the issue directly.

My father had fixed this problem. Illegal immigration was not a problem anymore, Eric Trump told Fox News on Sunday. Thats the most humane form of immigration where you dont have people making this dangerous trek, and it literally shows you what bad policy can do to the country that in 90 days, in less than 90 days, a system that was working and was perfect and that was fixed turned to absolute junk.

It came after President Joe Biden and other top White House officials have repeatedly blamed the previous administrations policies for creating the crisis along the border, while arguing that officials are now trying to create a more humanitarian approach. Biden also stated that the surge in illegal immigrantslargely from Central Americacrossing the border isnt because he is a nice guy.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) earlier this month said he would continue to push immigration laws through Congress.

Republicans, including the former president, said it was Bidens actionsparticularly a series of executive orders by Biden in his first days that reversed several Trump-era immigration policiesthat has caused the surge.

Publicly available Border Patrol data shows that agents encountered at least 100,000 individuals who tried to illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border in February, including about 10,000 children who are without their parents. About 60 percent of families encountered at the border were not sent back to Mexico, data shows.

Trump himself, meanwhile, has weighed in on the issue recently, including telling Fox News Saturday that he would consider going to the border himself.

Id love not to be involved. Somebody else is supposed to be doing it, the former commander-in-chief remarked.

And on Sunday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki declined to provide a specific date for when the media will get access to Border Patrol facilities temporarily holding thousands but said the Biden administration was committed to transparency and were working to get that done as soon as we can.

White House communications director Kate Bedingfield told The Associated Press that the surge was routine and cyclical.

Theyre not the result of one administrations policies or another administrations policies. Theyre the result of, for example, weather disasters in the region. Theyre the result of people fleeing poverty and violence, Bedingfield said. So we saw spikes in 2014. We saw them in 2019 when the Trump administration had perhaps the cruelest imaginable policies in place, family separation to try to deter people from coming, and they still came.

The Department of Homeland Security has been contacted for comment.

AP contributed to this report.
Hagerstown Housing Authority closes in on end of McCleary Hill project

After objections from neighbors, the Hagerstown Housing Authority's McCleary Hill project is done its first phase. Officials held an open house.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- A woman was found dead this afternoon in the university neighborhood, though her death is not considered suspicious, according to Syracuse police.

Officers responded to 705 Euclid Ave. just before 1:15 p.m. for a reported death, Syracuse police spokesman Sgt. Matthew Malinowski said Saturday.

Police have not yet said how the woman died or elaborated on why the death is not suspicious.

Officers are investigating the death and ask that anyone with information call the Syracuse Police Department at (315) 442-5222.

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.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Thousands of tradies have been warned they could be sued for $642 million if they win a class action lawsuit against a Telstra contractor.

Shine Lawyers is building a massive claim against ISG Management, also known as Tandem, claiming the workers should have been treated as employees.

Instead, they were employed as individual contractors and had to pay for their tools and transport to and from sites where they did Telstra maintenance.

The lawsuit, led by former contractor Robert Mutch, demands back payment of sick leave, annual leave, and superannuation in accordance with the relevant award.

However, ISGM warned it would be forced to counter-sue all the tradies if the claim was successful because it paid them far more than the award.

Tradies have until May 7 to opt out, according to a letter they will be sent, or they will automatically become part of the lawsuit and could be counter-sued.

Thousands of tradies have been warned they could be sued for $642 million if they win a class action lawsuit against a Telstra contractor

Documents filed with the Federal Court in Melbourne by ISGM argue it paid more than $1.55 billion to 3,450 workers in 2011 to 2020.

The company's modelling suggested the subcontractors were paid an average of $61 an hour compared to a casual award rate of just $35 an hour.

On average they earned $113,718 a year in the 2018 financial year, compared to $59,000 plus superannuation for a casual working full -time hours.

'This would mean that ISGM would effectively claim back up to $1.55 billion paid to thousands of Australian small businesses over the last nine years and would then pay the award-based employee entitlements to individual employees,' it said.

'This could be catastrophic for small business operators.'

ISGM said it could not afford to effectively pay workers twice for the same work, and would have no choice but to sue for the difference.

'A preliminary analysis reveals that ISGM paid the corporate entities in excess of $600 million more than it would have paid had group members been engaged as employees under the relevant award,' it said.

'Group members ought to be squarely told about the effect of the cross-claims, being that monies may be required to be repaid.'

Workers were employed as individual contractors and had to pay for their tools and transport to and from sites where they did Telstra maintenance

Shine Lawyers is funding the claim through third-party financier Litigation Lending Services which ISGM said would take 25 to 30 per cent of any court payout.

After the lawyers also take their fees, contractors will be left with far less and stand to be even more out of pocket if counter-sued.

Tradies will also not have their legal fees paid for in trying to chase their cash, or defend counter-claims by ISGM, which Shine failed to mention on its website.

Shine Lawyers disputed ISGM's modelling and that there were any 'over the award' payments to sub-contractors.

'Whether the company is entitled to claw back any monies paid... is an issue to be determined at the trial in October,' class actions leader Vicky Antzoulatos said.

'We are not in a position to say what the total claim is worth as each technician's claim has to be individually assessed.'

ISGM's submission also hit out at statements made by Shine in a draft opt-out letter and statements to news outlets over the course of the case.

It objected to Shine telling tradies they 'need not worry' about counter-claims until they came to pass as being misleading.

The company also objected to Shine saying sub-contractors could receive 'compensation for anxiety, stress, depression, and distress' when personal injury was not part of the statement of claim.

Documents filed with the Federal Court in Melbourne (pictured) by ISGM argue it paid more than $1.55 billion to 3,450 workers in 2011 to 2020

Shine claimed the workers were employed under a 'sham contracting' arrangement, where they were effectively employees but forced to work as independent contractors.

The claim alleged they lost all their leave and superannuation entitlements but still had no control over their work hours like real contractors.

Ms Antzoulatos earlier claimed many ISGM workers were 'overwhelmed' by work conditions, debts and low pay, and suffered mental health issues and marital breakdowns with some even attempting suicide.

ISGM denied any 'sham contracting' took place and all the workers were legitimate sub-contractors.

In a similar case in October last year, Justice Michael Lee blasted Adero Law in the Federal Court, saying workers would get 'diddly squat' once the lawyers and litigation funders took their cut.

(Natural News) Spain reportedly has the highest rate of child Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths in any developed country in the world. But this claim may be based on false data.

A study, published in The Lancet on March 10, claimed that Spain had the highest rate of deaths per 100?000 children. The study reported that 54 coronavirus-related deaths in Spain were of minors, of which 28 were children 10 years old and below, with the rest being kids and teenagers between 10 and 19 years old.

The Lancets claim has been heavily disputed by Spanish medical associations, notably the Spanish Society of Pediatric Intensive Care and the Spanish Society of Pediatric Infectology. These two societies were involved in the cases of many of these patients. Pediatricians all over Spain clarified that only seven children aged 19 and under have died due to the coronavirus in the country, not 54.

We are conducting a registry of pediatric patients treated in Spain with SARS-CoV-2 infection and its complications, wrote the two societies in a joint statement. To date, these registries have included up to seven deceased patients. Therefore, the figure included in the article seems to be wrong. (Related: If you refuse coronavirus vaccine plans in Spain, youll be targeted and put on a government list.)

Mix up may have been due to mistakes made during the incorporation of the data

When questioned by Spanish media outlet NIUS Diario regarding the allegedly false data, Spains Ministry of Health (MISAN) acknowledged that some of the countrys regions may have made mistakes when incorporating the data of minors. But the ministry assured NIUS that the data was already being reviewed for correction.

The regions of Madrid and Catalonia have accounted for 49 of the 54 deceased minors in MISANs list. Fourteen of the alleged deaths came from Madrid, while 35 were from Catalonia.

Multiple pediatricians involved in the incident have come out to blame the oversized reported deaths of children on the fact that many regional governments were unable to provide regular updates to MISAN.

Another hypothesis for the massive error is that people over the age of 100 may have been falsely listed as infants. Instead of MISANs system listing people as 101, 102 or 103 years old, it would instead list them as one, two or three years old.

The main proponent of this theory is Dr. Pere Soler, a pediatrician in the Infectious Pathologies and Pediatric Immunodeficiencies unit of the Vall dHebron University Hospital in Barcelona.

Soler has acknowledged that this explanation may seem strange, but it should be noted that MISAN has neither denied nor acknowledged the possibility that this is how the errors came about.

Several doctors explained to NIUS Diario that, under normal circumstances, the date of birth of the deceased would be included in the death report. But since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, what is instead sent to MISAN and to regional ministries of health are just the ages of the deceased, including centenarians.

Spanish health authorities insist that according to data gathered up to Sept. 2020, the country only recorded around 213 coronavirus cases involving children. The officials that were interviewed by NIUS Diario did not mention how many of those 213 cases ended up dying.

Cases in children on the rise, but still no cause for alarm

Regardless of how many children in Spain have actually died due to COVID-19, medical associations have been sounding the alarm because the percentage of children affected by the virus has been increasing.

The Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery announced in a conference in Dec. 2020 that Spanish children and teenagers represented just one percent of coronavirus cases during the first wave. But during the second wave, that number rose to 12 percent.

The Society stated that this increase was not alarming, but that it was only due to more widespread testing and contact tracing. Similarly, Soler said that it is necessary to send a message to not alarm the Spanish population.

Even if there were 29 deaths under 14 years of age, for example, the impact on children is still very low, said Soler.

Learn more about how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting other countries, and how governments may be misrepresenting the number of people being affected by the virus by reading the latest articles at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

TheLancet.com

NIUSDiario.es
: reported 2,194 new



infections and nine fatalities on Sunday, pushing the caseload to 8,79,473 and the death toll to 12,670, said the Health Department.

The number of cases crossed the 2,000-mark on March 27; 1,000-mark on March 19 after over 80 days when it touched 1,087, a bulletin said.

According to it, recoveries mounted to 8,53,733 today with 1,270 patients being discharged, leaving 13,070 active cases.

Chennai accounted for most of the new infections with 833 cases, taking the aggregate to 2,46,339.

The metropolis also leads in the number of fatalities with 4,230.

A total of 85,350 samples were tested today, pushing the cumulative number of specimen examined so far to 1,93,47,797.

Chengalpet reported 188 cases, Coimbatore 180, Thiruvallur 117 and Thanjavur 108.

As many as 25 districts reported fresh infections in double digits, the bulletin 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.)
An Australian mum has been left feeling 'shaken' after a cashier at Aldi told her off for packing her groceries too slowly.

The shopper described the incident on the Aldi Mums Facebook group and asked whether others had ever experienced a similar situation.

'I just had a really unpleasant experience in my local store reprimanded by the cashier for not packing my trolley the appropriate way and quick enough for her,' she wrote.

'I was putting items in my trolley as fast as I could I also had some bags sitting in the trolley that I put some items directly into.

'Not a big line either but I did a fair-sized shop spent nearly $150. Was quite shaken, actually anyone experienced similar?'

An Australian mum has been left feeling 'shaken' after a cashier at Aldi told her off for packing her groceries incorrectly (stock image)

'I was putting items in my trolley as fast as I could I also had some bags sitting in the trolley that I put some items directly into,' the woman said on Facebook (stock image)

Poll Who was in the wrong? Aldi cashier Customer Who was in the wrong? Aldi cashier 1907 votes

Customer 1158 votes Now share your opinion





The social media post sparked an influx of comments from other shoppers, with many describing their own experiences at the supermarket chain store.

'Yes, a few times. I thought about it after each time. Then the next time I said, "excuse me?: And she said it again so I left everything where it was and walked out,' one woman wrote.

'Nobody, I mean nobody is ever going to make me throw my groceries I have purchased with my hard-earned money. They will wait until I am done and ready,' another said.

'I recently went through the checkouts a few weeks after shoulder surgery  the guy scanned so fast that four items ended up on the floor and at that stage I couldn't bend forward due to extreme pain...he saw what he had done and didn't apologise but kept scanning,' a third added.

Aldi declined to comment after being contacted by Daily Mail Australia.

Several customers described similar experiences online, but others highlighted how Aldi's checkout policy encourages shoppers to pack their items into bags at the packing benches provided (stock image)

But others highlighted how Aldi's checkout policy encourages shoppers to pack their items into bags at the packing benches provided behind the counters of the store.

'You're not actually allowed to place anything in bags at the check-out. Your meant to put it into the trolley and the bag it on the bench,' one woman wrote.

Another said: 'The staff get performance managed if they don't scan above a certain rate and have a certain transaction time to meet or they get reprimanded themselves.'

'If you can't do what most understand is Aldi's wa, pack at packing bench then FFS go shop at Coles or Woolies and stop slowing down for rest of us,' another said and gave her opinion.

In accordance with Aldi's 'Good Different' policy outlined on the website, the business operates a dissimilar way to competitors in order to keep prices low.

'Our business model is to be efficient and to provide you with top quality products at the lowest possible prices. In order to achieve our business objectives and serve you efficiently, we operate differently to other supermarkets,' the policy states.

San Francisco police on Sunday responded to an incident in which a suspect with a knife allegedly tried to steal items from a business near Cesar Chavez and Mission streets.

Police received a call at about 11 a.m. Sunday about an adult male suspect who attempted to steal items from a store and threatened to use a knife, said officer Robert Rueca, a spokesman for the San Francisco Police Department.
A man accused of hosting a party with 25 friends while awaiting Covid test results did no such thing, Annastacia Palaszczuk has admitted.

Queensland recorded one new locally transmitted case as it tries to prevent a widespread outbreak and yet another lockdown in Brisbane.

The Sunshine State was put on high alert on Friday after a 26-year-old Stafford man, from Brisbane's north, tested positive to the highly-infectious UK variant of the virus.

Authorities then claimed a close contact of the known case ignored orders to self-isolate and instead threw a party with 25 friends after he was tested for Covid on Friday afternoon, and before he got his positive result.

But they've now admitted that further investigations indicated there were only five people at the home.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured) has admitted there was a mistake made

Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said it was 'inflammatory' to refer to the gathering on Friday night as a party.

Instead, he said there were just five people present in the house and that there was 'no evidence' anybody in attendance committed an offence.

The 25 people first identified as being at the party were initially forced to self isolate, but there are now just five people who are undergoing mandatory quarantine.

It is understood most of the people at the gathering and now in isolation were the man's housemates.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the information they provided the public was 'given by the man himself' while assisting contact tracers.

The Sunshine State was put on high alert on Friday after a 26-year-old Stafford man, from Brisbane's north, tested positive to the highly infectious UK varient of the virus. Pictured: Two people wear face masks

The public are urged to continue coming forward to seek testing. Pictured: People lining up at a testing clinic in Brisbane on January 8, 2021

But she admitted there is a possibility that authorities misunderstood the information he provided.

She said the update that the information they first disseminated was wrong only came through on Sunday morning.

'I understand that as time has gone on, and overnight, there has been further investigation, an independent investigation from what the gentleman had said, whether it was a misunderstanding at the time or what it was, I can't tell you, ' Ms D'ath said.

'But that's what the health officials who originally spoke to this gentleman, when they first picked him up, that is what they understood had been said and that had to be acted on quickly.'

Ms D'Ath asked people to refrain from threatening and abusing people online as mistakes can occasionally happen, but said the outcome was 'extremely fortunate'.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk closed aged care centres, hospitals and prisons to visitors in Brisbane in the wake of the outbreak (pictured, testing in February)

'That the numbers are far lower and it is contained to predominantly housemates, that is a good outcome, much better outcome than what we thought was occurring yesterday,' she said.

'It is disappointing that we have ended up in this situation, but we also have to act on the information that we have at the time.'

Dr Young said the scare is a reminder that Queensland is not out of the woods yet and that Covid still poses a major risk.

She said she would not make any promises regarding potential future lockdowns as she urged people to come forward and get tested.

'I cannot rule out anything but I'm very hopeful if we do our bit, which is to come forward and get tested when you are sick, as our first case did. He came forward while I'm sure he was thinking this can't possibly be COVID and tested positive. So we just need people to not make any assumptions,' she said.

Dr Young said the scare is a reminder that Queensland is not out of the woods yet and that Covid still poses a major risk as she urged people to seek testing. Pictured: A drive through testing clinic in Brisbane back in January

The state recorded three new cases of Covid on Sunday, including one within the community.

The new case is the brother of the 26-year-old man who sparked the fears of an outbreak when he tested positive on Thursday.

Dr Young explained on Sunday the brother is likely the 'missing link' contact tracers have been searching for.

Early indications suggest the virus was in his system longer than his brother and that he has entirely recovered, suggesting he was infected first and passed the virus on.

Authorities are investigating whether he came into contact or had any connection with a doctor from the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane on March 13.

Genomic sequencing confirmed that his brother had the same strain as the doctor, and Queensland Health say the cases are likely linked, but authorities are still scrambling to work out how.

Some other states have quickly imposed restrictions on travel from Queensland (pictured: people arriving in Brisbane from Sydney in December)

Ms Palasczczuk did not make any reference to future lockdowns or further restrictions as a result of this cluster during Sunday's press conference.

On Saturday, Queensland Health announced personal visits to hospitals, aged care facilities, prisons and disability accommodation within Brisbane City and Morteton Bay would be temporarily suspended.

This will be reviewed on Monday.

Several new locations have been added to the long list of venues on alert after Covid-positive cases attended while potentially infectious, dating back more than a week.

Black Hops Brewery in East Brisbane and Eatons Hill Hotel were both exposed to the virus on Saturday, March 20.

Authorities are investigating whether the latest confirmed case came into contact or had any connection with a doctor from the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane on March 13
The Northampton Policing Review Commission released its final report this week, a 58-page document with the potential to change the face of emergency responders in the Pioneer Valley city.

Within the document are a series of recommendations for how to shift certain 911 calls away from police officers, informed by data and past interactions detailed by Western Massachusetts residents.

One personal anecdote from a former Northampton resident and featured in the report wasnt pretty.

I lived in Northampton with my then-partner. I came home from my work, and my partner was intoxicated. They fell down a flight of stairs in our apartment, and we thought that they broke their foot. So, I called 911, because I didnt have a car at the time, and I requested an ambulance, she said. Unbeknownst to me at the time when an ambulance arrives, a police officer also does.

The resident, who identified herself only by the first name Liz, went on to describe how the police officer, a narcotics detective, arrived way before the ambulance. From there, the situation only escalated.

He got agitated, and one thing led to another, and eventually, pepper spray was deployed, and my partner was taken away in handcuffs and did not receive the medical treatment that I requested, she said. To this day, I think about that incident and how differently it could have gone if a police officer was not there.

The policing review commission calls for the creation of a groundbreaking new Department of Community Care in Northampton to shift certain emergency responsibilities away from the police and to unarmed, peer responders trained in de-escalation and harm reduction.

How a department would be funded would be an obstacle if it is formed. However, the policing review commissioners believe funds from a 10% cut to the Northampton Police Departments budget over the summer and potential grant money could help fund the community care agency.

In the years to come, the commission believes improvements will be made to the communitys current law enforcement structure through more non-aggressive approaches aimed at deescalating emergency situations, like the creation of the community care department.

At present, our police departments remain at the center of crisis intervention for people experiencing emotional distress. An armed response may not make all feel safe and may at times increase the agitation of those in distress, the commission wrote in its report. Northampton needs to develop non-coercive responses to residents experiencing extreme emotional states or who are thinking of and planning to harm themselves or others and to re-envision the role of policing within crisis response.

How the commission was formed

Set up over the summer in the wake of the death of George Floyd and tasked with looking at alternative public safety models for Northampton, the 15-member commission came out with its final report last week.

The publication of the document followed 60 regular meetings, three hearings and more than 50 hours of public comment from members of the community. Charged with creating a finalized report between September and the end of March, the commissioners looked at years of reports about peer-response programs, sifted through a plethora of data from the Northampton Police Department and listened to residents experiences with law enforcement.

The goal: to identify what works and also learn where gaps and concerns are present.

We came back understanding that while the Northampton Police Department has adopted policies, engaged in training, and tried to serve the public equally, there are still issues which represent challenges to providing safety to everyone, the commissioners wrote in their report.

While studying the services and policies related to policing and law enforcement in Northampton, the commissioners took as a primary lens the seemingly simple idea that the right people should respond to calls to optimize results, according to the report.

Police reform and new forms of delivering safety services are not new, nor is research recommending a variety of changes and models of structures to be replicated, the commission said. Underneath much of the motivation of policing reforms is the understanding that while other social services and infrastructure have been underfunded, police departments have become the default solution for many societal ills.

Compounding the police departments obligation to respond is the fact that they are in many cases one of the few 24/7 services available in a community, the commissioners pointed out.

Read the report:

Calls for change

Propelled by the police killings of unarmed Black citizens nationally and their connection to 400 years of racial injustice, hundreds of Northampton residents took to the streets of the Hampshire County city in dual demonstrations over the summer, calling on their elected leaders to rethink the communitys approach to policing.

Along with the Northampton City Councils vote to cut 10% of the police departments budget, Mayor David Narkewicz and Council President Gina-Louise Sciarras creation of the policing review commission was also viewed as elected leaders response to the widespread calls for law enforcement reform and racial justice.

The citizen-led commission was tasked with studying an array of complex issues surrounding law enforcement, from union contract negotiations to how best to respond to mental health emergencies, holding regular meetings and hosting at least three public hearings.

The members of the commission are: City Councilors Alex Jarrett and Michael Quinlan; Dr. Booker Bush of Baystate Medical Center in Springfield; Dr. Carol Owen, a licensed and independent clinical social worker; Dr. Cynthia Suopis, a University of Massachusetts Amherst senior lecturer; Daniel Cannity, a coordinator for faculty support and instructional design at UMass Amherst; defense attorney David Hoose; Elizabeth Barajas-Roman, president of the Womens Funding Network; Javier Luengo-Garrido, who works at the ACLU of Massachusetts and manages the Western Massachusetts IPP Call Center; Josey Rosales, a teacher in Pittsfield; Nick Fleisher, a clinical social worker; and Dr. Nnamdi Pole of Smith College.

Lois Aherns, Kris Banks, Larissa Rivera-Gonzalez, Carmen Lopez and Dana Olivo also served as commissioners but left the group before the release of the final report.

By the end of March, roughly two months before the required submission of Northamptons fiscal year 2022 operational budget, the group was expected to present its final report to the mayor and city council, recommending reforms to the current organizational and oversight structures, municipal funding allocations and policies ... [to] transform how the city delivers policing services while ensuring community safety equitably and justly for all, the mayors office said.

The commissioners are scheduled to present their final report to the mayor and council starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

Many of the recommendations in the report, titled Reimagining Safety, revolve around developing unarmed, peer-response services embedded in the citys infrastructure.

Implementing a clinician- or peer-led program of unarmed staff members trained and equipped to respond to mental health emergencies and other crises was a frequent recommendation brought up during the commissions public meetings and hearings.

During the commissions Dec. 1 hearing, nine people advocated for peer-led alternative response teams for mental health crisis dispatches. Rebecca Martin, who identified as a disabled mother of two children, a community organizer and a survivor of domestic violence, was one of them.

She argued the blue uniform of an officer holds a history of abuse and power, elevating police out of their neighborhood, accountability and the very laws they are paid to uphold.

I am not anti-officer. Im anti-tyranny, Martin said. The very sight of that blue uniform alienates the humans wearing them.

In cases of personal crisis, Martin advocated for peer-to-peer interventions that communicates in a way where everyones dignity is maintained.

All things should not rest on officers shoulders. There needs to be other avenues, and peer-to-peer really does work, she said.

Northampton Police Chief Jody Kasper said in an interview with MassLive in January that she and her department have been paying close attention to the ongoing conversations centered on law enforcement reform and racial justice happening across the country.

Hearing how the agency can better respond to mental health emergencies has been one of the greatest developments from those dialogues, Kasper said. The idea of a co-responder model, where both an officer and a clinician respond to a mental health call, is a fantastic idea, she added, as the department is overloaded with between 150 and 200 calls per month related to mental health emergencies.

Springfield has a co-responder-style program set up already, where the citys police department partners with the nonprofit Behavioral Health Network to aid those in crisis and ease the strain on emergency services.

Kasper told MassLive on Wednesday she has read the policing review commissions final report and was pleased to see support for mental health and addiction co-responders, the development of a strategic plan for the police department and the creation of a community resilience hub for people experiencing homelessness, a concept the mayors office is in the midst of trying to bring to fruition.

Other recommendations in the report require further examination, Kasper believes. The document makes it clear police work is a critical component of city services, she noted.

It is my privilege to serve alongside the dedicated and compassionate people who make up the Northampton Police Department, Kaspers statement said. They are well-trained, highly-educated and solution-oriented officers. They are an incredible asset to the city. We look forward to continuing to serve the community by providing the highest level of police services.

The Northampton Police Department. (Jackson Cote/MassLive)

An entirely new city agency

Setting up a new city agency is only one piece of the puzzle in improving the public safety model in Northampton, according to the commission.

Among the commissions immediate recommendations for Northampton are improving options for crisis response, promoting the safety of houseless residents, reducing the risk of substance use, improving existing law enforcement complaint processes, creating a strategic plan for the police department, establishing data-driven staffing levels for public safety, setting safe work hour caps and engaging the police unions.

The formation of the groundbreaking community care department is the most significant recommendation in the report. The agency would be staffed by unarmed responders trained to be sent to a variety of emergencies to deescalate situations. Depending on the emergency, they would respond to the crisis either on their own or with another city employee.

The idea of the community care department isnt without precedence. Similarly styled programs already exist in both the private and public sectors. While forming their final report, the commissioners heard from multiple speakers who talked about such alternative response models.

Among them was Rachel Bromberg, co-founder of the Reach Out Toronto Response Network, a program where peer-support workers and clinicians collaborate with local organizations to help people in crisis. She pointed out the model of a non-police emergency-response service that is integrated into a city, often through 911 dispatch, has garnered a lot of interest.

What weve seen internationally is that there are a lot of cities that either have this model or are in the process of building this model, and it seems to work quite effectively, Bromberg said during the commissions Jan. 5 meeting. From our research, weve identified probably a few dozen cities that either have an alternative crisis service for mental health calls, like the one that we are proposing, so thats one that is integrated into city services, not just like a mobile crisis center, a distress center thats a standalone service.

The commissioners also talked with Tim Black director of consulting at Whitebird Clinic/Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets (CAHOOTS), a 32-year mobile crisis intervention organization.

As part of the program, based in the Eugene, Oregon area, a crisis worker and either a nurse or an EMT are dispatched to someone who has an urgent medical need or is suffering a psychological crisis. The organization responds to emergency calls through the Pacific Northwest citys police-fire-ambulance communications center.

CAHOOTS has functioned so successfully in Eugene that it has provided consultation services to other cities looking to implement the program The nonprofit is run based on the value of programming centered on peer-led services, an idea the commission has heard frequently from the public.

As a dedicated part of the city, the Northampton Department of Community Care would draw from the CAHOOTS model, institutionalize many of the services the city desperately needs and provide residents with new options when seeking help during mental health and substance use emergencies, the commission said.

The agency would also work with other emergency response departments, provide support through partnerships and develop new services to support existing ones.

However, the commission noted, programs designed to ensure Northampton residents are cared for and expand access to safety need to be housed in a single department in the city that is regularly funded for core activities and supplemented by grant money to get the ball rolling.

Properly staffed and funded peer responders would be able to handle calls to which the appearance of an armed officer may escalate the situation, or where a social intervention may reduce the dependence on carceral responses or hospitalization, the commission said. Shifting these responsibilities away from police also allows them to focus on their core responsibilities around law enforcement.

Situated under the Northampton Board of Health, the community care department would be intentionally independent from the citys police department, according to the commission. Still, it would be open to collaborating with all public agencies in the community.

If the Department of Community Care is set up, Northamptons emergency dispatch center, which handles all crisis communications through 911, would play a pivotal role in its functioning, according to the policing review report. Using the dispatch center would allow for a smooth collaboration between departments in the community, while easing residents into using the new services without having to memorize new numbers or names, the commission noted.

Northampton City Hall. (Jackson Cote/MassLive)

Staffing and funding for the community care department

Any community care department that comes to fruition would need to take into account the voices and contributions of those who have historically been marginalized by public safety structures in the United States, according to the commission.

Those who have been directly impacted by policing - people of color, immigrants, poor and working-class individuals, houseless or disabled residents, members of the LGTBQ+ community and those harmed by sexual, domestic or psychiatric violence - must not only be consulted but involved in co-designing the new agencys services, the commissions report asserted.

The department would need to be held accountable to those it serves in a way not currently seen in city departments, or by social service agencies who contract with the city or state, according to the report.

The leadership and governance of the department should include people with lived experience of criminalization and marginalization, and those impacted by it, the commission noted. These people should be prioritized in hiring decisions at all levels.

Without a direct charge to include these individuals and represent a balance, any department that is created would fail in its equity and justice goals, the group added.

Regular input from the community, with periodic open meetings and an accessible office, should also be a requirement for the community care department, the commission said.

According to the commission, the new agency would be fully staffed to provide multiple kinds of responders to community needs.

The types of employees could include: peer responders, individuals who have lived experience and required training to respond to non-violent emergencies; co-responders, trained people who could respond to crises with police or other emergency response departments; and civilian advocates, those with specialized expertise who are notified when there is a case and can navigate resources for anyone whose trauma requires an advocate for access to additional support.

Such positions would be unarmed and have a key role in helping an individual to deescalate their crisis and navigating the often complex supports and services during a vulnerable time, the commission wrote.

Ultimately, the agency needs to be available to the community 24/7. However, the commission noted, the department may start off smaller, making staff available during high call-volume times, and then ramp up its services and support.

Creating the department and adding a stable and successful set of new services will require a significant investment from the city, the commission pointed out. Funding for the new agency is likely going to be a looming question.

Northamptons operational FY 2021 budget included the removal of a police department budgetary increase and the 10% budget reduction worth nearly $883,000. The commission recommended the hundreds of thousands of dollars cut from the law enforcement agency be used to establish the Department of Community Care.

The budget changes for FY 2021 have not been reinvested directly to community safety, but those funds now represent an opportunity to begin the work of establishing this new set of services, the commission said. Our interpretation of the budget cut by the city council is that it was made in the spirit of reinvestment in our community.

In terms of a timeline for the formation of the community care department, the commission said the agency should be established and funded in FY 2022 and be made fully operational by the following fiscal year.

The group recommended the city adopt a rubric that takes into account the idea of reinvestment and use the document to evaluate and closely examine any budget increases. According to the commission, the city should also make securing grant funds a priority.

Northampton Chief of Police Jody Kasper, Massachusetts State Police Major Michael Habel and Northampton police Lieutenant Alan Borowski take a knee with the protesters in the police station parking garage. (Douglas Hook/MassLive)

Continuing to provide police responses

The role of the police in Northampton wouldnt go away with the creation of the community care department, despite some residents demands made over the past several months.

According to the commissions report, the Northampton Police Department (NPD) would continue to respond to a slew of emergencies, among them: violent felonies; property crimes like burglaries, breaking-and-entering cases and larcenies of motor vehicles; the sale or distribution of drugs; active shooter, terrorism and hostage-taking threats; reports of illegal gun possession; significant traffic offenses; and major public disturbances.

The commission noted the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 offered a reminder that public disturbances have the capacity to turn violent within a very short period of time.

When a public gathering professes an intent to behave in a violent manner or takes a turn towards violence against any individual, an armed police response is appropriate, the commission wrote in its report.

Investigating serious crimes would be another continued task of the department, according to the report. The commission pointed to recent reports about a spate of nighttime catalytic converter thefts from automobiles parked in driveways. In such instances, armed Northampton police detectives should not be inhibited from investigating serious crimes against a person or their property, according to the group.

In the commissions report, the group labeled as an immediate priority the creation of a strategic plan for the police department. Such a plan would serve as a map that guides and focuses an organization in achieving its goals.

The police chief previously told the commission there was an effort to develop a strategic plan last year. However, that work was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

While some strategic plans may sit on a shelf, the best institutions have vibrant plans that impact the behavior of the organization, the commission noted in its report. Informed by events of the past year, an informed strategic planning process with citizen input will assist the NPD to be part of a reimagined concept of public safety for the city of Northampton. Such a strategic plan will help the NPD to be an integral part of a social safety network that could be a model for other cities and towns.

Several participants during the policing review commissions public hearings in the past several months called for abolishing the citys police department altogether, arguing the 10% cut to the agencys budget didnt go far enough. Among the many proposals submitted was one written by the activist group Northampton Abolition Now (NAN) which called for a 50% reduction in the police departments FY 2022 budget.

At least one representative from NAN attended each of the commissions meetings and most of its sub-committee meetings, offering commentary and submitting information for the commissioners to review, which included documentation of alternative mental health crisis response programs around North America.

Advocating for the development of an alternative response system that includes leaders with lived experiences of mental illness, NAN made the following statement in their proposals: Peer-led mental health programs and crisis response teams, created by, led by, and accountable to the communities which they aim to serve, embody the humane, trauma-sensitive approach to mental health and crisis support that we envision for the Northampton community.

The current mental health system is characterized by approaches that often stigmatize, re-traumatize, and disempower people who come into contact with it, the organization added.

Related Content:
Sara Ali Khan Wraps Up Atrangi Re; Apologies To Akshay Kumar For Stalking Him, Thanks Dhanush & Anand L. Rai In A Note

Bollywood actor Sara Ali Khan has been in the work mode, shooting for her next 'Atrangi Re' alongside Akshay Kumar and Dhanush. After all the hard work, finally, the actor has concluded the shoot for the film and wrote a heartfelt post to thank the team.

"That's a film wrap. Ek saal baad (after one year)", Sara wrote.

The 'Kedarnath' actor penned a note of thanks to the director of the film and wrote, "Thank you so much @aanandlrai sir for giving me this role, this film and this opportunity. But more than that thank you for your unconditional love, unwavering support, the best India darshan, delicious khana, early morning sunrise drives to location, sufi ginger water evenings, and the most memorable year with the best team"

She also acknowledged her co-star Dhanush for always being helpful and motivating on the set. Continuing with the note, Sara also thanked the 'Raanjhanaa, star for introducing her to the South Indian food.

She wrote, "Thank you for introducing me to your amazing music and mouth-watering varieties of South Indian food (even though we could've avoided that indulgence during shoots)"

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sara Ali Khan (@saraalikhan95)

While concluding her note of thanks, the 25-year-old actor also hailed Akshay Kumar for bringing "love, laughter, energy and positivity on the set".

Earlier, in the day, the 'Good Newwz' star also announced the wrap-up for the film and shared his first look as a magician in the movie.

The filming of the movie started in December last year. A while back, pictures from the sets of the film in Agra created a splash on the internet. They offered a glimpse into the world of 'Atrangi Re' with Akshay in the avatar of a king and Sara in an all-pink ethnic ensemble.

Directed by Aanand L Rai, the movie is presented by Bhushan Kumar's T-Series, Colour Yellow Productions and Cape of Good Films. 'Atrangi Re' is written by Himanshu Sharma and the musical maestro AR Rahman has composed the album for the film with songs penned by Irshad Kamil. (ANI)
Sled dogs  these two from the team of Cassidy Meyer  seem to only need snow trails and food to keep moving.
The Red & Black spoke with Deborah Gonzalez as she reflected on what it means to be the first Latina and woman in her new role as district attorney.
U.S. Border Patrol has confirmed that two other agents participated in a fight that led to the arrest of a fellow agent for pointing a gun at another man.

Federal authorities identified the agents as Hector Koons and Emmanuel Joel Stinson. A criminal complaint states that Koons and Stinson along with Roman Rodriguez Jr., 33, were involved in a fight with other men.

Rodriguez was the only person arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Stinson and Koons were not criminally charged. Border Patrol declined to comment on possible internal disciplinary action against Stinson and Koons due to the open investigation.

Laredo police officers responded to shots fired at about 2:09 a.m. Feb. 26 in the 6400 block of Crescent Loop. Authorities learned that there had been a fight at the location. An officer arrived at the scene to observe several men with flashlights in the open field located north of the parking lot in the 6500 block of Crescent.

Officers discovered that a man had thrown a weapon into the brush area. Authorities also learned that a blue Ford pickup was involved in the shots fired incident. Police detained three men: Rodriguez, Koons and Stinson. Three other men were the alleged victims.

A complainant stated that he was inside a friends car when he noticed four to five people fighting his brother. When he attempted to get out of the car, a man approached him, pointed the gun to his neck, then to his head and told him, Dont do it. You are not ready. Te tumbo el canton, states the affidavit.

The complainant provided a description of the suspect. He also added that the suspect was the driver of the Ford. The complainant added that the person who pointed a gun at him was the same one who jumped his brother, according to court documents.

The complainant stated he attempted to reach for his knife when the armed man had walked away. The armed man started walking toward the complainants brother when the complainant heard a gunshot. The man no longer had the weapon when the complainant confronted him, states the affidavit.

Rodriguez was detained in the back of a marked unit. Rodriguez stated that one of the other parties involved had thrown his weapon and that a round went off. Rodriguez further stated that a fight broke out next to his Ford between one of his friends and the other parties involved. Rodriguez alleged that at one point, someone reached into his truck, found Rodriguezs weapon and threw it away. Thats when a shot went off. The weapon was described as a Glock 23, according to court documents.

A description of the armed man matched Rodriguez, according to court documents. The complainant added that the armed man was the driver of the Ford. He stated he attempted to go after the armed individual when a Black guy, who was later identified as Stinson, started attacking him and punched him in the face. The armed person threatened to kill the complainant and everyone else involved, according to court documents.

A detective interviewed Rodriguez at LPD headquarters.

He was asked by (the detective) if he had something in his hand that couldve been mistaken as a weapon. Roman (Rodriguez) said that he had used his phone and pointed to a male individual (the complainant) in the neck, making it look like he had a gun, states the affidavit.

Stinson also spoke to authorities at LPD headquarters. Stinson stated he is roommates with Rodriguez and Koons. Stinson said he went to the restroom. When he got out, he saw Rodriguez and Koons in a confrontation with other people. He kept saying that he did not remember what happened but did recall a shot fired. Stinson stated that Rodriguez carries a weapon in his Ford.

Stinson stated that before leaving to the club, he told his friends he got condoms and Viagra and Roman (Rodriguez) said he got his firearm, states the affidavit.

Koons also spoke to detectives at police headquarters. Koons said he, Rodriguez and Stinson arrived at the club in Rodriguezs vehicle. Upon leaving the club, he was trying to help a drunken girl into her friends car. Koons could not identify the girl.

Koons then stated while walking the girl, one male individual approaches him in an aggressive manner telling him why he was trying to take advantage of the intoxicated girl. He claims he told the guy that he was not. He said that someone else sucker punched him in the right side of the temple, states the affidavit.

Koons counter-punched the man. Koons then observed two to three people exiting a vehicle and charging at him. Rodriguez approached Koons to defend him. He did not recall Stinson in the altercation. Koon then stated he heard a loud sound, later confirmed to be a shot fired. Rodriguez told Koons that someone had shot a round and gotten into his Ford, Koons allegedly told police. Rodriguez told Koons that the weapon was tossed. They were looking for the gun until police arrived and detained them.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-29 00:09:30|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) meets with his counterpart of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, on March 28, 2021. (Xinhua)

ABU DHABI, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday held a meeting with his counterpart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, during which the two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in varied fields.

Noting that the two peoples are "good friends, good partners and good brothers," Wang stressed that the relations between China and the UAE are based on high level of mutual trust and deep-rooted traditional friendship. The strong friendship and mutual trust between the heads of the two states provide a solid guarantee for the continuous development of the China-UAE relations.

China supports the UAE in safeguarding its national security and stability, independently exploring a development path in line with its own national conditions, combating religious extremism, and playing a positive role in international and regional affairs, Wang said.

He said that China appreciates the UAE's strong support on the issues concerning China's core interests.

The phase-3 trial of the COVID-19 vaccine, jointly carried out by China and the UAE, has set a record for multi-nationality and large-scale clinical trials, and made important contribution to promoting international anti-coronavirus cooperation, the Chinese diplomat said, adding that China is willing to continuously innovate the models and expand the scope of cooperation with the UAE.

Wang said that China is willing to work with the UAE to enhance connectivity of the Belt and Road Initiative and the UAE's 50-year national development plan, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as energy, high and new technologies, finance and investment, and jointly promote international mutual recognition of health code.

The two sides also need to strengthen cooperation in anti-terrorism and de-radicalization, Wang said, adding that China will offer full support for the UAE to host the World Expo in Dubai and will work with all parties to ensure the success of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

Wang said China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the UAE in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, jointly safeguard true multilateralism, promote democratization of international relations, support diversity of civilizations, give play to the central role of the United Nations, and defend the authority of international law and international treaties.

China and Arab states have reached an agreement on jointly proposing a data security cooperation initiative, indicating that both sides are willing to actively participate in formulating the rules of the global digital economy, the Chinese diplomat said.

China has put forward a five-point initiative for achieving security and stability in the Middle East, and hopes that regional countries will uphold the spirit of independence, explore a security framework that meets regional needs, and find a development path that suits their national conditions, Wang added.

For his part, Sheikh Abdullah said the Chinese people should be proud of China's remarkable development achievements and its success in containing the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the UAE is also proud of having such a strategic partner as China.

He expressed the UAE's support to the one-China policy, China's endeavors to safeguard the diversity of world civilizations, and China's leading role in promoting global common development.

The UAE hopes to deepen its cooperation with China in the fields such as health, agriculture, science and technology, tackling climate change, and preventing desertification to achieve mutually beneficial results, the UAE diplomat said.

He said the UAE is willing to work together with China to combat terrorism, and in particular, to make more efforts in the field of de-radicalization, so as to safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East.

Sheikh Abdullah also expressed the hope that the two sides will further coordinate and cooperate in the UN affairs. He said that the UAE appreciates China's active participation in the Dubai World Expo and supports China in hosting the Beijing Winter Olympics.

The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Additionally, the two sides reached an agreement in principle on the health code's mutual recognition. After the talks, the two ministers took part in an online ceremony to launch a joint vaccine liquid bottling production line. Enditem
By Stephen Farrell

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - In scenes very different from last year, Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre opened to the public on Palm Sunday, allowing Christians to attend mass at the start of Holy Week on the site where they believe Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead.

With more than half the population of Israel having received two vaccine doses, coronavirus restrictions were eased to allow small congregations to gather with social distancing measures in place.

The mood was celebratory as scores of Roman Catholics passed through the huge wooden doors of the church that is the global focus of the most important festival in the Christian calendar.

"Last year was a terrible Easter, without people, closed doors. This year is much better, the door is open, we don't have a lot of people but we feel more hopeful that things will become better," the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, told Reuters as he emerged from the church flanked by clerics and worshippers carrying palm fronds.

"The message of Easter is life and love, despite all the signs of death, corona, pandemic, whatever, we believe in the power of love and life," Pizzaballa said.

Under Israeli COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, the patriarch later led worshippers wearing face masks and holding palm and olive branches in a Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives to the Old City.

Palm Sunday commemorates the day the gospels say Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was hailed by the people, only to be crucified five days later.

This year, Roman Catholics celebrate Easter on April 4 and Orthodox Christians nearly a month later, on May 2.

(Reporting by Stephen Farrell; Editing by Alex Richardson and Philippa Fletcher)
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
It may be a piece of fiction, but BBC crime drama Bloodlands, which stars James Nesbitt, mirrors the pain and torment of those who have lost loved ones in the Northern Ireland Troubles.

The skeletal remains of three people who were abducted, murdered and secretly buried are found on a tiny island in Strangford Lough in Co Down in episode one, which was broadcast last month. For Nesbitt, who is from Northern Ireland, there were similarities to real life, given his role as patron of the Wave Trauma Centre, which supports families of the Disappeared.

"It makes me emotional even talking about some of those families," Nesbitt says. "They have to witness the post-war optimism of a new Northern Ireland emerging, yet for them it has never been over."

That agony lingers for many grieving the loss of mothers, fathers, sons, daughters.

Eighteen people 'disappeared' as a result of republican and loyalist paramilitary groups and were then murdered and secretly buried throughout the island of Ireland.

The bodies of three of them - Columba McVeigh, Joe Lynskey and Robert Nairac - which are believed to be hidden in the Republic have yet to be discovered.

Expand Close The last of the IRAs Disappeared Joe Lynskey PA / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp The last of the IRAs Disappeared Joe Lynskey

"What the families want hasn't changed over the years," says Nesbitt. "It's very simple - they want to bring their loved ones home to rest; they want a funeral; a wake; a grave that they can tend."

Columba McVeigh disappeared on November 1, 1975, and his body has never been recovered. He was from Donaghmore, Co Tyrone, and was 17 when he was abducted and killed. He had been working as a painter in Dublin and had returned to Northern Ireland only a few days earlier. Although extensive searches, based on information received, have been carried out in bogland near Emyvale in Co Monaghan, his remains have yet to be recovered.

In February 2010, Joe Lynskey, a former Cistercian monk, was added to the official list of the Disappeared, having gone missing from his west Belfast home during the summer of 1972. His body, which has never been recovered, is believed to be buried in Co Meath.

Expand Close Capt Robert Nairac / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Capt Robert Nairac

Captain Robert Nairac was an off-icer with the Grenadier Guards on a tour of duty in Northern Ireland when he was abducted in May 1977 from the Three Steps Pub in Dromintee, south Armagh, and murdered. He is believed to be buried in Co Louth.

"The trauma of bereavement", says Nesbitt, and "the agony of not knowing where their loved ones are buried and why and how they were taken" never leaves the families left behind.

"It's a terrible business for anyone who has lost a family member, but the pain that I have witnessed caused by the murder of a loved one is intense," he says. "You are in sharing it with them and yet it's still unimaginable. It feels sometimes my responsibility to tackle the Troubles. It's like for an actor taking on King Lear."

Expand Close Columba McVeigh BBC/ Erica Starling / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Columba McVeigh

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) was established by an agreement between the Irish and British governments in 1999, and by legislation enacted in the two jurisdictions either side of the Border. It is responsible for facilitating the location of the remains of victims of paramilitary violence who were murdered and buried during the conflict.

Another person, Lisa Dorrian, went missing in the early hours of February 28, 2005, after attending a party at a caravan site in Ballyhalbert, Co Down. Detectives probing her murder believe she was strangled in a mobile home and her body secretly buried. After a 16-year investigation, they have only one suspect, whose role in the killing was covered up because of family relations to senior UVF members. Her case is not included in the ICLVR's remit and legislation because anything after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement falls outside the legal timeframe. However, the Wave Trauma Centre still wants to help.

"There is a very good suggestion that loyalist paramilitaries could assist the police in finding Lisa's body. That's all the family want," Nesbitt says. He believes there are people across the island of Ireland who have information that could help locate the bodies and says it is imperative they come forward.

"This is about trying to prick the conscience of those who for what- ever reason may have been involved in whatever all those years ago," he says. "People have to come forward to complete those jigsaws, and I would appeal to them to help end the torment of these families."

All information is treated in the strictest of confidence and is not passed to the police.

While Northern Ireland is still recovering from years of conflict, Nesbitt says it "cannot move on truly unless we deal with all elements of the past".

Last week, he called on the people on both sides of the Border to focus on "our common ground" and "explore what a shared island means" when he took part in the Shared Island Dialogue initiative that was launched by Taoiseach Micheal Martin last autumn.

Forensic expert Geoff Knupfer, who was appointed by the Irish and British governments to search for the remaining Disappeared, says it is "a boil that needs lancing".

"This is a leftover from the Troubles and it needs to be resolved. We appeal to anyone who has information to let us have it," he says.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the remains of Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh or Robert Nairac can contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111. The untraceable anonymous online form is at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. The ICLVR can be contacted on 00800 55585500 or, in the Republic, on 01 602 8655. E-mail information to Secretary@iclvr.ie or by post to: ICLVR PO Box 10827
Muktsar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Arun Narang was surrounded and restrained on Saturday by agitators in the Malout area of Punjab`s Muktsar district. As per a statement, Superintendent of Police of Punjab Police Gurmail Singh also suffered injuries while attempting to rescue Narang from the situation.

"Today BJP MLA Abohar, Arun Narang reached Malout in connection with a party press conference where he was surrounded by some agitators and demonstrators who restrained him. When a police party was trying to take him away from the spot, they started attacking and during the scuffle, SP HQ Gurmail Singh suffered injuries on head, elbows, and legs," the statement said.

An FIR has been filed for the same.

This comes amid widespread protests against the Centre`s new farm laws. Farmers have been protesting since November last year 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.

On Friday, a `Bharat bandh` was observed in many parts of the country. A Sanyukt Kisan Morcha press release said the protest was "a big success" in more than 20 districts in Bihar, more than 200 places in Punjab and also in Haryana.






By Lee Min-hyung



Korea's financial firms are being pressed to scale down their businesses in Myanmar amid escalating uncertainties following a military coup.



Myanmar's military staged a coup in early February. The political uncertainty there is showing little sign of abating amid a deepening conflict between the military and thousands of protesters there, raising the likelihood that the instability will last for a longer period of time.



This has sparked worries that a number of Korean financial firms would suffer financially and may end up scaling down their business operations there.



Several Korean banks, insurers and card firms are operating in the Southeast Asian country, with some opening their branches in January of this year. As most of them cannot engage in normal business activities for now, concerns are growing that they will have to downsize their operations or possibly pull out their staff.



Korean bank officials said they are stepping up monitoring of their branch offices in Myanmar in real time due to increasing uncertainties.



"KB Kookmin Bank has established a hotline between its head office in Seoul and Myanmar's Yangon branch, and strengthened monitoring of the country's political situation," a KB spokesman said. "We are also paying attention to any notifications from the Myanmar embassy to ensure the safety of employees who are working from home."



But the lender said that it does not have any specific plans to revise its business portfolio in Myanmar as of now.



Woori Bank, which also runs a Myanmar office, said it set up a contingency plan recently to minimize possible risks from the escalating military uncertainty there.



"We are keeping a close watch on the situation in the region, and are ready to take immediate action under the contingency plan in case of emergency," a spokesman from Woori said. But the lender added that it is not considering scaling down its business there for now.



Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK), a state-run lender which opened its branch in Myanmar in January, is also maintaining a wait-and-see approach over the military crackdown without making drastic changes in its management policy for the region. But the lender also expressed concerns over the situation, as it has been able to carry out only a limited range of businesses there due to the coup.



"Even local financial firms cannot operate smoothly amid the country's anti-coup protest," an official at the lender said. "IBK is also operating only depository businesses."



Several Korean private and state-owned lenders, including Korea Development Bank (KDB) and KB Kookmin Bank, opened new offices in Myanmar in January this year, hoping to expand their presence in what they view as a strategic geographical center of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).



But the much-hyped vision is showing little sign of progress amid the heightening conflict between Myanmar's military junta and demonstrators there.



This has pushed Korean lenders to find other Asian markets to serve as a key post for their regional business in Southeast Asia.



In December 2020, KB Kookmin Bank became the first non-Myanmar-based lender to obtain a license to operate there. But the military coup forced it to suspend operations of the new subsidiary. KB is shifting its focus to other Asian territories, including Indonesia, as a backup plan until the political turmoil subsides in Myanmar.



Last month, KDB announced plans to open a second office in Hong Kong in the latter half of this year, with some arguing that the move was aimed at enhancing its footprint in the Asian financial hub amid an increasingly dubious outlook for growth in Myanmar. KDB Asia, the lender's head branch office in Hong Kong, will play a crucial role as an investment bank, while the new office will handle corporate financing and other fundraising activities, according to the state-run lender.



The Myanmar turmoil is also having a negative impact on other non-banking Korean financial firms  such as insurers and card companies.



Kyobo Life Insurance also opened a branch in Myanmar early this year, but the insurer is in a dilemma over whether to shift its strategy there.



For now, Kyobo Life said only a few things have changed in its business strategies there. Starting from February, the firm's Myanmar branch has adopted a work-from-home policy amid the ever-growing political uncertainties there.



Card firms here are also suffering from the aftermath of the Myanmar coup. Three Korean companies  Shinhan Card, KB Kookmin Card and Woori Card  have a presence there, but their earnings are expected to nosedive further this year amid the heightened military uncertainty there along with the coronavirus shock.



Shinhan Microfinance, the Myanmar branch of Shinhan Card, generated only 2.1 billion won ($1.85 million) in net profit in 2020, down 70 percent from the previous year. This was attributable to pandemic-induced weak consumption.



But all of the Korean card companies operating there have yet to confirm whether to withdraw their operations despite the skeptical outlook in their earnings and the growing political turmoil there.



"Banks and other Korean financial firms are urged to devise back-up plans to minimize losses incurred from the political instability in Myanmar, as the conflict between the military and protesters is showing little sign of abating and may cause more damage to their business," a financial industry source said.


TAKILMA, Ore-- On Friday, the Illinois Valley Fire District was called to Takilma road where a large vehicle fire, travel trailer, was engulfed in flames.

According to Illinois Valley Fire District fire fighters, when crews arrived to the scene they were able to quickly put out the fire before it could spread to the surrounding forested area. However, everything inside the trailer was destroyed because of the flames.

NewsWatch 12 did reach out to the Illinois Valley Fire District. They said that the male occupant of that vehicle was able to make it safely outside before the flames could trap him. We are also being told that the owner of the trailer says that the flames may have initially started in a new wood stove that was recently installed into the trailer.

Red Cross has been called in to assist the occupant of the trailer.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 23:36:08|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, communicates with students when visiting Nanjing University in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 26, 2021. Li made an inspection tour in east China's Jiangsu Province from Thursday to Friday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

NANJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged efforts to deepen reform and opening up, enhance innovation capacities and development momentum, improve people's well-being, and promote high-quality development.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in east China's Jiangsu Province from Thursday to Friday.

When visiting Hengli Hydraulic Co., Ltd. in Changzhou, Li called on the company to consistently innovate through opening up and cooperation. During exchanges with executives of local manufacturing enterprises, the premier highlighted the country's commitment to market-based inclusive policies to stimulate the corporate sector's innovation power.

Li also paid a visit to a residential community in Changzhou, where he learnt about services including elderly care and nursery and lauded local authorities' practice of introducing non-governmental resources to promote development of elderly care.

The premier also urged local authorities to do their utmost in creating conditions for flexible employment of the people.

Li was briefed on the reform and development of the Jiangsu pilot free trade zone (FTZ), and urged local authorities to advance institutional innovations, pool talent, and give full play to the role of the FTZ in pioneering reform and opening up.

When visiting Nanjing University, Li encouraged researchers to strengthen cross-disciplinary cooperation and promote integration of innovations. Enditem

"The Basilica and the Crypt Church have felt empty for months; we are deeply pleased that these places of prayer can once again be enlivened by the fervor of the faithful," said Father Michael DeLaney, CSC, rector.
By day, Anna is an 18-year-old law student, studying diligently in the musty libraries and ancient halls of one of Britain's most venerated universities. By night, her life is very different.

Anna is a prostitute, and has slept with more than 200 men for as little as 10 a time. Most, she has said, 'are fascinated with how you live your life as a student'.

Though she ranks among her generation's academic elite, Anna is part of a growing band of university students turning to sex work to fund their education.

You might expect universities to take a dim view of such dangerous work.

Surely, many would argue, it is the job of these establishments to protect their students, concern themselves with their welfare and focus on providing them with the best education possible.

A poll of 3,200 students claimed that 4 per cent of British students were using sex work to fund their courses. (Stock image)

Yet today many institutions, while charging upwards of 9,250 a year in tuition fees, stand accused of legitimising student sex work.

As schools across Britain face allegations of allowing a toxic 'rape culture' to flourish, and as dozens of young women come forward to share their stories of sexual assault and violence at school, many might see it as a bitter irony that these same young women are now entering universities that appear to have endorsed prostitution as a means of paying for studies.

Earlier this month Poppy Coburn, an undergraduate at Cambridge, wrote on the website UnHerd that many of Britain's most respected academic institutions are 'taking on the role of pimps', adding: 'Whether the student's future profession will be that of a doctor or an 'e-prostitute' is of no consequence.'

Ms Coburn's outburst had been prompted by an official 'Student Sex Work Toolkit' published by Leicester University for students and staff in December.

Ms Coburn condemned it as nothing short of 'a helpful how-to guide to get into the sex trade'.

Far from offering university staff advice on how to steer students away from prostitution, the 'toolkit' instead exhorts lecturers not to 'assume the student wants to leave sex work'.

As Coburn writes: 'There is something unsightly about universities plunging [their] students into debt while holding up [sex work] as a valid choice for financial aid.'

While the publication is, ostensibly, intended to protect student sex workers and ensure that the university is an 'inclusive, respectful, positive and safe environment', others see it as misguided attempt to 'empower' young people  mostly women  by condoning prostitution as a valid means of earning money.

Troublingly, this was double the number from 2017, according to the Save The Student website.(Stock image)

Ranging from glamour modelling to prostitution, sex work is defined as the offering of sexual services, directly or indirectly, for money.

While soliciting sex in a public place, kerb crawling and keeping a brothel are all illegal, selling sexual services in a brothel, escorting alone, 'web-camming', sex chat-lines, stripping, glamour modelling and pornography are all legal.

A poll of 3,200 students last year claimed that 4 per cent of British students  almost one in 20  were using sex work to fund their courses, while one in ten say they would do it in a 'cash emergency'.

Troublingly, this was double the number from 2017, according to the Save The Student website.

With a total student population of 2.38 million, this could mean that more than 95,000 students across Britain are currently doing sex work.

Among these student sex workers, 28 per cent said they had slept with someone or escorted, while 71 per cent had sent intimate photos, web-cammed or sold images of themselves on clip-sharing subscription sites such as OnlyFans.

Youngsters can make hundreds of pounds a month on these sites relatively easily by selling pornographic images and videos of themselves.

Separate figures released last year also showed that 500,000 students are now signed up to the Seeking Arrangement website looking to be 'sugar babies'  typically accepting money or gifts from wealthy older customers in exchange for intimacy.

'Usually wealthier men really want educated girls they can converse with,' Jemma (not her real name) told BuzzFeed News in 2018. 'So of course university students are a prime target: We're young and [intelligent].

Unlike . . . strippers and prostitutes, we don't have someone managing us and we have a lot of autonomy, so it feels more real and less transactional to spend time and money on us.'

Indeed, the overwhelming motivation for the rise in student sex workers is said to be financial  and it's easy to see why.

Save The Student estimates that 795 per month is required in living fees at university  with the average maintenance loan leaving a 223 shortfall each month.

Many students might have previously relied on casual part-time work, such as in cafes or bars, to make up the difference, but the pandemic has devastated the hospitality sector.

As a result, sex work  which is quick, has reliable demand and can be very lucrative  has become all too popular.

An official 'Student Sex Work Toolkit' published by Leicester University for students and staff in December

However, it comes with serious risks. Students who escort face a real and constant threat of violence, rape and even murder, while those who use web-cams or sites such as OnlyFans potentially face a lifetime of blackmail, 'revenge porn' and stalking.

Which makes Leicester and other universities' apparent encouragement of the oldest profession all the more troubling.

Newcastle is among universities to have published a formal policy on student sex workers.

This 2019 publication claims it is a 'reality' (rather than a serious welfare problem) that 'some students may be sex workers or may be considering taking up sex work'.

Other student unions have been even more accepting of student sex-work than official university guidance allows, airbrushing the risks in what many see as a misguided effort to be more 'accepting' of prostitutes.

Last year a member of Cambridge Students' Union distributed flyers at its annual conference which made the controversial assertion that 'not all sex work is abusive'.

In June 2020, Bristol's student union pledged to 'challenge the stigma attached [to] sex work' and said it would 'lobby the University to take an explicit non-exclusionary stance towards students who work in the sex industry', as well as distributing information packs on campus.

Goldsmiths, University of London student union claimed in 2015 that 'sex work is work . . . the exchange of money for labour, like any other job'.

In 2014, Edinburgh University's student union averred that it would 'take a zero-tolerance attitude towards whorephobia, and place whorephobia in its safe-space policy'.

The student unions at UCL, York, Manchester, Plymouth and Sheffield Hallam have all supported sex work in recent years, echoing a 2018 briefing from the National Union of Students which offered 'solidarity with student sex workers'.

That same year, the student union 'freshers' fairs' of Sussex and Brighton universities went one step further  even hosting stalls for the Sex Workers' Outreach Project Sussex (Swop), which handed out free condoms.

While Brighton made it clear that it 'does not promote sex work as an option to students', Professor Alison Phipps, who lectures on gender studies at Sussex University, thanked the charity for its 'great work'.

While Brighton made it clear that it 'does not promote sex work as an option to students', the student union 'freshers' fairs' of Sussex and Brighton universities hosted stalls for the Sex Workers' Outreach Project Sussex (Swop)

She insisted: 'Swop provides support and care for students selling sex, and to suggest they are promoting the industry is ridiculous.'

Oxford's student union has resolved to 'campaign for the full decriminalisation of sex work' and to be 'led by sex-worker organisations, such as the English Collective of Prostitutes'.

In 2019, a masters student who also worked as an escort told Oxford's student newspaper, Cherwell, that the university could be doing more to support her, saying: 'It's an incredibly dangerous type of work to be involved with.

In the past I have felt threatened and at risk with clients, which has caused significant mental and emotional obstacles.

'We [sex workers] are a very vulnerable group in many ways  we're often anonymous, and do our work secretly, which entails huge risks. The University has the capacity to protect and support all of its students  even invisible minorities.'

This unfortunate woman's story is far from unique.

She is just like Anna, the 18-year-old law student who has slept with over 200 men, and who was one of many who spoke to Professor Christopher Morris, of Falmouth University, for a BAFTA-winning film on life in student prostitution.

On campus, student sex workers live in fear of being 'outed', expelled and unable to access healthcare. 'I tried to kill myself [one] night and was referred to the university counselling service, but I felt too ashamed to tell them why I really tried to,' one student told the BBC.

Another described how she was 'outed as a sex worker while doing my PhD and it turned my life upside down'. Her friends deserted her while her academic supervisor began to sexually harass her in secret.

A third described how she too was outed at university and faced a disciplinary hearing and expulsion for bringing the institution into 'moral disrepute'.

She said: 'I thought: 'You want me to escape sex work but then in order to punish me for doing sex work you are going to remove the only opportunity I have, my degree, to escape sex work.' '

As these testimonials make clear, the nature of this work can be devastating. But by suggesting that any attempt to steer students away from the work is 'whorephobia', many British universities seem to be failing students.

York University's Sex Work Research Hub, which is co-chaired by academics from the universities of Leicester, York and Kingston, University of London, lists 'sexual exploitation' as one of its main research areas. And yet, almost ironically, the same 'hub' also offers a chilling 'Student Toolkit' for youngsters considering this work.

'Doggy is the most dangerous sex position,' this warns. 'Put a mirror in the room so you can watch them in the reflection.'

'Red flags', according to the document, include 'a client [pushing] your head down during oral or [restraining] your hands' and  bizarrely  'requests such as killing puppies in high heels/crushing snails'.

If you must go to a client's house, it continues, 'pay attention to all exit routes and quickest ways out', 'take shoes you can put on quickly in case you have to run', 'check for laptop screens or if there is a camera running', and 'if attacked, leave something behind you can be identified by'.

All well-intentioned advice, no doubt, but the question is whether it would be better still to encourage students away from sex work altogether.

Universities UK, which represents British universities, said in a statement that it 'recognises the financial hardship many students have experienced, particularly during the pandemic, and are providing increased financial and other support . . . as well as speaking with government about further support for students.'

A spokesman added that universities 'encourage legal, healthy and safe behaviours and support students to make the right choices'.

Leicester University said: 'Nationally some students may decide to undertake different types of sex work for a number of reasons, and this is a reality that universities across the country have had to address. Our priority remains the care and wellbeing of our students.

'For any student struggling with their finances, the University offers financial assistance through its Hardship Fund.'

Nevertheless, many students feel that universities should be doing far more. For some, the damage has sadly already been done.

As one woman, who sold 'fetish' pictures of herself online as a student, told the BBC: 'University was horrific because it pushed me to that work, which is so unfair. I will always be bitter about it.'
Judge lifts worship restrictions on DC churches in time for Holy Week services

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Churches in Washington, D.C. can hold in-person services without being limited to 25% capacity or 250 people after a federal judge lifted the city's coronavirus restrictions on houses of worship.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowsers approach to regulating houses of worship, which allowed churches to host only up to 250 people or 25% of the buildings maximum capacity, whichever was less, reflects a lack of adequate consideration for constitutional rights, Judge Trevor N. McFadden ruled late last week.

McFaddens ruling raises the capacity limit in churches to 40%, and churches must adhere to social distancing guidelines.

McFadden, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in 2017, ruled that the citys capacity restrictions discriminate against houses of worship. The judge pointed out that the city has allowed residents to buy alcohol or get restaurant takeout as essential services, but that label was not extended to churches.

Yet, after the Districts repeal of the same limit on [f]ood sellers and big box stores selling a range of essential and non-essential goods, those entities are subject to no maximum-capacity limitations, the judge wrote in his opinion.

They need only limit occupancy to the extent necessary for safety and make plans that provide for safe social distancing between persons. So while a synagogue or church may not admit more than [25 percent capacity or 250] persons, more favored businesses may admit as many people as they wish.

The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed against the city by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Washington seeking an injunction ahead of Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday.

In practical terms, this means that the Archdioceses churches must stop admitting parishioners once they become a quarter full, but Whole Foods or Target can take in as many customers as they wish while complying with social-distancing requirements, the judge stated.

[T]he Districts 25 percent and 250-person restrictions would not apply to its churches if they hawked wares instead of proclaimed the Gospel, he added.

The city argued that the difference between its restrictions and one allowing churches to operate at 30% to 40% capacity is minimal. However, McFadden argued that the citys rules would force the Cathedral of St. Matthew to turn away anywhere from 50 to 150 parishioners that it could otherwise seat if the capacity limit were higher.

And the Archdiocese says that the 250-person limit requires the Basilica to turn away approximately 750 worshippers that it could otherwise hold under its own protocols, the judge wrote. Anyone who has attended or performed in a concert knows instinctively that a largely empty hall and full house provide two very different experiences.

According to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, D.C. joins 37 states that have no numerical or percentage caps on attendance at houses of worship.

D.C. houses of worship are now free of arbitrary numerical limits and may welcome as many worshippers as can safely attend wearing masks and social distancing," the legal nonprofit tweeted.

D.C.s restrictions unfairly singled out worship services and mandated arbitrary numerical attendance caps regardless of building capacity. All other states have loosened their restrictions on in-person worship but it seems that D.C. never got the memo.

The Liberty Counsel, a conservative religious freedom legal nonprofit, also praised the judges ruling.

Judge Trevor McFadden clearly acknowledges that the First Amendment does not disappear because of Coronavirus, Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said in a statement. Mayor Muriel Bowser has clearly discriminated against every church in D.C. while participating in a mass gathering of protestors with no limitations. This unequal treatment of churches is unconstitutional. We will continue the fight until religious freedom is totally restored.

Last October, McFadden ruled in favor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church by striking down Bowsers restrictions on outdoor church services of more than 100 people as a violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The ruling allowed the church to resume in-person outdoor services.

It is for the church, not the District or this court, to define for itself the meaning of not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, McFadden wrote in the ruling, citing Hebrews.

Bowser introduced rules limiting in-person services to 250 people or 25% of the buildings maximum capacity before Christmas. Bowsers previous coronavirus order said worship services could not have more than 50 people even if a churchs capacity were 10,000.

Bowser at the time called on Christians to celebrate Christmas virtually.

I have great faith in D.C. Catholics. Im one of them, she said at a press conference at the time. This year is not the year to pack churches full of people.

In February, a federal court permanently blocked even stricter restrictions placed on houses of worship in New York after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction last November.

The guidelines applied to all houses of worship listed in red and orange zones throughout the state. In red zones, churches were subject to a 25% maximum occupancy or a maximum of 10 people. In orange zones, places of worship were subject to a limit of 33% occupancy or 25 people, whichever is fewer.
Police have spoken to the Queen's 'favourite grandson' Peter Phillips after he made a 460-mile trip to Scotland to see a married mother-of-two.

Angry locals called the police after Peter, 43, appeared at the 475,000 home of his sister Zara's schoolfriend.

Peter lives at his mother Princess Anne's Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire but arrived in the village of St Cyrus in Aberdeenshire yesterday.

He has insisted the trip was made for his company XL Medical, which provides rapid Covid tests and police told The Sun no coronavirus lockdown rules were breached.

The woman, a friend of Zara's from their days at private school Gordonstoun in Moray, Scotland, is separated from her husband.

She was one of the guests at Zara's wedding to rugby star Mike Tindall in 2011.

Angry locals called the police after Peter Phillips (pictured with the Queen in 2014), 43, appeared at the 475,000 home of his sister Zara's schoolfriend

The woman and Peter, also a former Gordonstoun pupil, reportedly met again at a school reunion and his Range Rover was parked at her home yesterday.

Peter announced the end of his marriage to Canada-born Autumn, 41, last February but the former couple have been living together at Gatcombe Park for the sake of their daughters Savannah, ten, and Isla, eight.

One local source told the newspaper: 'It seems wrong he has travelled here from England, whatever the circumstances. Scotland is closed and if you flew here you would have to quarantine for ten days.'

Peter announced the end of his marriage to Canada-born Autumn (pictured on their wedding day in 2008), 41, last February but the former couple have been living together at Gatcombe Park for the sake of their daughters Savannah, ten, and Isla, eight

He has insisted the trip was made for his company XL Medical, which provides rapid Covid tests and police told The Sun no coronavirus lockdown rules were breached

Peter lives at his mother Princess Anne's (pictured) Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire but arrived in the village of St Cyrus in Aberdeenshire yesterday

A spokesman for marketing consultant Phillips said: 'We do not comment on details or circumstances of Mr Phillips' accommodation when travelling on business.'

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'At around 6.40pm on Friday 26 March, 2021, police received a report of a potential breach of coronavirus regulations at a property in St Cyrus, Montrose.

'Officers attended, spoke to the occupants and found no breaches of legislation.'

Mainland Scotland is in lockdown with travel only permitted for 'essential purposes'.

MailOnline has contacted Police Scotland for comment.
As state lawmakers in Austin wrap up the latest legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday threatened to withhold their pay by vetoing a line item in the states budget because a Democratic walkout killed his priority elections bill. No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities, Abbott tweeted. Should the governor veto Legislature funding?

You voted:
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.
A Co Antrim private detective has told of his guilt over rumbling one of Hollywood's biggest icons for having an affair that ended her A-list marriage.

He's also lifted the lid on how he did time with IRA chiefs, helped nail Margaret Thatcher's son for his part in one of the world's most infamous coups and was banged up at a "hellhole" Argentina jail while hunting missing kids.

BROUGHT DOWN: Ian played a role in sinking Mark Thatcher over his part in a failed coup in Africa

Ian Withers (80) was tasked with tracking America's 1970s golden girl Farrah Fawcett at the peak of her Charlie's Angels fame.

The blonde was said to be having a fling with volatile actor Ryan O'Neal behind the back of her Six Million Dollar Man star husband Lee Majors.

Ian was paid by US gossip magazine the National Enquirer to get proof. It led to an extraordinary meeting over drinks with Farrah in London who handed him her itinerary while she was in England so he could track her round the clock.

Revealing details of the case in his upcoming memoir Private Eye, Secret Spy: My Life As Britain's Most Controversial PI, ex-cop Ian said: "Was one of Charlie's Angels doing the dirty on the Six Million Dollar Man? It's a question which caught the attention of many millions of people in the Seventies. And I was asked to answer it."

Expand Close DIVORCE: Lee Majors Getty Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp DIVORCE: Lee Majors

Ian used a motorcyclist and car team to start 24/7 surveillance on Farrah while she was in London.

He and his outfit watched as she was shuttled from an apartment on Wilton Row, Belgravia, to Shepperton Studios - where she was filming a sci-fi flick called Saturn 3 alongside Kirk Douglas and Harvey Keitel.

But Ian underestimated her security detail who soon clocked him and his team.

They got paranoid he was part of a kidnap gang as Farrah had recently been the victim of a failed attempt to snatch her while she was filming in Mexico.

One Friday afternoon while watching Farrah's flat, Ian said one of her "goons" tapped on the window of his car - and when he refused to open it, snapped off the antenna of his car radio.

The hulking bodyguard returned minutes later and told the PI: "'The lady wonders if you would like to have a drink with her - she wants to ask what you're doing'."

Ian arranged to meet her at a pub opposite her apartment.

"A few moments later and one of Charlie's very beautiful angels walked out wearing her very skimpy white outfit and a long overcoat on top," he recalled.

"I was as professional as I could be, of course, but I do accept my jaw may have dropped open as those endless legs strode across the road in front of me."

Over a fruit juice for Farrah and tonic water for Ian, she used her "silky, soft Texan accent" to explain she was "kinda nervous" at being watched after her brush with kidnapping in Mexico.

Expand Close SEDUCTRESS: Ian says he was captivated by Farrah Fawcetts beauty... and legs Reveille / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp SEDUCTRESS: Ian says he was captivated by Farrah Fawcetts beauty... and legs

After he admitted he was from the Press, Ian said Farrah "reached into the inside pocket of her coat and handed me three sheets of paper - they detailed her movements over the following four days".

The itinerary allowed Ian to capture Farrah cosying up to Love Story star and legendary womaniser Ryan O'Neal at a Chinese restaurant in Mayfair.

Farrah divorced Lee Majors and she and Ryan, now 79, went on to become the Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt of their day.

They stayed together until Farrah's agonising death aged 62 from cancer that spread to her liver.

Ian confessed: "I can't get away from the guilt that comes with it. She was striking and gracious and, no doubt, was already resolved to closing down her relationship with her husband at the time.

"Yet the distress that came to her on that night in London was as a result of my work."

Far less glamorous were the months Ian was banged up at HMP Brixton for 'conspiracy to commit a public mischief' due to a technicality over the way he accessed people's private information for clients.

Weeks into Ian's sentence, IRA bomber Gerry Kelly was locked in the prison's A-wing with the other members of a republican terror cell that killed one and injured 200 in the 1973 Old Bailey blast.

Expand Close Gerry Kelly / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Gerry Kelly

Military-trained dad-of-four Ian - whose late wife Phyl had seven relatives in the RUC - said about the bomber turned Sinn Fein politician: "Our exchanges were pleasant enough but, as an ex-soldier, it was hard to avoid the idea he was part of an organisation which murdered troops whenever it could."

Ian's book tells how he was also jailed in a "cesspit hell on earth" Argentina jail for a week while searching for two missing children.

Authorities had mistaken him for a CIA spy out to topple the country's brutal dictatorship and bolted him in a nightmarish cell where giant cockroaches scuttled over his body while the screams of other inmates being tortured echoed in the darkness.

Ian - who ran a global PI agency for 60 years - made headlines three years ago when he was arrested but bailed without charge over the unsolved 1985 shotgun assassination of exiled Seychelles dissident Gerard Hoarau.

As we revealed last week, he is still fuming the Met Police maintain he's still a suspect.

Ian's gripping memoir also details how records of phone calls he collected helped in the conviction of the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's son.

Mark Thatcher (67) was handed a four-year suspended sentence and fined 226,000 for his part in a failed coup in Equatorial Guinea.

Private Eye, Secret Spy: My Life As Britain's Most Controversial PI is due out May 2021. See http://www.idwitherspi.com for more information about Ian and the book.
A LEADING pan-Africanist and renowned academic has asked Tanzanians and Africans in general that in celebrating the life of departed President John Magufuli they should question what they have learnt and how to memorialise his legacy.

"Men such as Magufuli upon assuming high office recognised that the office is an opportunity to serve selflessly and do what is good because it was simply good to do good," Prof Patrick Lumumba said.

"JPM is now with the Lord, and if I am allowed a little sentimentalism, I want to believe that he is on the right side of history. The outpouring of emotion and adulation that was seen in Tanzania was because he lived rare and served rare," he said.

"... So you and I who are left behind, the question is what will we do to memorialise him?" he probed.

Prof Lumumba stressed that the continent is celebrating the life of a great man because when great men are gathered to their fathers they are not mourned, rather celebrated.

"So we Africans who are gathered here, ours is to celebrate a great man. How are we going to remember this iconic leader? It is by giving prominence to the things that he stood for; in making Africa a great continent so that we are able to recognise that we are not children of a lesser God," he asserted.

Having had the opportunity to walk the streets of various regions in the country, Prof Lumumba said that in five years it is evident on what a man can do through an administration when he or she makes the decision to serve his country.

"I have had the advantage of having lengthy conversations with the late President Magufuli, and I can say as a fact that there are few Africans in the positions that he held who had an idea of how to liberate this continent from the yolk of neo-colonialism," he stated.

"... If there was ever a Tanzanian Head of State in which the spirit of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere found residence, it was in the late John Pombe Joseph Magufuli," Prof Lumumba explained.

He said that his humility, selflessness, Tanzanianness, Africaness, and consciousness that the continent has people who deserve the best. The writers were right; those whom God loves, He takes soon, he pointed out.

He further stated that, "conspiracy theorists are now populating the social media with conspiracy after conspiracy. I refuse to swim in that sea because it is populated with crocodiles and hippopotami who I do not want to resettle with. I choose to walk on the firm ground that Dr Magufuli built when he lived on this earth."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Governance 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.

Concerning the African traditions, he pointed out that once one is sick or dead it is customary that even the enemies become friends. But, for those who do not know this are to be forgiven as they do not know what they are doing.

Prof Lumumba concluded that the late Magufuli will be remembered by historians, as a man who served his country in truth and dedication.

"Great men such as him are not to be mourned, they are to be celebrated; hence the statement, Magufuli is dead, long live JPM," he gloomily reiterated.

The late President Magufuli was heroically laid to rest in his home village in Chato District, Geita Region yesterday, after political and religious leaders paid glowing tribute to the iconic statesman.

Magufuli died on Wednesday, March 17 of 'heart condition' known as chronic atrial fibrillation at the age of 61. His sudden demise left the country grief-stricken as 21-day national mourning was declared.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health did not release COVID-19 case data Saturday due to technical issues.

Although figures did appear to update on the departments COVID-19 dashboard, they were not accurate, said Department of Health Communications Director Barry Ciccocioppo. There was a report that the system was not using current figures, but rather it was pulling figures from October, he said.

The department is working to fix the problem, but it might not be resolved until Monday, Ciccocioppo said.

The figures that were published, especially state totals, appeared excessively high. The inaccurate data showed the seven-county region of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties reporting its highest combined cases in nearly two months.

Full COVID-19 data for the weekend will be updated at noon Monday, according to a press release from the Department of Health. The most accurate data currently available is from Friday, according to the department.
Louis Theroux has been pictured visiting the messy remains of Joe Exotic's rundown home in Oklahoma while shooting his new documentary.

The documentary maker, 50, first encountered the charismatic but troubled Exotic, 58, when filming America's Most Dangerous Pets in 2011 - nine years before he shot to worldwide fame in Netflix series Tiger King: Murder, Madness, and Mayhem.

And he is now creating a feature length film to explore what's happened in the last decade, with Louis hoping to present a version of Joe Exotic with less 'caricature'.

New show: Louis Theroux has been pictured visiting the messy remains of Joe Exotic's home in Oklahoma while shooting his upcoming documentary for BBC Two

In a snap from the upcoming show, which has a working title of Louis Theroux: The Cult of Joe Exotic, the British filmmaker is seen crouching down in Exotic's home.

Louis holds onto a framed picture of the now infamous internet sensation, who is currently serving a 22-year jail sentence, while wearing brown suede gloves.

The floor around Louis is covered in bits of paper and rubbish while broken furniture is piled up in the background of a dilapidated room of Exotics former home.

Speaking about his latest work, Louis said he wants to present a version of the unusual star with less 'caricature'.

Tiger King: Exotic shot to worldwide fame in Netflix series Tiger King: Murder, Madness, and Mayhem however is now serving a 22-year prison sentence (pictured in the Netflix hit)

The zoo owner, real name Joseph Maldonado-Passage, found worldwide fame when he starred in a Netflix documentary but he is now in prison.

Now, Exotic, formerly the owner of the GW Exotic Animal Park, is serving a 22-year prison sentence after being convicted of plotting a murder-for-hire against rival Carole Baskin, owner of the Big Cat sanctuary, and violating federal wildlife laws.

Louis said his show 'sets out to understand who the real Joe Exotic' is, adding that it is 'an extraordinary situation Joe is in now. He's one of the most famous people in the world, arguably.

'He's an internet icon. Carole is also extremely famous. I think that's testament to the series and also lockdown and the collective madness of that period of time.

'But it's a mixed blessing because there's a tendency to see them as fictional characters ... whereas they are real people involved in a real crime.

'So what I've tried to do with this new documentary is try and present versions of people that are close to the truth and a bit less caricature-ish.'

Louis previously reflected on his first encounter with the world of Joe Exotic, saying that the characters involved in the story are 'larger-than-life.'

Regarding his new documentary, Louis previously said in a statement: 'This is one of those quintessentially American stories, taking place in the heartland of Oklahoma, with a cast of characters almost too colourful and larger-than-life to be believed.

'I spent eight or nine days filming at the park back in 2011, over the course of three separate visits. I'd forgotten how much we shot until I went back into the footage during lockdown.

'It's extraordinary how much was there. Since then the story just got stranger and bigger, and in going back at the end of last year I uncovered a real-life drama that took me in directions I never could have expected.'

The project is yet to receive a confirmed air date on BBC Two.

Revisit: Louis said he wants to ensure the people in this new film, his second about Exotic, come across a 'bit less caricature-ish' (pictured on America's Most Dangerous Pets)

Clare Sillery - BBC's head of commissioning, documentaries, history and religion - added: 'In this follow-up to Louis' revelatory first-look at the life of Joe Exotic in 'America's Most Dangerous Pets', viewers will be taken even more deeply into the weird world of one of America's most notorious figures.

'This feature-length special will be full to the brim with never-before-seen footage and brand new interviews with those on all sides of the Joe Exotic story.'

Louis has previously spoken about his time filming with the former zoo owner, telling The Sunday Times he had 'no idea' the big cat breeder would be involved in a murder-for hire case, and simply thought he was 'pretty weird'.

Louis revealed: 'It was hard to dislike the man himself, maybe because he seemed neither to be hiding many of his misdeeds nor to take himself too seriously.'

Throwback: Louis previously revealed that even back when he was filming America's Most Dangerous Pets in 2011, Joe was obsessed with Carole

And the British filmmaker revealed that even back when he was making America's Most Dangerous Pets, Joe was obsessed with Carole.

He said: 'Joe's grudge against Carole preoccupied him when we filmed. He would rant about her, mentioning his belief that she'd had one of her husbands killed.'

But despite the on-going feud and Joe's quirky personality, Louis said he never could have predicted that he would end up being caught up in the murder-for-hire case.

Tiger King became a worldwide sensation on Netflix as it chronicled the lives of big cat owners Joe Exotic, Carole Baskin and Doc Antle.

Exotic has served roughly two years of a 22-year sentence after he was convicted on 17 federal charges in 2019 for animal abuse and an attempted murder-for-hire plot on Baskin.

Behind bars: He was arrested in September of 2018 and later convicted on 17 federal charges of animal abuse and two counts of attempted murder for hire in his plot to kill Carole Baskin

The Kansas native requested a pardon from one-term President Donald Trump back in September, sending him a handwritten letter, later suing the Justice Department in December as a last-ditch effort.

Exotic also recently lashed out at Trump for deciding not to pardon him, accusing the former president of homophobia and saying he only pardoned his 'corrupt friends'.

The reality star had desperately hoped for a reprieve from the outgoing president and bitterly referenced the former president's son, who previously said he felt Exotic had been treated harshly.

Exotic tweeted in January: 'I was too innocent and too GAY to deserve a Pardon from Trump. I only mattered to Don Jr. when he needed to make a comment about me to boost his social media post.

'Boy were we all stupid to believe he actually stood for Equal Justice? His corrupt friends all come first.

Sensation: The documentary maker previously reflected on his first encounter with the world of Joe Exotic (pictured), saying that the characters involved in the story are 'larger-than-life'

He most recently hired a new legal team, as they plan to use unaired Tiger King footage to push for a new trial.

Attorney John Phillips of Phillips & Hunt, who previously represented the family of Baskin's missing husband Don Lewis, made the announcement in a video on Joe's Twitter.

He said: 'We are honored to announce that Joe has retained our firm. We're going to seek a new trial, and justice in the criminal and civil courts.'

Joe has also promised some juicy secrets in Tiger King: The Official Tell-All Memoir, which is set to set to be published in November.

He told E! News of the book: 'It's going to be a truth-tell book... Everybody that's ever done anything good, it's going to be in there and anybody that's got bones in your closet, you better look out.'
11:01 | Viru (La Libertad region), Mar. 22.







Unfortunately, this discovery did not come to light as a result of a planned research activity, but because of the destruction of the site by a group of individuals seeking to expand their agricultural fields.

Traces of heavy machinery used for such purpose to the detriment of the heritage are still present in the area.





On November 11, 2020, archaeologist Regulo Franco known for finding the funeral bundle of the Lady of Cao  states that he was alerted to the appearance of this iconography by a person close to him.

According to Franco, he went immediately to the area after he was told about this evidence.





"When I reached the place, I was so surprised to see such an impressive facade with geometric figures. The types of adobe found there bore no relationship with the Moche occupation, but with Cupisnique's," he told Andina news agency.









"After taking a close look at the evidence, I have come to the conclusion that this monument belongs to the formative or initial stage, that is to say, it dates back around 3,200 years," he said.





The archaeologist believes that 60% of the huaca or burial mound has been destroyed and that only a small building of around 15 meters in diameter and 5 meters high remains.









(END) LPZ/MAO/RMB





Loading...

Located in the middle of avocado and sugar cane crops in the heart of Viru Province's valley in La Libertad region there is a huaca (a burial site) whose southern facade features a wall painting that is more than 3,200 years old and belongs to Peru's ancient Cupisnique Culture.Publicado: 22/3/2021
After accumulating $108,713 in purse earnings and a lifetime mark of 1:50.2 on the pace, Joe Joe Joe made his fourth lifetime start on the trot at Harrahs Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday, March 27 and did it in world-record setting fashion.

With driver, trainer and owner Jesse Yoder in the bike, Joe Joe Joe is now the fastest double-gaited Standardbred ever after an impressive 1:54.4 score in a conditioned trot. With an established mark of 1:50.2 on the pace and now a combined mark of 3:45.1, Joe Joe Joe eclipsed the previous World Record of 3:45.2 held by the Argentinian bred Chucaro Ahijuna.

Joe Joe Joe is a seven-year-old gelding sired by Roll With Joe who raced on the pace for five seasons until he was sidelined by an injury in late 2020.

I raced him on the pace last year until I gave him some time off after a minor injury, Yoder said. Once I started bringing him back, I noticed how much he loved to trot. He really loves to trothe actually hates to pace. I think its the hopples he doesnt like but he is just much happier when hes trotting.

Yoder trained Joe Joe Joe at his home track in Bell, Fla. and once he was ready to go, ventured to Pompano Park for his career debut on the trot. Joe Joe Joe made three starts at Pompano, winning his most recent in 1:56.1.

He just kept getting better and better, Yoder said. Once he won at Pompano, I started looking into it and realized we had a shot at the world record.

Yoder and his family train a large stable in Florida during the winter months and then venture to Hoosier Park in the summer. The Yoder family is responsible for top trotters like millionaire Natural Herbie and world champion Woodside Charm.

I was going to stay in Florida and just send him up here to race with my brother, Yoder said. I wanted to keep him on a big track but I decided at the last minute to come up, I wanted to get it. I wanted to be the one to get the world record with him if he was going to get it.

Yoder wasted no time and sent Joe Joe Joe away from the gate to grab the early lead. The pair dictated early fractions of :28.1 and :57.1 before getting down to business.

Reaching the three-quarters in 1:26, Joe Joe Joe was on top by four lengths and began to draw away from his competitors. Finishing under a hand drive from Yoder, Joe Joe Joe coasted to the wire and finished 10-and-three-quarter lengths in front. Sent the heavy betting favourite, Joe Joe Joe returned $3.60 to his backers at the betting windows.

I wasnt sure if he would get it tonight, I just wanted him to be comfortable, Yoder noted. He did it all on his own. It is pretty cool training a world record holder.

Joe Joe Joe has now won two of his four lifetime starts on the trot while amassing $7,000 in purse earnings.

Live racing will continue at Harrahs Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday, April 1 with a 14-race card. With a daily post time of 6:30 p.m. (EDT), live racing at Harrahs Hoosier Park will be conducted through Dec. 4.

(Harrah's Hoosier Park)
British ambassador Paul Johnston has said Ireland will be "high up in our consideration" when the UK government has a surplus of Covid-19 vaccines.

It will look towards Ireland "very favourably when the time comes", he said, with the UK also pledging to donate most of its surplus supply to poorer countries.

"The prime minister says when we get to the stage of having a surplus - which we're far, far away from yet - that Ireland would be high up in our consideration of that. I think not least because of the shared island, you can see there's a strong case for that."

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has previously said he was "disappointed" when prime minister Boris Johnson told him he "wouldn't be in a position to give vaccines to anybody" until the UK has met its own targets.

"We've certainly said that we would look at that very favourably when the time comes," the ambassador said, praising the "open dialogue" between Dublin and London over Covid-19.

"There's both a lot of transparency and a lot of coordination between Belfast, London and Dublin. There's also a recognition that each jurisdiction needs to take its own decision."

The long-awaited Integrated Review of the UK's Defence, Security, Development and Foreign Policy lists Ireland as one of its "priority partners" due to its "deep shared interest in Northern Ireland" and the Common Travel Area, "which unites the two islands".

Mr Johnston accepts there has been much "unhappiness" around the controversial Northern Ireland protocol - which has resulted in a Border down the Irish Sea - but insists that despite unionist opposition, the UK government "want to make the protocol a success".

Last week, loyalist elements claimed they could return to violence if the protocol is not scrapped.

The ambassador said the UK administration "recognises the protocol is going to take us a bit of time to allow people to adapt to implement the new requirements".

After four years, the UK government must provide the Northern Ireland Assembly with the opportunity to decide whether those provisions remain in place.

"It will stand or fall by how it works in practice and it will stand or fall by the vote in the Assembly in four years' time," Mr Johnston said, "but the government wants to make a success of it, no question."

Post-Brexit complications "that perhaps weren't foreseeable or foreseen when the protocol was finalised" also "need to be taken into account", he said.

He played down the potential threat of loyalist violence due to the heightened tensions over the protocol, describing it as "political concerns" and insisting there are "dissidents and extremists in both communities and people who are of concern in both communities".

The Integrated Review reaffirms the UK's commitment to European security and states its "shared responsibility" in upholding the Good Friday Agreement "in all its elements".

These include the internal governance of Northern Ireland, North-South cooperation and East-West relations.

As part of the review, the UK government has identified a "broad range of issues" it wants to work with Ireland on in the future, including addressing climate change and its impacts.

The two governments will work closely when the UK hosts the UN Climate Conference in Glasgow at the end of the year, having pledged together to achieve net-zero targets and to press for global ambition on emissions reduction and climate finance.

On the benefits of the Common Travel Area, Mr Johnston said Britain and Ireland work together "to exchange best practice, information and intelligence".

"We've seen on these islands a lot of evidence of serious and organised crime gangs involved in drugs and firearms and people trafficking," he said.

However, there has been "a long- standing concern about the linkage in both directions", Mr Johnston said, referring to the drugs trade on both sides of the Irish Sea.

"A substantial proportion of the drugs that are fetched up in the UK have often come in, you know, from Ireland, so that cooperation as to how we can close down organised crime and the drug sphere is certainly, I think, a long-standing concern," he added. "I'm not aware these patterns have changed enormously during the pandemic."

Due to the "phenomenon" of the rise in the far-right movement, the UK government has consulted with its counterparts here on a new piece of legislation to "deter online harm and misinformation".

"Years ago, you had anti-globalisation protests and things like that, but now you're getting some anti-capitalist protests, anti-immigrant protests, and the cyber domain is being used by these people. There is also rampant misinformation circulating, including about vaccines," Mr Johnston said.

While working with the UK on maintaining a "secure, peaceful and open cyberspace" and tackling terrorist and extremist use of the internet, Ireland's seat on the UN Security Council means it will share priorities on human rights, gender equality and preventing conflict.
You have to hand it to him, Sen. Ted Cruz knows how to commit to the bit.

The Texas senator has immortalized his infamous mullet on a spring break tank that you can cop for the low price of a $30 campaign donation.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Florin Citu announced several measures will be taken after the subway protest, underscoring that he will not allow "the government to be taken advantage of by a group of people organized in a mafia style."

"No one is above the law! And to make sure, these are the measures I will impose, as a result of the illegal action on the subway, led by the former PSD (Social Democratic Party) Deputy, Ion Radoi: the recovery of the damage at the level of the company and the imputation of the amount established as prejudice to those who are found guilty; the establishment of Metrorex as a civil party in possible damages recovery processes; Metrorex will clearly establish who participated in the illegal action and will reduce their salary by one day; the state institutions must help the citizens and companies to recover the losses caused by the illegal action; criminal complaints have already been filed," the Prime Minister in a message posted on Facebook.

He said any negotiations would be made "in strict observance of the law.""During my term, I will not allow the government to be taken advantage of by a group of people organized in a mafia style. Thus, any negotiation will be done in strict observance of the law. REFORM of state-owned companies continues!," the PM said.The traffic of the subway trains was blocked, on Friday, by a spontaneous protest of some representatives of the USLM trade union in the Unirii Square station, with the participants going down into the tunnel, on the tracks, blocking the trains, which couldn't have a timely start, according to the normal schedule.
David Cameron is facing fresh accusations that he 'blurred the lines' with his role at a failed financial firm after new details emerged of a business trip to Singapore.

The former prime minister flew to the Asian city state in 2019 to open an office there for Greensill Capital.

While on the visit, he also hosted a lunch for the local branch of the British Chambers of Commerce to 'bang the drum' for UK trade, according to his website.

Accusations: David Cameron and Greensill executive Ilkka Tales opening Greensills Singapore office in late 2019

The gathering was attended by representatives of leading businesses including Lloyds Bank and Rolls-Royce.

But mingling with the distinguished guests was Lex Greensill, the Australian founder of the collapsed financial firm, who helped to organise the high-profile event.

Mr Cameron tweeted about the BCC Singapore gathering, which was also written up on his official web page, conveying the impression he was acting in his capacity as a former PM to further British business ties abroad.

At no point was there any mention of his relationship with Mr Greensill.

Press releases trumpeting Mr Cameron's Singapore trip have recently been deleted from the lender's website.

The event would have given Mr Greensill access to a room full of business leaders to whom he could tout his firm.

Critics last night said the Singapore episode raises questions over whether the former PM had been sufficiently transparent about his position as a paid Greensill adviser.

But Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden defended his long-term ally Mr Cameron yesterday, saying he was a 'man of utmost integrity and I've no doubt at all he would have behaved properly'.

However, Labour MP Rachel Reeves, shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, said: 'There appears to be a troubling blurring of lines here  the Government needs to make it clear what checks were done around Cameron hosting this event with full transparency, and how they plan to deal with these concerning revelations.' It follows the Mail's revelation that Mr Cameron's headline speaking slot at a summit in Saudi Arabia, also in 2019, could have made his stake in Greensill worth up to 70million.

BCC Singapore and Greensill declined to comment on the Singapore event. Mr Cameron's office did not respond to a request for comment. Details of the trip came amid a slew of new allegations against Mr Cameron and Greensill, which collapsed into administration earlier this month, putting 50,000 jobs at risk.

During Mr Cameron's time as Prime Minister, his friend Mr Greensill was given a security pass and a team of civil servants so he could promote the financial products he specialised in across Whitehall, The Sunday Times reported.

Mingling with the distinguished guests was Lex Greensill, above, the Australian founder of the collapsed financial firm, who helped to organise the high-profile even

In one instance, Mr Cameron signed off on a multi-billion-pound lending scheme for NHS-linked pharmacies proposed by Mr Greensill, despite a report rejecting the idea, according to the paper.

Greensill collapsed into administration this month, leaving thousands of jobs in the lurch at firms such as Liberty Steel. The lender had specialised in supply-chain finance  paying a company's suppliers quickly, and recouping the money from the firm at a later date for a fee. Mr Cameron was cleared of wrongdoing last week by the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists after it emerged that he had texted Chancellor Rishi Sunak in a bid to get Greensill access to emergency Covid loans. The former prime minister said he did not need to register as a lobbyist, because he was an in-house employee.

Deleted Greensill press releases called him a senior adviser. He was never listed as a director. Mr Cameron and Greensill have refused to reveal details of his employment.

Lord Mann, former chairman of the Treasury select committee, said: 'We expect transparency these days from everyone involved in financial services. It needs to be more so, not less so, for ex-ministers and prime ministers.' A Government spokesman said: 'Lex Greensill acted as a supply chain finance adviser from 2012 to 2015 and as a Crown Representative for three years from 2013. His appointment was approved in the normal manner and he was not paid for either role.'

ADVERTISEMENT

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Saturday hosted the Grammy award-winning Afrobeat artiste, Burna Boy, whom he described as the pride of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the artiste, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, visited Governor Wike in the company of his parents, Mr and Mrs Samuel Ogulu, and his management team.

The governor said the state is proud of Burna Boy for the rare distinction of becoming a winner of the prestigious Grammy award.

There is no Rivers person that will say he or she is not happy with the kind of pride youve brought us.

I am very happy and I can tell you, whatever you think we can do to promote you, we will continue to do it, he said.

According to him, when news broke that Burna Boy was the winner in the Best Global Music Album category with his Twice As Tall album, the entire state was elated.

He said: Youve done us proud and we owe you a duty to show you love. Wherever you are, your people appreciate you.

The governor urged Burna Boy not to relent in his musical endeavour, adding that the state government would continually give him all the necessary support.

Earlier, Burna Boy said he was deeply grateful and incredibly humbled by the reception and honour done to him by the Government of Rivers State.

I really appreciate being here. This is probably the biggest honour that will be bestowed on me since I was born.

It is one thing to win the Grammy and to be applauded everywhere else in the world and another thing to be loved in your own home and that to me is worth more than anything I can get.

So I appreciate you my governor for taking your time out to do this, he added.

(NAN)
Earlier this week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had agreed to release the next portion of the $500 million loan for Pakistan after approving four pending reviews of the country's economic growth. World Bank signs fresh loan agreements worth USD 1.336 Billion with Pakistan.

The World Bank has signed fresh agreements with Pakistan worth USD 1.3 Billion with cash-strapped Pakistan to help the countrys foreign exchange reserves and provide support to its social sector programmes. The decision comes days after IMF cleared its USD 500 mn to the country after reviewing the countrys economic progress.

A total of 6 agreements were signed on Friday consisting of a loan agreement worth USD 1.336 Billion, which also includes a $128 million grant to support Pakistans government initiatives in social sectors, climate and disaster management, improving infrastructure for agriculture, resilience, human capital development, governance sectors and agriculture, the Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported.

Noor Ahmad, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs signed the agreements on behalf of Pakistans government. online agreements were signed by representatives of Kyber, Sindh, Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Also Read:

The country director of the World Bank signed the agreement on behalf of the organisation. A day before, the loan was signed by the board of executive directors of the Bank under its International Development Association (IDA) programme. The first million loan agreement was signed for the assistance in the Crisis-Resilient Social Protection Programme (CRSP) to substructure the development of a more adaptive social protection system that will further contribute to future crisis-resilience and management among vulnerable and poor households of the country.

Earlier in February 2021, Finance Minister of Pakistan Dr Hafeez Sheikh presented a report on the Fiscal Policy and Debt policy of the country in which he revealed that the countrys total debt stands at Rs 36.5 Trillion with Rs 11.5 Trillion borrowed in the last two years.

Also Read:

Mike Pompeo rattled off a list of his accomplishments as Secretary of State under former President Donald Trump, touted his Midwest roots and took nearly an hour of questions from a roomful of eager Iowa Republicans.

"We put America first, and we got it right," he told the group of about 100 people who sipped coffee and finished plates of eggs and toast at the Machine Shed restaurant in Urbandale Friday.

It was part of Pompeo's two-day swing through Iowa to help support the party in a state where Republicans nearly swept the board in the last election cycle and no major candidates have yet announced their intentions for the next one.

The subtext of his visit, however, is not 2022 but 2024.

Pompeo has hinted at a possible run for president, and his early forays into Iowa are yet another data point signaling the Republican presidential shadow primary has already begun.

"I see a lot of cameras in the back. I think theres going to be some big announcement," Pompeo joked, alluding to as much. "Were in Iowa and all."

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to the West Side Conservative Club on Friday, March 26, 2021, at the Machine Shed in Urbandale, Iowa.

Two other potential contenders  GOP Sens. Rick Scott of Florida and Tim Scott of South Carolina  have also announced trips to Iowa next month. Others, like former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, visited the state to help Republicans campaign late last year.

These individuals are coming in to party build. Theyre coming in to help other Republicans. And, you know, let's face it, they're coming in to, I wouldn't say test the waters, but to introduce themselves to Iowans, said Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann.

The Democrats botched handling of the 2020 Iowa caucuses touched off a renewed national debate over the presidential nominating process and Iowas place in it. But Iowa Republicans say the early visits from national political leaders help reinforce their expectation that they, at least, will hold the nations first caucus again in 2024  regardless of what Democrats do.

Story continues

"I cannot think of a reason that would derail the Republican process even if the Democrats opt not to have a caucus," said Iowa Republican operative Eric Woolson. "I don't know why we would be dependent on what the Democrats choose to do with their nomination process."

Democrats  both nationally and some in Iowa  argue the overwhelmingly white state of Iowa and its convoluted caucus process no longer represent the party's goals of diversity and inclusion.

Republicans, who use a simpler caucus process than Democrats, have not raised such concerns. Kaufmann said he has yet to hear of any rumblings within the national Republican Party about rearranging the nominating calendar, though they may yet come.

"We've already heard rumors of several other would-be presidential candidates or rumored presidential candidates that are planning visits in the near future," said Iowa Republican operative Luke Martz. "The Iowa caucuses are on, and we hope the Democrats join us."

More: A year after Iowa caucus collapse, the stage is set for a bitter debate over the presidential nominating calendar

'It's absolutely earlier than before'

After breakfast with the Westside Conservatives Club, Pompeo planned a meeting with the Bull Moose Club in downtown Des Moines with Terry Branstad, the former Iowa governor and former U.S. ambassador to China. The day before, Pompeo met with the Pottawattamie County Republicans at an event in Council Bluffs.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Pompeo, who was a U.S. representative for the state of Kansas and the director of the Central Intelligence Agency before becoming secretary of state, previously was in Iowa last summer to speak at the Family Leadership Summit hosted by the Family Leader, a Christian conservative advocacy group.

Hes among a handful of Republicans who found reasons to travel to Iowa last year, including Tim Scott, Haley, Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. Former Vice President Mike Pence was also a frequent visitor to Iowa while serving in the Trump administration.

Rick Scott, who is also the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, will be in Cedar Rapids April 1 for an event organized by the Republican Party of Iowa. And Tim Scott will return to speak at a party event in Davenport April 15.

Kaufmann said the presidential activity is beginning sooner than it has in past years.

It is absolutely earlier than before, he said. No doubt about it.

State Rep. Eddie Andrews, R-Johnston, takes a selfie with former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday, March 26, 2021, at the Machine Shed in Urbandale, Iowa.

According to Des Moines Register data, a handful of potential candidates  Mike Huckabee, Tim Pawlenty, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum and Sarah Palin  held a dozen events across the state in 2009, just after Democrat Barack Obama had taken office for his first term. But most of those events were held late in the year, during the fall and winter.

Republican visits ramped up dramatically in 2010, when they made 123 separate appearances. And the caucus cycle hit its peak in 2011, when Republicans made more than 1,000 Iowa appearances ahead of the January 2012 caucuses.

Would-be candidates followed a similar schedule at the outset of the 2016 cycle, as Republicans made their first visits to the state in May of 2013.

More: Iowa's Johnson County Democrats calls for replacing caucuses with a presidential primary

Democrats, eager to take on Trump after his surprise victory in 2016, began arriving in Iowa at the end of February 2017, holding 63 events throughout that year. By the time Caucus Day rolled around, Democrats had made roughly 2,600 appearances in the state.

More: Iowa Senate passes bill shortening early voting period, creating stricter cutoff for absentee ballots

A wild card for 2024: The Trump factor

Even as potential candidates begin making early moves in Iowa, Trumps shadow looms.

At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, he continued to falsely claim he won the 2020 election and teased a 2024 campaign, saying I may even decide to beat them for a third time.

Trump remains popular among Iowa Republicans, who voted to send him back to the White House by an 8 percentage point margin. According to a March Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll, 89% of Iowa Republicans view him favorably.

And at CPAC in February, a straw poll showed him dominating a field of potential candidates. Trump won easily, earning 55% of the vote. At 21%, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was the only other Republican to crack into double digits.

But Kaufmann said he doesnt believe politicians run the risk of alienating Trump or his supporters simply by showing up in Iowa.

"In my conversations with many of these leaders  and I've had conversations with many of them  not one time, not one time did I hear one of these national leaders or a member of their team actually say anything negative or even imply anything negative towards the former president," he said.

But some Republicans say theyre ready to move on from Trump. Longtime Iowa operative Doug Gross said in January after the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6 that he would personally try to block Trumps rise in Iowa if he were to run again.

"Im going to dedicate my efforts to try to make sure that Trump finds Iowa as his Saint Helena  that it's an island he'll be on that he never comes back from," he said, referencing Napoleon Bonapartes place of exile and death.

In the meantime, politicians with relatively low national profiles can help raise their name recognition and build relationships with key activists.

"Maybe these people don't run. Maybe they do," Martz said. "But until they make the decision, it's not a bad idea to invest the time in Iowa."

Iowa's place could still be challenged

Even as Iowa Republicans project confidence about their 2024 caucuses, they acknowledge that challenges could still arise and could come from unexpected places.

So far, Nevada Democrats have made the most concerted push to surpass Iowa on the nominating calendar. The state Legislature introduced a bill that calls for the state to switch from a caucus to a primary and move its date earlier in January in a specific bid to be first.

But the legislation ignores laws on the books in Iowa and New Hampshire that require the states to hold the first caucus and first primary respectively and that give wide latitude to state leaders to set their dates accordingly.

Kaufmann said his counterpart in Nevadas state Republican Party has assured him he would not support the effort. And he said other threats to Iowa's caucuses have yet to materialize on the Republican side.

More: Iowa GOP forms alliance with other carve-out states to preserve presidential nominating calendar

I have heard nothing at this point of any kind of official type of challenge to Iowa being first in the nation in the Republican National Committee," he said.

Even if the national party were to make changes, he and others say there is very little likelihood Iowa's Republican governor and Republican-controlled Legislature would move to change the state law.

"I can't see anything in the sentiment of our legislators or our state leaders to change the timing of the Iowa caucuses," Woolson said. "The state law says that we're first, and I think everyone's inclination is to keep us first."

Kaufmann said he sought another term as Republican Party of Iowa chairman in January in part because he felt compelled to help protect the caucuses.

"There is nothing more important to me than remaining first in the nation," he said. "And I'll be honest with you, I can think of very little I won't do within the confines of the law in order for us to keep it."

Follow Brianne Pfannenstiel on Twitter at @brianneDMR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa caucuses 2024: Democrats' plans unknown, but GOP is gearing up
Lawton, OK (73501)

Today

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
New York, March 28 : In a big relief, NASA has ruled out the possibility of asteroid Apophis impacting Earth in 2068, saying that our planet is safe from this notorious space rock for at least a century.

The results from a new radar observation campaign combined with precise orbit analysis have helped astronomers conclude that there is no risk of Apophis impacting our planet for the next 100 years at least, NASA said.

Discovered in 2004, asteroid Apophis, estimated to be about 340 metres across, quickly gained notoriety as an asteroid that could pose a serious threat to Earth when astronomers predicted that it would come uncomfortably close in 2029.

Thanks to additional observations of the near-Earth object (NEO), the risk of an impact in 2029 was later ruled out, as was the potential impact risk posed by another close approach in 2036.

Until this month, however, a small chance of impact in 2068 still remained.

When Apophis made a distant flyby of Earth around March 5, astronomers took the opportunity to use powerful radar observations to refine the estimate of its orbit around the Sun with extreme precision, enabling them to confidently rule out any impact risk in 2068 and long after.

"A 2068 impact is not in the realm of possibility anymore, and our calculations don't show any impact risk for at least the next 100 years," Davide Farnocchia of NASA's Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), which is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, said in a statement.

"With the support of recent optical observations and additional radar observations, the uncertainty in Apophis' orbit has collapsed from hundreds of kilometres to just a handful of kilometres when projected to 2029. This greatly improved knowledge of its position in 2029 provides more certainty of its future motion, so we can now remove Apophis from the risk list." To arrive at the latest Apophis calculations, astronomers turned to the 70-metre radio antenna at the Deep Space Network's Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex near Barstow, California, to precisely track Apophis' motion.

"Although Apophis made a recent close approach with Earth, it was still nearly 17 million kilometres away. Even so, we were able to acquire incredibly precise information about its distance to an accuracy of about 150 metres," said JPL scientist Marina Brozovic, who led the radar campaign.

"This campaign not only helped us rule out any impact risk, it set us up for a wonderful science opportunity."

Charlotte Ponthier couldnt believe her 6 year-old eyes. There at the San Antonio Zoo on Sunday fluttered some of the largest monarch butterfly wings the Kerrville kid had ever seen.

The giant orange and black cloth wings were worn by staffers celebrating Monarch Fest. The real monarchs are just now fluttering through San Antonio.

At several booths outside the zoos butterfly exhibit, staffers wearing synthetic wings handed out clusters of milkweed and other butterfly friendly plant seeds, while nearby a young woman with yellow cape-like butterfly wings spun around in circles to beckon patrons for photos. And yards away by the gibbons exhibit, kids and grownups posed between a giant pair of wooden monarch wings.

Then there was the giant monarch just inches away from Charlottes face, a colorful hand-puppet brought to life by zoo butterfly attendant Roxanne Jacobsen. When Jacobsen transformed the specimen from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly with a flick of her wrists, Charlotte hopped as if about to take flight herself.

That was the colorful majesty of Monarch Fest, the zoos celebration of the migratory butterfly that swings through San Antonio on its way to Mexico from as far north as Canada. The two-day festival wrapped up Sunday.

The purpose of the festival is to bring attention to monarch butterflies, said zoo education director Lisa Townsend, whose own orange and black wings punctuated her self-professed side hustle as butterfly peddler. And here in San Antonio we are a monarch city.

The zoo is a member of the Alamo Area Monarch Collaborative, a partnership of San Antonio agencies and individuals dedicated to butterfly conservation. And unlike those wearable wings, that monarch city tagline is no exaggeration.

In late 2015, San Antonio became the first-ever Monarch Champion City when then-Mayor Ivy Taylor pledged to the National Wildlife Federation to preserve the monarch butterflys habitat and to educate the community about them.

Hence outreach events such as Monarch Fest, which Townsend said educates the public on simple ways to care for and cultivate monarch butterfly populations.

Those tips include planting milkweed and other butterfly friendly plants to fuel those long-flying monarchs on their migration path, and limiting pesticide use to just along the ground at the perimeter of your home.

Think like the butterfly, Townsend said.

That perspective reached multiple generations Sunday.

I volunteer at a wildlife ranch, so everything deserves to live, especially butterflies, said Floresville resident Esperanza Stine, who took in the Monarch Fest with her daughters Peyton, 4, and Paizleigh, 2, and their grandmother Toni Navarrete. I think it teaches them to value life and beautiful things early on.

Besides, those beautiful things could use a boost.

As recently as 1996, more than 1 billion monarch butterflies used to winter in Mexico, according to the Alamo Area Monarch Collaborative. But by 2013, those numbers dwindled to 56 million, what the conservation group considers a grave indicator of worsening ecosystems.

Monarch butterfly numbers have since bounced back to 200 million. But the conservation group warned thats still 5 million short from ensuring species survival should another winter storm threaten their overwintering habitat.

Townsend said monarch butterflies are a part San Antonio culture and heritage. In the fall, the butterflies tend to land in Mexico in early November, just in time for the Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead celebration of lost loved ones.

Yet even after one of the nations worst winter storms in February and a global pandemic for the past year, the monarch butterfly marches on.

And while the only monarchs at the zoo Sunday were of the synthetic variety, Townsend said we should see the real thing again real soon.

We are incredibly fortunate in that we actually get to see monarchs twice, she said. We see them here in the spring, then well see them again in October, as the migration goes to and from Mexico.

rguzman@express-news.net | Twitter: @reneguz
Ahmad Alfarhan's body was found by police divers on Sunday morning after he was swept off rocks on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula on Saturday

A 16-year-old boy who drowned when he was swept off rocks had bravely jumped into the water to save another student who fell into the surf.

The body of Ahmad Alfarhan was found by police divers on Sunday morning after he was reported missing from Browns Beach on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula about 2pm on Saturday.

The teenager, from Paralowie in north Adelaide, had been visiting the popular scenic spot with a teacher and eight other students when one slipped while fishing and fell into the ocean.

The teacher, Ahmad and two other students jumped into the water to try and save the boy - with all but the 16-year-old then pulling themselves to safety.

Divers found Ahmad about 11.30am the next morning after launching a search by air and sea.

'He went in to save his mate. We really see that as a heroic act, but unfortunately it was to his demise,' Police Superintendent Mark Syrus said.

South Australian Police said Ahmad went in after a student who slipped into the water while fishing but failed to return on Saturday afternoon (pictured, emergency services at the scene)

'Its very tragic.'

Adelaide's Pinnacle College paid tribute to a 'loved and valued student'.

'He was a young person full of life, energy and potential,' executive principal Deniz Yildirim said.

'His loss is an irreplaceable loss for his family, his friends, our college and the wider community. We thank all those who came to our aid and searched for him.'

The desperate search for the teenager had on Saturday first involved local fishermen, Sea Rescue, state emergency service, Country Fire Service and national park crews assisting police.

The search was called off around 7.45pm due to fading light, with police issuing a statement that said 'grave concerns' were held for Ahmad's welfare.

Police continued the search at first light on Sunday morning with the help of specialist divers.

The 16-year-old's body was found near where he was last seen on Sunday with the assistance of Police Water Operations Unit divers (pictured at the beach)

A GoFundMe page has raised nearly $30,000 for the Alfarhan family, which will be used to cover the costs of the teenager's funeral.

Organiser Lena Allouche described Ahmad as 'a beautiful year 11 student' and said his family were 'overwhelmed with the amount of support they have received'.

'While the funeral has been covered as you all know the emotional, physical and mental health of all his family and friends will be strained for a significant amount of time, so all your donations will help to support them in need.'
For Michelle Burgess, life had become intolerable. The monthly hormonal migraines she had long suffered were lingering far longer than normal. Her libido had all but vanished. And her mood was so flat that she no longer had enthusiasm for anything. Then there was the brain fog, which was 'debilitating'.

The 53-year-old businesswoman from Whitstable, Kent, says: 'If I could have stayed in bed all day, every day, I would have. I felt like I didn't know myself any more  I was completely lost in my anxiety.'

Last October, a visit to her private doctor confirmed what she had suspected: like many women her age, she was in the throes of menopause.

Michelle, who runs pet gift shop called Scruffy Little Terrier, was promptly prescribed standard hormone-replacement therapy (HRT), which tops up dwindling levels of the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone, helping alleviate menopause symptoms.

But her doctor also gave her another treatment that few women in the UK can currently access on the NHS  a cream containing testosterone. Often assumed to be an exclusively male sex hormone, testosterone is also produced by women  at far lower levels, which decline with age.

Michelle Burgess, 53, from Whitstable, Kent, who runs Scruffy Little Terrier, started on testosterone cream in October and no longer has low libido, brain fog or anxiety

Experts agree that topping up testosterone at the same time as giving standard HRT can prove 'transformative' for some women, particularly those who suffer from a reduced sex drive and low mood.

Support groups online are brimming with stories from women who are evangelical about the treatment, crediting it with giving them back their 'va va voom'.

Michelle is now one of them. She began to notice the effects after a month. She says: 'My brain fog has lifted, I have more energy and just more enthusiasm for doing things.

Your amazing body Have you ever noticed that it is difficult to swallow twice in a row? When we swallow food or liquid, the presence of these substances in the back of the mouth stimulates nerves in throat and the oesophagus, the tube which connects the throat to the stomach. Muscles in the throat and oesophagus contract in waves, moving whatever you have consumed into the stomach in a process called peristalsis. When you force yourself to swallow with no food or liquid in your mouth, you swallow saliva. By your second swallow you will have less saliva in your mouth, so the nerves that normally trigger peristalsis aren't stimulated, making it harder for the contraction to happen. Advertisement

'There's been an improvement in my libido too  the spark has been reignited. My husband has noticed that I'm joking and dancing around again, back to my old self.'

Yet experts say thousands of women who could benefit from testosterone are not  and most are even unaware it could help.

The problem is that there is no testosterone-containing medicine specifically licensed for women in the UK, only for men. And because of this, most GPs don't prescribe it.

This is despite it being recommended by prescribing watchdogs the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in 2015, and an international group of leading medical bodies agreeing it was safe and effective for women during menopause after a review of the evidence two years ago.

Experts are today calling for this situation to change. Several leading specialists in menopause care have told The Mail on Sunday that using testosterone is a 'no-brainer' and that GPs should consider all women suffering menopausal symptoms for the treatment.

Haitham Hamoda, chair of the British Menopause Society, said: 'There's a wealth of data that this works really well, going well over two decades. There's no argument about that. It improves sexual desire, and also energy and low mood too. Women say they experience this lift in their energy, this renewed sense of get up and go.

'But while access is improving, it doesn't go far enough. Not all GPs are aware of the NICE guidelines, or that it can be used for women.'

Natural testosterone levels peak during a woman's 20s and 30s, when the body produces up to four times as much of the hormone as it does oestrogen. Testosterone increases levels of dopamine in the body  a chemical messenger crucial to brain health that plays a role in thinking, decision-making and pleasure. Levels start to reduce years before the menopause begins.

If, after starting on standard HRT treatment, women are still left with specific symptoms such as low libido, headaches, insomnia and low mood, then extra testosterone may be the answer, say experts.

Research in this area has focused largely on how the treatment improves sex drive.

Privately, testosterone cream or gel costs about 50 for a one-month supply

The products are safe, with the main side effects being acne and extra hair growth  and both problems disappear when the treatment is stopped. It can be particularly beneficial to women who go through an early menopause before they reach 40, and those who have their ovaries surgically removed, according to Michael Savvas, consultant gynaecologist at King's College London.

This works Veggi Wash's Fruit + Veggi Wipes Paranoid about bacteria, pesticides and other contaminants on fruit you eat when on the move? Give it a polish with these all-natural antimicrobial wipes, which don't leave any taste. 4.99, veggiwash.co.uk Veggi Wash's Fruit + Veggi Wipes Advertisement

While testosterone was historically linked to an increased risk of heart disease, recent studies have found that, in fact, men and women with low testosterone are more likely to have heart problems. 'Testosterone may protect the heart,' Mr Savvas says.

'It also probably helps maintain muscle mass, and we think it also helps women avoid [the bone disease] osteoporosis.'

So why aren't more women being given it? Katie Taylor, founder of a Facebook group and website for women over 40, has received 'thousands' of emails from women, some of whom have classic symptoms of testosterone deficiency. 'None of them know about testosterone as a treatment,' she says.

'When I tell them they say they don't want to be a man and develop muscles and grow body hair. Even when I send them information about it to take to the GP, they say doctors won't prescribe it because it isn't licensed.'

Privately, testosterone cream or gel costs about 50 for a one-month supply. Katie, 51, has benefited 'hugely' from the cream, although she said a pharmacist was initially reluctant to give it to her. 'I had to explain the NICE guidelines to them,' she said.

Part of the problem is that a simple test to detect testosterone levels is not helpful on its own.

'One woman with symptoms of testosterone deficiency could have the same levels as another woman with no symptoms at all,' Mr Savva says.

'Symptoms are what a doctor should go on. And sometimes these  sex not being what it was, a lack of energy  can easily be put down to a busy life or a long-term relationship.'

Administering testosterone is not always easy. Some creams come in pre-packaged sachets. While men prescribed testosterone use one sachet a day, women need just one tenth of one, Mr Hamoda says.

It's a fact Australia is the only country in the world to license the use of testosterone cream for postmenopausal women experiencing low sexual desire and other menopausal symptoms. Advertisement

Testosterone treatment also requires regular monitoring by GPs. 'What you prescribe first is just the starting point,' Mr Hamoda says. 'The next question is, how much of it are you absorbing? And, then, how much do you need? There's a lot of tweaking.'

The situation could be set to change. One product designed for women, AndroFeme, was given an Australian licence at the end of 2020.

It is understood the company behind it plans to submit an application for a UK licence later this year.

'From a practical point of view, this could be really important for patients and GPs,' Mr Hamoda said.

'The tube is pink. The leaflet will talk about a female-licensed product. Those who don't feel comfortable with the male products could see this differently.'

Women who think they could benefit from testosterone should contact their GP and ask to be referred to a menopause specialist.
An afternoon ruckus has emerged and local newsies are scurrying to the scene.



Here are the basics and the best info so far . . .

This afternoon just after 2:30p officers were called to a house in the 2000 block of Brooklyn on a prowler call.



A neighbor heard the sound of someone breaking into their neighbors house and saw a door that had been forced open and called police



Officers arrived and announced that police were there, a person inside yelled back to the officers but refused to come out.



A short time later the homeowner returned home and spoke with officers. The homeowner confirmed no one is supposed to be in the house. The homeowner also advised there are firearms inside the house.



Officers de-escalated and surrounded the house. They called for an Operation 100/standoff which brings additional tactical personnel, resources, and negotiators.



Officers and negotiators now are working to bring this standoff to a peaceful conclusion.

UPDATE:

"At about 5:15p a male exited the residence on his own and was taken into custody without incident. Officers ensured no one else was inside the residence and the burglary investigation continues this evening."

Read more . . .



Fox4KC: KCPD - Standoff in 2000 block of Brooklyn Avenue, please avoid the area

KSHB: KCPD involved in standoff in 2000 block of Brooklyn Avenue

KCTV5: Police say they are investigating a burglary in the area and a person inside the home isn't coming out.

Developing . . .
BRUSSELS and STOCKHOLM, March 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Euroclear has agreed to acquire MFEX Group, a leading global digital fund distribution platform, majority owned by Nordic Capital.

The combination of MFEX's innovative distribution platform with Euroclear's FundSettle post-trade operations expertise creates a unique and compelling offering for fund distributors and fund management companies globally.

Faced with increasing levels of complexity and cost, fund management companies require an efficient mechanism to access a broad network of end investors in a fragmented marketplace. FundSettle already streamlines back office processes by delivering a single point of access for order management, settlement and asset servicing, bringing greater efficiencies and cost savings.

With this transaction, MFEX and Euroclear's complementary businesses are expected to produce significant value through revenue synergies, expanding the client service offering by creating a new funds market utility and a leading global provider of fund services.

Established in 1999, the MFEX Group is headquartered in Stockholm with over 300 employees internationally. Experts in global fund distribution, MFEX offers a complete solution for fund companies and distributors and has assets under administration of EUR 320 billion. Over 350 institutional clients use MFEX to access one of the world's largest range of funds with 80,000 funds from over 960 fund companies.

The parties have agreed not to disclose financial details. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Lieve Mostrey, Chief Executive Officer, Euroclear commented: "We are delighted to sign this agreement to acquire MFEX Group. We expect MFEX's broad fund distribution network, along with its talented people, to be very complementary to Euroclear as we continue to enhance our exceptional service, extend our customer proposition and grow our business."

Jean Devambez, Chief Executive Officer, MFEX Group said: "Over the past years, we have together with Nordic Capital invested in our platform and continued to transform the fund distribution proposition. Euroclear is a great strategic fit for the next stage of our journey. By adding our respective strengths, we will be able to build an even better and stronger solution for fund distribution."

MFEX co-founders and Board members, Olivier Huby and Oliver Lagerstrom added: "It has been a privilege to work closely with Nordic Capital and to grow MFEX together. We are delighted for MFEX to partner with Euroclear, which we believe will be a perfect combination for the future."

David Samuelson, Board member of MFEX and Principal, Nordic Capital Advisors also commented: "MFEX is a true leader in its field. Since Nordic Capital became a majority owner in 2018, in partnership with the founders, MFEX has experienced continued strong organic growth and executed a series of strategic, value accretive acquisitions. MFEX has developed from being a Nordic leader in its industry to a pan-European leader with an emerging global presence. Nordic Capital is pleased to have been able to support this journey. Now it is the ideal time for Nordic Capital to hand over to Euroclear as the next step for MFEX."

About Euroclear

Euroclear group is the financial industry's trusted provider of post trade services. Euroclear provides settlement and custody of domestic and cross- border securities for bonds, equities and derivatives to investment funds. Euroclear is a proven, resilient capital market infrastructure committed to delivering risk-mitigation, automation and efficiency at scale for its global client franchise.

The Euroclear group includes Euroclear Bank - which is rated AA+ by Fitch Ratings and AA by Standard & Poor's - as well as Euroclear Belgium, Euroclear Finland, Euroclear France, Euroclear Nederland, Euroclear Sweden and Euroclear UK & Ireland. The Euroclear group settled the equivalent of EUR 897 trillion in securities transactions in 2020, representing 276 million domestic and cross-border transactions, and held EUR 32.8 trillion in assets for clients by end 2020. For more information about Euroclear, please visit www.euroclear.com.

About MFEX

As independent experts in global fund distribution, MFEX offers a complete solution for fund companies and distributors. The MFEX Group was established in Sweden in 1999 and is headquartered in Stockholm with offices in Paris, Luxembourg, London, Geneva, Kuala Lumpur, Milan, Madrid, Umea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Zurich. The main supervisory authority is the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen).

Today, MFEX is a pan-European leader with a global presence active in 52 countries on 5 continents with more than 300 employees. The company is divided into four main business areas: Trading and custody, Distribution agreement and rebate collection, Data and fund information and Due Diligence / AML & KYC (Global Fund Watch). More information is available at www.mfex.com

About Nordic Capital

Nordic Capital is a leading private equity investor with a resolute commitment to creating stronger, sustainable businesses through operational improvement and transformative growth. Nordic Capital focuses on selected regions and sectors where it has deep experience and a long history. Focus sectors are Healthcare, Technology & Payments, Financial Services, and selectively, Industrial & Business Services. Key regions are Europe and globally for Healthcare and Technology & Payments investments. Since inception in 1989, Nordic Capital has invested more than EUR 17 billion in close to 120 investments. The most recent fund is Nordic Capital Fund X with EUR 6.1 billion in committed capital, principally provided by international institutional investors such as pension funds. Nordic Capital Advisors have local offices in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, the UK and the US. For further information about Nordic Capital, please visit www.nordiccapital.com

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/euroclear-agrees-to-acquire-mfex-group-a-leading-global-digital-fund-distribution-platform-301256629.html

SOURCE Euroclear
Patna: After the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) declared class 12th Result 2021 on Friday (March 26), speculations suggest that the Bihar Board 10th Results 2021 will be announced soon.

The overall pass percentage this year for the class 12 result stands at 78.04. Girls outranked boys this year with girls bagging the top positions in all three streams.

Take a look how to check the result from your phone:

Students who appeared in the board examination can visit various websites- onlinebseb.in, bsebresult.online, biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in, biharboard.online, and bsebonline.org.

A result link will be present on these websites. Students will have to click the link.

Then the students will need to enter their registration number/ roll number and enter.

The results for Class 12 students will appear on the screen.

This result can be downloaded or printed for future reference.

Live TV
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has disseminated footage shot in the Chopadara village of the Zangilan region, Trend reports on March 28 with reference to the ministry.
Advertisement

An 11-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy were among the more than 100 people killed by security forces in Myanmar on Saturday - the bloodiest day since a February 1 coup.

Friends and relatives gathered on Sunday to mourn Aye Myat Thu, who was shot dead in the southeastern city of Mawlamyine a day earlier, according to local media.

The schoolgirl was laid to rest on Sunday alongside colouring books, Barbie dolls and a picture of Hello Kitty she had drawn.

Her face was made up with the thanaka paste cosmetic that is widely used in Myanmar.

In Yangon, a funeral was held for 13-year-old Sai Wai Yan, who was shot dead while playing outside his house in the Mingalar Taungnyunt township on Saturday.

Barricades had been set up in the area and security forces opened fire, although there were no protests at the time, residents said.

The body of the boy, who was also known as Wai Yan Tun, was taken away by security forces in a blue plastic sheet, a neighbour told Reuters news agency.

'Are you leaving your mum behind? How can I live without you my son?' his mother wailed beside his coffin on Sunday.

A person looks at tributes and protest signs outside the Embassy of Myanmar, in London, March 28. An 11-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy were among the more than 100 people killed by security forces in Myanmar on Saturday - the bloodiest day since a February 1 coup

Friends and relatives gathered on Sunday to mourn some of the more than 100 people killed by security forces in Myanmar on Saturday - the bloodiest day since a February 1 coup. Several of those killed were bystanders and children under 16, including eleven-year-old Aye Myat Thu (pictured), who was shot dead in the southeastern city of Mawlamyine, according to local media

In Yangon, a funeral was held for 13-year-old Sai Wai Yan, who was shot dead while playing outside his house on Saturday

Several of those killed by security forces on Saturday were bystanders and children under 16 who had been out for the annual Armed Forces Day holiday. Pictured: Mourners at the funeral of 13-year-old Sai Wai Yan in Yangon on Sunday

Some mourners flash the three-fingered salute adopted by protesters across Asia at the funeral of 13-year-old Sai Wai Yan on Sunday

Relatives grieve for 13-year-old Sai Wai Yan, who was shot dead while playing outside his house in the Mingalar Taungnyunt township on Saturday. Barricades had been set up in the area and security forces opened fire, although there were no protests at the time, residents said

The children were just two of the 114 people killed on Saturday as security forces cracked down on protests against last month's military coup, according to online news service Myanmar Now.

Similar death tolls were issued by other Myanmar media and researchers, far exceeding the previous highest on March 14.

Several of those killed were bystanders and children under 16 who had been out for the annual Armed Forces Day holiday.

The number of killings since the coup is now more than 420, according to multiple counts.

In Mandalay, the country's second largest city, crowds gathered to mourn Kyaw Win Maung, an architect who was killed by security forces during a protest on Saturday.

The Association of Myanmar Architects said he had been shot in the chest.

Kyaw was laid to rest draped in the flag of the National League for Democracy, the party of Myanmar's toppled civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was arrested along with other officials on February 1.

Some of those attending the funeral raised a three-fingered salute, adopted from The Hunger Games film franchise, which has become a symbol of defiance in protest movements across Asia.

Sunday also saw the funeral of Kyaw Win Maung, an architect who was among those killed in the northern city of Mandalay on Saturday

Kyaw was laid to rest draped in the flag of the National League for Democracy, the party of Myanmar's toppled civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was arrested along with other officials on February 1

Some of those attending the funeral raised a three-fingered salute, adopted from The Hunger Games film franchise, which has become a symbol of defiance in protest movements across East Asia

News of the deaths on Saturday prompted calls for the international community to take stronger action against Myanmar's ruling military junta, known as the Tatmadaw. Pictured: The funeral of Kyaw Win Maung in Mandalay on Sunday

Protesters took to the streets again on Sunday in Mandalay, Yangon, and elsewhere on Sunday.

Some were again met with police force as protesters made makeshift barricades from tyres and other debris.

Pictures showed streets blocked with flaming barricades in Yangon and people marching in the south-eastern city of Dawei.

News of Saturday's killings prompted renewed calls from domestic and international rights groups for the international community to take a stronger stand against Myanmar's ruling military.

The coup reversed years of tentative progress towards democracy after five decades of military rule and has again made Myanmar the focus of international scrutiny. Pictured: Mourners at the funeral of Kyaw Win Maung in Mandalay on Sunday

The junta has said its use of force is justified to stop what it has called 'rioting'. It claimed it took power on February 1 because the results of November elections, in which the Suu Kyi's NLD won by a landslide, were fraudulent. Pictured: Mourners at the funeral of Kyaw Win Maung in Mandalay on Sunday

'How many more of us need to die before you turn from your incremental response to real action?,' a a spokesman for CRPH, an anti-junta group set up by deposed lawmakers asked an online forum. Pictured: Mourners at the funeral of Kyaw Win Maung in Mandalay on Sunday

Kyaw was shot and killed by police during a protest against the military takeover. The Association of Myanmar Architects said he had been shot in the chest

A United Nations official accused the Tatmadaw, as the military is known, of committing mass murder.

Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar reiterated calls for the international community to do more to stop the bloodshed, saying 'robust, coordinated action' is required as 'words are not enough' to protect people's lives.

'Words of condemnation or concern are frankly ringing hollow to the people of Myanmar while the military junta commits mass murder against them,' he said.

'The people of Myanmar need the world's support.'

Dr. Sasa, a spokesman for CRPH, an anti-junta group set up by deposed lawmakers called Myanmar's military leaders 'murderers' and begged for 'real action' against them.

'Today is a day of shame for the armed forces,' Sasa told an online forum on Saturday.

A United Nations official has accused Myanmar's military of committing mass murder after security forces shot and killed more than 100 people on Saturday. Pictured: A protest in Yangon on Sunday

Dr. Sasa, a spokesman for CRPH, an anti-junta group set up by deposed lawmakers called Myanmar's military leaders 'murderers' and begged for 'real action' against them. Pictured: A protest in Yangon on Sunday

Several children under 16 were reported to be among the dead in what was the bloodiest day since protests began on February 1. Pictured: A protest in Yangon on Sunday

In recent days the junta has portrayed the demonstrators as the ones perpetrating violence for their sporadic use of Molotov cocktails. Pictured: A protest in Yangon on Sunday

'They [the military] should not have access to the international arms market, to financial institutions nor development assistance. Please, do all in your power to block all funding, business and access to financial markets in your jurisdiction,' he said.

'How many more of us need to die before you turn from your incremental response to real action?'

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was shocked by the killings of civilians, including children on Saturday.

'The continuing military crackdown is unacceptable and demands a firm, unified & resolute international response,' he wrote on Twitter.

In the United States, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a tweet that his country is 'horrified by the bloodshed perpetrated by Burmese security forces, showing that the junta will sacrifice the lives of the people to serve the few'.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was shocked by the killings of civilians, including children on Saturday, when protests coincided with the annual Armed Forces Day holiday and parade in the country's capital, Naypyitaw. Pictured: Protesters march in Dawei on Sunday

In the United States, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a tweet that his country is 'horrified by the bloodshed perpetrated by Burmese security forces, showing that the junta will sacrifice the lives of the people to serve the few'. Pictured: Protesters march in Dawei on Sunday

'On Myanmar's Armed Forces Day, security forces are murdering unarmed civilians, including children, the very people they swore to protect. This bloodshed is horrifying,' Thomas Vajda, US Ambassador to Myanmar, said in a statement.

'These are not the actions of a professional military or police force. Myanmar's people have spoken clearly: they do not want to live under military rule.'

The military chiefs of 12 nations issued a joint statement condemning the use of force against unarmed people.

'A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting - not harming - the people it serves,' it said.

'We urge the Myanmar armed forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions.'

The statement was issued by the defence chiefs of Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The military chiefs of 12 nations issued a joint statement condemning the use of force against unarmed people. Pictured: A protest in Yangon on Sunday

The UN Security Council has condemned the violence but not advocated concerted action against the junta, such as a ban on selling it arms. Pictured: A Protest in Yangon on Sunday

Human rights group Amnesty International revived criticism that the international community is not doing enough to end the state violence in Myanmar.

'UN Security Council member states' continued refusal to meaningfully act against this never-ending horror is contemptible,' said Ming Yu Hah, the organisation's deputy regional director for campaigns.

The Security Council has condemned the violence but not advocated concerted action against the junta, such as a ban on selling it arms.

China and Russia are both major arms suppliers to Myanmar's military as well as politically sympathetic, and, as members of the council, would almost certainly veto any such move.

The coup reversed years of tentative progress towards democracy after five decades of military rule and has again made Myanmar the focus of international scrutiny.

In recent days the junta has portrayed the demonstrators as the ones perpetrating violence for their sporadic use of Molotov cocktails.

On Saturday, some protesters in Yangon were seen carrying bows and arrows.

The junta has said its use of force is justified to stop what it has called 'rioting'. It claimed it took power on February 1 because the results of November elections, in which the Suu Kyi's NLD won by a landslide, were fraudulent.

This claim has been dismissed by Myanmar's election commission.
Milla Jovovich and her teenage daughter Ever Anderson shared a hilarious TikTok video of themselves pretending to 'switch places' on Saturday.

While pretending to be her 13-year-old, who is set to star in Peter Pan & Wendy, the Ukrainian-born actress began the clip by shouting: 'Mom, mom, mom!'

The recording then panned to Ever wearing a tie-dye sweatshirt and taking a sip of tea from an orange mug as she sat on a chair in their living room.

Silly: Milla Jovovich and her teenage daughter Ever Anderson shared a hilarious TikTok video of themselves pretending to 'switch places' on Saturday

'Ever, get over here right now!' the child star said, sounding irritated, as she playfully mimicked her mom.

Jovovich, meanwhile, was in the kitchen doing some TikTok dance moves and asking her daughter to make her an egg.

'Can you put the stove on?' Ever asks, but Jovovich says, 'Come on, mom, I love you so much.'

Having fun: While pretending to be her 14-year-old, who is set to star in Peter Pan & Wendy, the Ukrainian-born actress began the clip by shouting: 'Mom, mom, mom!'

Impersonating each other: The recording then panned to Ever wearing a tie-dye sweatshirt and taking a sip of tea from an orange mug as she sat on a chair in their living room

Later, Ever carried at least six empty bowls from her room to the kitchen and yelled: 'Ever, see what I brought from your room? That's where dishes go to die!'

As Jovovich dances in a corner, Ever asks why she she's not playing any music, while her mother explains she doesn't need any because she's 'TikToking.'

Reenacting another common conversation between children and parents, Ever tells Jovovich she just picked up all the clothing on her floor.

'Ever, get over here right now!' the child star said, sounding irritated, as she playfully mimicked her mom

Relatable: Jovovich, meanwhile, was in the kitchen doing some TikTok dance moves and asks: ''Mom, can you, like, make me an egg?'

Funny: As Jovovich dances in a corner to no music, Ever asks why, while her mother explains she doesn't need any because she's 'TikToking'

The video comes just one day after Jovovich joked about her new role as a 'chaperone' as her daughter Disney's live-action of Peter Pan as Wendy Darling, alongside Alexander Molony.

Going to set not as the star this time. Im making sure the new star, my daughter @evergaboanderson stays sweet, grounded and sane while she works on her new movie #peterpanandwendy,' the mom-of-three gushed on Instagram.

She continued: 'I love road trips, but to take one with my teen is extra fun and special while she makes her own magic happen playing Wendy Darling in this new, modern take of a @disney classic.'

Clean up: Reenacting another common conversation between children and parents, Ever tells Jovovich she had to pick up all the clothes on her floor

New to TikTok: The video comes just one day after Jovovich joked about her new role as a 'chaperone' as her daughter Disney's live-action of Peter Pan as Wendy Darling, alongside Alexander Molony

Sweet: Going to set not as the star this time. Im making sure the new star, my daughter @evergaboanderson stays sweet, grounded and sane while she works on her new movie #peterpanandwendy,' the mom-of-three gushed on Instagram

'I love road trips, but to take one with my teen is extra fun and special while she makes her own magic happen playing Wendy Darling in this new, modern take of a @disney classic'

In the first snap of the slideshow, the mother daughter duo can be seen smiling as they sat side-by-side in the car.

Another showed Ever looking down and reading as she wore a pair of Airpods and drank a warm beverage from Starbucks.

The rising star made her first public TikTok just ten days ago, which documented her quarantine before she started filming and fun adventures with her family.

Inseparable: In the first snap of the slideshow, the mother daughter duo can be seen smiling as they sat side-by-side in the car

Road trip: Another showed Ever looking down and reading as she wore a pair of Airpods and drank a warm beverage from Starbucks

While she has almost reached 5,000 followers on the app, her Instagram already has more than 220,000.

'If you don't know I'm an actress, a model and I love guitar!' she told fans in one video as well as professing her love of books.

In addition to reading a lot of Jane Austen, she noted her favorite musicians were Metallica, Blur and old rock.

In addition to Ever, Jovovich and her husband Paul W. S. Anderson share a five-year-old son, named Dashiel and their daughter, Osian, one.
Alaska corporations will be able to conduct essential business activities virtually under a bill adopted by the state Legislature that allows for remote communication.
Joe Biden has pledged $86M to put up migrants in hotels. The captive National Guard was deployed to D.C. on the phony pretense that members of Congress were in danger of attacks by right-wing extremists, even though there was never a credible threat. Those soldiers in service of their country were made to sleep on the ground of a parking garage and fed contaminated food. Meanwhile, there are 552K homeless Americans. Los Angeles has 66K+ homeless people living on the streets without any of the assistance the people flowing over our southern border are receiving at taxpayer expense. If this does not strike all Americans as obscene, well, they are not thinking rationally.

The Biden administration and the far-left radicals within it have turned this country upside-down; Americans bad, migrants are all good. We native-born or naturalized citizens must be punished for our privileges; illegal migrants are victims of Americas success. Kamala Harris has long wanted to decriminalize illegal entry into the country. She has compared ICE and the Border Police to the KKK! That is how the left thinks, how the Biden administration operates. And they think we are all going to sit still for this grisly policy.

The Biden team apparently thinks we dont know that it is the Mexican cartels who control the border and have leapt at Bidens invitation to surge across it in order to re-establish their oh, so profitable enterprise of trafficking in people, especially women and children. Trump had severely interdicted their use and abuse of the victims they traffic. Biden ended Trumps Operation Talon his first week in office. Now the cartels control who comes, who crosses into the U.S., and where they go, and they are getting fabulously wealthy doing it. The minor children arrive with phones or phone numbers in their pockets. Most of those contact numbers are not family members in the U.S.; they are cartel contacts. The journey north for these women, girls, and young boys is treacherous. The smugglers brag about rape trees. Women and girls are routinely gang-raped, their undergarments tossed into trees then so named. This is what Bidens call for all comers to surge the border has set in motion. And, as he reiterated at the not-press conference on Thursday, he thinks he is the nice guy, the moral guy. But he has created a massive humanitarian crisis that is characterized first and foremost by vicious cruelty. This is what the left and the Biden administration has set in motion.

In the meantime, while ignoring the major crisis on the southern border, our DHS, FBI, DOJ, and military have been tasked with purging all federal agencies, especially the military and law enforcement, of any and all conservatives and censoring all conservative voices. The Los Angeles Police Department will no longer hire Christians or conservatives; they are deemed domestic terrorists. While Biden gives carte blanche to China, Iran, and Russia to do whatever they will to weaken America, this administration is concerned only with a Stalinist/Maoist form of criminalizing dissent within our borders. The new president is intent upon moving the U.S. toward an oligarchical totalitarianism.

Joe Biden owes his and his familys wealth to China and Ukraine. That acquired wealth was due to the Biden familys wholesale corruption that rivals the Clintons financial profiteering in scope. Biden is bought and paid for and will always defer to China. He will never cross the Chinese in our interests. He just wont. He cannot. He owes them; they own him. And do not forget what China has on Hunter Biden, the pedophile drug addict who got rich via Ukraine and China as those two nations bought the leverage they now can use to their benefit. You can be sure they will use that leverage.

Bidens disastrous plan to orchestrate a humanitarian crisis and invite migrants to surge the southern border will only further prevent the re-employment of all those who lost their jobs due to the unnecessary COVID lockdown. The Trump administration had achieved nearly max employment, especially among minorities, which is why more of them voted to re-elect him in greater numbers than for any other Republican in modern U.S. history. Now we have Biden, who, by opening the border to anyone and everyone, will ensure that those minority workers that had jobs before COVID will have to compete for work with the tens of thousands of illegal migrants now flowing into the country. They are largely untested for COVID, sent on to the cartel smugglers who got them over the border, drugs and all. Predictably, along with the tens of thousands of migrants, fentanyl and meth are again flowing into the U.S. Biden surely knows this but does not care. The unaccompanied minors are often mules for the cartels, then trafficked for sex and gang business.

Thus far, Biden as president is dangerously close to being a Castro, Venezuelas Chavez, and then Maduro. The Democrat party as currently constituted is an enemy of America. If that is not clear to the American people, they are simply as uninformed as the media intends them to be. If they have submitted to the fear-mongering about COVID, they are already submissives to a false narrative. COVID, and all its attendant restrictions on our daily lives, is, like the open border scam, part of our self-appointed ruling elites plan to implement their "Great Reset." We had all better stand up and fight back, or this is the end. We will all be rendered citizens of the world, no longer individual humans, but mere chattel to our overseers.
Our Top 5 Magazines + Digital

We get it. You live by the Ski Valleys snow report even when youre hours away. You follow every Taos post on Instagram. Our small town occupies a BIG part of your heart. Keep in touch with all things Taos when you subscribe to FIVE of our national award-winning magazines, plus access to the website and e-edition for a full year at the special low rate of just $55.
Law for Prosperity  the democratic socialist version View(s):

In my previous article, I dealt with the Presidents call to law and order for prosperity. This article seeks to throw some clearer light on the Presidents suggestion. Some repetitions are made to bring the subject into context and for the benefit of those who may not have read the previous article.

Law for Prosperity is today a quaint concept. Law for justice, for morality, for good governance and much more of these high qualities, on the other hand, have been common talk. The Presidents recent statement on law and order for prosperity projects something new and propels further consideration. The idea of law in the reckoning of prosperity had been hitherto left in the void, in the law process. The topic Law for Prosperity is now squarely in the right direction.

The waters, though, are uncharted. The boat is ever so leaking and unstable. The rocks and shallows are somewhat evident that the problem cannot easily be steered through in this quest of law for prosperity. Yet there is need, therefore, to start from base and get our bearings right.

Democratic- Socialist is the basic premise in our Republics Constitution. This factor governs all the provisions made under the constitution. This includes law making and, by extension, Law for Prosperity. Prosperity must surely be Democratic-Socialist for all the people to flourish. Law for Prosperity is then to ensure that all the people must thrive.

In Sri Lanka, law making, however, has so far been the direct opposite in that the law serves only the elite by way of law professionals to the exclusion of the people in general. Clearly there is little democracy, less socialism, in the law-making power in this country. This law-making power and the role of law professionals in this process are thereby not even a semblance of the Democratic or Socialist form that is envisaged. The reduction of this constitutional premise has been at the hands of the Ministries of Justice (MOJ), their Ministers, the Judiciary and the Courts, the BASL, the AG and Parliament. These authorities had little, even in pretense, to the Democratic- Socialist mode of law making.

This is a post-colonial situation that needs to be remedied if the Democratic-Socialist mode is to prevail. With the dawn of independence, law professionals arrogated to themselves the law-making power. Reference here is only to Prof Leslie Sebba of the Hebrew University  vide in the Book by Dr. Frank de Silva on Criminal Justice System and Future needs,  2019 Stamford Lake chapter 1, p 2; wherein he discusses the subject extensively. Much of the legal authority cited in my articles in support of my contentions is taken from his book.

There have been just two exceptions in law for the people, but these changes for the people were stoutly resisted by the law-making professionals. For instance, the Conciliation Boards gave power direct to the people. Strangely though, this change of law was stoutly resisted by courts on grounds that such was a usurpation of judicial power, when, in fact, it was the peoples power that was usurped by the courts and law professionals. The second instance was in the 1973 Administration of Justice Law which was intended to cut down expenditure and waste of time of the people, in various ways. This too was resisted by the vested interests of law professionals and ultimately changed in 1978 with political assistance after the change of government.

It is the Democratic -Socialist process of law making that is the best possible process to ensure law and order, more particularly of Law for Prosperity, on which the question now looms large.

The question whether money, power, and finance have overwhelmed the law-making process, equally hangs over. The aforesaid authorities would then be on line. As for simple matters, they can be dealt with little money involved. Matters of more serious nature can be dealt with through representation. Yet more serious indictable cases can also be dealt with through representation under mediation of the AG. There are enough precedents and examples from abroad.

Money, power, and finance nevertheless befoul these prospects and hold their hands. Money and power which go with it are understood. But the idea of finance beyond money relates to the regular postponements of cases when the case to be dealt with grows in intensity not with the dispute itself, but with the money it later attracts. Following this are postponements on postponements. The laws thereby are far removed from the matter in issue. This attracts more and more money which may now be termed finance, a feature which now plays by itself. Finance now inevitably goes into the higher realms. Astronomical fees can possibly be understood in these terms. Instituted inquiries into laws delay however judiciously avoid any mention of these extortionate fees.

Law-making itself attracts or is attracted by money, power, and finance, not merely from laws delay and postponements. Only a recent example will be cited: The legislating/voting for the 20th Amendment is ample testimony for this.

Money is their religion  Karl Marx. It is little wonder then that Margret Thatcher said: Politicians and nappies must be changed often, for the same reason. There is no serious debate on the issues in Parliament. Money rules and lords over it. These comments stem from practical experience.

Late Dr W. Dahanayake insisted with rustic wisdom: More courts, more police, more crime.

Again, in Galle in the 1960s: The Magistrate did not allow any postponement of cases. Lawyers and others adjusted themselves to that order. Money did not clutter proceedings.

In Vavuniya, many money cases were amicably settled between the parties in the absence of lawyers. Money and expenditure were not issues.

These and many practical experiences easily fall in alignment with Law for Prosperity. They promote the underlying urge for Democratic-Socialist revival. Law for Prosperity is, itself, by definition and inference, Democratic-Socialist. There is no idea here of Prosperity only for the elite and the professional law makers. Money, power and finance run through the sinews of the elite to which they are calloused that other concerns do not irritate them.

The reality, the lurking truth, is then the difference between Law of Prosperity and professional law making. Law of Prosperity is Democratic-Socialist. Professional law making is elitist. Prosperity for the people through law was, therefore, a commendable assertion by the President. To this end, the band must beat and reverberate to Law for Prosperity, provided all the kings men walk the talk.

(The writer is a Retired Senior Superintendent of Police.

He can be contacted at

seneviratnetz@gmail.com;

TP 077 44 751 44)
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
54 Indian fishermen released on presidential order View(s):

Following an intervention by the Fisheries Department citing instructions from the Presidential Secretariat, fourteen Indian fishermen who were remanded by the Kayts Magistrate until April 8 for engaging in bottom trawling in Lankan territorial waters were released along with their trawlers yesterday.

On Thursday 40 fishermen were released while in naval custody following instructions from the Secretariat. Altogether, 54 arrested Indian fishermen were released within 72 hours since their arrest on Wednesday night in the Northern and Eastern seas.

Kayts Magistrate A. Judeson visited the Karainagar Naval camp where the arrested fourteen fishermen were detained and warned them not to venture into the Sri Lankan territorial sea again.

The speedy release of Indian fishermen ahead of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election on April 6 came a day after the Indian High Commission in Colombo released a statement reiterating that issues associated with Indian fishermen need to be handled in a humanitarian manner. It also stressed that providing immediate consular access and emergency supplies to the arrested fishermen were of prime importance.

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda told the Sunday Times the release of the Indian fishermen was a diplomatic move to ensure goodwill and improve bilateral ties between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the Northern Naval Command secured approval from the Kayts Magistrate to use six Indian trawlers that were seized in the recent past. Navy Spokesman Indika de Silva said six Indian trawlers would be used for the naval supply movements within Northern islands and civilian use as well if the requirement arose.
Nearly 20 years after arriving in San Diego from his native France, chef Patrick Ponsaty finally has a namesake restaurant in Rancho Santa Fe. And based on two recent visits to the newly opened Ponsatys Fine Dining & Lounge, its been well worth the wait.

Ponsatys Fine Dining & Lounge

Where: 6106 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe

Phone: (858) 771-1871

Online: ponsatys.com

Advertisement

Located in the old Delicias space in Rancho Santa Fe, Ponsatys is a casually elegant distillation of the chefs heritage, training and cooking career at multiple restaurants around San Diego since 1997.

The menu mixes recipes from the fifth-generation chefs childhood with signature dishes from past kitchen jobs (Bellamys, Mistral and BernardO) and a host of new inspirations from the Basque region of Spain, where he trained as a young man.

The restaurant, which opened Aug. 2, joins an increasingly short list of traditional fine-dining restaurants in San Diego. Even its outdoor patio tables have white tablecloths.

Yet while its beautifully plated dishes, Old World-style dining room and dinner entree prices ($32-$49) say special occasion, its friendly service and approachable lunch and bar menus give it the feel of a familiar neighborhood eatery.

Heirloom tomato salad at Ponsatys Fine Dining & Lounge. (Courtesy: Tim Connelly )

Theres also an element of surprise (complimentary truffle popcorn at lunch, an unexpected amuse-bouche at dinner and a proffered tour of the new kitchen by its proud cooks) that made each visit memorable.

Owned by the Grand Restaurant Group, the space has been smartly redecorated with darker colors, gold accents and black tablecloths. Theres a giant antique breakfront imported from New Orleans, a chandelier from Spain, hand-riveted high-back black leather booths, and a new marble-topped bar thats illuminated from underneath with a ribbon of blue light.

Ponsaty is one of just two French Master Chefs in San Diego (the other is the Marine Rooms Bernard Guillas). Members, voted in by their peers, are chosen for their dedication to French cuisine, techniques and culture. As a result, diners expect perfection in the food. They wont be disappointed.

Advertisement

A lightly seared and seasoned Cortez corvina fish served over rich lobster saffron risotto, pea tendrils and almond foam practically melts in the mouth. Generously portioned and ultra-tender sous-vide Marys chicken breast was served with savory whole grain mustard, tender mushrooms, fingerling potatoes and sauteed green beans.

And fennel-crusted Baja scallops pop with tangy flavor, thanks to an orange blossom mousse. As a complimentary palate cleanser between courses, the chefs sent out petite shooter cups of chilled radish soup sprinkled with goat cheese and served in the carved-out tops of raw radishes.

The newly decorated dining room at Ponsatys Fine Dining & Lounge. (Courtesy: Eileen Jantz )

No Ponsaty-prepared meal is complete without his famously decadent port wine-stewed mushroom ravioli. Its available as a dinner entree, but can be served in an appetizer portion by request.

Advertisement

And if theres room, pastry chef Bruno Albouze makes all desserts in-house, including an unforgettable supreme lemon tart, which had layer upon layer of citrus flavors  baked lemon curd, fresh pink grapefruit segments, candied orange and clementine sorbet.

The lunch and bar menus ($9-$22) have some plated entrees, but mostly offer casual fare. The tender King beef burger is served on a house-baked toasted bun with garlic aioli and caramelized onions and a side of truffled shoestring fries. The mountain mushroom duxelles and arugula flatbread is buttery, crisp, cheesy and filling. And the chopped Cobb salad is served mixed together in an intensely flavored house dressing.

Ponsatys wine list is ambitious and leans heavily toward French labels. Wines by the glass start at $9. Bottles range from $37 for a Paso Robles zinfandel to $1,500 for a cabernet-based Bordeaux blend. The chef says he hopes that by offering mid- to high-priced entrees and wine options, Ponsatys will attract a wider following, but all of the customers, he says, can expect a fine dining experience.

The new bar inside Ponsatys Fine Dining & Lounge. (Courtesy: Eileen Jantz )

Advertisement

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
If you ask Karen Christensen, its never a bad time to talk about trains.

Too often, Christensen says, people think of trains as a thing of the past  they might picture, for instance, 19th-century railways that no longer serve passengers.

Quote The economic challenges and population loss Berkshire County has faced in recent decades, Karen Christensen argues, have been driven, in part, by the shift of government spending from rail networks to highway systems.

But, for Christensen, the story of passenger rail can and should be as much about the future as it is about the past. Through her Train Time podcast, Christensen hosts advocates, lawmakers and business leaders for conversations about rail in the 21st century.

Christensen Karen Christensen, a Great Barrington resident since 1991, founded the Train Campaign to advocate for rail transportation in a way that meets 

Christensen, a Great Barrington resident since 1991, founded the Train Campaign to advocate for rail transportation in a way that meets residents where they are. The seemingly high price estimates and obscure engineering terms that often surround rail, Christensen says, can prevent people from engaging in those conversations.

So, she tries to put things in context: She points to a 2019 study from the Harvard Kennedy School that estimated it costs individuals and governments $64 billion to keep passenger cars and light trucks on Massachusetts roads.

All of a sudden trains may look like a real bargain, Christensen said. People say infrastructure, and it sounds big and scary and expensive. And I want to break through the barrier, tease things out for people and make infrastructure interesting.

Christensens guests include regional and statewide advocates  she has hosted state Sens. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, and Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, for instance, as well as former Gov. Michael Dukakis. But, she also has turned to guests who have helped build rail systems elsewhere that, she believes, can offer lessons for Massachusetts.

After all, it was riding high-speed trains in China that led Christensen to start the Train Campaign. I came back here and thought we should have high-speed rail from New York to the Berkshires, Christensen said.

Christensens Western Massachusetts roots also help her put the region on the map for listeners elsewhere  especially now that the podcast has the backing of Transportation for Massachusetts, a statewide coalition of transportation advocates.

Karen is really good at making sure that statewide advocates like Transportation for Massachusetts are thinking beyond [Route] 128 and beyond [Interstate] 495, Transportation for Massachusetts Director Chris Dempsey said. She has such a conviction  and shes absolutely right  that people living in rural areas like the Berkshires deserve good service, too.

The economic challenges and population loss Berkshire County has faced in recent decades, Christensen argues, have been driven, in part, by the shift of government spending from rail networks to highway systems. Along with globalization that has sent jobs overseas, increased highway spending has moved wealth and jobs toward the suburbs and away from smaller cities in towns. Metropolitan areas and suburbs have faced greater vehicle traffic and increasingly unaffordable living costs, while rural areas have experienced a decline in economic opportunity.

Christensen advocates a systems approach to rail that, she said, can create networks that connect people with what they need, whether its access to employment and training opportunities or proximity to nature and culture.

One of her frustrations with the state Department of Transportations East-West Passenger Rail Study is that she believes it failed to account for the role that the project, a $2.4 to $4.6 billion proposal to connect Pittsfield to Boston by way of Springfield, could play in a wider rail network.

Its not just people commuting back and forth between Pittsfield and Boston, Christensen said. If you have north-south connection to New York on the Housatonic line, youll have people connecting to New York [City] or Albany. And Pittsfield becomes this very lively center.

Advocates believe that cost remains the main barrier to rail.

Rehabilitating old lines can be an inexpensive way to get the ball rolling, but Christensen doesnt believe that strategy should come at the expense of wider-scale, more ambitious projects. Especially since rail can help communities decrease vehicle emissions as they seek to curb climate change, Christensen sees more rail as a good thing.

Its not zero-sum, Christensen said. Why cant we have both?
It was the ultimate in beginner's luck.

On their first attempt at mining in the Australian Outback, brother and sister Isaac and Sofia Andreou struck gold  or, in this case, opals.

Such is the rarity of these iridescent stones that the haul is worth about $1.2 million (700,000).

One of the most luminous stones they found is museum-quality and the size of a man's fist. It is even shaped like a giant egg, just in time for Easter.

Brother and sister Isaac and Sofia Andreou found opals worth about $1.2 million (700,000) in the Australian Outback

Some 90 percent of the world's opals found in the Australian outback and they are worth to 500 times more than gold

Their incredible discovery is life-changing, the siblings say. They can even afford to buy their very own mine

Sofia says: 'It's literally every single colour of a rainbow you can imagine to hold within your hand.'

To their astonishment, on their last day of searching, an actual rainbow appeared from nowhere in the middle of the desert.

Describing the emotions they felt in finding such treasures, Sofia says: 'It was a mixture of shock and just pure amazement.'

Isaac adds: 'Words cannot describe the way the heart beats, hairs standing up on end.'

With 90 percent of the world's opals found in the Australian outback, and worth up to 500 times more than gold, opal is a prized gem.

Their friend David Darby has spent decades searching for opals but has never found anything as fabulous as this

Sofia says: 'It's literally every single colour of a rainbow you can imagine to hold within your hand'

Opal nuts are a type of matrix boulder opal valued for their unique pattern of coloured gem found within cracks intersecting the ironstone in which it has formed

Their incredible discovery is life-changing, the siblings say. They can even afford to buy their very own mine. Isaac adds: 'It will make life a hell of a lot easier and more enjoyable.'

He is an opal cutter and seller based in Byron Bay, a single dad to five-year-old daughter Xalianna.

Sofia, who has an opal shop in the Whitsunday Islands, teaches yoga and music.

Both decided to fulfil their dream of getting their hands dirty in mining for opal. They were joined by Sofia's partner, Chris Daff, and their friend David Darby, who has spent decades searching for opals, but who has never found anything as fabulous as this. They teamed up with local miner Rod Griffin.

Most opal miners are excited by the prospect of one day striking it rich and becoming an overnight millionaire.

In Koroit opal, the prized gem colours are green, blue, purple, and flashes of red peeking through a dark brown backing

Opal fever is at an all-time high, but the risks are real, and the brutal, rugged Australian outback is as unforgiving as ever  with scorching summer heat, tropical storms and some of the deadliest snakes.

Sofia says: 'Australia is such a barren and tough country that all the animals that have managed to survive until now have had to evolve to be dangerous to protect themselves.

'So you're not just dealing with super-harsh elements, but some of the most dangerous species of animals in the entire world.'

The discovery will be shown on the television series, Outback Opal Hunters, which features miners searching for opals and which is so popular that it is now into its fourth season, screened in the UK, among more than 100 countries, and reaching 40 million viewers in Europe alone.

Opal fever is at an all-time high, but the risks are real, and the brutal, rugged Australian outback is as unforgiving as ever

None of the discoveries in the previous seasons have come close in value. The average find was worth about $18,000, although there were a handful up to $250,000, depending on the colour, clarity, patterning and size.

The discovery was made in Queensland, to the west of Brisbane, in a mining community called Yorah with a population of 141 people, according to the 2016 census.

The Andreou siblings were mining for Yowah and Koroit nuts, a specific type of opal found in the region.

Opal nuts are a type of matrix boulder opal valued for their unique pattern of coloured gem found within cracks intersecting the ironstone in which it has formed.

In Koroit opal, the prized gem colours are green, blue, purple, and flashes of red peeking through a dark brown backing.
MAHANOY CITY  A body discovered in a wooded area of Mahanoy Township late Friday night has been identified as a man last seen on Valentines Day.

Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner David Truskowsky, Mahanoy City, said he pronounced Michael Startzel, 36, of Mahanoy City, dead at 8:20 p.m. at the scene about 100 yards into the woods from the intersection of Route 54 and East End Avenue, the Vulcan Hill.

Startzel had been reported missing shortly after the day he was last seen and has been the subject of a search by family members and friends.

State police from the Frackville station, along with state police criminal investigators and a Forensic Services Unit, spent hours at the scene Friday night collecting evidence in the event the death would later be determined to be suspicious or criminal.

Mahanoy Township Police Chief Brandon Alexander said he received a report about a body found and subsequently turned the case over to state police.

Alexander said the body was discovered by a person who was hiking in the area.

Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III said a CAT scan of the remains was competed Saturday morning at Simon Kramer Cancer Institute, New Philadelphia, and that a complete autopsy will be performed Tuesday morning in Dauphin County.

Moylan referred all other questions to the state police.

Truskowsky, however, said the death is not suspicious.

Mahanoy Township and Mahanoy City police assisted at the scene until state police investigators arrived.
Percent of people 65 and up who have received at least one dose of a vaccine as of March 26.

Call for help

The following are phone numbers for Area Agencies on Aging in the seven-county Northeastern Pennsylvania health region people age 65 and over can call for help scheduling a COVID-19 vaccination:
People demonstrate against anti-Asian violence and racism on March 27, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. AFP-Yonhap



While a pastor spoke during Yong Ae Yue's funeral Friday, a sunbeam came through the window and shone upon Yue's two sons, a sure sign their mother was watching, one of them said.



As his mother's body lay before him in a casket draped with pink flowers, Elliott Peterson pointed to a large photo of her on display and asked friends and family gathered in a funeral home in Peachtree Corners to remember her like that  a big grin on her face and two fingers on each hand extended in a ''V.''



Yue was one of eight people fatally shot March 16 in attacks on massage businesses in Atlanta and nearby Cherokee County.



The others are also being grieved by friends, family and their communities. Suncha Kim, 69, volunteered for charities. Soon Chung Park, a former dancer, remained youthful and fit at 74. Xiaojie ''Emily'' Tan, 49, was an entrepreneur who owned Youngs Asian Massage and other businesses. Daoyou Feng, 44, was one of her employees. Delaina Yaun, 33, was a new mother. Paul Michels, 54, installed security systems. Hyun Jung Grant, 51, loved music and worked at Gold Spa to support two sons.



Four of the women slain were of Korean descent, and leaders of the Korean American community held an online vigil in Norcross on Friday night to mourn the deaths and speak out against the huge rise in violence against Asian Americans during the coronavirus pandemic.



Democratic state Rep. Sam Park said many community members have been traumatized by the attacks, asking him, ''Am I next?''



''Do not be afraid,'' Park said during the vigil. ''This is our home, this is our country and we will stand and fight to protect our community, the vulnerable among us and the next generation. We must unequivocally condemn the racist political rhetoric that put a target on the backs of our children, parents and members of the Asian American community.''





Ally Vega holds a poster by Filipina artist Pauline C. Cuevas, as she joins a rally against Asian hate crimes in El Pueblo de Los Angeles, Los Angeles Plaza Park, Saturday, March 27, 2021. AP-Yonhap



Yue, 63, was born in South Korea and immigrated to the U.S. in 1979 with her then-husband, Mac Peterson. He was in the Army and they moved to the Columbus area. Their older son, Elliott, was born in South Korea, while their younger son, Robert, was born after they moved to Georgia, said attorney BJay Pak, who is representing Yue's sons.



The couple divorced some time after their second son's birth and Yue made the tough decision for her boys to live with their father, believing that would give them a better chance to succeed, but she remained a loving presence in their lives, Pak said.



Elliott Peterson said his mother wasn't very outwardly affectionate but showed her love through food. She was selfless and would be happy about the outpouring of support her sons have received, he said.



Monica Baker, Peterson's wife, recalled the first time she met Yue, nervous and determined to make a good impression. She fell in love with karaoke that night aided by the liquid courage provided by the soju Yue poured for her, she said, drawing chuckles.



Yue held a variety of jobs over the years, and had only started working at Aromatherapy Spa in Atlanta in October, Pak said. She told her sons her job was to cook, clean and watch security cameras.



She lived alone with a dog and a cat and had a tight-knit group of friends, Pak said.



Elliott Peterson, 42, served in the military and retired last year. He said during the funeral that he's so grateful he and his children were able to spend two weeks visiting his mother in October.





People gather and hold signs during an ANSWER Coalition Anti-Asian Violence rally in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. on Friday, March 26, 2021. UPI-Yonhap
New Jersey on Sunday reported another 3,927 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 16 additional confirmed deaths, the day before vaccine eligibility is set to expand.

The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized remained flat from Friday night, while more than 1 in 5 adults in the state have now been fully vaccinated.

Vaccine eligibility will expand on Monday to include additional essential workers, including restaurant, grocery and warehouse workers.

Another large expansion to eligibility will happen in early April, including ages 55 to 64, those 16 and older with intellectual or developmental disabilities, higher education teachers and staffers, communication support workers, sanitation workers and members of the media.

This all comes as New Jersey is the No. 1 state in the U.S. for new COVID-19 cases per capita over the last two weeks. Officials say part of the reason is the spread of variants of the virus.

New Jersey health facilities and vaccine centers have now administered about 3.79 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine  including about 2.5 million people with at least one dose, according to state data.

The states goal is to vaccinate 70% of its eligible adults  about 4.7 million people  by the end of May. So far, about 20.8% of the states 6.9 million adults have been vaccinated. About 15.6% of the states total 9.2 million residents have been vaccinated. By comparison, about 15.1% of the U.S.s 331 million residents have been vaccinated, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control.

The expanded eligibility comes even though New Jerseyans continue to struggle making vaccine appointments, an issue officials say is because supply from the federal government has not yet caught up with demand. But Murphy has said supply is set to greatly increase by early next month. The state is set to receive 494,430 doses next week  an increase of about 19% from this week.

Murphy also announced a federally run pilot vaccination center in Newark is set to open Monday morning and will eventually be able to vaccinate 6,000 people a day, seven days a week. Those doses will be above and beyond the states usual weekly allotment, the governor said.

There were 2,166 coronavirus patients across New Jerseys hospitals as of Saturday night. Hospitalizations are down from mid-January, when more than 3,700 patients were being treated, but the number surpassed 2,000 Monday for the first time since Feb. 25.

New Jerseys latest rate of transmission was a 1.10 for the fourth straight day. Any number over 1 indicates that the outbreak is growing, with each new case leading to at least one other case.

The latest statewide positivity rate was 9.5% on Wednesday, the day with the latest data.

In all, New Jersey has now reported 789,473 coronavirus cases out of more than 11.9 million PCR tests in the year since the state reported its first case on March 4, 2020. There have also been 107,179 positive antigen tests. Those cases are considered probable, and health officials have warned that positive antigen tests could overlap with the confirmed PCR tests because they are sometimes given in tandem.

The state of 9.2 million people has reported 24,389 residents have died from complications related to COVID-19  21,854 confirmed deaths and 2,535 fatalities considered probable.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

HOSPITALIZATIONS

There were 2,166 patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases across New Jerseys 71 hospitals as of Saturday night  two less than the previous night, according to the states dashboard.

That included 415 in critical or intensive care (29 fewer than the previous day), with 220 on ventilators (15 less).

There were also 308 COVID-19 patients discharged Saturday, while 306 were admitted.

Hospitalizations peaked at more than 8,000 patients during the first wave of the pandemic in April.

SCHOOL CASES

New Jersey has reported 205 in-school coronavirus outbreaks, which have resulted in 947 cases among students, teachers and school staff this academic year, according to the states dashboard.

The state defines school outbreaks as cases where contact tracers determined two or more students or school staff caught or transmitted COVID-19 in the classroom or during academic activities at school. Those numbers do not include students or staff believed to have been infected outside school or cases that cant be confirmed as in-school outbreaks.

There are about 1.4 million public school students and teachers across the state, though teaching methods amid the outbreak have varied, with some schools teaching in-person, some using a hybrid format and others remaining all-remote.

Murphy on Wednesday announced most New Jersey schools can move classroom desks three feet apart, instead of six feet, under new social distancing guidelines.

The governor also said the states schools will return to full in-person classes for the next school year and districts will not be allowed to offer virtual learning, even for parents who want that option due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns.

AGE BREAKDOWN

Broken down by age, those 30 to 49 years old make up the largest percentage of New Jersey residents who have caught the virus (30.9%), followed by those 50-64 (23%), 18-29 (19.7%), 65-79 (10.5%), 5-17 (9.1%), 80 and older (4.7%) and 0-4 (1.9%).

On average, the virus has been more deadly for older residents, especially those with preexisting conditions. Nearly half the states COVID-19 deaths have been among residents 80 and older (46.98%), followed by those 65-79 (32.88%), 50-64 (15.68%), 30-49 (4.06%), 18-29 (0.37%), 5-17 (0%) and 0-4 (0.02%).

At least 7,980 of the states COVID-19 deaths have been among residents and staff members at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

There are active outbreaks at 233 facilities, resulting in 4,014 active cases among residents and 4,654 among staffers.

GLOBAL NUMBERS

As of Friday morning, there have been more than 126.9 million positive COVID-19 tests across the globe, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University. An estimated 2.78 million people have died from coronavirus-related complications.

The U.S. has reported the most cases, at more than 30 million, and the most deaths, at 549,007.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
Berlin, March 28 : German Health Minister Jens Spahn on Saturday said he thinks a lockdown lasting 10-14 days is necessary to get the country's ballooning coronavirus outbreak under control.

"If we take the figures, including the developments today, we actually need at least another 10 or 14 days in which we really shut down our contacts, our mobility," he said, DPA news agency reported.

According to Spahn, Germany needs a lockdown over next week's Easter holidays similar to what occurred last year, when Germans were clearly told to stay at home and avoid all contacts.

Spahn also said that Germany would likely begin administering the single-shot coronavirus vaccine developed by US manufacturer Johnson & Johnson starting in mid-April, giving Germany's so-far slow vaccine roll-out a boost.

The European Union's medicines regulator endorsed the vaccine - the fourth to be approved in the bloc - on March 11, but deliveries have yet to start.

Earlier on Saturday, Germany's intensive care doctors said a two-week hard lockdown was the only way to avoid overwhelming hospitals as the country grapples with a third wave of infections.

A mix of hard lockdown, vaccinations and testing is necessary to "prevent intensive care units from being overflowed," the head of the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Christian Karagiannidis, told the Rheinische Post daily.

He called on politicians to put an immediate stop to any planned openings in light of the rapidly rising case numbers. "I ask politicians not to abandon hospital staff," added Karagiannidis.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for disease control on Saturday reported its highest seven-day incidence rate per 100,000 inhabitants since mid-January -- 124.9. The day before, it had stood at 119,1.

Germany's coronavirus strategy was thrown into confusion earlier this week, when the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel made a spectacular u-turn on a plan to tighten an existing nationwide lockdown over Easter, citing legal and logistical problems in implementing it.

The uncertainty has caused discord among the premiers of Germany's 16 federal states, some of whom are refusing to go along with a plan to return to a harder lockdown in areas where the infection rate remains comparatively low.

Merkel often appeals for a unified response but Germany's federal system gives the states significant leeway to set rules.

A recent poll, however, showed that more people were again in favour of tightening measures rather than loosening them. According to a poll by the broadcaster ZDF, 36 per cent want to tighten measures while 31 per cent wants to maintain the current restrictions.

Only a quarter of respondents said they wanted to relax measures.

Berlin on Saturday implemented new rules under which all retailers that re-opened at the beginning of the month, when Germany's lockdown was eased, can keep welcoming customers, but they have to provide a negative test result.

Supermarkets, pharmacies and drugstores are exempt from the requirement, which goes into effect on Wednesday, Mayor Michael Mueller said after a meeting of the city-state's Senate.

Museums and businesses that offer close-contact services, such as hair salons or tattoo studios, may also remain open but patrons must present a negative test result as well.

Pilot projects for reopening further cultural institutions under strict limitations, such as concert halls or clubs, where put on ice, Mueller said.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Lucknow:

The Uttar Pradesh government has asked madrassas in Varanasi to make arrangements so that women from the minority community attend an event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi would interact with them.

The move, however, evoked protests from a body of madrassa teachers.

In a letter sent to all aided and non-aided madrassas of Varanasi, district minority welfare officer Vijay Pratap Yadav said, On September 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a Samwaad programme with women from the minority community at the DLW auditorium. The auditorium has a capacity of 700, the letter said.

On that day, the responsibility of ferrying women audience to the programme venue is assigned to you, the officers letter to the madrassas said. The letter dated September 15 says that the madrassas should ferry around 25 women each to the event.

Reacting to the letter, general secretary of the Teachers Association Madaris Arabia, Deewan Sahab Zama, said that the madrassas had been assigned a task that should have been given to BJP workers.

He demanded that the order be withdrawn. The PM is on a two-day visit to Varanasi from September 22.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
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.
Kanpur: Over 140 patients were rescued after a fire broke out at the state-run LPS Institute of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in Swaroop Nagar here on Sunday morning, the Uttar Pradesh government said.

According to hospital officials, two high-risk patients died in the morning but the deaths were "not caused by the fire".

"Around 7.30 am, smoke was seen billowing out of a storeroom on the ground floor. The fire was subsequently doused and the patients were shifted to another building. All the patients are safe," Dr Vinay Krishna, Director of the hospital, told PTI.

The deceased patients were Rasoolan Bi (80), a resident of Ghatampur who was suffering from acute respiratory problems, and Tek Chand of Hamirpur, who was put on ventilator support.

About the deaths of the two patients, Krishna said, "Tek Chand died around 6.30 am, even before the fire broke out. Rasoolan Bi died later. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem. Prima facie, the high-risk patients had normal deaths and the fatalities were not caused by the fire. The post-mortem will reveal the exact cause of the deaths."

Smoke filled the centrally air-conditioned building but the fire did not cause any casualty, he asserted.

Krishna said the cause of the fire was "probably a short-circuit".

"We used the fire extinguishers kept on the floor to douse the flames. Two fire-tenders were also pressed into service," he said.

The fire broke out near the intensive care unit (ICU) on the ground floor of the hospital.

"The fire broke out in a storeroom. Things are under control now and officers are on the ground. There are no casualties. Over 140 patients were evacuated," Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Kumar Awasthi told PTI.

Kanpur's Additional Commissioner of Police Akash Kulhari said a couple of fire-tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames.

Window panes on the first floor of the hospital were broken to let the smoke out, an official said.

According to Swaroop Nagar Station House Officer (SHO) Ashwani Pandey, about 175 patients were evacuated from the ICU and other neighbouring wards and shifted to other wards.

"A short-circuit is suspected to have led to the fire, but the exact reason will be ascertained only after an investigation," the SHO said.

Kanpur's Chief Fire Officer, N P Singh, said that after getting information about the fire at the cardiology institute, an alert was sounded at all neighbouring fire stations including Colonelganj, Fazalganj, and Anwarganj.

"Nine fire tenders were pressed into service and firefighters took over two hours to evacuate the patients and completely douse the blaze," Singh said and claimed that there was no casualty reported due to fire.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the incident and directed that the evacuated patients be provided immediate care. He also sought a report from the district administration, the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement issued in Lucknow.

The chief minister has directed a high-level team, headed by the principal secretary, health education and also comprising the director general of fire services and the Kanpur divisional commissioner, to visit the site and give its report immediately, the statement said.

He has said a campaign should be launched at the earliest to test the fire-fighting arrangements at all hospitals of the state, in accordance with the directives issued earlier to strengthen such measures.

The hospital was established in 1975. The JK Charitable Trust had donated the building for the institute and it was named as Laxmipat Singhania Institute of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery.
MONTREAL - The impact of the interruption of traffic on the Suez Canal in Egypt is being felt as far away as Quebec, where it will inevitably cause delays in commercial activities, according to Montreal's Port.

Ever Given, a Panama-flagged cargo ship, that is wedged across the Suez Canal and blocking traffic in the vital waterway is seen Saturday, March 27, 2021. The impact of the interruption of traffic on the Suez Canal in Egypt is being felt as far away as Quebec, where it will inevitably cause delays in commercial activities, according to Montreal's Port. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Mohamed Elshahed

MONTREAL - The impact of the interruption of traffic on the Suez Canal in Egypt is being felt as far away as Quebec, where it will inevitably cause delays in commercial activities, according to Montreal's Port.

An immense container ship has been wedged in the crucial shipping channel for days, leaving over 320 ships stuck behind it on both sides awaiting passage, according to canal services provider Leth agencies.

A spokeswoman for the Port of Montreal says it "certainly" expects the situation to create delays for the ships which pass through the canal before heading to Montreal via Europe.

Merchandise from Asia will be most impacted, since most goods from that continent are transported through the Suez and Panama canals, according to communications director Melanie Nadeau.

Nadeau said in an email that shipping from Asia accounts for about 25 per cent of the port's commerce.

Products imported from Asia include clothing, electronics and construction material. On the export side, products such as grain, pulp and paper and forestry products could be affected.

"It's not currently possible to quantify the anticipated impact of the blockage of the Suez Canal for the Port of Montreal," Nadeau wrote in an email.

"We're closely monitoring the situation."

At Quebec City's port, the situation appears less serious. The blockage is not expected to create direct impacts, at least in the short term, a spokesman said.

"On the other hand, if it extends two, three, months, it's certain there could be impacts to a certain degree," Frederic Lagace said.

Lagace said the difference is that Montreal deals more with containers, while Quebec City handles solid and liquid bulk, which is less impacted.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 28, 2021
Australian celebrity chef Matt Preston has revealed his secrets for cooking the perfect eggs, regardless of whether you prefer them fried, poached, boiled or scrambled.

The former MasterChef judge, 60, told Delicious the best way to make the perfect eggs for a healthy morning breakfast depends on how fresh the eggs are and the cooking style preferred.

Preston revealed exactly how to best prepare your eggs, and why you should never rush the cooking time for the perfect dish.

Australian celebrity chef Matt Preston (pictured) has revealed his secrets for cooking the perfect eggs

Poached eggs

Out of the four cooking options, poached is by far the hardest technique to master and often involves adding vinegar to the pot or swirling the water around to create the 'perfect' poached egg.

But Preston claims the end result isn't based on the skills of the home cook, but instead on the freshness of the egg itself.

He said the fresher the egg is, the easier it will be to poach and the better the end result will be.

'To know if your eggs are fresh enough to use this method, crack one onto a plate: if the white doesn't sit proudly and instead creates a puddle around the yolk, this style of poaching won't work for you, and you need to adapt your cooking method accordingly,' he said.

Preston said the fresher the egg is, the easier it will be to poach and the better the end result will be

Scrambled eggs

In comparison, scrambling egg is possibly the easiest way to serve the morning dish, and if done right the texture tastes creamy and light.

Preston said the secret to ensuring the eggs don't dry out is to gently cook food and move it away from the hottest part of the pan so you don't over-cook the eggs.

This process shouldn't be rushed, and so a medium to low heat would be ideal to use.

In comparison to poaching, scrambling egg is possibly the easiest way to serve the morning dish, and if done right the texture tastes creamy and light

Fried eggs

Generally speaking there isn't a 'wrong' way to cook fried eggs, but Preston said there are two approaches to make excellent runny eggs.

The 'angry' approach involves cooking the eggs on a high heat in a pan of oil, which may spit and crisp the edges of the whites.

Whereas the 'calm' approach gently cooks the eggs with a lid over the pan and creates a thin film on top of the yolk.

Generally speaking there isn't a 'wrong' way to cook fried eggs, but Preston said there are two approaches to make excellent runny eggs

Boiled eggs

When boiling eggs, Preston said the ideal amount of cooking time for either soft or hard boiled eggs depends on a range of factors.

'The perfect cooking time depends on everything from the initial temperature of the egg to the size of the egg, and even your altitude and the ambient temperature of your kitchen,' he said.

'As a guide, cover your eggs well in cold water and bring to the boil, then cook for three-plus minutes for soft boiled, five-plus minutes for an almost-set yolk, and eight minutes for pale, chalky yolks.'
The week-long virtual experience celebrating Black excellence kicked off last week, on March 22nd.

And Regina King amped up the glamor as she led the virtual red carpet arrivals at the NAACP Image Awards, which broadcasted from Los Angeles, California on Saturday.

The two-hour ceremony, hosted by Anthony Anderson, featured appearances by the likes of First Lady Michelle Obama and bestowed the Hall of Fame Award upon comedy legend Eddie Murphy.

Leader of the pack: Regina King amped up the glamor as she led the virtual red carpet arrivals at the NAACP Image Awards, which broadcasted from Los Angeles, California on Saturday

Excellence: The week-long virtual experience celebrating Black excellence kicked off last week, on March 22nd ; Michelle Obama during the ceremony

Famous faces: The two-hour ceremony, hosted by Anthony Anderson, featured appearances by the likes of First Lady Michelle Obama and bestowed the Hall of Fame Award upon comedy legend Eddie Murphy (pictured)

King, 50, looked nothing short of magnificent in a custom Oscar de la Renta gown in a beautiful shade of copper.

The Oscar winner's dress featured beautiful ruching and cinching along the front.

Her figure-hugging gown also featured a dramatic diagonal hem and high neck.

The one-shouldered garment boasted a grandiose bow at King's back, which then spilled down into a regal floor-length train.

That bow though: The Oscar winner, 50, looked nothing short of magnificent in a custom Oscar de la Renta gown in a beautiful shade of copper

During the event: Regina King presents the Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Award

Regina's braided hair picked up shades of the dress, and she stood in front of a white backdrop wearing high Mary Jane heels.

Other attendees at the event included black*ish actress Marsai Martin, who looked to be taking her tenth and eleventh awards at this year's event.

Martin, 16, wowed in a high-necked, long-sleeved black midi dress featuring gorgeous black feathers along both sleeves.

Quite the LBD: Other attendees at the event included black*ish actress Marsai Martin

Victorious: Martin looked to be taking her tenth and eleventh awards at this year's event

Wow indeed: Marsai, 16, wowed in a high-necked, long-sleeved black midi dress featuring gorgeous black feathers along both sleeves

J.B. Smoove also got in on the festivities, trying on various hats for the affair.

Honorees this year included Jamie Foxx, awarded the Best Character Voice-Over Performance award for his role in Soul, as well as Rege-Jean Page, for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his Netflix hit Bridgerton.

Other star guests at the Image Awards this year included actresses Brandee Evans and Novi Brown.

Shrug: J.B. Smoove also got in on the festivities, trying on various hats for the affair

Smiling: Honorees this year included Rege-Jean Page, for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his Netflix hit Bridgerton

Suave: Rege-Jean wore a fabulous pale gold and black blazer featuring a whimsical pattern

The awards event, now in its 52nd year, was hosted by star Anthony Anderson.

The black*ish actor, 50, looked classic in a cream tuxedo complete with an arrow lapel pin.

Issa Rae nabbed the Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series trophy for her role on Insecure.

Master of ceremonies: The awards event, now in its 52nd year, was hosted by star Anthony Anderson

Snazzy: The black*ish actor looked classic in a cream tuxedo complete with an arrow lapel pin

Alone on stage: As with all other awards shows, the NAACP Image Awards were socially distanced and largely visual due to the still-present coronavirus pandemic

Victor: Issa Rae nabbed the Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series trophy for her role on Insecure

The actress, 36, stunned in a radiant white halter gown with bejeweled adornments, as she looked to accept her award over Zoom from her home office.

Coming 2 America's Eddie Murphy accepted the Hall of Fame Award at the affair, further crowning his banner year back in the spotlight.

Eddie's C2A costar Arsenio Hall presented him the prize.

Comfy: The actress, 36, looked to accept her award over Zoom from her home office

Show-stopping: Rae stunned in a radiant white halter gown with bejeweled adornments

Glam gang: She shared some behind the scene snaps of her getting ready process, setting the video to the song Get Ready by The Temptations

Teamwork: A seemingly nervous Issa posted 'My first award show of the year' as she tagged her trusty team

Honored: Eddie Murphy accepted the Hall of Fame Award at the affair, further crowning his banner year back in the spotlight

Proud: Eddie's C2A costar Arsenio Hall presented him the prize

Former First Lady Michelle Obama was on hand at the Image Awards as well, to present the Social Justice Impact Award to politician and activist Stacey Abrams.

Abrams, 47, accepted her award outdoors in Atlanta, Georgia, in front of Tyler Perry Studios.

Oscar winner Viola Davis was also victorious on Saturday night, when she won the Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series award for her role in the final season of How to Get Away with Murder.

A serious note: Lin-Manuel Miranda presented at the show

Truly deserved: Michelle presented the Social Justice Impact Award to politician and activist Stacey Abrams

Viola Davis was also victorious on Saturday night: She won the Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series award for her role in the final season of How to Get Away with Murder

Other award recipients included LeBron James, who was honored with the President's Award.

Uber popular actor Samuel L. Jackson presented the Outstanding Motion Picture Award from outside Samuel T. Graves Hall in Morehouse College in Atlanta.

The award went to Bad Boys For Life, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.

Other award recipients included LeBron James: He was honored with the President's Award, presented by NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson

Virtual appearance: Like all the guests, James made a virtual appearance to accept his trophy

Other awards presenters included Novi, 33, and KJ Smith of A Madea Family Funeral.

The one and only: Samuel L. Jackson presented the Outstanding Motion Picture Award from outside Samuel T. Graves Hall in Morehouse College in Atlanta

Seen on Will's wife Jada Pinkett Smith's Instagram: The award went to Bad Boys For Life, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence

Looking fly: Other awards presenters included Novi, 33, and KJ Smith of A Madea Family Funeral

Presenters: Misty Copeland was also on hand to present, as was 30 Rock's Tracy Morgan

Crooning: Singer Maxwell performed at the event

She lost but looked beautiful doing it: Actress Jurnee Smollett was up for an award for her role in Lovecraft Country, and wore a stunning Alexandre Vauthier dress and shoes

Giving thanks: Jamie Foxx was awarded the Best Character Voice-Over Performance award for his role in Soul
When Mitch McConnell was negotiating Senate rules with Chuck Schumer, he paved the way for a rule change putting the filibuster at risk. However, CNN is saying that some Democrats in a 50-50 Senate, with Kamala Harris as the deciding vote, are not necessarily prepared to open the floodgates to transform America into another country entirely.

Democrats are proposing an extraordinarily radical agenda, one that envisions permanent power in a one-party state. H.R. 1 will amend voting rules to impose nationwide the same fraud-promoting rules that put Biden into the White House: unlimited absentee ballots, ballot harvesting, drop-boxes, no voter ID, voting up to 10 days after the election, etc.

The legislation is probably unconstitutional in significant part because the Constitution gives the states the authority to make voting rules. That, after all, was part of the power-sharing of federalism.

However, the fact that something is unconstitutional doesnt matter in the America of the Democrats imagining. The Supreme Courts conservative justices and the squishes can either get with the leftist idea of a living Constitution (which means no Constitution at all) or they can watch Congress vote to expand the number of Supreme Court justices to maintain a perpetual leftist majority. That means more like Justice Sotomayor and fewer like Justices Thomas and Alito.

Democrats are also planning to add Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia  both heavily Democrat -- as states. The fact that D.C. cannot become a state under the Constitution is, again, irrelevant, for the above reasons.

Once the Democrats have their systems in place, the skys the limit. Fully socialized medicine, fully socialized housing, unlimited taxes on the middle and working classes, the end of the Second Amendment, social credit systems of the type seen in China, whites relegated to second class citizenship through the permanent elevation of Critical Race Theory, and more  let your imagination run wild, and they can do it.

Whats currently stopping the Democrats is the filibuster. Under the filibuster, which has existed since 1806, the minority can insist that 60 votes, not 51 (and Kamala Harris will always be the 51st vote), are necessary to pass a controversial bill. As Joe Biden explained in 2005,

At its core ... the filibusters not about stopping a nominee or a bill. Its about compromise and moderation. Thats why the Founders put unlimited debate in. ... It means you may have to compromise. ... Thats what it's about: Engendering compromise and moderation. Ladies and gentlemen, the nuclear option extinguishes the power of independence and moderates in this senate.

Unfortunately, in January, when McConnell negotiated Senate rules with Schumer, he agreed to Schumers proposal of an equal power-sharing agreement provided that ditching the filibuster was up for grabs. McConnell said yes, believing that Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) would not agree to overthrow the filibuster. Sinemas a maverick but Manchin is about as sturdy as an overboiled noodle  plus, Biden just bribed Manchin by appointing his wife to a committee she wanted.

CNN, however, is reporting that there are other Democrats uncomfortable with overthrowing a 215-year-old tradition:

The push by liberal Democrats to enact President Joe Bidens sweeping agenda is running into problems beyond just Sen. Joe Manchin: A handful of Democrats are not falling in line and could limit the scope of the partys ambitions on an array of critical issues. Some Senate Democrats like Sen. Jon Tester of Montana are not yet sold on the House-passed bills to expand background checks on gun sales. Eight Democrats are resisting calls to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. And its more than just Manchin and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema who are opposed to changing Senate rules so a filibuster can be defeated by 51 votes, rather than 60: The two New Hampshire Democratic senators are resisting those calls as well, in addition to several others who are not yet persuaded that such a change is necessary. No, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, told CNN when asked if she would support eliminating the 60-vote threshold. I think we should look at ways to reform the filibuster, but I dont think getting rid of it is the best approach. New Hampshires junior Democratic senator, Maggie Hassan, who faces a tough reelection bid next year, also has concerns about eliminating the filibuster, a spokesperson said, though backs some reforms.

I dont trust CNNs reporting, and I worry about Shaheens desire to reform the filibuster, but its possible that Democrat senators from more conservative states are feeling the heat. If you have one of those senators, please contact him or her and politely inform him that Joe was right in 2005, that the Democrats do not have a massive mandate, and that moderation and compromise are the way to go in America.

IMAGE: United States Capitol by Quick PS on Unsplash.
China will not allow history to repeat itself, Chinese defense minister said during a visit to site of Chinese Embassy in former Yugoslavia

Global Times) 10:52, March 28, 2021

Photo: Ministry of Defense

''The Chinese military will never allow history to repeat itself as China is capable and determined to defend its national interests,'' Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Defense Wei Fenghe said on Friday as he paid tribute to martyrs in Belgrade, at the site of Chinese Embassy in former Yugoslavia that was bombed by NATO in 1999.

''Paying tribute to the martyrs at the site of the bombed Chinese Embassy in former Yugoslavia was a special trip,'' Wei pointed out, saying that the Chinese military will never allow this kind of history to repeat itself and that China is fully capable and determined to defend its national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Photo: Ministry of Defense

Prior to the visit on Friday afternoon, Wei met with the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Chinese observers noted that China, during the trip, held the principle of building and deepening good bilateral relations and military exchanges with European nations. But Wei's visit to the site of the Chinese Embassy in former Yugoslavia also delivered the message that China is determined to respond to any provocative moves from others, including the US.

Wei's visits to Hungary, Serbia, Greece and North Macedonia from Wednesday to March 31 came amid some NATO members moving to deploy or announced plans to deploy warships to the South China Sea with the excuse of the so-called Freedom of Navigation operations. These countries include France, Germany and the UK.

Some NATO members are attempting to play certain security roles in the "Indo-Pacific" region. China can respond by getting involved in security affairs in Europe and allow NATO to understand more about China as a global security actor, experts said.

NATO is picking a fight against China. ''When foreign ministers meeting of NATO members called China a 'challenge' a few days ago, we have to remind NATO that it owes a debt of blood to the Chinese people,'' Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Friday at the press briefing.

Hua said that it shall not be forgotten that the US-led NATO blatantly bombed Yugoslavia in 1999 in a severe violation of relevant international conventions and basic norms of international relations. In the process, killing many innocent civilians, including three Chinese journalists.

On March 24, Serbia commemorated the victims of the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia 22 years ago. Serbian President Vucic also remembered how NATO countries "attacked a sovereign country, without an approval of the United Nations," and he condemned it as a " horrific act of crime, and an act of aggression."

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)

Hereditary peers have claimed nearly 500,000 in expenses during the pandemic as unprecedented numbers turned out to vote remotely.

The 85 Lords who hold titles because of their birthright claimed 484,000 from the taxpayer between April and October last year.

While peers are usually given a tax-free daily allowance of 323 each time they work from parliament, during the pandemic the amount has been halved to 162 for remote attendance.

The payment is only granted if peers participate but with remote attendance easier than making the journey to Westminster, Lords have been taking full advantage.

In the past 12 months the average hereditary peer has voted 113 times out of a possible 143, reported The Sunday Times.

For the same period last year, hereditary peers votes 24 times out of a possible 51.

The 85 Lords who hold titles because of their birthright claimed 484,000 from the taxpayer between April and October last year. Pictured, State Opening of Parliament in 2019

Meanwhile, life peers' average attendance is 104 out of 143 votes. Last year life peers took part in 26 out of a possible 51 votes.

Hereditary peers attended 79 per cent of votes this year compared with 47 per cent the year before.

Norwich-based Lord Addington, 57, can boast the biggest claim. He has been granted 21,538 since the start of lockdown, including 2,994 in travel expenses.

Other big claimants include the Earl of Caithness, 72, who has been given 15,358 since April, and Lord Trefgarne, 79, who has claimed 12,824.

They have both derailed a private members bill sponsored by Lord Grocott, 80, to remove hereditary peers from the chamber.

Between them Caithness and Trefgarne have claimed nearly 1.6 million since 2001.

Hereditary peers have been taking part in 79 per cent of votes this year compared with 47 per cent the year before. Pictured, members of the judiciary talk among themselves before the Queen's Speech in the House of Lord's Chamber on December 19, 2019

It comes a week after it was revealed two leading members of the House of Lords - who are set to battle it out to become speaker - want to axe hereditary peers from Parliament's Upper House.

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town told the Sunday Times hereditary peers were 'not something that would be accepted by the British public today'.

Lord Alderdice told the paper hereditary peers should be allowed to 'wither away'.

The pair, along with Lord McFall of Alcluith, are currently in the running to become Speaker of the House of Lords.

Baroness Hayter (pictured left) of Kentish Town told the Sunday Times hereditary peers were 'not something that would be accepted by the British public today'. Lord Alderdice (pictured right) told the paper hereditary peers should be allowed to 'wither away'

The pair, along with Lord McFall of Alcluith, are currently in the running to become Speaker of the House of Lords (pictured)

Of the more than 800 hereditary peers across the UK, a maximum of 92 selected hereditary peers are entitled to sit in the House of Lords.

The House of Lords: What are hereditary peers? Of the more than 800 hereditary peers across the UK, a maximum of 92 selected hereditary peers are entitled to sit in the House of Lords. The number was slashed to 92 under sweeping reforms introduced by Labour in 1999 to significantly cut the number of hereditary peers allowed to sit in Parliament's upper house. Hereditary peers, who carry the titles of Duke, Marquess, Marchioness, Earl, Viscount, Baron and their female equivalents, are those who have their titles passed down by family their family. They would previously automatically inherit their seat in the House of Lords upon the death of their relatives. But the House of Lords system was replaced in 1999 with one of 'life peerages' - where people are appointed to the House of Lords and given a peerage which lasts until the lord dies. As a compromise in the new system, which saw the total number of lords slashed from 1,330 to 669, Labour allowed 92 hereditary peers to remain. When one hereditary peer dies or retires, a new lord is elected from the pool of hereditary peers by a system of by-election. There are currently four available seats among the hereditary peers. However by-elections have been suspended since March last year due to Covid. Despite Labour's sweeping changes in 1999, clamour for reform in the House of Lords has continued. There are currently 800 seats - including hereditary and life peers - in the House of Lords - making it the second biggest legislature in the world after the National People's Congress in China. The life peerage system has its critics, due to the lords being appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister. Labour and Conservative governments have in the past been accused of attempting to 'flood' the house with Labour or Conservative lords. But hereditary peers remain the most controversial element - with claims they are unrepresentative of the UK population. They have an average age of 72, all of them are white, all of them are men and almost half went to Eton College. Opponents are also wary of the influence of their potential to influence Government policy. Though the House of Lords cannot directly block bills from the House of Commons, they can an amend and delay bills. In reality, the Lords' main role is to review and give insight into new laws - with appointed lords often being highly experienced experts in their fields. But the ability to delay bills can become a powerful tool in the run-up to elections, particularly when a Government wants to push through policy in the run-up to a vote. Advertisement

The number was slashed to 92 under sweeping reforms introduced by Labour in 1999 to significantly cut the number of hereditary peers allowed to sit in Parliament's upper house.

Hereditary peers, who carry the titles of Duke, Marquess, Marchioness, Earl, Viscount, Baron and their female equivalents, are those who have their titles passed down by family their family.

They would previously automatically inherit their seat in the House of Lords upon the death of their relatives.

But the House of Lords system was replaced in 1999 with one of 'life peerages' - where people are appointed to the House of Lords and given a peerage which lasts until the lord dies.

As a compromise in the new system, which saw the total number of lords slashed from 1,330 to 669, Labour allowed 92 hereditary peers to remain.

When one hereditary peer dies or retires, a new lord is elected from the pool of hereditary peers by a system of by-election.

There are currently four available seats among the hereditary peers. However by-elections have been suspended since March last year due to Covid.

Despite Labour's sweeping changes in 1999, clamour for reform in the House of Lords has continued.

There are currently 800 seats - including hereditary and life peers - in the House of Lords - making it the second biggest legislature in the world after the National People's Congress in China.

The life peerage system has its critics, due to the lords being appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Labour and Conservative governments have in the past been accused of attempting to 'flood' the house with Labour or Conservative lords.

But hereditary peers remain the most controversial element - with claims they are unrepresentative of the UK population.

They have an average age of 72, all of them are white, all of them are men and almost half went to Eton College.

Opponents are also wary of the influence of their potential to influence Government policy.

Though the House of Lords cannot directly block bills from the House of Commons, they can an amend and delay bills.

In reality, the Lords' main role is to review and give insight into new laws - with appointed lords often being highly experienced experts in their fields.

But the ability to delay bills can become a powerful tool in the run-up to elections, particularly when a Government wants to push through policy in the run-up to a vote.

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town, a life peer who was formerly a member of Labour's National Executive Committee and ex-party chairman, is one of those calling for an end to hereditary peers in the lords.

Baroness Hayter, 71, told the Sunday Times she felt the by-election system for hereditary lords was 'wrong' and has called on a vote on whether they should be resumed after Covid.

Meanwhile, Lord Alderdice, who sits for the Liberal Democrats, has also backed their permanent suspension.

The third candidate, Baron McFall of Alcluith, a former Labour lord who currently serves as the Senior Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, told the Sunday Times he 'admired' the work of those advocating reform.

He added that by-elections had become 'absurd'.

All three candidates for the role of speaker of the House of Lords have urged Boris Johnson to accelerate reform of the upper house.

Baron McFall of Alcluith (pictured), a former Labour lord who currently serves as the Senior Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, told the Sunday Times he 'admired' the work of those advocating reform

All three candidates for the role of speaker of the House of Lords have urged Boris Johnson to accelerate reform of the upper house

It comes as an investigation by the Sunday Times, published last week, found that hereditary peers have cost the taxpayer almost 50million in expenses in the last 20 years.

Peers can claim 323 a day in tax-free expenses, as well as travel costs.

What did the Sunday Times investigation find? An investigation by the Sunday Times, published last week, found that hereditary peers have cost the taxpayer almost 50million in expenses in the last 20 years. Peers can claim 323 a day in tax-free expenses, as well as travel costs. However, the investigation by the Sunday times found that the average hereditary peer has spoken in the House of Lords 50 times in the past five years. This is compared to the 82 times that a life peer has spoken on average over the same period. There are also 60 per cent more likely to mention their own business or personal interests when they do speak, the paper adds. Advertisement

However, the investigation by the Sunday times found that the average hereditary peer has spoken in the House of Lords 50 times in the past five years.

This is compared to the 82 times that a life peer has spoken on average over the same period.

There are also 60 per cent more likely to mention their own business or personal interests when they do speak, the paper adds.

A House of Lords spokesperson told the Sunday Times that the upper house was 'busy and effective' in its role of holding the Government to account and that all of those in the house took their role 'very seriously'.

The upper house took huge criticism from Tory MPs following the Brexit referendum.

In 2018 Conservative politicians, including former Tory leader Ian Duncan Smith accused the House of Lords of attempting to thwart Brexit.

He warned there had to be a reckoning and a complete and total overhaul of the Lords.

The backlash was sparked by peers voting to keep Britain in the Single Market and to remove the fixed date for leaving the EU, as well as repeatedly amending the Withdrawal Bill.

It also caused a negative response from the British public, according to a poll carried out in 2018.

Confidence in the Upper House plummeted as 76 per cent of voters said they felt peers were out of tune with the will of the British people. Even more said the Lords was outdated throwback.

The data came from a Daily Mail poll, carried out by ComRes, which revealed some 58 per cent of voters believe peers would be wrong to try to thwart Brexit, with 24 per cent thinking they should do so.

In February last year it was revealed peers paid themselves almost a third more in 2019 than in the previous 12 months as 31 claimed more in expenses than the standard take-home wage of an MP.

The cost of expenses and the payment of daily parliamentary attendance allowances in the House of Lords rose by some 29 per cent in the 12 months to March 2019, reaching 23 million.

The average tax-free payment received by peers was 30,827 - more than the median salary of UK workers.

Parliamentary authorities defended the payments as they insisted they had risen because peers had been asked to work more days than the previous year.
Endangered California condor will discover the skies of its original habitat in the Pacific Northwest. A final rule that will help facilitate the establishment of a new release facility in the Yurok Ancestral Territory and Redwood National Park, as announced by the collaborators behind the condor's release, according to a Fox News report. These collaborators are namely the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Yurok Tribe, and National Park Service.

The said bird has been absent in their ancestral habitat for nearly a century. Meanwhile, the announcement of the final rule is a monumental step for the birds who were once on the brink of extinction, according to an OPB report.

ALSO READ: Six Endangered Oryx Caught Being Smuggled Into Mexico

California Condor in Pacific Northwest skies

Although the birds are still considered to be endangered, the new rule will put the condors under a program that is a nonessential, experimental population, in adherence to the 1973 Endangered Species Acts. This will allow flexibility in managing and protecting the reintroduced population, as well as facilitating cooperative conservation, according to The Yurok Tribe.

Paul Souza, the regional director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service noted that the release of the endangered birds symbolizes the possibility of bringing back the population of an endangered species through partnerships.

Tianna Williams-Claussen was moved by the announcement of the release of the birds in their natural habitat. Williams-Claussen noted that the hard work in her entire adult career is driven by the release of the endangered birds. Williams-Clausen is the director of the Wildlife Department of the tribe.

Meanwhile, The Yurok Tribe has deemed the California condor as their sacred animal, and this has led their group to exert efforts in making the species return to their area for more than a decade.

The rules that were announced encompasses the prohibition of certain activities within 656 feet of the condor's nest. Habitat alterations and significant visual or noise disturbance are also not allowed.

Souza also expressed his gratitude to the Yurok Tribe, National Park Service, state partners, and others who have made the project possible. Souza pointed out that collaborations will help conserve the birds for the future generation. Souza added that through collaborative efforts, the endangered California condor will be conserved for future generations.

"We are excited to work with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Redwood National Park on the final stages of the project and beyond," said Yurok Tribe Chairman, Joseph L. James.

Endangered California Condor

The California condor has a wingspan that can measure up to 10 feet. It is also deemed as the largest soaring land bird that can be found in North America. It faced the brink of extinction in the mid-twentieth century because of poaching and poisoning. In 1982, only 23 condors are reported to survive worldwide and by 1987, the remaining population of the bird was placed in a captive breeding program.

In the present, there are over 300 Endangered California condors in the wild that can be seen in Utah, California, Baja California and Arizona.

RELATED ARTICLE: Mexican Gray Wolves Killed in New Mexico After Permission from Authorities, Ranchers and Conservatives React

WATCH: The Giant Bird That Got Lost in Time - from PBS Eons
Burma Wounded Mandalay Volunteer Burned Alive by Myanmar Regime

Around 40 houses were burned by a reported arson attack in Mandalay Region's Pyigyitagon Township early on Sunday morning. / CJ

A neighborhood watch member was burned alive after being injured by gunfire from Myanmars security forces in Aungmyethazan Township, Mandalay, on Saturday night.

Residents said soldiers raided Mintae Eikin ward on Saturday night after the ward administrative office was burned.

During the raid, U Aye Ko, 40, was left behind after being shot. He was dragged away and set on fire at a roadblock by the juntas forces, witnesses told the media.

Residents said they were unable to rescue the volunteer as soldiers were deploying in the area, threatening to shoot anyone who approached.

Around 40 houses were also reportedly burned in Mandalay Regions Pyigyitagon Township after midnight.

Residents were prevented from helping their neighbors  who were banging pots and pans  put out the fires by soldiers.

A resident told The Irrawaddy on Sunday that regime forces fired warning shots to stop residents reaching the fires.

Some fire engines were allowed to put out the fires.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmars Striking Civil Servants Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

US and UK Sanction Myanmar Military-Owned Conglomerates

World Bank Forecasts 10 Percent Slump in Myanmars Growth
OTTAWA - The conditions for a brawl appear to be set after Government House Leader Pablo Rodriguez announced that he will testify at a parliamentary committee about the now-dead WE deal on Monday, rather than Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or members of his staff.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leaves West Block on Parliament Hill to participate in a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa, Friday, March 12, 2021. The federal Conservatives are demanding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or senior members of his staff appear before a parliamentary committee on Monday, as opposition parties continue digging into the Liberal government's now-dead deal with WE Charity to run a student grant program last summer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

OTTAWA - The conditions for a brawl appear to be set after Government House Leader Pablo Rodriguez announced that he will testify at a parliamentary committee about the now-dead WE deal on Monday, rather than Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or members of his staff.

In a letter to the chair of the House of Commons ethics committee on Sunday, Rodriguez said that one of Trudeau's senior advisers had been instructed not to appear before the committee  and that he will be attending in his place.

"Staff are not elected members of the House, they do not have the same rights and privileges as MPs. Calling staff to testify at committee is at odds with the long-standing principle of ministerial responsibility," Rodriguez said in a letter to committee chair Chris Warkentin.

"Accordingly, Mr. Rick Theis, director of policy to the prime minister, has been instructed to not appear before the committee. In his place, I will attend the meeting on behalf of the government."

The letter represents the latest round of bickering between opposition parties and the Liberals over a Conservative-sponsored motion passed by the House of Commons last week calling for Theis and other members of Trudeau's staff to testify before the committee.

The motion also called Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan's former chief of staff to appear at the defence committee to shed light on how the Liberals handled sexual misconduct allegations against the previous commander of the Canadian Armed Forces, Gen. Jonathan Vance.

Rodriguez had indicated on Friday that the Liberals would ignore the motion, accusing the Conservatives of trying to intimidate political staff and arguing that ministers are ultimately responsible for those who work for them.

The motion, passed with support from opposition parties, had indicated that Trudeau's staff could ignore the request to appear if the prime minister himself attended.

Hours before Rodriguez sent his letter to Warkentin, Conservative MPs Pierre Poilievre and Michael Barrett said if Trudeau's staff would not appear to answer the ethics committee's questions, then the prime minister himself must appear.

"If Trudeau staffers can't testify, then he can," Poilievre said during a news conference on Parliament Hill.

"We ask him to testify for no less than four hours before the ethics committee in person. ...He can answer why his staff were engaged in a long string of correspondence with the WE brothers about setting up programs and grants of taxpayer money."

Poilievre and Barrett did not say what measures opposition parties could or would take if the Liberals ignore the motion, and instead painted the issue as one of honouring the will of Parliament.

Barrett later blasted Rodriguez's plan to attend the committee meeting instead, noting that the motion passed by a majority of MPs in Parliament specifically named Trudeau and his staff.

"Nowhere does it include any reference to the government House leader," he added.

"For over a week, the Liberals have used the excuse that ministers should testify before the committee. The key players in Trudeau's WE scandal work for the prime minister, not the government House Leader."

Rodriguez's spokesman Mark Kennedy defended the government's decision to have the House leader appear instead of the prime minister.

"It was the government House leader that led the government's response last week to the Opposition motion to force staff members to appear at committee," Kennedy said in an email.

"He will represent the government at the ethics committee tomorrow. Ministers have collective responsibility for the actions of those throughout government."

While prime ministers don't usually testify before committees, Trudeau did appear at the finance committee in July to answer questions about his government's decision last year to have WE run a multimillion-dollar student volunteer program.

WE later backed out of the $543-million agreement following questions and concerns about its close ties to members of the prime minister's family, before the Canada Student Services Grant program was cancelled entirely.

The Liberals and WE co-founders Craig and Marc Kielburger have insisted that it was non-partisan civil servants who came up with the idea of having the Toronto-based organization run the grant program.

But the Conservatives have held up some of the thousands of email exchanges and other documents released by the government in August, after Trudeau testified, as evidence the arrangement was directed by the Liberals.

Those include a message from Craig Kielburger in which the younger Kielburger brother appears to thank one of Trudeau's senior advisers, Ben Chin, for having helped shape the student-grant program.

Craig Kielburger told the ethics committee two weeks ago that Chin had no direct involvement, and the message was one of dozens an assistant sent as Kielburger sought to expand his LinkedIn network. Chin is one of those the Conservatives want to testify before the committee.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 28, 2021.
Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM

News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.



Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens.
When Gonzalo "Kiko" Castro was diagnosed with COVID-19 this past September, he had no way of knowing how much the virus would turn his life upside down.

Castro, 67, experienced some of the symptoms that have become synonymous with the novel coronavirus and was taken to the emergency room at Augusta University Health by his wife, Julie Ann, since that would be quicker than making an appointment with a doctor. He spent two days in the hospital before being sent home with oxygen.

Thats when it got really scary," said Angela Stroman, Castro's daughter.

Stroman, 34, a nurse, had given her parents a pulse oximeter, which monitors a person's oxygen saturation. After Castro returned home, he used it to measure his levels to see how he was doing because he was still experiencing shortness of breath.

"A normal respiratory rate is somewhere between 12 and 20," Stroman said. "His was probably 47."

"She took me back to the emergency (room) and thats the last thing I remember, leaving the house and getting there until I think it was six weeks after," Castro said.

During those six weeks, Castro was on a ventilator. He said he wasn't in a coma, but he just doesn't remember anything. He thought he was there for just two days.

Stroman remarked on how different the hospital experience was during the pandemic, as the family wasn't able to see Castro at all for the first three weeks of his hospital stay.

Its just very scary," Stroman said. "I know its affected so many people, but it does feel different when its happened to somebody that is in your family, when it hits home that hard.

In all, Castro spent 69 days in the medical intensive care unit and another 17 in the intermediate care unit. He was later told that he almost died twice, which he said didn't frighten him.

"I wasnt scared at all because, you know, Im ready," Castro said. "Im a Christian. Its going to happen one day anyways, whether were ready or not. Really, I was never scared because I knew I was in good hands there because of the way they treated me and the way they supported my family. Great support. It means a lot."

Castro called his team at AU Health his "angels." He said the doctors and nurses were always smiling when they came into his room and constantly encouraged him, which Castro said kept him going.

Castro had many of the support staff sign a hat of his, so that he can always remember them.

"You cant put a price on that (care)," Castro said. "Thats why I call them my angels."

Since returning home on Jan. 15, Castro has progressed back to a sense of normalcy. He used a walker for the first two weeks he was home, but has since worked his way up to walking 3 miles a day with no assistance.

Stroman and Castro both agreed that the ordeal brought their family closer together.

"It has a way of highlighting how important it is to have each other to rely on for the support or the encouragement," Stroman said. "It was such a rollercoaster every single day."

Castro also has received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which he said he had no hesitancy about. Along with that, he noted that everyone should take the virus seriously, as he and his wife both took all the recommended precautions and still became infected.

"Its so important that people get vaccinated and understand what (COVID-19) can look like," Stroman said.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, March 28 : Senior NCP leader Praful Patel on Sunday rejected claims that his party was holding talks with the BJP for an alliance, while terming the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government in Maharashtra "stable and safe".

"We all are aware that the MVA government was formed because of (NCP supremo) Sharad Pawarji... there is no reason to talk of unnecessary things in the state... as far as the government is concerned, the MVA under Uddhav Thackeray is stable and safe," he told reporters in Kerala.

"NCP will work in the interest of the people of Maharashtra and at the national level and the Kerala level, we are opposed to BJP-NDA ideology.... unnecessary talk of any backdoor alliance makes no sense," he added.

Patel's clarification came in the wake of Gujarati media reporting a meeting between Pawar, and Patel, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Ahmedabad.

Asked about the meeting at a press conference in New Delhi, Shah refused to confirm or deny it, saying that "everything cannot be made public".

The purported meeting was seen as major development amid the ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra which erupted when former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh made serious allegations against state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, of the NCP.

The Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra includes the NCP and the Congress.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
In an uncommon case of catching suspected catalytic converter thieves, Marin County sheriffs officials say they nabbed a Novato couple red-handed last week.

The couple may have been involved in the thefts of as many as 2,500 catalytic converters this year and are suspected of selling the purloined devices or valuable metals inside them for the past three years, said Sgt. Mike Brovelli of the Marin County Sheriffs Office. An investigation is continuing.

Deputies discovered the operation after receiving a tip from a resident on Wednesday that someone was cutting up pieces of exhaust systems in a storage unit, according to the sheriffs office. When they showed up at Novato Self Storage on Binford Road in uninporporated Novato, they found a man and a woman in the process of cutting apart hundreds of catalytic converters inside a storage unit as well as evidence that many others had been dismantled there before.

Deputies arrested Abner Deleon Cifuentes and Elizabeth Herrera, both of Novato, on suspicion of possessing stolen property, failing to maintain records related to the purchase or receipt of used catalytic converters, and operating an auto dismantling operation without a permit. They were booked into Marin County Jail.

Thefts of catalytic converters, which are part of a vehicles exhaust system, have been common in the past few years in the Bay Area and California, and surged during the pandemic. But the thieves, who strike quickly at night and move from city to city, are rarely caught. The crime has spread across the country in recent months as the resale value for the devices or the precious metals inside have soared on an underground market that relies on a network of scrapyards and recyclers willing to deal in stolen auto parts.

Working with the Marin County Auto Theft Task Force, investigators searched the couples Novato home, two storage units and their vehicles, and found evidence that the hundreds of catalytic converters had not been legally removed by a mechanic, authorities said. Deleon Cifuentes and Herrera were allegedly unable to produce records, required by law, showing where and from whom each catalytic converter was received.

During the investigation, more than 300 catalytic converters were recovered, including more than 60 from Toyota Priuses, a prime target of catalytic converter thefts. Investigators believe the catalytic converters discovered in Marin were stolen from Vallejo, Santa Rosa, Sacramento and Lodi, Brovelli said.

Investigators found receipts allegedly showing the couple had been selling the catalytic converters to a recycler in Southern California  and may have made several hundred thousand dollars this year alone.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
Imperial Valley News Center

California Woman Sentenced to 15 Months for Threatening to Bomb Catholic Prep School

Washington, DC - The Justice Department announced Friday that Sonia Tabizada, 36, of San Jacinto, California, was sentenced to 15 months and 13 days for intentionally obstructing persons in the enjoyment of their free exercise of religious beliefs by threatening to bomb the Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, D.C.

In May 2019, school officials announced that Visitation Prep, the oldest Catholic school for girls in the country, would begin publishing same-sex wedding announcements in its alumni magazine to advance its teaching that we are all children of God ... worthy of respect and love. According to the plea agreement, Tabizada learned of this announcement and made multiple calls threatening violence in response to the schools decision. On May 15, 2019, Tabizada left a voice message stating that she was going to burn and bomb the church. Tabizada also stated that she was going to kill school officials and students. Several minutes later, Tabizada left a second voice mail stating that she was going to blow up the school and warned that she would commit terrorism.

No school and no child should be subjected to death threats, because of their religious beliefs, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pamela S. Karlan for the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division. The Department of Justice will continue to vigorously prosecute violent threats motivated by bias.

The citizens of the District of Columbia and our country are entitled to freely exercise their religious beliefs and to be free from threats of violence based on biasbe it against religion, race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia is committed to protecting the civil rights of all our citizens and will do so by vigorously enforcing both federal and local hate crime laws. said Acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips for the District of Columbia.

The free exercise of religion is one of our nations most sacred constitutional rights," said Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D'Antuono of the FBI Washington Field Office. "The FBI will continue to prioritize threats of violence and civil rights violations to ensure every citizen and community is free to exercise all of their protected liberties without fear and threats of violence.

Tabizada was also sentenced to two years of supervised release with special conditions. If Tabizada wants to leave the country she must contact the court and request a modification of the special conditions.

The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kendra Briggs of the District of Columbias Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section and Trial Attorney Michael J. Songer of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.
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.
I dont know where youre going with that case state, hes been shot, hes laying in the back seat of a car, who knows where that weapon came from, said Willis to prosecutors after setting the $5,000 I-bond. Sir, make sure you show up to court.

Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

24 Hour Access
The death toll from the collapse of a nine-story apartment building in Cairo has climbed to 18 people, according to Egyptian state media.

The building collapsed in the Egyptian capital early on Saturday. State newspaper Al-Ahram said that search and rescue workers recovered the bodies over the course of the day.

Excavators could be seen digging through the debris in the el-Salam neighbourhood on Saturday morning.

Police cordoned off the area, keeping back the curious and people apparently looking for relatives in the building.

"They took four people out in front of me, who looked like they were almost gone," said Mohamamed Mostafa, a resident of the neighbourhood.

At least 24 others were injured and taken to hospitals, according to a morning statement by Khalid Abdel-Al, the administrative head of Cairo governorate. The tally of those killed by his office stayed at nine as of Saturday evening.

Expand Close Rescuers sift through the rubble of a collapsed apartment building in the el-Salam neighborhood, in Cairo, Egypt. AP Photo/Tarek wajeh / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Rescuers sift through the rubble of a collapsed apartment building in the el-Salam neighborhood, in Cairo, Egypt. AP Photo/Tarek wajeh

It was not immediately clear what caused the building's collapse. An engineering committee was formed to examine the structural integrity of neighbouring buildings, Mr Abdel-Al said.

Building collapses are not uncommon in Egypt, where shoddy construction is widespread in shantytowns, poor city neighborhoods and rural areas.

With real estate at a premium in big cities like Cairo and the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, developers seeking bigger profits frequently violate building permits. Extra floors often are added without proper permits.

The government has recently launched a crackdown on illegal building across the country, jailing violators and in many cases destroying the buildings.

Read More
Horses have the intelligence to recognise their reflection in a mirror, a new study has discovered.

Scientists from Italy painted a small letter X on the faces of 11 of the animals who attempted to remove it once they realised it was there in a mirror.

The discovery means horses could be among the most self-aware creatures on the planet, alongside primates.

A few other species such as elephants and bottle-nosed dolphins have been noted recognising themselves but scientists do not know if species as a whole had the ability.

The study, published in the Animal Cognition journal, suggests horses have the same self-awareness only seen in primates

The findings were published in the journal Animal Cognition.

Dr Paolo Baragli from the University of Pisa in Italy said: 'Here, we report the first evidence of mirror self-recognition at the group level in a non-primate species.

'The marks were placed on both cheeks because the panoramic visual field of horses does not cover this head area and, therefore, the mark could be seen by the tested horse only with the guidance of the mirror.

'Our horses used the mirror surface to guide their movements towards their faces previously marked, thus showing that they are able to recognize themselves in a mirror. They followed a sequence of behavioural steps towards the mirror before being marked.

'Our horses engaged in contingency behaviours similar to those reported for other species such as head movements, peek-a-boo, and tongue protrusion almost exclusively in presence of the reflective surface'

A letter X was painted on the faces of the horses out of its eyeline in ultrasound gel

Most of the animals checked behind the mirror at first to look for the other horse in its pen

To start with 14 animals from the Italian Horse Protection Rescue Centre in Tuscany, Italy, were videoed when they encountered a mirror.

All at first thought it was another animal which some tried to play with and others showed aggression towards. Another horse showed fear.

Eleven of the 14 checked behind the mirror as if looking for its counterpart and later moved their heads to see their reflection do the same.

Some stuck their tongues out.

Some of the horses showed aggression towards its reflection at first but scientists say they eventually realised it was themselves in the mirror

Those 11 had an X dabbed on their faces of gel used for ultrasounds.

They were then recorded and eventually all made attempts to remove the shape which they would not have been able to see if not for the mirror in their stall.

The report reads: 'The horses tested in our pilot study showed some behavioural patterns in response to the presence of the reflecting surface which were not performed in the other conditions.
Jakarta, March 28 : At least 14 people were injured due to a strong blast outside a church in Indonesia's South Sulawesi province on Sunday, which was likely a suicide bombing attack carried out by two people, police said.

"The body found at the scene is believed to be of the suicide bomber," dpa news agency quoted provincial police chief Merdisyam as saying.

Two suspects were trying to enter the gate of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the provincial capital, Makassar, on a motorcycle when they were stopped by security guards, national police spokesman Argo Yuwono said.

Argo said 14 people were injured in the attack, including three security guards at the church.

Merdisyam earlier said that four worshippers were among the injured.

The explosion at 10.28 a.m.. was likely to have been of "high intensity," the police chief said.

"The service had finished and worshippers were coming out of the church," he said at a news conference.

The Indonesian Council of Muslim Scholars condemned the attack.

"It was a heinous act that violates the tenets of any religion," the council's deputy chairman Anwar Abbas said in a statement.

"We call on authorities to apprehend the perpetrators and mastermind of the attack," he added.

The Indonesian Communion of Churches urged Christians to remain calm.

"I call on all members of the community not to be afraid and restless," chairman Gomar Gultom said.

"Please pray for our safety." Churches have been targeted by extremists in Indonesia several times.

In 2018, dozens of people were killed when suicide bombers committed suicide bombings at three churches during Sunday services in the city of Surabaya in East Java.
Smartphone manufacturer OPPO has sold tens of thousands of smartphones since launching in South Africa in October 2020.

The company entered the local market with three smartphone models last year  the budget A15 and A53, and the mid-range A72.

OPPO South Africas head of go-to-market and operations, Liam Faurie told MyBroadband the local market has received OPPO phenomenally well.

Only five months after launching, it had sold more than 30,000 smartphones in South Africa.

We are growing faster than any other brand before, Faurie claimed.

The company has partnered with Vodacom and MTN to offer its smartphones to their customers.

In February, we received the data that we are in the top 4 brands in Vodacom postpaid business, Faurie said.

Both the A72 and A15 are among the top 3 best-selling smartphones in their respective price segments.

Its user base is now growing by at least 500 to 600 customers per day, Faurie said.

Should this momentum continue, it would put the brand on course to pass 150,000 users in South Africa by the end of 2021.

This progress mirrors OPPOs gains in other regions around the world  such as China  where it surpassed Huawei to become the number one smartphone maker in the final quarter of 2020.

According to Gartner, OPPO was the fifth largest smartphone brand by shipments in 2020  at just under 112 million units claiming around 8.3% of the market share.

Reno5 5G will continue momentum

OPPO recently brought its first premium offering to the country  the Reno5 5G smartphone.

In addition to 5G connectivity, it boasts a fast Snapdragon processor, advanced rear quad-camera system and photographic software, and the fastest charging capabilities of any smartphone sold in South Africa.

Commenting on the expectations on performance of this product, Faurie said he had asked the OPPO South Africa team to double the amount of stock to be shipped into South Africa on the same day as its launch.

This was due to unprecedented demand on orders from operators and retailers.

I wasnt expecting the purchase orders to come in the way that they have. I also did not expect the back orders to come in the way that they have, Faurie said.

I believe we are going to sell loads of this phone, Faurie said.

New products coming

Faurie provided details on two new OPPO products coming to the South African market in the next few months.

One of these will be a new 5G-capable entry in its affordable A series, which is set to be launched around April.

OPPO is also in commercial discussions with a major 5G operator in South Africa to bring its OPPO T1 5G router to home Internet users.

Now read: Huawei Mate 40 Pro South African price and launch date revealed
MBAonCrack wrote:

Im stuck in a similar situation as well. As an Indian candidate, can someone share their views on both these colleges?

Babson is a marginal US b-school full of international students paying full fair.Warwick is a good UK b-school that places into London 'high finance' jobs.Go to Warwick.

Some friends of mine have been making interesting comparisons of the parallels between the completely unnecessary crises created by President Biden (at the border) and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. I am sure there are others, as well, but these are the ones we have come up with for now.

Spreading COVID

Biden requires CBP to allow COVID positive illegal migrants into our country and is spreading them across the country

Cuomo sent COVID-positive elders into nursing homes, killing almost 15,000 vulnerable seniors there

Predictability of a self-created crisis

The Biden border crisis was not only predictable but he was warned about what would happen

Cuomo was warned by doctors who work in nursing homes about the risks to the other residents

Coverup

Biden is refusing to allow the media and American people to see the conditions in which illegal immigrants are held, especially children, and has delayed releasing the numbers of illegals allowed entry or not

Cuomo notoriously and probably illegally covered up the number of nursing home deaths

Refusing to use Trump-provided solutions

Biden abandoned Trumps successful border security arrangements with Mexico, his safe third country agreements with Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras to apply for asylum in their home countries, and ended border wall construction

Cuomo didnt take advantage of the Federal assistance in creating hospital facilities in the Javits Center and the USNS Comfort hospital ship

Lack of preparation

Biden issued executive orders on the border without being prepared in terms of personnel, procedures, or facilities to deal with their consequences

Cuomo left nursing homes being unprepared and unequipped in terms of personnel, procedures, and facilities to isolate those admitted with COVID or otherwise protect the other residents

Family separation

Biden encouraged family separations by encouraging unaccompanied minors

Cuomo caused permanent family separations with elders deaths while isolated from their family in long-term care facilities

Exposure to COVID

CBP and other personnel dealing with illegal migrants, who should have been given vaccination priority, have been exposed to COVID.

Cuomo ordering elderly COVID-infected patients into nursing homes exposed nursing home staff

Media adoration and protection

Biden faced softball questions, including praise for his character, at his first press conference

Cuomo was built up by the media as the competent and sexy anti-Trump

Unwanted touching of females

Biden likes to touch little girls

Cuomo allegedly grabs and kisses female staffers

Favors for family

Hunter Biden has made millions of dollars from countries that were being overseen by then-VP Biden

Cuomo got early access to the COVID vaccine for members of his family

Yale

Biden has a stupid, dishonest son (Hunter) who graduated from Yale

Cuomo has a stupid, dishonest brother (Chris) who graduated from Yale

IMAGES: Andrew Cuomo by DonkeyHotey and Joe Biden by DonkeyHotey, YouTube screen shots

Well, this is embarrassing.

Just when the weather turned nice, a trip to the shore using Routes 676, 42 and Interstate 295 became even more frustrating than usual.

A retaining wall that is part of the ginormous, never-ending, near-billion-dollar construction project that is supposed to resolve the congestion  once and for all  partially collapsed on Thursday.

According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, emergency repairs forced a plan to keep at least one northbound lane of I-295 through at least the weekend near Exit 26 in Bellmawr.

When will the road and infamous intersection return to its normal, tied-up state? Lets just say at this editorials Friday deadline, DraftKings and Fanduel were setting odds on which would reopen first, this road or the Suez Canal in Egypt, which has been blocked by a cargo ship that managed to run aground and wedge in sideways.

Kidding aside, the collapse raises questions about the materials and construction stability of a concrete wall that looks virtually identical to existing wall that lines nearby segments of 295. DOT wasnt ready to offer anything specific as a reason for the breach on Friday.

NJDOT is in the process of investigating the cause of the collapse, and monitoring the condition of the slope, DOT spokesman Steve Schapiro said in an email to NJ Advance Media.

At this time, everything looks stable, however, the right lane on I-295 northbound will remain closed at least through Monday as a precaution while engineers gather data, Schapiro said. In addition, steps are being taken to further reinforce the slope.

The general contractor, South State Inc., a Cumberland County-based staple along under-construction South Jersey roadways, had no comment.

WPVI-TV reported Friday that DOT was looking at weather as a possible cause, still more cause for concern. If a precast concrete wall cant stand up to 40 mph wind gusts weve had recently, dont even mention a tornado. There was rain Wednesday, but it was a steady soaking, not a deluge, and it had been pretty dry around here for weeks.

In TV coverage of the collapse, one nearby resident stated the obvious  better to have the roadway buckle now than when its finished and vehicles are traveling on it.

Hopefully, added inconvenience from shoring up the busted wall will be short-term. The long view, though, is that this project, known the Direct Connection, is estimated to cost $800 million. The current segment is supposed to be done in 2024; the whole thing wont wrap before 2027. Most area drivers are willing to endure the construction delays because of the promise of the prize at the end, a smoother commute. Were like the optimistic kid who gets a room full of manure for her birthday and remarks, There has to be a pony in here somewhere.

Now, authorities should check and recheck these structures in numerous spots to ensure they are stable. If the work is based on standardized components, methods and engineering common to DOT projects statewide, these need to be reviewed, as well.

The best case scenario is that the collapse is a unique event that can be chalked up to a specific set of circumstances that will be discovered promptly. Safety first, though.

Somebody screwed up, one motorist told NBC10 Friday afternoon. Perhaps, but itll be worse if a lot of people screwed up in a lot of places. In that case, the Direct Connection will be compared with the derisively nicknamed Big Dig in downtown Boston. It began in 1982, wasnt finished until 2007, and cost $24 billion for 7.8 miles  incredible even to New Jerseyans accustomed to sky-high roadwork prices.

To end on a positive note, upon completion, the Big Dig DID cut congestion markedly.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
HK12 mainland law firm asked to disband

Ren Quanniu, who already had his licence revoked due to the case, was one of the partners of the Henan Railway Law Firm. Photo: RTHK

A mainland law firm - linked to a lawyer, who was hired to help 12 Hong Kong residents detained by the Guangdong coastguard last summer - has been asked by authorities to disband.



Ren Quanniu, who already had his licence revoked due to the case, was one of the partners of the Henan Railway Law Firm. The company was told by a local lawyers' association to disband, with their four lawyers asked to switch to other companies before the twentieth of next month - or lose their jobs.



The Hong Kongers were allegedly attempting to flee to Taiwan by speedboat when they were detained. Two of them are still in a mainland jail for organising the illegal border crossing, while the others have returned to Hong Kong to face protest-related charges.
Stormont departments have spent almost 7m in consultancy fees since the start of the Assembly mandate in 2017.

Figures show the extent departments rely on consultants to assist in projects in a range of areas.

These include accounting, legal, housing, planning and infrastructure projects.

One MLA said members of the public will "demand answers" over the situation, particularly when money is in short supply.

The biggest spender was the Department for the Economy (DfE), which has racked up a bill of 2.8m since 2017. DfE said all consultancy work is subject to public procurement policy and the NI Guide to Expenditure.

"In that context, all DfE consultancy proposals are subject to the production and approval of robust and proportionate business cases, which will include analysis and evaluation of value for money for the taxpayer and post-project evaluation to identify opportunities to improve future public spending," a spokesperson said.

DfE's consultancy spending was followed by that of the Department of Finance (DoF), which spent 2.1m on consultants since the start of the Assembly mandate. A DoF spokesperson said the use of consultants is exceptional and are only used when the Civil Service does not have the expertise or capacity to deliver the project. "Value for money is a critical part of the consideration," they added.

The Department of Health (DoH) spent a total of 918,000 on consultants. Projects they were hired for included research into historical abuse in mother and baby homes and Magdalene laundries, as well as support for its Covid response.

A DoH spokesperson said a business case has to be prepared for each project to ensure it demonstrates value for money and consultancy assignments are subject to approval by both the department's permanent secretary and the Health Minister if they cost more than 10,000.

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI), which has several major road projects in the works, paid out 475,000 to consultants since the beginning of the Assembly mandate, with all contacts subject to business cases and assessments. A DfI spokesperson said this expenditure went towards advice on technical, legal and financial matters, and also to support the planning process from 2017 to 2020.

The Executive Office's (TEO) bill came in at 354,000, while the Department of Education (DoE) spent 33,000.

SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone is a former member of Stormont's Public Accounts Committee, which examines public spending. "This is a huge sum of money for consultancy fees and in the current context, the public will rightly wonder if this represents value for money," he told the Belfast Telegraph. "Government departments, particularly Finance and Economy with astronomically high figures, should explain what this money was paid for and how it benefited the people of the north. When our public services are under pressure, people will demand these answers."

Elsewhere, the Department of Justice (DoJ) spent 65,000 on consultants since 2017. They said that, before reaching a decision to engage consultants, the department must be satisfied that there is a justifiable reason.

The Stormont department with the lowest spend was the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), which paid out 16,000.
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The San Luis Obispo business attorneys recommend that business managers or owners consult the SBA map to identify applicable a low income communities.

On March 11, after weeks of debate, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law, which among other assistance, provides significant benefits to small businesses and qualifying nonprofits. The business attorneys from Toews Law Group, Inc. have summarized what these benefits mean to small businesses on the California Central Coast.

In addition to providing assistance to state and local governments, and stimulus checks to individuals and families, the Rescue Plan includes an additional $7.25 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and increases in the number of nonprofits that qualify for the program. The most notable provision for small businesses on the Central Coast is the inclusion of $15 billion to provide targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) funds for qualifying businesses located in low-income communities. To qualify for the new EIDL funds, businesses:



Must operate in a low-income community

Have less than 300 employees

Have lost more than 30-percent of their gross receipts due to COVID-19

A number of small businesses on the Central Coast may be surprised to find they qualify for the new round of EIDL funds because they operate in a low-income community. In the city of San Luis Obispo, for example, businesses located near or around Cal Poly are operating in a low income community. In north San Luis Obispo County, those businesses located in certain areas of Morro Bay, Paso Robles, and certain rural areas surrounding Paso Robles and Atascadero, may qualify for the new targeted EIDL funds. In South San Luis Obispo County, businesses located in Grover Beach fall within the low-income community definition.

Visit the Small Business Administration (SBA) website for information about applying for a PPP loan. The deadline to apply, according to the SBA, is March 31. The San Luis Obispo business attorneys recommend that business managers or owners consult the SBA map to determine if your business is in a low income community. If youd like to discuss the EIDL funds, or have further question regarding your business, call the business law attorneys at Toews Law Group today.

This information has been prepared by Toews Law Group, Inc for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. The transmission of this information is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.

Toews Law Group, Inc.

1212 Marsh Street, Suite 3

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 781-3645
A Co Antrim private detective has told of his guilt over rumbling one of Hollywood's biggest icons for having an affair that ended her A-list marriage.

He's also lifted the lid on how he did time with IRA chiefs, helped nail Margaret Thatcher's son for his part in one of the world's most infamous coups and was banged up at a "hellhole" Argentina jail while hunting missing kids.

BROUGHT DOWN: Ian played a role in sinking Mark Thatcher over his part in a failed coup in Africa

Ian Withers (80) was tasked with tracking America's 1970s golden girl Farrah Fawcett at the peak of her Charlie's Angels fame.

The blonde was said to be having a fling with volatile actor Ryan O'Neal behind the back of her Six Million Dollar Man star husband Lee Majors.

Ian was paid by US gossip magazine the National Enquirer to get proof. It led to an extraordinary meeting over drinks with Farrah in London who handed him her itinerary while she was in England so he could track her round the clock.

Revealing details of the case in his upcoming memoir Private Eye, Secret Spy: My Life As Britain's Most Controversial PI, ex-cop Ian said: "Was one of Charlie's Angels doing the dirty on the Six Million Dollar Man? It's a question which caught the attention of many millions of people in the Seventies. And I was asked to answer it."

Expand Close DIVORCE: Lee Majors Getty Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp DIVORCE: Lee Majors

Ian used a motorcyclist and car team to start 24/7 surveillance on Farrah while she was in London.

He and his outfit watched as she was shuttled from an apartment on Wilton Row, Belgravia, to Shepperton Studios - where she was filming a sci-fi flick called Saturn 3 alongside Kirk Douglas and Harvey Keitel.

But Ian underestimated her security detail who soon clocked him and his team.

They got paranoid he was part of a kidnap gang as Farrah had recently been the victim of a failed attempt to snatch her while she was filming in Mexico.

One Friday afternoon while watching Farrah's flat, Ian said one of her "goons" tapped on the window of his car - and when he refused to open it, snapped off the antenna of his car radio.

The hulking bodyguard returned minutes later and told the PI: "'The lady wonders if you would like to have a drink with her - she wants to ask what you're doing'."

Ian arranged to meet her at a pub opposite her apartment.

"A few moments later and one of Charlie's very beautiful angels walked out wearing her very skimpy white outfit and a long overcoat on top," he recalled.

"I was as professional as I could be, of course, but I do accept my jaw may have dropped open as those endless legs strode across the road in front of me."

Over a fruit juice for Farrah and tonic water for Ian, she used her "silky, soft Texan accent" to explain she was "kinda nervous" at being watched after her brush with kidnapping in Mexico.

Expand Close SEDUCTRESS: Ian says he was captivated by Farrah Fawcetts beauty... and legs Reveille / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp SEDUCTRESS: Ian says he was captivated by Farrah Fawcetts beauty... and legs

After he admitted he was from the Press, Ian said Farrah "reached into the inside pocket of her coat and handed me three sheets of paper - they detailed her movements over the following four days".

The itinerary allowed Ian to capture Farrah cosying up to Love Story star and legendary womaniser Ryan O'Neal at a Chinese restaurant in Mayfair.

Farrah divorced Lee Majors and she and Ryan, now 79, went on to become the Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt of their day.

They stayed together until Farrah's agonising death aged 62 from cancer that spread to her liver.

Ian confessed: "I can't get away from the guilt that comes with it. She was striking and gracious and, no doubt, was already resolved to closing down her relationship with her husband at the time.

"Yet the distress that came to her on that night in London was as a result of my work."

Far less glamorous were the months Ian was banged up at HMP Brixton for 'conspiracy to commit a public mischief' due to a technicality over the way he accessed people's private information for clients.

Weeks into Ian's sentence, IRA bomber Gerry Kelly was locked in the prison's A-wing with the other members of a republican terror cell that killed one and injured 200 in the 1973 Old Bailey blast.

Expand Close Gerry Kelly / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Gerry Kelly

Military-trained dad-of-four Ian - whose late wife Phyl had seven relatives in the RUC - said about the bomber turned Sinn Fein politician: "Our exchanges were pleasant enough but, as an ex-soldier, it was hard to avoid the idea he was part of an organisation which murdered troops whenever it could."

Ian's book tells how he was also jailed in a "cesspit hell on earth" Argentina jail for a week while searching for two missing children.

Authorities had mistaken him for a CIA spy out to topple the country's brutal dictatorship and bolted him in a nightmarish cell where giant cockroaches scuttled over his body while the screams of other inmates being tortured echoed in the darkness.

Ian - who ran a global PI agency for 60 years - made headlines three years ago when he was arrested but bailed without charge over the unsolved 1985 shotgun assassination of exiled Seychelles dissident Gerard Hoarau.

As we revealed last week, he is still fuming the Met Police maintain he's still a suspect.

Ian's gripping memoir also details how records of phone calls he collected helped in the conviction of the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's son.

Mark Thatcher (67) was handed a four-year suspended sentence and fined 226,000 for his part in a failed coup in Equatorial Guinea.

Private Eye, Secret Spy: My Life As Britain's Most Controversial PI is due out May 2021. See http://www.idwitherspi.com for more information about Ian and the book.
The term BAME is 'unhelpful and redundant' and should be scrapped, Boris Johnson's racial disparity commission will suggest in a report.

The acronym - which stands for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic - overshadows the fact that people from different ethnic groups have varying life experiences and should not be grouped together in one category, the commission found.

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities also suggests that people of ethnic minority backgrounds generally prefer the term 'ethnic minority' over 'BAME' or 'people of colour' to describe themselves.

Mr Johnson announced the establishment of the commission after a series of anti-racism protests on British streets triggered by the death in the US of George Floyd while in police custody.

The 10-person group - comprised of representatives from the fields of science, education, broadcasting, economics, medicine, policing and community organising - are set to deliver a report on race disparity within various sectors.

It is lead by Tony Sewell, who previous said the absence of black fathers is the root cause of knife and gang crime.

The term BAME is 'unhelpful and redundant' and should be scrapped, Boris Johnson's racial disparity commission will suggest in a report. The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities is lead by Tony Sewell, who previous said the absence of black fathers is the root cause of knife and gang crime

The report will claim 'the differences between racial groups living in Britain today are now as important as the commonalities', a source told The Daily Telegraph.



The term BAME will be a key part of the report which was supposed to be published last year but was delayed due to the amount of evidence to go through.

Detractors will likely argue that a clear term such as BAME will help to systematically follow changes in firms' diversity figures.

Losing the clear-cut terminology could complicate diversity efforts made so far.

A source told the Telegraph: 'The commission has taken evidence from across the UK, examined the data to create a rigorous fact-based report on what is often a highly charged debate.

Mr Johnson (pictured today) announced the establishment of the commission after a series of anti-racism protests on British streets triggered by the death in the US of George Floyd while in police custody

'It was important for commissioners to produce findings based on data and evidence to try and take down the temperature on this issue and have a debate based on the facts, not driven by ideology.'

It will suggest that public bodies and companies stop using the term.

Dr Tony Sewell: The Brixton boy awarded the CBE for services to education Dr Tony Sewell CBE is the head of the charity Generating Genius and has been appointed as the chairman of the new racial disparity commission. His charity works with BAME children to prepare them for careers in science and technology. He was born in Brixton in 1959 and has previously said 'scouts and the Church were important' to him growing up. His family attended a white majority Anglican church, which Mr Sewell said made him realise he wanted to go to university. Mr Sewell later moved to Essex and Sussex to go to University, before returning to London to teach. However, he became disillusioned and moved to Jamaica, before returning to the UK after two years. He then worked as a teacher and education consultant on a freelance basis, as well as setting up his charity. The international education consultant previously worked with Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2013 when he led the then mayor's education inquiry into the capital's schools, which resulted in the creation of the London Schools Excellence Fund. Writing in Prospect magazine in 2010, Mr Sewell said: 'Much of the supposed evidence of institutional racism is flimsy.' In an interview with the Times newspaper last year, the former teacher suggested that the root cause of knife crime and gang culture among black youths was absent fathers, citing figures showing that about 50 per cent of black children grow up without a father. Advertisement

Last year, Downing Street defended the appointment of Mr Sewell to lead the new racial disparity commission, despite his previous claim that evidence of the existence of institutional racism was 'flimsy'.

He was confirmed by the Government as chairman of the new Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities in July.

The international education consultant has previously worked with Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2013 when he led the then-mayor's education inquiry into the capital's schools, which resulted in the creation of the London Schools Excellence Fund.

Writing in Prospect magazine in 2010, Mr Sewell said: 'Much of the supposed evidence of institutional racism is flimsy.'

In an interview with the Times newspaper in 2019, the former teacher suggested that the root cause of knife crime and gang culture among black youths was absent fathers, citing figures showing that about 50 per cent of black children grow up without a father.

'People often say I'm 'brave' to say that. It's so patronising,' he told the paper.

According to the Office of National Statistics in 2007, 48 per cent of black Caribbean families have one parent, as do 36 per cent of black African households.

Defending the decision to appoint Mr Sewell, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'In terms of Dr Sewell CBE, he has supported many young people from diverse backgrounds into stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers.

'The PM knows very well his work and how it has improved access to education across London.

The early stages of setting up the commission drew controversy after Mr Johnson gave Munira Mirza, head of the Number 10 policy unit, a major role in its creation.

Ms Mirza had previously questioned the existence of institutional racism and hit out at a 'culture of grievance' among anti-racism campaigners.

Commissioners include space scientist and broadcaster Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, chairman of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales Keith Fraser, ex-BBC journalist Dr Samir Shah, professor of surgery at University College London Lord Ajay Kakkar, economist Dr Dambisa Moyo, academies trust chief executive Martyn Oliver, co-founder of UKGovChat Naureen Khalid, Muslims for Britain co-founder Aftab Chughtai, and commentator Mercy Muroki.

Two representatives from the Windrush Working Group - director of Voice4Change Kunle Olulode and Blondel Cluff, chief executive of the West India committee - will attend meetings where relevant, No. 10 confirmed.
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.

Many Americans recently saw money deposited into their bank accounts after President Joe Biden signed a new $1.9 trillion covid-19 rescue package that included a third round of direct stimulus payments. However, some Democratic lawmakers are saying the $1,400 checks that most individual Americans received are not enough.

The big question on people's lips now is whether there will be a fourth round of stimulus checks, as the federal government continues to distribute the $1,400 provided in the American Rescue Plan. So far, 64 congressional lawmakers have pushed for recurring direct payments until the pandemic ends.

This talk however seems somewhat premature for any imminent fourth payment. Democrats were able to pass the third stimulus check without Republican support by using a mechanism called 'budget reconciliation'. This requires a simple majority in the Senate - something the Georgia run-off elections helped with - but this process can only be executed once per fiscal year, meaning that Democrats would have to wait until after 1 October to use it again.

Letter to President



In January, two months before Joe Biden signed the latest stimulus package into law, 53 House Democrats pressed the President and Vice President Kamala Harris for recurring stimulus checks in a letter, where they insisted that "one more check is not enough."

"It was very encouraging to see the inclusion of direct cash assistance in your current economic rescue plan. However it is clear that during this unprecedented time in our nation's history that we must take additional unprecedented action," the group said.

"Equal payments to adults and dependents"

The letter urged the Democratic leaders to continue the checks until the economy recovers with "equal payments to adults and dependents, prioritize those who need it most and will spend it quickest and include older dependents such as disabled and elderly dependents and those over the age of 16 still claimed as dependents."

Representatives Jamaal Bowman of New York; Cori Bush of Missouri; David Cicilline of Rhode Island; Jimmy Gomez of California; Pramila Jayapal of Washington; Ro Khanna of California; Ted Lieu of California; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York; Mark Pocan of Wisconsin; Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts; Jamie Raskin of Maryland; Rashida Tlaib of Michigan; and Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey were all included on the letter.

In a separate letter to the president after the House initially passed the American Rescue Plan, eleven Senate Democrats joined the effort to push for recurring checks. The senators asked Biden to deliver the measure in a follow-up relief package.

Biden: Economic outlook is brightening

So far, Biden has not voiced support for recurring checks and any prospective direct payments would face a legislative challenge. The President stated this week that the economic outlook is brightening thanks to the recent passage of his $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package, and a majority of economists now expect growth this year to exceed six percent.

"Since we passed the American Rescue Plan, we're starting to see new signs of hope in our economy," Biden said during his first press conference since taking office in January. "Since it was passed, a majority ... of economic forecasters have significantly increased their projections on the economic growth that's going to take place this year. They're now projecting it will exceed 6% growth in GDP (gross domestic product)."

October at the earliest for fourth stimulus check

If a fourth stimulus check comes, it will probably not come until after 1 October, as Democrats will unlikely be unable to count on Republican support for a fourth payment, despite the overwhelming approval another payment would have among US voters.
The TRSMA pleads that the government either reopen schools from April 1 or provide smartphones and electronic devices to students of government and budget schools. (Representational Photo: PTI)

Hyderabad: The shutdown of educational institutions barely a month after its reopening in the state has led to a fresh wave of panic among students and parents. Students are facing problems in getting linked to the online classes.

This is more so for budget private school students. Most of the students do not possess a device to attend the classes and are thus being denied the Right to Education, said private schools welfare body, the Telangana recognised schools' management association (TRSMA). It pleaded that the government provide the electronic devices to students free of cost.

"There is low attendance to online classes for most subjects in budget schools. Some 23 lakh of the total 33 lakh students in the state either do not possess the systems or cannot afford a smartphone or electronic device to attend to these classes. Parents don't know whether their child back home studies or attends to classes regularly while they are at work," said Sadulla Madhusudhan, TRSMA general secretary.

Parents echoed the same sentiment and said their children would suffer as a result of the return to the online classrooms. "I have three children, one in Class 10, another in Class 8 and the third in Class 4. Its difficult to give each one a smartphone. At least one of them regularly misses out on these online classes," said Karuna Jyothi, a parent in Hyderabad, herself a teacher at a budget school.

A parent of Wisdom school in Ameerpet said most parents have difficulty buying a smartphone to help their kids attend to classes, and children are facing problems in understanding the curriculum properly.

Farhana Khan, director of a budget private school, the Milat Model School, said the attendance at her school for online classes has dropped by half since the shutdown. "Most families in budget schools are from BPL segments of the society, with just one room and two to three children in one house.

Just before the reopening, I sought the opinions of parents on whether they would prefer their children have online or offline classes. They found themselves being incapable of making their kids study regularly," Khan told Deccan Chronicle.

The TRSMA pleads that the government either reopen schools from April 1 or provide smartphones and electronic devices to students of government and budget schools. This would ensure each student his or her right to education, it says.
Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
Read closely, this is a nuanced take from our blog community which contends that a tougher prosecution for previous offenses could have saved this guy's life and prevented local suffering. Check-it . . .



TKC Reader: Jackson County Leniency

Only a few of the local media outlets detailed the violent history of Malcolm Johnson, the man shot and killed this week during an arrest by KCPD.



From these media reports, it would appear the Jackson County Prosecutors Office could have prevented this incident as well as the other recent shooting which Johnson was suspected in from happening had it not been for their past lenient and slap on the wrist plea deal, which as many know, are nothing new for violent criminals in Jackson County.



Johnson was previously charged with 2nd Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action regarding a 2014 homicide in Raytown. Following a mishap with the jail leading to his accidental release in 2016, he was later captured again and was in possession of a stolen handgun.



In 2017, he accepted a generous plea deal from the prosecutors office to a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter, which would only seek a six year prison sentence.



6 years for murder??? He was reportedly paroled a year later in 2018.



Fast forward to March of this year, while still on parole, Johnson is suspected in another shooting and was yet again armed with a handgun when officers attempted to take him into custody. According to MSHP, Johnson shot one of the arresting officers before the officer returned fire and ultimately killed Johnson.



Frankly there are some serious questions that need to be addressed by the prosecutor about why her office gave a plea deal to a lesser charge with what turned out to be a one year sentence in prison for a murder?



And why time and time again, we are seeing Kansas City victims and suspects of assaults, robberies, and homicides who should be in custody but are not because of slap on the wrist plea deals from the prosecutors office?



Had Johnson been given an appropriate sentence for the previous murder instead of a ridiculous deal, he would likely still be alive today and in custody. If he was, the recent shooting victim and KCPD officer would not have been shot this month.



Fox4: Man killed in shootout with Kansas City police had history of violent offenses

KSHB: New details emerge about slain suspect who shot KCPD officer

####################

Pro-IS terror group behind Indonesian suicide bomb

Indonesian National Police chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo updates reporters. Photo: AFP

The suicide bombing at an Indonesian cathedral on Palm Sunday was carried out by two members of a pro-Islamic State extremist group blamed for other church blasts, including a deadly 2019 attack in the Philippines, police said.



About 20 worshippers were injured by the powerful explosion outside the church in Makassar city on Sulawesi island as they celebrated the start of Holy Week.



Both suspects in the attack were killed as they rode a motorbike into the compound of the church, setting off what authorities said was an improvised explosive device known as a pressure-cooker bomb.



A church security guard tried to prevent the two perpetrators from entering when the blast occurred, they added.



Late on Sunday, National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said both attackers  a man and a woman  were members of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an extremist group also blamed for a deadly church bombing in Indonesia's second-biggest city Surabaya in 2018.



Prabowo did not give names or say how they were identified, but forensic examiners were performing DNA tests on body parts scattered at the grisly scene.



"There were two perpetrators killed, one is a man and another one is a woman," Prabowo said.



"They're members of the JAD group which carried out a bomb attack in Jolo in the Philippines."



It was not clear if the pair were a married couple.



An Indonesian militant and his wife  members of JAD  were blamed for two explosions that ripped through a Catholic church on the Philippines' Muslim-majority island of Jolo in 2019, killing worshippers at Sunday mass and security forces.



Two other militants linked to that attack were shot dead by Indonesian security forces earlier this year.



One witness to Sunday's bombing described hearing two "very strong" blasts and then seeing plumes of smoke, an attack that wounded about 20 church officials, congregants and security staff.



"There were several injured people on the street. I helped one woman... who was wounded and covered in blood," said Yosi, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.



"Her grandchild was also injured. There were body parts everywhere."



Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he "strongly condemned this act of terror".



"Terrorism is a crime against humanity," he said. (AFP)
Over the past few years, a lot of companies have come under radar for data sharing and regarding user privacy. Be it Apple, Google, Facebook or any other company, all have been asked about it at least once in the last 3-4 years. And if you are one of those who doesnt like to share your data with the companies, you mustve been extra cautious. But no matter how much you try to control your data being given to firms, a new report states that it happens anyway, specially when it comes to Apple iPhones and Google Android phones. According to a report by The Irish Times, both Android phones and iPhones send data to their companies every 4 and half minutes.

It has been added that the data is shared regardless of whether you are actively working on your phone or not. The report cites a study made by Trinity College Dublin's Professor Doug Leith.

I think most people accept that Apple and Google need to collect data from our phones to provide services such as iCloud or Google Drive. But when we simply use our phones as phones  to make and receive calls and nothing more  it is much harder to see why Apple and Google need to collect data, he states.

Also read: A malware masquerading as System Update is attacking Android phones

It is added that although Googles Android is usually said to share more data than iPhones, both companies follow nearly the same data sharing practices. In the test, it was found out that an idle Google Pixel sends 1MB data every 12 hours, as compared to 52KB in an iPhone. Some of the details shared by the companies are regarding hardware serial number, Wifi MAC address, IMEI, phone number, and insertion of a SIM.

Leith mentions that there is no way you can opt out of this data collection process.

Although Apple has not yet commented on it, Google spokesperson says that such data helps them ensure that software is up to date and services are working as intended. This research outlines how smartphones work, a spokesperson for Google stated. Modern cars regularly send basic data about vehicle components, their safety status and service schedules to car manufacturers, and mobile phones work in very similar ways. This report details those communications, which help ensure that iOS or Android software is up to date, services are working as intended, and that the phone is secure and running efficiently.
Rep. Kim Ju-young, third from left, of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, holds a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday, to propose a resolution calling for the abolition of racial discrimination and violence against Asian Americans, while calling on U.S. authorities to guarantee the safety of Asian Americans, including Korean Americans. A total of 80 lawmakers, including Kim, have joined the proposal for the resolution. Courtesy of the Office of Rep. Kim Ju-young



By Jung Da-min



Concerns are growing over anti-Asian American violence in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Racism against Asian Americans has been growing after the Chinese city of Wuhan was said to be the origin of the virus, with the global crisis coinciding with geopolitical tension between the U.S. and China.



The shootings in Atlanta, March 16, which killed eight people, are widely seen as constituting a hate crime against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Six of the victims of the tragic incident were identified as Asian and at least four of those killed were of Korean descent.



The incident fueled fear and anger against anti-Asian American violence. Asian American communities in the U.S., along with Asians abroad, have started to raise their voices against such violence.



Korean lawmakers are joining these voices by issuing a resolution calling for the abolition of racial discrimination and violence against Asian Americans, while pressing U.S. authorities to guarantee the safety of Asian Americans, including Korean Americans.



Rep. Kim Ju-young of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, together with 79 other lawmakers, proposed the resolution to the National Assembly during a press conference at the Assembly on Thursday.



"According to a report by Stop AAPI Hate, a website of U.S. human rights groups for reporting hate crimes against Asian Americans, at least 3,795 hate incidents have been reported since March 2020. Racial hate and hate crimes have been on the rise with the outbreak and global spread of COVID-19," read a statement from Rep. Kim's office.



"Racial hate must stop. Now we have to make a difference. In this regard, we urge the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea to pay attention to the cry of 'STOP ASIAN HATE,' which has been raised around the world. The Assembly must pass this resolution to ensure human dignity, as a universal value of mankind, for all people, and to prohibit discrimination based on racial hate."



Asian civic communities have also raised their voices against anti-Asian racism.



The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), an international group of Asian American journalists, especially noted that the Atlanta shooting incident, "is inextricably linked to harassment and sexualized violence against Asian women." They cite the Stop AAPI Hate report of nearly 3,800 hate incidents compiled since March 2020, which said that women of Asian descent have reported 2.3 times more incidents of violence than AAPI men.



In its recently published reporting guidance on the Atlanta shooting case, the AAJA has called on newsrooms around the world to cover related cases in order to promote understanding of anti-Asian racism and invisibility.





Screenshot from the website of the Asian American Journalists Association
The Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Sunday said it has suspended key personnel of developer Larsen & Toubro and supervision consultant AECOM after a portion of an under-construction elevated road on collapsed this morning.

It said the personnel were suspended pending the outcome of investigation by an expert committee being constituted to probe the incident.

A portion of an under-construction elevated road on the collapsed here on Sunday morning, injuring three workers.

"Authority has viewed the incident seriously and pending the outcome of the investigation by the committee, the concerned key personnel of the Contractor M/s L&T and Supervision Consultant M/s AECOM have been suspended as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of NHAI," the said in a statement.

The accident site is being secured with necessary precautions taken to prevent any further damages, the statement said.

It said: "An unfortunate incident happened in Gurgaon wherein under erection span and adjoining span (between pier no. 107-108 and Pier No. 108-109) of under construction flyover of package-III collapsed during the early hours of 28.03.2021 around 7:30 AM."



No causalities were reported and three workers suffered minor injuries, who have been discharged from hospital after receiving first-aid.

Earlier, a team of officials from the Highways Authority of India, including the regional officer and the project director, also visited the site.

Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier this month visited the expressway to inspect progress of the 30-kilometre project which is being built at the cost of Rs 10,000 crore.

A 47-year-old man, at Adenta in Accra, was on Friday, March 27, 2021, stabbed to death by a friend over a stick of cigarette.



Kwabena Amponsah, received multiple knife wounds on his head, ribs and hands by one Isaac Brown, the suspect, currently on the run.



Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Effia Tenge, Head of Public Affairs Unit of the Accra Regional Police Command, told the Ghana News Agency.



She said on March 27, 2021, at about 1000hours, the mother of the deceased made a formal complaint at the Adenta Police Station that on same day at about 0930 hours, her son, Amponsah, was stabbed to death with a knife by someone.



"Police visited the scene at Adenta Sakora No.5 and found the body of a man aged about 47, dressed in a pair of black jeans trousers with a red and black T shirt lying in a prone position, dead," she said.



DSP Tenge said "the body was carefully inspected and found with multiple fresh knife wounds on the head, left ribs and both hands.



Preliminary investigations revealed deceased and suspect, Isaac Brown, at large, were drinking at a drinking spot in the area when someone bought a stick of cigarette for the suspect.



"That, deceased allegedly took the cigarette from the suspect, sparking verbal exchanges between them which degenerated into exchange of blows."



Mrs Tenge said they were separated and the deceased left the spot for home, adding that a few minutes later, the suspect trailed the deceased and inflicted multiple knife wounds on him.



"Brown after committing the dastardly act bolted on an unidentified motorcycle," she stated.



Mrs Tenge said photographs of the scene and body were taken after, which the body was conveyed and deposited at the Police Hospital mortuary for autopsy.



The Head of Public Affairs Unit, stressed that efforts were underway to gather useful information that would lead to the apprehension of the suspect to face full rigours of the law.

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
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.
Siemens Mobility has been awarded two contracts worth around AU$190 million by the New South Wales (NSW) Government in Australia to significantly upgrade the rail network in metropolitan Sydney, one of the busiest networks in the southern hemisphere.



This work will improve the overall efficiency and capacity of the rail network. The total contract consists of two key packages, including the introduction of a new Traffic Management System (TMS) along with the upgrading of the Sydney Trains network conventional signalling to a digital ETCS-L2 train control system.



This work is part of the NSW Governments broader Digital Systems Program, a once in a generation change to replace legacy signalling and train control technologies with modern, internationally proven, intelligent systems. The systems are due to be available for operation in 2023.



Siemens Mobility is delighted to have been selected to deliver the services that will modernize and optimize the Sydney rail network. Our state-of-the-art traffic management and signalling technology will augment operations throughout the network by increasing service reliability and availability, which will enhance the passenger experience, said Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility.



This important project further underscores our leading position in the field for delivering automated signalling systems and expands our growing footprint in Australia.



The TMS will be integrated with the new European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 technology, which is todays leading technology running on some of the best and most efficient rail networks worldwide. The Digital Systems Program upgrades will enable more frequent and reliable services and increase capacity to allow 24 trains to operate during peak hours and up to 30 trains per hour for recovery from disruptions.



The other key project element will include implementation of Automatic Train Operation (ATO) that assists drivers by providing more frequent, reliable, and consistent train journeys. Train drivers will remain in control but will be assisted in improving operations and reducing journey times, which subsequently benefits passengers.



A crucial role of the state-of-the-art TMS solution will be to continually monitor the position of all trains; helping keep train services running as planned and assist with responses to incidents. The TMS will be operated from the Rail Operations Centre and will work alongside other systems used by Sydney Trains to control train operations.  TradeArabia News Service



Siemens, Sydney rail network




Former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips has told of her regret at not fighting the BBC for an apology after they axed her from the dance show to replace her with Alesha Dixon.

The world-renowned choreographer was left devastated when she was sacked from the reality series in 2009 amid an ageism row, as aged 66, she was 36 years older than Alesha, who was 30 at the time.

Arlene, now 77, was got rid of to make way for the popstar, while her male co-judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood kept their jobs.

Upset: Former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips has told of her regret at not fighting the BBC for an apology after they axed her from the dance show to replace her with Alesha Dixon

Speaking of her heartache at being booted off the programme, she said: 'As a woman I should've thought about it, I should've demanded why the woman had gone, and three men remain.

'I should have asked them to analyse it. I should have had the strength to at least ask for reasons and if not getting the reasons, a damn well apology.'

Speaking to actress Natalie Anderson's podcast, The Capsule, which went live tonight at 8pm, Arlene added: 'But I didn't have the strength, I didn't have the will. I was pathetic.'

Replacement: The world-renowned choreographer was left devastated when she was sacked from the reality series in 2009 amid an ageism row, as aged 66, she was 36 years older than Alesha, pictured, who was 30 at the time

End of an era: Arlene, now 77, was got rid of to make way for the popstar, while her male co-judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood kept their jobs

Mother-of-two Arlene also revealed that losing her job after four series of the BBC One show, which began in 2004, left her in a 'very, very, very bad place,' and it coincided with the loss of her manager, who was also her close friend.

She said of the row, which sources at the BBC say they are still deeply ashamed of: 'I never allowed myself to think about it.

'My manager of many years, who was my manager right through to Strictly, passed away the day before.

'So I was being hit by grief, having no agent or manager to deal with the fall out from Strictly, having not been told about it. I didn't realise for myself just quite how damaged I was.'

Alesha, who won Strictly in 2007, left her judging role in 2012 to defect to ITV to be a judge on Britain's Got Talent.

She was replaced by ballet star Darcey Bussell.

MailOnline has contacted Strictly Come Dancing for a comment.
This year our dine and drink business locations throughout the Gorge have suffered with closures. You can help support your favorites by purchasing take out and gift cards. Many of these business will offer curb-side delivery and some will deliver to your home. Lets keep the Gorge going strong!
They overcame many a hurdle to shine bright Yomal Senerath-Yapa talks to two gold medalist Economics graduates View(s): View(s):

Irshad Sreenthaj (29) and Fathima Siyama Ansar (25) live more than 300 kilometres away from each other, but the two young Economics scholars who graduated from the Universities of Jaffna and Sabaragamuwa last month, have startlingly similar stories to share as they celebrate resounding academic success- having had to persevere against much more than their traditional hijabs.

Irshad not only won a gold medal and two memorial prizes, but also had the highest Grade Point Average in the Faculty of Arts at the Jaffna University. She won the Dr. Nagalingam Balakrishnan Memorial Gold Medal for Economics in recognition for being the best student in Economics at the Special Degree Examinations in the Faculty of Arts, the Sir Arunachalam Mahadeva Memorial Prize and the Myliddy S. Swaminathan Memorial Prize for being the top student obtaining First Class at the Final Special Degree Examinations in the Faculty of Arts.

Siyama won five gold medals at the Sabaragamuwa University including the Honourable Lalith Athulathmudali Memorial Gold Medal for the Best Academic Performance in the University. She had the highest final Grade Point Average in the degree examinations.

Daughter of a labourer and a housewife, Irshad was a past pupil of Nachchaduwa Muslim MahaVidyalaya, Anuradhapura (Grade 1-11) and Jamiah Ayesha Siddeeqah in Mawanella where she studied up to A levels.

Born and bred in Nachchaduwa in the dry but verdant fringes of Anuradhapura, she had to leave home for secondary schooling. It was her passion for math and science that sustained her, she says, but her family too was a bedrock-  at every turn in life, and they have been there for me all the time.

But as the eldest of five children, Irshad could never forget that she had an immense responsibility.

Because she did not like subjects that require lots of note-taking and memorizing she chose Economics at university.

Having married while in the second year of University, by the final year Irshad was pregnant. It was difficult to attend 80% of the lectures as required, but her classmates and teachers were highly supportive.

Her husband, Moulavi M. M. Mahboob, supported her financially, and his siblings too encouraged her. From the bottom of my heart I say that my husband is the best gift from Allah to me, she says.

In the final year Irshad gave birth- and both sides of the family pitched in helping look after her infant daughter.

Now a temporary Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Economics, Irshad hopes to continue her phenomenal journey in academia.

Siyama from Haliwela in Galle had more of a literary bent at school- reading and writing a lot. She lived in a house shared by three families, amounting to 16 members.

She had to burn a lot of midnight oil to keep up with her studies, but another disadvantage was that she lived in a very rural area. With few essential facilities in my village, I had to travel to the city to meet my higher educational needs- school, tuition class- every day.

It was a real challenge financially, to send three daughters to a city school for their higher studies as their father was the only breadwinner.

Siyama and her elder sister began undergraduate studies on the same day, and we had to use even our childhood savings to complete my graduation (even though) I received a few scholarship funds from some well-wishers.

Proud to be a graduate of the Sabaragamuwa University nestled in the heart of misty green hills, Siyama makes special mention of Senior Lecturer Dr. G.R.S.R.C. Samaraweera, for being my role model and inspiration.

Alhamdullillah (Praise be to Allah), I was so excited when hearing about these five Gold Medals. It really was unexpected and I cannot explain my happiness. I cannot thank my parents through words, I should thank them through my actions. Now all I need is to find a good job and look after them well.
Over 5,600 employers have returned money received under the Covid-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) with a value of around 89.3m, according to figures released by Revenue.

The state agency responsible for Irish tax and customs operated the TWSS from March 26, 2020, to the end of last August.

The scheme enabled employees whose employers were affected by the pandemic to receive significant supports directly from their employer, replacing the Employer Covid-19 Refund Scheme.

Around 66,500 employers availed of the TWSS on behalf of 664,000 employees. The scheme cost 2.9bn before it was replaced by the Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). A spokeswoman for Revenue said over 5,600 employers had returned money to Revenue received from the scheme. Those refunds' total value was over 89.3m, around 3pc of the total distributed over its lifetime. In November, Revenue said just over 3,800 employers had returned TWSS totalling around 50m. Those who refunded TWSS payments included a small number of employers who completed all necessary steps to have fully reversed out of the scheme. Industry sources have said some firms were keen not to appear on a list of companies that availed of the support, which meant they had to reverse out. It also included payments voluntarily returned by employers who met the schemes eligibility criteria and correctly claimed the payments received. Revenue said the figures also included just over 1,100 employers who, early in the scheme, inadvertently claimed duplicate TWSS refunds, which they later repaid at Revenues specific request. The figures included employers who overclaimed TWSS amounts received due to clerical errors in payroll. The agency said it also included employers who, in advance of the TWSS reconciliation process, proactively identified and repaid the difference between the 410 per week per employee paid to employers during the transitional phase of the scheme and the amount of subsidy they actually paid to their employees. Last week, RTE reported companies had received correspondence from Revenue telling them they owed money arising from overpayments made under the TWSS. Those companies have until the end of June to agree on a payment plan with 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.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 28)  President Rodrigo Dutertes recommendation to increase pork imports would be detrimental to the local hog industry, with only a few importers standing to benefit from the move, agriculture groups said.

Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Vice President Nicanor Briones on Sunday said the President's decision to endorse boosting the volume of pork imports while lowering the tariffs in the country was "ill-advised."

Increasing the MAV (minimum access volume) by 350,000 MT will further discourage the hog raisers to start again, expand or repopulate. That will further aggravate the shortage of pork supply next year, he said in a statement. Other raisers will stop their operation because of the effects of importation at lower tariff.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura or SINAG also slammed the Presidents move, adding the Department of Agriculture was not able to refute arguments raised by stakeholders during previous hearings at the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The timing of the letter reeks of cowardice, SINAG said. "Congress has not been given the chance to deliberate on the matter since the DA knew it can never justify its proposal on a fair platform.

The group clarified it is not against importation but maintained the current tariff structure is already enough. It noted importers are already currently profiting between 200-250 per kilo at the current retail of 350-400 per kilo.

In the end, both consumers and producers are the losers, while only a handful of privileged importers and those getting tongpats (or kickbacks) will benefit from tariff reduction and MAV expansion, SINAG said.

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson earlier flagged a supposed kickback placed on each kilo of imported pork products under the MAV scheme by a "syndicate" within the DA. The department, as well as the Senate and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, is currently probing this allegation.

READ: PACC, DA, Senate to probe alleged corruption in issuance of pork importation certificates

We are hoping that our champions in the Senate and in the House of Representatives can respond within 15 days to the letter of the President, SINAG said.

Malacanang on Friday said Duterte has sent the letter of recommendation to Congress in an effort to stabilize prices and increase the country's pork supply, which has been affected by the local African swine fever outbreak.
An independent media outlet of Myanmar has recorded 114 deaths of civilians by the security forces since the protests began in the country. soldiers and the military reportedly killed scores of protestors. the leader of the Junta marked Armed Forces Day and promises new elections.

At least 114 civilians were killed by military forces across Myanmar since the protests began in the country last month. According to some local and independent media house outlets, the total number of recorded deaths is over 100 as the military junta continued to inflict violence and crackdown on protestors.

The killings in 44 towns and cities across Myanmar would report the deadliest day of protests as the junta leader announced Armed Forces Day in the country and promised new elections. An independent online news site, Myanmar Now reported that the death toll had reached 114. a count was also issued by an independent researcher who has been keeping track of near-time death tolls, and put the total count to 107 spread across the country.

The Killings started to draw international condemnation as human rights officials began calling on the international community to stop the bloodshed. Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Myanmar asserted that it is time for robust and coordinated action as words are not enough to protect the lives of civilians.

Also Read:

Among those killed, a 13-year-old girl who was shot in her house after the juntas armed forces opened fire in residential areas of the Mandalay region. Around 20 minors have been killed since the coup in the country. State Television media reported that the protestors risked getting shot in the head and back. Despite such crackdowns on protests, people took to the streets in large numbers in Mandalay, Yangon, and other cities.

Also Read:
Participants of Jani khel dharna on Sunday marched towards Islamabad, to protest the murder of four Pashtun youths. (Photo Credit: Mohsin Dawar twitter)

Islamabad [Pakistan], March 28 (ANI): Hundreds of demonstrators of Jani Khel dharna on Sunday marched towards Islamabad to protest against the brutal murder of four Pashtun youths hailing from Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Slamming the inaction of the authorities, Mohsin Dawar, a member of the National Assembly, said that the least that government can do is to stop these confrontations to avoid more losses.

"Tortured dead bodies of 4 teenagers were ignored for 8 days by Provincial and Federal government. Now police is not allowing the #JaniKhilLongMarch2Islamabad. I was stopped by police at Karak. The least that Govt can do is to stop these confrontations to avoid more losses. We will not back out," Dawar tweeted.

The local residents have staged a sit-in in Jani Khel since March 21, demanding the arrest of the culprits involved in the murder of the teenagers, The Express Tribune reported.

The four youths, whose mutilated bodies were found in the open field near an army camp, were allegedly picked on the pretext of espionage by Pakistan-backed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan

Locals accuse the Pakistan army and dreadful TTP, whom the army and the establishment label as people's and country's enemy, are operating hand in glove to suppress the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, an increasingly popular for the rights of tribal natives.

Pashtun leaders have time and again accused the Pakistan Army of carrying out violence in the region with impunity. They say the army, which has over deployed troops in the name of regional security from terrorists, has in fact provided them patronage in carrying out attacks against minority tribal population.

The government has cracked down on prominent Pashtun voices, including Manzoor Pashteen, the leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, who was arrested on charges of sedition last year. He was released later following widespread criticism of the government's move. (ANI)
Chinese FM proposes initiative for Middle East stability, expects enhanced cooperation

Xinhua) 15:59, March 27, 2021

The international community should fully respect the will of regional countries and contribute to stability and peace in the Middle East, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said in a recent interview with Al Arabiya TV channel.

For the region to emerge from chaos and enjoy stability, it must break free from the shadows of big-power geopolitical rivalry and independently explore development paths suited to its regional realities, Wang told the media in Riyadh on Wednesday, stressing that the international community should neither overstep its responsibility nor simply sit by and look on.

China has established diplomatic relations with all the countries in the Middle East, and elevated its relations with 13 Middle East countries to strategic partnerships, he said, adding that China is also the biggest trading partner and a major investor in the Middle East.

"China has become a staunch defender, builder and contributor to the current international order," Wang said, noting that China's relations and cooperation with countries in the Middle East will enjoy even greater prospects.

INITIATIVE FOR REGIONAL STABILITY

"COVID-19 is still spreading in the region, turbulence persists, and hotspot issues are evolving amid twists and turns," Wang said. "The region is again at a crossroads."

Against this backdrop, he said, China wishes to propose a five-point initiative on achieving security and stability in the Middle East, namely advocating mutual respect, upholding equity and justice, achieving non-proliferation, jointly fostering collective security, and accelerating development cooperation.

As it fosters a new development paradigm, Wang said, China is ready to share with Middle East countries its market opportunities, work with Arab countries to actively prepare for the China-Arab states summit, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and expand new areas of growth such as high and new technologies.

"We also look forward to early conclusion of a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council," he added.

"China is prepared to stay in close touch with all sides on the five-point initiative, and work closely to promote peace, security and development in the Middle East," Wang said.

CHINA-ARAB RELATIONS

According to Wang, there were three impressive markers, or three "number ones," in China-Arab relations in 2020.

With two-way trade approaching 240 billion U.S. dollars last year, China stayed comfortably as the largest trading partner of Arab states. Half of China's crude oil import came from Arab states, which contributed the biggest source of China's oil import. At the ninth Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, the two sides agreed to hold the first ever China-Arab states summit.

Wang said China-Arab relations have become a fine example of state-to-state relations and South-South cooperation, adding that building a China-Arab states community with a shared future has become the goal and guiding vision for the development of their relations.

Toward this vision, China and Arab states should build a community with a shared future based on common convictions and pursuits, featuring tranquility and harmony, and in pursuit of development and prosperity, Wang explained.

When it comes to China's internal affairs including Xinjiang and Hong Kong, the countries and peoples in the Middle East are clear-eyed about the truth, and have been resolute in supporting China, Wang told Al Arabiya.

He said an outcome document of the Ninth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum stressed China's important efforts to care for the ethnic minorities and expressed support for China's just position regarding Hong Kong.

At the recently concluded session of the UN Human Rights Council, 21 Arab states spoke up for justice in support of China, Wang added, noting that China highly appreciates that.

"We would like to work with Arab and Islamic countries in the region to continue upholding the principle of non-interference and jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries," Wang said.

COOPERATION ON COVID-19 RESPONSE

During the COVID-19 pandemic, mutual assistance between China and Arab states has set a fine example of solidarity and cooperation in difficult times, Wang said.

China shared without reservation its prevention, control, diagnostic and therapeutic experience, and provided much-needed medical supplies to other countries, serving as an important supplier and a source of strength in this global fight, he added.

Wang said that in this joint fight, our most fundamental belief lies in our shared future, the most outstanding feature is our pioneering spirit, and the most precious bond is our shared belief.

"China has conducted anti-COVID cooperation with all Arab states," he said.

"We reached out to the people of Palestine and Palestinian refugees in surrounding areas, and people in Syria and other conflict zones. We provided a large amount of ventilators, test reagents, forehead thermometers, masks, goggles and protective suits," he said, adding that nearly 100 visits were made by Chinese medical experts to eight Arab states.

Wang also praised that Arab states are among the first to cooperate with China on vaccines. As the first foreign country to host phase III trials for the Chinese vaccine, the United Arab Emirates has made a significant contribution to the success of the R&D of the vaccine.

He also pointed out that the joint statement on solidarity against COVID-19 issued at the Ninth Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum held last year underscored the importance of closer international cooperation and support for the lead role of the World Health Organization.

"By standing up against attempts to politicize or label the virus, China and Arab states played an important role in building global consensus and pooling global resources against the pandemic," Wang said.

(Web editor: Liu Ning, Bianji)
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
China has become the world's largest maker of drones, thanks to DJI and companies including Yuneec and PowerVision. Drones are now used in a variety of applications and daily activities, including pesticide spraying.

The worlds largest commercial drone enterprise is now a global superstar. China has become the worlds largest maker of drones, thanks to DJI and companies including Yuneec and PowerVision. These are now used in a variety of applications and daily activities, including pesticide spraying. Multiple heavy-duty quadcopter drones lifted hoses and other firefighting devices in an exciting demonstration in Chongqing in early 2020. Drones are widening Chinas locus of possibilities, allowing farmers to cultivate land that was previously unavailable.

China is working to produce more advanced drones for both commercial and military uses. Drones are used to monitor atmospheric processes such as typhoons at high altitudes. When cloud-seeding flights raise rainfall in the Qilian Mountains in early 2021, these operations could make a significant difference. China performed four high-altitude drone flights with specialized meteorological devices in August 2020. Thirty sensors were lowered into a typhoon to conduct three-dimensional tests of the cloud systems perimeter.

Two new drones have been photographed and released by Chinese state media. Both seem to be Chinese drone prototypes that were initially intended for the Chinese military. China has deployed a number of drones, most of which are used for surveillance. In comparison to consumer-grade drones, the military uses more specialized drones for more complex operations. The PLA uses Chengdu Aircraft Industry Groups Wing Loong I and II medium-altitude, long-endurance systems, as well as the CH-5 medium-altitude, long-endurance systems. Instead of the batteries that fuel commercial drones, they are powered by internal combustion engines. Many have civilian and military applications, such as monitoring and cloud seeding.

Also Read: WB Assembly Elections 2021: Audio war erupts between BJP and TMC after violence mired 1st phase of polling; 79.79 % voter turnout recorded

The Hongdu GJ-11 is a stealthy, jet-powered flying wing with an internal arms bay, according to sources. The Chengdu WZ-8 drone is considered to be an air-launched drone with two rocket engines. The Xian H-6 bombers of the PLA air force will fire the drone. The PLA Navy is also thought to be considering high-capacity drones to fly from its third aircraft carrier. An unexplained drone appears to be being primed for takeoff from a land-based catapult in satellite images.

Algeria, Indonesia, and Iraq have also purchased related systems from China. In the export of armed drones, China has done extremely well. This is partly attributed to the United States reluctance to sell armed drones to all but its nearest allies. Muslim countries are less likely to use Israeli drones. Last October, the Trump Administration lifted the USs self-imposed ban on broader drone exports. Jordan has placed up for sale the CH-4 (predecessor to the CH-5) drones.

China has a two-tier arms export scheme, with arms for export that are of poorer quality than those used by the PLA. Because of the mystery covering all of the PLAs weapons, the outside world knows very little about what they can and cannot do. Drones are becoming an increasingly important part of low-intensity, non-conventional warfare among states with limited defense budgets and day-to-day civilian operations. There is no question that the commercial and military drone industries will continue to develop in the future. Kelley Aerospace, based in Singapore, has announced plans to build its own supersonic drone. Its also possible that China hasnt discovered a technological edge in drones.

Also Read: Junta chief faces global criticism; over 90 killed in Myanmar by Armed forces
Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. traffic deaths soared after coronavirus lockdowns ended in 2020, hitting the highest yearly total since 2007 as more Americans engaged in unsafe behavior on U.S. roads, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday. For all of 2020, 38,680 people died on U.S. roads - up 7.2% or nearly 2,600 more than in 2019, even though Americans drove 13% fewer miles, preliminary data showed. In the second half of 2020, the number of traffic deaths was up more than 13%.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The government is set to create an agency for skills training known as the Technical and Vocational Education Services (TVES) as part of efforts to revamp the mainstream technical and vocational education and training (TVET).



The Director-General of the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Dr Fred Kyei Asamoah, who disclosed this in Accra, said the agency to be created mid-year was to help build a robust education system with dedicated attention to TVET.



We are pursuing several initiatives, including the MyTVET campaign, to address and reverse the negative connotations that TVET has suffered in this country, he said.



Dr Asamoah was speaking during a validation workshop organised by the CTVET at the British Council in Accra last Wednesday.



The event afforded key stakeholders the opportunity to validate the implementation manual for the operationalisation of the National Apprenticeship Policy.



Validation workshop



Dr Asamoah said the policy was to help harmonise apprenticeship practice in the country and also create a generation of skilled people.



He said it was time to change the theory-based curriculum in the education system and focus more on apprenticeship.



No more errands



He said the days where apprentices ran errands when they should be undergoing training should be a thing of the past.



The days of apprentices being asked to run errands by mastercraft persons should be a thing of the past.



If we want to develop our economy and ensure there are jobs for the youth, then we all must join hands in making apprenticeship much more attractive now, he said.



Dr Asamoah said it was the aim of the government to help produce world-class apprentices who could attract the attention of employers from every part of the world, saying that good apprenticeship attracts good pay.



The Country Director of the British Council, Mr Alan Rutt, expressed the commitment of the council to support apprenticeship in the country, expressing the confidence that through the policy, apprenticeship would be promoted in the country.



He commended parents who were educating their children in TVET encouraging other parents to do same.



Industry and academia



A consultant for the development of the policy and the implementation manual, Dr Charles Amoatey, said the policy when implemented would help bridge the gap between industry and academia.



He called on the public to value, support and invest in TVET, expressing the hope that significant funding would be provided to improve TVET in the country.



A National Apprenticeship Expert, Mrs Gladys Quarshie, reiterating the importance of the policy, said it would help increase skills transfer and support work-based learning.

Source: Daily Graphic









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
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba thanked the UN member states for their joint statement in support of Ukraine.

Kuleba wrote this on Twitter.

"I deeply appreciate strong joint statement of UN member states in support of Ukraine. Firm condemnation of Russias destabilizing actions in eastern Ukraine. Russia is a party to the conflict, not a mediator. Support to our Crimean platform initiative," the minister wrote.

Deeply appreciate strong joint statement of UN member states in support of Ukraine. Firm condemnation of Russias destabilizing actions in eastern Ukraine. Russia is a party to the conflict, not a mediator. Support to our Crimean platform initiative. Full: https://t.co/kHk2Ld2b8u  Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 26, 2021

On March 26, the permanent missions of several dozen states to the United Nations issued a joint statement on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 68/262 "Territorial Integrity of Ukraine".

ish
Buildings at the Artux City Vocational Skills Education Training Service Center, believed to be a reeducation camp where mostly Muslim ethnic minorities are detained, north of Kashgar in China's northwestern Xinjiang region, on June 2, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

Beijings Wolf Warrior Diplomacy May Doom EUChina Trade Deal

A major EUChina investment deal has been thrown into question after China resorted to aggressive diplomacy in response to EU sanctions.

The European Union, the United States, the UK, and Canada on March 22 unveiled coordinated sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) oppressive policy in the far-western Xinjiang region. The EU sanctioned four Chinese officials under the new EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, which went into effect in December last year.

The CCP is committing genocide against Uyghurs in Xinjiang, subjecting them to forced sterilization, forced abortion, torture, forced labor, and the removal of children from their families. Additionally, more than one million Uyghurs are being detained in internment campsfacilities the communist regime has defended as vocational training schools.

China countered with sanctions against Canadian parliamentarians, U.S. religious-rights officials, UK lawmakers, and EU politiciansincluding five European Parliament members.

The Chinese regimes apparent retaliation angered the European governments, with at least nine countriesincluding Belgium, Denmark, France, and Swedensummoning Chinas ambassadors in their countries to voice their protest.

Chinese embassies in the European Union also took countermeasures. According to Chinese state-run media Guancha, Chinese embassies in 15 European countries have lodged complaints about the Xinjiang sanctions at the countries foreign ministries as of March 25.

The strained relations between China and the EU have now put the bilateral investment dealwhich was inked in December last year after seven years of negotiationson the brink of collapse. The deal, which has yet to be ratified by the European Parliament and approved by the EU Council, has long been criticized over Chinas continued human rights abuses and poor labor conditions.

On March 27, Norbert Rottgen, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Germanys parliament, said the investment deal isnt going anywhere at the moment, according to the German daily newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine.

Rottgen said that he couldnt imagine that there would be consensus in the European Parliament to ratify the investment deal as long as China punishes members of the European Parliament for simply exercising their freedom of expression.

The EU and the member states should make this clear to Beijing, Rottgen said.

Rottgen isnt the only one to voice concerns about the investment deal. According to a March 26 article in the German daily Merkur, three of the four biggest parties in the European Parliament have said theyre against ratification of the investment deal as long as Chinas sanctions are in place.

Jorg Wuttke, president of the European Chamber of Commerce in China, told Merkur that the investment deal wouldnt be discussed in the European Parliament for the foreseeable future.

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on March 22, criticized the EU sanctions as based on nothing but lies and disinformation. It asked Brussels to reflect on itself [and] face squarely the severity of its mistake and stop interfering in [others] internal affairs.

Also on March 22, the Munich-based World Uyghur Congress (WUC) applauded the EU sanctions on the four Chinese officials in a statement.

These sanctions send a clear message from the European Union to the CCP that they can no longer commit a genocide against the Uyghurs with impunity, WUC President Dolkun Isa said.

We thank the European Union for this vital step and urge the rest of the international community to follow suit. Only through concrete action like this can we stop the Uyghur genocide and end the suffering of the Uyghur people.

On March 27, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Beijing over its sanctions of two U.S. officials, saying Chinas moves only contribute to the growing international scrutiny of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang.

British NGO Hong Kong Watch said in a statement on March 27 about Chinas sanctions: While the US, UK, Canada and EU have sanctioned human rights violators, the Chinese government has chosen to sanction human rights defenders, committees and leading elected legislators around the world.

All pretence of innocence [by Beijing] has now faded away and the wolf warriors are biting back, the world must unify to stand with Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, and others facing persecution by the Chinese government.

In recent years, the CCP has increasingly taken on an aggressive form of wolf warrior diplomacy in an effort to fend off mounting international criticism of the regime.
People with debilitating jaw fractures caused by cancer treatment could be spared risky surgery by a breakthrough drug combo that heals damaged bone.

Radiotherapy to the head and neck, given for tongue, throat and nose cancers, can lead to problems with blood vessels connected to the lower jaw. This can trigger infections in the bone and, in extreme cases, jaw fractures.

Known as osteoradionecrosis, the condition can affect one in ten patients who undergo radiotherapy for head and neck cancers, impacting up to 1,000 Britons every year.

Until recently, surgery has been the only remedy. This can include partial removal of the jaw or rebuilding it using bone from a leg  an intensive procedure, particularly for patients already coping with cancer treatment, and one that does not work in many cases.

Now, a landmark study has found that giving patients two commonly used drugs, pentoxifylline and tocopherol, not only halts bone deterioration but for more than half of patients reverses it.

Radiotherapy to the head and neck, given for tongue, throat and nose cancers, can lead to problems with blood vessels connected to the lower jaw

Ever wonder why... some people 'pick up' others' accents? The explanation lies with specialist brain cells, called mirror neurons, which are an evolutionary tool to help us fit in with any given group. Mirror neurons run alongside the normal brain pathways and subconsciously control certain elements of behaviour so it matches those around us. Mirror neurons also fire when we see someone in pain, or when we see someone smile  which is why we might 'feel' someone else's discomfort when they stub their toe, or find our mood is lifted by the happiness of others. Advertisement

Dr Vinod Patel, a consultant oral surgeon at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, led the study and said he hoped the findings would motivate other cancer specialists to take on the treatment. He added: 'We've seen broken jaw bones that have healed with no surgical input.'

Head and neck cancers affect more than 12,000 Britons a year. Most are successfully treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Those struck by osteoradionecrosis often first notice something is wrong when bits of bone begin to protrude in the mouth as the gum recedes due to lack of blood supply.

The uncovered bone can then become infected. Professor Mark McGurk, oral surgeon at University College London Hospital, said: 'The quality of life for those with this condition is terrible.'

Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to treat the infections, but this cannot stop the bone deterioration. Surgery is offered, but in one case in five it fails to halt the damage.

Drugs pentoxifylline and tocopherol are both proven to boost blood flow. Prof McGurk, who is also co-founder of the Head and Neck Cancer Foundation, a charity that funds the training of doctors who want to use the drug combo, said: 'This condition is caused by a loss of blood to the bone, so by improving blood supply to the area we are giving the bone the tools it needs to repair itself.'

In December 2020, Dr Patel published the largest study yet into the use of Pentoclo for osteoradionecrosis. The study of more than 100 patients on the drug found that in over 80 per cent of them, bone deterioration was halted.

Dr Vinod Patel, a consultant oral surgeon at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, led the study and said he hoped the findings would motivate other cancer specialists to take on the treatment

What's the difference... between palpitations and arrhythmias? A palpitation is the awareness of the heart beating. Triggers are wide-ranging, from stress to consuming too much alcohol. In most cases theyre harmless. However, they can also be a symptom of a group of conditions known as arrhythmias, when the heart beats in an abnormal way due to nerve problems. Damage to the heart from a heart attack can trigger arrhythmias, and some types are linked to a raised risk of fatal cardiac arrest. Advertisement

Stunningly, for 56 per cent the damage was reversed, as a renewed supply of blood allowed the bone to heal and regain structure. In some cases, jaw bones that had completely broken off were restored.

One patient to benefit is Alex Cosgrove, 46, from Kent. Diagnosed with stage three throat cancer in 2016 after finding a lump on her left lymph node, she was put on a six-week course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which was effective at fighting the cancer, but was a 'nasty ordeal' for the mother-of-two.

She said: 'I suffered severe radiation burns in my throat. I couldn't eat solids for months and was on incredibly strong painkillers.'

Months after her cancer treatment, Alex  a trading standards officer  noticed shards of bone sticking out of her gums. 'The doctors shaved off the bits of bone but they kept popping up. Then I started to get horrible infections. My face was constantly sore and I struggled to eat or even just function.'

She was referred to Guy's and St Thomas' and started on the drug combo in March 2018. For the past two years she has seen steady improvement. 'The infections started happening less and less frequently, and scans of my face showed the bone was healing,' she says.

'The last time I had an infection was in 2019, and I'm back to eating all my favourite foods now, like chocolate, which I couldn't eat for a long time.'

Alex added: 'When I was first diagnosed I was told the bone damage was going to slowly eat away at my face. So to know it's now healing has changed my life.'

Dr Patel is setting up a larger clinical trial and hopes the results will convince NHS regulators to make the treatment part of the standard care for those suffering from osteoradionecrosis.

He added: 'We're even exploring whether patients can take it once they come off radiotherapy to pre-empt the disease before it even starts.'
The FDIC's official problem bank list is comprised of banks with a CAMELS rating of 4 or 5, and the list is not made public (just the number of banks and assets every quarter). Note: Bank CAMELS ratings are also not made public.



CAMELS is the FDIC rating system, and stands for Capital adequacy, Asset quality, Management, Earnings, Liquidity and Sensitivity to market risk. The scale is from 1 to 5, with 1 being the strongest.



As a substitute for the CAMELS ratings, surferdude808 is using publicly announced formal enforcement actions, and also media reports and company announcements that suggest to us an enforcement action is likely, to compile a list of possible problem banks in the public interest.



DISCLAIMER: This is an unofficial list, the information is from public sources only, and while deemed to be reliable is not guaranteed. No warranty or representation, expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy of the information contained herein and same is subject to errors and omissions. This is not intended as investment advice. Please contact CR with any errors.



Here is the unofficial problem bank list for Q1 2021.



Here are the quarterly changes and a few comments from surferdude808:



Update on the Unofficial Problem Bank List through March 26, 2020. Since the last update at the end of December 2020, the list increased by two to 67 institutions after five additions and three removals. Assets increased by $800 million to $59 billion, with the change including a $1.1 billion decrease from updated asset figures through December 31, 2020. A year ago, the list held 65 institutions with assets of $48.6 billion.



Additions this month included Bank of the Orient, San Francisco, CA ($927 million); Southwestern National Bank, Houston, TX ($776 million); Lincoln 1st Bank, Lincoln Park, NJ ($314 million); Community First Bank, Maywood, NE ($127 million); and Spectra Bank, Fort Worth, TX ($92 million). Removals included Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company, Nashville, TN ($112 million); The Morris County National Bank of Naples, Naples, TX ($94 million); and The First National Bank of Fleming, Fleming, CO ($25 million). Another change since year-end was the OCC issuing a Prompt Corrective Action order against The First National Bank and Trust Company of Vinita, Vinita, OK ($285 million).



On February 23, 2021, the FDIC released third quarter results and an update on the Official Problem Bank List. In that release, the FDIC said there were 56 institutions with assets of $56 billion on the official list, compared with 56 institutions with assets of $53.9 billion at the third quarter of 2020.



With the conclusion of the first quarter, we bring an updated transition matrix to detail how banks are transitioning off the Unofficial Problem Bank List. Since we first published the Unofficial Problem Bank List on August 7, 2009 with 389 institutions, 1,773 institutions have appeared on a weekly or monthly list since then. Only 3.8 percent of the banks that have appeared on a list remain today as 1,706 institutions have transitioned through the list. Departure methods include 1,005 action terminations, 411 failures, 271 mergers, and 19 voluntary liquidations. Of the 389 institutions on the first published list, only 3 or less than 1.0 percent, still have a troubled designation more than ten years later. The 411 failures represent 23.2 percent of the 1,773 institutions that have made an appearance on the list. This failure rate is well above the 10-12 percent rate frequently cited in media reports on the failure rate of banks on the FDIC's official list.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 13:25:56|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

NEW DELHI, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The Delhi government has once again imposed strict restrictions on gatherings of people for weddings in the wake of the surge in daily COVID-19 cases in the Indian capital.

According to an order issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, no more than 200 guests would be allowed at weddings in open-air venues, while no more than 100 in closed banquet halls.

The national capital Delhi, one of the most COVID-19 affected places in the country, witnessed as many as 1,558 new cases and 10 deaths through Saturday.

Till a couple of weeks ago the number of daily COVID-19 cases in Delhi had come down to below 100.

So far 10,997 people have died in the national capital due to COVID-19, confirmed Delhi's health department.

Last week, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reviewed the COVID-19 situation with senior officials of the health ministry, and called for carrying out the vaccination drive on a war footing in a bid to check the rising graph of pandemic cases in the national capital. Enditem
Donald Trumps former chief of staff Mick Mulvaney has pushed back on his ex-bosss attempt to whitewash the 6 January insurrection at the US Capitol, saying that Mr Trumps characterisation of the riot was manifestly false.

The former president on Thursday told Fox News that the rioters presented zero threat, even though five people died, including a US Capitol police officer (USCP), Brian Sicknick. More than 100 officers sustained injuries fighting back against the throngs of Trump supporters who overran police lines and tramped through the legislature.

I was surprised to hear the president say that. Clearly there were people who were behaving themselves, and then there were people who absolutely were not, but to come out and say that everyone was fine and there was no risk, that's just manifestly false. People died, other people were severely injured, Mr Mulvaney told CNN on Saturday.

Its not right to say there was no risk, I dont know how you can say that when people were killed, the former Trump chief of staff added.

Mr Mulvaney, a former South Carolina congressman who served as Mr Trumps chief staff from 2019 to 2020, resigned from his post as special envoy to Northern Ireland after the riot.

Read more:

Mr Trump and some close allies, such as Wisconsin Republican Senator Ron Johnson, have sought to downplay the deadly violence by a pro-Trump mob at the Capitol as Congress was certifying Joe Bidens electoral victory.

In an interview with Fox News last week, Mr Trump claimed his supporters and police officers were hugging and kissing amid a mostly jolly affair.

It was zero threat, right from the start, it was zero threat. Look, they went in, they shouldnt have done it. Some of them went in, and they are hugging and kissing the police and the guards, you know, they had great relationships, the former president said. A lot of the people were waved in, and then they walked in and they walked out.

Hundreds of rioters have been arrested, including dozens who have been indicted for violent entry and theft of US government property. Some had weapons. Others had zip ties and bear spray. One police officer was beaten by a rioter wielding a US flag.

The acting chief of the USCP has admitted that some officers behaved inappropriately during the riot after some were caught on video waving at and taking selfies with protesters.

At least four USCP officers and three former officers are facing federal charges for their actions on 6 January.

But while some officers appeared stunned and overwhelmed, others have described battle scenes with protesters intent on hurting them and getting to key lawmakers who opposed Mr Trumps attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.

Ten House Republicans joined all 222 Democrats in voting to impeach Mr Trump one week after the riot, on 13 January.
New Hartford, N.Y.  A couple was shopping with a child Saturday inside a Walmart in Oneida County when a man with a loaded gun approached, police said.

The man and a teenage boy tried to steal gold necklaces from the man and womans necks, police said. When the couple refused to hand over their jewelry, the would-be robbers chased the man around the New Hartford store while the woman ushered her child away, police said.

The attempted robbery at the Walmart in Consumer Square happened around 5:15 p.m. The New Hartford Police Department arrested two people: Donte Hawkins, 26, of Utica, and an unnamed teenage boy.

After chasing the man theyd tried to rob, Hawkins and the teen fled from the store and ran toward Commerical Drive, police said.

Officers searched the area and spotted both suspects. The teenager was arrested in the plaza. But Hawkins ran, police said.

Hawkins was found in a patch of woods behind Consumer Square, police said. When he was arrested, he had a loaded 9 mm handgun, police said.

Hawkins was charged with attempted first-degree robbery, attempted second-degree robbery, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child. At the time of his arrest, he was wanted on warrants for unrelated felony and misdemeanor charges, police said.

As of Sunday morning, Hawkins remained in the Oneida County Correctional Facility.

The teenager was charged with attempted first-degree robbery and attempted second-degree robbery. His case will be handled in Oneida County family court.

Staff writer Saamantha Hosue covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? Reach her at shouse@syracuse.com.
IF YOU need evidence that the Democratic administration in Washington is hostile to the Granite State, look no further than its disposition toward our states lawsuit against Massachusetts over the Bay States bad faith policy of imposing its income tax on New Hampshire telecommuters who bot
Francesca Paris is The Eagle's data and public records reporter. She was previously the North Adams reporter. A California native and Williams College alumna, she has worked at NPR in Washington, D.C. and WBUR in Boston. Find her on Twitter at @fparises.
Christians in Ghana will join others around the world to celebrate Palm Sunday tomorrow, March 28, in commemoration of Jesus Christs triumphant entry into Jerusalem, days before His crucifixion.



Also known as Passion Sunday, the Day is the final Sunday of Lent and the beginning of the Holy Week on the Christian Calendar.



It is known as Palm Sunday because the faithful often use palm fronds for the re-enactment of Christs arrival in Jerusalem.



In the Gospel, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey and was welcomed by the townspeople with songs of praise, as some paid homage by throwing clothes and palm branches on the ground for Him to walk on.



This years celebration is likely to be on a low key with no street procession, which used to characterize the event, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.



Ahead of the festivities, the Christian Council had asked Christians to mark the Day with strict adherence to the safety protocols.



Follow strictly the safety protocols, especially wearing of nose mask, social distancing and use of hand sanitizers, Reverend Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, the Chairman of the Council, said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency.



The Ghana Police Service said its officers would enforce the COVID-19 restrictions to the letter during the celebrations to forestall the spread of the virus.



It reminded religious groups that conventions, crusades, pilgrimages and large physical gatherings were not allowed.



The Service, in a press statement, said carnivals, festivals, beach gatherings, street dances, processions, and parades among others were illegal.



Meanwhile, some churches have started publicizing the celebration through traditional media and outdoor ads.

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
Hauliers travelling to England from outside the UK for visits lasting more than two days will be tested for coronavirus, the Transport Secretary has announced.

Grant Shapps said that from April 6 hauliers, including drivers and crew of heavy goods vehicles and vans, will need to be tested within 48 hours of arriving and then every three days.

Announcing the news on Twitter on Sunday, he said: This is to ensure we keep track of any future #Coronavirus Variants of Concern.

Updated Government guidelines say hauliers face a 2,000 fine if they do not have proof of a negative Covid-19 test.

To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so.

Those travelling from Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man  known as the Common Travel Area (CTA)  are not required to be tested unless they have been outside those areas in the 10 days before arriving in England.

There has been growing concern over the spread of South African and Brazilian variants of coronavirus in Europe as a third wave of Covid-19 sweeps across the continent.

Responding to the Governments plans to test hauliers, Yvette Cooper, chairwoman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said there were significant gaps in the plan.

She questioned why the rules will not be enforced until April 6, saying: This is nearly two weeks after I raised it with the Prime Minister and he resisted.

She said it is also nearly two months since concerns were first raised about the spread of the South Africa variant in France in mid-February, and more than three months since testing was introduced for hauliers leaving the UK.

Yvette Cooper (Parliament TV/PA)

The Government still isnt learning Covid lessons about the importance of acting fast. Delays risk lives, she added.

Trade association Logistics UK said any testing regime must be proportionate as drivers are a very low-risk category.

Sarah Laouadi, European policy manager at Logistics UK, said: We would urge the Government to maintain a watching brief on the testing regime to ensure it remains appropriate and reacts to the situation on the ground.

The Road Haulage Association welcomed the news, with chief executive Richard Burnett describing it as a completely fair system.

When France required the testing of hauliers crossing the Channel in December it led to thousands of lorries being stranded in Kent while the arrangements were put in place.

Boris Johnson on Wednesday acknowledged there would be very serious disruption involved in any curtailing of cross-Channel trade.
Mar. 28The Idaho Legislature's recess last week, prompted by a COVID-19 outbreak in the Capitol, comes with a cost for taxpayers.

The session's delay will last more than two weeks  and cost a total of about $318,000. State legislators are still getting paid for living expenses for days they're on break on top of their regular salaries for the session.

And session staffers, who remain in the Statehouse for another two weeks, will get compensated to continue their work.

House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, on Thursday said he considered paying for living expenses on a case-by-case basis for those who had already made financial commitments, such as renting an apartment for the month.

"It turned out that so many of them had," Bedke said by phone. Legislators budget for the three months they expect to be in session, he added.

The House speaker and the Senate president pro-tem have the authority to decide whether to continue to compensate legislators with per-diem rates during a recess longer than three days. Anticipating potential last-minute changes to the session due to the pandemic, the Citizens' Committee on Legislative Compensation set those rules in October 2020.

State lawmakers get paid per-diem rates, which are meant to cover expenses associated with temporary housing in Boise. A total of 67 state legislators, who live at least 50 miles away, get paid $139 a day during the recess. The rest, who live closer than 50 miles, get paid $71 a day automatically, regardless of their housing situations.

Legislative leaders said many lawmakers had already committed to accommodations through the end of the month when six House members tested positive for COVID-19 in one week's time, prompting an unanticipated recess. The session will begin again on April 6.

Idaho legislator's salary and other compensation

All state legislators get paid a salary of $18,691 this year. The end of the session varies from year to year, but the salary doesn't change regardless of how long they're in session. At the end of the year, each member also gets an allowance of $2,500. The House speaker and the Senate president pro-tem each receive another $5,000, and other legislative leaders get $2,000.

State legislators in Boise also get paid the $71 rate per day for living expenses during the recess. Legislators who live far from Boise or represent large legislative districts get other allowances  including mileage reimbursements and allowances for large rural areas.

On top of the per-diem rates, state lawmakers who travel to Boise get their mileage expenses reimbursed. Lawmakers who represent larger legislative districts get additional allowances that range anywhere from $400 to $3,200  intended to offset costs for legislators who travel around to meet with their constituents.

Those who represent districts between 1,000 and 2,000 square miles get another $400. The allowances increase from there  Legislative District 8 is the largest area at 15,678 square miles.

Senate President Pro-Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise, said he's considering returning the $1,200 he receives for the 17 days, and that legislators can choose not to take the compensation. House Assistant Minority Leader Lauren Necochea, D-Boise, said she would also consider returning her share if it's allowed.

For the 17 days on recess, state legislators will get paid a total of $204,187 from the automatic per-diem rates.

The Legislature requested four Idaho State Police troopers be on duty for the two-week break, costing an additional $18,945, said ISP spokesperson Lynn Hightower. Another $94,600 will be spent on the session's staffers, who remain working in the Capitol on weekdays, according to the legislative services office.

Winder said the part-time staffers who work during the session needed to be compensated for the additional time.

"We just felt like it was really unfair to them to send them home for two weeks and expect them to come back when we did," Winder said Friday.

COVID-19 precautions at the Idaho Capitol

Necochea said by phone Friday that shutting down the session was the right call but criticized Republican leaders for not trying to enforce stricter precautions during the pandemic.

"We might've been able to avoid this situation, in both the human and financial costs, if we had better safety protocols in place," Necochea said Friday.

House legislative leaders abruptly began to plan for a recess last week after two House members  Reps. James Ruchti, D-Pocatello, and Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell  tested positive for COVID-19. That made six House members who tested positive for COVID-19 in one week. At least one staffer also tested positive, Bedke said.

The COVID-19 transmission appeared to spread through two House committees. One House member who tested positive, Rep. Ryan Kerby, R-New Plymouth, was on both the House Education and House Judiciary & Rules Administration committees. Three other members of the judiciary committee and two other members of the education committee also tested positive.

"I think everybody got a pretty good understanding of just how contagious it is," Bedke said by phone Thursday. "It went through those two committees pretty quickly, and we just need to be on our guard. So the safety protocols and the guidelines will be emphasized."

But Bedke said "it's not within my power" to mandate masks for House members. He can enforce a dress code, for example, because of the rules adopted by both the House and Senate, he said.

House rules state that "persons in the Chamber shall wear proper attire to maintain decorum of the House."

"If that were a rule that the bodies, both the House and the Senate adopted, that would be a different situation," Bedke said. "I just don't have the ability to mandate or enforce a mask mandate."
Storm was found dead with missing body parts (Facebook)

Police are investigating after one cat was found with its ears and tail cut off and another was stabbed in the back.

Felix, who was found with a slice down his spine in Snodland, Kent, South East England, was later put down when taken to a vet.

Storm, who had been missing for 17 days, was found dead in the same woodland with missing body parts.

Tessa Gould, 49, said her son Michael, who owns Storm, is heartbroken.

Read more: Pensioner, 92, died heartbroken after care home worker stole jewellery

Kent Police confirmed they are treating Storm's killing as being intentionally caused by a person. (Facebook)

Tessa said: "She has had her ears and tail cut off. Someone out there knows the monster that did this so please get in contact with the police.

"My son is heartbroken and I'm ready to inflict a lot of pain on whoever did this."

Tessa has called for people in Snodland to be aware as she "wouldn't want this happening to anyone else".

She added: "The people who examined her are hopeful she passed away before they mutilated her tail or ears.

"It's not much, but at least it's something. You just have to hope she didn't suffer.

"There is obviously a monster out there doing this. To hear your son crying down the phone is awful.

"He's just heartbroken. He's full of questions, but there's nothing you can do. He just wishes he had never let her out, but cats are cats. They get outside."

Michael, 27, said: "I saw a post online saying a dead cat was found in Sandy Lane which is close to where I live and walked down there hoping it wasn't her.

"I was thinking no way can it be her, she's too quick and too smart to get killed but then I saw her laying there and burst into tears. I haven't slept in days.

"Her ears and tail were cut off to the bone. It was horrible.

"I couldn't believe it had happened. I wouldn't have been as surprised if she was hit by a car as we live on a main road, but never expected this.

"It just shows what a crazy world we live in and how sick some people can be."

Story continues

Read more: COVID cases are now rising in 42% of UK areas

Storm was buried on Friday. (Facebook)

Kent Police confirmed they are treating the killings as being intentionally caused by a person.

Sergeant Sarah Alvey said: "We understand that hearing of these incidents will cause concern for cat owners but please be assured we will follow up on any reasonable line of enquiry that is reported to us.

"Our neighbourhood officers are also aware of the incidents and will remain vigilant for offending of this nature while they complete their routine patrols.

"If there is anyone who believes they have information that can assist with enquiries, I would encourage them to contact us at their earliest opportunity."

Following the attacks, members of South London Animal Investigation Network (SLAIN) are patrolling the area.

The group will hand out leaflets on Monday appealing for witnesses and CCTV.

Anyone who finds another mutilated animal in the area can get in touch with SLAIN via its Facebook page.
A paper to be released by the centre on Monday calls on the state government to ban the unsolicited selling of solar and says industry self-regulation has failed to protect consumers. We are seeing misleading conduct, poor quality panels, unaffordable finance arrangements and high-pressure sales tactics , Ms Temple said. Maxwell Johansen paid $10,000 to have ineffective solar panels installed on his roof. Credit:Joe Armao Moe pensioner Max Johansen opened his door in December 2018 to a Vic Solar salesman who had an offer that sounded too good to be true. The 70-year-old was told hed never pay another electricity bill if he installed their German-made panels on his roof.

I fell for it, he said. Vic Solar connected Mr Johansen with a finance company and he took on a $10,000 loan to pay for 11 panels, which were installed in January 2019. But Mr Johansen realised something was wrong when the installers left and he discovered boxes reading Made in China strewn across his yard. His concerns deepened when he received an electricity bill a few weeks later. The solar panels had only reduced his bills by $5 a fortnight and he was paying an additional $70 per fortnight on loan repayments for his panels. To make matters worse, Mr Johansen said his roof started leaking because the installers drilled holes in the wrong spots. Ive been left with solar panels that dont work properly and they have ruined my roof, he said.

Mr Johansen contacted Consumer Affairs Victoria and the watchdog interviewed him, along with other consumers who had similar experiences with Vic Solar. It then initiated legal action against Vic Solar and its 31-year-old director Sunny Srinivasan. The Federal Court found that Vic Solar engaged in unconscionable, misleading and deceptive conduct by using third-party lead generators to knock on residents doors, promoting a false community bulk-buy of solar systems and telling customers they would never receive another energy bill. It distributed brochures bearing the Clean Energy Council logo, even though it had no affiliation with the organisation. The court will determine a penalty at a later date and Mr Johansens debt has been wiped. Retailers in the state governments Solar Homes Program must be accredited by the Clean Energy Council. Vic Solar, which is now under administration, never applied for accreditation.

A Clean Energy Council spokeswoman said unscrupulous operators had sometimes misrepresented their association with the group. John Grimes, chief executive of lobby group Smart Energy Council, said there had been a heavy focus on installers in the industry, but sales were not policed as vigorously. Every solar installation, before its connected to the grid, is inspected by a licensed electrician. And you have Solar Victoria doing random inspections. Solar retailers are not subject to the same controls - they are subject to consumer laws and fair trading requirements that any company trading in Australia is, and nothing more. You and I could start a company selling solar panels tomorrow, he said. Solar installers often arrived at a site not knowing what sales promises had been made by a retailer organising the installation and taking a cut of the price, Mr Grimes said. More than 130,000 installations of household solar, solar hot water and batteries have occurred under the Solar Homes Program, which gives households a discount of up to 50 per cent of the cost of installing panels.

It has approved $250 million in rebates and is estimated to have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than one million tonnes. Erin Turner, the campaigns director of consumer group Choice said door-to-door sales led to poor outcomes. Its a sales conversation that is forced upon you. Tristan Edis, an economist and director of power analysis firm Green Energy Markets, said larger installers generally met strict quality controls because otherwise the law catches up with them. But some of the smaller guys can last for a period of time. He said there was an issue with phoenixing - when the directors of a company liquidate it and restart it under a different name. Mr Edis said solar panels were not a complex product, and that the bigger problem was that the industry was highly incentivised to sell customers the biggest system they can possibly install, even if it was more than the customer needed.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Former President, Donald Trump has condemned the policy of his successor, Joe Biden on the controversial wall at the Mexican border. In an i...





Former President, Donald Trump has condemned the policy of his successor, Joe Biden on the controversial wall at the Mexican border.

In an interview aired on Fox News Saturday night, Trump described Bidens reversal of the Remain in Mexico policy as a very bad decision.

Also known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), the programme initiated in 2019 turned back certain individuals from Mexico pursuant to Section 235(b)(2)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Trump told Judge Jeanine Pirro via telephone that a lot of people wanted him to visit the border and that he would be there in the coming weeks.

Thousands and thousands of people are coming up right now as we speak. And youre going to have millions of people pouring into our country. And its going to destroy our country.

I dont know what they are doing and they dont know what they are doing. Its a very very dangerous situation. Id love to be involved, somebody else is suppose to be doing it.

The border patrol wants me to go over the next couple of weeks. I dont think theres a rush for me to go. He (Biden) is supposed to go and make the decision.

Not only people, drugs are coming in, in a number that weve never seen before now. We stopped it largely. The wall was just a few weeks from being completed. He didnt want to complete it.

Trump recalled that it took two and half years before the wall construction commenced. He pointedly blamed the Democrats in Congress.

Pelosi and everyone sued us 11 different times. So after we won, we started. They should finish the wall and have the Stay in Policy reinserted because if you dont have that, this is going to be a disaster.

In his first news conference on Thursday, President Biden announced that some families are not going back because Mexico is refusing to take them.

The American leader confirmed his administration was in negotiations with President Andres Lopez Obrador. Thats going to change. They should all be going back, he added.
The melding of consumer technology and medical science is something that a lot of companies are looking into. As we move further into the future, were seeing the combination of fitness trackers and smartwatches acting almost like our personal physicians. In a recent peer-reviewed research study, scientists at Stanford University have been able to measure ones frailty in terms of heart disease using an Apple Watch 3 (review). Now, what is frailty? Frailty is essentially a system where a six-minute walking test is a general standard used to evaluate the functional mobility and exercise capacity of a patient. The study saw that the result of the test was equal to an in-clinic doctors visit.

Apple Watch 3 used in a cardiovascular study by Stanford

The data and information were collected using an Apple Watch 3 along with a proprietary app called VascTrac. The six-minute walk test comes included with WatchOS 7 so it should be rather easy to access. What this means is that our devices could actually become our own personal physicians in the future. For basic health and wellness, a smartwatch should be able to give you all the info you need to keep your body fit. In terms of marketing, this is a boon for Apple as the Apple Watch 3 can actually be marketed as a medical device.

In fact, as weve reported earlier, the Apple Watch helped save a man's life in the city of Somersworth, New Hampshire. You can read more about that story here. The Apple Watch Series 5s ECG feature has also saved a 61-year olds life in the first such reported case in India. You can read more about that story here.
Rolls-Royce has begun building the world's largest jet engine which is designed to slash emissions for airlines post-pandemic, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

In a significant bet on a recovery in the aviation industry, the British engineer has started constructing a demonstration version of its vast UltraFan engine in Derby, East Midlands after seven years of preparations.

The Government-backed project has so far cost more than 500million, with around a third paid for by the taxpayer.

Clean: The green UltraFan engine is designed to slash harmful emissions

The test model is due to be completed by the end of the year. The engine is 25 per cent more fuel efficient than Rolls' first Trent engines. It can also run on sustainable fuels made from waste products such as cooking oil.

Trials will take place in Rolls-Royce's new 90million testing facility  a 'cathedral of space' with ultra-thick walls to limit noise.

UltraFan, with a fan diameter of almost 12ft, is larger than engines produced by US rival General Electric. Its carbon titanium fan system has been built in Bristol and its 50MW gearbox  powerful enough to run 500 family cars  in Dahlewitz, Germany. The engine will be suitable for both larger aircraft and the single aisle planes used for short-haul flights.

Rolls-Royce engineering and technology director Simon Burr said: 'This engine is not like anything else. When you see it your eyes are on stalks. It's truly a work of art. We've tested all the component elements and they've worked really well.'

Green: The engine is 25 per cent more fuel efficient than Rolls' first Trent engines

Burr said the engine is considerably quieter than previous propulsion systems. 'If you live near Heathrow you want to hear a whisper overhead. I used to live under the flight path so that matters to us.'

The long-term future of the UltraFan project, launched in 2014, remains in doubt. The grounding of flights due to Covid has thrown Rolls-Royce and its customers  including Airbus and Boeing  into crisis.

Fututristic: Trent engines at Rolls-Royce's new 90million testing facility  a 'cathedral of space' with ultra-thick walls to limit noise

Chief executive Warren East has committed funds to the creation of the technology. Bringing it to market towards the end of the decade will require further investment and a pick-up in demand for new plans. The prototype has received funding from the UK, Germany and the EU.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, said: 'The UltraFan project is a perfect example of how we are working with industry to deliver green, sustainable flight for decades to come. Backed with significant government support, this project represents the scale of ambition for Britain's crucial aerospace sector.'

East is attempting to invest in green technologies to secure the future of the 115-year-old business, while shedding thousands of jobs and selling off assets to boost the balance sheet.

The Mail on Sunday revealed last month that the company plans to use an attempt on the world all-electric airspeed record this spring as a launch pad for a push into electric planes and flying taxis.

However, Burr played down fears that UltraFan could be overtaken by green technologies before it launches. 'There is simply no way you'll be able to travel across the Atlantic with a battery,' he said, adding that its weight would make that impractical.

Last week, East's efforts to slim down the group were dealt a blow when the 130 million sale of Norwegian engines arm Bergen to a Russian group was blocked on national security grounds. Spanish aerospace group Aciturri is reportedly planning a 1.5billion bid for its ITP Aero division.


For months, the Taliban has managed to both talk peace and wage war across Afghanistan. The strategy appeared to appease the hardliners within the militant group who want an outright military victory to end the 20-year conflict and moderate members of the movement who would accept a political solution.

But the new, aggressive United States push for a peace deal has brought the Taliban to an inevitable crossroads.

Accepting a place in a power-sharing government, as proposed by the US would bring the group one step closer to its ultimate goal of retaking full control of the country and establishing an Islamic government.

And yet any path to power that prevents Afghanistan from again being labelled a pariah state will require compromise at odds with the core beliefs of the militants' rank and file.

A deadline looms. US President Joe Biden's administration has until May 1 to withdraw US troops from the country, under a US-Taliban deal signed in February 2019, or negotiate a new arrangement.

So far, Taliban leadership has said little publicly to reveal the specifics of what kind of government it would accept, beyond one ruled by Islamic law.

"The intra-Afghan dialogue is progressing. There is no doubt there are some difficulties along the way, but this is the agreed framework," said Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's senior political leader at a meeting in Moscow last week.

He appeared to push back against signals from the Biden administration that it may delay withdrawing troops and the proposal of a power-sharing government in a leaked draft peace plan.

Both moves would be departures from the US-Taliban agreement signed last year, a document prized by the militants.

The US proposal also calls for talks in Turkey next month to supplement talks in Doha, the establishment of an interim government and the drafting of a new constitution to be followed by elections. The Afghan government has said it will attend the Turkey conference. The Taliban has not yet commented.

At the conference, Afghan president Ashraf Ghani is planning to propose early elections to choose transition leaders, according to two senior Afghan officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The role foreign countries played in the establishment of Afghanistan's current government and the holding of elections - a mechanism the Taliban views as a Western-imposed construct - lie at the heart of its argument that the leadership in Kabul is illegitimate.

One senior Taliban commander said he would oppose any deal that does not hand the group absolute power over Afghanistan,#

This is because he believes the current government is an extension of the US presence in the country, a view echoed by other Taliban fighters interviewed by The Washington Post newspaper

The unity of the Taliban movement as a whole is difficult to gauge, but it is made up of networks that include hardline elements and more moderate leaders.

Taliban fighters on the ground have expressed opposition to peace talks with the Afghan government. Instead, like the senior Taliban commander, they support taking power through military means.

The first significant test of the Taliban's unity was the group's ability to rally support behind the signing of the US-Taliban deal last February and to enforce a week-long reduction in violence.

Not a single US service member has been killed in Afghanistan since the Doha agreement. It is unclear if the Taliban is seriously considering the new US peace proposal.

Mohammad Naeem, the spokesman for the Taliban's political office in Doha, said it remains "under review."

"This proposal is forcing the Taliban to confront an uncomfortable reality," said Andrew Watkins, senior Afghanistan analyst for the International Crisis Group.

The international legitimacy that they say they want is "never going to come without engaging with the outside world and the international community in a way that could potentially be read by their own members and supporters as having been corrupted by foreign influence".

It took more than a year of negotiations between the US and the Taliban to reach the Doha pact.

Some fear the Biden administration's push for a peace deal between the Taliban and Afghan government within weeks is unrealistic.

 Washington Post
A tycoon at the centre of a lobbying scandal engulfing David Cameron was given extraordinary access to No10 and struck a controversial NHS deal reportedly rejected by civil servants which profited banks.

Australian financier Lex Greensill was allegedly granted a security pass and team of civil servants during Mr Cameron's time in Downing Street so he could promote a financial product he specialised in across Whitehall.

The banker hired the former prime minister as an adviser at his financial services company Greensill Capital in 2018, with share options worth tens of millions of pounds and whose collapse now threatens 50,000 jobs.

It was previously reported that the former prime minister directly lobbied Chancellor Rishi Sunak through texts to help Mr Greensill's stricken finance firm Greensill Capital through the Treasury's coronavirus loan scheme.

An investigation by the Sunday Times has now alleged the Australian tycoon, a married father-of-two who lives in Cheshire, 'seduced' the British establishment and embedded himself into the heart of government.

Mr Greensill, the son of Australian sugar cane farmers, left school during a harvest so bad it dried up his parents' cash flow. He studied law by correspondence, receiving cassette tapes in the post because he could not afford university.

The financier arrived in Britain aged 24, and joined American banking giant Morgan Stanley in 2005 as the bank was expanding into supply chain finance - a tool to help businesses left vulnerable by late payments.

Australian financier Lex Greensill was allegedly granted a security pass and team of civil servants during Mr Cameron's time in Downing Street so he could promote a financial product he specialised in across Whitehall. Pictured receiving his CBE at Buckingham Palace in 2017

David Cameron (left) and Jeremy Heywood (right) allegedly gave Mr Greensill unprecedented access to No10 and 11 Whitehall departments and agencies

The Greensill saga: How Australian banker 'gained access to No10 and Whitehall' May 2010 - David Cameron becomes prime minister. Jeremy Heywood is appointed No10's top civil servant. July 2011 - Heywood starts pushing for Lex Greensill to become an adviser on 'supply chain finance' - a method of speeding up payments between a company and its suppliers using the finance of a third party (ie. bank). The Government has claimed his position as adviser was unpaid. November 2011 - Greensill creates his own finance firm, Greensill Capital. January 2012 - Greensill tours Whitehall, pitching his proposals to 11 departments or agencies including the Department of Health. He is given a team of officials, security pass and a desk in the Cabinet Office. Summer 2012 - Greensill's proposal to pay NHS-affiliated pharmacies using private finance make their way to David Cameron, who signs it off. An official alleges the report was edited and that the first draft did not support Greensill's idea. Greenshill has reportedly denied that he had any part to play in this if found to be true. October 2012 - Cameron announces the scheme, first run by Greensill's ex-employer, Citibank. Six years later it is taken on by Greensill Capital. December 2013 - Greensill is appointed as a Crown Representative, an official adviser from the private sector to the government. August 2016 - Greensill is bailed out by trader Sanjeev Gupta, who temporarily takes a stake in the finance firm. June 2017 - Greensill is awarded a CBE for 'services to the economy'. November 2018 - Cameron joins Greensill as an adviser, acquiring share options worth tens of millions. May 2019 - Japan's Softbank pumps 580million into Greensill. March 2021 - Greensill collapses, exposing years of complex finance deals and threatening 50,000 jobs. Advertisement

Under the scheme, a bank wedges itself between and company or small business and its suppliers and pays immediately for a fee. It was this model that he would later pitch to officials across Whitehall.

While at Morgan Stanley, Mr Greensill met Jeremy Heywood, Mr Cameron's later chief of the civil service who was on a break from Whitehall at the time. The Cabinet Secretary died of cancer aged 56 in 2018.

The paper reported that Mr Cameron and Mr Heywood gave Mr Greensill unprecedented access to No10 and 11 Whitehall departments and agencies.

Citing leaked documents and minutes, it said Mr Cameron, who resigned as prime minister in 2016 after his Remain campaign lost the EU referendum, signed off on a multi-billion-pound loans scheme in 2012 for NHS-linked pharmacies.

Under Mr Greensill's plan to get small businesses paid on time, a bank would quickly reimbursing pharmacies for the cost of providing prescription drugs instead of making them wait weeks for the NHS to repay them.

Praised at a Downing Street reception by Mr Cameron as an 'innovative scheme', its beneficiaries were Mr Greensill's former bosses at Wall Street giant Citibank and, eventually, his own financial services company.

Civil servants and officials told the Sunday Times that Mr Greensill's ascent rested on Mr Heywood, Mr Cameron's then Cabinet Secretary who had 'discovered' the Australian tycoon while working in the private sector.

Mr Heywood is said to have brought the banker on board in 2011 and tasked him with spending six months exploring whether supply chain financing could help the Government to pay suppliers more quickly.

Mr Greensill was reportedly given a security pass and four civil servants who were told to explore his ideas, write a report and submit it to ministers. He was later given a desk in the economic and domestic affairs secretariat of the Cabinet Office.

In January 2012, the banker apparently began a whistle-stop tour of Whitehall, pitching his proposals to 11 departments or agencies including the Department of Health, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Transport.

His undisclosed meetings also included pitches to finance Britain's fleet of Typhoon fighter jets and Voyager refuelling planes and to fund the upgrade of the country's biggest motorways, including the M62, M4 and M5.

Over the summer, Mr Greensill's proposal to pay NHS-affiliated pharmacies using private finance made their way to Mr Cameron, who signed it off.

However, a leading official alleged that the report was handed directly to Mr Cameron, bypassing Francis Maude, the Minister for the Cabinet Office Paymaster General, entirely - and had been edited.

They told the paper that the main author's name had been removed and replaced with Mr Greensill's, and that the initial draft did not support the banker's proposal.

Officials are understood to have instead warned that supply chain finance was not the most effective way of helping thousands of small businesses which supply prescription drugs secure reimbursement by the NHS.

The report is said to have suggested that there were were 'better and simpler routes' to pay suppliers, some of which were already in place in Whitehall.

It is understood that Mr Heywood was copied in via email. Mr Greensill is understood to deny any involvement in changing the report.

No10 awarded the contract to Citibank, Mr Greensill's former employer which he had left before entering Whitehall, which ran the scheme for six years.

In 2018, Greensill Capital won the contract, and provided 1.2billion in loans to pharmacies, taking a fee for every loan, from July 2018 until last month.

Mr Greensill, the son of Australian sugar cane farmers, left school during a harvest so bad it driged up his parents' cash flow. He studied law by correspondence, receiving cassette tapes in the post because he could not afford university

The banker hired Mr Cameron as an adviser at Greensill Capital in 2018, with share options worth tens of millions of pounds and whose collapse now threatens 50,000 jobs

Mr Greensill was made a crown representative, one of a selected cadre of businesspeople advising the Government. In 2017, he was made a Commander of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

The Australian financier then hired Mr Cameron as an adviser in 2018, giving him share options which could be worth tens of millions of pounds.

The revelation comes as Mr Cameron faces pressure over his efforts last year to lobby Mr Sunak and Government officials to help Mr Greensill's stricken finance firm Greensill Capital through the Treasury's coronavirus loan scheme.

Mr Cameron was last week cleared of breaking lobbying rules by Harry Rich, the registrar of consultant lobbyists, who ruled that Mr Cameron's role with Greensill's firm was not that of a lobbyist and therefore no rules had been broken. However, questions over his activities with Greensill Capital persist.

Mr Greensill's business model was to provide quick loans to companies that did not want to wait until they received payment from their customers.

Two years ago, the company said it had provided financing worth more than 100billion to ten million customers in 175 countries.

But Greensill Capital sunk into administration this month when it emerged that many of its loans were unlikely to ever be repaid.

One casualty of its spectacular collapse has been one of its clients, Liberty Steel, which employs 3,000 across Britain. This weekend it was seeking an emergency 170million Government bailout to stay afloat.

Sir Alastair Graham, the former chairman of the committee for standards in public life, called for a full inquiry because 'it sounds like a genuine scandal in which the public purse was put at risk without proper political authority'.

Mr Greensill and Mr Cameron declined to comment to the Sunday Times. Suzanne Heywood, Mr Heywood's wife, told the paper that the civil service chief 'took no personal benefit of any sort from Lex's company'.

The Government said Mr Greensill 'acted as a supply chain finance adviser from 2012 to 2015 and as a crown representative for three years from 2013. His appointment was approved in the normal manner and he was not paid for either role'.
Ismailia: Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi has ordered preparations to be made for the unloading of the Ever Given cargo carrier that is blocking the Suez Canal.

Lieutenant General Osama Rabie, chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, told Egyptian television that officials were preparing for the third scenario of unloading containers from the massive ship so that it can be refloated, opening up one of the worlds busiest waterways. The canal has been blocked since Tuesday, leaving more than 300 ships waiting to pass through.

The high tide on Sunday failed to lift the Ever Given from the bank, even after its rudder was freed. Credit:AP

Unloading some of the 18,000 containers from the towering ship would require special equipment, so the president authorised its acquisition even as dredging continued, Rabie said. So far, 764 cubic metres of sand have been removed from around the vessel to a depth of 18 metres.

His excellency has ordered that we should not wait for the failure of the first and second scenarios to start thinking about implementing the third one, he said, referring to unloading.
Tug-of-war was dropped from the Olympic program after Antwerp 1920, presumably due to the number of controversies. At London 1908 the American team protested its first round loss to the Liverpool Police, claiming that the Liverpudlians were wearing illegal boots. When the Liverpool team challenged the United States to a re-match without shoes, there was no response from the Americans, who withdrew their team comprised of athletes competing in other events.At Stockholm 1912 the British team lost the first pull of the final to Sweden and was then disqualified for continually sitting down.
The Government has approved funding of over 300,000 to launch the region's first technology gateway at Dundalk Institute of Technology.

The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Leo Varadkar announced last week funding of 338,000 to establish the new Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway for the North-East in DkIT.

The new Technology Gateway will bring together industry and academia in collaboration to work on projects within a certain area of specialisation.

The new Centre for Renewable Energy at Dundalk IT (CREDIT) Technology Gateway is focused on energy efficiency and optimisation and will look at how companies can make both their products and their manufacturing operations as energy efficient as possible.



The initial funding of 338,000 for two years will allow DkIT to establish and staff the Gateway and with a view to joining the other 15 Gateways in reapplying for funding for a further five years, when a new programme is announced.




Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, has urged Christians to promote the virtues of Jesus Christ in their servic...





Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, has urged Christians to promote the virtues of Jesus Christ in their service to God.

Badejo, who made the call in an interview on Sunday in Ibadan, said that as Christians all the world celebrated the Palm Sunday, it was important for faithful to stand up for the teachings of Christ.

According to him, the story of Christs entry into Jerusalem as narrated in Matthews gospel should spur Christians to open their hearts to God.

As Christians, we need to open our lives to God, promote the things that Christ did and aspire to live in holiness.

We should show deep commitment to service, knowing that through Christ, we shall get salvation, he said.

He said that Palm Sunday celebration should challenge Christians to take a stand for Christ, adding that believers should be consistent in their commitment to the truth.

Palm Sunday represents dignity, beauty, well being and victory, it should never be jettisoned for sin and evil.

It holds a lot of significance for the youth, young people must never lose hope, they must believe in their dreams, Badejo told NAN.

The Cleric described Palm Sunday as remarkable because it marked the beginning of the Passion Week.

This is the most holy week in Christendom, it is the week in which the key events of the history of salvation are celebrated.

During Holy Week, the Catholic Church commemorates the institution of the priesthood, the sacraments and the Eucharist.

The Good Friday is also celebrated during the week to commemorate the death of Christ on the cross, he said.

Palm Sunday is celebrated around the world by Christians to mark Jesus Christs triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Minutes after Sunday School class said they would die for Christ, half killed in Sri Lankan bomb blast

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Just minutes after expressing their willingness to die for Christ, half the children from one Sunday School class at Zion Church in Batticaloa were reportedly killed in the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks in Sri Lanka.

Today was an Easter Sunday school at the church and we asked the children how many of you willing to die for Christ? Everyone raised their hands," Caroline Mahendran, a Sunday School teacher at the church, said, according to Israeli public figure Hananya Naftali. "Minutes later, they came down to the main service and the blast happened. Half of the children died on the spot.

The report comes as the death toll from the bomb attacks on several churches and luxury hotels in the island nation, where Christians make up less than 10 percent of the 20 million population, rose to nearly 300 Monday with at least 500 wounded.

Fr. Kumaran, a pastor at Zion Church, told Times of India that he witnessed the death of many of the children shortly after arguing with the suicide bombing suspect he did not recognize.

It was about 8:30 a.m., Kumaran said, when he saw the suicide bombing suspect carrying a bag at the steps of the church already filled with worshipers.

"I asked him who he was and his name. He said he was a Muslim and wanted to visit the church," Kumaran said.

Kumaran said he was ushered away from the encounter by other priests because it was getting late for Mass. As he walked toward the podium he heard an explosion. When he turned around, the blood of his congregants, including many from the childrens Sunday School class, was splattered on the church walls.

"Twenty-eight people were killed, among them 12 children. Two are critical," a distressed Kumaran told the publication.

Arasaratnam Verl, 41, said his 13-year-old son, V. Jackson, who is also his only child, was standing near the church entrance after attending the Sunday School class. Jackson was killed instantly.

"My elder sister was killed too. My two younger sisters and my brother-in-law are critical," Verl, a taxi driver, told Times of India.

Verl said his friend, Ramesh, who had also questioned the suicide bombing suspect and pushed the man outside the church door," also died too as the man blew himself up shortly after that.

I have never heard the sound of a bomb explosion before. We initially thought it was the burst of a tire, S. Vikash, 21, a medical representative who lives near the church, said. "When we realized it was an explosion, we followed the sound of fire engines and ambulances. The scene was terrifying. There was blood and body parts strewn all over. It was heart-rending to see the bodies of children."

Outside Zion Church, the bombings in Sri Lanka on Sunday also targeted St. Anthonys Shrine in Colombo, the capital; St. Sebastians Church in Negombo; as well as high-end hotels in Colombo, including the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury.

Fr. Kanapathipillai Deivendiran, who was scheduled to deliver the Easter Day message at Zion Church on Sunday, told The Hindu had he not been running late, he may have been killed too.

I went a little after 9 a.m. I was a few minutes late or you will not be speaking to me now, he said. I didnt know that there had been a blast a few minutes before that, I just walked into the premises. As I entered, I was shaken by the sight  walls had collapsed completely, there were bodies all over the floor, he said.
Television presenter Eamonn Holmes has revealed he has been suffering from "chronic pain" which has caused insomnia in a series of late night tweets.

The Belfast man (61) shared his sleeping struggles with his one million Twitter fans in a series of tweets at around 2.30am on Friday morning.

In that Twilight Zone between Night time and Morning. Anyone else find these Hours the worst.... particularly if you suffer Chronic pain ?  Eamonn Holmes (@EamonnHolmes) March 26, 2021

The broadcasting legend admitted that the "night is worse" and he feels there is "no escape" from the pain he is suffering.

The media personality chatted to several other followers on the social media platform who were also struggling to sleep in the early hours.

Replying to one fan who tweeted that she had been awake since 2am due to "an illness that mirrors MS, which causes neuropathy and is very uncomfortable", Eamonn added: "I just want people who suffer to know there are others and maybe they can talk to each other and swap advice on here?"

I just want people who suffer to know there are others Tricia and maybe they can talk to each other and swop advice on here ?  Eamonn Holmes (@EamonnHolmes) March 26, 2021

Holmes underwent a double hip operation in 2016 after suffering what he described as "25 years of agony".

At the time of his operation, he was still presenting the Sunrise programme on Sky News as well as his Friday stint on This Morning with wife Ruth Langsford.

He took a 10 week break from the front of the camera following the surgery in order to recover, but he and Ruth kept fans updated on his progress throughout.

The star had been suffering from hip pains from as early as his 20s.

Following the operation, he said: "I stand straighter, am an inch taller, can touch my toes and sit without pain."

Just be clear, the cup keeps refilling, Ms Wood said. Its not like its a finite number and the door has closed. More and more people have registered. However, Ms Wood said the number of registered Australians, which was previously stuck at 40,000 for several months, had finally started to reduce as more flights became available and some registered Australians declined to take up flights. Loading When Prime Minister Scott Morrison promised in September that all stranded Australians would be home by Christmas, there were 24,000 on the list but there were many more Australians abroad who had not registered. Since then, Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne told the Senate, 63,100 Australians had returned from overseas, of whom 24,800 were registered by DFAT and 5150 were classified as vulnerable.

Ms Wood said the government-facilitated repatriation flights and the Northern Territorys Howard Springs quarantine facility  which was ramping up from a capacity of 850 to 2000 over the coming months  were dedicated to Australians who had registered with DFAT, with priority given to those who are vulnerable. Sophie had been living in Europe for 10 years and was already planning to return home for family reasons when the pandemic hit. She had booked her flight in January last year for a date in August, planning to serve out her three months notice, pack up her belongings and enjoy some time off. By the time she had served her notice period, the pandemic was under way and she was stranded without a job. Her original flight was cancelled when the flight caps were imposed and she bought tickets with three airlines, before finally making it home in December. So far she hasnt managed to find work in Australia, with hiring managers telling her she has too much experience. She sometimes regrets coming home and predicts Australia will once again face a brain drain once the borders reopen.

For Ms Duffield, who left Australia when she was 18 and was living in Indiana in the United States when her marriage ended, the priority has been trying to get her daughters Luca, 16, and Zara, 13, settled in Sydney. While they are grateful to be back and especially that they are no longer doing remote schooling, there have been challenges. Ms Duffield said the school had failed to prevent bullying and assumed that the girls should know everything about how school works in Australia simply because they are citizens, even though they have never lived here. She has found a steep learning curve herself, finding it difficult to navigate the supermarket and being bamboozled by terms like CTP when the person on the other end of the phone was unable to explain the acronym stood for compulsory third party insurance. Pieter den Heten was living in Germany when the pandemic hit Pieter den Heten was working in Germany when the pandemic hit. His partner returned to Australia in February  before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic  and he planned to follow as soon as he served his notice period at work.

In the end they were separated for nine months. In March he got sick and he was ill for over a month, probably with COVID-19 though there was no testing. By May he moved to the Netherlands  his country of birth  and was looking for tickets back to Australia. He had several flights cancelled and finally made it back in October. He said he felt very scrutinised even by friends who couldnt believe he couldnt get a flight sooner, even though fares rose as high as $15,000 and quarantine fees were $3000. A lot of people dont believe you. One friend of mine said I was just cheap, he said. What bothers me the most is the lack of empathy, and sympathy. Mr den Heten said his advocacy on behalf of fellow stranded Australians had invited abuse from trolls on the one hand and horrible stories from stranded Australians in desperate circumstances on the other. There were dozens of those stories and people would send me messages on Facebook in the middle of the night that theyre thinking of killing themselves, he said. Altogether, its taken quite a big toll on me but some of that was my choice.
When Patrick Pearse and his comrades were battling it out with British soldiers from inside the GPO on Easter Week 1916, two brothers from Clifden were in the royal navy, preparing their ships for the biggest naval battle of World War I.

The Battle of Jutland was fought in the North Sea, near Denmark. Fourteen British and 11 German ships were lost, along with their crews - almost 7,000 killed on the British side, about 3,000 on the German side - though both sides claimed victory.

Compared with that scale of death, what occurred at the GPO may not have been considered much of a battle. But while Pearse and his garrison were forced to surrender, they won a moral victory that sowed the seeds for the independence we enjoy today.

We don't know if the Morris brothers from Clifden were even aware of what was going on in Dublin in 1916. It's far more likely they were preoccupied with thoughts of their impending sea battle. In any event, when the battle ended Charles Morris numbered among the dead. His younger brother James survived. He was just 27 and following the Battle of Jutland was assured of a great career in the royal navy.

Why then, does a portrait of James hang at the entrance to the officers' mess at Naval Service headquarters in Haulbowline, Co Cork, alongside one of WB Yeats? And why is he called Commander Seamus O Muiris?

Readers will be familiar with Yeats, but unless you are interested in maritime history, you may not know much of James Morris, aka Seamus O Muiris. He was the great-uncle of my son-in-law, Tim Morris, so I have a particular interest in him.

As a member of the Morris family from Clifden - one of the tribes of Galway - it was not surprising that James should pursue a career in the royal navy.

As John de Courcy Ireland, former research officer of the Maritime Institute of Ireland, wrote, he was "a direct descendent of the first Irish Catholic to receive a commission in the royal navy when the Penal Laws were relaxed in 1794".

"Henceforth, in every generation since, one or more of the family served with distinction in that navy."

During the War of Independence, however, James - then Lt Commander Morris of the royal navy - was appalled by the brutality of British forces in Ireland.

"In 1920," wrote de Courcy Ireland, "he had a great career before him, when - learning of the repression being exercised by the British government back home in his native land - he resigned his commission in protest, an act of conscience of rare purity."

Tim, who is director at Windmill Lane Pictures, tells me that his great-uncle resigned his commission on learning of the brutality of the Black and Tans. A native Irish speaker, he returned home, reverted to the Irish version of his name, Seamus O Muiris, and took an intense interest in maritime matters.

As nationhood emerged, O Muiris urged upon de Valera the necessity of Ireland having its own navy. In fact, says Tim, he wrote letters in Irish to Dev saying he couldn't have an island State unless he had a navy.

They must have been strongly worded letters, as de Courcy Ireland wrote that he "admonished our early governments" on the subject.

In 1938 Britain handed back control of the Treaty Ports. O Muiris, according to de Courcy Ireland, was "hastily summoned to Dublin, and became our wartime government's naval adviser and director of our improvised Marine Service, which kept our coasts clear of mines and spies throughout the Emergency".

The royal navy had been patrolling our waters and O Muiris, as Commander of the Marine Service, continued to urge de Valera to create a navy of our own.

In 1946 the government decided to establish the Naval Service. It wasn't the independent navy O Muiris had in mind, but was to be part of the Defence Forces. However, his dream had come true. Ireland had its navy - and, according to Tim, de Valera told him to "go and buy some ships".

Tom MacGinty, in his history of the Irish navy, says approval was given for the immediate purchase of three corvettes, the first of which was named the Macha.

The Macha became the first ship of the Naval Service to be deployed overseas, when in 1948 it carried home the remains of WB Yeats from France.

The poet had died in France in 1939 but had expressed a wish to be reburied in Sligo. World War II intervened, and in 1948 the Macha was sent to Nice to honour his request. The operation was overseen by the then minister for external affairs, Sean MacBride, son of Maud Gonne MacBride. Yeats had hoped to marry Maud Gonne and she had inspired many of his poems.

The portrait of Yeats (by his father, John), which hangs beside that of Commander O Muiris in Haulbowline, was presented to the captain and officers of the Macha by his widow, George - a "thank you" for bringing him back.

Recently, the Naval Service honoured the poet by naming one of its ships the William Butler Yeats - something, I imagine, his widow would have liked very much.

As for the portrait of Seamus O Muiris, it was presented to the Naval Service at a ceremony on board the corvette Emer in 1997. "With a gracious speech," wrote de Courcy Ireland, "Minister for Defence Barrett accepted from the Morris family a magnificent portrait of the Commander, to be hung permanently in the officers' mess at Naval Headquarters."

Tom McCaughren is an award-winning author and former security correspondent with RTE
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
Paris doctors warn of catastrophic overload of virus cases View Photo

PARIS (AP)  Critical care doctors in Paris say surging coronavirus infections could soon overwhelm their ability to care for the sick in the French capitals hospitals, possibly forcing them to choose which patients they have the resources to save.

The sobering warnings were delivered Sunday in newspaper opinions signed by dozens of Paris-region doctors. They came as French President Emmanuel Macron has been vigorously defending his decision not to completely lockdown France again as he did last year. Since January, Macrons government has instead imposed a nationwide overnight curfew and followed that with a grab-bag of other restrictions.

But with infections soaring and hospitals increasingly running short of intensive-care beds, doctors have been stepping up the pressure for a full French lockdown.

Writing in Le Journal du Dimanche, 41 Paris-region hospital doctors said: We have never known such a situation, even during the worst (terror) attacks that targeted the French capital, notably assaults by Islamic State extremists in 2015 that killed 130 people and filled Paris emergency wards with the wounded.

The doctors predicted that softer new restrictions imposed this month on Paris and some other regions wont quickly bring the resurgent epidemic under control. They warned that hospital resources wont be able to keep pace with needs, forcing them to practice catastrophe medicine in the coming weeks as cases peak.

We already know that our capacity to offer care will be overwhelmed, they wrote. We will be obliged to triage patients in order to save as many lives as possible. This triage will concern all patients, with and without COVID, in particular for adult patients access to critical care.

Another group of nine critical-care doctors writing in the newspaper Le Monde also warned that intensive care units in Paris may have to refuse patients.

The current situation is tending toward prioritization, also called triage, they wrote. When just one ICU bed is available but two patients could benefit from it, it consists of deciding which of them will be admitted (and will perhaps survive) and which will not be admitted (and will quite probably die). This is where we are heading.

They also accused Macrons government of hypocrisy by compelling health care workers to decide which patient should live and which should die, without stating so clearly.

Macron remains adamant that not locking France down again this year, like some other European countries, was sound government policy, even as more than 2,000 deaths per week push the country ever closer to the milestone of 100,000 people lost to the pandemic. The country now counts more than 94,600 virus-related deaths.

We were right not to implement a lockdown in France at the end of January because we didnt have the explosion of cases that every model predicted, Macron said last week. There wont be a mea culpa from me. I dont have remorse and wont acknowledge failure.

Macrons administration has been hoping to outrace the resurgent outbreak with its vaccination campaign, an ambition that appears increasingly unrealistic as hospitals struggle. After a sluggish start in December, Frances inoculation drive stepped up this weekend with the start of injections for healthy people aged 70 and above.

More than 7.7 million people  close to 15% of all French adults  have had at least one jab of either the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines. The government says the pace will continue to pick up, with France expecting to get nearly 3 million additional Pfizer doses this week.

The European Unions vaccine czar, Thierry Breton, told French radio RTL on Sunday that the bloc will deliver 420 million vaccine doses to its member countries by July 15.

The vaccines are coming, he said.

Breton also unveiled a mock-up of a proposed EU health certificate that could allow the blocs residents to cross its internal borders more easily. The certificate shows if people have been vaccinated, tested negative for coronavirus or recovered from it. He said the certificate would be optional and could be available by mid-June.

___

Leicester reported from Le Pecq, France.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic, https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

By JOHN LEICESTER and JEFFREY SCHAEFFER

Associated Press
A 3D-printed Facebook logo is seen in front of displayed coronavirus disease words in this illustration taken on March 24, 2020. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)

Facebook Freezes Maduros Page Over COVID-19 Misinformation

CARACASFacebook has frozen Venezuelan regime leader Nicolas Maduros page for violating policies against spreading misinformation about COVID-19 by promoting a remedy he claims, without evidence, can cure the disease, a company spokesman said on Saturday.

Maduro in January described Carvativir, an oral solution derived from thyme, as a miracle medication that neutralizes the coronavirus with no side effects, a claim doctors say is not backed by science.

Facebook has taken down a video in which Maduro promotes the medication because it violates a policy against false claims that something can guarantee prevention from getting COVID-19 or can guarantee recovery from COVID-19.

We follow guidance from the WHO (World Health Organization) that says there is currently no medication to cure the virus, the spokesman told Reuters. Due to repeated violations of our rules, we are also freezing the page for 30 days, during which it will be read-only.

Maduro in the video says Carvativir, which he calls miracle drops of 19th century Venezuelan doctor Jose Gregorio Hernandez who has been beatified by the Roman Catholic Church, can be used preventively and therapeutically against the virus.

Venezuelan regime leader Nicolas Maduro speaks during a news conference at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 12, 2020. (Manaure Quintero/Reuters)

The administrators of the page were notified of the policy violation, the Facebook spokesman said.

Maduros account on photo-sharing social media platform Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, will not be affected.

Venezuelas Information Ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Maduro in February said Facebook censored videos in which he showed Carvativir. He has in the past said he and his allies have been treated unfairly by social media companies, including what he calls arbitrary suspension of accounts.

Maduro frequently uses social media including both Facebook and Twitter, and has at times broadcast speeches over Facebook Live.

Venezuelas official figures as of Friday showed 154,905 cases of coronavirus and 1,543 deaths, though opposition critics say the actual figure is likely higher due to limited testing.

By Brian Ellsworth
Hundreds of people attended a peaceful Stop Asian Hate march in Fort Lee Saturday afternoon, in support of the Asian-American community after a rise in bias crimes and a March 16 mass shooting in Atlanta that killed six Asian women.

Several elected officials spoke before the march, including Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson.

To those of you that participate in hate, to those of you, you weak and ignorant souls, theres no place in Fort Lee or anywhere for you, said Sokolich. (Asian-Americans) are the fabric of our community and we are so ever grateful. Here, we stand by your side.

Fort Lee comprises one of New Jerseys densest Asian populations, with 42% of residents identifying as Asian, according to U.S. Census data.

Tedesco condemned the recent shooting in Atlanta, calling it a horrific tragedy, and mentioned bias incidents in New Jersey, including a Chinese restaurant in Wyckoff that was vandalized with racist graffiti last summer.

This is unacceptable and we must do better, he said. Hate has no home here. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.

The march, a roughly 1.9-mile route that began at the lawn of Hudson Lights and went through Main Street, was organized by the Youth Council of Fort Lee.

Other local groups, including the Korean American Association of Fort Lee and the Fort Lee Chinese American Community Association supported and were involved in the march. A crowd of families and children were present at the march, many holding signs that read We are as American as you are, and #StopAsianHate.

At the Stop Asian Hate march organized by the Youth Council of Fort Lee (George McNish | For NJ Advance Media).George McNish | For NJ Advance Media

Susan Madison, a Fort Lee resident, attended the march with her seven-year-old son, James, in effort to help teach him to stand against racism and discrimination from an early age.

Were all part of the same community, Madison, who is not of Asian descent, said of the Asian-American community, and we stand with them.

Ten-year-old Lauren Noh came out to the march with her family and said the recent bias crimes against Asians and Asian-Americans made her feel like Im hated.

Were being hated so we wanted to end it so were marching, she said, adding that she felt there was more strength in the march through more people.

Rallies and marches condemning anti-Asian rhetoric and violence have been held across the state, mirroring demonstrations across the country. A rally in Leonia drew more than 400 people on Friday, according to NorthJersey.com. Another Stop Asian Hate rally was also held in Princeton on Saturday.

Gabriella Son, a co-founder and alumnae of the YCFL, initially proposed the idea of the march after she noticed the rise in anti-Asian rhetoric during the pandemic.

As a Korean-American, Son herself has experienced discrimination during the pandemic. While in New York City, a man called her coronavirus and another time, an employee declined to swipe her credit card but swiped a white persons card without incident.

The recent shooting in Atlanta, in which a gunman killed six Asian women and two other victims, led Son to help organize the march in Fort Lee to raise awareness and help educate others.

But after (the Atlanta shooting), I realized I cant wait, Son, 20, told NJ Advance Media. Even though there are people who still believe in that anti-Asian rhetoric, Ive met a lot more people who are willing to listen. As an Asian-American, I dont know if Ill ever get this chance again.

Members of the Fort Lee Youth council hold their hands on the hearts during the National Anthem at the Stop Asian Hate march organized by the Youth Council of Fort Lee (George McNish | For NJ Advance Media).George McNish | For NJ Advance Media

Bias incidents have been on the rise both nationally and statewide.

There were at least 1,441 bias incidents reported by New Jersey law enforcement agencies last year  a 45% increase from 2019, according to preliminary data released by the NJ State Police.

Attacks against Black New Jerseyans were up 84% over the last year, while bias incidents targeted at Asians rose 74% from last year.

Gov. Phil Murphy held a roundtable on anti-Asian racism and violence earlier this week. He was joined by advocates from the Asian and Jewish communities, as well as state Rep. Andy Kim and state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, both the first Asian men to hold their respective posts in public office.

As we were starkly reminded by the horrific shootings last week in Atlanta, our country has a hate problem, Murphy said Tuesday. And the data we just released in New Jersey shows that we are not immune to it.

RELATED - Princeton Stop Asian Hate Rally draws thousands

Son, a student at The College of New Jersey and a Fort Lee resident, said she hopes people dont simply move on and forget about the movement upon the marchs conclusion.

Be informed and stand with us as allies, going forward, she said.

20 Stop Asian Hate March

Staff writer S.P. Sullivan 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.
15 Shares Share

In March, thousands of medical students received their residency match results. For most specialties, match rates for graduating U.S. MD seniors have typically remained above 90 percent. This almost certain job security is what allows most medical students to consider taking on astronomical amounts of student debt.

The individualist message is clear throughout medical school: Focus on yourself, your achievements, and hope for the best.

Absent from these discussions is the possibility that your residency could simply cease to exist. The closure of Hahnemann University Hospital should be a striking reminder that no matter how seemingly noble or virtuous the profession, its goals, or individual workers, nothing is free from the reaches of capital.

It is an unfortunate fact in America that hospitals close all the time. The number of rural hospital closures have been rising since 2010. In the last 10 years, 7 percent of all rural hospitals have closed, with 1 in 4 at risk of closure. Residency programs also can close, with a major impact on the local community, especially rural ones which disproportionately rely on such care.

Its one thing for a poorly funded residency program to close at a struggling rural hospital. Still, entirely its another for a large university hospital with all associated residency programs to close. Hahnemann University Hospital was the main teaching hospital of one of the largest private medical schools in the country  Drexel University College of Medicine. The hospital itself was a historical institution  the countrys first safety-net hospital and Philadelphias first level 1 trauma center. Residency programs at Hahnemann had not been struggling to fill.

For all of its history and prestige, it couldnt avoid the economic pressures that faced all hospitals across the country. These are the same pressures that existing hospitals continue to face.

Since the 1970s recession, the legislative focus in health care has been that of cost containment. Under the Reagan administration, Medicare, maternal/child health programs, and the Department of Health and Human Services experienced drastic funding cuts. These cuts produced no tangible savings for the government but had a massive impact on hospitals, especially safety-net hospitals. Hundreds of community health centers, rural and urban hospitals closed between 1980 and 1991.

One way that hospitals dealt with this financial pressure was to add residents to the hospitals labor force to control costs. Residents are famously underpaid, overworked, with little ability to bargain for better working conditions, and subsidized by the government at approximately $100,000 per resident.

By 1993, Hahnemanns finances were such that they were open to acquisition by Allegheny Health Education and Research Foundation (AHERF), seeking to add residency spots. After a period of aggressive expansion AHERF filed for bankruptcy with $1.3 billion in debt, selling Hahnemann and other Philadelphia hospitals to Tenet Healthcare. Tenet, too, eventually divested itself of these unprofitable hospitals  closing them (like Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital) or selling them (like Hahnemann). Without fundamentally changing the structure of how health care is paid for and delivered, these buy-outs and mergers could not save Hahnemann from its ultimate fate.

After Hahnemann was sold to American Academic Health System and Harrison Street Real Estate Capital LLC in 2018, Hahnemann unraveled.

Although state law mandates 90 days notice for a hospital closure, AAHS filed for bankruptcy and closed in half that time, with zero regards for the legal nor moral obligations to the community that the hospital was supposed to serve. Nothing was more blatantly indicative of AAHS and Harrison Streets intentions than when the hospital real estate was separated from the operating businesses and was excluded from the bankruptcy filing, which further cemented suspicions that the involved private equity firms looked to profit off the land once the hospital closed.

Despite the public outcry about Hahnemanns closure, few pointed out that a near-identical scenario had played out 16 years prior under Tenet Health. Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital was shut down in 2003 after years of unprofitability, nearly orphaning over 200 residents employed by the hospital.

Had Tenet and Drexel failed to reallocate these residents to other sites, it would have been the largest single loss of residency spots in history, but Hahnemanns closure dwarfed even that potential historic disaster. Hahnemann had 100 more beds than MCPH and employed over twice as many residents (571 residents and fellows, including 132 new interns).

Joel Freedman, the now-infamous CEO of Paladin (parent company of AAHS), unsuccessfully attempted to rent out the empty hospital for one million dollars a month during the first wave of the pandemic. A year after the hospitals closure, it finally appeared on the real estate market. Grotesquely, the historic safety-net hospital was marketed as a generational opportunity. Although the seller expressed a preference to try to seek out potential health care uses, they admitted that the properties also lend themselves to new development.

If Hahnemanns closure was the canary in a coal mine, as so many claimed, what did we do with this dead bird?

Apparently nothing.

If I mismanage a patients care as a physician, I might be sued, fired, lose my license or jailed. But those who mismanaged the care of a hospital that cared for tens of thousands of patients walk free. Joel Freedman will even get to write off the real estate depreciation on his 2020 taxes. Private equitys reach into medicine has not slowed down. Little has changed, except for the worse, for students who suddenly lost a major training site, the residents who were stuck in limbo for months, the essential workers who lost their jobs, the thousands of patients who lost their hospital, and the other Philadelphia hospitals scrambling to accommodate them all.

Closure of the Hahnemann University Hospital was not, and will not, be an isolated incident as long as the profit motive exists in our health care system. Private equitys insidious creep into health care is undoubtedly a worrisome trend, but it matters little whether the commodification of a basic human need is driven by predatory private equity firms or by non-profit institutions seeking to expand and enrich itself. It is perverse that a hospital  any hospital, but especially one dedicated to serving the poorest and the most vulnerable patients  must turn a profit to justify its existence.

Under our existing system, workers, regardless of skill or expertise, will continue to be treated as mere assets to be bought and sold, as AAHS explicitly attempted to do with the GME residency spots. Unprofitable care will be stripped down and abandoned regardless of human cost.

Unscrupulous billing practices will load patients with medical debt. Profit incentive will always lead to decisions that financially benefit the shareholders, at the expense of both patients and workers, often in ways that are antithetical to what should always be the primary, humanistic goal of health care  healing the sick.

Hyun Hee Heather Kim is a child and adolescent psychiatry fellow.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
The National Weather Service has issued a TORNADO WATCH for DeKalb and Marshall counties until 7 a.m. Sunday.

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALBERTVILLE, ARAB, BOAZ, FORT PAYNE, GUNTERSVILLE, AND RAINSVILLE.

All other North Alabama counties have been removed from the watch.

Turn to WAAY 31 for everything you need to know to stay safe during severe weather. Chief Meteorologist Kate McKenna will provide you with the most accurate information on storms by using our StormTracker Early Warning Radar Network.

Stationed in Muscle Shoals, Decatur and Guntersville, the radars provide the best data for all of North Alabama by scanning EVERY community in North Alabama.

See all the radars HERE

Access the Muscle Shoals radar HERE

Access the Decatur radar HERE

Access the Guntersville radar HERE

And download our news and weather apps HERE
The mystery of the corpse discovered outside Midleton in January continues, with gardai now investigating the possibility that the remains of the woman may have been dumped from the grave to make room for another deceased person.

The skeletal remains of the woman were discovered on a construction site in January near an abandoned railway line. Gardai released further details about the woman's remains earlier this month in the hopes of identifying her.

The woman was in her 70s and was wearing a white nightgown, and gardai believe her body lay undiscovered in undergrowth for a decade.

The remains have been sent for carbon dating analysis to identify when she died, after a search on the DNA database failed to find a match.

A source familiar with the investigation said one line of inquiry was that the woman's remains may have been illegally removed from the grave, rather than being desecrated deliberately by vandals, or by "grave robbers".

The source said it was customary in some regions for families to dig graves of their own relatives or loved ones, and there was a possibility the person originally interred could have been removed from the grave to make room for a deceased person, although a family row was also being considered.

Remnants of a rotted coffin were also discovered during a search of the site.

New requirements allow only licensed gravediggers with appropriate training to dig graves in cemeteries, but those regulations were introduced only in the last decade by the local authority.

Gardai are appealing for members of the public with information to come forward, and have conducted house-to-house inquiries in the area. Detectives are also liaising with Cork County Council, which operates cemeteries across the county.

Monsignor Jim Killeen, parish priest for Midleton, said last week that the parish is "happy to provide any assistance necessary" to help gardai identify the woman's remains. He said no approach had been made as of yet.

Gardai are also understood to be speaking to undertakers in the area and are also examining burial records.

The woman's remains were discovered on January 5 just off the Shanty Path in Roxborough. Construction workers building the Midleton to Youghal greenway discovered a human skull. The skeletal remains were found later.

At a press briefing earlier this month, Superintendent Adrian Gamble announced further details of what gardai had learned about the woman.

He said that the remains were those of a woman who was between 5' and 5'2", who was 70 or older at the time of her death. She was large in frame, wore dentures, and had arthritis.

The woman did not match anyone on the missing person's database. Superintendent Gamble dismissed speculation that the remains were those of Tina Satchwell (45), a woman on the missing person's list who disappeared from her home in Youghal in 2017.

He told the press briefing: "An Garda Siochana want to provide closure for a family that, at this early stage, remain unknown. We also want to ensure that the remains are brought to a final resting place."

People with information should call the Garda National Confidential Line (1800 666 111).
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the worlds top cloud computing platform. It has operations in 24 geographical regions and boasts over 1 million active users in 190 countries.

With $45.3 billion in revenue and $13.5 billion in annual operating profits, it was the biggest contributor to Amazons total profit last year.

What many South Africans do not know is that a group of Cape Town engineers played a core part in the success of Amazon Web Services.

The story of AWS starts in 2000 when Amazon wanted to launch an ecommerce-as-a-service platform called Merchant.com to support third-party retailers to build their own online stores.

At the time Amazon was also working on a shared IT platform to help technical teams to rapidly develop new products and services.

Amazon realised that for every new product individual teams always built new resources like databases, compute, and storage. There was no plan to reuse previously developed resources.

AWS CEO Andy Jassy, who was Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos chief of staff at the time, said they realised it would help to create common infrastructure services to remove duplication when building new applications.

Amazon started to build this shared infrastructure platform and in July 2002 it launched its first web services. It also opened up the Amazon.com platform to all developers.

These new web services were a hit and by 2004 over 100 applications were built on top of the platform. This took Amazon by surprise and encouraged them to invest more into the project.

It is at this time when South African Chris Pinkham entered the fray.

Pinkham was well-known in South Africas tech circles for having founded the countrys the first commercial ISP in 1993  The Internetworking Company of Southern Africa (Ticsa).

After selling the ISP to UUNET in 1996, he took a break which included sailing around the world. He joined Amazon in 2000 to run their network engineering department.

In late 2003, Pinkham and his colleague Benjamin Black presented a paper internally which shared a vision for Amazons retail computing infrastructure.

The vision was to create a standardised and automated platform which would partly rely on Amazons web services, which were already in the works.

The paper added that access to these virtual servers could be sold as a service to generate revenue from the infrastructure investment.

The catalyst for this paper was Pinkhams decision to move back to Cape Town from Seattle. Bezos wanted to keep Pinkham, which led to the discussion about the compute service.

He asked if I would look into this compute service that was a goal of Amazon at some point in the future, he said.

The project was un-staffed and undefined, so with some of the folks that I worked with in Seattle, we put together a proposal which described in very rudimentary terms the first compute service  the elastic compute cloud.

He received approval to return to South Africa and hire engineers from the Cape Town community to work on the project.

We did that in late 2004 or early 2005. We had our first engineers on board in the Constantia area in Cape Town, he said.

This was the genesis of the Amazon presence in South Africa and the team which worked on developing EC2.

Pinkham, with the help of lead developer Christopher Brown and the Cape Town team, successfully developed the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) service which now forms a core part of AWS.

EC2 allows users to rent secure and resizable compute capacity in the cloud. It is designed to make web-scale cloud computing easier for developers.

Amazon EC2 was officially launched in August 2006.

Pi Corporation, a startup co-founded by South African Paul Maritz, was the first beta-user of EC2 outside of Amazon. Microsoft was also among EC2s first enterprise customers.

Today EC2 offers nearly 400 instances across Amazon Web Services 24 regions and 77 availability zones globally.

There is a choice between Intel, AMD, and Arm-based processors and it is the only cloud provider that supports macOS.

Pinkham said EC2 was a pioneering offering as there wasnt anything quite like it at the time.

There are now several competitors to Amazon, but that first mover advantage has certainly put it in a leading position, he said.

The success of EC2 and AWS is clearly seen in its client list, which includes the whos who in the tech world, including Netflix, Airbnb, Twitch, LinkedIn, Facebook, Adobe, and Twitter.

Pinkham left Amazon in 2006 and after another break  and another sailing trip  he founded infrastructure software startup Nimbula in 2008.

Nimbula was acquired by Oracle in 2013 and its technology now forms the backbone of Oracles public and private cloud systems.

In 2015 Pinkham joined Twitter as VP for engineering, a position which he held until 2017.

Today Pinkham serves as an independent director on the board of Cape Town based financial services company Jumo.

He is also sailing again  this time in his new yacht Umoya.
New Delhi, March 28 : Facing multiple hacking attempts on its business email servers worldwide, Microsoft has reiterated the warning that patching a system does not necessarily remove the access of the attacker.

The key vulnerabilities in the Microsoft business email servers have left cyber security experts flummoxed as this free-for-all attack opportunity is now being exploited by vast numbers of criminal gangs, state-backed threat actors and opportunistic "script kiddies," researchers at F-Secure said last week.

Although many on-premises Microsoft Exchange servers have been patched, New investigation has found that multiple threats are still lurking on already-compromised systems.

According to Microsoft 365 Defender Threat Intelligence Team, many of the compromised systems have not yet received a secondary action, "such as human-operated ransomware attacks or data exfiltration, indicating attackers could be establishing and keeping their access for potential later actions".

"These actions might involve performing follow-on attacks via persistence on Exchange servers they have already compromised, or using credentials and data stolen during these attacks to compromise networks through other entry vectors," the tech giant said in its latest update.

Taiwanese electronics and computer maker Acer has already been hit by a ransomware attack where the hackers are demanding $50 million, the largest known ransom to date.

According to Bleeping Computer, hackers have accessed Acer documents that include financial spreadsheets, bank balances and bank communications, compromising its network via a Microsoft Exchange server vulnerability.

Earlier reports have claimed that five different hacking groups (including China-backed hacking group called 'Hafnium') are exploiting vulnerabilities in the business email servers of Microsoft.

According to Microsoft, attackers who included the exploit in their toolkits, whether through modifying public proof of concept exploits or their own research, capitalised on their window of opportunity to gain access to as many systems as they could.

"Some attackers were advanced enough to remove other attackers from the systems and use multiple persistence points to maintain access to a network," the company noted.

Microsoft said that it is important to note that with "some post-compromise techniques, attackers may gain highly privileged persistent access, but many of the impactful subsequent attacker activities can be mitigated by practicing the principle of least privilege and mitigating lateral movement".

According to the F-Secure report, countries currently seeing the most detections (in descending order) are Italy, Germany, France, the UK, the US, Belgium, Kuwait, Sweden, the Netherlands and Taiwan.
President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday approved the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) (Amendment) Bill 2021, which was passed by Parliament last week.

The Union Home Ministry will now determine when it comes into effect.

The development came just as Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal welcomed support from Chief Ministers of other states against the new law, which provides more power to the Lt Governor.

"Thank you @vijayanpinarayi ji for supporting the people of Delhi against BJP's assault on democracy and federalism," he tweeted, welcoming Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's support.

Extending his support to the AAP, Vijayan tweeted: "Govt of NCT of Delhi (Amd) Bill is an affront to our federal principles and rights of States. Restriction of constitutional authority of democratically elected State Govts and violation of Supreme Court's verdicts, should be resisted. @BJP4India has colonial a mindset."

The bill, passed by Parliament on Wednesday in a major setback to Delhi's ruling AAP, ensures more constitutional powers to the Central government's appointed Lt. Governor as against the Delhi Assembly,
Theres no novelty anymore in late-night talk show hosts mocking U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, whose habit of spewing stale one-liners in the place of serious talk makes him a reliable target. Stephen Colberts latest take, though, had a different tone.

On The Late Show on CBS last week, Colbert ended his riff on yet another embarrassing performance by calling for the junior senator from Louisiana to be voted out of office. Thats not really Colberts role, of course, but you can see why his frustration over Kennedys empty quips in the face of real problems runneth over.

There is no problem more real, nothing more deserving of heartfelt, sober-minded words and congressional action, than the subject matter at hand: the American epidemic of gun violence.

Coming off not one but two tragic mass shootings in the space of a week that left 18 people dead in Georgia and Colorado, Kennedy once again dismissed sensible, incremental and immensely popular ideas to curb the availability of assault-style guns, enhance background checks, or try anything at all that might prevent still more needless bloodshed. Instead, he offered up one of his typical lines. A joke, if you can believe it, as if theres anything here to laugh about.

I dont believe we have a gun control problem in America, Kennedy said, I believe we have an idiot control problem.

Thats what triggered Colberts call for voters to rise up: Oh, we definitely have an idiot control problem. Its people who dont recognize that this country has long had a gun problem, John Kennedy. So, when idiots like John Kennedy refuse to do anything about getting rid of idiots' guns, it's clearly time to get rid of idiots like John Kennedy, and that means voting them out.

Yeah, theres some humor in how he made the point, because that actually is Colberts job. And frankly, by now he and his peers have had a lot of opportunities to find the right tone in which to voice their outrage over mass shootings.

So have members of Congress, even though many on the mostly Republican anti-gun control side keep getting it wrong. Consider Kennedys comments at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence that had been scheduled even before the supermarket massacre in Boulder.

What happened there and at three spas in Atlanta is of course tragic, the senator allowed, before he up and changed the subject.

We have a lot of drunk drivers in America that kill a lot of people, we ought to try to combat that too, Kennedy said. The answer is not to get rid of all sober drivers. The answer is to concentrate on the problem.

Colberts response to that dollop of distraction, as he called it, would have worked just as well in an actual political debate  minus, perhaps, the very last part.

OK, Ill take that deal, he said. Let's regulate guns the way we regulate alcohol and cars. You got to be 21, got to pass a test to get a license, you got to have registration and insurance for your gun. If you move to a new state, you got to do the whole damn thing over again, and you can't go out loaded.

Yet if Colbert hopes Louisiana voters will heed his plea and vote out those who speak so dismissively about the gun violence, hes setting himself up for disappointment.

Kennedys up for reelection next year, and as a Republican in a red state, hes surely a favorite for a second six-year term. His stance on guns is out of step with much of the country, but not so much in his home state. Indeed, hes consistently opposed gun control throughout his career, dating back to when he first ran for Senate in 2004 as a moderate Democrat.

Still, is it too much to ask for him to treat these mass deaths with the gravity they deserve, to maybe even try to think of something someone in his lofty position might be able to offer as a solution?

If a comedian can muster the appropriate outrage and issue a call to action, is that really too much to ask from a United States senator?

When the full force of the COVID-19 pandemic hit the nation in March 2020, Mark Crouthamel watched business melt away quicker than one of his beautiful ice sculptures on a sunny summer day.

His company, Sculpted Ice Works, in Lakeville, Wayne County, produces custom carvings and other ice creations for events ranging from weddings to corporate functions, in addition to supplying block ice to sculptors throughout the Northeast.

A thriving enterprise suddenly stopped cold as the pandemic disrupted virtually every aspect of daily life, and Crouthamel wondered how he would continue to pay his mortgage and other expenses.

To go from a business that supported that and all of the operations and staff to zero was pretty scary, he said. You only need a couple of months before you are pretty far out there in debt and youre like, How do I keep up? 

Crouthamel found his answer. He pivoted.

For years, he had toyed with the idea of opening an ax-throwing venue to capitalize on the growing popularity of the sport.

When he received a Paycheck Protection Program loan of about $60,000 through the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security, or CARES, Act last spring, Crouthamel said it was clear there would be no resurgence in the ice business anytime soon.

He put members of his staff to work preparing outdoor space at the Lakeville property for a new venture: Pocono Axe Works. Indoor ax-throwing lanes would be added later.

By the time the state eased shutdown restrictions in Wayne County in early June, Pocono Axe Works was ready to open.

It was an immediate hit.

Honestly, there has been an influx of people visiting the Poconos, and people did pretty well last summer. ... People were looking for places to go, to get out, and nobody had anything else going on, so they are coming here, said Crouthamel, who offered a league over the winter and has had to turn customers away at busy times.

Whether its been pivoting, adjusting or simply tweaking, the reasons some businesses have managed to navigate the pandemic better than others are as varied as the companies and the sectors they represent, said Bob Durkin, president and CEO of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, he said.

For example, on the manufacturing side, companies that seem to have handled the pandemic well are those that have maintained their supply chains, ensuring the continued availability of critical parts or components to keep production rolling, Durkin said.

Some just had the good fortune that their supply chains were not disrupted or they were able to find alternate sources for materials, he said.

In retail, businesses that already had a solid e-commerce presence or were growing in that direction usually did fine, and even the retailers that had to scramble were able to make up ground, Durkin said.

If nothing else, COVID-19 has shown a lot of small retail businesses that they need to occupy an online space, he said.

Everybody has realized that, he said. Its not an option anymore. Its a requirement.

Durkin said almost every business  large, small and in between  had to make staffing changes, and that often involved sending employees home to work remotely in jobs where that was possible.

Two of Lackawanna Countys largest employers, Prudential Financial Inc. and Cognizant Technology Solutions, were able to capitalize on their past experience with work-at-home options to make a smooth transition.

At Prudential Financial, which employs more than 850 people through its facility in Moosic, it wasnt exactly a forgone conclusion, said Susan E. Unvarsky, vice president for U.S. customer service back office operations.

Almost all of the workers had the capability to work from home before the pandemic, but probably less than 5% did so on a full-time basis, Unvarsky said.

Most everyone would choose to work from home a day or two or would choose to work from home at a seasonal time of year given child care or elder care or other types of responsibilities, she said, adding that employees also would work from home during events like snowstorms.

I would say the norm is you were on site more than you werent, Unvarsky said.

After it became apparent in February 2020 that the coronavirus had the potential to cause serious disruptions, Prudential started stress testing like crazy to determine if its infrastructure could handle all but essential personnel working remotely from home.

That testing continued in real time through March 13, 2020, which was a Friday, she said. The following Monday, almost everyone was working from home.

Heres what we were worried about. First and foremost, we were worried about the health and safety of our employees. ... A very second priority was making sure we delivered as promised to our customers and that is where the technology testing and other testing came into play, Unvarsky said.

Prudential has had to work with employees on issues like overburdened home internet systems and child care issues, she said. At the other end, the company has lightened some of the burdens it places on customers  loosening the proof of death documentation requirements for life insurance claims, for example  and making it easier to file documents online, she said.

Cognizant, the parent company of TMG Health, had just over 1,100 onshore associates at the start of the pandemic, including 168 employees from its Jessup operations center who were working from home, Surya Gummadi, the companys senior vice president and head of health care, said in an email.

Today, the company has almost 1,300 onshore associates, with all but 20 to 30 essential staff members working from home, he said.

TMG, which Cognizant acquired in 2017, has always offered an at-home workforce program, and that was helpful in responding to the pandemic, Gummadi said.

TMG Health-Cognizant had previously issued laptops to on-site associates before the pandemic to be able to ensure business continuity and work-from-home during winter storms, he said.

This was essential to the TMG Health business model, as our staff support health care plans across the country. This contingency plan turned out to be a huge benefit for us because we didnt have to contend with equipment shortages or distribution issues.

The company did face challenges, including finding the best way to train new workers, he said. It initially adopted a remote training model before moving to a hybrid approach where some part of the training and early post-training is done in person to better engage the new employees.

That was one of the lessons that came out of the pandemic: Its important to try new approaches to achieve success, Gummadi said.

In an unprecedented situation like the pandemic, plans may not always produce the results you expect, he said, So it is essential to be flexible and try new approaches, as we did with our hybrid training model, to improve results.

In the post-pandemic world, new approaches will be a certainty.

Weve all got our heads around that we will never go back to what used to be normal, Prudentials Unvarsky said.

Now that her company knows that almost everyone can work from home most of the time, it has asked employees if they have a preference, she said. The vast majority want to be in the office part of the time and work from home part of the time.

That gives us the ability to be more flexible with what office space looks like, Unvarsky said.

When employees do return to the office, they will probably find a workplace with more open space and less assigned seating and offices, she said.

This is the way I would headline it: The office is going to be a place for collaboration in the future, Unvarsky said. That is going to be the primary purpose of an office  when were camaraderie, when were brainstorming, when were innovating. Outside of that we will probably spend the majority of time at home.

Scranton-based Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co., which has branch offices from Binghamton, New York, to King of Prussia, already had the ability for some people to work from home when the pandemic hit and was able to scale up, said Joseph Ferretti, executive vice president.

Personally, I think no matter what line of business youre in, you had to put contingencies in place pretty quickly to adapt, he said. Its definitely a new work world.

The bank shut down all of its lobbies into July before reopening them through the year, he said. As of March 1, all branches are open again.

As a community bank, Peoples Security remains committed to meeting the needs of customers who may not be computer literate, but it has seen tremendous growth in its online banking enrollment in the past year, Ferretti said.

One of the legacies of the pandemic is likely to be a deeper embrace of virtual services by the banking industry, including the use of Zoom and related technologies, he said. Peoples Security is actively working with vendors to up our online presence and the things we can do.

That will change the industry tremendously, Ferretti said. Youll see banks with virtual branches. Youll see more online services. You may see a branch where you have someone on the computer in front of you. I foresee that.

Crouthamel, the owner of Pocono Axe Works, said while the new business has been a success, it is a product of the pandemic. If COVID-19 had not disrupted the ice business, it would never have happened, he said.

It didnt solve the problem, but it helped, and now its doing pretty well, Crouthamel said. With the vaccines on the horizon, I could look back at this and, if half of my ice business returns by the fall and the ax-throwing stays steady, I will have made it.

And I wouldnt have made it without everything that I did.
Please disable your ad blocker, and refresh the page to view this content.
If you're a fund management business looking to attract new investors, there's one guaranteed route to success. Put any of the words responsible, sustainable, ethical, green or positive into the name of an investment fund and then sit back as investors buy into it.

Sustainable, ethical or ESG investing is currently one of the hottest themes in town as investors  especially the young and women  look to make money with a conscience, with an eye very much on preservation of the environment (E), society (S) and good corporate governance (G).

According to wealth manager Interactive Investor, some two per cent of investments owned by investors on its platform now fall under the socially responsible umbrella. Although a tiny percentage, it is more than double what it was three years ago.

Gamble: Research suggests that some investors are not necessarily ending up with a fund that is as sustainable or responsible as its label suggests

Among wealth platforms, Interactive has led the way on sustainable investing, launching in late 2019 the first best buy list of ethical funds.

Over the last year, sustainable fund Baillie Gifford Positive Change has been the third most bought fund by its investors, only out-bought by Fundsmith Equity and Baillie Gifford American.

Rival AJ Bell also reports growing demand, especially among the young who it says are 'more attuned' to responsible investing.

Its latest research indicates that more than half of its self-invested personal pension investors plan this year to invest more of their funds in companies that have a positive impact on the environment.

Yet research by wealth manager SCM Direct, conducted exclusively for The Mail on Sunday, suggests that some investors are not necessarily ending up with a fund that is as sustainable or responsible as its label suggests.

Many of these funds, SCM Direct says, are no more socially responsible in the companies they invest in than mainstream investment funds.

In other words, socially responsible investors would be just as well served by investing in many funds that do not have a sustainable label.

Furthermore, SCM Direct questions the reliability of some of the favourable sustainability ratings given to individual listed companies that are operating in industries normally off limits for ethical investors  for example, gambling and the manufacture of alcohol.

This can result in companies ending up in ethical fund portfolios that investors would be very uncomfortable with.

Alan Miller, author of the research, says: 'SCM Direct is a strong believer in the reallocation of investors' money towards sustainable investments and companies that can contribute to a better future.

'But at the moment, it's an investment area that resembles the Wild West in terms of lack of transparency, inconsistencies and ineffective rules.'

He adds: 'As a result, it makes it impossible for ethical investors to know with certainty that their money is being invested in a socially responsible way.' SCM Direct's research is based on analysis of the current 'sustainability' scores of 194 investment funds from the Investment Association's 'UK all companies' sector.

Between them, these funds manage assets of 99billion and invest primarily in UK companies  many of them FTSE100 listed.

The scores, compiled by ESG data scrutineer Sustainalytics, are built around how ESG-friendly individual funds are.

ESG stands for environmental, social and corporate governance and is the bedrock around which socially responsible or ethical investing is built.

Sustainalytics rates companies held by the funds on each of these three criteria and then comes up with an overall sustainability score for the fund.

None of this information is available on individual fund provider websites. But it can be found on the website of fund scrutineer Morningstar if investors know where to look before making a decision to buy an individual fund.

The lower the score (out of 100) the more appropriate the fund is for an investor seeking to invest responsibly.

Of the 194 funds analysed, 16 are labelled as ethical, responsible or sustainable. In theory, they should come up with the best sustainability scores. But they don't.

As the table above shows, only two of the 16  Aegon Ethical Equity and the popular Royal London Sustainable Leaders  appear in the top ten sustainability scores within the 194 funds analysed, based on Sustainalytics' data.

But even these two are beaten by mainstream funds such as Lindsell Train UK Equity and Franklin UK Mid Cap, in terms of sustainability.

Some of the 16 score poorly, most notably Liontrust Sustainable Future UK Growth, Jupiter Responsible, Castlefield Best Sustainable UK Opportunities and Premier Miton Ethical. Out of the 194 funds analysed, they were ranked 83rd, 88th, 110th and 128th.

Miller says one of the problems is that ESG covers a broad range of issues  from the impact of a company's business on the environment, how an employer treats employees, supplier ethics, through to the diversity of its boardroom.

This can result in companies getting favourable ESG ratings even though many ethical investors would baulk at holding them in their portfolios.

For example, drinks companies Diageo and Heineken are respectively judged low risk and medium risk by Sustainalytics.

This explains why Lindsell Train UK Equity's 15 per cent exposure to these two companies does not damage the funds' overall sustainability score. 'Baffling,' says Miller.

The wealth manager believes the way forward is for sustainable funds to disclose all their holdings to investors, in an accessible and up-to-date format.

This, says Miller, would then allow a potential investor to make an informed decision on whether to buy a fund or not. 'Investors need to be protected,' he says.

This is not the first time Miller has raised concerns about socially responsible investments.

Eighteen months ago, he produced a report on the 'Misclassification and Misselling of Ethical Funds', stating there was evidence of a 'greenwashing epidemic'  funds dressed up to be more ethical than they really are.

Then, in August last year, he told Wealth that companies were 'jumping on the ethical bandwagon offering portfolio services and funds that do not fit the bill'.
Two Live Alligators Found at McCracken Home

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MCCRACKEN COUNTY - A man faces charges, after officers found two alligators at a McCracken County home.The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources says a tip on Thursday led officers to the home, where they found the two five foot long reptiles.A 55-year-old Paducah man at the home reportedly admitted to having the alligators. He was charged with two counts of propagation and holding of wildlife without a permit. Each count is punishable by up to a $500 fine.Conservation officers seized the two alligators and brought them to the Kentucky Reptile Zoo in Slade.
The whole ordeal was surreal, and it raised the question: Why would anyone spend the price of a high-end Lamborghini on a picture of my words? After all, the NFT was just a cryptographic signature linked to an image of a column that anyone could read on the Times website, albeit with a few bonus perks. (I also stipulated that I would feature the winners name and photo in a follow-up column, and Michael Barbaro, the host of The Daily gamely agreed to throw in a voice message for the winner.) The winner, whose handle on the auction site was @3fmusic, appeared to be a prominent NFT collector. The profile on the site was linked to a Twitter profile belonging to a Dubai-based music production company and to an Instagram account identified as that of Farzin Fardin Fard, the companys chief executive. The users NFT collection included a variety of other expensive digital works, including a $US14,000 emoji portrait of musician Billie Eilish and a $US8,000 piece titled Jumping Spider enjoying coffee in the morning. Some NFT collectors believe that owning early, prominent crypto tokens will eventually be like owning rare, first-edition books or priceless paintings. I reached out to @3fmusic to offer my congratulations on the purchase and to discuss the bid. They (its not clear if the winner is Fard or some other individual or multiple people) declined to be named  and, because of the pseudonymous nature of blockchain-based transactions, theres no easy way for me to identify them beyond the information they volunteered  but they sent me a statement over Twitter direct message that read: We are already involved in art and media for a long time now, the message read. Our management team is always in cooperation with some highly knowledgeable and experienced art advisers who believe that we must grow with technological movements that help us to not only promote our business but also to support artists and the art market. Thus, we have proudly decided to dedicate sufficient funds and resources to invest in NFT as pioneers of this industry.

They also gave me permission to include an image of their music studios logo in this column. Jiannan Ouyang, an NFT collector who dropped out of the auction after a high bid of 290 ether (about $US469,000) told me that he had decided to bid on my NFT for both personal and professional reasons. Hes a former Facebook research scientist who is now a blockchain entrepreneur, and hes married to a journalist. Loading This column reflects the thoughts we exchange daily about how the NFT technology will reshape the modern media and advertising industry, he told me. Some NFT collectors believe that owning early, prominent crypto tokens will eventually be like owning rare, first-edition books or priceless paintings. Ouyang admitted that the value of my NFT was still highly speculative and subjective. But he said that he believed that NFTs and other blockchain-based technologies would ultimately reshape the entire media landscape, allowing creators to reimagine how they create and monetise their works.

This particular NFT from The New York Times is one of the answers and will become a historical landmark in this inevitable movement, he said. Thats why I think it is valuable. Andre Allen Anjos, an electronic musician from Portland, Oregon, who bid 5.69 ether (about $US9,200) on the NFT, told me in a phone interview that bidding on the token could be seen as a symbolic gesture of thanks from the crypto community to me and The Times for, essentially, taking them seriously enough to experiment with our own token sale. Its like, heres a mainstream publication trying to interact with us as a community in an earnest and real way, he said. I wanted to signal, Hey, this is cool, youre asking the right questions. Anjos said he had grown up in the era of Napster, when musicians first realised that the internet could destroy their livelihoods by making it free and easy to duplicate songs. Blockchain technology, he said, had changed that by making it possible to create limited-edition collectibles stamped with a digital marker of their provenance. Collecting NFTs, Anjos said, was less about owning the pieces themselves  most of which can be freely downloaded from the internet, albeit without their special cryptographic signatures  and more about signalling belief in this new model of ownership. Im not going to call it a protest, but its a statement, he said. This is the crypto world trying to prove that were here, we care about revolutionising this entire model, and were willing to put our money on it.
Commuters watch a TV showing a file image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Joe Biden during a news program at the Suseo Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on March 26, 2021. (Ahn Young-joon/AP Photo)

North Korea Says Biden Administration Took Wrong First Step Over Latest Missile Test

SEOULNorth Korea said on Saturday that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden had taken a wrong first step and revealed deep-seated hostility by criticizing its self-defensive missile test.

North Korea on Friday said it had launched a new type of tactical short-range ballistic missile. Biden said the test violated U.N. Security Council resolutions but he remained open to diplomacy with Pyongyang.

Ri Pyong Chol, secretary of the Norths ruling Workers Partys Central Committee, said the test was self-defensive against threats posed by South Korea and the United States with their joint military exercises and advanced weapons.

We express our deep apprehension over the U.S. chief executive faulting the regular test-fire, exercise of our states right to self-defense, as the violation of U.N. resolutions and openly revealing his deep-seated hostility, Ri said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.

A man walks past a television screen at Suseo railway station in Seoul, showing news footage of North Koreas latest tactical guided projectile test, on March 26, 2021. (Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images)

Bidens remarks were an undisguised encroachment on our states right to self-defence and provocation, he said, adding Washington might face something that is not good if it continues to make thoughtless remarks.

We are by no means developing weapons to draw someones attention or influence his policy, Ri said.

I think that the new U.S. administration obviously took its first step wrong.

He accused the Biden administration of exploiting every opportunity to provoke Pyongyang by branding it as a security threat.

The test came just days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed to work to denuclearize North Korea and criticized its systemic and widespread human rights abuses during a visit to Seoul with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

North Korea has also slammed the South Korea-U.S. military exercises which ended last week, even though they were repeatedly scaled back to facilitate a restart of denuclearization talks with Pyongyang.

Ri said Washington insisted on a gangster-like logic to be able to bring strategic nuclear assets to South Korea and test intercontinental ballistic missiles at its convenience, but ban North Korea from testing even a tactical weapon.

We know very well what we must do, he said. We will continue to increase our most thoroughgoing and overwhelming military power.

The White House, which said its North Korea policy review was in the final stages, declined to comment. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

When asked earlier about the launch and whether it would affect the policy review, department spokeswoman Jalina Porter again condemned the test as destabilizing.

North Koreas unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs constitute serious threats to international peace and security, she told a regular news briefing.

I cant underscore enough that the president and his security team are continuing to assess the situation and one of our greatest priorities right now is ensuring that were on the same page as our allies and partners.

Kim Dong-yup, a professor at Kyungnam University in Seoul, said Ris remarks meant North Korea would potentially ramp up military tension in the coming months by developing and testing advanced weapons.

Washingtons Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a report on Friday that commercial satellite imagery showed North Korea has continued to produce uranium concentrate, used to build nuclear weapons, over the past eight months, though it has not tested any bombs since 2017.

By Hyonhee Shin
Oriel College has teamed up with the Yalda Hakim Foundation in the initiative - David Levenson/Bloomberg

A female student from war-torn Afghanistan is being offered the opportunity to study for a fully-funded masters degree at Oxford University in a world first.

Oriel College has teamed up with the Yalda Hakim Foundation to offer the one-year course to an Afghan woman who might otherwise be denied access to postgraduate study.

Almost two decades since the fall of the Taliban, Afghanistan remains one of the worst places in the world for girls to go to school and university. Attacks against female students and their teachers and professors continue. Eighty-five per cent of the 3.5 million children out of education in Afghanistan are girls.

Amid a spate of fatal shootings and the kidnapping of staff and students, universities in Afghanistan have to be protected by armed guards. Female students are often forced to lie to their families in order to attend because it is generally frowned upon for Afghan women to go on to higher education.

Ms Hakim, a Kabul-born journalist who has worked for BBC World News since 2012, has brokered the scholarship with Oriel to "offer one Afghan woman the opportunity for an educational experience free from the threat of violence, at one of the best universities in the world, where they can expand their knowledge and build networks that will help transform them into a leader for the future".

She told The Telegraph: "I've been back to the hospital where I was born and thought 'this could have been my life'. People look at me working at the BBC and see an Afghan woman who has made it. Yet the reality for a young woman living in Afghanistan today is that they are lucky if they can even get to university.

"We want to give this opportunity to a young Afghan woman who would never dream of walking the halls of Oriel, where so many great thinkers have walked."

Founded in 1326, Oriel's alumni include the explorer Sir Walter Raleigh, the industrialist Cecil Rhodes and the Countdown presenter Rachel Riley. The college is currently deciding whether to remove a statue of Rhodes amid protests over his imperialist past.

Story continues

Oriel's Provost, Lord Mendoza, said: "We are so delighted to be partnering with the Yalda Hakim Foundation on this scholarship, which will provide a fantastic opportunity for a young Afghan woman to benefit from all of the wonderful opportunities that study at Oxford provides.

"We are looking forward to welcoming the recipient into our lively postgraduate community and to supporting them in their educational endeavours."

The scholarship, for the 2022-23 academic year, will be offered on the basis of academic merit and potential to a student already studying at a university in Afghanistan. Nearly 70 per cent of postgraduate students at Oriel currently attend from one of more than 40 countries outside the UK.
LIMERICK City and County Council has been urged to ramp up a key traffic calming measure in estates.

In a notice of motion, Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler said the local authority needs to clarify its position in relation to the delivery of speed ramps and begin a programme of installation.

This is in light of numerous requests from concerned residents facing dangers to themselves and their children due to speeding cars, he said.

Cllr Butler, whose motion was widely supported, said: All most families want is for their children to be able to play safely outside of their own homes and for people driving cars to show respect for the environment in which they are driving. Unfortunately, there are always the few who don't respect it, and it takes one to cause an accident.

He claimed the 30 kilometre per hour zones introduced in many estates are not being observed, while the councils policy to build speed ramps upon request is not being adhered to.

I've put in numerous requests even over the last couple of years of this term in relation to speed ramps, but nothing has been done. It's very frustrating as a councillor not to be able to deliver a service your constituents are asking for, he said.

Sinn Fein councillor John Costelloe seconded the motion, saying: There wouldn't be a wek that goes by we wouldn't be approached by the public to put their area in for traffic calming measures. It's very frustrating to attend meeting after meeting and request such activity with nothing coming from it.

Cllr Jerry ODea, Fianna Fail, said: It's obvious the majority of people in estates want the ramps, yet we seem to be trying to find reasons to not progress this issue. At the end of the day, we get representations from the people and it's very clear they want solutions.

Labours Conor Sheehan quipped: I think we really need to ramp up the delivery here, but also called for a policy to be set out on delivering speed ramps at the start of five-year terms.

Green councillor Sasa Novak, however, described the focus on speed ramps as a waste of time and a waste of investment.

If we focus just on the ramps as a means of reducing speed, we won't succeed. I live near a ramp, and it's made hardly any difference between braking and accelerations. You'd need to put them really close together. We must look at the bigger picture on making a residential street welcoming for people, she said.

In response, councils head of roads and traffic High McGrath outlined the councils policy, saying: The need for traffic calming measures may be brought to the attention of council officials either directly through a district office, the customer services department or via an elected member of the municipal district.
Congressional candidate credits faith for helping him overcome adversities

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A congressional candidate who has spinal muscular atrophy credits his faith for helping him overcome his adversities and promises to serve as an outgoing vessel for the Lord if elected to Congress.

Nick DAgostino is running for the Republican nomination to represent New Jerseys 5th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, a seat currently held by Democrat Josh Gottheimer.

DAgostino, 31, serves as the president of his local board of education in northwestern New Jersey and has emerged on the national stage as a motivational speaker and poet. Last year, he wrote and recited a pro-life poem from the perspective of an unborn baby in honor of Mothers Day.

As explained on his campaign website, Nicholas and his twin brother Anthony were diagnosed with a muscle disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy at 18 months old and were both confined to power wheelchairs at the young age of 6. At 8 years old, Nicholas underwent spine surgery for scoliosis, received a steel rod in his back, developed a malicious staph infection, and spent the entire summer of 1998 fighting for his life."

In an interview with The Christian Post, DAgostino credited his Christian faith for giving him the strength to overcome the difficulties he has faced.

DAgostino, who identifies as nondenominational, told CP that his faith enables him to try to look for my strengths and weaknesses.

I think its been an opportunity, having a visible, sort of tangible disability that people can see to just set an example that just because you have adversity in your life and just because you were dealt some difficult cards doesnt mean that you cant shine and you cant be a light, and you cant glorify God in everything that youre doing, he said.

I hope to bring godly leadership to Washington, DAgostino added. I hope to have the opportunity to use my faith to inspire others, to show them that Christians have a voice in Washington, that you can speak about your faith openly and not be ashamed about it. Obviously, my Christian beliefs will help me to legislate, and I just hope to be an outgoing vessel for the Lord, and I think were working toward that.

I encourage everyone to be open and to be bold in their faith, he continued. Im a Christian, but I believe in everyones right to practice their own beliefs and their own religion. So certainly, my Christian faith will shine through when I speak and when I legislate, but I believe that everybody should have the opportunity to practice their faith.

Believing that God has a plan for everybody, DAgostino maintained that if we lean on Him and we pray about it ... well find clarity. And thats exactly what my wife and I did. We prayed for over a year about whether I should run for Congress or not and found peace in it.

The congressional candidate attributed his decision to run for office to events that have unfolded across the country over the past year, specifically the fact that churches (were) being forced to close down because of lockdowns in many states in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

I dont feel like at any time that the government, the federal government, should be able to take away our right to worship, and neither should the state governments, he asserted. I think just the unrest, seeing the riots and the draconian measures taken to shut down small businesses, I just kind of felt like there was no more time to wait. We need to stand by the Constitution and  try to get freedom back to the people.

DAgostino attributed the volatile national climate to the fact that many people have abandoned God as well as the idea of law and order: When you get rid of God and you get rid of law and order, those are the things that keep a nation together.

He acknowledged that as I talk about God in my campaign and I post Scripture on my social media pages for my campaign, people will tell me, Nick, you need to keep the separation of church and state. It's his opinion, however, that those people have an incorrect understanding of the concept.

Its very important for people to realize that the separation of church and state was not intended to keep people of faith out of government, but it was intended to keep the government out of our faith. I try to explain that to people that the separation of church and state is to prevent the government from telling you what to believe in, but its not saying that a Christian cant serve in office. I think we need more Christians in office; I think we need more godly leaders.

Its time for us to bring God back, back into our schools, back into our lives, back into our country, DAgostino asserted. Believing that fresh faces are needed in Washington, the candidate supports term limits because you have people that have been there for 30-plus years and they just lost touch, they lose touch with their constituency.

In addition to his faith, DAgostino credits his wife of nearly two years, Breelagh, for helping him face lifes difficulties head on. Shes certainly my biggest supporter and I wouldnt be able to do this without her, he remarked. Noting that she goes to every event with me (and) every meeting with me and helps him get ready in the morning, DAgostino described his wife as a blessing from God.

According to the Daily Kos, President Joe Biden beat former President Donald Trump by about 5% in New Jerseys 5th Congressional District in the 2020 presidential election, after Trump beat Hillary Clinton there by about 1% four years earlier. The decennial redistricting process, which will create new congressional districts to reflect the results of the 2020 census, could significantly alter the makeup of the district ahead of the 2022 general election.

Gottheimer, the Democratic incumbent, was first elected to office in 2016 and won his most recent reelection bid by nearly 8% last year. Before that, the district was represented by a Republican.
British Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the UK "clearly" does not have a surplus of vaccines in response to reports Ireland is in line to get 3.7m jabs from the UK. Photo: PA Media.

Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster has said a reported plan for the UK to share vaccines with the Republic is a "runner".

The Sunday Times reports Ireland is in line to receive a 3.7m dose haul from the United Kingdom, which is largely to help end the lockdown in Northern Ireland by expediting the Republics rollout.

The Irish Government has said it is not aware of a specific UK plan to share vaccines with Ireland.

A spokesman for the Irish Government said: "The UK has previously indicated that once it has achieved a high level of vaccination of its own population, it would consider sharing vaccines with other countries. We are not aware of any specific plans to share vaccines with Ireland at this stage.

"The Irish and UK governments maintain close contact across all matters of common interest."

Mrs Foster, who has raised the proposal with Prime Minister Boris Johnson in recent conversations, expressed confidence it "hopefully will happen".

She said sharing excess supply with the Irish Republic was important in respect of being good neighbours but also because it would have a practical impact in Northern Ireland in terms of the region's exit from lockdown.

"I think it is a runner," Mrs Foster told RTE.

Read More

"When I'm next speaking to him (Mr Johnson) I'll be making that point again.

"I think it's important that we continue the conversation and I'll be listening very carefully to what our medical advisers are saying about the rollout of the vaccine in Northern Ireland, where it is in the Republic of Ireland and what that means for both jurisdictions."

The DUP leader added: "I think it's the right thing that should happen, I think it's a very practical thing to do and I think it should happen and hopefully it will."

However, British Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said that the UK does not currently have a surplus of coronavirus vaccines following a report jabs could be sent to Ireland.

Secretary Dowden told Skys Sophy Ridge on Sunday: Clearly, our first priority is ensuring we deliver vaccines in the United Kingdom.

We clearly dont currently have a surplus of vaccines, should we get to the point where we have a surplus of vaccines wed make decisions on the allocation of that surplus.

British Ambassador to Ireland Paul Johnston told the Sunday Independent that the UK will have Ireland high up in our consideration when the UK government has a surplus of Covid-19 vaccines.

Mr Johnston said Britain will look towards Ireland "very favourably when the time comes." The UK is far, far away from having a vaccine surplus, Mr Johnston cautioned.

With additional reporting by PA.
Channel Nine, the main TV channel owned by Nine Entertainment, has managed to put its breakfast show Today to air on Monday, a day after the show's weekend edition could not be aired on Sunday due to what the company has called a "cyber attack".

However, iTWire understands that the mess caused by the network attack is still being cleaned up and there is no assurance that all programming on Channel Nine will proceed as usual on Monday.

Ransomware is being rebranded cyber attack by victims. I dont have an informed opinion as to if thats a good or bad thing, but its definitely a pattern. https://t.co/UGlnbeFoc4  Kevin Beaumont (@GossiTheDog) March 24, 2021

One of the company's main newspaper websites, The Age Online, appeared to be only partially updated this morning, judging by the stories that were online on Sunday evening.

The company said it had no update to offer about the attack this morning. Media reports indicate that Nine has not received any request for a ransom.

Maybe a Russian was forced to watch an episode of Married At First Sight on @Channel9 & this then prompted the cyber attack.#auspol #ScottyFromCoverups #Media #Russia #Hackers #CyberAttack  How Can We Save & Repair Australia? ? (@JusticeOzzie) March 28, 2021

But a security source told iTWire there was no doubt that ransomware was involved, though it was not possible to point right now to any particular group as being responsible.

Well-known British security researcher Kevin Beaumont tweeted a few days back that ransomware attacks were increasingly being described as "cyber attacks".

lol turning a cyberattack on your own tv station into a breaking news story is the most meta move ever  aidswidjaja (@adrianpenguin1) March 28, 2021

Some media reports have drawn what appears to be a long bow, linking the attack to Nine's scheduling a program about Russia's use of chemical poisons to kill its enemies abroad, as part of its new Under Investigation series.

Didn't pay their iinet bill.  Aussie_xrp. (@Aussie90107270) March 28, 2021

Presented by veteran Liz Hayes, the program is scheduled to go to air on Monday night. It has already looked at China's role in COVID-19.

Reports also say that the Australian Cyber Security Centre has been asked for help in tackling the aftermath of the attack.

Channel 7 ?  Pete McCormack (@PMc108) March 28, 2021

Commenting on the attack, Rick McElroy, principal cyber security strategist, VMware Security Business Unit, said: "Attackers will continue to take advantage of opportunities, leveraging the most efficient means to profit from an intrusion, often including redundancy planning in more recent intrusions.

"Ransomware-as-a-service has risen in popularity providing cyber criminals with the necessary tools to carry out these types of attacks.

The prevailing theory is a disgruntled employee, unhappy over recent contract negotiations. Police reportedly have few leads, but sources confirm screens throughout Channel 9 read 'MoRE hONEY!" pic.twitter.com/fbghtguebN  David Scott Aubrey (@davidakaclean) March 28, 2021

"Compounding these risks is the adage of affiliate programs for ransomware groups, providing new and unique ways for malware operators to have others deploy their payloads for a cut of the eventual profits.

"Were also seeing a lot of secondary extortion, in which cyber criminals look to profit twice from an attack, forcing organisations to not only pay to decrypt data but also prevent sensitive data from being sold or released publicly.

Couldve been payback for this over 20 years ago: https://t.co/NqXqRjUoPv pic.twitter.com/tJlIdMW52W  Brandon ? (@b3108) March 28, 2021

"Organisations should invest in workload security micro-segmentation, as well as identity and access solutions that are built into their cloud stacks, rather than bolted on after the fact.

"There are a lot of solutions that are deployed into cloud environments but werent built with cloud threats in mind. Organisations should look to technologies that intrinsically deliver security as part of the solution.

"If organisations dont have the expertise in cloud security, they should look to partner with a vendor or managed service provider who can deliver those services effectively.
The UK is to offer Covid vaccines to Ireland (Danny Lawson/PA)

First Minister Arlene Foster has said she believes the UK government will offer Covid-19 vaccine stocks to Ireland once its own vaccination programme is complete.

Her comments come as The Sunday Times reports that the UK is planning to offer 3.7 million Covid jabs to Ireland, partly to help lift the lockdown in Northern Ireland.

According to the newspaper Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove and Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis have had outline discussions about the plan.

It would be the first time the UK has exported vaccines to the EU, but the plan was described by a cabinet minister as a poke in the eye for Brussels because it could disrupt EU unity.

A cabinet source told The Sunday Times: Everyone can see the logic of it. Its good politics while at the same time solving a genuine public health concern in Northern Ireland.

It is a balancing act, making sure that we have enough vaccines to give the UKs adult population the second dose. Easter will be when we might be able to start offering vaccines to Ireland.

Mrs Foster said she had raised the matter with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on his visit to Enniskillen earlier this month.

Read More

The DUP leader, who received her first Covid jab in her Co Fermanagh constituency on Saturday morning, told RTE's The Week in Politics programme, vaccine sharing should and hopefully will happen.

"I think it is a runner and when I'm next speaking to him (Mr Johnson) I'll be making that point again," she said.

She added: "I think it's important that we continue the conversation. I'll be listening very carefully to what our medical advisors are saying about the roll-out of the vaccine in Northern Ireland, where it is in the Republic of Ireland and what that means for both jurisdictions.

"I think it's the right thing that should happen, I think it's a very practical thing to do and I think it should happen and hopefully it will."

When asked if she had discussed the idea with Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Mrs Foster said she had not spoken with him "for quite some time now".

But Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said the UK does not "currently have a surplus" of coronavirus vaccines.

Mr Dowden told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "Clearly, our first priority is ensuring we deliver vaccines in the United Kingdom.

"We clearly don't currently have a surplus of vaccines, should we get to the point where we have a surplus of vaccines we'd make decisions on the allocation of that surplus."

Is the UK planning to offer 3.7 million vaccine doses to the Republic of Ireland?



"We don't currently have a surplus of vaccines, if we get to that point, we will make decisions on the allocation of that surplus" says Oliver Dowden.#Ridge https://t.co/qKgRWPii05 pic.twitter.com/TVwEYubPFw  Trevor Phillips on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) March 28, 2021

The Irish Government has said it is not aware of a specific UK plan to share vaccines with Ireland.

A spokesman said: "The UK has previously indicated that once it has achieved a high level of vaccination of its own population, it would consider sharing vaccines with other countries.

"We are not aware of any specific plans to share vaccines with Ireland at this stage.

"The Irish and UK governments maintain close contact across all matters of common interest."

Brussels, which has co-ordinated vaccine procurement and delivery on behalf of its member states, has made slower progress than the UK.

Amid an acrimonious dispute over supplies, the EU has threatened to block exports of vaccines and their ingredients.

The vaccination programme in Northern Ireland passed 800,000 doses this week, around 45% of the population.

That compares with around 13.2% who have been vaccinated in the Republic, where the rollout has been slower and the population is much larger.

This has led to concerns over travel between the two jurisdictions if Northern Ireland begins to lift restrictions before a majority of people in the Republic have been inoculated.

Stormont leaders have said they will consult with medical advisers over plans to reopen society in light of the slower vaccine rollout in the Republic.

Two weeks ago, Mr Johnson told Mr Martin the UK would not be giving out any surplus supplies until its population had been protected.

Developing countries could receive UK vaccines after Ireland. But the Cabinet Office is drawing up plans to send surplus vaccines to other EU countries this year amid fears that the poor vaccine programme in France and Germany could boost extremist parties.

Yesterday Mr Johnson said he could see absolutely nothing to stop Britain getting back to the life we love but, addressing the third wave in Europe, he said bitter experience had shown it could hit the UK three weeks later.

Public health officials in Northern Ireland have warned No 10 of the dangers of lifting lockdown restrictions, given the risks from the slower vaccination rate in the Irish Republic.

Mr Johnson also faces calls today to start donating vaccines amid claims that the UK is on track to have more than 100 million surplus doses.

In a letter to the prime minister, leading health and development charities urge him to take accelerated action.

Research by the ICC Foundation warns that vaccine nationalism and unequal distribution of jabs could cost the UK 106 billion if dangerous variants emerge in unvaccinated populations abroad.

Sir Jeremy Farrar, a scientist on the Sage team, said the UK must start sharing its surplus doses.

The world wont be safe while any single country is still fighting the virus. If left to spread, it risks mutating to an extent where our vaccines and treatments no longer work. This goes beyond ethics  its a scientific and economic imperative.

Kevin Watkins, head of Save the Children, said vaccine nationalism would prolong the pandemic and risk the emergence of dangerous variants.
As of midnight, Saturday March 27, the HPSC has been notified of 604 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 234,541 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. Of the cases listed today, 34 have been attributed to Limerick.

Limerick's '5 day moving average' is now 18, while the '14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population' sits at 100.6

The total number of new Cases during last 14 days sits at 196.

Of the cases notified today:

299 are men / 298 are women

77% are under 45 years of age

The median age is 27 years old

224 in Dublin, 45 in Donegal, 36 in Kildare, 34 in Limerick, 26 in Tipperary and the remaining 239 cases are spread across 20 other counties**.

As of 8am today, 322 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 66 are in ICU. 18 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 13 additional deaths related to COVID-19.

Of the deaths reported today, 12 occurred in March.*

The median age of those who died was 77 years. The age range was 51-93.

There has been a total of 4,666 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of March 25th 2021, 760,168 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland:

548,945 people have received their first dose

211,223 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.
Washington:

The White House on Sunday insisted that the US will withdraw from the Paris climate accord unless it can re-enter on more favourable terms, denying reports that Washington was softening its stance on the landmark agreement.

The statement by the White House comes amid reports that the Trump administration would announce at the Montreal talks that it would not pull out of the Paris accord and was offering to re-engage with the deal.

There has been no change in the United States position on the Paris agreement, White House spokesperson Lindsay Walters said.

As the President has made abundantly clear, the United States is withdrawing unless we can re-enter on terms that are more favourable to our country, she said in a statement.

Ministers from 34 economies are meeting in Montreal to head off potential efforts by the US to weaken the accord at the November UN climate summit in Bonn, Germany.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in an interview on CBSs Face The Nation suggested that President Trump would be open to remaining in the Paris climate deal under the right conditions.

I think if you recall, the president also said, look, we are willing to work with partners in the Paris climate accord, Tillerson said.

If we can construct a set of terms that we believe is fair and balanced for the American people and recognizes our economy, our economic interests, relative to others, in particular, the second-largest economy in the world, China.

ALSO READ | Paris agreement: Govt, business leaders to endorse climate accord despite Trumps withdrawal

Tillerson said the plan is to consider other ways the US can work with partners in the Paris climate agreement.

We want to be productive, we want to be helpful. I think under the right conditions, the president said he is open to finding those conditions where we can remain engaged with others on what we all agree is still a challenging issue, Tillerson said when asked if there are chances when America can remain in the deal.

Tillerson on Sunday headed to New York to attend the annual General Assembly session of the United Nations during which he would hold a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings with world leaders.

He is also expected to meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Early this year, President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change and renegotiate the deal that was agreed upon by over 190 countries during the previous Obama administration.

Arguing that countries like China and India are benefiting the most from the Paris Agreement, Trump had said that the agreement on climate change was unfair to the US, as it badly hit its businesses and jobs.

The Paris agreements central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping the global temperature rise in this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The landmark agreement, which entered into force last November, calls on countries to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future, and to adapt to the increasing impacts of climate change.

ALSO READ: Last 15 years experienced as warmest years in India due to climate change

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Sacked AIADMK party general secretary VK Sasikalas nephew TTV Dhinakaran on Sunday demanded Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswamis resignation, saying that he is a chief minister because of Sasikala.

Of late, Sasikala has been expelled in the general council meeting of which Dhinakaran faction did not approve and approached the Election Commission.

While talking to ANI, Dhinakaran said,Palaniswami is a chief minister because of V K Sasikala. Will he resign as he wants Chinammas removal.

Dhinakaran who had said two days ago that the government would fall within a week, said he was ready to send his loyalist MLAs to the meeting of legislators he was proposing, and added that "I am not responsible if they do not vote for you (Palaniswami.)"

After the Palaniswami and Panneerselvam camps merged last month, Dhinakaran loyalist MLAs had petitioned the governor seeking Palaniswami's ouster.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Last month, San Antonians and our neighbors around the state experienced a horrific polar vortex that covered Texas in a blanket of snow, pushing temperatures into single digits.

The sudden drop in temperature covered all 254 counties, leading to spikes in energy demand, depleting electricity far beyond what could be generated by providers struggling to keep facilities online and fuel flowing. We all are rightfully upset and angry about what transpired next.

Scores of Texans perished in the storm, while millions more were left in the numbing cold. With no electricity, pump stations failed, causing water shortages, outages and subsequent boil mandates. Homes froze, giving rise to massive insurance claims. People lined up to buy supplies to fix burst plumbing and lumber to burn for heat. Food perished not only in home refrigerators but also in grocery stores due to power outages, and restocking was delayed because of deadly travel conditions.

The statewide demand for power and limited generation across Texas forced every energy provider to reduce usage. Those mandates were made by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, not CPS Energy.

It is evident that a substantial reckoning is coming, and theres enough blame for every level of government. Looking to the future, the Texas Legislature must take effective and substantive action this session to ensure we dont suffer the same fate again.

Locally, CPS Energy and the San Antonio Water System are not without fault, but they were dealt a terrible hand and employed formidable efforts to mitigate the worst impacts of the frigid storm. Our municipally owned utilities must be fully transparent as they assess what happened in San Antonio to determine what could have been done better and what must occur to make certain we never again experience such tremendous outages.

The failures are broad. In 1999, the Texas Legislature deregulated the grid, and in doing so created a free-market environment that put profits before the safety of the people. This has resulted in a grid that has minimal standards to ensure reliability and resilience. The Public Utility Commission, composed of political appointments made solely by the governor, has been derelict in its duty to oversee ERCOT.

In the aftermath of previous weather events  both frigid cold and extreme heat  the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has made recommendations on how the Texas grid could better prepare for future crises. Those recommendations are commonsense and clear, but they also require political will at the state level, as well as investment.

This legislative session, I filed House Bill 2899, which would create the Texas Grid Task Force and conduct a full root-cause analysis. In reviewing past and current recommendations, the task force can then implement the discoveries and recommend changes to statutes and regulations. If the leadership does not want federal entities to standardize our grid, then we must do it ourselves as a state.

I am in support of my colleague Rep. Lyle Larsons House Bill 2653, which would move the Legislature to expedite the Sunset Review of the Public Utilities Commission, which is not up for review until 2025. The PUC regulates the states electric, telecommunications, and water and sewer utilities, which were last reviewed in 2011.

We have the resources, if we choose to direct them, to remedy the failures that were laid bare last month. It will require a bipartisan effort: new laws, enhanced systems and designs, improved oversight from the PUC and clear requirements to better prepare for extreme hot- and cold-weather events. That means large-scale investment in the Texas grid, which brings us full circle to the need for political will to do what is right for the people of Texas.

Rep. Ray Lopez, D-San Antonio, represents House District 125 in the Texas Legislature.
NEW YORK  The New York attorney general has been investigating former White House strategist Steve Bannon, who was pardoned by Donald Trump on his last day as president, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Letitia James, New Yorks top law enforcement officer, has been working with Manhattan prosecutors who in February started gathering information in a probe into whether Bannon defrauded contributors for We Build the Wall, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing the matter.

We Build the Wall was a private-sector effort to support Trumps 2016 campaign promise to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Bannon was charged with fraud in federal court last year over the alleged scheme, leading to his pardon hours before Trump left the White House. Yet Trump cant shield his former aide to the state-level probes because presidential pardons apply only to federal cases.

James deputized staff to work closely with prosecutors in the office of Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., who issued subpoenas for records related to Bannons fundraising efforts, the person said.

Robert Costello, Bannons lawyer, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Washington Post reported the attorney generals role earlier.
The Windsor Bridge is seen submerged under rising floodwaters along the Hawkesbury River in Sydney, Australia, on March 24, 2021. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Australias NSW Cleans-Up After Widespread Flood Damage

The clean-up of flood-affected eastern NSW communities has begun in earnest, with thousands of buildings damaged.

The State Emergency Service has warned that floodwater can contain sewage, debris, and dead animals, so people must avoid entering it, playing in it or driving through it.

Multiple evacuation orders and warnings remain in the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley, the Mid North Coast and parts of Moree, but these are expected to be lifted as river levels fall.

Further west in the state, major flooding is expected along the Barwon River over coming weeks.

The NSW SES has received more than 23,000 calls for help from the public and volunteers have attended more than 13,000 jobs since the floods began.

Businesses in flood-affected areas will be able to access grants and bank loans to fund their recovery, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced.

Morrison announced a loan scheme would be extended to small and medium businesses as he visited SES headquarters in western Sydney on Saturday morning.

He said the federal government will underwrite 80 per cent of bank loans of up to A$5 million for small and medium businesses in the flood-affected areas, with repayments to start two years into the loan.

Its an extension of a support program already available for COVID-affected businesses.

This is about backing the businesses and producers that are backing themselves to get back on their feet, Morrison declared.

He promised more support  more assistance as the recovery continues.

The loans are on top of a recovery grants program jointly funded by the federal and NSW governments.

Small businesses can get up to A$50,000 and primary producers up to A$75,000 if theyve been directly damaged by the floods.

As tens of thousands of people across NSW return to their homes, an emergency services task force is tackling the clean-up, including Australian Defence Force personnel, NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW.

The Australian Red Cross is warning of a lack of access to mental health services.

Our volunteers have heard stories about the distress about leaving homes, livestock and even a change of clothes behind, Red Cross NSW Director Poppy Brown said in a statement.

Many of these communities have already endured years of concurrent disasters, from drought, bushfires, COVID-19 and now floods. The impact of this latest disaster is expected to be significant.

Meanwhile the search for an elderly woman continues after police pulled her car from the swollen Barrington River on Thursday.

By Andi Yu
Although Vietnam has been improving its business and investment environment significantly throughout the last four decades, the cooperation between domestic and foreign-invested companies could be much improved.

Domestic suppliers still have a lot of potentials in linking with foreign-invested partners. -- Photo: VIR

Currently, a good 50 Vietnamese enterprises have become top suppliers for Samsung Vietnam. The South Korean conglomerate has given the necessary support to help these companies improve their manufacturing processes and better meet global supply chain standards  but becoming one of its regular suppliers is no mean feat.

Hoang Minh Tri, general director of 4P  the first domestic company to supply electronic circuit boards to LG Electronics Vietnam  said that supplying Samsung with these products is especially difficult as the company has strict standards for quality, expertise, technical precision, and high professionalism.

4P was thus forced to reform its business according to Samsungs requirements, accepting technical standards and working conditions in the company, even for employees on how to use sterilised rooms and equipment properly. According to Samsung, these practices relate to the scientific stages in the production process and, if carried out correctly, can prevent risks as well as quality issues.

Vietnamese businesses must thus meet these criteria set by Samsung to become one of its suppliers. Kim Kyung Tae, senior expert at Samsung Vietnam, noticed that performance and management are the limitations of these companies.

Passing all those evaluation criteria, Kim said, is a real challenge. Vietnamese businesses must prepare thoroughly in order to meet these criteria. And yet, Samsung also has other evaluation indicators related to the environment, the vendors financial potential, and its documentation practices.

Samsung is close to its goal of increasing its localisation rate to 57 per cent, as well as fulfilling its commitment to the government to promote the development of supporting industries. But the addition of Vietnamese enterprises in the supply chain also helps Samsung reduce the cost of importing components, improve competitiveness, and increase profitability.

Samsung remains the largest foreign investor in Vietnam with the registered investment capital of $17.5 billion. In 2020, the total export turnover of Samsung Vietnam reached about $57 billion, a relatively positive result in the context of the complicated pandemic and its negative impacts on the global economy.

According to a VIR source, in Samsungs list of vendors, about 80 per cent are large-scale foreign-invested enterprises (FIE) from South Korea, China, and Japan. Among them are Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung SDI Vietnam, and MCNEX Vina, which produces camera modules. Other suppliers include Power Logics Vina which delivers battery protection boards, CammSys Vietnam which provides camera modules, Goertek Vina that delivers headsets and mics, and more  and none of them are Vietnamese companies.

Weak links

Data from the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) shows that after nearly 35 years of national renovation, Vietnams private economy has continuously maintained a fairly good growth rate, accounting for 43 per cent of GDP and attracting about 85 per cent of the workforce. However, the development of the private economys quality is an issue that Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung described as concerning at a meeting on March 12.

Minister Dung said that the links between Vietnamese businesses remain lax and do not focus on mutual development. As such, domestic enterprises have not been focusing on improving links and competitiveness to participate in the regional and global value chains.

Currently, only about 21 per cent of small- and medium-sized enterprises participate in parts of the global value chain, and 14 per cent are successful in associating with foreign partners, while the number of FIEs in Vietnam is very high, the minister said.

According to him, the productivity and growth rate of the private sector is low and limited. Statistics show that the average labour productivity of private companies makes up only about 34 per cent of the labour productivity of state-owned enterprises and about 69 per cent of foreign-invested enterprises. This low productivity is related to the fact that most enterprises are micro- or small-sized ones, accounting for about 98 per cent of all enterprises.

Capacities in science and technology also remain limited, with some being outright backward, the MPI minister pointed out. Enterprises have not invested in the application and development of science and technology, especially core and pioneering technologies, Minister Dung said.

Currently, only 10 per cent of businesses have registered patents within three consecutive years. Meanwhile, enterprises investment in technology and innovation only accounts for about 0.3 per cent of their revenue, much lower than in countries like India (5 per cent) and South Korea (10 per cent).

The shortcomings of private companies, according to Minister Dung, are partly due to the state management of the economy. The system of mechanisms and policies on private economic development still has many shortcomings and lacks synchronisation. Although the investment environment has been improved, it remains still limited, with access to opportunities and development resources not being equal, which incurs many intermediate and informal costs.

Weak links have been prevalent in the economy for many years. The provincial competitiveness index of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) showed that the proportion of domestic private enterprises participating in the supply of goods and services in the production chains of FIEs has been limited for many consecutive years. By 2017, only about 10 per cent of domestic businesses provide input goods to FIEs operating in Vietnam.

Links are also very weak from the perspective of FIEs. According to the VCCIs data, only about 27 per cent of their input value is purchased in Vietnam, but a significant proportion is supplied by other FIEs. Especially, those operating in high-tech manufacturing tend to import goods from their own countries and use fewer local suppliers.

Establishing connections

Vietnam is changing its strategy of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), focusing on quality projects coming from former and current big investors, emerging and growth-leading economies  an opportunity to promote links between FIEs and domestic enterprises, following the Politburos Resolution No.50-NQ/TW on the orientation to perfect institutions and policies to improve the quality and efficiency of foreign investment cooperation by 2030.

The increased realised capital in the first two months of 2021 was a positive sign and was estimated at $2.5 billion, up 2 per cent over the same period in 2020. Many major FIEs are expanding investment in Vietnam this year.

For example, LG Display increased its capital by $750 million, adjusting the total sum for the fourth time since beginning to invest in Vietnam. Up to now, the total investment capital of LG Display poured into the northern city of Haiphong has reached $3.25 billion. As planned, after receiving its investment registration certificate, the company is now quickly building and installing necessary facility extensions that are expected to start production by May.

Meanwhile, after its previous investment project to manufacture tablets and laptops in the northern province of Bac Giang, Foxconn has just had a business trip in the north-central province of Thanh Hoa to explore new opportunities in the production of electronics.

Such endeavours are currently increasing and contributing to the connection between FIEs and domestic firms, while the government is working on improving the legal framework. Analysts said in addition to improving quality of labour and narrowing the gap in the technology levels of FIEs and domestic ones, it is also necessary to pay attention to geographical factors.

The establishment of separate industrial and export processing zones can help improve the efficiency of operations and exports but has also limited positive spill-over effects on domestic private companies.

Vietnam has partaken in negotiating and signing 17 free trade agreements, 14 of which have been signed and put into effect. Kyle F. Kelhofer, senior country director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia at the International Finance Corporation, said that an adjustment to investment attraction is necessary for Vietnam, and that this should focus more on strengthening the links between Vietnamese firms and FIEs to create shared interests, which will contribute to Vietnams overall goal of deeply international integration.

VIR

Vietnamese bet on Alice cryptocurrency tokens Appearing on March 15, Alice tokens have created a fever in the market with the starting price of $16, catching the attention of Vietnamese cryptocurrency investors.
The Associated Press checks out some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. This one is bogus, even though it was shared widely on social media. Here are the facts:

CLAIM: Vice President Kamala Harris disrespected the military when she failed to salute the military escorts when boarding Air Force Two on March 19 in Georgia.

THE FACTS: After Harris wrapped up her trip to Georgia to meet with grieving members of the Asian American community following a mass shooting, social media users began sharing a video of her boarding Air Force Two claiming she had failed to salute the troops at the base of the stairs.

The video, viewed more than 900,000 times on Twitter, was shared widely by conservative social media accounts in an attempt to paint the vice president as unpatriotic and disrespectful to service members.

DISGRACEFUL:@VP Kamala Harris refuses to salute the honor guard at the steps of the aircraft. It is a clear demonstration of her dislike for those in uniform, both law-enforcement and military, tweeted Bernard Kerik, former New York City police commissioner.

While Harris did not salute the troops, she is not required to. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a statement that there is no instruction or regulation requiring the president or the vice president to return a hand salute to members of the Armed Forces.

Vice President Harris has made very clear her respect and admiration for the men and women of the military, as well as their families, Kirby said.

According to Army regulation, the president as the commander-in-chief is required to receive a salute, but there is no requirement that the vice president receive a salute.

Some are trying to suggest the Vice President lacks respect for our military  this could not be further from the truth, Sabrina Singh, deputy press secretary to the vice president, said in a statement. In addition, Harris has no responsibility to salute the troops.

She has no authority over them according to the Constitution, Richard Waterman, University of Kentucky presidential historian, said in an email. Her constitutional function is to serve as President of the Senate. Saluting the troops would be an act of courtesy, but this is another example of politics as usual in Washington.

Its not the first time a member of the White House has been criticized over saluting service members. Former President Barack Obama made headlines not once, but twice, while in office. In 2013, Obama walked by a service member as he boarded Marine One without a salute, returning a few moments later to shake the guards hand. A year later, he again made headlines when he saluted troops with a coffee cup in his hand as he departed Marine One.

Before Obama, critics were also not happy with former President George W. Bush holding his dog, Barney, as he attempted to salute in 2001. According to historians, Ronald Reagan was the first president to regularly salute troops.
Almost 12 kilograms of methamphetamine worth $9 million was found by Australian Border Force officers after a man allegedly tried to import the drug from Canada to Brisbane through car parts.

A 31-year-old Windsor man appeared before the Brisbane Magistrates Court last Thursday charged in connection to the importation of 11.9 kilograms of methamphetamine that was detected inside sea cargo consignment concealed within a number of vehicle drive shafts.

Police said the amount of methamphetamine had an estimated street value of $9 million.

On March 24, Australian Federal Police raided two properties and seized evidential items, before arresting the man at his Windsor home.

He was charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, and importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
Click the image above to watch the video

KiwiRail is to switch its fleet of three Interislander ferries to a cleaner-burning diesel oil before the end of the year, while it waits on its larger, greener ferries to be built and delivered.

The change of fuel, away from marine-grade heavy fuel oil, will align KiwiRail with international standards around ship pollution.

KiwiRail's Interislander general manager Walter Rushbrook made the announcement at a public meeting in Picton on Wednesday, hosted by local environmental group Guardians of the Sounds.

The group called the meeting to hear residents concerns on the redevelopment of the towns ferry terminal, needed to accommodate KiwiRails two new rail-enabled ferries, expected on the water by 2024.

The group planned to send some of the concerns and questions gathered at the meeting to Environment Minister David Parker.

Rushbrook says the longest ship in the current Interislander fleet, the Aratere, was modified last weekend in preparation for the switch to diesel.

KiwiRail is also working on a new computer system that will reduce the amount of smoke released when ferries started up.

It won't fully get rid of the puff when it starts up, but you'll see a difference. Ultimately, the solution will be getting the new ships.

The new Interislander ferries will be hybrids, with diesel generators that produces electricity and batteries that stored it.

Picton residents have a lot of questions about the new ferries.

The batteries will be switched on when ferries are between Tukurehu/Mable Island and Picton to cut down on shipping fumes. Once docked, the ferries will be plugged into the national grid.

So the [shipping] fume issue will eventually go away. From what I'm hearing today, the sooner we can do that, the better, he says.

Rushbrooks announcement came after several attendees called for the Interislander fleet to produce less pollution now, not later. Residents have long been worried about the impact of ferry fumes.

Long-time Picton resident Andy Endersby says the current ferries blew thick and black smoke over the playground on the Picton foreshore.

It's disgusting. I know everyone says the new ferries will be cleaner and greener, but something needs to be done before then, he says.

Another attendee says houses perched on Picton's hills could be blanketed in smog, which she suspects is from the ferries.

Guardians of the Sounds chairman Paul Keating says the group will ask the Government whether it will take into account Pictons new air quality study.

Guardians of the Sounds chairman Paul Keating says the fumes are a major problem.

Group members are worried the new ferries, capable of taking 410 more cars than the Aratere, will still contribute to air pollution through its idling cars.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research is currently studying 18 months worth of data from three air quality sensors in Picton to see where pollution was coming from.

An artists impression of the new ferry terminal in Picton.

Blenheim is the only location in Marlborough to currently see its air quality monitored by the Marlborough District Council, with pollutants traced back to dust, pollen, heating or running vehicles.

Council chief executive Mark Wheeler says the study will determine if and where air quality improvements are needed.

New Zealand is set to sign Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) later this year. The treaty regulated emissions harmful to public and environmental health.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
Joe Biden has more plans for coronavirus relief, his press secretary revealed Sunday  just weeks after the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan was signed.

'He's going to have more to say later in April about the second part of his recovery plan, which will include a number of the pieces you talked about  health care, child care, addressing that,' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told 'Fox News Sunday' host Chris Wallace.

'It's a crisis right now,' she continued, 'the number of women who have left the workplace.'

She did not reveal how costly this next COVID-19 stimulus bill could be, saying: 'The total package, we're still working out.'

President Joe Biden 'has more to say' on coroanvirus stimulus and will unveil another plan for relief in April

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told Fox News on Sunday: 'He's going to have more to say later in April about the second part of his recovery plan, which will include ... health care, child care'

Psaki said this next coronavirus relief will be separate from the massive infrastructure bill Biden plans to introduce on Wednesday during his trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The sweeping legislation could reach between $2-$4 trillion according to estimates.

On top of addressing infrastructure, the package is also expected to address social and economic welfare issues like free community college and universal child care.

'When the president advocated for the American Rescue Plan, he talked about this being two stages: rescue then recovery,' Psaki told Fox.

'What the American people will hear from him this week, is part of his plan, the first step of his plan toward recovery which will include an investment in infrastructure,' she continued in reference to the upcoming rollout.

The plan, which senior Democrats are proposing could surpass $3 trillion in new spending, is likely to serve as the foundation for Biden's Build Back Better jobs and infrastructure program.

The national debt currently stands at more than $28 trillion and swiftly growing.

Democrats are looking to fit as much as they can in this infrastructure package, including new measures on drug pricing and climate policy.

Centrist Democrat Joe Manchin, however, has said he will seek to block the bill if there isn't some sort of cooperation with Republicans.

With a 50-50 split Senate, just on Democratic lawmaker could throw off the party's plans.

When it comes to the next coronavirus relief, Psaki says the administration is working with Congress on more specifics  read congressional Democrats.

'We'll work with the Senate and the House to see how it should move forward,' she said.

The $1.9 trillion package was pushed through with no input from Republicans to the ire of Manchin.
The owner of a Massachusetts driving school that closed after the owner was arrested on methamphetamine trafficking charges owes students $1 million, according to a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Maura Healey.

The lawsuit filed against North Andover Auto School and its owner, Michael J. Larocque, 56, of Lawrence, was filed by Healeys office in Essex Superior Court.

According to Healeys office, more than 1,500 students were left without refunds for services for which they had paid over $1 million in total to the school.

The AGs Office is also seeking a preliminary injunction to preserve any assets for consumer restitution, according to a news release.

A hearing on the motion for a preliminary injunction has been set for April 1 in Essex Superior Court. The lawsuit demands full refunds of over $1 million in restitution to affected consumers.

Larocque, and the company he owned, is accused of violating the states Consumer Protection Act.

The complaint alleges that the defendants accepted prepayment for services from consumers, but after their licenses were revoked, the defendants couldnt deliver those services and didnt provide any refunds, Healeys office said.

The attorney generals office started a civil investigation into potential consumer protection violations after receiving several consumer complaints and being contacted by the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

The RMVs top priority is public safety and our team acted swiftly last fall in the interests of students and families to revoke the associated professional driving school and instructors license, collect and verify student records, facilitate student outreach and transfers to another drivers education program, and initiate a process for accepting financial restitution claims, said Acting Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. At that time the RMV also approached the Attorney Generals Office for assistance in this process, and we appreciate their collaboration and partnership in delivering additional support for the students and families who have been impacted by this unfortunate situation.

Larocque ran driving schools in North Andover and Haverhill. The company also operated drivers education programs at North Andover High School and Greater Lawrence Technical School in Andover.

Larocque was an RMV-licensed driving instructor who owned and operated these schools, including acting as a classroom instructor.

In October 2020, the defendants licenses to run the driving schools were revoked by the RMV after the Massachusetts State Police arrested Larocque in September 2020 for trafficking methamphetamine, Healeys office said.

Larocque is accusing of abruptly shutting down the driving schools without issuing refunds to students. The lawsuit said students had prepaid between $550 and $750 for the full drivers education course but had yet to complete it.

Some of these students had yet to start their course at all, some had completed some or all of the classroom portion of the course, and some had completed some of the on-road instruction portion of the course, according to Healeys office. The AGs Office also alleges that the abrupt closure left many consumers without the means to pay another driving school for these services and all consumers faced delays completing a drivers education course and obtaining their drivers licenses.

The lawsuit also accuses Larocque of running a business unfairly or deceptively because the business misrepresented its ability to provide classroom and driving hours to consumers when it reopened after the COVID-related closure in the spring of 2020.

A joint investigation into a large-scale methamphetamine distributor resulted in the execution of search warrants Friday at a Lawrence home and a North Andover driving school.

In September, authorities arrested Larocque in a drug investigation calling him a high-volume drug dealer who was dealing methamphetamine from his Massachusetts home and the driving school company he owns.

Larocque was arrested and later arraigned in Lawrence District Court on two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine over 200 grams.

Massachusetts State Police said investigators discovered two pounds of methamphetamine at Larocques home.

A search of a vehicle on the property resulted in the locating and seizure of an additional amount of methamphetamine. At the auto school, investigators located an additional 400 grams of methamphetamine, pills, and approximately $12,000 in US currency, state police said in September.
A Liberal MP claims she was subjected to sexual harassment while working at the ABC before she entered politics.

Victorian senator Sarah Henderson appeared on ABC's Insiders alongside fellow Liberal MP Katie Allen on Monday to discuss the growing list of Parliament House sexual misconduct scandals.

When host David Speers asked whether, based on their previous experiences, they were unsurprised by the allegations coming out of Canberra, both women said they were shocked as they have always had a 'positive' time in parliament.

Victorian Liberal senator Sarah Henderson (pictured) has claimed she was subjected to sexual harassment while working as a journalist for the ABC between 1989 to 1998

However, Ms Henderson revealed she could not say the same about her employment as a reporter for Australia's national broadcaster in 1989 to 1998.

'That's a risky question to ask me because I had nine years [working] at the ABC,' the former journalist told Speers.

'And I did have some pretty unpleasant moments, particularly when I was hosting the 7.30 report.'

The politician said that she addressed the incidents and action was taken against those responsible.

Despite her own personal experiences, Ms Henderson said she was 'absolutely shell-shocked and disgusted' by the allegations that have emerged from the nation's capital over the past six weeks.

Sickening claims have continued to mount since former Liberal staffer Brittney Higgins came forward last month claiming she was raped in Parliament House by a senior colleague in 2019.

Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter was also accused of raping a woman in 1988 when the pair were teenagers but the accuser took her own life last year and Mr Porter has vigorously denied the claims.

Several female Labor staffers then took to a secret Facebook group to share stories of their own sexual assaults at the hands of male colleagues.

Ms Henderson said she believes the sexual misconduct issues in Parliament are not confined to her party

A string of alleged rapes at the hands of government ministers have been uncovered in recent weeks after former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins came forward claiming she was sexually assaulted by a colleague at Parliament House in 2019

And last week, SkyNews' Peta Credlin alleged Liberal Party staffers had taken part in orgies inside Parliament House.

A whistleblower later shared footage with Ten News of a male staffer masturbating inside a female Liberal MP's office, leading to his dismissal.

Ms Henderson said she believed there is not a particular problem within the Liberal Party, rather the issues are 'above politics'.

'I think we have seen allegations across the political divide and it is deeply concerning,' she said.

'I cannot believe there people possibly involved in those incident who are still in the building,' Ms Henderson said.

'I say get out. We need the bad eggs out of our parliament, out of our party, and there should be a zero tolerance for this type of behaviour.'

Ms Allen agreed, saying sexual misconduct is happening across Parliament and the country.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week condemned the 'disgraceful acts' that had occurred in Parliament House

'I don't think anyone questions that this is happening across Parliament,' she said.

'We know this is happening right across Australian society.'

Senior Coalition staffers allegedly swapped photos and video of themselves performing the solo sex acts in a Facebook Messenger group.

The vile acts were carried out more than two years ago but were only exposed after one of the advisers dobbed the rest of them in.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week condemned the 'disgraceful acts' that had occurred in Parliament House and vowed to listen more to the concerns of women.

'I am even more concerned about, even more importantly, I acknowledge that many Australians, especially women, believe that I have not heard them, and that greatly distresses me,' he said.

For confidential crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

For National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service call 24hr helpline: 1800 RESPECT
PSD (Social Democratic Party) leader Marcel Ciolacu said Social Democrats are going to submit a motion of censure in the current parliamentary session, for, at this moment, Parliament "no longer represents the will of the people."

"We will try to gather as many signatures as possible. It would be a premiere in Romanian politics, after six months since the elections, for a government to fall. It usually falls at the end of the term, but a critical mass begins to form. With each simple motion submitted against each minister, more votes are collected, until the final vote will come," the Social Democrat leader told Prima TV private broadcasting channel.

Asked if he was considering a possible PSD-AUR government, Ciolacu replied: "If we had wanted this, we could have forced it. The majority is a fragile one in the Parliament, it stands in 10-20 votes. The minorities have 17 votes. If we had wanted this, we would have taken certain steps from the start, to try to create this majority. We did not have in mind to do this."At the same time, he stated that he is considering a possible PSD government with a programme negotiated with the coalition partners."I would like to come to power after negotiating with future partners a government programme and the priorities that Romania and a normal government must have," he said, adding that he did not rule out early elections.Ciolacu claims that "if there were elections tomorrow, the Parliament would have a completely different structure.""Ninety days after the elections, I want to inform President Klaus Iohannis that at this moment the Parliament no longer represents the will of the people," the PSD president said.
Unit to monitor environment destruction posts on social media By Damith Wicremasekara View(s): View(s):

Both false and accurate information posted on social media on incidents of environment destruction will be kept under watch by a new unit to be set up by the Environment Ministry.

To carry out the task, 323 environmental officers would be recruited at Divisional Secretariat level, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera told the Sunday Times.

He said those posting false information would face legal action while accurate information would be referred to the relevant sections for action against those responsible for the damage. The minister said these measures were being taken as false information was being shared on social media about incidents of clearing forests, illegal mining, illegal constructions and landfilling.

Sharing of false information will not be possible as persons will be dealt with under the law, Mr Amaraweera said.

He said one officer would be recruited to each of the 323 divisional secretariat areas and they would be required to co-ordinate with environmental activists in the respective areas to verify information.

Mr Amaraweera claimed that some of the cases of environment destruction in foreign countries had been portrayed as incidents that had occurred in Sri Lanka.

However, environmentalists said the social media had posted a large number of environment-destruction-related incidents and most of them were found to be accurate.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Most New Mexicans remember Will Shuster as the wizard who conjured Zozobra.

Open at the New Mexico Museum of Art, A Fiery Light: Will Shusters New Mexico commemorates the 100th anniversary of the artists arrival here. The exhibition showcases the artwork Shuster left behind, illustrating the rich culture of the state that gave him a new lease on life. A sometime pyromaniac, hard drinker and protege of the great Ashcan School painter John Sloan, Shuster moved West preparing to die.

Fighting in the 1916 Battle of Verdun left the artist with reduced lung capacity, thanks to mustard gas. He returned home to Pennsylvania only to contract tuberculosis.

His doctor tells him if you stay here, (you) wont last very long, museum curator Christian Waguespack said.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

By 1920, Shuster arrived in Santa Fe determined to live whatever remained of his life to the fullest. He integrated himself into the citys burgeoning bohemian art scene, becoming known as an eccentric and passionate community member with an unsurpassed lust for life.

Zozobra was born on Christmas Eve with Shuster as midwife. The artist had traveled to Mexico to see the Yaqui natives Holy Week ceremony.

They do this procession ending with the burning of a Judas figure, Waguespack said.

Shuster was a member of Los Cincos Pintores, a group of creative rebels determined to take art to the people. The members, including Walter Mruk, Fremont Ellis, Jozef Bakos and Willard Nash, agreed to divide the proceeds of their painting sales to keep one another financially afloat. They lived next to one another on Santa Fes Camino del Monte Sol off Canyon Road.

Someone sold an especially pricey painting, and they all gathered at the La Fonda to celebrate at the bar.

Shuster realized even though this good thing had happened, the rest of them were blue, Waguespack said. He asked them to write down what was bothering them.

Shuster set these on fire.

They got kicked out of the bar.

The first non-official torching took place in a back yard in 1924 with the help of the printmaker Gustave Baumann. Shuster and newspaper editor E. Dana Johnson came up with the name Zozobra, defined as anguish, anxiety, gloom, in Spanish, the gloomy one.

Baumann was going to build the body because he was experienced with marionettes, Waguespack said. Shuster builds the head. Theres no pictures of this, but they decide to do this every year.

The pair took the idea to Santa Fes Fiestas Committee.

Fiestas absolutely turns them down, Waguespack said. I think Shuster was something of a pyromaniac, he added. When you hear stories of his childhood, theres always fire.

Today, The Burning of Zozobra, staged each year on the Friday before Labor Day, centers on the ritual burning in effigy of Zozobra, in order to dispel the hardships and travails of the past year. In 2019, the event attracted 64,000 spectators, according to the website burnzozobra.com.

Shusters artistic reputation rarely extended beyond New Mexico, if not Santa Fe. Acting as mentor, Sloan encouraged him to produce art reflecting community and regional events, including Santo Domingo Pueblos annual Corn Dance and services at Santa Fes Cross of the Martyrs.

Sloan helped him enter New York galleries, even shouldering entry fees and shipping costs.

Sloan was significantly older than Shuster, Waguespack said. They had a sort of father-son relationship. Sloan spent a lot of time trying to get Shuster to be serious about his work. But he never really got beyond that because hes staying in Santa Fe.

The exhibition includes a Zozobra diptych originally painted in Tesuques El Nido restaurant.

The year it was painted is the year Shuster handed over Zozobra to the Kiwanis Club, Waguespack said. Its a farewell tribute. Most of it is fire, all fireworks all around it. The only thing thats not on fire is the thing thats supposed to be on fire.

Shuster died in 1969 at age 75.

He lived a long life, Waguespack said. He had this joke that he came out to the Southwest to die and hes still waiting.

Waguespack had originally planned for the exhibit to open last September in time for Zozobras annual burning. But COVID-19 prevented it. At first, Waguespack was upset by the closing, but now he says the timing couldnt be better after months of quarantine.

Were all trying to find ways to make the best of our lives in a bad situation, he said. Shusters kind of lust for life is a message thats so relevant now.

If you go

WHAT: A Fiery Light: Will Shusters New Mexico

WHERE: New Mexico Museum of Art, 107 W. Palace Ave., Santa Fe

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays through July 25

HOW MUCH: General admission $12, New Mexico residents with ID $7

CONTACT: 505-476-5063
According to information published by the Russian press agency TASS on March 26, 2021, Russian JSC Admiralty Shipyards (a subsidiary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) has launched Project 636.3 (NATO reporting name: Improved Kilo-class) diesel-electric submarine "Magadan" on March 26, 2021.

According to information published by the Russian press agency TASS on March 26, 2021, Russian JSC Admiralty Shipyards (a subsidiary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) has launched Project 636.3 (NATO reporting name: Improved Kilo-class) diesel-electric submarine "Magadan" on March 26, 2021.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

The Admiralty Shipyard in St. Petersburg in Russias northwest has floated out the Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarine B-602 Magadan for the Russian Navy on 26 March 2021. (Picture source Twitter account @Capt_Navy)

The ship is set to conduct its berth, factory, and state trials. The company is ready to build new submarines, said Director General of Admiralty Shipyards Alexander Buzakov.

Magadan is the third Project 636.3 submarine being constructed by the Admiralty Shipyard for the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy. The ship was laid down on November 1, 2019; the naval platform is planned to be delivered to the customer before the end of 2021.

The series of Project 636.3 underwater combatants for the Pacific Fleet comprises three ships, namely, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy (the submarine was handed over to the Navy on November 25, 2019), Volkhov (the ship was delivered to the Pacific Fleet on October 24, 2020), and Magadan. The launch of the fourth naval platform of the class for the Pacific fleet, Ufa, is scheduled for late 2021. In 2021, the Admiralty Shipyard will lay the fifth and sixth Improved Kilos for the formation  Mozhaysk and Yakutsk. All the six Project 636.3 submarines are set to be delivered to the Pacific Fleet through 2024.

The contract for six Project 636.3 submarines for the Pacific Fleet was signed in September 2016. The armament suite, control system, radar, and sonar of the ships were upgraded.

Project 636.3 also called Varshavyanka class is an upgraded version of the Kilo-class submarines that entered into service with the Russian Navy in June 2014. The new submarine features stealth technology as well as extended cruising range and the ability to strike surface, land, and underwater targets. They are crewed by 52 submariners, have an underwater speed of 20 knots, and a cruising range of 400 miles with the ability to patrol for 45 days.

The Project 636.3 submarines can launch Kalibr / Club land-attack cruise missile, anti-ship missile, and anti-submarine missile. The submarine is also armed with 533-millimeter torpedo tubes and carried a total of 18 torpedoes.
Jaggaer, the worlds largest independent spend management company, has officially launched its newly updated eSupply platform, which includes a range of user-friendly features to streamline opportunities when collaborating with Dubai Government entities.

The underlying technology and support services for the site is a partnership between Jaggaer/Tejari and Dubai Smart Government and acts as the online portal for suppliers to participate in online bidding tenders published by over 40 major Dubai Government entities.

The platform will now provide real-time data for site visitors including active suppliers, current opportunities, running requests for information (RFIs) and requests for quotes (RFQs). The website also offers support contact details for Arabic, English, French and Hindi.

In addition, the platform also provides more succinct registration and login processes, outlines the range of participating Government entities, as well as hosting a resource library that offers tips and advice on how to navigate the eSupply portal most effectively.

Hany Mosbeh, Vice President Sales Middle East & Africa Jaggaer said: We have updated and upgraded the site to primarily provide businesses with an easy-to-use platform, which is both secure and transparent while also simplifying the procedures for suppliers in the Middle East. In line with Smart Dubai 2021 targets, the platform provides a clean, digitalised, and paperless procurement process.

Further underscoring its commitment to supporting SMEs, Jaggaer recently launched Jaggaer NOW. According to the Ministry of Economy, SMEs account for more than 94% of the total number of companies operating in the UAE. In Dubai, the figure increases to 95%, employing 43% of the workforce and contributing 40% to Dubai GDP. The ready-to-implement solution has been specially created to support the SME community in the region.

This has been a challenging time for the vast majority of businesses around the world with many having to adapt quickly to ensure their organisations remain competitive, said Mosbeh.

We have developed Jaggaer NOW, an enterprise-class solution for SMEs that eliminates the timely implementation process and high-entry cost which has always acted as a preventive measure for SMEs to utilise procurement technology. By automating manual tasks and freeing up valuable time for SMEs, we are supporting them to negotiate better deals which will be crucial for survival and support their growth in the long term, he added.

Jaggaer NOW provides SMEs with a system that is ready to import in 30 business days, delivers almost immediate ROI by offering supplier management, sourcing, contracts, and eProcurement, as well as being able to expand with more capabilities in line with the companys growth. The technology used is based on the market-leading functionality of Jaggaer ONE, used by global leaders across all sectors.

Jaggaer has over 70 customers in the Middle East connected to a global network of 4 million suppliers in 70 countries around the world. The company has experienced tremendous growth in the region and now has plans to expand its location and headcount. -- Tradearabia News Service
(ANSA) - PISA, MAR 23 - A 50-year-old Florentine man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of murdering a 29-year-old Ukrainian woman near Pisa in November.

The man, Francesco Lupino, is accused of killing Krystyna Novak and disposing of her body, which has never been found.

Lupino was a neighbour of Novak's and a partner in the criminal affairs of her boyfriend, Spaniard Airam Negrim Gonzalez , police said.

Negrim is a local leather sector businessman and alleged drug dealer.

Lupino allegedly "held a deep grudge" against Novak and her boyfriend after she convinced him to get out of the drug business, police said.

A few days before the alleged murder the two men had a big row over Gonzalez's intention to quit the drug trade and over his belief that Lupino was secretly skimming the profits of the business for himself, police said.

After the row, Lupino threatened Gonzalez with a gun, police said.

Lupino also deeply objected to Gonzalez's request that he leave the flat he was renting him, police said.

Gonzalez, who has been arrested on drug offences, took police to the villa he shared with Novak and showed them traces of blood in the building. (ANSA).



Aligarh : , March 28 (IANS) Four persons have been arrested for the murder of ITI student, Surendra Pal, who was allegedly abducted by them for ransom from his village Bajhera in Aligarh.

Surendra was reportedly killed by the abductors even before the ransom demand of Rs 20 lakh was made, as one of the suspects wanted to 'eliminate' him for objecting to his relationship with his (Surendra) sister.

All the four accused -- Bhupendra (a distant relative of the deceased), Shiv Kumar, Ratan Singh and Rahul Singh -- have been remanded to judicial custody after their arrest on Saturday.

The police have recovered the deceased's body, which was buried by the suspects in Mathura in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Police said that during interrogation, Bhupendra told the police that his friend Shiv Kumar was in a relationship with Surendra's sister.

Recently, the victim had overheard his sister talking to Shiv Kumar over the phone after which he warned her to call off the relationship.

Shiv Kumar was apparently upset over the incident and confided in his friends who then planned to abduct Surendra.

They invited Surendra to a liquor party and after he became drunk, they strangled him to death. They buried the body on the banks of the Yamuna.

The accused, after killing Surendra, used the latter's phone to make a ransom call to the family, in a bid to make his disappearance look like a kidnapping case.

Circle officer Vikas Kumar said that police have recovered Surendra's ID card from the crime spot.

An FIR has been registered against the four accused under sections 364 A, 302 and 201 IPC at Khair police station.
China, Uzbekistan agree to enhance legislative cooperation

Xinhua) 11:18, March 28, 2021

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Uzbekistan's Senate chairperson Tanzila Narbayeva via video link at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu held talks on Friday with Uzbekistan's Senate chairperson Tanzila Narbayeva via video link. The two sides agreed to enhance exchanges and cooperation between their two legislative bodies.

Li, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said China and Uzbekistan shared the same or similar positions on major international issues and maintained close communication within the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks. It was hoped that the two sides would continue to support each other on matters involving each other's core interests and major concerns.

Li introduced the situation in China's Xinjiang and Hong Kong. He also briefed on China's principled position on related issues. He said that Xinjiang-related affairs are not about ethnicity, religion, or human rights. It is about counter-terrorism and anti-secession.

At present, the society remains stable, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and ethnic groups are united and harmonious, Li said, adding that living standards have improved in China's Xinjiang.

The NPC's decision to refine the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) electoral system aims to faithfully implement the principle of "one country, two systems" and the HKSAR Basic Law to ensure long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.

Li said the NPC is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with Uzbekistan's Senate, intensify exchanges at all levels, and promote cooperation in various fields. It will also improve coordination and collaboration in multilateral parliamentary organizations.

The two legislatures should comply with the needs of the in-depth advancement of state-to-state cooperation and promptly revise existing bilateral cooperation documents. They should also promote the smooth implementation of major cooperation projects and provide legal guarantees and policy support for the consensus implementation of the two heads of state and the agreements signed by the two sides, he said.

Narbayeva spoke highly of China's efforts in controlling COVID-19 and advancing work resumption. Narbayeva called on the two legislative bodies to expand exchanges and cooperation, promote cooperation in epidemic control, economy and trade, culture, poverty relief, and the Belt and Road construction.

Narbayeva also reiterated Uzbekistan's firm adherence to the one-China principle.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)
Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. traffic deaths soared after coronavirus lockdowns ended in 2020, hitting the highest yearly total since 2007 as more Americans engaged in unsafe behavior on U.S. roads, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday. For all of 2020, 38,680 people died on U.S. roads - up 7.2% or nearly 2,600 more than in 2019, even though Americans drove 13% fewer miles, preliminary data showed. In the second half of 2020, the number of traffic deaths was up more than 13%.
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.
California Woman Sonia Tabizada Sentenced for Bomb Threats to Washington DC Catholic School

SAN JACINTO, CaliforniaA California woman who threatened to bomb a Roman Catholic preparatory school in Washington, D.C. for planning to publish same-sex wedding announcements in its alumni magazine was sentenced Friday to nearly 1 1/2 years in federal prison.

Sonia Tabizada, 36, of San Jacinto, was sentenced to time she already has spent in custody for making telephoned threats in May 2019 to Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in the District of Columbia, according to court records cited by the Riverside Press-Enterprise.

Tabizada has no connection to the D.C. high school, NBC reported. No details regarding Tabizadas background have been given.

Tabizada pleaded guilty on Jan. 4 to obstruction of religious belief while a second felony charge of transmitting bomb threats in interstate commerce was dropped, the paper said.

According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, Tabizada learned of the decision and left a voice message threatening to burn and bomb the facility.

Tabizada also stated that she was going to kill school officials and students if the school didnt remove the announcements from its magazine, her plea agreement said. Several minutes later, Tabizada left a second voice mail stating that she was going to blow up the school and warned that she would commit terrorism.'

She was sentenced to 15 months and 13 days for intentionally obstructing persons in the enjoyment of their free exercise of religious beliefs.

No school and no child should be subjected to death threats, because of their religious beliefs, said Pamela S. Karlan of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division.

San Jacinto is in Riverside County, southeast of Los Angeles.

Divide in Understandings

The decision by the school to recognize same-sex weddings in its alumni magazine has been met with varied responses from the school community.

The Sister Mary Berchmans Hannan, Visitation Preps president emerita, announced the decision in a letter, which was obtained by the Washington Post.

The [Catholic] Church is clear in its teaching on same-sex marriages. But, it is equally clear in its teaching that we are all children of God, that we each have dignity and are worthy of respect and love, Hannan said. This change is an important part of ensuring that every individual is respected.

The Archdiocese of Washington said in response that the Catholic Church teaching on marriage is clear, and it also does not conflict with the Gospel message of love, according to the Post.

The archdiocese added that while the school is independent, In the past, Georgetown Visitation has consulted the archdiocese on matters related to upholding Catholic identity, and therefore, it is especially disappointing that this consultation and collaboration was not followed, it told the Post in a statement.

The archdiocese has a clear responsibility to ensure independent Catholic schools maintain their authentic Catholic identity and provide advice and guidance on such matters as they arise.

One graduate who married her same-sex partner nine years ago told the Post that said she was profoundly moved by her schools announcement.

To see the school stand with gay and lesbian students and parents and families, I just felt really emotional and grateful, she said. I do suspect there will be people who will be upset and outraged about it, but Visitation has kind of made its point, and I dont think theyre going to back off of it now.

Meanwhile, a current parent at the school told the Post anonymously out of fear of being targeted for her views, We chose to send our children to a Catholic school, through great sacrifice, as the tuition is pretty high, because we want Catholic doctrine and Catholic values instilled in our children before they head out into the world, she said.

The Churchs teachings on matters of sexuality are healthy and give our girls great grounding. We feel the Catholic faith is really crucial to these girls successes, and . . . a lot of us are feeling very cheated right now.

Earlier this month, the Vatican announced that blessings for unions of same-sex people are illicit because God cannot bless sin, while blessings for individual persons with homosexual inclinations are permissible.

It suggested that Catholic teachings do not preclude the blessings given to individual persons with homosexual inclinations, God Himself never ceases to bless each of His pilgrim children in this world.

[God] does not and cannot bless sin: he blesses sinful man, the statement added.

The Epoch Times contributed to this report.
Activists gather for a demonstration at City Hall in Los Angeles on March 27, 2021, denouncing anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander sentiment and hate. (Fredric J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

Beijing Exploiting Anti-Asian Attacks to Shun US Criticism, Delegitimize America

As America grapples with troubling headlines depicting a rise in anti-Asian racism, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has apparently found its latest propaganda fodder.

Pointing to the uptick in crimes against Asian Americans, the regime is telling the United States to sort out its own affairs before criticizing Beijing for its severe human rights violations.

Propaganda exploiting Americas domestic problems is a well-worn tactic used by the CCP and other authoritarian regimes to deflect criticism of their own malign actions.

In recent weeks, state-controlled media have been churning out reports daily framing the violence as a result of heightened Western criticism directed toward the Chinese regime.

Chinese diplomats, meanwhile, have wielded such incidents as a weapon to divert attention away from the CCPs domestic abuses, and depict its own governance model as superior to democracy.

In its latest rhetorical attack on the United States, the regime released an annual report on March 24 titled The Report on Human Rights Violations in the United States in 2020.

Since the pandemic began, the incidents of Asian Americans being humiliated and even assaulted in public have been found everywhere, and some American politicians have misled the public on purpose, the regime states in an 18-page report.

It accuses the United States of hypocrisy, bullying  and double standards, saying that the U.S. government, instead of introspecting on its own terrible human rights record, kept making irresponsible remarks on the human rights situation in other countries.

Chinese state mouthpiece Xinhua followed up on the report with a commentary purporting to show Americas inherent human rights sins. The public outcry on violence against Asians will likely result in perfunctory measures from the United States, it claimed, but without sweeping reforms and an earnest attitude, Uncle Sam can hardly clean up its mess in human rights protection, let alone act as a beacon.

Escalating War of Words

The narrative is being aggressively pushed as the Chinese regime doubles down on its propaganda offensive, in the face of increasing pushback from the West over a range of issues from human rights abuse to economic coercion.

While harassment and assaults on Asian Americans raise legitimate concerns for public discussion, Beijings accusations arent given in good faith and show the lengths the regime will go to in order to shirk responsibility for its own abuses, according to policy experts and Asian Americans who have worked in Chinese state media and the U.S. government.

The political motives behind the CCPs criticisms are transparent, Se Hoon Kim, a longtime China watcher and human rights advocate, told The Epoch Times.

This is literally what makes them so dangerousthat anything that they do as Chinese Communist Party is right in their eyes, and henceforth cannot be subjected to the same amount of criticism, he said.

Yes, racism does exist in America. And so it does in China.  But the question is, how much transparency is there [in China]?

A week earlier, top Beijing diplomats gave Biden officials a public dressing down during their first in-person meeting in Alaska, saying that the United States can do better on human rights and that China has the Chinese-style democracy.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken appears like a thief shouting catch thief, reads China Daily, an English language newspaper run by the CCP.

The regime has also slapped retaliatory sanctions on U.S., Canadian, European, and British officials for jointly punishing China over Xinjiang abuses, an accusation its vehemently denied despite extensive evidence.

If the US government could truly care for and safeguard the lawful rights of ethnic minorities as China does with the Uyghur and other ethnic groups in Xinjiang, the problem of racial discrimination in the US would have been solved long ago, Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a recent press conference.

Kim said the tongue-lashing seen during the Alaska meeting displayed in full what [the CCPs] attitudes really are to the free world and to the values in the free world.

Terms such as Chinese-style democracy, he said, are only used to literally justify all manner of ruling, or even all types of actionscriminal actions by the CCP.

The CCP can put the word Chinese on whatever they want, but that doesnt mean that the CCP itself represents China or its culture in any way, he said.

Its just a poor excuse to do whatever they want to do to their own people.

Height of Hypocrisy

A Global Times reporter has gone one step further to cast the phrase wolf warrior as clearly racist and proof of the Wests white supremacy. The term was initially adopted and popularized by the regime to describe the aggressive approach used by some Chinese diplomats; its a reference to two hit Chinese action films with nationalistic overtones that were released in 2015 and 2017.

The outlet has labeled Western politicians and scholars who criticize the regime, such as by highlighting its lack of transparency over the COVID-19 virus origin, as China haters, saying, Every time Asian communities are attacked, injured or killed in hate crime incidents, the victims blood is also on hands of these people.

A Global Times illustration portrayed the Statue of Liberty drowning in the ocean with a giant metal ball labeled racism chained to her leg.

Stephanie Liu, a former Chinese state media journalist now living in New York, believes that the regime is trying to intentionally stir up trouble.

Who is happy if America is in chaos? she said.

Vlad Davidiuk, a policy analyst and the communications director of Harris County Republican Party, categorized the Chinese state media talking point as provably false.

It is abundantly clear that Chinese state media is supporting CCP and woke leftist propaganda, he told The Epoch Times. This ploy is merely a distraction from the larger, criminal acts being carried out by the CCP regime.

Miles Yu, who acted as the principal China policy adviser for the Trump administrations State Department, also noted the irony that the accusations are coming from one of the most brutal regimes in human history.

This is the country that conducted wholesale genocide against the Uyghurs, this country that has killed tens of millions of ordinary Chinese for political reasons, has starved to death almost 40 million people, he said, alluding to the Great Chinese Famine, a three-year disaster from 1959 to 1961 stemming from CCP leader Mao Zedongs radical political campaigns that devastated the countrys agriculture and economy.

So for a regime of this nature to criticize America as being a racist, its just the height of hypocrisy.

This is just the CCPs cynical ploy to delegitimize the American model of governance, to discredit the Americans democratic virtues, and we should never fall for that, he said. I think most people in the world just laugh at that.

No Dissent

If anything, Beijings campaign has shown the fundamental difference between the CCP regime and the United States, Kim said.

At least in the United States, and in the free world, we have the opportunity to criticize ourselves and better ourselves. But in China under the CCP, no opportunities are given to its own people, he said.

Whatever accusations are made against them, they always, always, always deny that any of these problems are happening, like the concentration camps, like the slave labor, like the persecution against Falun Gong.

This is a sign that the people in China are really the ones that are suffering.

If the CCP is really brave enough, it should open up for independent investigations from the West and allow domestic critiques, Yu said.

Chinese government doesnt have the guts. Its a closed society. Its a government ruled by an iron hand, and it is ruled under the extreme Marxist-Leninist ideology that does not allow any dissent, he said.

So this is a tragedy of our time.
Arnold Pierce, an oiler aboard the SS Texaco Oklahoma, was one of 31 crew members who perished when the ship sank a few miles off the North Carolina coast on March 27, 1971.

For 50 years, his son wondered exactly what happened to his father. Last week, he got some answers.

John Pierce, who was 11 at the time of the tragedy, says the loss was super hard on he, his brother and mother. Having put in 20 years as a mariner, the elder Pierce was retiring after the Texaco Oklahoma job and already had a new job lined up at a port in Escanaba, Michigan.

You just never expect that to happen, John Pierce said.

You also dont expect questions to linger for five decades: Did his father die right away? Did he make it onto a raft? What happened to Arnold Pierce?

John was always curious and needed that fulfillment to talk to people who were there and could talk to him about what happened, his wife, Gloria, said on Thursday in Port Arthur.

The Pierces met Clyde Mike Bandy at a memorial observance at the Seafarer Center, led by the Rev. Sinclair Oubre. It marked the 50th anniversary of the loss of the Texaco Oklahoma.

Bandy, a 3rd assistant engineer, knew Arnold Pierce well. They worked the same shift in the stern of the ship.

After lunch on Thursday, Bandy recounted details of the events that unfolded over the 36 hours between the time the Texaco Oklahoma was split in two by by a massive wave that struck it and when the crew abandoned ship.

Your father was there through all of that, he told Pierce.

Those gathered around sat, entranced, as Bandy relayed details that he said remain fresh in his mind.

Related: 50th anniversary of the Texaco Oklahoma honored in Port Arthur

Bandy was 21 and just out of the Maritime Academy.

He joined the 44-man crew of the Texaco Oklahoma, one of the biggest and strongest ships in Texacos sizable fleet, as it departed the Port of Port Arthur on March 22, 1971. It was loaded with 220,000 barrels of fuel oil destined for Boston, Massachusetts.

Bandy was awakened shortly after 3:30 a.m. Saturday, March 27, by the sound of crewmen scrambling.

A massive wave had hit the ship, splitting it in two. As they rushed to assess the damage, they saw the bow float away with 11 crewmen aboard in the midship house. Bandy, the youngest on board, was the senior officer in the crew assembled in the mess. Many of them had sailed in World War II.

I was sitting there wide-eyed, and a crewman asks me, What do you want us to do? That was my first lesson in leadership.

It was a long night, he said.

The first several hours were busy.

We had a lot to take care of, Bandy said.

There were constant fires to put out, literally and figuratively. Most critically, they had to keep the stern section afloat as it was lashed by waves driven by winds up to 60 knots. The deck was covered in oil and perilously slick; getting knocked off balance could lead to a fatal plunge into the sea.

The 33 crew members in the surviving stern began preparing for the eventuality of it sinking. One of two lifeboats in the rear had been torn off by the storm. Bandy made his way out into the remaining lifeboat to make sure its plug was in place before lowering it down. After finding the plug and telling the crew nearby to prepare to lower, he found himself all alone on deck. He looked down from the lifeboat to see the ships bow, which had cantilevered back amid the waves, heading straight for the ship stern, and straight for him.

Bandy leapt out of the lifeboat onto the oily deck just before the bow crashed into them, ripping the last lifeboat from its bearings.

Waves sent the bow crashing again and again into the stern, the two halves creating so much friction that the paint on the walls began bubbling and smoking from the heat.

First engineer Eddie Belle instructed Bandy to descend nearly 10 stories into the bowels of the ship and start the engines. They had to pull away from the bow.

Crew watched as the bow floated away, sinking completely within the hour.

With both lifeboats gone, the 33 men were left with one inflatable rubber life raft. It could hold 15.

They quickly worked to build a second raft, welding together empty 55-gallon oil drums. They covered it in naval mesh to form a platform on which they could sit.

No one was panicking, Bandy said. Everyone was just doing their job. The cooks were cooking, the engineers were engineering, and the mates were trying to keep the thing afloat.

The crew countered each successive mishap with a solution. When the stern started listing, they shifted bulk weight to the opposite side.

As they still had power, they tried flashing all the lights aboard the ship. Bandy remembers finding a large red lamplight, and scaling an oil-slicked stack to get it as high as possible. They flashed it in what they thought was the distress signal.

It caught the attention of a Norwegian vessel a few miles away.

The ship was unable to get closer than a mile or so due to the rough seas, but Bandy and crewmates watched as it made a lap around them.

They were sure that rescue was imminent.

We broke out the orange juice. We were all celebrating, he recalls. The ship made a second lap, then sailed away.

The MS Bougainville had contacted the Coast Guard, which said it had received no distress calls. When asked what color lights he had seen, the Bougainville captain reported it was a red light with white lights flashing beneath.

Red over white, fishing by night, was the maritime standard. The Coast Guard said it was likely a fishing trawler and that the Bougainville was dismissed. The captain called two times more, sure something was not right, but was again told to move on.

Area ships reported 50 calls, but none could be confirmed because the Oklahoma was not able to send out its own distress signal.

Ships werent like today, Bandy said. There was no satellite communication, no cell phones.

The communication crew and radio antennas were all on the sunken ships bow. The stern had a transmitter. Crew members found a manual, and followed the instructions to signal distress. They even attempted Morse code. They later learned all their signals were garbled.

Top hits: Get Beaumont Enterprise stories sent directly to your inbox

It was standard practice for a ship to signal when it was 72 hours from its final destination.

The Texaco Oklahoma never sent that signal, by Bandy said that wouldnt have triggered alarm.

But when it failed to signal 48 hours out, then missed the 24-hour check-in, Texaco got concerned.

At that point, the stern had begun seriously listing  then the hull broke, and the stern began sinking. When it reached a 45-degree downward angle into the sea, the crew gathered on deck, preparing to abandon ship.

Like any tragedy, everything happens in slow motion, Bandy said. Their misfortune came in the form of a thousand cuts.

We knew we were in trouble then, Bandy said.

Still, the crew remained organized and focused.

No one expected the outcome that we had, he said.

They set the barrel raft overboard. It immediately floated, sitting high on the water - a good sign. Then the inflatable rubber raft was tossed into the sea. It sank.

Minutes later it popped up, but was swept into wreckage alongside the stern. Rings were perforated and the canopy top had been crushed down into the base, forming a kind of swimming pool in the middle of the ocean, he said. Still, it was one of the only safety measures left, and when it became clear they had to abandon ship, Eddie Belle went down to try to free it from the wreckage on which it had snagged.

He asked Bandy and others to stand by in case he needed help.

Most of the crewmen went down the ladder to board the drum raft, while Bandy and others remained aboard.

Arnold Pierce went down that Jacobs ladder. Bandy wanted to be with them.

That looked like the winner, he said.

Instead, he was called by his 1st engineer to help get the inflatable aloft.

They managed to free it from the wreckage. Bandy and 11 others got on.

Even on the raft, they were submerged in water. The water temperature was 50 degrees, and the high winds drove the windchill to nearly zero.

They winter storm waves pummeled them relentlessly. Time and again, waves knocked them out of the raft. Time and again, they scrambled to get hold of the oil-slicked craft and climb back aboard.

On one of those incidents Bandy remembers being tossed into the water, rolling over and over within the wave. He clutched his life vest, waited for it to buoy him upward. He counted 20 seconds, then 30, then a minute as his body rolled over and over in the water.

Why wasnt he resurfacing, he wondered. He faced the reality that he might be facing the end.

He recalls feeling not panicked, but somewhat resigned before raising his arms in a final attempt to resurface. He felt rubber and realized he was beneath the raft.

He clawed his way along its bottom until he reached the side and was eventually pulled back in.

Floating in the water, Bandy said, they could hear voices from the drum raft but they couldnt see their mates. They couldnt see anything amid the 20-foot waves engulfing them.

It took until we got into the water for it to strike us how bad it was, because the water was so cold, he said.

Hours into the ordeal, Bandy told Belle they had to get everyone out of the raft and try to upright the collapsed canopy. Hypothermia was setting in. A sailor seated next to him had become unresponsive, his eyes remaining wide open amid the crashing waves. If they didnt try to fix the raft, they would all die.

Bandy and Willie Jacquet, an African-American seaman who lived in Port Arthur and today is the only other survivor still alive, held their breath and crawled beneath the canopy. Clasping hands, the two struggled to stand but used their bodies to force up the canopy.

All supplies in the rafts base were now accessible, including a bilge pump to could clear the raft of water. There was some measure of hope for the 11 men onboard.

Soon, they realized that no nearby ships could find them.

Our universal distress orange raft was covered in oil, Bandy said. We were a black dot in the middle of the ocean.

But then a ships mate fresh on night watch duty aboard the Liberian tanker Sasstown saw a lone spot of orange that was visible. He reported the sighting to his captain, who looked and saw nothing. Are you sure? he is said to have asked. The ships mate said yes, and the captain ordered the ship to turn around.

Eventually they found the raft. The 11 men looked up at the huge tanker, its hull covered with razor sharp barnacles, which the waves were sending them crashing into.

They tried to paddle away, and Belle spotted a Jacobs ladder dangling from the side. It might be reachable for someone leaping as the raft rode the crest of a 20-foot wave.

Its on your side of the raft, Belle told Bandy, so you have to do it.

As the raft rose, Bandy jumped, one hand clasping the bottom rung. Then the wave passed, and the raft dipped 20-feet below him. Bandy was left dangling on the side of the tanker.

Crewmen rapelled down the side, lifting him onto the deck. Everybody was screaming in Italian. The only part he caught was, Are you crazy?

Later, when all were safely aboard, Bandy asked what they were saying.

Why would you jump out? a crewman explained. Didnt you see all those sharks circling the raft?

After the rescue, two more men were pulled from the water. But the drum raft was never seen again.

Bandy and the others were stunned.

The drum raft looked like the winning deal. That should have floated all the way to the North Pole, it was so well built.

Bandy looked toward Pierce.

The last time I saw your father was on that ladder when we left the ship, he said.

At 61, John Pierce finally had the answers his 11-year-old self yearned for.

Other questions remain: Why didnt anyone investigate the glut of garbled messages and multiple reports of unconfirmed distress signals? Why didnt Texaco begin looking until the Oklahoma missed its third mandated check-in? What made the ship rip apart in the first place?

The answers may lie at the bottom of the Atlantic, where the wreckage of the Texaco Oklahoma has never been found.

kbrent@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/kimbpix
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.
One entry-level job is advertised for every 48 people relying on JobSeeker payments, with competition set to rise after JobKeeper ended on Sunday, leaving tens of thousands of people at risk of losing their jobs.

New analysis by the University of NSW social policy research centre and the Australian Council of Social Service shows there are eight people who receive the JobSeeker or Youth Allowance payment for every job advertised. The ratio is higher when it comes to entry-level jobs, with 48 people on the social security payments for each advertised position.

The situation is even worse in regional areas, where there are 12 jobseekers for each job advertised and 57 for each entry-level position.

The Australian Retailers Association joined ACOSS in warning that the $50-a-week cut in JobSeeker from April 1 could damage the economy. ARA chief executive Paul Zahra said the number of people on JobSeeker compared with each job advertised was high and the payment should be raised to the same level as the age pension to keep people above the poverty line.
A relaxation of the 5km limit, a resumption of some outdoor activities and ensuring the complete return to school for all students are Government priorities ahead of Tuesdays cabinet meeting.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said the National Public Health Emergency Team and the Government know that people do need some room to breathe and will aim to do so, while balancing the gradual rise in cases in recent weeks.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin will make an announcement on Tuesday around the Governments decision regarding the lessening of some restrictions, but Mr Coveney said their primary objective is avoiding a fourth wave.

What we are trying to do now is ensure we dont have a fourth wave between and when the majority of adults will be vaccinated.

Read More

We know that by certainly mid-July, the vast majority of people who want to be vaccinated will be and so, I think there will be a lot of caution in Government to try to make sure we dont allow what happened in January to happen now.

I think the approach the Government takes will be cautious. I know many people are frustrated and they want to get out and about and get businesses back up and running. What we dont want to do is to allow restrictions to be eased and then to have to re-impose them again, Mr Coveney said on RTEs This Week programme.

Nphet will report to Government tomorrow their advice on the path ahead for the nation and the Covid-19 cabinet subcommittee will meet at 6pm tomorrow evening to discuss plans, Minister Coveney confirmed.

There will be recommendations coming from that sub-committee to the cabinet on Tuesday morning.

Mr Coveney said that if a return to construction can be done safely, then the Government would really like to do that.

Every week we arent building houses, we are building up a real pressure point and a problem in terms of housing demand.

We would certainly like to see an increase in construction activity after Easter, but we will be guided by public health advice.

Mr Coveney said the first priority, though, must be public health and pointed out that case numbers have marginally increased in the last 10 days.

Read More
(Newser)  An inmate at an Oklahoma jail was fatally shot by authorities Saturday after taking a corrections officer hostage. Per NBC News, the unnamed inmate at Oklahoma County jail grabbed the officer while medication was being distributed on the jail's 10th floor. Per the AP, the suspect then used the officer's keys to free other inmates on the floor, officials said. Some of those inmates reportedly also took part in the hostage taking and the jail was locked down as officials say officers attempted to deescalate the situation. Reports have also emerged that the suspect may have taken the hostage's cellphone and posted video of some of the incident to the officer's Facebook.

story continues below

In the video viewed by KFOR, an inmate says the jail has no food for them to eat and that there's no working water for showers or toilets. Authorities fired their weapons after the suspect held something against the neck of the hostage, Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III said during a news conference. The entire incident lasted less than two hours, officials said. The correctional officer who was taken hostage was rescued and taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The names of the officer and suspect were not released. (Read more hostage stories.)
Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below.

Mrs A.B. writes: My husband died on November 29. He received a company pension from Aga Rangemaster, so I informed it immediately.

It said it was too late to stop payments for December and January, so when they arrived I should return them. I received his December pension of 208 and returned it, but nothing arrived for January.

But I have been told it is up to me to get my bank to trace the missing payment, and have been refused my widow's pension from the company until I find January's money and return it.

Half-baked excuse: Mercer runs Aga Rangemaster's pensions

Tony Hetherington replies: You told me you are 83 years old and supposed to be shielding from Covid, but were told you had to produce a bank statement to prove the 208 had not arrived.

You went to your bank, obtained a printed statement and gave this to Mercer, the firm that administers the Aga Rangemaster pension scheme.

Mercer, which is a major company in the pensions industry, still refused to accept this as proof. It said you had to instruct your bank to trace the money. And at this point, you got in touch with me.

I contacted Mercer, and I gave it a letter signed by you to authorise its staff to discuss the problem without breaching data protection rules.

Within hours, Mercer replied. Miraculously, the whole matter had already been resolved and by pure chance it had contacted you just after my enquiry arrived.

But Mercer refused to tell me what had gone wrong because, it claimed, your letter of authority was not good enough.

Although it had been dealing with you ever since your husband's death, Mercer suddenly decided that I had to provide it with your date of birth as well as your National Insurance number.

Meanwhile, Mercer phoned you and then told me: 'Mrs B responded that she no longer wants us to provide any information because she was happy that the issue was quickly resolved.'

When I checked, it seems Mercer rang you, promised you would get your widow's pension by January 29, and lured you into saying you no longer needed any help from me.

Of course, your widow's pension did not arrive by January 29. Mercer was just playing for time to try to get rid of me. Some day, big companies will learn this has the opposite effect.

But worse was to come. After I told Mercer its own conduct had guaranteed that this story would be published, it suddenly confessed that the missing 208 January pension payment  the root cause of this whole affair  had never been paid.

Mercer was demanding that you and your bank trace 208 that it had never sent in the first place, and had threatened to withhold your widow's pension until you handed over 208 to which it was never entitled.

Mercer's whole conduct was that of a bully, demanding money from an elderly widow, then trying desperately to wriggle out of its own mess by refusing to answer questions.

Next, Mercer denied that it had ever promised your widow's pension by January 29  the supposed reason for telling me to get lost.

No problem, I replied, just let me listen to the recording of that call so I could hear exactly what was said.

Sadly, this attracted a further brush-off from a Mercer official, who told me: 'It is not our business practice to record all calls and I can confirm that the call you are referring to was not recorded.'

Mercer then refused to answer any more questions or say anything further on the matter.

On the bright side, Mercer did start paying your widow's pension last month. But, guess what? Mercer has form for this sort of thing. In 2018 my opposite number on the Daily Mail, Tony Hazell, was asked for help by a reader who had waited months for a Mercer pension.

Tony reported: 'When I contacted Mercer, it implied that the issue was resolved and it had written to you to confirm the pension arrangements.'

Yet when Tony checked this, the reader replied that he was 'still waiting, still none the wiser', with phone calls not returned and emails left unanswered.

It all sounds horribly familiar, and now, in 2021, Mercer has clearly learned nothing.

Payment 'soon': J.H.'s son has been waiting months for a tax refund of almost 800

Taxman's simplicity drive is making life complicated

J.H. writes: My son has been waiting months for a tax refund of almost 800.

Revenue & Customs staff always say it will be paid 'soon', but it appears there is an issue which one official told us had at one time affected about a million taxpayers.

Tony Hetherington replies: IN 2017, your son underpaid income tax through the Pay As You Earn system, so he sent a cheque for the balance due.

The cheque was cashed by Revenue & Customs in January 2018, but it seems a glitch in the system meant that the payment was not allocated to your son.

You told me that his tax records still showed him as being in arrears, so the later repayment was blocked.

A Revenue spokesman told me: 'As part of efforts to expand Simple Assessment, we took steps to protect customers from experiencing errors while the system was changed.'

The Simple Assessment scheme was launched a few years ago so people with straightforward incomes need not complete a tax return.

But it certainly was not meant to separate old records, which showed your son had paid his taxes, from new calculations, showing a refund was due.

After I contacted staff at the Revenue & Customs, they intervened and your son now has his 783 refund.

If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned.
UAE-based value-added food manufacturing firm Global Food Industries (GFI) has given its all-out support to the UAEs F&B Innovation Lab, a programme that aims to discover, guide and mentor the UAEs next innovative F&B products.

The programme, which is an initiative of the Khalifa Fund and the F&B Manufacturers Business Group in partnership with several knowledge, technical, innovation project manager and technology experts, will incubate Emirati talent who have F&B concepts rooted in sustainability, health, and convenience, along with industry leading manufactures who can develop and promote successful product-market fits, with the aim of transforming their F&B concepts into internationally available products.

The UAE Government has consistently pushed forward the advancement of a knowledge-based and innovative economy by introducing initiatives that continuously harness and develop the skills and talent of Emiratis and facilitate growth within local industries, including the food and beverage manufacturing sector, Ahmed Bayoumi, CEO of GFI said.

As such, it is imperative for the private sector to pro-actively participate and work hand in hand with the UAE Government to make such initiatives work and succeed. These initiatives will be the key to unlock the full potential of the UAEs F&B ecosystem and certainly benefit and bring prosperity and growth, not just to individuals or companies, but to the entire community of citizens and residents across the UAE.

As a major player within the UAEs food and beverage manufacturing sector, Global Food Industries is honoured and privileged to support the UAEs F&B Innovation Lab, Bayoumi added. We therefore wish to extend our sincere thanks to the Khalifa Fund and the F&B Manufacturers Business Group for giving us this opportunity to contribute and be part of this initiative. We have no doubt that this initiative will facilitate new and innovative ideas and concepts that will further reinforce the position of proudly made in the UAE products across local, regional and global markets.

Apart from its support for the UAEs Innovation Lab, GFI has also actively participated in the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technologys Future of Industry Dialogue, which on its second online meeting session, focused on the delivery of a resilient food and beverage sector in the UAE.

In addition, GFI welcomed the launch of the UAEs Industrial Strategy Operation 300 billion ($81.68 billion) as announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Operation 300 billion aims to make the industrial sector the main driver of UAEs economy through multiple facilities and incentives that will position the UAE as a global industrial hub that attracts talent, developers and experts from all over the world, and increase the sectors contribution to the countrys GDP to AED300 billion by 2031. Sheikh Mohammed also launched the Unified Industrial Brand Identity under the slogan Make it in the Emirates, wherein the new campaign aims to build up the unique credentials of products made in the UAE through quality and global competitiveness enhancements.

Operation 300 billion and the Make it in the Emirates campaign serve as concrete proof of the UAEs unrelenting drive towards a sustainable and diversified economic strategy, Bayoumi said. As a key player within the UAEs industrial sector, GFI will be unwavering in its commitment to deliver proudly made in the UAE products in accordance with world-class quality standards and will continue working closely with the UAE Government in realising the goals set forth within the Operation 300 billion strategy and plan and the Make it in the Emirates campaign. -- Tradearabia News Service
Like a lot of leaders before him, Micheal Martin creates a good impression on the international stage while flailing at home. Last week he brought wisdom to the European vaccine row, but was running out of road where it mattered. This week he will try to buy more time. It may be too late.

Like Leo Varadkar. In Europe, he looked the part, too. But back home he has yet to win an election.

Kate O'Connell has asked a prescient question. What has Leo Varadkar ever done for Fine Gael? She would say that. She backed Simon Coveney for the leadership.

"Choir boys," she said of Varadkar's supporters. It doesn't make it any less true, though. What has Leo Varadkar ever done for Fine Gael?

Micheal Martin has the merit of having saved Fianna Fail. At least long enough for him to fulfil a personal ambition to become Taoiseach. Surely there was more to it than that? We have yet to see. And was his rescue a stay of execution for the party? The omens are not good.

At a press conference last week to announce the Government's new signature Climate Bill, the two leaders, with the Green Party's Eamon Ryan (who has his own troubles), stood side by side. The backdrop looked professional. The lighting was just right. But there was something off that no amount of dressing up will ever fix. Body language, demeanour, energy - call it what you will.

The two main leaders look wrong together. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have not gelled. It will not happen now with these two men in charge.

Martin is impressive when telling Europe to cop on, but at home he does not bring the same confidence to the room. It is difficult to find your way in a fog, and that is where we are - in a Covid fog. But still, the Government should at least give the impression it knows what it is doing. That would help. The confidence to pull off that trick is just not there.

Varadkar, meanwhile, lurks with meaningless intent - still playing politics, always playing politics. He is happy to see Martin drown. So is around half the Fianna Fail parliamentary party at this stage. But Varadkar is drowning, too. The revelation last week that he called ahead to have a copy of a controversial GPs document couriered to Baldonnel airport, for it to be leaked by him a short time later, is deeply damaging.

It was the descriptive nature of the scenario that did for him. His urgency, purpose and intent laid bare for all to see. His modus operandi. This is how he works. So Varadkar is drowning, too, no matter what the gardai decide. At the moment he is keeping busy describing the waves.

The Government will get one more shot at it this week, when it lays out its latest plan to emerge from the fog. On the back of so many mistakes, whatever is announced will be more damage limitation. Against a background of growing case numbers, dangerous variants and a vaccination programme yet to "ramp up", there is a feeling of doom.

The mistakes, at home and in Europe, are set to take a heavy political toll. That is as it should be. This is no time for excuses. If the country is not on its way out of Covid madness by summer, heads should roll.

Who is waiting in the wings? If it is competence and body language you are after, Michael McGrath and Paschal Donohoe are two ministers giving the Government a good name. Both are ambitious.

So is Big Jim O'Callaghan, with his crafty united Ireland speech in one hand and Mary Lou McDonald in the other. And Kate O'Connell will be rooting for Simon Coveney again.

Varadkar made a big mistake when he stood back and looked on as Martin drowned. Now he could go down himself - in a torrent of leaks. What are the odds the two men, indeed three leaders, are still standing this time next year? Shortening.
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 Prime Minister has asked ministries, state agencies and provinces to focus their resources on increasing the rate of online public services to levels 3 and 4, and integrate their public services on the National Public Service Portal.

The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Public Security to effectively deploy the national database on population, to connect, share, and thoroughly exploit data to minimize paperwork in administrative procedures processing (Photo: Internet)

The directive was in an announcement released by the Government Office on March 24.

The Prime Minister also asked ministries, state agencies and localities to focus on implementing a number of key tasks to develop e-Government and digital transformation in the coming period.

Specifically, in terms of institutions and strategies for the development of e-Government, digital government, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Public Security to speed up the development of the Decree on personal data protection, to submit to the Government for approval and issuance.

The Ministry of Information and Communications was instructed to urgently receive comments of the Government members in order to complete the draft Decree on electronic identification and authentication, and submit it to the Government for consideration and promulgation; to complete and submit to the Government for promulgation the E-government development strategy towards the development of digital government in the period 2021  2025, with a vision to 2030.

Regarding the use of national databases, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Public Security to effectively deploy the national database on population, to connect, share, and thoroughly exploit data to minimize paperwork and to put the national database on population into official use on a large scale from by July 2021.

Accelerating the construction of the national land database is a task that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is required to focus on to ensure that by July 2021, connection and sharing of land data will be completed.

For the provision of online public services, ministries, state agencies and localities must step up handling of administrative procedures in the electronic environment, focus resources on increasing the rate of provision of administrative services to levels 3 and 4 and integrate their services on the National Public Services Portal to ensure the completion of the targets assigned by the Government in Resolution 01/NQ-CP in 2021.

According to the Prime Minister's assessment, high-level online public services have been developed to better serve the people and businesses, with the rate of online public service services at level 4 reaching about 31%.

Ministries, state agencies and localities are also required to use and exploit effectively services provided on national databases and integrated platform; to proactively connect, share and provide their data to other agencies in accordance with Decree 47 dated 2020 and the Prime Minister's direction.

All ministries, state agencies and localities have to complete the determination of information system security levels and propose information security plans.

Regarding digital transformation, the Prime Minister instructed ministries, state agencies and localities to complete the construction and immediately implement strategies, programs, plans and schemes for digital transformation for the new period, determined to perform the tasks under the National Digital Transformation Program.

The Ministry of Information and Communications is asked to strengthen management and the deployment of information technology and telecommunications to serve the development of the digital economy and digital society. Ministries, state agencies, localities, businesses and schools need to continue developing online activities and applying digital technology in all aspects of life.

M.T

55 public services to be provided on National Public Service Portal The Prime Minister has approved a list of 55 online public services that need to be provided on the National Public Service Portal in 2021.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 04:06:44|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

CAIRO, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's Deputy Foreign Minister for African Affairs Hamdi Sanad Loza held talks on Saturday with U.S. special envoy for Sudan Donald Booth on efforts to resume negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) built on the Nile River, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Loza stressed the necessity for reaching "an agreement on filling and operating the GERD at the earliest possible opportunity before Ethiopia begins carrying out the second phase of filling (the dam)," according to the statement.

Ethiopia, an upstream Nile basin country, unilaterally carried out the first phase of filling the dam in July 2020 and is planning to go ahead with the second phase in July this year despite the concerns of Egypt and Sudan, which have repeatedly called for a prior tripartite binding agreement on the rules of filling and operating the controversial dam.

Booth is currently on a regional visit to Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the current president of the African Union (AU), to discuss ways of boosting the negotiation process between Cairo, Khartoum and Addis Ababa over the GERD.

The two diplomats also reviewed Sudan's proposal, which is backed by Egypt, of forming a DRC-led international quartet that includes the AU, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations to maximize chances of reaching "a fair, balanced and legally binding agreement" that meets the interests of the three states.

Ethiopia started building the GERD in 2011, while Egypt is concerned it might affect its 55.5-billion-cubic-meter annual share of the Nile water. Sudan has recently been raising similar concerns over the 4-billion-U.S.-dollar dam.

Over the past few years, tripartite talks on the rules of filling and operating the giant hydropower dam, whose total capacity is 74 billion cubic meters, have been fruitless, including those hosted earlier by Washington and the recent ones by the AU. Enditem
Will my daughters generation and beyond inherit a healthy, livable planet? This will depend on the actions we take right now. Based on sound science, it has been determined that we need to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to avert the worst impacts of climate change. Increases in the intensity of storms and record-setting summers here in Pennsylvania are indicators that we need to act now.

We must place the burden of responsibility on the fossil fuel industry to do its part in cutting pollution. Much is talked about carbon dioxide, but methane, which is 84 times more heat-trapping than CO2 and at least 25% responsible for human made climate change, must be addressed. Gov. Tom Wolf understands this and in 2019 he announced an executive order to reduce greenhouse emissions, including methane leaks from existing fracking and oil and gas operations, like gas wells and pipelines. However, the proposed ruling does not go far enough as it contains loopholes on older, often poorly maintained low-producing wells and contains a provision that allows operators to reduce the frequency of inspections on older wells.

Given that Pennsylvania is the second largest natural gas producing state in the nation, these loopholes are unacceptable. It is incumbent on Governor Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to strengthen the proposed existing source methane rule. This is but one cog in the wheel of progress towards the legacy of a cleaner, more sustainable planet.

Richard Cole, West Norriton, Pa.


An aunt of double killer Ken Flanagan has paid a moving tribute to the nephew she tried to save from drugs and her sister Karen McClean, who he murdered.

Flanagan stabbed his mother, who was known as Kaz, to death before knifing his girlfriend Stacey Knell to death and taking his own life last weekend in Newtownabbey in a crime which has shocked Northern Ireland.

Young mum Stacey was buried on Friday amid emotional scenes in east Belfast and the brutal crime has shattered several families.

Now, an aunt of Ken Flanagans, who goes by the name Chelle Mc-B on Facebook, has paid tribute to both the sister and nephew she lost in the horrific tragedy.

Posting a picture of herself with nephew Ken on her Facebook, Chelle said: My nephew, my son from another mother but most of all.. my friend.

Those big blue eyes & thick head of hair, you melted my heart from the moment you were born. I will love & miss you forever ... Mo.

Expand Close Ken McClean Flanagan / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Ken McClean Flanagan

The loving aunt had posted several pictures of nephew Ken, whom she desperately tried to save from his addiction to tranquillisers, including an image of the murderer on a train with the caption: On our travels together.. admiring the beauty of the world from the sleeper train .. my fav pic of my son from another mother.. what a journey we have had son.. I will love you FOREVER.

She also paid a loving tribute to her sister Karen, who was slain by Ken, saying: Sisters by birth, friends by choice... my beautiful sister I will miss you so much.

Flanagan had been ordered to stay away from mum Karens house by authorities prior to the killings after violent outbursts said to be brought on by his addiction to tranquillisers similar to the anti-depressant Xanax.

Girlfriend Stacey Knell and mum Karen McClean were slaughtered by Flanagan on Friday, March 19, in a night of horrific violence which has left communities in north and east Belfast stunned.

Neighbours heard mum-of-two Kaz call out, Im dying, Im dying... its my son, as drug addict Ken attacked her at an address on the Rathcoole estate in Newtownabbey.

Expand Close Kaz McClean lost her life / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Kaz McClean lost her life

The killer left his mother as she lay dying and travelled to a nearby family-owned property on Glenville Road in Whiteabbey, where he stabbed girlfriend Stacey to death before taking his own life.

Heartbroken teenage sister Janelle Flanagan yesterday posted dozens of family photos to her Facebook account of her mother Karen and other family members, including killer Ken, with the caption: Beautiful angels.

Expand Close Kens girlfriend Stacey was also murdered / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Kens girlfriend Stacey was also murdered

Stacey Julie Anne Mackay, who was close to both Karen and Ken Flanagan, also paid tribute to Karen and Ken on Facebook, adding: It just doesnt seem real our Kaz and Ken. Karen you were always there for me when I needed you whether it was a phone call for hours lol, a text or a cuppa and a chat.

You always had my back. Im gonna miss your funny wee messages and your wee quote pictures you would always send to cheer me up. You were such a kind-hearted woman who always was there to give me advice and tell me my worth. Im so lucky for you to have been a part of my life.

Ken last time I seen you we were having a wee cuppa in your mums and you were so buzzing for me going to Spain. We were talking about the old days and how well you were doing now. Went out for a wee spin in the car and all and you were doing so well.

You gave me the biggest hug and kiss on the cheek and Ill hold that in my heart forever. Rest in paradise my two beautiful angels.

Following the funeral of young mum Stacey Knell on Friday, a GoFundMe page set up to help with funeral costs had surpassed 3,000.

Expand Close ANGUISH: Grief-stricken mourners carry the coffin of Stacey Knell in Belfast on Friday / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp ANGUISH: Grief-stricken mourners carry the coffin of Stacey Knell in Belfast on Friday

In a Facebook post Staceys cousin Ryan Ward thanked friends and well-wishers for their help and support and was scathing about Ken Flanagan who he labelled a no good coward.

Mr Ward said: The generosity of the community has taken us all back and theres nothing we can say that would even begin to tell you what its meant to us, seeing what Stacey meant to so many people has made us smile through the tears weve all experienced from we got the news.

This is NOT an issue on mental health anyone should be pushing but rather one of somebody who has never been any good in their life robbing our family and indeed his own of two women who only ever had his best interests. His cowardly acts of that night will never be forgiven.

Stacey was a beautiful soul and incredible mum who seen the best in everyone even sometimes when there was nothing good to be seen at all.
Palmdale, CA (93550)

Today

Clear skies. Gusty winds during the evening. Low 68F. SW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Gusty winds during the evening. Low 68F. SW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph.
Real estate agent Deb Brittan decided to make a little friendly wager when she listed a home for sale in a sleepy Citrus Heights cul-de-sac.

She didnt expect that the house, located about 15 miles from Sacramento, would receive more than 20 offers, reports KTXL. The homeowners themselves, Anita and Barry Jackier, guessed it might reach eight or 10.

But in a single weekend, the 1,400-square-foot home with an asking price of $399,000 collected 122 offers in total.

That house was on the market for three hours, Anita Jackier told KTXL.

The couple said they planned to sell their longtime home after making the decision to move to Idaho. It boasts three bedrooms, two baths and a large backyard complete with a swimming pool and fountain.

People would think that it was underpriced, said Brittan, adding that the home sold for roughly $450,000, though the highest offer topped over $500,000. It was not underpriced. It was straight on with the comps.

The swift sale and flood of offers is another example of the Northern California real estate surge, which has led prospective buyers to bring in multiple bids on properties throughout region; particularly single family homes as a result of the widespread shift to remote work.

Consequently, prices are soaring across the region.

"The market is hot going into spring," Vanguard agent Alan Thuma told SFGATE earlier this month.

This was demonstrated when Santa Clara-based real estate agent Alan Wang told the Mercury News that one of his clients  a family who bid on a single-family home in Dublin  discovered they were one of 49 offers on the house. The four-bedroom home sold for about $400,000 over the $1.7 million listing price.

In San Francisco, condo sales are up 64% year-over-year from the beginning of the pandemic. And in Alameda County, data from the California Association of Realtors revealed the median home price surged 21% to $1.06 million  the 7th consecutive month the countys median home sale prices have topped $1 million.

SFGATE Local Editor Andrew Chamings contributed to this report.
Kampala, March 28 : Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni have received their first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines at State House in the capital, Kampala.

"I encourage all Ugandans who qualify for this vaccination to go to health facilities and get it," Xinhua news agency quoted the President as saying in a tweet on Saturday after he was vaccinated.

Ruth Aceng, Uganda's Health Minister, hailed the first family for being inoculated in the ongoing nationwide Covid-19 vaccination campaign exercise in the east African country.

Aceng and senior officials from her Ministry were among the first recipients of the Covid-19 dose.

Uganda launched the first phase of Covid-19 vaccination campaign on March 10, targeting high risk groups.

The Ministry targets to vaccinate more than 21.9 million people who face the highest risk of the infection, which include health workers, teachers, security personnel, elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.

Uganda has received the first donation of 964,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from COVAX facility vaccine sharing program and the Indian government.
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.

Militants who seized the northern Mozambique town of Palma this week, murdering residents and forcing energy giant Total to suspend work on a nearby gas project, have wreaked havoc in the area for more than three years.

Here is a snapshot of the insurgents:

 Origins 

In October 2017, about 30 armed men launched a dawn raid on three police stations in Mocimboa da Praia, a port city in the province of Cabo Delgado, a predominantly Muslim region bordering Tanzania.

We all knew they were dangerous, but we never thought they were capable of waging a war, said a local imam who was then based in Mocimboa da Praia  about 80 kilometres south of Palma.

Three years later, the conflict has taken root and the group Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama (ASWJ), has triggered a humanitarian crisis akin to the end of Mozambiques 1977-1992 civil war.

Their attacks have left at least 2,600 people dead, half of them civilians, and uprooted nearly 700,000 people.

Last year the jihadists grew bolder, escalating attacks and posting brazen videos of unmasked fighters waving black flags and pledging allegiance to ISIS.

In August last year they seized the town of Mocimboa da Praia again and are still in control.

 Palma attack 

Their tactics have involved burning villages and beheading locals as Mozambican troops struggle to regain ground in the remote, forested province, despite help from private military companies.

Today the militants are in control of Palma, a town just 10 kilometres (six miles) from the nerve centre of the mega gas project that represents one of the biggest investments in Africa, led by the French energy group Total.

Armed militants moved in on Palma, a coastal town of 75,000 people, from three different direction on the afternoon of March 24. Locals and some 200 workers fled.

Institute for Security Studies (ISS) senior researcher Martin Ewi says authorities knew of the imminent attack because there was intelligence that an attack was going to occur at least for three days before, but did nothing to prevent it.

Witnesses told Human Rights Watch they fired indiscriminately at people and buildings, leaving several bodies lying on the street.

The violent, calculated raid broke a three-month hiatus in Islamist attacks widely attributed to counter-insurgency tactics and the January to March rainy season.

The attack came exactly two weeks after the US State Department labelled the group known also as al-Shabaab, an IS-linked terror group, saying it reportedly pledged allegiance to (IS) as early as April 2018.

It blacklisted Abu Yasir Hassan, saying he was the leader of ISIS-Mozambique.

 Grown in sophistication 

Thousands of troops have been deployed to Cabe Delgado, but Mozambiques ability to fight the insurgency has long been questioned, with analysts pointing at poor training and lack of equipment.

Government has hired a South African private military company Dyck Advisory Group (DAG), which is also reportedly discreetly being assisted by the Russian mercenaries, Wagner.

The HRW watchdog accused the militants, government troops and private military companies of war crimes by causing hundreds of civilian deaths.

The US announced this month that American military personnel would spend two months training soldiers in Mozambique to help the country fight the jihadist insurgency.

Alexander Raymakers, senior Africa analyst at the UK-based risk intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft, suggested the militants had used a lull in the fighting to prepare a high profile operation.

Its a clear demonstration that ASWJ has steadily increased its military capabilities, grown in sophistication and retains the initiative.

sch-sn/ho/bp

EXXONMOBIL

ENI

TOTAL
7 day print subscribers enjoy unlimited access to yakimaherald.com

Enter the LAST NAME and the 7 DIGIT phone number on your print subscription account to connect your print subscription to your yakimaherald.com account.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 13:13:40|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

JALALABAD, Afghanistan, March 28 (Xinhua) -- At least six militants' bomb experts have been killed in two separate incidents in Afghanistan, authorities said Sunday.

In eastern Nangarhar province, Special Forces of Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS) conducted an operation in Police District 8 of provincial capital Jalalabad city on Saturday night, killing one Islamic State (IS) bomb maker when he was trying to flee from the besieged area, provincial directorate of NDS, the country's national intelligence agency, confirmed in a statement early Sunday.

Militants in Afghanistan have been using home-made improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to make roadside bombs and landmines to target security forces, but the lethal weapons also inflict casualties on civilians.

In southern Helmand province, five Taliban militants' IED makers were killed and big amount of weapons and ammunition together with 66 IEDs and a militants' vehicle were destroyed after the Afghan Air Force targeted a Taliban's position in Nawa district on Saturday, the Afghan Defense Ministry confirmed in a statement.

The militant groups have not made comments on the reports so far. Enditem

Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union

In 2020, more than a third of all adults in New York state reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression or both. Among children and young people, the situation is equally dire with pediatric psychiatric emergencies on the rise even as hospital beds for these patients become harder to find.



Despite this growing crisis, Gov. Andrew Cuomos budget once again shortchanges the mental health system. His proposal would plug the budget gap with funds that should be invested in our communities. With the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating already profound levels of need, this is an irresponsible  even dangerous  time to withdraw financial support.



Even before the pandemic, mental health services were out of reach for too many. Cuomo himself has acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic is inflicting trauma on all of us in the form of social isolation, lost wages and daily uncertainty. And, yet, at this moment of skyrocketing need, his own budget fails to make the necessary investments into the very services that will help New Yorkers of all ages endure and heal from this traumatic experience.



As a nurse, I have seen firsthand the emotional trauma of families seeking help for their distressed loved ones. Without adequate community supports, many wait endlessly in the halls of emergency departments or fall through the cracks entirely. New York state can and must do more to ensure mental and behavioral health services are well-funded.

Aileen Gunther
Complaints about travel insurance have tripled over the past year as thousands of fed-up holidaymakers had claims declined or delayed during the Covid-19 crisis.

Exclusive data from the Financial Ombudsman Service, which resolves disputes between customers and businesses, shows that more than 6,000 complaints were filed between April and December 2020, a 208 per cent increase on the number of cases it handled 12 months earlier.

Most related to cancellations and claims due to the pandemic. The Ombudsman upheld about a third of complaints in the consumer's favour.

For anyone dreaming about taking a holiday this year, ensuring you have reliable travel insurance will be of utmost importance.

Waiting game: Under current plans, the earliest that people in England, Wales and Scotland can go abroad on holiday is May 17

Under current plans, the earliest that people in England, Wales and Scotland can go abroad on holiday is May 17. But a third wave of Covid cases across Europe has jeopardised this.

From tomorrow, anyone in England trying to holiday abroad risks a 5,000 fine. Meanwhile, a system for allowing international travel when the ban is lifted will be published next month.

If your heart is set on a foreign holiday  or you're planning a staycation  we offer a guide to everything you need to know about travel insurance, from finding a robust policy to whether vaccines will be mandatory. Plus, our tips on making sure your insurer pays out.

Consider cover for a staycation

If you're planning to stick to the UK, the good news is that almost all annual travel insurance policies cover such trips.

So if you've already got one, you don't need to worry too much about buying more insurance. The majority also cover you for cancelling a holiday if your pre-travel Covid test is positive.

But check if your policy has any rules on the length of the trip. According to financial analyst Defaqto, three-quarters of policies will only cover UK breaks of two nights or more.

If you do not have an annual policy  or any insurance from a packaged bank account  consider if it's necessary for a staycation. While any medical expenses will be covered by the NHS, insurance can pay for costs such as being transported to a hospital near your home.

It can also prove invaluable if your possessions go missing or are damaged. However, check if this is tents insurance.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, says a holiday provider with flexible booking terms may be the best choice.

He says: 'There will still be risks involved in booking a UK holiday once domestic travel is permitted again. But most of these can be overcome by booking with a provider that offers flexible booking terms, rather than by taking out travel insurance.'

Will insurers demand vaccine passports?

There has been much talk about vaccine passports, which would allow people who have had the coronavirus jab to travel abroad.

While the Government has yet to announce how they might work, some travel operators are requiring passengers to have had the vaccine.

Saga will require all holiday and cruise customers to be fully vaccinated before travel. Airline Qantas will also demand proof that passengers have been vaccinated, unless exempt for medical reasons.

'This is the big, hot topic at the moment,' says Martyn James at the dispute resolution service Resolver. 'I can see 'jab and go' being a thing in the coming months for the travel industry.'

So far, no travel insurer has added Covid vaccinations to its small print, so a jab is not currently a requirement for cover.

Whether insurers start tweaking their policies may be dictated by government actions. For example, if Brussels makes vaccination a requirement to holiday in EU countries, insurance providers may have to impose this on customers.

Even if your insurer doesn't require a vaccine, Anna-Marie Duthie, travel insurance expert at Defaqto, points out: 'You should pay attention to the booking terms of a holiday to ensure that the travel or accommodation provider is not deeming vaccination a requirement.'

GET COVERED - FROM WHEN YOU BOOKED One of the biggest errors that people make is not starting their travel insurance policy when they book a holiday. Resolver's Martyn James says: 'Loads of people choose to buy last-minute or not start the policy until they travel. Curtailment is the big claim issue at the moment and that only counts if you have a policy that starts from booking.' 'Nondisclosure is also a common reason for a rejected claim, so pay attention to any health questions when you take out the policy, and answer honestly. Any Covid-related cover tends to only kick in when you are diagnosed with the virus, not when you have symptoms. Defaqto's Anna-Marie Duthie adds one final note: 'Many consumers may expect their travel insurance to pay out should they need to cancel due to Covid. 'But if their accommodation or travel provider offers rebooking or credit, rather than a refund specifically, this would be deemed acceptable by the insurer and a claim rejected.'

What you need from comprehensive cover

The travel insurance industry has been turned upside down as a result of the Covid crisis. Large numbers of policies were pulled a year ago when much of the world went into lockdown.

Terms and conditions were hastily rewritten with pandemic exclusions added, and many customers had claims incorrectly turned down. Resolver saw a big increase in the number of travel insurance complaints it received: 1,124 last year compared to 355 in 2019.

Reading the terms and conditions of an insurance policy before you take it out is always good practice, although wading through upwards of 150 pages, often laced with jargon, is no mean feat.

Boland of Which? spells out the key elements of Covid-related terms to look out for.

He says: 'It should cover you if you contract Covid-19, if you have to self-isolate before or during your trip, or if travel restrictions  such as a lockdown at home or border closures at your destination  prevent you from travelling. It's also advisable to book a package holiday, if appropriate, as this will give you additional protections.'

Nearly all policies will cover you for medical expenses should you get Covid while abroad, while Defaqto says three-quarters of plans will cover cancellation due to a positive Covid test before travel.

However, there is currently no insurance that will pay for the cost of your trip should you need to cancel due to being placed into lockdown.

While many insurers include 'Covid cover', this can vary widely. So make sure you check under which situations it will pay out. If you can't find what you're looking for in the policy documents, give the insurer a ring.

In terms of providers with some of the most comprehensive Covid cover available, Duthie highlights Axa Health and LV=, as well as the insurance that comes with packaged bank accounts offered by Barclays, Lloyds Bank and Coutts.
Three of the seven seats on Harlandale Independent School Districts board of trustees are up for grabs May 1.

Candidates include two incumbents, a former trustee and two made ineligible, one by death and one by a residency problem.

The boards vice president is running unopposed. The races will determine who represents single-member Districts 2, 3 and 4 on the board.

The election will be Harlandales first since the district barely avoided a state takeover after years of board infighting and ethics issues, and incumbents said it was an opportunity to keep rebuilding trust.

The group that we have now I think is one of the tightest groups that weve ever had, said board vice president and District 1 trustee Juan Mancha, 56, who is headed for a third term. But I feel that we havent finished what we started. We havent proven to TEA that we are the board that we claim to be, and I feel thats very important.

On ExpressNews.com: Harlandale ISD trustee Mendoza, dead at 61, was known as playful, dedicated

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath appointed Judy Castleberry, a former executive director of the Education Service Centers Region 20, as Harlandale ISDs conservator in February 2020 after a TEA investigation concluded that the board had violated the Open Meetings Act and was a largely dysfunctional cockpit of distrust and bullying.

Central to those issues was a years-long business relationship with Jasmine Engineering. The board repeatedly awarded the company lucrative construction oversight jobs and other work in ways that violated state law, amending or renewing an open-ended contract without seeking proposals from other firms, the TEA found.

On ExpressNews.com: After long relationship became an embarassment, Harlandale ISD trustees vote to settle lawsuit with contractor

Already under state investigation, the board terminated the contract in 2018 and Jasmine Engineering sued in response.

Morath last year stopped short of replacing the entire school board with state-appointed managers  a move he had pledged to make  after three new members were elected and trustees removed then-superintendent Rey Madrigal. David Abundis, a 13-year board veteran, resigned suddenly during the investigation, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

A group of trustees met with Morath in Austin after Abundis resignation and persuaded him not to replace the board, pointing out that the remaining trustees had not been implicated in the TEA report.

Abundis now is running to rejoin the board. All the incumbents say they deserve to stay, having preserved local control of the district by promising stability and rectitude.

Gerardo Soto, the districts former executive director of operations, was hired as superintendent in December 2019. Last fall, trustees voted to pay Jasmine Engineering $700,000 to settle its lawsuit. Castleberry still oversees Harlandale ISD, but trustees are optimistic they are digging themselves out.

The main thing to me is to prove to TEA that  we are a board that is willing to work with our superintendent and our cabinet and that we have the board that is going to take us to the future, Mancha said.

Trustees serve four-year terms. Early voting is April 19-27 and Election Day is May 1.

District 2

Robin Jerstad /Contributor /San Antonio Express News

Incumbent Christine A. Carrillo, 54, was first elected in 2013 and is facing a repeat challenge from Orlando Salazar, 60. She defeated him in the 2017 election.

A former accounting clerk at the Center for Health Care Services, Carrillo is now a full-time mom for her two children, who are Harlandale ISD products.

Carrillo said she hopes the current board stays intact because she is proud of the way trustees have worked together in the past year, including how they helped lead the district through the coronavirus pandemic, ensuring staff are supported and that every student has an electronic device and access to the internet.

The board that we have now, were just really working hard to make our district great, Carrillo said. We are following policy the way that we should have been following it years ago.

Losing incumbents to challengers would threaten to undo that progress, she said, adding, All were trying to do is get (TEA) out of our district. Were not that same board anymore.

But Salazar, owner of Cevallos Insurance and a former member of San Antonios Zoning Commission, said he thinks the board is still a little bit off track and that he could do a better job than Carrillo because she has missed some board meetings in the past two years.

Carrillo said she was forced to miss several meetings because she had two surgeries and a serious bout of COVID-19, which she said almost killed her.

If elected, Salazar said, he would work to improve career readiness rates among students.

Im ready to run for the students, the taxpayers and do a good job and Im the right person to do it, Salazar said.

District 3

Courtesy Louie G. Luna /

Louie G. Luna, 57, a Harlandale pre-K teacher, is the sole eligible candidate in the District 3 race, but will appear on the ballot beside Esequiel Mendoza, the trustee who held the seat until his death in February, and Lillian Zapata, who has been declared ineligible because of a residency issue.

Mendoza died after filing for re-election, too late to be removed from the ballot. When she filed her candidacy, Zapata had an address on her voter registration outside of District 3. She later submitted a form to change the address on her voter registration, but it was past the filing deadline, said Ricardo Hernandez, Harlandales election administrator.

The district will put a notice on its website alerting voters to the ballot situation, Hernandez said. Voters unaware of the unusual circumstances might cast enough votes for the ineligible candidates to deprive Luna of the majority required to be elected. If that happens, the board could appoint someone to fill the seat or call a special election.

Luna, a bilingual teacher in the district and vice president of Region 2 of the Texas State Teachers Association, has been blockwalking to let voters that he is the only eligible candidate for District 3.

I really feel I have no control in this situation, Luna said. Im telling my (constituents) that even though this has happened, they still need to get out and vote for me.

He said he wants to play a role in the boards resurgence, in part by making its decisions and policies more accessible to district employees and families and by advocating for better funding from the state.

I feel Im highly qualified, not only as an educator but as an active community member, he said. Working with the community is a big necessity, especially in our district.

District 4

Courtesy Norma Cavazos /

The race to represent District 4 pits board president Norma Cavazos, 49, appointed to the board in August 2019, against Abundis, 48, the long-time trustee she replaced after he resigned while TEA investigators were probing into years of questionable board decisions and behavior.

Cavazos ran against Abundis in 2013 and lost.

Abundis is the director of federal and state programs in neighboring South San Antonio ISD and a former teacher and principal in that district. He said the pandemic inspired him to run for election and he wants to bolster Harlandales efforts to support students through virtual learning and to recover the academic ground many have lost.

I want to use my experience as an educator to just kind of push the needle with the administration, making sure theyre really going out of the box to educate our kids through this crisis of COVID, he said.

Rejoining the board would make spending time with his family a challenge again, he acknowledged, but he said he could focus his attention on board meetings and potentially skip other events that trustees are typically expected to attend.

Cavazos, a legal assistant at the law firm Martinez & Associates and a former PTA president at Harlandales Rayburn Elementary School, said the district cannot afford to bring back trustees from its troubled past while its trying to prove to TEA that the board is finally on the right track.

I cannot imagine Mr. Abundis coming in and doing something different that he didnt do in the years that he was there, she said. I cannot imagine how him returning would be better for us. ... Our district has been doing well, not because of me, but because of the vision that we as a district are now putting together and moving forward with.

Cavazos said she wants to boost students technological literacy, provide teachers more opportunities for professional development and ensure that families can be more involved by having quarterly town halls and seeing that board meeting minutes get translated into Spanish. About 95 percent of Harlandale students are Hispanic and nearly 20 percent are English learners.

Theres a difference in Harlandale that there hasnt been in a long time  theres a change, she said. The light had been dimmed for a long time, but we are finally, finally in a good place. I want to continue (on the board) only to move forward, not to stand in the same place.

andy.picon@hearst.com | Twitter: @andpicon
Tile and sanitary ware importers concerned over severe product shortage By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):

Sri Lanka tile and sanitary ware importers continued their agitation highlighting the present plight of the industry which has been affected due to import restrictions since April last year.

The importers urged the government to create level playing field for them and three local manufacturers to meet the local demand of ceramic products as the ceramic import became zero causing massive tax revenue loss of Rs.12 billion per annum for the state, they told reporters.

It has fulfilled 55 per cent of the local requirement of the country specially for building construction while the balance 45 percent is being met by local manufacturers.

Addressing a media conference in Colombo, executive members of Tile and Sanitary ware Importers Association (TSIA) expressed their doubt on the governments announcement on Wednesday March 24 relating to the relaxation of restriction imposed on ceramic ware and related products.

Cabinet spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella revealed on the same day that the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the importation of suspended ceramic products on a 180-day credit basis.

The proposal made by the Prime Minister for the submission of the relevant gazette notification issued on 11.02.2021 to Parliament has been approved by the Cabinet, he said.

However high ranking members of the association noted that the same gazette notification has been withheld within less than 24 hours after its release to the public on a directive issued by the Controller of Imports and Exports on an earlier occasion.

They noted that the government should stick to its current decision without reversing it as they have agreed to import these ceramic ware including tiles subject to special CESS with amicable agreement with local manufacturers at a meeting held at the Treasury recently.

Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena issued a government notification on March 15 revising import duty and imposed a new CESS of Rs. 490 per square metre of tiles while increasing the customs duty to Rs.30 from Rs. 15 or Rs. 125 per kilo from Rs. 40 per kilo for sanitary ware imports.

TISA President Kamil Hussein stated that they have agreed to the new tax revision at the Treasury meeting to assist governments efforts aimed at protecting the local manufacturers and save foreign exchange for the state.

However he emphasised the need of safeguarding the ceramic ware import industry well established in this country while urging the government to abide by its decision to lift import restrictions.

Rush Lanka Group representative Shabir Iqbal divulged details of issues faced by construction industry stakeholders owing to short supply from importers and local manufacturers.

Sri Lanka construction industry and many people building or repairing their houses have affected due to sky rocketing of tile and sanitary ware prices following the governments recent decision on tax revision.

Traders said prices have shot up because of the shortage. A 22-foot tile that was selling at Rs. 650 now costs Rs. 1,750 while an imported commode was selling at Rs. 22,000, but stocks were not available.
Exchanging forks and spoons View(s):

Was it misleading or confusing? I posed this question to two well-known economists on Wednesday. Today was Thursday and the trio was under the margosa tree having their usual weekly conversation. Was it misleading or confusing? I posed this question to two well-known economists on Wednesday. Today was Thursday and the trio was under the margosa tree having their usual weekly conversation.

What is the significance of currency swaps, what do they mean? I asked the first economist.

Well a currency swap is simply exchanging each others currencies and thats what we are doing in these arrangements with India and China, he said. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, is also discussing a currency swap with Bangladesh.

So when we borrow under a currency swap do we have to return the money (which is somewhat of a loan) in that countrys currency or in US dollars? I asked again.

The money that was borrowed, say for example from India, has to be returned in Indian rupees because India swapped its currency for our currency, he said, adding that currency swaps are only possible with India or China because the Sri Lanka rupee is not a tradable currency and since Sri Lanka has strong trading ties with these two countries.

It is not an exchange involving US dollars though all the government announcements pertaining to currency swaps also give the US dollar conversion rate which could wrongly imply that such a commitment is in US dollars, he added.

Comfortable with this explanation, I called the second economist for more details on these kinds of arrangements.

I agree with you that by including in announcements the US dollar conversion in currency swaps involving Indian rupees or the Chinese yuan, it gives a misleading signal that US currency is involved, he said and went on to explain in simple terms what a currency swap, which also includes an interest component, is.

Take for example, you are planning a party and are short of forks. You ask your neighbour to lend you some forks and, in turn, give him an equivalent number of spoons. At the end of the party, you return the forks and he does the same with the spoons. Now if you have damaged the forks, you need to replace them with new ones. The currency swap works in similar ways  the two currencies are exchanged and at some point, maybe two or three years later, you need to return the money borrowed in that countrys currency. Since the Sri Lanka rupee is not a tradable currency, our rupee equivalent of India rupees or Chinese yuan is deposited in an account in that country and when we return the loan, that money is returned, he said. Currency swaps are between the central banks of two countries

He said that it is better to borrow from the IMF than from China under a swap deal, since China links political conditions to such swaps, while the IMF would only push for economic change. It was precisely for this reason that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in February 2021 quickly settled a currency swap facility from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in anticipation of the 10 billion Chinese yuan swap with China which was agreed to, earlier this week.

At the end of the two conversations, I was adequately armed with knowledge on currency swaps. The reality however is that call it what you like  swaps, loans, credit etc.  eventually this is debt the country has to pay at some point. Its always a rob Peter to pay Paul scenario.

The currency swaps, however, will ease the burden somewhat and can be used to pay for imports from those countries. Sri Lanka is also mindful that in the case of a Chinese loan, the debt has to be paid back in US dollars (not yuan) as the loan is given in US dollars, which is not the same as a currency swap.

According to estimates, Sri Lanka needs to pay back a total debt of $6.4 billion this year, made up of $4.3 billion of government debt; $1.3 billion in Sri Lanka development bonds; and the balance from privately-secured foreign loans.

With figures and economic data swirling above me, I thought of taking a break and looked towards the margosa tree and wondered what they were discussing.

Me avurudde, maha aswenna hondai, mage gamey inna yaluwo kiwwa (This year, the Maha harvest seems to be good according to friends in our village), said Kussi Amma Sera. Ehemanang, aei haal mila mechchara wedi (If that is the case, why are rice prices so high)? asked Serapina.

Eh, haal mudalalila sahal thoga sangawa thiyaganna hinda-ne. Hingayak ethikarala eva eliyata danne egollanta one kota ne (Thats because the rice mudalalis are stock-piling paddy and releasing it only when they want to, creating a shortage), noted Mabel Rasthiyadu. The Maha season starts in September and ends by March.

Indeed, according to the Central Bank, rice production this year is set to achieve 2019 levels which is a positive spin on the economy affected by the pandemic.

While the economy seems to be picking up marginally amidst the pandemic, workers remittances are and will always be the saving grace. According to the latest data, remittances rose in January 2021 to $675 million, compared to $581 million in the same 2020 month. Despite their contribution, migrant workers are constantly challenged in many ways with many stranded overseas owing to COVID-19. Even though all other export sectors recorded sharp falls last year, it was remittances that helped the economy act as a cushion against any serious fall in foreign exchange earnings.

In January-February 2021, apparel exports fell by 8.08 per cent to $863 million from the same 2020 months, while tea during the same period rose marginally to $213 million from $207 million.

Due to pressure building on the US dollar amidst a shortage, the Central Bank last week had to suspend two circulars in which exporters and banks were directed to convert part of the export proceeds and sell it to the banking regulator. In the period January to March 10, 2021, the rupee recorded a depreciation of 4.9 per cent against the US currency.

Whew it was a heavy column this week, discussing currency swaps, loans, depreciation and forks and spoons! As I sipped my second mug of tea, I reflected on the latest information from the Central Bank that the economy is on track for a recovery. I only hope this is true.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 17:09:24|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

A man works at a workshop of Hefei plant of Changan Automobile in High-tech Industry Development Zone in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 26, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- To sustain growth, China is pushing a "dual circulation" development paradigm, which has been mentioned as a guiding thought in a blueprint for its development in the next five to 15 years.

"China will advance the building of a strong domestic market and a strong trading nation in a concerted way, based on the domestic circulation," read the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035.

What is the new development paradigm? Why did China put forward it in 2020? How will the country foster it? Here are some explanations.

-- What is the new development paradigm?

First floated by China's leadership in May 2020, the new development paradigm of "dual circulation" allows the domestic and overseas markets to reinforce each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay.

The key to building a new development pattern lies in unimpeded economic circulation and industrial connectivity, according to an article by Vice Premier Liu He expounding on the new paradigm.

The fundamental requirements are enhancing the creativity and connectivity of the supply system, removing various bottlenecks of development, and smoothing the circulation of the national economy, Liu wrote.

Workers make protective suits at a workshop of Hodo Group in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 8, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

-- Why did China propose the new paradigm?

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the new development pattern comes not as a passive, short-term response, but as an active policy choice based on changes in the country's development conditions and demand for long-term high-quality growth.

Since the 2008 global financial crisis, Chinese authorities have put forward strategies including expanding domestic demand and supply-side structural reforms, suggesting the gradual shift toward internal circulation has long been underway, said Liu Yuanchun, vice president of the Renmin University of China.

Currently, protectionism and anti-globalization are on the rise, but the main driving force for the new development pattern is the shift in China's comparative advantage from a cheap labor force to huge domestic consumption potential, said Yao Jingyuan, a research fellow at the Counsellors' Office of the State Council.

It is a natural choice to focus on the domestic market as China's per capita GDP rises above 10,000 U.S. dollars and its middle-income population exceedings 400 million, entailing mass opportunities at home.

-- Will China close its door under the new pattern?

Making the domestic market the mainstay does not mean China is developing its economy with the door closed. By giving full play to the potential of the domestic market, both domestic and foreign markets can be better connected and utilized to realize robust and sustainable development.

Justin Yifu Lin, honorary dean of the National School of Development at Peking University, said that taking the domestic market as the mainstay doesn't mean a return to an inward-looking economy. He said it will not affect China's commitment to opening-up.

Despite the impact from COVID-19 last year, the country made strides in opening its market by unveiling three new pilot free trade zones. More notably, it signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement in November 2020, which launched the world's biggest free trade bloc to date.

For the next five years and beyond, China will promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, and steadily advance institutional openness, which stresses rule-based, transparent regulatory models and business environment that better aligns with international norms, as outlined in the new five-year plan.

A customer selects drinks at a supermarket in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 16, 2020. (Photo by Zhao Song/Xinhua)

-- Why will China's new development paradigm be successful?

China's economic development over the past 40 years has laid a solid foundation for the country to forge the new development paradigm.

China has the world's most complete industrial system and largest middle-income population, and leads the world in terms of retail sales of consumer goods and total import and export volume. This makes it possible for the country to tap domestic demand for future growth.

China's ability to eradicate institutional obstacles through tireless reforms will support the operation of dual circulation as the market is playing a more decisive role in allocating resources and the country's business environment continues to improve.

According to a World Bank report, China's ease of doing business ranking rose to 31 last year, and it is also among the 10 economies that improved the most on the ease of doing business after implementing reforms.

-- How will China work to forge the new paradigm?

China's leadership has underscored that enhancing independent innovation capabilities and making breakthroughs in key and core technologies are vital to establishing the new paradigm.

For the next five years, China's research and development spending will grow by over 7 percent annually, according to the outline.

For domestic circulation, the outline noted that China will deepen its supply-side structural reform and innovate its modes of production to provide high-quality products and services. Other measures include rectifying resource misallocation and allowing the financial sector to better serve the real economy.

Meanwhile, the country will strive to become a strong magnet for global resources and production factors, promote the coordinated development of domestic and external demand, imports and exports, as well as foreign and outbound investment, according to the outline. 
By Laura Ungar, Kaiser Health News Midwest Editor/Correspondent. Originally published at Kaiser Health News.

Alexandra Sierra carried boxes of food to her kitchen counter, where her 7-year-old daughter, Rachell, stirred a pitcher of lemonade.

Oh, my God, it smells so good! Sierra, 39, said of the bounty shed just picked up at a food pantry, pulling out a ready-made salad and a container of soup.

Sierra unpacked the donated food and planned lunch for Rachell and her siblings, ages 9 and 2, as a reporter watched through FaceTime. She said she doesnt know what theyd do without the help.

The family lives in Bergen County, New Jersey, a dense grouping of 70 municipalities opposite Manhattan with about 950,000 people whose median household income ranks in the top 1% nationally. But Sierra and her husband, Aramon Morales, never earned a lot of money and are now out of work because of the pandemic.

The financial fallout of covid-19 has pushed child hunger to record levels. The need has been dire since the pandemic began and highlights the gaps in the nations safety net.

While every U.S. county has seen hunger rates rise, the steepest jumps have been in some of the wealthiest counties, where overall affluence obscures the tenuous finances of low-wage workers. Such sudden and unprecedented surges in hunger have overwhelmed many rich communities, which werent nearly as ready to cope as places that have long dealt with poverty and were already equipped with robust, organized charitable food networks.

Data from the anti-hunger advocacy group Feeding America and the U.S. Census Bureau shows that counties seeing the largest estimated increases in child food insecurity in 2020 compared with 2018 generally have much higher median household incomes than counties with the smallest increases. In Bergen, where the median household income is $101,144, child hunger is estimated to have risen by 136%, compared with 47% nationally.

That doesnt mean affluent counties have the greatest portion of hungry kids. An estimated 17% of children in Bergen face hunger, compared with a national average of around 25%.

But help is often harder to find in wealthier places. Missouris affluent St. Charles County, north of St. Louis, population 402,000, has seen child hunger rise by 69% and has 20 sites distributing food from the St. Louis Area Foodbank. The city of St. Louis, pop. 311,000, has seen child hunger rise by 36% and has 100 sites.

Theres a huge variation in how different places are prepared or not prepared to deal with this and how theyve struggled to address it, said Erica Kenney, assistant professor of public health nutrition at Harvard University. The charitable food system has been very strained by this.

Eleni Towns, associate director of the No Kid Hungry campaign, said the pandemic undid a decades worth of progress on reducing food insecurity, which last year threatened at least 15 million kids.

And while President Joe Bidens covid relief plan, which he signed into law March 11, promises to help with anti-poverty measures such as monthly payments to families of up to $300 per child this year, its unclear how far the recently passed legislation will go toward addressing hunger.

Its definitely a step in the right direction, said Marlene Schwartz, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut. But its hard to know what the impact is going to be.

Need Grows in Places of Plenty

After the pandemic struck, the federal government boosted benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and offered Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer cards to compensate for free or reduced-price school meals while children were schooled from home.

Sierras family saw their SNAP benefits of about $800 a month rise slightly and got two of those P-EBT payments, worth $434 each. But at the same time, they lost their main sources of income. Sierra had to leave her Amazon warehouse job when the kids school went remote, and Morales stopped driving for Uber when trips became scarce and he feared getting covid on top of his asthma.

Federal relief wasnt enough for them and many others. So they flocked to food pantries.

In theory, pantries and the food banks that supply them are part of an emergency system designed for short-term crises, Schwartz said. The problem is, theyve actually become a standard source of food for a lot of people.

In Bergen County, the Center for Food Action helped 40,500 households last year, up from 23,000 the year before. In Eagle County, Colorado, where the tony ski resort Vail is located, the Community Market food bank saw its client load nearly quadruple to 4,000. And outside Boston, in the affluent Massachusetts county of Norfolk  where Feeding America data shows child hunger jumped from an estimated 6% of kids to 16%  Dedham Food Pantrys clients tripled to 1,800.

This is just out of control compared to other times, said Lynn Rogal, vice president of the Dedham pantry, which opened in 1990.

Pantry managers said a disproportionate number of clients are from minority groups. Many lost jobs in the eviscerated service sector that undergirds the wealthier parts of their counties. Julie Yurko, CEO of the Northern Illinois Food Bank, said up to half of her current clients have never sought help before.

In early January, we had a white minivan pull up with three kids, 5 and younger. It ran out of gas sitting there, Yurko said. The mom was sobbing, and her beautiful children were sitting there watching her.

Kelly Sirimoglu, spokesperson for New Jerseys Center for Food Action, said the stigma around seeking help can be worse in wealthy areas. She said some people tell her, I never thought I would be in line for food.

Advocates said the reluctance to seek help means the need is likely even larger than it appears.

Katie Wilson of St. Charles, Missouri, said she heard about a food pantry run by the Sts. Joachim & Ann Care Service from a friend of a friend. She almost didnt go. The single mom of two children, 11 and 9, lost her job as a hotel auditor in June and tried to squeak by without her income for two months.

We found ourselves in a situation where it was a heat or eat kind of thing, said Wilson, 42, describing having to choose between heating her home or buying food. It took me looking around and saying, There is nothing to eat.

Struggling to Meet the Need

As hunger has become more visible, donations to food charities have risen. But they dont address the core problem of an infrastructure that doesnt match the new need. Some pantries are open just a few hours a week in church basements, a far cry from those that operate regularly and look like supermarkets. Many small pantries struggled to shift to outdoor food distribution during the pandemic or find new helpers when the few, often senior, volunteers felt unsafe doing the work.

It definitely is harder in these places, said Yurko, whose food bank distributes to Kendall County, Illinois, which has just three pantries for its population of 129,000. The safety nets are not as robust.

A strong safety net also requires pantries to cooperate with one another and the broader array of local social services. Thats been happening for years in Flint, Michigan, said Denise Diller, executive director of Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry, which runs a pantry. Agencies and community leaders banded together in 2014 when lead poisoned the drinking water.

When covid occurred, we were already kind of ready, Diller said.

So was Atlanta. As in Flint, hunger was never hidden there; 15% of children in Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, faced hunger before the pandemic. After covid suspended volunteer shifts, the Atlanta Community Food Bank asked the Georgia National Guard to help sort, pack, warehouse and deliver food to help meet the needs of the estimated 22% of kids experiencing hunger. The food bank also partnered with seven school districts on more than 30 mobile pantries.

Such coordination and connections were lacking in Bergen County, where 80 pantries worked mostly in isolation when the pandemic hit, County Commissioner Tracy Zur said. They werent collaborating. They were going along the same path they had for decades, she said. There was this need to break out of the old way of doing things and work together to be more impactful.

Zur spearheaded the creation of a food security task force in July, reaching out to municipal and faith leaders. Goals include feeding people, connecting them to other services and turning some emergency food programs into full-fledged pantries. Building an infrastructure is painstaking and ongoing, she said.

Now, Zur said, pantries are starting to share with one another when one gets a large donation of perishable items such as eggs or milk.

With the need so widespread, residents do much the same.

During a recent pantry trip, Sierra, the New Jersey mom, opened the trunk of her 1999 Toyota and rummaged through the two big boxes volunteers had just placed there. She pointed to eggs, chicken, bread, butter, cheese and apples, observing, I have more than I need.

But she said it would never go to waste. Any extra would go to neighbors and their hungry children.

Midwest correspondent Cara Anthony and data editor Elizabeth Lucas contributed to this story.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
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.
EDWARDSVILLE  Two people, including an Edwardsville woman, were charged with mob action Friday by the Madison County States Attorneys Office.

Candice D. Cooley, 23, of Edwardsville, and Justin M. Reeder, 21, of Columbia, were charged March 26 with mob action, a Class 4 felony.

The cases were presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department.

According to court documents, on March 25 the two allegedly injured a third person by kicking him on the face while he was on the ground. Bail was set at $15,000 each.

Other felony charges filed March 26 include:

 Deerik M. Hall, 30, of Noblesville, Indiana, was charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 3 felony; and aggravated unlawful use of weapons, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department. According to court documents, on March 25 Hall, who has a previous conviction for possession of cocaine out of Madison County, Indiana, in 2015, was allegedly found to be carrying a Glock Model 19X handgun. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Michael D. Skiff, 41, listed as homeless, was charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On March 25 Skiff, who has a prior conviction for unlawful possession of methamphetamine out of Madison County in 2019, was allegedly found to be carrying a dangerous knife with a fixed blade, two bludgeons and a blackjack. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Jarell Dillon, 29, of Granite City, was charged with domestic battery (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony, and unlawful violation of an order of protection (second subsequent offense), both Class 4 felonies. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On March 26 Dillon, who has prior convictions for domestic battery and violation of an order of protection out of Madison County in 2019, allegedly punched a household or family member in the face, knowing he was not allowed to have contact with her. Bail was set at $60,000.

 Brittany N. Ball, 26, of Madison, was charged with theft of labor or services or use of property, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force. On Feb. 26 Ball allegedly rented a 2018 Toyota Corolla and failed to return it. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Jaylene E. Ayers, 20, of East St. Louis, was charged with theft over $500 and less than $10,000, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Edwardsville Police Department. Ayers allegedly took three Razer Blade Gaming Laptop Computers valued at more than $500 from Amazon. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Gregory M. Washburn, 34, of Highland, was charged with retail theft over $300, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Highland Police Department. On Feb. 7 Washburn allegedly took an iPad pro valued at more than $300 from the Highland Walmart. Bail was set at $25,000.

 Alexus B. Davis, 21, of Cahokia, was charged with retail theft over $300, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Glen Carbon Police Department. On March 12 Davis allegedly took clothing valued in excess of $300 from the Glen Carbon Walmart, 400 Junction Drive, Glen Carbon. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Walter M. Scott, 26, of St. Louis, was charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, both Class 4 felonies. The case was presented by the Madison Police Department. On March 5 Scott allegedly was driving a Chrysler 300 vehicle when he fled from an Illinois state trooper and Madison police officer, reaching speeds of more than 21 miles over the posted limit and disobeying several traffic control devices. Bail was set at $30,000.

 Zameita A. Nunn, 41, listed as an Edwardsville resident, was charged with criminal trespass to a residence, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Edwardsville Police Department. On Feb. 24 Nunn allegedly entered a residence in the 200 block of Ashley Place knowing a person was inside. Bail was set at $15,000.
In a significant move, India and South Korea have agreed to go for joint production and export of hardware, enhance intelligence sharing and boost cooperation in cyber and space domains as part overall expansion of defence and security ties, official sources said on Sunday.

The decisions were taken during delegation-level talks between Defence Minister and his South Korean counterpart Suh Wook on Friday with both sides resolving to give a major push to ramp up ties in strategically key areas, they said.

The South Korean minister was on a three-day visit to India from Thursday last that was focused on boosting bilateral defence and cooperation.

In the field of defence industrial cooperation, the sources said the two sides decided to focus on joint research, joint production and joint export.

"There were extensive discussions on it," said a source.

South Korea has been a major supplier of weapons and equipment to India. In 2019, the two countries finalised a roadmap for cooperation in joint production of various land and naval systems.

In the talks, the South Korean minister also expressed keenness in seizing the opportunities in India's two defence corridors, particularly by investing in joint ventures under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) initiative.

The government is working on setting up two defence industrial corridors in the country, one in Uttar Pradesh and another in Tamil Nadu, with an aim to ensure connectivity among various defence industrial units.

The sources said issues regarding multilateral and regional cooperation in the emerging regional security scenario were also discussed between Singh and Wook.

It is learnt that China's military assertiveness in the region figured in the talks.

The two sides also agreed to increase focus on cyber and space cooperation besides resolving to continue to focus on streamlining the intelligence exchange mechanism.

In the talks, the two ministers exchanged views on the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the defence and security engagements as well as best practices followed by the armed forces to deal with the pandemic.

The sources said the Korean minister also highlighted the congruence between India's Act East Policy and his country's Southern Policy.

In light of India's experience in the UN peacekeeping operations, the Indian side conveyed to the South Korean delegation that it will ensure an appropriate participation in the upcoming UN Peacekeeping Ministerial meet in that country in December 2021.

The South Korean minister also visited Agra where he was shown capabilities of India's special forces. He also interacted with top executives of defence public sector undertakings and representatives of industry chamber FICCI.

(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.)
One entry-level job is advertised for every 48 people relying on JobSeeker payments, with competition set to rise after JobKeeper ended on Sunday, leaving tens of thousands of people at risk of losing their jobs.

New analysis by the University of NSW social policy research centre and the Australian Council of Social Service shows there are eight people who receive the JobSeeker or Youth Allowance payment for every job advertised. The ratio is higher when it comes to entry-level jobs, with 48 people on the social security payments for each advertised position.

The situation is even worse in regional areas, where there are 12 jobseekers for each job advertised and 57 for each entry-level position.

The Australian Retailers Association joined ACOSS in warning that the $50-a-week cut in JobSeeker from April 1 could damage the economy. ARA chief executive Paul Zahra said the number of people on JobSeeker compared with each job advertised was high and the payment should be raised to the same level as the age pension to keep people above the poverty line.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has sought help from the Central government and locals in dousing fire at Ukhruls Shirui peak. The Chief Secretary of Manipur has also written a letter to the Centre in regard to the situation.

"Very unfortunate to see the fire spreading at Shirui Peak, Ukhrul District, Manipur. Spoken to the Union Home Ministry Additional Secretary to extend all possible help from NDRF to douse the fire. An official letter has also been sent from the Manipur Chief Secretary," the Chief Minister tweeted on Sunday (March 28).

Very unfortunate to see the fire spreading at Shirui Peak, Ukhrul District, Manipur. Spoke to Additional Secretary, Home Ministry to extend all possible help from NDRF

to douse the fire: Manipur Chief Minister N.Biren Singh pic.twitter.com/T6m32DO4yt  ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2021

Additionally, the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) stated in a statement that the sudden increase in incidents of forest fires has become a major cause of concern for the state forest department.

The statement also stated that it has been observed by the department that forest fires are also caused by burning of debris in and around forests, campfires left unattended, discarded cigarette stubs and intentional acts of arson.

The PCCF also pointed out that these are punishable with imprisonment which may extend up to five years with fine. The setting of forest on fire is punishable under the Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 and relevant Sections of the IPC besides under the provisions of Indian Forest Act, 1927 and Manipur Forest Rules, 1971.

Further, the forest department urged all sections of society in the state, including civil society organisations, voluntary agencies and youth to render assistance for preventing forest fires in Manipur.

Live TV
If you don't live under a rock, you must have heard and read ample about the ship currently blocking traffic in the Suez Canal. Well, the woes don't seem to end as it is now stopping a shipment of sex toys from getting to their designated recipients.

The 20 containers are packed with dildos, vibrators and male masturbators and the shipment is on board one of many vessels stuck behind the gigantic boat in the Suez Canal, which has also become the latest meme sensation on social media.

Also read: History Of Suez Canal, Its Significance In Global Maritime Trade And The Impact Of Its Blockage

PA

You hand the people of the internet some troubles and they will meme it.

As efforts are being made to free up the popular trade passage, Dutch company EDC Retail has said that it is 'annoying' that its products are being blocked and that they are currently losing millions due to not being able to deliver and replenish its stocks.

EDC Retail is the creator of the biggest online sex toy shops in the Netherlands and Belgium and is in desperate need to restock after selling a lot of products during Christmas and Valentine's Day. However, the blockade is literally being a huge obstacle for them.

PA

CEO Evertine Magerman, told Dutch news outlet RTV Noord: "There are more than 20 containers full of well-running items, such as vibrators, dildos and male masturbators. A lot of these products were sold for Christmas and Valentine's Day, for example.

"There is now an extra lot on the way to restore stocks. But that is not possible now. It is annoying that such a hitch will continue for a long time before the rhythm in the transport chain is restored."



PA

The canal, which is 120 miles long, is one of the world's most important shipping lanes, but it has been gridlocked since a 200,000-tonne ship got stuck earlier this week.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Sandra Postel almost didnt answer her phone earlier this month when the caller ID showed a number from Sweden.

But the call was from the Stockholm International Water Institute, informing the Corrales author, speaker and water educator that she had been awarded the 2021 Stockholm Water Prize.

The award, often called the Nobel Prize for water, recognizes extraordinary water-related achievements.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Water is the greatest gift on the planet, Postel said. Were accustomed to managing water as a resource, but we also need to manage it as the basis of life.

The Long Island-born water expert said she always knew she wanted to dedicate her life to helping the planet.

Her 1992 book Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity focused on how an impending global water crisis could threaten food security and political stability.

I think the book had an impact, because 30 years ago we werent really recognizing that water scarcity was a global issue with major consequences, Postel said. We were concerned on and off about droughts in Africa and scarcity in the Middle East, but not the global water supply.

Postel taught a water policy course at Tufts University before founding the Global Water Policy Project in 1994.

She worked with universities and conservationists to consult for groups like the World Bank and the Nature Conservancy about water management.

Postel co-founded Change the Course, an initiative which earned the 2017 U.S. Water Prize.

The program has funded nearly 100 projects for businesses to conserve water and restore water to rivers, lakes and wetlands.

The water educator traded the East Coast for the Corrales farm life before becoming a National Geographic Society Freshwater Fellow from 2009 until 2015.

Her fellowship work included a water footprint tool to educate citizens about their water use.

She also witnessed a 2014 project to allow water to temporarily flow onto the dry Colorado River Delta in northwestern Mexico. The region was once a wetland.

The project was made possible by an agreement between the U.S. and Mexico. Some of the river water reached the ocean for the first time in 50 years.

When you think of a river having a destiny, its to reach the sea, and so many major rivers around the world no longer reach the sea, Postel said. We found a way in a time of drought and over-allocation to give water back to a river and its delta. It was a very emotional moment.

Even as the Southwest endures a megadrought and the effects of climate change, Postel is optimistic about creative solutions.

She credits the city of Albuquerque and the Rio Grande Water Fund initiative for restoring ecosystems and working to meet water demand for humans, land and wildlife.

The global water expert has written or co-written five books and hundreds of articles and appeared in several films and series, including Our Planet, Planet Earth and Leonardo DiCaprios The 11th Hour.

The Stockholm Water Prize nominating committee said Postels work has been instrumental in raising awareness about water scarcity.

No one has exhibited more commitment, capacity, courage, and perseverance to address far-ranging and critical water issues that affect both human and natural ecosystems, the committee said.

Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf will present the prize during World Water Week in August. The celebration will likely be virtual due to the pandemic.

This is the honor of a lifetime, Postel said. Its an affirmation that the work Ive been doing for the last 40 years has made a difference.

Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal.
A federal judge ordered Philadelphia Proud Boys president Zach Rehl released on house arrest but immediately stayed that decision on Friday, the same day an appellate court issued more stringent requirements for prosecutors seeking to keep Capitol riot defendants like him behind bars while they await trial.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lloret did not mention the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit as he weighed government arguments to keep Rehl detained during a brief court hearing in Philadelphia.

Though he ultimately rejected prosecutors' arguments, the stay he issued means that Rehl  one of the most visible Proud Boys leaders on the East Coast and one of four charged with conspiring to instigate the Jan. 6 assault  will remain in custody for now pending a hearing scheduled for Thursday in Washington.

Rehl's attorney, Shaka M. Johnson, dismissed government claims that his client played a leading role in coordinating the attack on the Capitol or that he poses an ongoing threat that should keep him in custody until trial.

"He had some opinions. He let those opinions be known," Johnson argued in court Friday. "But nothing that he said was meant to incite, infuriate or fuel what happened Jan. 6."

Philly Proud Boys president Zach Rehl said he was 'proud' of group's role in Capitol riot, feds say

The issue of pretrial detention has emerged as one of the central early fights in the hundreds of cases the Justice Department has brought against accused insurrectionists since the Jan. 6 riot.

The vast majority of the more than 300 people charged so far have been released while their cases move forward with no objection from the government. But prosecutors have fought strenuously to keep those facing accusations of attacking police or organizing the attack behind bars, saying there is little to stop them in the current charged political environment from acting out again.

The D.C. Circuit's ruling Friday codified those standards, drawing a distinction between those charged with specific acts of violence or conspiracy and defendants who have been charged merely with entering the Capitol illegally.

"In our view, those who actually assaulted police officers and broke through windows, doors, and barricades, and those who aided, conspired with, planned, or coordinated such actions, are in a different category of dangerousness than those who cheered on the violence or entered the Capitol after others cleared the way," D.C. Circuit Judge Robert Wilkins wrote in an opinion for a three-judge panel of the court.

Within hours of the ruling, a district judge in a separate conspiracy case involving top leaders of the Oath Keepers  another right-wing militant group accused of conspiring to attack the Capitol  reversed previous decisions and ordered two defendants released on house arrest.

And the shadow of the appellate court's decision is likely to loom over a detention hearing scheduled next week in Washington for Rehl, 35, and his codefendants.

Judges had already ordered the release of two of Rehl's fellow Proud Boys leaders  Ethan Nordean, 30, of Auburn, Wash., and Joseph Biggs, 37, of Ormond Beach, Fla.  finding that the government had not proven that either man was a continued threat to the community.

Subsequently, Rehl, Nordean, Biggs, and a fourth member of the organization  Charles Donohoe, 33, of Kernersville, N.C.  have been charged in a six-count indictment that more fully fleshes out the planning that went into the coordinated strike they are accused of leading aimed at interfering with police and disrupting the certification of Joe Biden's electoral victory.

Philly Proud Boys president Zach Rehl marched alongside leaders charged in Capitol riot

Prosecutors have urged U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly, who will preside over next week's hearing, to reconsider bail decisions for all four men. They argued in a recent court filing that while Rehl and the others may not have been among the riot's most violent actors, they came to Washington with the intent of stirring up an attack and set a violent tone that infected the rest of the mob.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke Jones conceded in court Friday that the government had no evidence that Rehl had directly participated in any property destruction or violence against police once he was inside Capitol grounds. But he balked at the suggestion from Rehl's lawyer that the man was being jailed pretrial solely for expressing controversial political views.

"He is not before the court because of his opinions," he said. "He's before the court because of his actions and the people he led."

Hours after the attack, Rehl gleefully celebrated the chaos he and the others are accused of unleashing that day.

"THIS is what patriotism looks like," Rehl posted on Telegram, the encrypted messaging app the group used to communicate with each other Jan. 6. He added later: "This is NOT what I expected to happen. All from us showing up and starting some chants and getting the normies all riled up."

Rehl, the son and grandson of Philadelphia cops who has made a public showing of his organization's support for police, also disparaged officers at the Capitol who struggled to keep the violent mob at bay.

"They deserve to be tarred and feathered," he wrote. "These cops turning on us are also what they call 'turncoats.' Just saying."

Ultimately, though, Lloret, the judge, was swayed by the portrait painted by Johnson, Rehl's lawyer, who described his client as a Marine Corps veteran, an expectant father, and a man with deep roots in his community.

"He's proven himself to be a worthy father, a worthy son [and] a patriot," Johnson said.

Jones dismissed Rehl's brand of patriotism  at least the kind he exhibited at the Capitol  as "misguided."

This article is written by Jeremy Roebuck from The Philadelphia Inquirer and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the Industry Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
 Close How did a ship get stuck in the Suez Canal?

An investigation into how the Ever Given ship became stuck in the Suez Canal started on Tuesday hours after traffic on one of the world's busiest and most important trade routes resumed overnight.

Experts boarded the giant vessel to assess it for damage and to begin a probe into how it got wedged into in the canal's bank for almost a week, disrupting billions of dollars worth of trade.

Some thirty-seven vessels that were stranded in the waterway while authorities dealt with the Ever Given managed to pass through overnight on Monday and around 70 more were expected to clear the strait by the end of Tuesday.

Authorities said they hoped to clear a backlog of more than 300 ships waiting to enter the canal in a matter of days, but shipping experts warned the impact the disruption has had on global supply chains could take months to resolve.
Notorious former Lake Charles priest Mark Broussards 2016 conviction was a long time coming for the men he sexually abused as children in the 1980s and 1990s, but their suffering didnt end with the verdict. Justice came at the painful cost of reliving childhood trauma through courtroom testimony.

It didnt just upset you for that week. It carried on for years after, really, to go through that, one of Broussards victims, who did not want to be named, said in an interview. A couple of my friends I know of lost jobs or marriages or had other extreme difficulties after the trial happened.

One juror voted to acquit Broussard on all charges, despite vivid testimony from four victims and Broussards past admissions of molesting children. The dissenting juror, Alex Landry, recounted his reasons in an interview. The biggest, he said, was that he saw one witness laughing in the courtroom gallery while another wept on the stand.

Landry said his fellow jurors did not buy his arguments.

They were all mad with me, Landry said. Since they wouldnt even let me try to tell them anything, I just found (Broussard) innocent of all the charges.

It seemed inconsequential at the time, since Louisiana allowed for non-unanimous convictions.

But then a political groundswell spurred state voters to bar split verdicts in 2018, ending a staple of Louisiana justice that had been enshrined in the state constitution 120 years earlier.

See how many Louisiana inmates could get a new trial if ban on split juries becomes retroactive Up to 1,601 Louisiana inmates remain locked up based on nonunanimous jury verdicts that were left untouched when the U.S. Supreme Court decide

And last year, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that non-unanimous convictions were unconstitutional, permanently banning them in both Louisiana and Oregon, the only other state to adopt the split-jury scheme. That decision, in Ramos v. Louisiana, entitled to new trials about 100 Louisiana inmates, who had not exhausted their appeals.

The new state law applies only to offenses committed after 2018, meaning that it, like the Ramos decision, doesnt address older convictions. Broussard does not qualify for a new trial under either change, but he might with yet another Supreme Court decision, which is expected soon.

Broussard is among a much larger pool of inmates hanging on the outcome in the case of Thedrick Edwards, a Baton Rouge man convicted of rape and robbery. In that case, the high court will decide if the Ramos decision applies retroactively to inmates like Edwards, whose convictions are final.

A decision in the affirmative would undo split-jury convictions for as many as 1,500 inmates, according to the Promise of Justice Initiative, a criminal justice advocacy organization in New Orleans. Thats almost one in 20 Louisiana inmates. A quarter of the group has been locked up for more than 20 years.

Among them is Calvin English, who is nearing the halfway mark of a half-century sentence for a 1998 armed robbery in Caddo Parish.

His brother, Cedric English, testified that Calvin walked in on the robbery in progress, unaware. Cedric testified that hed pointed a gun at Calvin and ordered him to tie up the victim.

Cedric pleaded guilty and received an eight-year prison sentence. Calvin, who had a prior robbery conviction, was convicted on a 10-2 vote. Prosecutors then invoked Louisianas habitual offender statute to inflate his prison term.

U.S. Supreme Court abolishes split jury verdicts; dozens of convictions voided The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that juries across the nation must be unanimous to convict or acquit a criminal defendant, outlawing th

The day of the verdict was one of the last times English saw his parents outside of prison, he said on a video call from Avoyelles Correctional Center.

I done lost my mom, my dad, all my aunties, all my uncles, English said. Ive been in here wrongfully, unconstitutionally, for 23 years now. In those 23 years, I done lost all this.

English said he was stunned and heartbroken when he heard the verdict, since his brother had taken full responsibility for the crime.

I actually believed somebody must have snuck in the jury room and persuaded them into saying I was guilty of this charge, English said, adding that he feared an unfavorable Supreme Court decision would be like going through the event all over again, of hearing the jury say Im guilty.

Mentally, I havent even prepared myself for that, English said.

A Catch-22

In anticipation of a favorable ruling, hundreds of Englishs fellow inmates are scrambling to access sealed jury polling slips and other evidence just to prove they were convicted by split juries.

This often requires an arduous journey through local clerks offices, appellate courts and other venues, sometimes without legal help, said Jamila Johnson, a managing attorney with the Promise of Justice Initiative, which spearheaded the legal challenge to split verdicts.

Its really, really hard for people who are incarcerated to get their own records. That has been a significant problem in Louisiana, Johnson said. Maybe they got transferred and lost all their records, or their records were in a facility that flooded, or their records were sent to an aunt who died.

There are roughly 300 inmates who believe they were convicted by split juries but cannot prove it, according to Johnson. Time may be running out for them to do so.

Inmates seeking to vacate non-unanimous decisions must apply for post-conviction relief, and state law appears to impose a one-year deadline from the Ramos decision. That deadline is April 20, but a decision on retroactivity could come after that.

It is not clear if courts ultimately would uphold the deadline, but Johnson said she is not taking chances. Her team aims to file about 900 post-conviction relief applications for inmates before April 20.

The state statute is a pretty terrible one, Johnson said. The fact that we have to do this now, and that there is any question that people might learn there is retroactivity but be procedurally barred because they didnt file within this one year is a real error.

Sealed jury polls have been especially nettlesome. Louisiana law allows courts to seal polling slips at courts discretion, meaning defendants must ask appellate courts to unseal them. That has worked in some cases, but not others.

The 24th Judicial District Court in 2019 refused an inmates request to unseal jury slips from his 1980 rape conviction. The inmate, Wesley Young, appealed. In a similar case last year, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal ordered the district court to allow access to polling slips with juror names redacted.

But the state Supreme Court denied the same remedy to Young, who did not have a lawyer. Justice Jefferson Hughes, writing for the majority, reasoned that Young had not yet filed a post-relief conviction application.

Then-Chief Justice Bernette Johnson, who retired last year, noted in a dissent that the situation is a Catch-22.

(Young) cannot file a post-conviction relief application arguing that he is entitled to the benefit of Ramos if he cannot show that he was convicted by a non-unanimous jury verdict. And he cannot show that he was convicted by a non-unanimous jury verdict without the clerk providing him with the jury polling slips, she wrote.

Another opportunity to abuse?

The case of Broussard, the Lake Charles priest, is unusual for at least one reason: Broussard is White. Black inmates comprise about 80% of those with split jury convictions and about two-thirds of the overall state prison population, according to the PJI.

Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Those numbers track the findings of an exhaustive investigation by this newspaper, which analyzed roughly 1,000 jury trials and found that Black defendants were about 30% more likely to be convicted by split juries than White ones.

The disparities are the manifestation of a non-unanimous jury law born in the 1898 state constitutional convention, the stated purpose of which was to establish the supremacy of the white race.

Louisiana jury case revives long-running Supreme Court debate over reach of Bill of Rights Calvin Duncan was soaking in the sun outside the federal courthouse in New Orleans about a year ago when the subject turned to Greek mythology.

But some violent crime victims fear the cost of reversing a longstanding, racist law will land squarely on them.

Suffering through a new trial would be like undergoing chemotherapy again after beating cancer, one of Broussards victims said in an interview. He said his ultimate fear is that Broussard will be let out of jail and hurt more children.

If he gets released, hes not being punished for what he did, and he has the motive, he might find the opportunity to abuse another kid, the man said.

Broussards victims testified in grotesque detail about how he raped them for years after building trust with their families, and Broussard himself admitted to molesting children in a 1998 deposition.

But the evidence did not convince Landry, the dissenting juror. Landry said he felt sorry for the witness he saw crying, whose story he believed, but his perception of mockery on the part of the other witness was, in his view, a fatal flaw for the prosecution.

You dont laugh at somebody who got the same thing you got. You are going to hurt with him. If its funny to you, nothing happened to you, Landry said. I knew in my heart after watching (him) laughing that he was lying.

In the jury room, Landry said the other jurors told him he was crazy and refused to listen to him. Landry said there was not much discussion.

We may have sat down and ate for about two hours, but we didnt talk at all, Landry said

The prosecutor in the Broussard case, Cynthia Killingsworth, said the other jurors might have worked hard to convince Landry if unanimity had been required.

Once they had the minimum, they could just come out. They didnt have to sit there and work hard to try to convince anybody, or to show the other person all what evidence we had, because they were done, Killingsworth said. When you change the numbers in the middle of the stream here, its really unfair to the victims.

We must correct that wrong

In arguing against retroactivity before the Supreme Court, Louisiana Solicitor General Liz Murrill has raised the specter of a crushing burden on the states trial system if the court voids all split convictions.

But in New Orleans, the new reform-minded district attorney, Jason Williams, has already opened a relief valve for more than 320 inmates who were convicted by split juries and have no remaining appeals.

Williamss office last month started giving new trials, plea deals and early releases to those inmates in bunches.

Williams began by agreeing to vacate 22 final convictions rendered by non-unanimous juries in one of the 12 sections of the Orleans Parish criminal court, casting it as a necessary first step.

The original process was unfair and tainted by a racist, Jim Crow law, Williams said last month, and we must correct that wrong.

U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider split jury verdicts, prompted by N.O case; opponents fear chaos The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday it will reconsider whether felony defendants in state court can be convicted by divided juries, a move that

So far, no other district attorney in Louisiana appears to be following Williams lead.

Several, though, have begun setting new trial dates for cases overturned under the Ramos decision, or offering plea deals.

Case by case is how East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore said hes handling those vacated convictions.

He provided a list of 15 inmates whose convictions fell under the Ramos decision, with eight now set for retrial and two who have since entered pleas. Many of those defendants are accused of sex crimes, including aggravated rape and incest. Moores list represents a fraction of the cases that would return for new trials if Edwards prevails.

Moores office in February allowed one defendant, Jimeelah Crockett, to plead no contest to manslaughter. An 11-1 jury convicted Crockett of second-degree murder in the 2017 killing of her boyfriend. She faced a mandatory life sentence. Crockett claimed she acted in self defense. Under her plea, shes expected to face 15 to 30 years at a June sentencing.

In St. John the Baptist Parish, District Attorney Bridget Dinvaut said she is still settling on how to handle the eight split-verdict convictions affected by the Ramos decision in her district.

We have to make public safety and victim impact determinations. Thats exactly where I am with all of this, she said.

The judge in one of Dinvauts cases stopped polling the jury at the 10th guilty vote, as that made for a valid conviction at the time. After the Ramos decision, two unpolled jurors and the foreperson were called back in to swear to a unanimous guilty verdict.

Dinvaut said she is being cautious when deciding whether to offer plea deals, and she isnt looking at older split convictions.

My top priority is going to be to comply with the law, she said. At this point in time, Ramos is the controlling law.

Even supporters of Williams progressive approach acknowledge the pain that reopened cases can cause victims. His move last month to help 22 inmates convicted by split verdicts prompted a bitter attack from at least one victim, a man whod been shot in the face.

Broussard, the Lake Charles priest, was initially indicted in 2012 on more than 200 counts, which were whittled down to five to streamline the prosecution. Broussard received back-to-back life prison sentences.

Killingsworth, the now-retired prosecutor, said she worries about a different prosecutor starting from scratch, and she wonders if the victims will be able to handle another trial.

It was horrible for them the first time to have to bare themselves like that. I dont know if all of them can do it a second time, I really dont, Killingsworth said.

Staff writer Matt Sledge contributed to this report.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Juan Carlos Reynoso has always loved to help people and carries out that passion through working with the American Red Cross.

Reynoso has worked with the organization for years, first in Mexico and now in Aiken. Born and raised in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Reynoso spent most of his adult life in the country.

With the Mexican Red Cross, Reynoso volunteered as a paramedic and an ambulance driver. The Mexican Red Cross has its own ambulances that are provided free of cost, a big difference when compared to ambulances in the United States, Reynoso said.

"Once I heard about the ambulances here, its very pricey," Reynoso said.

Reynoso worked at Autoneum in Mexico and was approached by corporate about moving to the area and working at the Autoneum plant in Aiken. He moved to Aiken and started work in December 2019. When he arrived, he wanted to continue being involved with the Red Cross.

Once Reynoso learned ambulances weren't part of the American Red Cross, he looked for other ways to contribute. He joined the disaster action team for the Red Cross and also became interested in blood drives. Thus, he became a blood program leader and helps organize the drives.

With this, he realized he could use Autoneum's parking lot to host the mobile blood bus for donations.

The first blood drive at the plant was in November 2020, and another one was held March 1.

"The first one was more successful, we achieved around 25 volunteers," Reynoso said. "The March one wasnt quite as successful, (but) we achieved almost 20 (volunteers)."

Reynoso said the main objective of the drives is to encourage our people and even to encourage the community to give (blood) to someone else."

With March being Red Cross Month, the Red Cross is inviting everyone to roll up their sleeves and give blood.

At the end, were saving lives," Reynoso said. "Thats probably very common, that comment, but at the end, thats the main objective of giving blood. You are saving lives. You never know. Today, you're giving blood to the blood drive; but tomorrow, you might need blood from somebody else."

Reynoso said he likes working with the Red Cross and looks forward to continuing doing so.

"I really enjoy helping other people," Reynoso said. "At the end, its something that we have to do as human beings."
Rising cost of living: Hot, spicy debate at Govt. group meeting View(s):

The debate was as hot as some of the spicy Sri Lankan curries when the government parliamentary group met last Tuesday.

Government MPs complained of the spiralling cost of living and declared that life was becoming difficult for the people. One of those vociferous was Kalutara district Parliamentarian Lalith Ekanayake.

Moving in as the trouble shooter was Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena. He said foodstuffs were available a plenty in co-operative outlets and members should not be misled by false claims. He was of the view that such shortages were a media hype and cautioned MPs not to be misled by them.

Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage came out with a proposal that would ensure essential food items reach the consumers directly at home. He proposed that pradeshiya sabha members be enrolled to distribute the items. The remarks did draw laughter from those present. One member quipped in the ear of a colleague seated next to him what happens if they take it home or sell it themselves?

Parliamentarian Janaka Wakkumbura raised issue over a State Minister clearing land in the Sinharaja forest. He was shouted down. Someone remarked that the land in question had been apportioned in the 1960s. In fact, the deed has been traced back, said a voice.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was not present at the meeting. It was presided over by Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who is the Leader of the House.

Official remarks boomeranged on top bureaucrat

A bureaucrat, much in the news in the recent weeks, was livid that some of his official remarks had boomeranged.

He declared that it happened only because of his former boss who had advised him to do so.

Of all places, he made the confession before

a team of uniformed personnel to whom he had to give a lecture.

The morale seems to be to not

bank on the media to give messages to

other nations.

Q and A session in Parliament on April 5

Parliament will sit from April 5 (Monday) till April 9 (Friday).

The whole of Monday is being devoted to question and answers  the result of MPs questions piling up.

SLPP member tells why he acquired a more racist bent

Though he came to Parliament as a nationalist, listening to the way certain political leaders spoke in Parliament led him to gradually acquire a more racist bent, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Premanath C. Dolawatte revealed.

Speaking during the debate on the CoI report into the Easter Sunday attacks, the first time MP said he had now been pushed into a situation where he felt he should not be afraid to speak up for his country, religion and race.

The reason for this transformation is that some political leaders here are raising questions on whether Sinhala or Tamil language came first or whether it was the Sinhalese or Tamils who settled in the north first, he said.

He alleged that such political leaders were

not concerned with creating a nationalist Sri Lankan identity but were leading people to embrace extremism.

Current Energy Minister gets shocking response to recent photos aboard oil tanker

When he posted photos of himself on Facebook claiming to be the first subject minister to have boarded an oil tanker, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila would surely not have expected the level of mockery that came his way.

Mr Gammanpila posted photos of himself climbing aboard an oil tanker on Tuesday, under the caption According to the CPC (Ceylon Petroleum Corporation) sources, on 22.03.2021 I became the first Sri Lankan Energy Minister to enter into an oil tanker.

The images and the caption quickly went viral, with many openly mocking Mr Gammanpila for his rather pompous announcement. In one of the more popular memes that was shared around, someone had edited an image of the minister climbing aboard the vessel with a local newspaper clipping on the moon landing. Another noted that Mr Gammanpila had actually created three records in one day  the first Sri Lankan Minister to board an oil tanker, the first Sri Lankan Minister to disembark from an oil tanker and the first Minister in the world to create two such records in one day.

Weerawansa under fire for giving boost to the smoking of new cinnamon cigarettes

Firebrand Government politico and Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa came under fire from the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) this week over his moves to promote a brand of cinnamon cigarettes.

NATA Chairman Samadhi Rajapaksa told a news conference that promoting the product violated the existing law, though the manufacturers claimed the product claimed was nicotine free.

Dr Rajapaksa said the demand for cigarettes had decreased with the introduction of new taxes. He believed that cinnamon cigarettes was a last ditch effort to regain the cigarette market.

Minister Weerawansa has been an enthusiastic proponent of the cinnamon cigarettes. At the news conference held to promote it, he posed with one of the cigarettes in his mouth and used a Hollywood analogy to justify the decision to promote the product.

In the movie Catch Me If You Can, the fraudster ends up being recruited by the FBI. Therefore, new inventors (such as those who produced the cigarettes) must be given a chance as they are pioneers in their fields, he claimed.

One wonders whether the law will also catch up with Mr Weerawansa for promoting an illegal product.

Opposition blasts Former Presidents speech on Easter Sunday massacres

Former President Maithripala Sirisenas hour-long speech during the Parliamentary debate on the report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on the Easter Sunday attacks did not sit well with Opposition MPs.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List Parliamentarian Harin Fernando was particularly incensed.

Other Government MPs are getting ten minutes but the Government has allocated 60 minutes to a man who has the most charges levelled against him by the CoI report. The only reason I can think for this is that the Government wanted him to take the time to make himself look clean, Mr Fernando said.
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.
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested an absconding accused Sudeer Muhammed Cheriya Vannarakkal, an economic offender, at Delhi who was deported from Riyadh. He was involved in five cases registered in CBI at Chennai.

CBI had got issued a Red Notice through Interpol against the accused. The accused was located in Saudi Arabia and with the close assistance and coordination with the authorities in Saudi Arabia through Interpol channels, he was deported back to India.

The arrested accused will be produced before a court at Ernakulam (Kerala).

CBI had registered five cases on the Orders of Kerala High Court and taken over the investigation of the cases, earlier registered at Police Station Kasargod (Kerala).

In four cases, it was alleged that the accused and others floated a private company based at Kasargod (Kerala), made false promises and representations to the public at large with the assurance to return of investment with exorbitant rate of interest after 61 days of their investments and also promised to pay commission of 2 per cent per month to the agents who had mobilized the investments for the said company.

During investigation, it was found that from 2009-11, all the accused had entered into conspiracy at Kasargod and other places, floated a fraudulent scheme called Forex trade (trading with foreign currencies). They promised monthly returns of 7% on principal to the depositors and 2% to the agents for mobilizing the depositors.

They collected huge deposits in cash to the tune of around Rs 9,93,68,000 from depositors and cheated them by not repaying the assured returns as well as the principal amount, thereby causing huge loss to the depositors.

After investigation, a chargesheet was filed in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ernakulam. The accused were declared as Proclaimed Offenders by the Court.

The fifth case was registered on the allegations that the accused induced the complainant to arrange Rs 50 lakh as deposit and promised to give monthly returns arising out of his business to the depositors. The Complainant allegedly invested Rs 19 Lakh in the year 2011 in the said company and the accused did not pay returns or the principal amount to the complainant.

Live TV
Ivy Eheduru-Onyejekwe, the co-owner of Mozani farms, is into crops, livestock farming, and agribusiness across Nigeria. She owns Grandja Enterprise, an agribusiness that converts agricultural products for farmers.

She doubles as an accountant. In this 20th episode of our series, Women in Agriculture she shares her experience with PREMIUM TIMES.

PT: When you started, was there an understanding that youll do better in agribusiness than other subsectors in agriculture?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: It is not about a matter of doing better in any aspect, as we would do better in any of them, but about what works for you. It is not everyone that goes into livestock farming that would do well; so also agribusiness. It is basically just figuring out what works for you. Agribusiness is very large and comprises a lot of things in the supply chain. Either you are producing, supplying, retailing, converting, or doing something else. It is not everyone that will fit into every aspect of that supply chain. Although, I just fell into agriculture.

I read accounting but currently, my full-time business is agric. I tried one or two things in agriculture from 2011 till now. I kept trying and trying to get to where I am now today; large-scale commercial agriculture. It is a learning process actually as you will fail while trying to understand what works for you. I chose agric business, but there is a family farm that has about 400 pigs. I am currently setting up another farm in Oyo in which I am a stakeholder. It sizes between 300 to 400 acres of land cultivated as crop farming. Everyone thinks it is easier to do agribusiness because it is kind of direct as you really dont need a farm. You just need to have an idea of business and what you can turn agricultural produce to enhance society. So I will advise that people should venture into agriculture as Nigerias population is increasing and a lot of people will be hungry very very soon. Considering the unrest in the North, I dont think food will be coming out soon but if it does it will be expensive. So a lot of Southerners need to figure out how to grow their own food. We should try and get into agriculture because it should be a way of life. Agric is our culture rather than agriculture.

PT: Can you put us through your journey since you started in 2011?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: Like I earlier said, I fell into agriculture. When I newly entered the university, I went to a friends fathers farm in Benin and they produce oil. When we got there, right where I stood I noticed a lot of things that they could do better ranging from production to storage and supply. I was like what if I did it, there will be more palm. I went home and started from my house. I grew about two palm trees but it didnt work out and kept trying, tried another 200 but didnt work as it got consumed by either rabbits, rats, or something but Im not sure what ate them but they got consumed.

Then I tried poultry with my mom. We bought 50 birds and she ended up giving me money for 10. I asked about the other 40 and she was like; your father ate like 10, three died, Mama Ngozi did this one, we gave her one and many other stories. In the long run, it showed me that theres a problem in agriculture. I dabbled again into cucumbers, during the holidays and I planted about 500g of cucumbers. It did so well as I monitored and managed it myself. I was on the farm as early as 5 am, even when I didnt need to be. I just wanted to see it grow. It happened like magic that in six weeks I was harvesting, unlike cassava or yam where you need to wait for about one year. I had about 21 overloaded 40kg bags after harvest which I took to the market myself. I didnt allow anyone to join me in managing anything. I tried selling per bag but it didnt work so I had to break it into retail sizes of N50, N100, and N200. Before noon, the market was gone and I sold everything. I tried again I continued increasing my capacity.

In 2017/2018 we started our farm and that was when I went for a six-month course (diploma) to really understand crops, pests, and diseases in animals. I reared by myself 10,000 birds and the pigs were about 21. I took care of them, brooded the birds, lost a lot because of the environment, water, and so on. I had a lot of problems. I then went for SHELL-life-wire programs where we got extra training and money to help work our businesses in 2018. So now we are setting up a farm of about 300 acres where we are planting groundnut, maize, tomatoes, pepper, and brown pepper. It is challenging but still, we are moving.

PT: Can you briefly explain what you mean by in agric business, we exchange commodities. Is it like exchanging fertilizer for maize or what?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: You can exchange certain things, here there are some suppliers (people that buy in bulk) you go to and tell them give me seeds and at harvest time you come and buy from me at an agreed price and I dont need to pay for the seeds because seeds are expensive. Some large farms need about 700kg, some need 7000kg and the price of 100kg is about N20,000. Now, how much will 7000kg look like to a farmer? So many people cannot afford or bear that at once so they collect the seeds and exchange them for harvest when its time. The thing is we can have a better barter system, if theres a barter system set up where people meet and exchange and as a farmer, youll need that because not everything youll need money for, else itll be very expensive. Sometimes people exchange machine services for maybe feeds, seeds, or something else.

PT: Do you belong to any association?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: No

PT: How has the journey been for you as a woman farmer because here youve shared your story generally as a farmer but how has it been as a woman farmer?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: Agriculture in the world looks like a mans thing, especially in commercials. I got married last year and people come to my husband for agric purposes and hes like Im not the farmer, she is and theyll be like are you sure?. They go to him first thinking hes the farmer but get redirected to me who is the farmer. Sometimes we hire workers, and when they have complaints they go to him and hell be like why are you telling me? Im not the farmer; she is.

Also, while in the farm people outrightly disrespect you as a woman until they find out youre the boss they are working for or the farmer they came to see. Sometimes, you need to work twice as hard to get what men dont struggle to get. Im not in an association because when I asked to join they were skeptical about it. They later asked me to join and I refused. When I asked to join you said you dont want women wahala but now you want me to join because you know I have a big farm and know I have something I can bring to the table. So when Im ready I will. More so, as a woman farmer, there has been no spare time to do all those women stuff, like doing hair, make-up, shopping, and the likes. You cant spend the whole day under the sun and later come back to be doing those stuff when youre exhausted.

PT: The government has been rolling out policies like the Anchor Vorrowers Programme, and others. Have you benefited from any and do you think that those policies have an impact on womens growth in agriculture?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: I have not benefited from any policy because those policies work in theory, not in practice. People dont like going through the stress and not getting something tangible back. They may even ask you to get your great grandfathers birth certificate and how is that possible? But I hope for futures sake, it works and benefits even the women farmers. Some private organisations are even reaching out to women farmers. I can say it for Union Bank, Access Bank, and social media groups like FIN that actually reach out to women in Agriculture.

ADVERTISEMENT

PT: How many staff members do you have?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: I have about 17 staff members.

PT: Do you employ women?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: Presently I dont have any woman on my farm not because I dont want to, but they dont even come up. Women dont feel they could do it. They feel that after the men have gone to the farm and produced theyll take it for sale in the market but really going into the business of it they dont.

Most women farmers just do it for themselves or their families, but to be employed as a farmer, no. I dragged my husband into agriculture of which he knew nothing about. He is a construction engineer and when I told him about agriculture he felt its own shop to do buying and selling of farm produce but no way. I want to own acres and hectares of farmlands.

When I actually tell the agency that gives employees that I need a woman on my farm theyll be like oh for cooking or cleaning? They dont expect her on any managerial or administrative duty. They operate on the mentality that women are weaker vessels. But if that is the case, men are weaker vessels, they break down easily.

For some women they just farm for their own private use not really going into commercial farming, the city girl does not even want to be involved at all. I called my sister-in-law to come work on the farm but she said when we have an office or something in town shell work but on the farm, no. Now, all the stakeholders in Mozani farms are women. I dragged them all into it. They have the money and little experience and I have the experience. We came together and we are doing well.

PT: You got married in 2020, so did family life affect your farming?

Ms Eheduru- Onyejekwe: Well, I have a very wonderful spouse whos 100 per cent supportive, more like a backbone and if hes not here it would have been a very difficult process. When he gets a contract he goes and comes back when done but whenever hes here hes with me in the business.

PT: Your journey so far seems interesting. So where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: In the next five years, I see myself having a chain plan. A chain of production companies which I am seriously working towards. Thats why I said I really want to do agribusiness. I can produce tomatoes in large quantities, year-round, thanks to greenhouse technology. So I see myself converting the tomatoes to paste, pepper to paste, milk to cheese hereby being in competition with the likes of Dano, Peak, etc.

PT: Do you pay tax?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: Definitely, I do and its very expensive.

PT: You did say you cultivate crops too, so whose land do you use? Where are they located and what are their sizes?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: Some land are owned by us and some are not. They are leased out to us at some cost. Some land are located in Oyo State and some in Imo, Rivers and Nasarawa State. The land in Oyo State-owned by us is a total of about 500 acres and 200 acres in lease while in Imo State, we have about 400 acres and we have five plots in Nasarawa for storage. In Port Harcourt we have about 30 plots.

PT: How much do you pay for the land lease?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: The cheapest is in Oyo at about N60,000 per acre at an average for ownership. But in lease, itll go for N7,000 per acre yearly.

PT: Are they initiatives you are working on that youd like to talk about? Something like youth empowerment?

.

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: Actually, we are working on healthcare which in this area is kind of poor. My partners are health workers but not in the country. We are trying to bring modern health facilities into these villages where the setup of hospitals are really poor and administer first aid treatments and care and in severe situations, move them to a higher medical centre with vehicles that are provided within the health system other than putting them on bikes. More so, we noticed that some people in the area abuse a lot of drugs and we are working on sensitising them on drug abuse and other medical issues.

PT: Have you had any challenges on your farm from herdsmen?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: Yes I have. It is extremely difficult to fence or barricade your land once it is very big which makes it difficult to prevent them from invading your land. Once they have destroyed anything theres absolutely nothing that can be done about it considering the status of Nigeria. People are now taking the bull by the horn. You see people seizing cows and all that and then a fight breaks out. People get killed due to one issue or another involving herdsmen. But imagine I use 2 to 3 million to plant and then the cows come in and eat the crops which will cost about 1.4 million and theres nothing I can do as the cows are not even my own or their own either. Last year I lost my cassava plantation to herders and they dont just consume the leaves, they scrape the whole thing to the ground leaving nothing at all. I have to hire security and all that which is expensive, this is something I dont need to do in a country that is working well. I didnt count my employees to include the security which is about 15 people. You put them there and still they get in and destroy the farm, there is nothing you can do.

PT: When you started in 2011, how were you able to raise the capital to work?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: Shell helped us with some of their programmes like SHELL life wire and others. Also, from family, and other side investment from private firms.

PT: Some of the land are yours, how were you able to acquire and manage land issues as a woman?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: Normally, we go meet the Oba or Kabiyesi of the land because most land there is customary, they do not have documents to back them up. They are usually family or community land. The first land I acquired I made a mistake, I went through an agent who formulated and arranged the family by himself, setting up everything that it looks legit. We paid and signed documents and went ahead to do documentation and registration with the Ministry of Interior. We got to the land after paying about N10 million, we found out the land belongs to someone else. We took the issue to the Kabiyesi who told us our mistakes but we ended up paying twice to ensure all parties were settled. Sometimes, when we want to see the Kabiyesi, they tell us that the Kabiyesi doesnt see women but thats a lie.

PT: If you are in a position to advise the Nigerian government concerning agriculture, what would you say?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: I will tell the Nigerian government to take agriculture seriously. The truth is anything that comes from the ground be it land resources or underground is agriculture. They should encourage the youth to begin agriculture. The lands are there but people are discouraged. They should also bring in equipment that makes agriculture easier. They should bring that policy that makes commercial farming interesting and flexible with ease. They should also invest in agriculture. It is not a wasted investment. In the near future, food is going to be very expensive and scarce if the government does not take the positive required action.

PT: What is your harvest like?

Ms Eheduru-Onyejekwe: For maize, we harvested 69 tonnes and we sold a little below the market price. For last years cassava, we are yet to harvest. We are hoping to begin our greenhouse this year, before the next farming season.
ADVERTISEMENT

The police in Lagos have arrested three suspected traffic robbers along Ikorodu roundabout on Friday.

Muyiwa Adejobi, the Lagos police spokesperson, said the robbers were arrested while trying to rob commuters and were caught with 11 stolen phones.

Aside from the stolen phones, N139, 000 was recovered from the suspects, the police said.

The combined team of policemen and local Vigilante men on patrol sighted the suspects at the Ikorodu Round About while allegedly robbing innocent commuters and passers by in the area, and were arrested.

The police gave the names of the suspects as Lucky Isibor, Isah Mohammed, and Aminu Abdullah. They are 34, 26 and 21 years old respectively.

Items recovered from them include eleven (11) phones, One Hundred and Thirty Nine Thousand (#139,000), BRT Cowry Card, black bag containing assorted charms and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, the police said.

The Chief Superintendent of Police said during interrogation of the suspects, the police discovered that Lucky Isibor doubles as a receiver to traffic robbers in the area.

Two suspected armed robbers were also arrested at Ladipo Main Market, Five Star, Daleko Area of Mushin.

The police spokesperson said the suspects, Nnamaka Udeh and Obina Onovo, have been terrorising the area.

The suspects were arrested while the police were responding to a call from the market men, who had been victims of their various operations, at Ladipo market.

Items recovered from them include one Samsung 57, which is being identified by one of their victims, pairs of shoes, bags containing ATM cards and charms, the police spokesperson said.

In another operation, police operatives at Ikorodu Division arrested a suspected cultist, Emmanuel James, of Hassan Street, Rofo, Odongunyan, Ikorodu.

Mr Adejobi said the police interrogated the suspect and he confessed to be a member of Aye Confraternity.

Items recovered from him include one locally-made cut-to-size gun, three (3) live cartridges, one blue berret with Eye Confraternity inscription, two (2) bottles of Six Flower Perfume and assorted charms, he said.

He added that the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, for proper investigation and possible prosecution.

The police command assured Lagosians of adequate security of lives and property in the state.
A relative majority of ethnic minority Britons believe the royal family is racist, a YouGov survey revealed.

The poll found 43 per cent of non-white voters believe the family holds racist views, whilst 27 believed they were 'very much not a racist family', as Prince William recently stated.

A survey of the wider population found that on the whole 55 per cent of the UK believes the royals are not racist, with 20 per cent of the opinion that they are, The Times reports.

The poll, conducted days after Prince Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey, asked 504 people from ethnic minority backgrounds whether the UK should 'continue to have a monarchy in the future' to which 43 per cent said yes, but 40 per cent opted for an elected head of state instead.

Prince Harry, left, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in conversation with Oprah Winfrey, in an interview which aired March 7

Almost half, 49 per cent, of those asked said they believed Prince Harry and Meghan had been treated unfairly by the royals. While 24 per cent said they had fair treatment.

During the interview The Duchess of Sussex told Oprah that a relative of Harry asked him 'how dark' their unborn child would be and said that Archie being mixed-race was a 'problem' for the royals after Oprah asked her if they were worried their son would be 'too brown'.

The former Suits star said she would not name the person because it would be 'too damaging' for them. But she confirmed that her husband was asked the question  'how dark his skin might be when he's born'  'by family'.

Meghan then said Archie may have been denied the title of prince because he is mixed-race, but has never been told. The Duke of Sussex was also asked to identify the culprit but said he didn't feel 'comfortable' discussing it.

Queen Elizabeth II looks on during the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. May 2018

Anthony Wells, director of YouGov, told The Times: 'Our polling of ethnic-minority attitudes suggests the royal family need to mend some fences.'

He added that there was a negative perception of Charles and Camilla among ethnic minority voters, the Queen, Prince William and Kate, 'all have strongly positive ratings'.

The survey found 67 per cent of non-white voters thought positively of the Queen, the paper reports.

Earlier this month, William became the first senior royal to address directly the string of allegations made by Harry and Meghan in their explosive interview.

Prince William insisted the royals were 'very much not a racist family' as he and wife Kate visited a school in East London to support a youth mental health support service.

The Mail On Sunday revealed last week that The Queen is to boost the Palace's diversity initiative by appointing a diversity tsar to modernise the Monarchy.

Sources say the proposed move is an acknowledgment that 'more needs to be done' to champion minorities' rights and follows the explosive claims made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex of institutional racism.

As part of a major drive encompassing Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace, aides will undertake a 'listen and learn' exercise over the coming weeks which will involve speaking to a range of businesses and individuals about how the Monarchy can improve representation.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 05:23:30|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ABU DHABI, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday lauded the ties between China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) featuring mutual trust, pioneering cooperation and solid friendship.

He made the remarks at an interview in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi with the official news agency WAM during his visit to the Gulf country, highlighting the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the UAE.

Wang said that the goal of his visit to the UAE is to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries.

He added that his visit is aimed to send out the following messages to the UAE: China supports the UAE's independence in choosing own development path and opposes foreign interference in the UAE internal affairs; China will strengthen the synergy between its construction of a new development paradigm with the UAE 50-year national development strategy to elevate the mutually beneficial cooperation to a higher level; China will deepen mutual communication and coordination with the UAE on safeguarding Gulf peace and stability.

The two sides have demonstrated the true essence of the comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual firm support over core issues and at difficult times, Wang said.

The minister considers the China-UAE cooperation as "pioneering," which has been benefiting the two sides through innovation.

The two sides always seize the opportunity to explore cooperation in almost every area, such as fighting the COVID-19, vaccines, energy, trade, investment, infrastructure, and high technologies including 5G, big data, and artificial intelligence (AI), he said.

Wang expressed the hope that the China-UAE cooperation will be furthered through pushing forward the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with high-quality landmark projects such as the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone and the Hassyan clean coal power plant, consolidating cooperation in the fields of fossil fuel, new and renewable energies, and nuclear energy, exploring potentials of both markets, and optimizing the bilateral trade.

The two countries will also realize new growths through more cooperation in high tech areas including 5G, big data, AI, aerospace, and higher level of financial cooperation such as local currency settlement and an international BRI bourse, he said.

"Frequent exchanges serve as an important bond to convey amity between China and the UAE," Wang stressed, adding all these are based on the solid friendship between the two peoples as the bilateral people-to-people exchanges are thriving in culture, eduction, and tourism.

The Chinese diplomat thanked the UAE and its people for their strong support offered to China when it was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic last year, saying the touching moves by the UAE have deeply impressed Chinese people.

China and the UAE have launched comprehensive anti-pandemic cooperation including the procurement of supplies, experience exchanges, and joint research and development of vaccines, which have benefited the two peoples and contributed to the global fight against the COVID-19, Wang noted.

China is keen to, together with the UAE, accelerate the joint production of COVID-19 vaccines, explore cooperation with third parties, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, and establish a mechanism for health code sharing to facilitate visits between the countries, he said.

Referring to the Middle East situation, Wang blamed the current instability and conflicts in the region on the policies by "some big powers," which have also harmed the global security.

"It's been 10 years since the so-called Arab Spring, the aftermath of which still lingers in this region and impacts its stability," he said, adding that he also sees hope as Middle East countries have been trying hard to explore independent paths of development and seek peace and stability in the region.

During a visit to Saudi Arabia days ago, Wang unveiled a five-point initiative for achieving security and stability in the Middle East, which calls for advocating mutual respect, upholding equity and justice, achieving non-proliferation, jointly fostering collective security, and accelerating development cooperation.

This initiative reflects China's deep thought, sincerity and responsibility as a permenant member of the UN Security Council in helping realize security and stability in the Middle East, the Chinese diplomat noted.

As a power to preserve peace, promote cooperation, and advocate openness and tolerance, China is willing to increase communication and coordination with all parties including the UAE to play a constructive role in promoting peace and security in the region, Wang added. Enditem
In honor of Womens History Month, I pay tribute to all women who took critical steps in places and spaces where freedom, equality, and justice were challenged by opposition, danger and division. As voices of resilience, I call out the names of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Elizabeth Mumbet Freeman as I recognize the legacy of many other women across decades who fought battles with courage and made new history against odds.

Tubman, Truth and Freeman never wavered when freedom, justice, and truth were on trial.

Harriet Tubman (c. 1822 1913) walked the winding steps across forbidden boundaries as the conductor of the underground railroad with enslaved Africans seeking safety and freedom in her care.

Sojourner Truth (c. 1797  1883) stepped to the podium during the 1851 Womens Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, to share words of truth and transparency in her Aint I a Woman speech.

Elizabeth Freeman (c.1744-1829) ignited the flames of justice as the first enslaved African-American to file a lawsuit and win her freedom in Massachusetts. Her victory paved the way for Massachusetts to abolish slavery.

As voices of resilience, these three women persevered to create a better world, and we should continue to learn from their example and other voices of resilience.

Even though the year-long Voices of Resilience: The Intersection of Women exhibit at the Springfield Museums recently closed, there will be an online lecture and virtual exhibit that will continue to inspire minds across our community. The voices of these women remain deep within us all and inspire us to do better and be better in a changing world of complex priorities.

Now, it is our turn to honor them with renewed commitment and dedication to continue in the pathways of their voices of wisdom  especially as we address todays challenges, obstacles and opportunities.

We must understand that for many women in our communities, the glass ceilings still have not been shattered and the walls of division have not been brought down. Instead, the road ahead is paved by achievements for some and obstacles, divisions, and dismissal for many.

Today, in 2021, many Black women and Latinas are often the lowest paid in comparison to white males. According to the National Partnership for Women and Families (nationalpartnership.org) in a study released this month, Black women in the United States who work full-time, year-round are typically paid just 63 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men, and, overall, women employed full-time, year-round are typically paid 82 cents for every dollar paid to men.

The report also notes, The wages of Black women are driven down by several current factors including gender and racial discrimination.

Another report by Leanin.org also confirms the experiences of many Black women in the workplace:

 Black women are significantly underrepresented in leadership roles;

 Black women are much less likely to be promoted to manager  and their representation dwindles from there;

 Black womens successes are often discounted (50 ways to fight bias);

 Black women are less likely to get the support and access they need to advance; and

 Black women face more day-to-day discrimination at work.

As I write this piece, I can hear the words of wisdom from those women on whose shoulders I and many others stand. They are saying:

Im no longer accepting the things I cannot change... Im changing the things I cannot accept. Angela Davis;

Youve got to learn to leave the table when loves no longer being served. Nina Simone;

I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.  Audre Lorde.

These quotes tell a story that remains in effect today  women, Black women, Latinas and many other women of color need opportunities that reflect their expertise, leadership, and influence.

There is still work to be done to advance, support, position and pay women of all ages and backgrounds in a changing world where they may not be seen or heard.

According to Catalyst (catalyst.org), In 2020, women of color represented only 18% of entry-level positions, and few advanced to leadership positions. While White women held almost one-third (32.8%) of total management positions in the U.S. in 2020, Asian women (2.2%), Black women (4.1%), and Hispanic women(4.5%) held a much smaller share.

This month, some 200 women of all backgrounds from Western Massachusetts gathered to address the gaps in womens leadership for the fifth anniversary of the On the Move Forum with moderator Nikai Fondon, who is my daughter. The theme, Women in Leadership: This is What Change Looks Like, was demonstrated at the forum by women across generations, experience, and expectations. A poll from the event showed that attendees believe that mentorship, salary disparities, history (in a male-dominated world) and health (life during the pandemic, childcare and adult care) were areas of concern.

When asked about what steps could be taken to address concerns, the replies included: mentorship-networking-partnerships; education (college); entrepreneurship, business, nonprofit leadership; use of privilege to help others and especially young professionals via inclusion, advocacy, support, and systemic change; and self-empowerment  stepping into your power.

Over the five years, the event has engaged more than 1,000 women in community conversations and presentations on womens history, empowerment, and advancement. There is work to be done.

Moving past Womens History Month, let us continue reading the inspirational works of the stories we need to know. Looking ahead to the hard work of righting historys wrongs, let us walk forward together with the inspiration of the women whose shoulders we stand and the emerging women of excellence like Amanda Gorman. Her inaugural poem, The Hill We Climb, inspires us all with key quotes that put us all in the center of change to come: There is always light. If only were brave enough to see it. If only were brave enough to be it.

Janine Fondon is chair of undergraduate communications at Bay Path University and president and CEO of UnityFirst.com.

Related content:
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

After more than a decade of legislative wrangling, it appears a proposal to dip deeper into the states Land Grant Permanent fund will finally go to New Mexico voters. Its appropriate they have final say. It is their money and an important revenue source for their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and on and on.

And its a bit more complicated than one might glean from proponents long-running pitch that we need to spend a lot more money now to help our children. It would be wise to approach this $2-billion-plus question with a bit of skepticism and demand answers to some legitimate questions.

The issue will go to voters after legislative Democrats in the just-concluded session passed a proposed constitutional amendment to increase the annual distribution from the Land Grant Permanent Fund, which was established at the time of statehood in 1912. Lands conveyed to the Territory of New Mexico in 1893 and additional lands received by the Enabling Act of 1910 in anticipation of statehood essentially were put into a trust account, along with income from their associated minerals and natural resources, to provide a benefit to New Mexico schools, universities and a handful of other beneficiaries in coming years. Thats exactly what has happened, with 5% being distributed annually.

Flush with oil and gas revenues in recent years and managed by the State Investment Council, the fund now stands at about $22 billion and generated about $980 million for this years state budget.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Democratic majorities in the House and Senate and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham have for years eyed drilling deeper into the fund, insisting more funding is needed for education and other services. This year they had the votes to do it, so it will be up to voters to determine whether it makes sense to preserve future income or take out more now and eventually diminish the fund. Thats a question all the more compelling as we move to renewable energy and the inevitable reduction in income from oil and gas. We not only face a future of less income going into the fund, but a bigger draw coming out. In the words of Sen. Steven Neville, R-Aztec, withdrawing more now hurts the future.

This sessions debate to take out more had centered on early childhood and a proposed 1% bump in the overall distribution. However, a last-minute amendment changed the math. It bumped the overall distribution from the current 5% (what most funds see at the upward limit) to 6.25%, and cut early childhood from 1% to .75%. The extra .50% would go for K-12 and other beneficiaries. Bottom line: an extra $127 million a year for early childhood, $85 million for K-12.

Approval of the congressional delegation is needed because early childhood is a new beneficiary.

Putting aside the underlying concern of the long-term fiscal health of the fund and its future importance, other questions arise:

 Do we need a huge injection of new money into early childhood programs? We already are spending a significant amount now on a bevy of early childhood programs that range from home visits, to K-5 Plus, to Pre-K, to Families, Infant and Toddler, to child care assistance. According to a legislative analysis, in fiscal 2012 the states total early childhood spending was $136.5 million. The amount in the budget awaiting the governors approval for next year: $500.9 million. Sen. Bill Tallman, D-Albuquerque, a rare Democratic skeptic, wondered whether we could spend all that new money effectively. Good question. And will it go to evidence-based programs that show results?

 Does it make sense to suddenly boost K-12 funding from the fund? The money will flow through the state to districts that for the most part will spend it as they wish. Any guarantee it will be spent in the classroom, increase achievement or require accountability? None.

 Voters approved tapping the fund in 2003 to increase teacher salaries in hopes of boosting achievement and graduation rates. Legislative analysts found that just didnt happen. And while millions of dollars may have been well spent on educator pay raises, a lot of that cash just got mixed into the overall pot. Are there sufficient guarantees that wont happen again with all this new money?

 The state has a new Early Childhood Education and Care Department, but the new money isnt appropriated to the department specifically set up to take on that task. Why not?

 What happens to money that is appropriated for the various early childhood programs but isnt spent? In some cases there just hasnt been enough public demand for programs offered. We are a state of just 2 million, after all, with around 300,000 K-12 students. Does unspent money revert to the general fund where it essentially can be spent on whatever lawmakers wish?

 If supporters are so confident of the merits, why wouldnt they agree to a sunset provision? In 10 years, the increased distribution will have funneled more than $2 billion additional dollars into early childhood programs and public schools. There is simply no good reason not to have to at least come back and explain to legislators that tapping the publics savings account is producing results and worth continuing. Locking in this huge spending increase in perpetuity is irresponsible and ducks accountability. Voters should wonder why.

The question could be put to voters either in the 2022 general election or in a special election before then. In either case, it needs real scrutiny and real answers beyond the platitudes that its for the children  because there simply is no guarantee that it is.

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.
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

According to a new report by Persistence Market Research titled Medical Implants Sterile Packaging Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast, 20162024, the global medical implants sterile packaging market is anticipated to be valued at US$ 1,427.8 Mn by the end of 2016 and this is estimated to increase to US$ 2,436.4 Mn by the end of 2024, registering a CAGR of 6.5% in terms of value during the forecast period (2016  2024). Orthopedic implants (including spinal implants, reconstructive joint implants, and extremity braces & support) is expected to gain a significant market share owing to a large global baby boomer population prone to orthopedic ailments.

Global medical implants sterile packaging market dynamics

A growing demand in medical packaging and increasing usage of hygiene packaging among multiple end users is anticipated to drive advances in the industry. Medical implants sterile packaging is one of the emerging packaging solutions, widely used for pharma packaging, and is driven by factors such as increasing implant surgeries, innovative medical equipment and implants, increasing chronic degenerative diseases, and changing lifestyle of people.

How About Looking Through The Sample Of Medical Implants Sterile Packaging Market Report? https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/samples/12379

Companies Profiles

Oliver Tolas

Bemis Company, Inc

Steripack Contract Manufacturing

Orchid Orthopedic Solutions LLC

Multivac Group.

Janco Inc

Sealed Air Corporation

How About Step-By-Step Insights To Medical Implants Sterile Packaging Market? Look Through The Methodology Employed! https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/methodology/12379

Global medical implants sterile packaging market forecast

The global medical implants sterile packaging market report is categorically split into four sections  based on product type, material type, application, and region. On the basis of product type the global medical implants sterile packaging market has been segmented into pouches & bags, blister, clamshell, tubes, vials, and others. On the basis of material, the global medical implants sterile packaging market has been segmented into plastic, foils, paper, and others.

On the basis of application, the global medical implants sterile packaging market has been segmented into spinal implants, extremity braces & support, dental implants, cardiovascular implants, reconstructive joint implants, and other implants. On the basis of region, the global medical implants sterile packaging market has been segmented into the five key regions of North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.

The pouches & bags product type is likely to emerge the dominant segment throughout the forecast period due to its wide application in multiple pharma industries. The pouches & bags product type segment is estimated to create a large market share of 53.1% in 2016 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2016 to 2024 in terms of value.

Want To Keep A Tab On The Latest Findings In The Medical Implants Sterile Packaging Market? Purchase Our Medical Implants Sterile Packaging Market Report Now! https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/12379

The clamshell product type segment is anticipated to witness high Y-o-Y growth rates ranging from 5.8% to 7.2% over 20162024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 7.6% in terms of value over the forecast period.

The foils material type segment is expected to create a significant CAGR of 7.3% in terms of value over the forecast period. The paper material type segment is projected to grow at lower Y-o-Y rates ranging from 5.6% to 5.7% over 20162024.

The dental implants application segment is estimated to account for 13.7% market share by 2016 end and is anticipated to remain stagnant at 13.8% during the forecast period. The cardiovascular implants segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% in terms of value during 20162024.

Among regions, Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the key region driving overall demand for medical implants sterile packaging owing to the increasing usage of packaging and growing consumer spending power in the region. Mature markets such as North America and Europe are expected to witness uneven growth while Latin America and MEA are expected to register sluggish growth throughout the forecast period.

Europe is anticipated to witness higher YoY growth rates ranging from 5.9% to 6.2% over 20162024, and is estimated to record 7.3% CAGR in terms of value over the forecast period.

About Us: -
CHICO, Calif.  A virtual reception is being held on Sunday afternoon featuring artist Julia Kay. She is the featured artist in the March show at the Chico Art Center called Sun Dances.

Kay is a Bay Area artist who works in many mediums. The work in the Sun Dances show includes black and white photographs; colorful, mural-sized paintings of animals; and a variety of portraiture, including self-portraits.



"Portrait Revolution" by Julia L. Kay "Portrait Revolution" by Julia L. Kay

Portraits are a specialty of Kays. She has published a book entitled, Portrait Revolution. In the book, a variety of portraiture is shared utilizing different media, styles, and themes.

The project started during a three-year span where Kay drew self-portraits every day. That led to interactions on flickr.com with artists around the world.

Her Julia Kays Portrait Party events began in 2020 and she now has more than 1000 members from 55 different countries. She utilizes Facebook and Flickr to bring artists together and to support each other across the globe.

A virtual reception will be a chance for people to visit Julia Kay in her San Francisco studio. She will share how her work that does not seem to be a part of Sun Dances actually leads up to it, informs it, and builds upon it.

Kay will be inviting audience/artist participation during the live reception, being held Sunday, Mar. 28 at 4:00 p.m. PT. CLICK HERE to register ahead for the reception.

The Sun Dances exhibit opened virtually on Mar. 6, 2021. The live virtual reception on Sunday is a major event of the exhibition of Julia Kays work, which will be featured virtually on the Chico Arts Center webpage until the end of 2021.
Suriya's Soorarai Pottru failed to make it to the Oscar nominations but the film was loved by the audience. The film was chosen among the only ten Indian films that were to be screened as one of the Best Foreign Films at the 78th Golden Globe Awards. There are several other films based on aviation that have received critical appreciation for their story. From Take Off to Kandahar, here are some blockbusters based on aviation.

South Indian films based on aviation

Soorarai Pottru

Suriya's films that have made an impact on the audience include Soorarai Pottru. The release of the film was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tamil film is directed by Sudha Kongara and written by Kongara. The film starred actors like Suriya, Paresh Rawal, and Aparna Balamurali in the lead roles. Actors like Urvashi, Mohan Babu, and Karunas played supporting roles in the movie. The movie was inspired by the life of Simplifly Deccan founder G. R. Gopinath. The plot focused on the life of Maara, a young man from a village who has a dream to launch his own airline company. He has to face several hurdles in order to fulfil his dream. The film had become to second-most tweeted hashtag during its release.

Take Off

Take Off is a Malayalam drama thriller directed by Mahesh Narayan. The film featured Parvathy Thiruvothu, Kunchacko Boban and Fahadh Faasil in the lead roles. The film was based on Indian nurses working in Iraq. In the film, Meera, an Indian nurse, and her colleagues are held hostage by some terrorists in Iraq. An Indian ambassador named Manoj uses his wit to rescue them all and bring them back safely to India. The actors were critically appreciated for their performance.

Uyare

Uyare is a 2019 Malayam film that featured Parvathy Thiruvothu, Asif Ali and Tovino Thomas in lead roles. The film is directed by Manu Ashokan and it marks his directorial debut. The film revolves around the life of Pallavi Raveendran played by Parvathy. She is an aviation student who survives an acid attack which hampers her career as a pilot. The film was a commercial success and received several awards at the Asianet Film Awards.

Kandahar

Kandahar is a 2010 Malayalam war film. The film is directed by Major Ravi and it is the third instalment of the Major Mahadevan film series. The film stars Mohanlal playing the lead role as Major Mahadevan. The film also features Amitabh Bachchan and Ganesh Venkatraman, who made their Malayalam debuts. The plot of the film revolves around the hijacking of the Indian Airlines Flight 814 in 1999. Major Mahadevan and his team go on a mission to deal with the terrorists.

Kaatru Veliyidai

Kaatru Veliyidi is a Tamil romantic war film directed by Mani Ratnam. The film stars Karthi and Aditi Rao Hydari portraying lead roles while Lalitha, Rukmini Vijayakumar, Delhi Ganesh and RJ Balaji are seen in supporting roles. The film is set up in the Kargil War of 1999. It revolves around an Indian Air Force pilot who recalls the time he fell in love with a doctor in the war. He was kept prisoner at a jail in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The film had received mixed reviews but the actors were highly appreciated for their performance.

Promo Image source: Stills from Soorarai Pottru and Take off

Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment.
Many Muslims consider it offensive to depict the Prophet Mohammed in any circumstances  even if those depictions are not intended to be mocking.

People gathered in protest outside Batley Grammar School, in Batley, near Bradford, West Yorkshire, this week after a teacher showed students a cartoon of the Prophet, widely reported as taken from the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.

Commenting on the matter, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said children should be taught contentious issues appropriately, adding: It must be right that a teacher can appropriately show images of the Prophet Mohammed.

Protesters outside Batley Grammar School (Danny Lawson/PA)

However, Dr Alyaa Ebbiary, a researcher in Islamic studies at the SOAS University of London, believes the Muslim community at large would disagree with Mr Jenricks comments.

Here, Dr Ebbiary explains why images of the Prophet Mohammed are offensive to Muslims:

 What does the Koran say about the Prophets image?



The Koran  the Islamic holy book  does not explicitly forbid creating images of the Prophet, although several Islamic legal and theological texts prohibit image-making, particularly of God or holy figures.

One chapter in the Koran that has been widely interpreted as a ban on the creation of religious idols reads in part: (Abraham) said to his father and his people, What are these statues to which you are devoted? They said, We found our fathers worshippers of them. He said, You were certainly, you and your fathers, in manifest error.'

Some Muslims point to teachings in hadiths  collected traditions of Mohammed  which discourages creating images of living creatures, both people and animals.

Dr Ebbiary said: There is a lot in Islamic legal and theological texts prohibiting image-making, in general and in relation to the sacred more specifically.

The Koran does not explicitly forbid images of the Prophet Mohammed (Andrew Milligan/PA)

This is why you will not see paintings of humans or animals in mosques.

There is an understanding that creating images of prophets and holy figures risks either idolising them in worship to the point of deification, or the image will always be imperfect, inaccurate or otherwise compromising.

 How do rules vary in different parts of the world?

In Sunni Muslim cultures, such as in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria, pictorial or film images of the Prophet Mohammed are totally forbidden, Dr Ebbiary said.

She added that in Shia Muslim cultures, in places such as Iraq and Iran, there is a little more room for manoeuvre.

Some Shia iconography will show images representing the Prophet Mohammed with a full veil or cover over his face, she said.

In Iran they produce films with actors depicting the Prophets such as Joseph, this would be forbidden in many Sunni Muslim cultures.

 Is there an appropriate way to show his image and has it been used in the past?

For Sunni Muslims  no, but for Shia Muslims there have been classical paintings of a figure representing the Prophet Mohammed with his face totally obscured by a veil.

Dr Ebbiary said there is a rich artistic culture of describing the Prophet in Arabic calligraphy, or poetry and song, in a variety of languages.

There is a rich artistic culture of describing the Prophet Mohammed in Arabic calligraphy (Peter Byrne/PA)

She added: Throughout Medieval European history, when Christendom was at war with Muslims, the Prophet Mohammed would often be depicted in pictures as a devil or otherwise demeaning forms.

It was a common thing to undermine Islam by insulting the Prophet Mohammed.

For many Muslims, modern cartoons of the Prophet are considered an extension of this historic insult and could garner a reaction many might call today as triggering.
A LANDLORD who was heavily fined for allowing fat from his pubs kitchen to leak into a sewer claims he was unfairly blamed for blockages and flooding.

Mark Dunlop, who runs the Angel on the Bridge in Thame Side, Henley, says the problems were caused by Thames Water failing to fix a faulty pumping station.

He was ordered to pay more than 16,000 by Reading magistrates after the water company prosecuted him, saying he failed to respond to repeated attempts to contact him about the serious leaks.

Mr Dunlop, who pleaded guilty both personally and as a company director, said he didnt receive the firms 15 warning letters, emails and phone calls.

Now he claims he was not to blame at all, saying: If Thames Water had solved these problems many years ago, we would never be in this situation.

Thames Water prosecuted Mr Dunlop because congealed fat kept blocking a 100,000 pump it installed in 2016 to stop raw sewage backing up into the Angels toilets and flooding its terrace overlooking the river.

It had to inspect the device every three months after repeatedly finding evidence of fats, oils and grease inside.

The company urged Mr Dunlop to install a 3,300 kitchen filtration system, which he eventually did but only after receiving a court summons in 2019.

However, the landlord claims this wouldnt have been necessary if Thames Water had instead fixed the pumping station further along the sewer main in Friday Street which had been flooding his pub for years.

He said this was prone to jamming, which forced sewage back along the pipe in and out of his downstairs toilets, the nearest exit point.

Human waste would flow across his terrace, which had to be vacated while staff mopped up, and flowed into the river.

Mr Dunlop says he and Brakspear, from whom he leases the pub, repeatedly urged Thames Water to fix the problem but nothing was done until 2016 when the one-way pump was installed on the Angels outflow pipe.

Thames Water paid Mr Dunlop almost 8,250 in compensation for 13 floods in the previous nine years.

Mr Dunlop says previous landlords had faced the same problem and that a Thames Water employee told him privately that the pumping station would cost about 250,000 to upgrade and the firm wasnt willing to pay.

Mr Dunlop said: [This] is where my problems began as they state that only waste from the pub can be attributed to being in the tank.

There has been a history of drainage issues between the Angel on the Bridge and Thames Water going back at least 30 years and I firmly believe the majority of these were down to the companys resistance to taking the matter seriously until now.

This prosecution has cost my business and me personally a lot of time and money at a time when we can least afford it. If Thames Water had solved these problems many years ago, we would never be in this situation.

In 2014, Brakspears property manager Tony Lewis complained several times to Thames Water without reply despite threatening to report the pollution to the Environment Agency. In a letter to the then chief executive Martin Baggs, he said a network engineer had admitted that he could do nothing to resolve the issue.

He wrote: He feels the pumping station on Friday Street is not working adequately and this is likely to be contributing.

We will not let Thames Water get away with this and will relentlessly pursue it.

We believe the pub has deliberately been left as the path of least resistance for the drain to overflow rather than through another property. This is not acceptable.

In addition to being an illegal pollutant to the Thames, it is having disastrous effects on the pubs profitability as it relies heavily on summer trade and particularly the terrace.

There is nothing more disgusting than sewage pouring past your table when eating in the sun. A days trade was lost over a bank holiday, which should have been highly profitable. Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said Mr Dunlop had been a highly regarded operator for Brakspear for 14 years.

He added: In future, wed rather work with Thames Water before it gets to this stage as its much better to find solutions that work for both parties.

Mr Dunlop was facing fines and costs of more than 20,000 but this was reduced after he told the court he faced hardship because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The pub was shut for 34 weeks and lost money through perished stock, topping up furloughed staff wages and providing personal protective equipment as well as having a reduced capacity when it could trade.

The magistrates heard the fat leaks were first detected in 2010 and could interfere with the free flow of a public sewer, which is a crime under the Water Industry Act.

Thames Water said it repeatedly urged Mr Dunlop to install a grease management system, which was easy to install and often used by hospitality businesses.

Mr Dunlop says he didnt realise the seriousness of the situation because staff didnt pass the warnings on.

Lead magistrate Katherine Wheatley said it was a serious environmental issue and he should have known and acted sooner.

Anna Boyles, a member of Thames Waters sewer protection team, said: In most cases were able to support food outlets to install the right equipment in their kitchens to capture fat, oil and grease but if they dont change their behaviour we have no other option but to go to court.

Thats always a last resort and this is the first time weve had to go this far. Were pleased The Angel on the Bridge has now installed kit to stop more fat entering the sewers.

Thames Water accepts that waste was backing up and flooding the Angel, particularly following heavy rain when sewers can fill up quickly.

However, it says this would have been compounded by fats coming from the kitchen and the one-way pump, known as a FLIP, was stopping them from leaking into the main sewer as well as protecting the pub. It hasnt installed similar devices at any other locations in Henley.

The company denied there was a problem with the Friday Street pumping station apart from the fact that it kept clogging up with fats and oils so upgrading it wouldnt have made a difference.

However, it has since replaced some of the components as part of ongoing maintenance.

A spokeswoman said: The FLIP was installed to protect the pub from sewer flooding, which it was at risk from because of its low-lying spot beside the river.

Its common for us to install them to protect properties in similar situations as keeping our customers and the environment safe is our priority.
Chief Dan Osi Orbih is the new vice chairman South-South of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with PATRICK OCHOGA, he speaks on the party's position on zoning and other national issues.

You emerge the South-South vice chairman at the Port Harcourt congress unopposed, how did it happen?

You know, the South -South is one zone where we see ourselves as one family. There was this understanding among the leaders, governors and party chieftains that they wanted me to take up the position. We didn't really have any issues at all, it was more of a consensus and unanimous decision but going by our party's constitution, we still had to go and cast our votes but that is not to say that the former chairman of our party in the zone indicated interest. He actually picked up the form but the party realized that he was still holding a political appointment in Delta State, which is against the position of our party's constitution so that was how the process was made easy for a unanimous decision.

This means your political career seems to be rising, how does this make you feel as someone representing Edo State?

Well, it is a call for more responsibility and of course at the moment we are not in government at the federal level and what it means is that every zone must do its bid to make sure that they return every vote to win the next presidential election and that is my immediate task to ensure that the votes that come from the South-South states will propel the official candidate of the party to win the presidential election, and my task in the zone has been made easier by the good work the PDP governors are doing. You can see what the governors are doing; no doubt there is no federal presence in the South-South. What the federal government had denied the region in infrastructure the governors have made up for it through their projects. After many years of neglect, today it is almost impossible for an Edo man to travel and arrive in Cross River State the same day because of the dilapidated roads. Most of the roads are in poor state but when you enter the states you will be amazed what the governors are doing internally, there is a lot happening within the PDP states. What we see today is a federal government that is busy building railways from Nigeria to Niger Republic when you can hardly travel from Uyo to Calabar, or Warri to Benin.

What do you make of the reported comment by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State that he may support presidential candidates from the North?

I think we must get it clear. What Wike said is that if the party seats down and feels that it will be easier for us to win the presidential election by picking a good candidate from the North he would support it. Wike is a party man and if the party also decides that it will be easier to pick a southern candidate he will also support it. So that statement is simple and clear. We are all committed and loyal party men, if in its wisdom the party feels that throwing up a candidate in the North will be our winning strategy then any committed loyal party man will support the effort. These things are not decided by one person, party leaders at some points will come together and look at it critically and analyse the votes that are likely to come from the various sections of the country depending on where we pick our candidate from. I think for every political party, we must have our strategy and in most cases you have to keep your strategy close to our chest. It is too early now to say this is where we are picking our candidate from and don't forget that people are making so much noise about the Bala committee's recommendation, it was just a mere recommendation, the National Working Committee will look at the report and take a position. As Bala is making suggestions other prominent party leaders are equally making suggestions to the party, the interest of the party and the nation is very important. Don't forget that we are in democracy; every zone will have an input. I can tell you that within the PDP we have some of the best brains that can manage the affairs of the country from all the zones that can take the nation out of the present mess by the APC. I think the whole idea of zoning is to ensure that every part of the country has this sense of belonging and also want to have an opportunity to be considered in whatever decision the party may want to take. Right from 1999, zoning has always been part of PDP consideration for picking a candidate. I don't want us to shy away; the leadership of the party must be courageous enough to zone the presidency just like they have always done in the past.

You recently urged Governor Obaseki to probe former governor Adams Oshiomhole's water storm project and others even when Obaseki played a key role in the projects, what now informs your call for probe?

You see, we must be fair enough to say this is wrong. But we have a problem that we want to be subjective in our views on different issues depending on which side of the divide you are. However, my position has nothing to do, whether the governor is now in PDP or whether he was in APC. My position is very clear. It is in the interest of the state that the government must look into that project. I said it with all sense of responsibility and good enough when the governor heard my position he responded in his speech that he actually assisted in helping the state to raise money for the project but he never knew that the application for the money raised was going to end up in private pockets. It is time for the government to take action against pretentious, self-styled crusaders because it was their pockets that were actually leading. You see, if something is wrong and you sweep it under the carpet and you expect God to come from heaven and help change the society then you are part of the problem. The interest of the people should come first and I feel looking at what happened in Edo concerning that water storm project I think the government must seriously look into it. The money that went into private pockets must be recovered and used for the benefit of Edo people, especially now that we are experiencing dwindling federal allocation.

Insecurity--banditry and kidnapping are at all-time high in the country, what do you think should be done to check this?

I think the failure of the APC federal government to address the current security challenges in the country is enough reason for Nigerians to vote them out at the next election. I also want to join other concerned Nigerians to condemn the recent attempt to assassinate the governor of Benue State, that to me is a very clear sign of what we are facing in terms of national security, if an elected governor with his entire security network can be attacked and an attempt was made on his life in the manner it was done, it tells you that the ordinary man on the street is in trouble. The government has totally failed to address this issue and one is beginning to feel if we can be so terrorised by this same group of people that are within the country, what it means is that if we begin to have issues with any of our neighbouring countries it means they will overrun us, but God forbid. The country has gone through a lot in the hands of bandits and the government has not been able check what is going on. It is really sad and unfortunate because the primary duty of government is to protect lives and property and that they have failed to do. I can tell you that since Nigeria's independence, we have never had this kind of economic crisis we are presently going through, the naira is on a free fail. Since this government took over from former president Jonathan, where we are now shows that the APC government has shown that they don't have the capacity to lead this country.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance 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.

Some of Governor Obaseki's critics have criticized him for not appointing a cabinet and accused him of being undemocratic, how do you react to this?

It is better to direct this question to the governor but from the little I know, this government is a government that is trying to do things differently from what it inherited from the previous administration and he (Obaseki) has decided to carry out reforms in the civil service and this process is going on. To the governor, it doesn't make sense to bring these political appointees when there is a lot of restructuring going on, some ministries may be collapsed into one and there could be a lot of changes, and it is until that exercise is completed that they will be appointed. My appeal is that we should exercise some patience.
New Delhi: Two terrorists have been gunned down while an Indian Army soldier has been killed in action and another sustained injuries during an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Saturday (March 27, 2021).

The injured Army soldier has been evacuated to 92 Base Hospital and is stable, as per the latest reports.

"One HM terrorist Inatullah Shaikh and one LeT terrorist Adil Malik killed in the Shopian encounter. Shaikh came to India from Pakistan last week," said IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar.

According to officials, the encounter broke out between the security forces and the terrorists in the Wangam village of the Shopian district in South Kashmir.

"01 more unidentified terrorist killed (Total 02). Search going on. Further details shall follow," the Kashmir Zone Police said.

Meanwhile, one Pistol along with an M4 rifle and an AK-47 has been recovered.

Earlier, a police official told that a joint team of Police, Army's 34RR and CRPF launched a joint cordon and search operation in Wangam after the inputs of the presence of terrorists in the area.

He said, "Searching party was fired upon by the hiding militants as the cordoned suspected the spot and the fire was retaliated resulting in an encounter."

The sources in the police said that two to three militants are believed to be trapped inside the cordon, however, the actual number can be told once the operation ends.

This is to be noted that it's the third encounter of the month in the Shopian district. In the last two encounters, six terrorists including a top Jaish commander have been killed.
Good news for the local office sink cleaning and strip club industry. Former New York Post editor Col Allan - one of Rupert Murdochs most trusted editors - has returned to Australia from New York.

The Dubbo-born publisher has set up home in Sydneys Darling Point after having wrapped up two weeks of quarantine. Cue the side glances and nervous chatter inside News Corp Australias Holt Street headquarters because the waiting game for Allans next project has begun. This is a thoroughly anxiety-inducing prospect given Allans past form as one of News most terrifying editors.

Former New York Post editor Col Allan is back in Sydney. Credit:Nick Moir

Sources inside the bunker are adamant Allan is keen to slow down after running the Post. That memorable stint - his second time in the Posts editing chair - coincided with the US presidential election when the tabloid positioned itself as ardently pro-Trump.

Heck, Allan was even reported to have worn a Make American Great Again cap inside the Post newsroom.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
The heartbroken grandmother of a four-year-old boy who died after an apparent fall from a bunk-bed has told how she spent four nights praying for his recovery as he battled for his life in hospital.

But, sobbed Breda O'Connell, the maternal grandmother of little Mason O'Connell: "All our prayers couldn't save my little man."

Speaking with the Sunday World at her Castleconnell home in Limerick, where just last week her handsome grandson Mason was waked in a little white coffin, Breda said: "All I have now is my memories and the joy he gave me.

Expand Close Breda talks to our man Patrick at her home / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Breda talks to our man Patrick at her home

"Nothing can bring him back to me and that is the hardest thing to bear. I have to trust that God has a plan for everyone.

"But I will never get over him. He was my little man and that's what he will always be."

On Saturday, March 14, while staying at his father John Paul's home in Rathbane, in Limerick, Mason suffered a severe head injury.

He was rushed to the Regional Hospital in Limerick before being transferred on to Cork and then onwards to Crumlin Children's Hospital in Dublin.

Tragically, and despite the best efforts of medical staff in all three hospitals, Mason lost his battle for life four days later.

Expand Close Little Mason OConnell / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Little Mason OConnell

Recalling the moment she learned of Mason's injury, Breda said her whole world stopped.

"The shock that evening when I got the phone-call - I nearly died," she said.

"And then there was praying and praying and praying. We all lit candles hoping against hope that he'd get better.

"And we had said, no matter how he came home, no matter what way he was after, we'd mind him here ourselves."

Describing how the people of Scanlon Park - where the family home is located - rallied round, Breda said: "The people were so good, you couldn't name one above the other.

"Theresa Ryan, a neighbour of ours, had bags of food up here in the kitchen every day after it happened. She stood out, but I want to thank everyone because they were so good.

"While the little angel was in the hospital in Limerick and then Cork and then Dublin, every person in the estate had candles lighting in their windows for him.

Expand Close Little Mason OConnells white coffin is removed with a horse drawn carriage / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Little Mason OConnells white coffin is removed with a horse drawn carriage

"They all knew Mason, and they were all praying for him. But it wasn't to be. All I can do now is talk about him and tell of the memories I have of him.

"It's not going to bring him back to me.

"But maybe it helps me a little bit to know people will know him."

Describing her first memories of her little grandson, Breda said from the moment he was born he brought joy into the lives of everyone in the family.

"He was here, on and off, from the time he was born," she said.

"We'd been expecting another girl but we were delighted when he came along. How could I describe him? He was a lovable rogue and he had some imagination on him.

Laughing

"When he was staying here, he'd come down the stairs in the morning and I'd hide behind the coats on the banister and say: 'There's a monster coming down the stairs  I'm scared'.

"And he'd be laughing and laughing and say: 'It's only me nanny'. I'd ask him what he wanted for his breakfast and he say: 'Spuddies'.

"He loved a bowl of mash and he'd eat that on its own all day, but I'd give him sausages or chicken nuggets or gravy and he would devour the whole lot.

"A man wouldn't eat as much, he was just a lovable, beautiful child. The greatest nature you could ask for in a child." One of the memories that makes Breda smile, even now in the midst of her despair, is recalling the day Mason ran into the house asking her for a packet of crisps for his friend Oliver.

Expand Close Mason OConnell / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Mason OConnell

"He used to play outside by this little hole in the pillar out the front and he'd come in and ask for a packet of Tayto and I'd say yes." Breda recalled.

"Then, ten minutes later he'd came back in and asked for another packet saying 'Oliver is hungry'.

"I gave him another packet and I saw him putting a few down on the ground for Oliver.

"I'd thought Oliver was another child but he wasn't. Oliver was an ant - and he was feeding Oliver because Oliver was his friend.

"And then, a little later again, he came in and asked for a bowl of water to wash Oliver.

"And when I looked out, there he was, sitting inside in it himself."

Saying goodbye to her grandson was, said Breda, one of the hardest things she has ever had to do. It was an ordeal made harder due to the restrictions in place to help combat Covid-19.

"Out of the 10 we had in the church, we had to have two readers," Breda said.

Read More

"We were at the doors of the church and I let someone else in instead of me, someone who had to be there - and the priest thanked me for having them all ready.

"Everyone knew what Mason meant to me, everyone knew that I was devastated.

"But I had to be strong for everyone else, for Mason's mum and for my sons, because my sons are devastated too.

"He followed them everywhere. He always wanted to help if they were cutting grass down at the pitch or if they took him down the bank to show him the birds and flowers.

"When he was being brought to the graveyard, I came back here and when I opened the door, all the chairs were lined up inside for after.

Headstones

"And when I saw the chairs in the place where he had been laid out, that nearly killed me.

"I had come in here each morning to talk to him when his little coffin was here.

"When whoever had sat up with him overnight went up to the bathroom, I'd come in and talk to him on my own.

"You hear of babies and children dying, and you'd see the little headstones in the graveyard and you'd read them and say: 'God help us'.

"But it's when it comes to your own, when your family is the one to lose a child, it's only then you really know what grief is.

"He was a beautiful child and far too young to be taken."

Read More








The past year has been tough for small businesses, many of which went bust or suffered crippling losses as lockdown hit their trade.

But there is finally a little light at the end of the tunnel as restrictions start to ease.

And to help the small businesses coming out of lockdown, the UK's biggest, most engaged newsbrand, MailOnline, is offering the chance to advertise to their huge audiences - without a huge price tag.

Suffolk deli owner Andy Storer and his business partners Michael Anfilogoff and Damien Riseley were among the first to try the new MailOnline Ad Manager to help boost their fortunes after a difficult year.

Andy Storer, left, and Michael Anfilogoff, right, used the Ad Manager to advertise their new deli to potential customers (pictured with chef and owner Damien Riseley, centre)

Andy, 42, said: 'We've owned the Black Dog Deli in Walberswick for six years and have worked hard to make it a success - customers tell me our sausage rolls are the best they've ever had.

'When the first lockdown hit, Michael and I had just spent 50,000 on a new production kitchen in the nearby village of Halesworth and we were also planning a new deli. So we had to think on our feet about how we could adapt and survive.'

'So easy to set up': The ad designed by Andy and Michael for their Suffolk deli business

They increased their range of frozen foods, figuring locked down families would appreciate them, and diversified with a pop-up shop in nearby Southwold offering street food.

Their next challenge was to drum up business for the new Black Dog Deli which opens in Halesworth next month.

Michael, 25, was delighted to be able to advertise on MailOnline to target local customers and encourage interest in his new venture. He created the ads (right) himself, set the budget and chose the people he wanted to target.

He said: 'It was so easy to set up the ads, and the whole process was really well thought out and user friendly for a small business like us.

'Once the ads had been live for a few days, we saw our website traffic go up by over 200 per cent. The deli in Walberswick has felt busier, and we've had lots of phone calls and visitors asking about when our new deli is opening up.

'We're really pleased with this campaign - it's helped us grow as a business and get our name out there.

'To be able to advertise to MailOnline's audience will help us grow.'

BLACK DOG DELI ADS: THE RESULTS Cost: 1,300

Ad impressions (how many times the ads were viewed): 351,818

788 clicks through to their website

Website traffic up more than 200pc

Shop feels busier; lots of visitors and calls asking about new deli opening Advertisement

The new self-serve Ad Manager makes it easy. It takes minutes to set up, and your campaign could be live in less than 24 hours.

You can advertise to more people in your area than your local titles can reach.

You can target by postcode, interests, and life stage to reach as many of our 25 million consumers as you like.

There are no hidden fees, and you can control everything, from budget to target audience to creative design.

Here's how:

Visit manager.mailmetromedia.co.uk today to see how YOU can transform YOUR small business!

The MailOnline Ad Manager enables small businesses to reach more adults across all UK regions than ever before, with hyper-local advertising for relevant, affluent customers.

You'll be able to see live data for your campaign, adjust targeting and pause campaigns as you like.

You can set up automated email reports, and experiment with different creative and targeting strategies to get the very best for your business.

This new opportunity means that SMEs can easily and effectively manage their own ad campaigns across MailMetroMedia's online portfolio, which engages more than 10 million UK adults every day.

Martin Clarke, publisher of MailOnline, Metro.co.uk and iNews.co.uk, said: 'We are passionate about helping SMEs recover from the covid crisis, and proud to be launching a tool which will enable small business owners to purchase and set up ad campaigns in a few easy steps.

'We look forward to helping you build your business.'
In this March 9, 2021, file photo, people enjoy the warming weather and a view of lower Manhattan at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J. A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection.

Even as the vaccination campaign has ramped up, the number of new infections in New Jersey has crept up by 37% in a little more than a month, to about 23,600 every seven days. About 54,600 people in New York tested positive for the virus in the last week, a number that has begun to inch up recently.

The two states now rank No. 1 and 2 in new infections per capita among U.S. states. New Jersey has been reporting about 647 new cases for every 100,000 residents over the past 14 days. New York has averaged 548.

The situation in New York and New Jersey mirrors a national trend that has seen case numbers inch up in recent days. The U.S. is averaging nearly 62,000 cases a day, up from 54,000 two weeks ago.

Asked Sunday what's going wrong in the U.S. as cases rise, President Joe Biden told reporters: "Based on what I'm hearing, apparently people are letting their guard down." Biden said he hopes to have a better sense of the situation after a meeting with his White House pandemic team on Monday.

Neither New York nor New Jersey is experiencing anything like what they saw last spring, when hospitalsand morgueswere overflowing. And like the rest of the country, both are in a much better place than in January, at the peak of the pandemic's winter spike.

In this May 19, 2020, file photo, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy wears a mask during his daily coronavirus news conference at the War Memorial in Trenton, N.J. A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection. Murphy said in recent days that he is hitting pause on further loosening of the rules because of New Jersey's resurgence. (Chris Pedota/The Record via AP, Pool)

But the lack of improvement or even backsliding in recent weeks has raised concerns that the states are opening too quickly and people are letting down their guard too much, just as potentially more contagious variants of the virus are circulating more widely.

"When we're seeing leveling off of cases or increase, that's when it's a time to rethink policies," said Roy Gulick, chief of the infectious diseases division at Weill Cornell Medical College and New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

In February, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo allowed the state's largest stadiums to host sporting events and concerts again, albeit at only 10% of normal capacity. New York City movie theaters have been allowed to reopen. Restaurants can now operate at 50% capacity in New York City and 75% capacity elsewhere in the state. Indoor fitness classes have resumed, too.

Customer drink at the outdoor tables at The Spring Lounge, Friday, March 26, 2021, in the Little Italy neighborhood of in New York. A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has led a similar reopening, with the state's restaurants also allowed to operate at half capacity and barbers, salons and other personal care businesses resuming trade.

That's happened in other parts of the country, too.

Utah, Alabama, Arkansas and Indiana will end mask mandates in early April, joining states including Arizona, Texas, Mississippi, Montana and Iowa that have eliminated face covering requirements in recent weeks. Some states are allowing businesses to operate at full capacity.

But in Illinois, the state public health director on Friday emphasized the need to keep wearing masks and socially distancing amid an increase in cases and hospitalizations. The single-day total of confirmed and probable cases of the illness topped 3,000 Friday for the first time in seven weeks, and hospitalizations have jumped 15% in the past five days.

A pedestrian wears his mask below on his chin as he walks past a street art depiction on Dr. Anthony Fauci, Friday, March 26, 2021, in the East Village neighborhood of New York. A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Murphy said in recent days that he is hitting pause on further loosening of the rules because of New Jersey's resurgence.

The number of people hospitalized with the virus in New York has plateaued around 4,600 since mid-March. New Jersey hospitals are reporting about 2,200 virus patientsup by roughly 300 in the past couple of weeks.

"They're spreading more quickly and our vaccination rates are improving every week, but they are certainly not where we want them to be," said Bruce Farber, chief of infectious diseases and public health and epidemiology for Northwell Health.

Experts cite several potential factors, including the spread of potentially more contagious variants in the densely populated region.

"Is there something different that's happening in this part of the country compared to some other parts of the country?" asked Dr. Ed Lifshitz, the medical director of New Jersey's communicable disease service within the state Health Department. "And the answer is probably yes."

People enjoy lunch hour in Union Square, Friday, March 26, 2021, in New York. A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has questioned whether Cuomo is easing restrictions "for political reasons," despite cause for concern. The governor is facing calls for his resignation over sexual harassment allegations.

But then de Blasio himself announced that 80,000 more city employees would no longer work from home, starting in May.

New York City's Public Advocate Jumaane Williams urged New York to pause reopening plans.

"I ask the governor to stick to the science, trust the experts, and pause the planned reopenings now, before they take effect and more are infected," Williams said.

Experts worry the public is getting the message that increased vaccination means the state is in the clear, even though only a fraction of the public has completed a full course. Vaccines lessen the risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19, but scientists are still studying how well they prevent the spread of the virus.

In this March 18, 2021, file photo, Pharmacist Mia Yu fills a syringe with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at a pop up site at Commonpoint Queens The Hub in partnership with the UJA- Federation of New York. Vaccines lessen the risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19, but scientists are still studying how well they prevent the spread of the virus. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

In this Feb. 24, 2021, file photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, left, watches as Pastor Darryl Frazier, second from left, and State Sen. Leroy Comrie get a COVID-19 vaccine before the opening of a mass vaccination site in the Queens borough of New York. A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection. Vaccines lessen the risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19, but scientists are still studying how well they prevent the spread of the virus. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, Pool, File)

In this March 18, 2021, file photo, pharmacist Ambar Keluskar inoculates a patient with the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at a pop up site at Commonpoint Queens The Hub in partnership with the UJA- Federation of New York. Vaccines lessen the risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19, but scientists are still studying how well they prevent the spread of the virus. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

In this Jan. 21, 2021, file photo, Mary Jenkins, left, received the COVID-19 vaccine in Paterson, N.J. A year after they became a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection. Vaccines lessen the risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19, but scientists are still studying how well they prevent the spread of the virus. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Diners sit at outdoor tables at a restaurant on the Lower East Side Neighborhood of New York, Friday, March 26, 2021. A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

In this March 5, 2021, file photo, Kathyn Dennet, center, and Brian Haver leave the IFC Center after viewing a screening on "Mank" in New York. A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

A visitor to the Lower East Side neighborhood of Manhattan poses for a photo without wearing a mask in front of a graffiti mural, Friday, March 26, 2021, in New York. A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

People line up outside the Blink Fitness gym, Friday, March 26, 2021, on the Lower East Side neighborhood of New York. A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Shoppers at the Union Square farmers market wear masks to protect against the coronavirus, Friday, March 26, 2021, in New York. A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Pedestrians walk past a poster hanging in at a NYU building encouraging the use of masks to protect agains the coronavirus, Friday, March 26, 2021, in New York. A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

"To allow larger groups to gather, to give the message to the public that we're over the worst and that we can go back to normal is a mistake," Farber said.

Stony Brook University professor and neuroepidemiologist Sean Clouston said growth in new cases is concentrated in younger people, who can't get vaccinated in New York unless they have specific health conditions or certain jobs. He said their infection rates could drop once they're eligible, too.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Chinese ambassador urges cooperation, refutes fabricated reports on Xinjiang in CNN interview

Xinhua) 09:13, March 28, 2021

The photo posted on the website of the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. shows Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai speaking in an interview with CNN on March 25, 2021.(Photo/Xinhua)

WASHINGTON, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai called for international cooperation based on equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect in an interview with CNN on Thursday, and refuted fabricated reports on Xinjiang.

"We believe what today's world wants and what tomorrow's world would want are joint efforts by all countries to build a community of nations for a shared future," Cui said in a live interview with CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour.

Any attempt to divide the world into different camps or build confrontational military blocs are not solutions to global challenges, he noted.

The high-level meeting between top Chinese and U.S. diplomats in Anchorage, Alaska last week was a timely one, and it helped both sides have a better understanding of the other, Cui said.

"I hope this will be the beginning of a long process of dialogue, communication and hopefully coordination between the two sides," he added.

"Our goal is to meet the growing aspiration of the Chinese people for a better life. Our goal is not to compete with or replace any other country," the ambassador said.

The ambassador said that China is committed to multilateral cooperation, adding that such cooperation would have to be based on equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect.

"How can people cooperate with each other if they don't treat each other as equals? ... This is the problem of Western countries," he said. "They still have to learn how to treat other countries, other races, other civilizations as equals."

China very much stands for open and fair competition, said Cui.

"But the problem is," he said, "how can we have fair competition when Chinese companies are discriminated against? When Chinese senior business CEOs are detained without any reason? When there's such a clear attempt to politicize everything? When (there is) such an attempt of nationalism and protectionism against international rules?"

"So in order to have open and fair competition, I think these past mistakes will have to be corrected first. Otherwise, there's no basis for us to engage in such a competition," he said.

The photo posted on the website of the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. shows Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai (R) appearing in a live interview with CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour on March 25, 2021. (Photo/Xinhua)

The ambassador suggested Western countries refer to the United Nations Charter when they blame China for failing to abide by international rules, as its first chapter "set forth a number of fundamental principles for international relations."

"The first principle set out in the UN Charter is sovereign equality of all its members. Another principle is the obligation of all the UN members to refrain from threat or use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of any state," he said.

The ambassador said China is certainly ready to take part in international cooperation on climate change, but the "political climate also has an impact on the efforts to deal with the natural climate."

The United States and some other Western countries "still have to prove they are seriously committed" and "they are earnest about their international obligations," he said.

In response to a question about CNN's so-called investigative story at an orphanage in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Cui said, "it's immoral to take advantage of any particular family situation and manipulate it. This is not true journalism. It's very unfortunate for CNN."

"I still remember you reporting the Iraq War some years ago. So, can people come out and repeat these same stories to the world? No. Because many of the stories were just based on falsehood, were just fabrication," Cui added.

"It's very unfortunate some people, including some journalists, they start with very strong bias and prejudice. That's their problem. That's how they come to very different conclusions about the particular situation, very much against real facts," said Cui.

In the past few years, more than 1,000 people, including diplomats and journalists, from over 100 countries, many of them Muslim countries, have visited Xinjiang, the Chinese ambassador said, refuting CNN's claim that Xinjiang was closed to international officials and journalists. "What they have seen are real facts."

"In terms of the population, the Uygur population has more than doubled in the last four decades," Cui said. "So how can people talk about the so-called genocide?"

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)
Qantas has said it will offset every passengers carbon emissions from its new ultra-long-haul direct flights.

The Project Sunrise services will be the longest commercial flights in the world, clocking in at 18-20 hours, and flying nonstop between Sydney and Melbourne to key destinations including London, New York and Paris.

Now, the airline has said it will be offsetting the new services emissions on every seat filled, in response to the flight shame movement in Europe, which encourages travellers to swap flying for alternative, lower-carbon forms of transport.

We've said we'll carbon offset every passenger on the aircraft because theres a big push in Europe not to travel called flight-shaming, which is a big issue, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce told The Australian Financial Review Business Summit.

Speaking of previous Project Sunrise test flights, on which journalists were invited to travel, Mr Joyce said that the number one question from the European journalists was why would anyone do this with the carbon emissions were going to have on these flights.

In response, Qantas will be offsetting the emissions of every passenger through projects including rebuilding wetlands and replanting endangered rainforest at Queensland's Babinda Reef.

However, environmental campaigners argue that offsetting does not mitigate the damage to the climate done by long-haul flights.

Naming this scheme Fly Carbon Neutral is misleading to say the least, Emma Kemp, campaigns manager at climate charity Possible, tells The Independent. Theres no magic technology that can instantly draw carbon out of the atmosphere and then store it safely, securely and indefinitely.

Telling consumers that by offsetting theyll be flying carbon neutral only fools people into thinking we can continue with business as usual. We cannot offset our way out of the climate crisis. Tackling emissions from aviation means bold policy change to encourage a shift away from frequent flying and switching to low carbon travel.

Anna Hughes, director of Flight Free UK, agrees: The trouble with offsetting is that it doesnt actually remove the carbon that we are emitting today  it just promises that carbon might, at some point, be absorbed in the future, or mitigated elsewhere.

We have no way of knowing if that will actually happen, and in the meantime, we are pumping CO2 directly into the upper atmosphere where it does the most damage. In addition, and much more problematically, offsetting makes us believe that our emissions dont count, which gives us licence to continue our polluting behaviour.

The uncomfortable reality is that the only way to fly carbon neutral is not to fly at all.

 A guide to the Qantas Perth flight - The longest nonstop scheduled passenger flight ever from a UK airport

The coronavirus pandemic has pushed back the anticipated launch of Project Sunrise flights until 2024.

We still want to revisit it at the end of 21, with the potential of doing it [introducing scheduled Project Sunrise flights] in 24, probably, and onwards, said Mr Joyce at EuroControls Aviation StraightTalk Live in February.

He said the carrier was two weeks away from ordering the aircraft needed for the new services back in March last year before Covid-19 swept the globe.

The airline has put its initial order of up to 12 ultra-long Airbus A350-1000s, each fitted with an additional fuel tank, on hold.

But Mr Joyce has said that he thinks nonstop ultra-long haul travel will be even more popular post pandemic.

People in the post-Covid world will want to fly direct, which I think makes the Project Sunrise business case even better than it was pre-Covid, he said.
KIMT-TV NEWS 3  Diamond Vogel and Keep Iowa Beautiful are awarding grants to 132 community [projects across the state.

"Governor Reynolds will be signing a proclamation designating April as Keep Iowa Beautiful month and we are pleased to do our part by awarding paint to 132 community projects in Iowa," says Doug Vogel, Vice-President, Marketing, of the Iowa based company. "The partnership with Keep Iowa Beautiful allows Diamond Vogel to assist and work with many local volunteers that help build communities, making Iowa one of the best states in the nation to live."

In the 18-year partnership with Keep Iowa Beautiful, Diamond Vogel has awarded over 11,860 gallons of paint for 1,132 community projects in Iowa.

"The Paint Iowa Beautiful program helps us increase our assistance to neighborhoods and communities in improving the attractiveness and beauty of where we live," says Kevin Techau, Executive Director of Keep Iowa Beautiful. "These projects definitely improve the beauty of Iowa, its countryside and its communities."

Receiving grants in North Iowa are:

Algona Public Library - 4 Meeting Rooms, 2 Hallway, Restrooms

Belmond - Colts Corner Daycare and a public area

Clear Lake - One Vision General Stores

Decorah - West side of the ArtHaus building

Eagle Grove - Downtown storefronts and park facilities

Floyd County - Learning Center at the Tosanak Recreation Area

Forest City - Heritage Park of North Iowa

Nora Springs - Official City Park Name Signage

Riceville - One room school house, Saratoga #4

Thornton - park shelter house, community center walls, city shed, and the city library
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 14:15:16|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Indonesian police officers stand guard near a Cathedral church in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, March 28, 2021. The Indonesian police have suspected that two people committed a suicide bombing outside the Cathedral in the port city of Makassar, capital of South Sulawesi province in east Indonesia on Sunday morning, injuring at least 14 people. (Photo by Masyudi F/Xinhua)

JAKARTA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian police have suspected that two people committed a suicide bombing outside a Cathedral in the port city of Makassar, capital of South Sulawesi province in east Indonesia on Sunday morning, injuring at least 14 people.

At a press conference in Jakarta, the National Police's spokesman Argo Yuwono said police were conducting examinations on the perpetrators.

The suicide bombing occurred at around 10.30 a.m. local time outside the church. Two people were allegedly riding a motorcycle trying to enter the churchyard, but were held by some church security staff members.

Human body parts were reported to be found at the scene, but it was not confirmed yet whether they belong to the perpetrator or others.

The injured were rushed to hospitals and news footage showed cars near the building were damaged as police cordoned off the area.

Churches have been targeted by extremists in Indonesia several times.

In 2018, dozens of people were killed when suicide bombers committed suicide bombings at three churches during Sunday services in the city of Surabaya in East Java. Enditem
If Biden really wants to go big and bold, he could start by pushing for a truly universal health care system, instead of pouring tax dollars into private insurance companies.

by Sonali Kolhatkar

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on peoples lives, President Joe Biden has been on a victory tour to promote the American Rescue Plan, a hefty $1.9 trillion spending package that not only sends direct stimulus payments to struggling Americans, but also greatly expands health care options through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Were becoming a nation where health care is a right and not for the privileged few, said Biden in his remarks at a hospital on the campus of Ohio State University. Eleven years after the ACA was first passed into law as President Barack Obamas signature health care reform, it has survived relentless Republican attacks in the form of legal challenges and defunding attempts. Preserving and expanding it under Democratic leadership certainly constitutes a win against Republican obstructionism and a refusal to offer better alternatives. But this latest strengthening of the ACA is first and foremost a victory for the health insurance industry.

The American Rescue Plan includes tens of billions of taxpayer dollars to substantially lower premiums for insurance options purchased through the ACA health exchanges. Additionally, it covers 100 percent of the cost of COBRA coverage for those who have been laid off during the pandemic. Even the New York Times characterized it with the headline, Private Insurance Wins in Democrats First Try at Expanding Health Coverage.

Dr. Paul Song, co-chair of the Campaign for a Healthy California, and board member of Physicians for a National Health Program, explained to me in an interview that, thats money thats just going to the private insurance industry. He asked, why not say to anyone who lost their job during the pandemic and lost their health care coverage, that you would automatically be enrolled in Medicare until you found your new job? Such a move would cost significantly fewer taxpayer dollars but would have boosted the arguments in favor of a Medicare for All program, which centrist Democrats like Biden have vehemently railed against for years. Ironically, insurance industry loyalists cite high costs as central to their opposition to Medicare for All.

A new poll by Morning Consult and Politico finds that a majority of Americans55 percentsupport Medicare for All. Strangely, the pollsters headlined their results by saying, Medicare for All Remains Polarizing. Nearly 80 percent of all Democrats support it, and even among Republicans, more than a quarter back the idea of a government-run health plan for all.

As Biden touts the success of the ACA (without mentioning the high cost of supporting it), a growing number of Democratic lawmakers are refusing to fall in line. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) dismissed the health care subsidies in the American Rescue Plan, saying, I dont think this was the most efficient way to do this, and had instead called for exactly what Song suggested: that unemployed Americans sign on to a Medicare plan rather than their former employers plan.

Jayapal recently introduced the Medicare for All Act of 2021, which was co-sponsored by more than half the House Democratic Caucus. Her office released a statement explaining that the bill guarantees health care to everyone as a human right by providing comprehensive benefits including primary care, vision, dental, prescription drugs, mental health, long-term services and supports, reproductive health care, and more with no copays, private insurance premiums, deductibles, or other cost-sharing.

Dr. Song is hopeful, saying there is more momentum every year for such a program. Whereas in previous years Democrats like former Congressman Joe Crowley would have railed against Medicare for All, theyve all been voted out by the AOCs, by the Jamaal Bowmans, said Song, referring to the freshmen representatives from New York who in recent years ousted centrist incumbents like Crowley from their party in primary challenges. Now, for the first time, the entire New York delegation has supported Medicare for All, he said.

The timing for a bold and comprehensive health care plan is ideal. According to Axios, Biden loves the growing narrative that hes bolder and bigger-thinking than President Obama. Democrats are looking to distinguish themselves from Republicans in willingly spending what it takes to care for a population battered by the pandemic after years of austerity measures that have whittled away safety net programs. Criticism of Medicare for All from a cost perspective will not only be deemed hypocritical, but it will also sound Republican-like in its callous calculation to prioritize private interests ahead of human needs.

According to the advocacy group Public Citizen, the U.S.s private health insurance-based system put the nation at such a deep disadvantage during the pandemic that according to a new analysis, millions of Americans have contracted COVID-19 unnecessarily and hundreds of thousands of deaths could have been prevented. This estimate is not based on people dying because they did not have health insurance. On the contrary, the government rightly stepped up to ensure that COVID-19 related treatments for the uninsured would be covered by taxpayers (yet more proof that lawmakers are willing to cover everyones health care costs if the crisis is dire).

Rather Public Citizen found that our entire health care infrastructure failed because hospitals focused on profit and revenue were unable to respond to COVID-19 while safety net hospitals faced closure. The patchwork of private health insurance systems and limited public systems left the nation in a confusing mess at a time when streamlined approaches to a deadly pandemic required systematic testing, contact tracing, and now, vaccine distribution. In contrast, as per Public Citizen, Countries that had more unified systems were better able to roll out testing, track the spread of the disease via a central information hub, and intervene appropriately.

Given the fact that Democrats require either some Republican support or an end to the Senates filibuster rule in order to pass any major legislation, Jayapals bill is likely to remain aspirational. However, newly seated Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra may be able to offer another pathway to a government-run health system. Backers of such a system ought to take heart from Becerras confirmation hearing where the likes of Republican Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) said to him, Your long-standing support for single-payer, government-run health care seems hostile to our current system from my perspective. Of course, Becerra said what he had to in order to win confirmation and toed the Democratic party line by responding that he would be enacting President Bidens agenda, not his own.

Still, according to Dr. Song, Secretary Becerra has been very public in saying that he thinks states should be afforded waivers, and now he has the ability to do that. One of the positive aspects of the ACA is that states have the right to apply for federal waivers and that the HHS secretary oversees the granting of such waivers. According to the New York Times, Because these waivers do not require congressional approval, they could become a crucial policymaking tool for the Biden administration, regardless of which party controls the Senate.

States like California could set up their own state-based health care system if it at least met the standards determined by the ACA, explained Song. Just like their federal-level centrist Democratic counterparts, California Governor Gavin Newsom (and before him, Jerry Brown) spoke out in favor of Medicare for All while they were candidates only to back off from taking a strong stand on the issue once they had the power to do something about it. Newsom, who is facing a Republican-led recall effort, is now facing a push from his Democratic colleagues in Californias legislature to keep his promise on health care.

Regardless of how we arrive at a government-run health care plan, there is growing momentum for it. Scientists worry that the next pandemic is just around the corner. Instead of throwing taxpayer dollars into the pockets of private health insurance industry executives, a government-run plan would not only be more efficient and cheaper but also save liveswhich is ultimately what should be the most important consideration.

This article was produced by Economy for All, a project of the Independent Media Institute.

Sonali Kolhatkar is the founder, host and executive producer of Rising Up With Sonali, a television and radio show that airs on Free Speech TV and Pacifica stations. She is a writing fellow for the Economy for All project at the Independent Media Institute.
Clearing of woody weeds in Baringo County, Kenya, may yield major livelihood benefits

A new study suggests that clearing the invasive woody weed Prosopis julifora and grassland restoration in Baringo County, Kenya, may have significant financial benefits for local stakeholders and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Climate change, land degradation, and invasive alien species (IAS) such as Prosopis julifora are major threats to people's livelihoods in arid and semi-arid areas with each of these having negative impacts on ecosystem services - including vegetation biomass, which is a prime resource for pastoralists and agro-pastoralists.

The team, comprising PhD students and established scientists from four countries and different disciplinary backgrounds, developed land use scenarios and assess what the implications of Prosopis management and grassland restoration are for soil carbon accumulation and local communities.

The scientists studied the impacts of Prosopis invasion and grassland degradation on soil organic carbon (SOC) in nine sublocations in Baringo County where it was introduced in the 1980s and promoted by the Kenyan government to provide wind breaks, a source of timber, fuelwood and charcoal.

The study combined data collected by several PhD students of the Woody Weeds project, such as socio-economic data to determine the size of the budget available for Prosopis management (Bekele et al. 2018) and the financial benefits of making charcoal from removed trees, soil measurements to assess changes in SOC following Prosopis removal (Mbaabu et al. 2020) and establishment of grassland. The data were linked to spatially-explicit land cover and land use maps derived from satellite data (Mbaabu et al. 2019). Then, spatially explicit Invasive Alien Species (IAS) management and restoration scenarios were generated.

Dr Rene Eschen, an ecologist working for CABI in Switzerland and lead author of the paper, said, "While Prosopis does provide these benefits, it has also spread rapidly across a large area, leading to a loss of native vegetation, agricultural areas and grazing land. These changes are primarily driven by Prosopis invasion, along with human activities like deforestation, land clearing, overgrazing, and climate change.

"Our results show that the one-off budget based on the average willingness to pay expressed by inhabitants of Baringo would suffice to manage a considerable area of Prosopis in Baringo in a single year, and that the conversion of invaded areas into grassland would provide significant financial benefits. A sustained effort over several years might enable sustainable management of a large part of the areas invaded with Prosopis in most sublocations.

"The results also indicate what generates the financial benefit and which areas could be prioritized for treatment. Although Prosopis management is expensive, the results suggest that a large part of the costs in Baringo can be offset by immediate financial benefits from the sale of charcoal. This is important, because the affected communities have limited human and financial resources for environmental management."

The researchers also argue that there are financial and immaterial benefits of restoring grasslands that may re-establish within 30 years if they are not overgrazed. They say that part of the benefits could, in fact, be realized within less than 10 years with only the full accumulation of SOC needing three decades.

Dr Sandra Eckert, remote sensing specialist of the Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Switzerland, said, "Grasslands provide non-monetary benefits, including cultural and regulating services including the regulation of climate, floods and erosion. However, the likelihood of grasses establishing depends on suitable climatic conditions and grazing management.

"With climate change and the associated higher variability of the beginning and duration of the various seasons, grass is considered a more secure crop compared to local staple crops like maize or beans; particularly perennial grass species require less rain for completion of a cropping cycle. Growing grass for seed production is widespread in some of the sublocations, and farmers can also sell the hay."

"Spatial and integrative management scenarios should be used more extensively to support land management decisions, especially where natural as well as financial resources are scarce and where the costs and benefits of managing IAS are unequally distributed among local stakeholders."

This study of Prosopis in Baringo County shows that relatively small investment in IAS clearing and restoration of degraded grassland in Eastern Africa may result in significant benefits for local communities managing the land that will support traditional livelihoods and increase SOC in the long term.

Dr Charles Kilawe, an ecologist from Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania, said that the benefits realized from the management of Prosopis juliflora revealed by this study should not be used to promote the introduction of the species to new areas, as this would likely cause serious negative environmental and livelihood impacts.

Dr Eschen concluded, "Addressing climate change and land degradation are major issues that affect livelihoods of many people and that require targeted use of scarce financial resources. This study describes IAS management scenarios using a novel spatial and integrated approach using various detailed data about IAS distribution and density, management costs, financial benefits and land use history.

"Integrating and linking such data may be particularly useful to develop accurate and realistic IAS management scenarios that can be used to illustrate costs and benefits of management interventions, where they are most needed and most cost-effective, and thus help stakeholders select the most appropriate and feasible approach that suits their needs."

###

Additional information

Full paper reference

Rene Eschen, Ketema Bekele, Purity Rima Mbaabu, Charles Kilawe and Sandra Eckert, 'Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. management and grassland restoration in Baringo County, Kenya: Opportunities for soil carbon sequestration and local Livelihoods,' 29 March 2021, Journal of Applied Ecology, DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13854

This paper can be viewed open access here:

https:/ / besjournals. onlinelibrary. wiley. com/ doi/ 10. 1111/ 1365-2664. 13854

Media enquires

Dr Rene Eschen,

Senior Scientist,

Ecosystems Management, and Risk Analysis and Invasion Ecology,

email: r.eschen@cabi.org

Dr Sandra Eckert,

Senior Research Scientist,

Centre for Development and Environment,

University of Bern,

email: Sandra.eckert@unibe.ch

Wayne Coles,

Communications Manager

CABI,

email: w.coles@cabi.org

This story has been published on: 2021-03-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
(Newser)  Dr. Deborah Birx, who rose to prominence as coronavirus coordinator in Trump's White House, recently sat with CNN to talk about government shortfalls when it came to America's early response to the COVID pandemic. In a documentary set to air Sunday, Birx tells Sanjay Gupta we "had an excuse" for the first 100,000 deaths that followed the first surge but says "the rest of them, in my mind, could have been mitigated or decreased substantially. Birx's statement comes as the US death toll nears 550,000.

story continues below

Birx was one of six doctors interviewed for the documentary, which comes as the country is seeing a spike in vaccinations but not the expected drop in infections, per USA Today. On the rise, too, are cases of infections by new coronavirus variants. Birx, who recently announced she's taken a new job with the George W. Bush Institute, told ABC News this month that asymptomatic spread of the virus continues to be a major concern as testing rates plummet nationwide. (Read more Deborah Birx stories.)
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson suffered a broken bone in his right foot on Saturday against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Knicks announced that the injury will be re-evaluated on Sunday.

Robinson, 22, had recently returned to the lineup after being sidelined with a fracture in his right hand. He's emerged as a strong rebounder and rim protector on New York's front line, averaging 8.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks this season while shooting 65.1% from the field.

His injury is a tough blow to a Knicks team seeking its first playoff berth since 2013 and a young player finding his role on an emerging team. The Knicks entered play on Saturday in fifth place in the Eastern Conference at 23-22.

Mitchell Robinson's season is likely over. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Will Knicks add another center?

The Knicks reportedly bowed out of the market for Andre Drummond, who became a free agent when the Cleveland Cavaliers bought him out of his contract after Thursday's trade deadline. At the time of Robinson's injury, Drummond remained a free agent, though was reportedly close to reaching a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Demarcus Cousins also remains a free agent after being waived by the Houston Rockets earlier this season.

For the time being, Nerlens Noel will likely return to the starting lineup with Taj Gibson as his backup.

More from Yahoo Sports:
Kourtney Kardashian made things 'Instagram official' with her beau Travis Barker last month.

And the couple treated themselves to an evening out on Saturday as they attended the highly anticipated UFC 260 event, which took place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.

At one point during the fight, the 45-year-old Blink-182 drummer was seen sweetly reaching for the 41-year-old KUWTK star's hand.

Date night: Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian treated themselves to an evening out on Saturday as they attended the highly anticipated UFC 260 event, which took place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas

Kourtney, sitting in a VIP area with her rocker beau, sported a trendy oversized vinyl jacket that she layered over a plain white tee.

She also appeared to be wearing matching skintight trousers.

The POOSH founder wore her lengthy raven hair in her go-to middle part and styled into a variety of loose waves.

Barker coordinated with his reality TV babe by donning an edgy black jacket of his own.

Sweet: At one point during the fight, the 45-year-old Blink-182 drummer was seen sweetly reaching for the 41-year-old KUWTK star's hand

Back in black: Barker coordinated with his reality TV babe by donning an edgy black jacket of his own

He completed his monochromatic ensemble with a graphic tee, a pair of skinny jeans, and some Converse All Star sneakers.

As the intense fight played out before them, the pair casually sipped on cocktails and checked on their cellphones.

Although it was unclear who Barker and Kardashian were rooting for, Francis Ngannou of Cameroon delivered the perfect punch to solidify his victory over opponent Stipe Miocic.

Fight: Although it was unclear who Barker and Kardashian were rooting for, Francis Ngannou of Cameroon delivered the perfect punch to solidify his victory over opponent Stipe Miocic

Victory: Ngannou, shortly after being declared the night's big winner, raised one fist and faced the cheering crowd, which also included the likes of Machine Gun Kelly and his girlfriend Megan Fox

Ngannou, shortly after being declared the night's big winner, raised one fist and faced the cheering crowd, which also included the likes of Machine Gun Kelly and his girlfriend Megan Fox.

Travis and Kourtney, who have had a longtime friendship, confirmed their relationship status in late February, after they shared a photo of themselves holding hands to Instagram.

The rocker recently gushed about Kourtney on the Drew Barrymore Show as he opened up about how he loves dating someone who understands what it's like to be a parent.

It's official! Travis and Kourtney, who have had a longtime friendship, confirmed their relationship status in late February, after they shared a photo of themselves holding hands to Instagram

Loving it: The rocker recently gushed about Kourtney on the Drew Barrymore Show as he opened up about how he loves dating someone who understands what it's like to be a parent

Kardashian is mother to three children, sons Mason, 11, and Reign, five, and daughter Penelope, eight, whom she shares with ex Scott Disick, 37.

'Up until now, I would date girls who didn't have kids, and I find it kind of hard, because I think they would have trouble understanding, like, "why don't you want to go to dinner every night with me? Or why don't you want to see me every night?"

'And now, I'm spending time with a woman who's a great mom, who's a great friend, and you don't have to worry about any of those things. It just comes natural.'

Mom duty: Kardashian is mother to three children, sons Mason, 11, and Reign, five, and daughter Penelope, eight, whom she shares with ex Scott Disick, 37

Fatherhood: Travis has children Landon and Alabama with his former wife Shanna Moakler and he has remained close to his stepdaughter, Atiana Cecilia De La Hoya, who is Shanna's daughter with ex-fiance, boxer Oscar De La Hoya

Travis has children Landon and Alabama with his former wife Shanna Moakler and he has remained close to his stepdaughter, Atiana Cecilia De La Hoya, who is Shanna's daughter with ex-fiance, boxer Oscar De La Hoya.

Just hours prior to her night out with Travis, Kourtney was reminiscing about her recent Aspen, Colorado getaway.

Instead of bundling up in ski gear, the older sister of Kim Kardashian took a moment to strip off, wearing just a tiny silver bikini, snow boots and a cowboy hat on Instagram.

Aspen dreaming: Just hours prior to her night out with Travis, Kourtney was reminiscing about her recent Aspen, Colorado getaway

'How's your Aspen' Kourtney cheekily captioned a set of three snaps she shared to Instagram after she returned back to Los Angeles.

In one snap the mother-of-three showed off her derriere as she turned away from the camera and looked back over her shoulder.

Two other images showed Kourtney in a padded winter coat which she left open to display her toned figure.
A Brazilian court has ordered that President Jair Bolsonaro pay damages to a journalist after he made remarks that questioned her credibility, according to newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo.

Bolsonaro suggested last year that Patricia Campos Mello, a reporter for the paper, had offered sex to a source for negative information about him.

Campos Mello wrote a series of investigative news reports about a group using WhatsApp to boost Bolsonaro's campaign by criticizing his rivals before the country's 2018 presidential election.

Folha reported that Bolsonaro would have to pay the journalist 20,000 reais ($3,473) for "moral damages." In a March 16 decision, judge Inah de Lemos e Silva Machado said the far-right leader violated "the honor" of the journalist, Folha said.

Campos Mello welcomed the decision in a tweet, calling the verdict a "victory for all of us women."

The group Journalists Against Harassment said on Twitter: "Great day for women journalists. Great day for professional journalism."

Campos Mello earlier this year won a case against the President's son Eduardo Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to pay 30,000 reais ($5,210) after he claimed that the journalist "tried to seduce" sources in order to obtain information that could harm his father.

In his sentencing, the judge said Eduardo Bolsonaro should be more careful in his comments given his political role, and as son of the President.

Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
In June 2019, Pacific Power representatives attended a community fair in Happy Camp, California, 20 miles south of the Oregon border, to share highlights of the wildfire prevention plan the company had been required to file months earlier with California regulators.

The plan showed that Happy Camp is directly west of one of the highest risk areas for wildfire in Pacific Powers rural California service territory. As residents munched hot dogs, the utilitys representatives explained its plans to preemptively cut off power in a zone around Happy Camp to protect the community when it was most at risk. Blackouts arent popular, and they would only be used as a last resort. But better safe than sorry.

Utility officials explained they would potentially cut power when forecasts and real time weather data exceeded defined benchmarks, including wind speed, drought conditions and potential for fire spread.

Fourteen months later, those conditions arrived. An extreme windstorm that had been forecast for days was pushing down the West Coast. It was already feeding a series of wildfires in Oregon and Washington, some of them sparked by downed power lines.

But Pacific Power never pulled the plug in Happy Camp -- or elsewhere on Labor Day.

While Pacific Power wasnt required to cut electricity, an investigation by The Oregonian/OregonLive found that forecasts for the area -- then actual weather conditions within the power shutoff zone -- surpassed the thresholds the utility had established for preemptive blackouts.

Meanwhile, in communities to the east and west of Happy Camp, Californias largest electric utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, had shut off electricity on Monday evening, citing critical risks and the high probability that winds could take down power lines and start fires. Large utilities further south did the same, and in Oregon, Portland General Electric also shut off power to 5,000 customers on the shoulder of Mt. Hood on the evening of Sept. 7.

What came to be known as the Slater Fire ignited about 6:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, near the Slater Butte fire lookout, a site within Pacific Powers designated Happy Camp power shut-off zone where the utility operates transmission and distribution lines. Stoked by the intense winds, it grew into a conflagration that eventually burned 157,000 acres in California and Oregon, destroyed 440 structures and killed two people.

Six months later, the fires cause is still under investigation. But a lawsuit filed against the company alleges it started when a white fir tree weakened by rot and disease failed and fell into Pacific Powers power lines on Slater Butte. Anecdotal accounts also point to power lines.

Kirk Eadie, a pastor and ambulance driver in Happy Camp, says thats what he heard on his emergency radio Tuesday morning as fire crews responded to the blaze.

If they would have done what they said they were going to do, there would have been no power during that time and we would still see a beautifully lush green forest, he said. Two people would still be alive.

Whether or not Pacific Power is found at fault, the devastation in Happy Camp is relevant to Oregonians because PacifiCorp -- the utilitys Portland-based parent company -- is the states largest rural service provider and its territory in Oregon overlaps with many areas deemed at extreme risk of wildfires.

PacifiCorp is facing multiple lawsuits stemming from the Labor Day wildfires. They allege the utility is responsible for fires that devastated the Santiam Canyon, the Archie Creek fire along the North Umpqua, and the Slater fire, which eventually burned over the state line into Josephine County. Collectively, the fires burned nearly a half million acres, 800 homes, nearly 1,300 other structures and killed seven people.

Happy Camp is unique in one way, however, as it is the only one of those areas where PacifiCorp had identified extreme wildfire risks and had a shutoff plan in place.

If PacifiCorp is found at fault in the lawsuits, its liability could be enormous, potentially affecting customers rates. It also raises the question of whether the company is fundamentally underestimating wildfire risks on the west side of the Cascades, whether it should have been more proactive, and how Oregon lawmakers and regulators should structure new rules governing preemptive blackouts.

The company declined to answer specific questions from The Oregonian/OregonLive about the Slater fire and its decision process for cutting power on Labor Day. The company had never implemented a so-called public safety power shutoff before, but undertook one in the neighboring community of Weed on Sept. 13, five days after the Slater fire.

Shutting off our customers power is not something we take lightly, said Drew Hanson, a spokesman for the company, adding that deenergizing lines can make it more difficult for emergency services to respond. We make decisions based not just on available forecasts but also on a detailed synthesis and deep understanding of what is happening on the ground in the community.

California requires utilities to submit updated wildfire prevention plans annually, file detailed reports when they shut off electricity for emergencies, and quickly provide regulators with a report on certain fires in their service territory, including their cause and estimated damages.

Oregon has none of those requirements or regulations.

The Oregon Public Utility Commission says it has the authority to investigate wildfires caused by power lines and levy fines, but it hasnt acted on that authority -- as Californias regulatory agency has. And Oregons utility commissioners failed to ask Oregons two largest electricity providers whether power lines were implicated in last falls fires.

The Labor Day firestorm on the west side of the Cascades was severe, experts say, beyond anything in living memory. But they predict large wildfires will be more frequent as climate change races forward, and that power lines will remain a significant, but often preventable risk.

Tim Ingalsbee, executive director of Eugene-based Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology, calls many of the Labor Day fires an avoidable tragedy, where the solution was literally as simple as flipping a switch.

We at least need to match Californias regulatory standards, but we probably need to exceed them in accountability standards, he said. Having the most perfect wildfire plan in place is not worth the paper its printed on if its not implemented.

PacifiCorps fire safety plans

Wildfire prevention and preemptive blackouts have been a controversial and fast-evolving issue for the last decade in California, as the state has experienced record-breaking and longer wildfire seasons and more frequent power shutoffs during periods of high risk.

Oregon has seen similar wildfire trends. But it was Californias devastating Camp fire, a power-line sparked wildfire that destroyed the town of Paradise and killed 85 in Nov. 2018, that spurred Oregon regulators to address the issue more aggressively.

As part of its work in both states, Pacific Power has identified areas of its service territory considered at elevated and extreme risk for wildfires, whether because of fire history, topography or weather conditions during fire season. Those include portions of Hood River, southern Oregon and Northern California.

The fire science continues to evolve, and meteorologists and ecologists have developed numerous ways to measure fire ignition and spread potential. Pacific Powers 2019 wildfire prevention plan in California established a customized set of benchmarks for power shutoffs that rely on three key variables:

Wind speeds

The moisture level in dead debris on the ground, measured by the Keetch Byrum Drought Index

The risk of fire spread, measured by the Fosberg Fire Weather Index, which combines wind speeds, relative humidity and air temperatures

In addition, the utility identifies Tier 3 zones, where wildfire risks are considered extreme. In Happy Camp, which neighbors a Tier 3 zone, an internal alert is supposed to be triggered when forecasts predict:

Sustained winds of 16 mph or gusts over 25 mph

A Keetch-Byrum Index of 622 or higher on a scale of 800

A Fosberg value, averaged over six hours, of 30 or higher on a scale of 100

If the wind intensifies, and gusts top 31 mph, Pacific Power says it activates its emergency operations center and starts notifying its customers of a potential preemptive blackout.

In 2020, Pacific Power nearly doubled the Fosberg and Keetch-Byrum thresholds that would trigger a power shut-off in Happy Camp from 2019 levels. There was no explanation for the change in the companys 2020 filing and the company didnt answer a question about why it was made.

Plans filed with California regulators show that two Pacific Power executives decide whether to move forward with a public safety power shutoff: the vice president of operations and the vice president of transmission and distribution operations.

The company declined to make any executive available for comment.

Conditions and forecasts

The extreme weather conditions that stoked the Labor Day firestorms in Oregon and California were no surprise. Forecasters had been broadcasting critical fire weather bulletins for days, pointing repeatedly to unusually dry ground cover in the forests, the potential for extreme winds, high temperatures and very low humidity levels.

The National Weather Services Medford office, which covers Northern California, started issuing warnings on Thursday Sept. 3 about the possibility of significant east winds and a heatwave on Labor Day. It upgraded the forecast to a Red Flag Warning on Saturday Sept. 5, calling for winds of 20 mph to 25 mph, gusts to 40 mph and humidity as low as 10% from 11 pm Monday through midnight Tuesday. The warnings were repeated on Sunday, with progressively higher winds and lower humidity levels forecast in the area that included Happy Camp.

Forecasters added to the warning on Monday. They said a critical fire weather pattern would remain through Wednesday. Due to high wind speeds, they stressed the possibility of downed power lines and poles creating further risks.

California Predictive Services was delivering equally dire warnings, with much of the state under a fire watch, including the area around Happy Camp.

Plugging those forecasts into Pacific Powers fire risk metrics is fairly straightforward. Predicted winds speeds are an obvious variable. And with drought conditions prevailing in northern California, the Keetch-Byrum Drought Index was well above the threshold Pacific Power had established for much of the summer. By early September on Slater Butte, it was hovering near the 90th percentile of measured levels, close to its maximum value of 800.

Its also possible to predict the Fosberg Fire Weather Index for a specific geography by plugging expected wind, relative humidity and temperatures into an index calculator. And based on the prevailing external forecasts for the Happy Camp area on Labor Day weekend, the predicted value of the index would have been far above the threshold Pacific Power had established to trigger a potential shutdown.

Likewise, other measures that experts use to measure fire risk, including the Energy Release Component and Burn Index were above the 97th percentile at the National Weather Services station on Slater Butte on Sept 5, 6 and 7. The Burn Index spiked to an all-time high on the day the fire ignited, according to Matt Jolly, a research ecologist at the U.S. Forest Services Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula. The Severe Fire Danger Index was also at its highest level on Slater Butte in the days leading up to the fire.

Its unclear what conversations were taking place within Pacific Power at the time. According to the utilitys plan, Pacific Power takes external weather forecasts into account, including Red Flag Warnings, but considers them too high level and generic to be a key input in the decision to cut off power at a particular location. Instead, Pacific Power relies on data from a small network of its own weather stations, and forecasts at those locations are provided by a third party, the Western Weather Group, according to its regulatory filings.

The company had plans for 35 weather stations, but only 10 were installed by the end of 2019. One is located near Happy Camp and another just to the east in Seiad Valley, California.

Its unclear what those forecasts were predicting. The company declined to share them with The Oregonian/OregonLive. It also declined to say whether any internal notifications were issued or whether it activated its emergency operations center prior to the fire. No notifications were issued to residents.

Its also not clear if Pacific Power had its own chief meteorologist on staff in September. The company was advertising the position during the fall, a job described on its website as taking the role as the lead forecaster during periods of critical fire danger. PacifiCorp declined to say whether that position was open during Labor Day.

Meanwhile, Pacific Gas & Electric, the California utility that serves a broad swath of Northern California, including customers to the east and west of Happy Camp, took heed. Its 152-page post-event report to California regulators said it activated its emergency operations center at noon on Friday Sept. 4 because of its own weather models and external forecasts. On Saturday evening, it issued direct customer notifications, posted the outage information on its website, contacted more than 200 community organizations, and made calls and in-person visits to medically vulnerable customers to alert them before the power was shut off.

On the evening of Sept. 7, PG&E cut power to 172,000 customers. The shutoff lasted until Sept 9, when forecasts indicated that the winds had subsided and were not expected to return. Crews began inspecting and patrolling lines in all areas and reenergizing lines. Those inspections found 59 cases of direct damage to its equipment from vegetation or wind, and another 24 cases of hazards that could have started a fire if there wasnt a blackout, such as a tree limb found suspended in electrical lines.

The Fosberg

The Fosberg Fire Weather Index, which is central to Pacific Powers shutoff plan, is not a universally popular indicator among utilities.

San Diego Gas and Electric evaluated its use of the index to predict fire growth potential in Southern California generated by Santa Ana winds. But in 2015 testimony to California regulators, a utility meteorologist said the index was too volatile and can generate false positives.

Pacific Power appears to deal with that volatility by averaging the index value over six hours, and setting its power cutoff threshold to that average. But that means the utility can be looking at real-time wildfire risks in hindsight, as it was on the evening of Sept 7.

The companys regulatory filings dont say whether Pacific Power monitors data from other weather stations within its service territory and transmission footprint, such as the U.S. Forest Service weather station on Slater Butte, where the fire erupted. Data from that station is updated less frequently -- hourly versus every ten minutes -- than at Pacific Powers weather stations. But it is directly adjacent to the utilitys transmission and distribution lines and within the Happy Camp power shutoff zone. And it tracks all three weather variables that are used to calculate the Fosberg.

The Oregonian asked Scott Goodrick, the director of meteorology at the U.S. Forest Services Southern Research Station, to calculate the six-hour Fosberg Fire Weather values for Sept 7 and 8 at the National Weather Service station on Slater Butte, 2,900 feet above Happy Camp. The data show that before midnight on Sept. 7  nearly seven hours before the fire was spotted -- wind speeds, the Keetch-Byrum index and the Fosberg six-hour average had crossed levels that Pacific Power had established to trigger a possible power shutoff.

The Slater Fire started on Sept. 8, 2020, in Happy Camp, CA. This still image is taken from video footage shot by Kirk Eadie, a resident of Happy Camp.Special to The Oregonian

At Pacific Powers weather station in Happy Camp, conditions were somewhat calmer. The data show winds started picking up about 3:30 a.m. In real time -- not the six-hour average -- that pushed the Fosberg value over Pacific Powers benchmark of 30, where it would remain until that evening. PacifiCorps six-hour Fosberg average, however, took time to catch up.

Based on data from the weather station, it wasnt until 7:10 a.m. that the six-hour Fosberg average surpassed 30, and not until 8:20 a.m. that all three threshold variables were surpassed to trigger customer notifications and a potential blackout.

By that time, the Slater fire was already raging down the mountain toward Happy Camp.

Again, no official cause of the fire has been released. But California regulators also require electric utilities to report fires involving injuries, damages of more than $50,000 or significant media coverage. They are supposed to notify regulators within hours, provide the cause and estimated damages, then follow up with a more detailed written report within 20 business days.

Other utilities incident reports from last falls fires include a summary describing any electrical issues on their grids in the same time frame and proximity of reported fire starts.

Pacific Power filed a one-page incident report on the Slater fire 10 days after it started. It said the number of deaths, injuries, property damage, losses and damages to its facilities were unknown. It said the probable cause of the incident was under investigation. And it included no summary of any problems on its transmission system at the time of the fire.

This was PacifiCorps first time submitting this type of report and our team followed up with them to provide feedback and instructions on the reporting requirements, said Christopher Chow, a spokesman for the California Public Utility Commission. Chow did not provide any further information on whether Pacific Power followed up.

On Sept. 13, Pacific Power initiated its first ever public safety power shutoff, one that impacted 2,500 customers in the city of Weed, southeast of Happy Camp. There were no fires in the utilitys service area.

Pacific Power officials say preemptive blackouts are a last resort.

In considering a Public Safety Power Shutoff, it is vital to ensure we are maintaining critical facilities, including fire, police, water districts, communication companies and other local emergency response groups like 911 call centers to help with potential fire suppression and evacuation efforts, said Hanson, the company spokesman. It is also vital that we communicate and engage with our vulnerable populations so they can prepare.

Oregon vs. California

Oregon is still far behind California when it comes to regulating utilities wildfire preparedness and holding them accountable for their actions.

In fact, at a public hearing held with Pacific Power and PGE in October to discuss the aftermath of the Labor Day fires, Oregons three public utility commissioners didnt ask the most obvious question: whether power lines were implicated in any of the fires. Commissioners did not open the meeting for public comment or questions.

Likewise, the Oregon Public Utility Commission had scheduled a meeting with the Oregon Department of Justice last month to discuss its role and representation in litigation related to the 2020 wildfires. But the meeting was scheduled for an executive session  out of public view. And it was ultimately canceled due to the February ice storm. There are no plans to reschedule it.

Commissioner Letha Tawney told Oregon lawmakers this month that the utility commission is an economic regulator and our role in this is very much the power of the purse. In other words, it doesnt manage the utilities day-to-day budgets or activities, but can review utilities conduct and exclude the collection of costs in customer rates if warranted.

She said the commission has begun creating rules to formalize the wildfire plan process and utilities preparations for potential power shutoffs, which she suggested are likely to be more frequent in the future. But she also said commissioners approval of such plans is a slippery slope, as it might shift financial responsibility for wildfire liabilities from shareholders to ratepayers, and encourage utilities to comply with the plan rather than focusing on meaningfully reducing their wildfire risks.

More than power shutoffs, utilities rely on tree trimming and clearing their rights of way to reduce fire risks. The PUCs safety staff does perform an annual audit of the large utilities vegetation management programs. They have repeatedly concluded that PGE and PacifiCorps programs fall short of requirements.

The commission hasnt done much except issue warning letters to date. However, in a recent rate case, the commission did make PacifiCorps recovery of about $6.6 million in wildfire reduction costs from customers contingent on a significant reduction of violations in the annual audit of its vegetation management program.

The Oregon Legislature is considering two bills that would begin to bring Oregons policies into closer alignment with California. The bills mandate that investor-owned utilities such as PGE and PacifiCorp produce annual wildfire prevention plans, which would need to be approved by the PUC. They also call for utilities to lay out specific protocols for shutting off the power, equipment inspections and vegetation management. The legislation would require smaller, consumer owned utilities to adopt similar standards, which would be approved by their governing bodies.

But that would still leave Oregon regulators well short of the more muscular approach -- and existing rules -- that are in place in California.

-- Ted Sickinger; tsickinger@oregonian.com; 503-221-8505; @tedsickinger

Correction: The Oregon Public Utility Commission had scheduled a meeting with the Oregon Department of Justice last month to discuss its role and representation in litigation related to the 2020 wildfires. An earlier version of this story said the meeting was scheduled with utilities to discuss potential wildfire liabilities.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
A father-of-four accused of laundering crime cash told gardai that 1.2k had come from "up his Swiss roll" when asked to account for it, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

The non-jury court heard on Wednesday that Graham Whelan told officers from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB) that he had gotten 1,275 in cash from "up his Swiss roll, up his arse" and told them to keep it, when they searched his penthouse suite at the south Dublin Intercontinental Hotel in 2019, which it is alleged he had booked for three nights.

Mr Whelan was granted bail by the three-judge court on Wednesday despite the objections of gardai, who said they believed the defendant was a flight risk as he had access to "endless amounts of cash".

Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt said that despite evidence of the accused man presenting as a flight risk, the crucial factor in this case was the death of Mr Whelan's partner.

Keith Spencer BL, defending, had submitted that his client's partner died last September and Mr Whelan was now responsible for their four children, who are aged between two and 10 years of age.

Mr Whelan (38), with an address at Walkinstown Avenue, Walkinstown, Dublin 12 appeared before the non-jury court last Monday charged with 10 non-scheduled offences that include charges related to drug trafficking.

BAIL HEARING

At Wednesdays bail hearing, Detective Garda Donal Donoghue told Gerardine Small BL, for the State, that he had arrested Mr Whelan on foot of a warrant at Walkinstown Avenue at 12.35pm on Monday afternoon.

The detective said gardai were objecting to bail under the OCallaghan principles and Section 2 of the Bail Act. Section 2 allows a court to refuse bail if the court is satisfied such refusal is necessary to prevent the person committing a serious offence while on bail.

The witness said gardai from the DOCB searched a penthouse suite at the Intercontinental Hotel on January 31, 2019, which he said Mr Whelan had booked for three nights and is alleged to have paid 2,140 for in cash.

Det Gda Donoghue said 1,275 in cash was found in Mr Whelan's pocket and after caution the accused told gardai that he got the money from "up his Swiss roll, up his arse" and told them to keep it.

The witness said the second item discovered was a receipt in Mr Whelan's name for 2,140 for the hotel, which the accused told gardai he had got from his life savings. The next item seized was an Audemers Piguet Royal Oak Gentleman's watch, which was valued at 28,000 and found on the accused's hand, said the detective.

A tick list was recovered with words such as "jacket", "nasty" and "duck", which the detective said were all code names for controlled drugs.

A number of mobile phones including a BQ Aquaris were seized, said the witness, which he believed the accused had on him to assist in drug trafficking offences. Cocaine and cannabis were also recovered from the bedroom, Det Gda Donoghue said.

Mr Whelan was not arrested after a search of the hotel room and a money laundering investigation started, said the detective.

On May 1 2019, the defendant's home was searched and he was arrested on suspicion of money laundering but later released without charge. During the search, the detective said gardai discovered that a substantial amount of work had been undertaken to refurbish his property and it was alleged that Mr Whelan had paid cash to upgrade the structure and internal fittings of the premises.

"An extremely high standard" of home improvements had been undertaken to refurbish the property, he added.

The detective said the maximum conviction for money laundering was 14 years in prison.

Det Gda Donoghue indicated he had a concern that the accused would interfere with witnesses in the case but said his main concern was that the defendant was a flight risk as he had access to "endless amounts of cash".

Ms Small said Mr Whelan's passport was seized from his family home on Clonard Road in Crumlin on May 1, 2019 and he had applied for a new one on June 12, 2019, saying he had lost his passport moving house. The detective said it was his belief that the accused was aware his original passport was in the possession of gardai on May 1 and it has not since been returned to the accused.

Ms Small asked the witness if his fears were allayed due to the fact that the accused is a father to four children. "My main fear is he is a flight risk despite that fact," he replied.

Keith Spencer BL, for Mr Whelan, put it to the witness that his client was unclear what items were taken from his house and it had transpired to be a passport. Mr Whelan's solicitor later got in touch with gardai and asked for his passport to be returned, he said.

The barrister said the accused had applied for another passport on June 20, 2019 and had ticked "lost" on the form. He was then issued with a new passport.

The detective accepted that his client's solicitor had written to gardai in October 2020 indicating that the accused was willing to cooperate with the investigation and would present himself at a garda station if he was to be arrested.

Mr Spencer said the accused's partner had died last September and he was now responsible for his four children who are aged between two and 10 years old.

In his submissions to the court, the lawyer said the offending was towards the lower end of the scale and the court could admit his client on bail subject to conditions.

Mr Spencer said his client did not know where his first passport was when he applied for the second one and only subsequently learned that his original passport was in the possession of gardai. "He had the tools to leave the jurisdiction but didn't leave and remained here," he added.

Mr Justice Hunt interjected saying: "He stood pat and took a second passport he was then not entitled to and put it in his back pocket".

Ms Small submitted that Mr Whelan was a "very real flight risk" with "significant ties outside the jurisdiction" and the passport issue was very concerning.

Presiding judge Mr Justice Hunt, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Flann Brennan, granted bail to Mr Whelan on Wednesday afternoon on a number of conditions.

Mr Justice Hunt said that while Mr Whelan does present a flight risk, the court has to consider whether the risk justifies a refusal of bail and whether it could be managed. He told Mr Whelan that the crucial factor in this case was his recent personal history, the death of his partner.

He added: Mr Whelan better understand very clearly thats the reason he is getting bail. He said that if he does not comply with the conditions his bail will be revoked.

The court will require an independent surety of 20,000, which is expected to be lodged this Friday. Mr Whelan must also give up his passport, undertake not to apply for a new one and must live at his family home in Walkinstown. He is subject to a curfew from 7pm to 7am and must sign on twice daily at his local garda station.

Mr Justice Hunt also asked the parties in the case to be prepared to go to trial by September this year.

CHARGES

Mr Whelan is charged with converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using money in the amounts of 1,275 and 2,140 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, on January 31 2019, knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether the property was the proceeds of criminal conduct. The amount of 2,140 was paid for a room at the five star hotel.

He is also charged with converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using an Audemers Piguet Royal Oak Gentleman's watch at the same time and location, knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether the property was the proceeds of criminal conduct.

The accused man is further charged with possessing or controlling an article to wit a tick list in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he possessed or controlled it for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug trafficking offence on the same occasion.

He is also accused of possessing or controlling an article to wit a BQ Aquarius mobile phone in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he possessed or controlled it for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug trafficking offence on the same occasion.

In addition, Mr Whelan is charged with possessing cocaine and cannabis in a room at the hotel on the same date. He is also charged with possessing cannabis on Walkinstown Avenue, Walkinstown, Dublin 12 on May 1, 2019.

The defendant is further charged with concealing and disguising the true nature or source of money used in the improvement and/or refurbishment of property at Walkinstown Avenue, Walkinstown, Dublin 12 between August 21 2018 and May 1 2019, knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether the property was the proceeds of criminal conduct.

Finally, Mr Whelan is accused of converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using money in the improvement and/or refurbishment of the property between the same dates, knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether the property was the proceeds of criminal conduct.
Saharanpur : , March 28 (IANS) Clerics in Islamic seminary, Darul Uloom Deoband, have launched a countrywide campaign against the use of loud music and crackers during the wedding ceremonies.

They have said that they will not solemnise 'nikaah' in such functions.

This comes days after a cleric in Shamli district refused to solemnise a 'nikaah' after seeing the groom dancing 'violently' on the roof of a car to DJ music.

This left the groom and bride sides in a lurch and another cleric was called in to solemnise the marriage and ceremonies were wrapped up in a huff.

Qari Ishaq Gora, a well known cleric in Deoband, said, "Ulemas (clerics) everywhere are being told not to conduct 'nikaah' in such marriages. We are also against dowry and the clerics will not solemnise weddings where money has been given." The decision to boycott such weddings was taken at a meeting of clerics in Muzaffarnagar.

The clerics also asked the people to avoid use of loud music and firecrackers.

Maulana Mufti Asrarul Haq, who had convened the meeting, said, "Every cleric has welcomed the decision. Even prominent people of the area have agreed with us."


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
International

170 detained in Belarus anti-government protests

MINSK, MAR 28 (IANS) | Publish Date: 3/28/2021 1:09:11 PM IST

Security forces in Belarus launched a crackdown on fresh protests against long-time President Alexander Lukashenko, detaining more than 170 people and reportedly using force. Images and video footage posted online showed police using violent tactics against the protesters on Saturday, reports dpa news agency. Officers clad in black could be seen pushing a man to the ground while women rushed to the scene to separate them.

The human rights centre Viasna said more than 170 people were detained during the protests in Minsk, which according to media reports were mostly smaller decentralised rallies rather than a big mass demonstration. Security forces reportedly detained random people at bus stops, including several media representatives, according to a journalist association.

Nicholas Connolly, a correspondent for Deutsche Welle, was held for around five hours, the German broadcaster said late Saturday. Meanwhile, exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya called for negotiations with the authoritarian leadership under international mediation in order to find a peaceful way out of the crisis in Belarus. She said more than 750,000 people had voted in favour of such negotiations on online voting platforms.

There have not been any larger anti-government protests in Belarus since security forces brutally cracked down on mass protests last year following the election on August 9, 2020, in which Lukashenko claimed victory despite allegations the vote was rigged.

On March 25, several hundred people took to the streets for the fist time since winter on the so-called Freedom Day.

Authorities said more than 200 people were detained at those demonstrations and investigations have been launched against people who honked in favour of the protests.
GENESEE COUNTY, MI - A suspect is in custody for allegedly shooting at another car after being flipped off by a passenger, police said.

Michigan State Police 911 received a call just before 2 p.m. Friday, March 26 about a road rage incident on northbound Interstate 75 near East Holly Road, according to a Twitter post by MSP Metro Detroit.

The victims were headed north when the suspect began to tailgate them.

A female passenger gave the driver the middle finger when the suspect began to pass them, police said. The suspect then pulled a gun and shot at the other car, missing both the car and the passengers.

The victims immediately pulled over and called 911.

A Genesee County Sheriffs deputy stopped the suspect north of Flint at I-75 and Willard Road after their description was sent to neighboring departments.

The deputy recovered a handgun and shell casing from the scene, police said. The shooting incident remains under investigation.

A Michigan State Police spokesperson could not immediately by MLive for additional information.

Read more on MLive:

This woman-owned architect company draws the lines that brings buildings to life in Genesee County

Court date set for Flint water crisis contractor accused of placing construction spoils in neighborhood

When congregations cant congregate: Pandemic forces Michiganders to rethink church

Driver crashes into stopped Michigan State Police patrol car, injuring trooper

Woman critically injured in Flint shooting

Large amounts of rain cause sewage overflow in Flint Township

Vehicle flees after shooting at occupied Imlay City home, police say
The name Hummer has always stirred a wide range of emotions in people. Derived from the military Humvee, it first came to the world as a gas-guzzler, but after a few years of absence from the automotive scene, it is about to make a comeback as an electric vehicle.

32 photos
Former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan has admitted he was wrong to walk out during a debate with his then colleague Alex Beresford, during a heated discussion about Meghan Markle.

The now-infamous incident saw Morgan defending himself over his comments about the Duchess of Sussex, as Beresford challenged him about his frequent criticism of her.

Writing for The Mail on Sunday about his subsequent departure from the ITV breakfast show, Morgan claimed he was under considerable strain at the time.

He said this was due to social media abuse and controversy surrounding his statement that he did not believe Markle suffered suicidal thoughts because of the press scrutiny into her life.

I don't mind outside guests trying to make a name for themselves by whacking me like this, but I wasn't going to sit there and take it from one of my own team, especially someone who I've gone out of my way to help whenever he's asked me for advice about his career, Morgan wrote of Beresford.

Realising I might say something I'd regret, I decided to leave the studio to cool down.

Read more

 Piers Morgan claims Sharon Osbourne was bullied out of her job on The Talk

 Colin Jost skewers Donald Trump over Capitol Hill comments on SNL

 Stanley Tucci fans in uproar after Prince William voted worlds sexiest bald man

 Jessica Simpson says she doesnt want a public apology from John Mayer

As Morgan exited the studio, Beresford accused him of absolutely diabolical behaviour, pointing out that Morgan spouts off on a regular basis and we all have to sit here and listen.

I didn't hear any more of his diatribe, as I was out the door and heading for my dressing room, Morgan said.

I knew it wasn't a good look, the great snowflake-basher running away from confrontation. And on reflection, I shouldn't have done it. But in the heat of the moment, in my rather strained state of mind, this seemed the less worse option.

In the lengthy article, Morgan went on to explain his views on Markle, the Good Morning Britain saga, and his reasons for leaving the show.

Piers Morgan left GMB after a row over his comments about Meghan Markle (Reuters)

Earlier this month (March), his comments about Markles mental health received a record-breaking 57,121 complaints to TV watchdog Ofcom, as well as criticism from the mental health charity Mind.

ITV announced Morgan had decided to leave Good Morning Britain on 9 March, shortly after Ofcom said it had launched an investigation under its harm and offence rules.

Morgan has since claimed to be the victim of cancel culture.
With the Easter and Passover holidays overlapping this year we got to thinking about the similarities between the two religious festivals  just one example of the ties that connect Judaism and Christianity.

March 26, 1967: Officers of the Menorah Club at New Dorp High School plan their model Seder for Passover. From the left are Karen Goldberg, girl leader, Gladys Rosenblum, secretary, David Schnittman, boy leader, and Lynn Segal, treasurer. (Staten Island Advance)

March 29, 1970, Port Richmond: Parishioners of St. Roch R.C. Church leaving Easter mass in the snow. (Staten Island Advance)

Passover, a major Jewish festival commemorating liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, lasts seven or eight days and Easter, the most important festival in the Christian calendar, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

April 8, 1998: Theresa Smyth, 9, reads the Blessing of the Candles at the model Seder at Temple Emanu-el.

April 13, 1979: These three young men are dressed in their Easter finery as they searched for miniature chocolate eggs during a hunt on the grounds of Christ Episcopal Church, New Brighton. (Staten Island Advance/ Frank J. Johns)

April 3, 1996: Breaking the matzoh is a favorite at Passover dinner called the Seder. Here Mendy, Yossi and Rabbi Moshe Katzman demonstrate. Photo taken before the holiday began.

Another name for Easter is Pascha, derived from the Hebrew name from Passover, Pesach.

March 31, 1999: Morris Intermediate School students at a Hospitality House Easter Egg Party. Jessica Jimmy, and Christopher Justiniano.

April 3, 1996: Aidy Katzman of Willowbrook, 10, with her siblings and mother, as she practices reading the Passover prayer before the start of the holiday.

The two festivals oftentimes coincide or are close in proximity and both are connected to the lunar calendar. Easter falls on the Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox.

March 30, 1998: The Smith Family, Blaze, 21 months, Gregory, dad, Victoria, 4, Gregory, 6, and Bella Smith, mom, coloring eggs for Easter at home in Great Kills.

April 3, 1996: Yossi Katzman, 2, is all smiles when the Matzoh is broken at Passover. This is a photo illustration taken just before the holiday began.

Both festivals mark the beginning of spring and the renewal of nature that comes with spring  and with it a promise of redemption that stems from the events that each festival commemorates.

April 7, 1998: Preschoolers from the Tender Care Preschool display eggs they found during the school's Easter Egg Hunt.

April 13, 1995: Samantha Zinatta holds a Passover prayer book in one hand and rosary beads in the other showing that she and her sisters, Ashley and Nicole, celebrate both Passover and Easter. Their mom and dad, Anthony and Karen Zinatta are Catholic and Jewish, respectively.

Both festivals speak of a delivery from a state of despair  one from sin and the other from slavery.

April 12, 1998: The Easter Bunny is handing out eggs to the children before the start of the 30th Annual Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Gemma Caramante.

The story of Easter is set in Jerusalem during Passover. And the last supper is believed to have been a Passover feast.
In a high-profile case that dragged on for years as he avoided arrest by both U.S. and Mexican authorities, the former governor of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas has pled guilty to one count of money laundering.

MORE CRIME: Texas man pleads guilty to $24.8 million PPP loan scheme involving luxury cars

Tomas Yarrington Ruvalcaba entered a guilty plea in court Thursday, eight years after he was hit with a 53-page indictment, as reported by Jason Buch of the San Antonio Express-News.

The U.S. government accused Yarrington of taking bribes from the Zetas drug cartel while he was in office, actively taking part in their drug trafficking operations and laundering bribe money in the United States.

In the end, Yarrington admitted to using Texas real estate transactions, including investing in property in San Antonio, to launder millions in bribes he received from individuals and companies who wanted to do business with Tamaulipas. But he did not admit to taking bribes from drug traffickers.

Among the property prosecutors alleged Yarrington purchased in the San Antonio area was a 46-acre tract on La Cantera Parkway.
Providing more services in the community is something we will continue post-COVID-19.

Providing more services in the community is something we will continue post-COVID-19, says Albertina Thomas, head of the National TB program at the MoHSS. The Ministry was already scaling up community services, and since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have worked hard to roll out these services faster. Community healthcare services are more convenient for patients who need medicine refills and other simple support services. COVID-19 has brought many changes, and some of these changes are here to stay. Therefore, interventions, such as digital technology to support TB treatment adherence, will be considered during the envisioned new normal.

MoHHS takes steps to reduce risk of COVID-19 and prevent TB

People living with HIV are at increased risk for TB infection and might also be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, based on what is known at this time. To reduce these risks, the MoHSS is prioritizing the identification of people with HIV who need to take a course of TB preventive therapy (TPT), medicines that reduce the risk that TB infection will develop into active TB disease. All HIV-positive patients should take this medicine for a period of six months to reduce the risk of TB disease. To minimize visits to clinics, HIV-positive patients are now provided with the full course of TPT medicine when they start the TPT treatment. Later this year, the MoHSS will introduce a shorter course TPT regimen that needs to be taken for a period of 12 weeks only. This regimen will be much more convenient for patients, making it easier for them to complete the full course.

Community healthcare workers are also working hard to identify any other person who should be given TPT. For example, if a person with TB disease is living in a household with children under the age of five, these children will also be given TPT. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing the development of TB disease in Namibia has remained a priority.

We are doing everything we can to continue to prevent and treat TB and slow the spread of COVID-19, said CDC Namibia Country Director, Dr. Eric Dziuban. Keeping as healthy as possible is important to be prepared to fight off other diseases. We have worked with the Ministry to raise awareness about TPT and HIV-positive patients can do their part by asking about TPT if they have not yet been given this medicine, and when they are given the medicine, making sure that they take the pills every day for the whole six-month period. By reducing the risk of TB disease, HIV-positive patients will also help protect themselves from developing the most severe symptoms of COVID-19 infection if they catch the virus.

Continuing to provide essential care and treatment

The International Training and Education Center for Health of the University of Washington (I-TECH/UW) is one of the heath development partners supporting the MoHSS to identify and manage patients who need to receive TPT. Despite the lockdown from 27 March4 May 2020 and continued restrictions in parts of the Erongo region, I-TECH has worked hard in supporting the MoHSS to ensure that patients eligible for TPT receive their medicine.

We are pleased to continue providing direct service delivery and technical support to the Ministry during these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, said I-TECH Country Director, Dr Norbert Forster. With the MoHSS resources stretched to the limit, I-TECH is committed to continue our support. We need to prevent a backlash of diseases like TB and HIV/AIDS after COVID-19 has passed. It is therefore hugely important that services for these conditions must continue without interruptions.

We need to prevent a backlash of diseases like TB and HIV/AIDS after COVID-19 has passed. It is therefore hugely important that services for these conditions must continue without interruptions.

In Namibia, the steps taken to ensure that TB patients continue to be cared for, and that new TB infections are prevented, will have a vital impact on preventing an increase of new TB cases in Namibia. TB and HIV patients are safer because of the measures that the MoHSS and its partners have put in place.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 23:56:47|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China has achieved significant results in its national crackdown on gang crimes, with more than 3,600 mafia-like groups busted over the past three years, 1.3 times as many as the total of the previous 10 years.

Another 89,742 cases involving gang crime-related corruption and "protective umbrella" that shelter gangs were also handled nationwide, according to official statistics.

In the past three years, Chinese courts have concluded 32,943 gang-related cases of first instance, involving more than 220,000 suspects, and a total of 53,405 defendants in related cases were given sentences from at least five years in prison to the death penalty.

Ever since China's launch of its targeted campaign against gang crimes in 2018, the country has endeavored to fight gang crimes through a series of actions, including but not limited to making legal policies and setting up a tip-off platform.

According to a poll conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics in the first half of 2020, 95.1 percent of the Chinese people are satisfied with the results of the country's special campaign. Enditem
This pandemic has made weird things seem normal. If we were told at the start of 2020 to imagine an Ireland in which pubs would be shut for a year, and that going to mass would be as good as illegal, you'd have assumed this was for some sci-fi movie with a dystopian political angle.

In weird circumstances such as these, political leaders get to shine - or slide. At their private Zoom meetings, world leaders might ask each other whether they are having a good pandemic. Some clearly are.

Jacinda Ardern had an election in which she returned with a majority in the New Zealand parliament, something usually unheard of there.

Donald Trump? Not so good. His pandemic handling was chaotic, something that was probably inevitable in a political system like America's, but he never even tried to unite the country in the way other leaders did. Trump lost his presidency in November, and his pandemic management must have been a factor in that.

Joe Biden looks like he's having a good pandemic. He promised 100 million vaccinations by his first 100 days in office, but the canny political operator under-promised to over-deliver. Biden just revised his 100-day numbers up, to 200 million vaccinations. Had Trump had another year in office he might have benefited from this and could have seen himself re-elected.

So the timing of the success is important. Boris Johnson was having a pretty dreadful pandemic, which almost took his life, not to mind his job. But he recovered his health and his political outlook has brightened.

Despite having a plausible Labour leader opposite him, all polling numbers show the British prime minister in front. What changed? The vaccine roll-out.

And so, last week, Israel, which is the world leader on vaccine roll-out, had elections for the fourth time in two years. The frequent trips to the polls show there is something wrong in Israeli politics. One of the things that is wrong is the prime minister since 2009, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu, or 'Bibi' as he is known, has been indicted on corruption charges. He is a deeply divisive figure, whose policy of enabling Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories is unpopular among liberal Israelis.

But Israelis were not voting on the peace question in the Middle East. It was a vote on who do you want to lose. It became a sort of referendum on Netanyahu.

With those corruption charges, fears of his authoritarian tendencies in a highly democratic and consensual system, and the departure of members of his party to form a new one, challenging him, Bibi was fighting for not just his political life, but his freedom. While he remains prime minister, he has some chance to control the process of the charges against him. Losing the prime minister's office could mean prison.

So he had to bet big. His political history is one of taking on rivals and beating them - usually by bringing them into government. The most recent was Benny Gantz, who stood on a platform of ousting Netanyahu.

After three indecisive elections, Gantz blinked. He entered government on a rotating prime minister agreement, such as we have in Ireland. Netanyahu first, then Gantz.

Gantz never made it.

Once he went into government, his party crumbled. And with Gantz low in polls, Bibi refused to concede anything to Gantz, effectively forcing an election timed for just when Israel would see restrictions lifted. Netanyahu had bet big on the vaccine. He pestered the CEO of Pfizer for months, ringing him constantly, and at all hours, to get Pfizer to use Israel as a place to test the efficacy of the vaccine.

The bold political move seemed to pay off. Pfizer supplied Israel with plenty of vaccines, and the Israelis put them to use in a way that puts our anaemic efforts to shame. Polls showed that his Likud party was on course for 40 of the Knesset's 120 seats - a huge number in the fragmented Israeli parliament. That should have seen him in pole position to form the new government.

But despite many Israelis celebrating the return to bars from the successful vaccine programme, it didn't work out for Bibi. His party lost seats, taking 30. Though still by some way the biggest party, it looks like he will struggle to put together a government. Even the vaccine might not have been enough to save his career.

Other political careers look in trouble as a result of vaccine mishaps.

Ursula von der Leyen has had a bad pandemic. Last week we had the EU authorising a police raid of factories in Italy to stop a private company export goods.

The EU's mistake was in prioritising price over supply. Notwithstanding the dismal supply from AstraZeneca, the EU's clumsy reaction has managed to make itself look like the bad guy, when it isn't.

Von der Leyen is threatening a trade war, which would have the effect of reducing the production of vaccines. She's also hinting that the EU will no longer use AstraZeneca for future contracts - a move that will surely hurt the EU more than AstraZeneca. Her job might be under threat.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin urged caution. He is one of the adults in the room, who understands that trade wars benefit no one, but can happen by accident if rhetoric gets heated.

The trouble for him is that being responsible is not something that gets rewarded in the polls.

Whether Martin can have a good second half and emerge from the pandemic with his reputation enhanced is questionable.

Usually when political leaders enhance their reputations, it is through bold political moves. I'm not sure that is in the Taoiseach's nature even at the best of times. After the fallout from the post-Christmas surge, Nphet remains in charge.
SPRINGFIELD  City officials are asking the Massachusetts State Police to help turn up the heat after an uptick in gun violence has left two dead in less than two weeks and six others wounded over six days.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood have asked Maj. Michael Habel, commander of Troop B located in Western Massachusetts, to provide extra patrols in areas determined to be hot spots.

It is time to turn up the heat on all these gang members and make them very uncomfortable, as they have done to my residents and business community, Sarno said, adding that the shootings have been gang and drug related.

The request came after a man was shot to death in the Forest Park neighborhood at about 9 p.m. Saturday. Police initially responded to a car crash on Shawmut Street and found the victim in one of the vehicles was suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers provided first aid at the scene but he died later after being rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

Just six hours earlier Clapprood, Sarno and at least three city councilors joined with residents of the McKnight neighborhood to hold a press conference on gun violence. The event was triggered by three shootings that occurred on Thursday, Friday and March 20 that left six other people injured.

During that conference, held on Dartmouth Street near one of the shootings, Clapprood promised neighbors that her officers will return to a practice of parking on the street when they do paperwork to increase visibility, which has worked before. Some residents and police also vowed to work together to find other ways to deter gun violence.

I want to thank the Mass State Police for their assistance during this busy period of gang-related activity, Clapprood said.

The Detective Bureau and Homicide Unit continue to investigate the shootings. Police are asking anyone who has information about the shootings or may have caught anything suspicious related to the crimes on home security cameras to contact detectives at 413-787-6355. People can anonymously Text-A-Tip by texting CRIMES (2-7-4-6-3-7), then typing SOLVE followed by the tip, said Ryan Walsh, police spokesman.

All are very familiar to our SPD and our court system as repeat violent criminal offenders and none show any cooperation in stopping this bloodshed, Sarno said. We need their families and our community to step forward and be part of the solution and not hide their violent actions.

Sarno said he is working with the citys street outreach program, Mission Inc. and multiple other groups to find ways to end the violence.

Sarno has frequently complained about judges releasing repeat offenders on low or no bails and Clapprood said she believes short sentences for gun offenses have unintended consequences.

Gang members are now unafraid of carrying a gun in their car, Clapprood said  and when they see a rival gang member they have been feuding with they start shooting.

The city has long partnered with state police amid upticks in gun violence.

In 1995, the city called in troopers for extra patrols in an effort that involved $398,000 in police overtime.

Sarno, meanwhile, has periodically called for state police help throughout his tenure. In 2009, he asked Gov. Deval L. Patrick for assistance after three people were killed and several others injured in gun violence in just over a week.

We know what we have to do and we are going to do it, said William J. Fitchet, then the citys police commissioner. The state police response included an eight-member unit from the Troop B Community Action Team, who worked alongside city officers on the 4 p.m. to midnight shift.

Spates of violence in 2012 and 2013 prompted Sarno to call for new rounds of help from the Community Action Team. In July 2013 the state police contingent included a sergeant and four troopers, who partnered with the Springfield Police Department on high visibility patrols and community policing initiatives.

In March of 2020, 16 troopers were assigned to patrol Springfields streets after numerous Springfield officers were either found to have COVID or were awaiting test results.

On December 31, 2020, a trooper was shot and wounded when he responded to assist Springfield police at a Nursery Street ShotSpotter activation. The trooper was hit once in the leg and recovered from his injuries. Christopher Gardner, 31, was later arrested and charged with the shooting.

State Police involvement in Springfield goes back years and includes the C3 program, for Counter Criminal Continuum, created by a State Police trooper and former military Special Forces operative. Based on counter-insurgency tactics developed in Irag and Afghanistan, the program partners State Police and Springfield officers to, as described by Springfield police, facilitate unity of effort and criminal intelligence gathering by, with, and through interagency, community, and private enterprise cooperation in order to detect, disrupt, degrade and dismantle criminal activity.

The program was started in 2009 and by 2013 had received national notice, including a segment on CBSs 60 Minutes.

Meanwhile, police officials across Massachusetts have said since the fall that a spike in gun violence seemed to be sweeping the state after a lull during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Local, state and federal law enforcement officials held a press conference in October, saying shootings were up in cities including Boston, Brockton, New Bedford, Springfield and Worcester. At the time, officials tied the trend to a range of factors, from releases of pretrial defendants related to the pandemic to an influx of guns from other New England states being traded for drugs.

Related content:
In its first new episode since late February, Saturday Night Live addressed the recent surge of anti-Asian violence across the U.S. in a segment led by cast member Bowen Yang that's now going viral.

During the episode, hosted by Maya Rudolph with musical guest Jack Harlow, Yang, 30, stopped by the Weekend Update desk to share resources on how people can help amid the surge of attacks on Asian Americans, especially older adults.

To start, "Weekend Update" co-anchor Colin Jost introduced Yang as the sketch show's Asian cast member," prompting Yang to ask, Wait, is that my official title?

Bowen Yang (Will Heath / NBC)

Thats how you told me to introduce you! Jost replied.

Yeah, I set your a-- up, Yang quipped. It feels good.

Yang, "SNL's" first Asian American cast member, then explained that things for Asians in this country have been bleak for the past two weeks, and all the weeks before that since forever.

Related: The first Asian immigrants who arrived in the U.S. were met with discrimination and violence right away, one expert said.

He proceeded to share some posts that he found on social media "with action items everyone can take to help." Yang's tongue-in-cheek examples included six ways to check in on your AAPI friends and tell them theyre so hot and amplify these Asian voices who want more Paneras in North Brooklyn.

Asked by Jost if these resources are actually helpful to all Asians, Yang responded, Maybe? I dont know, Colin.

What can I say to help how insanely bad things are? he continued. If someones personality is punch an Asian grandma, its not a dialogue. I have an Asian grandma, you want to punch her. There aint no common ground, mama.

Yang added that while its great to see his friends donating and trying to help, they can do more.

"Why are you telling me that you tipped your manicurist well? Let me know when you get on your knees and scrub her feet while she looks at your phone. Do more."

Story continues

"You're right, I should do that," Jost answered.

"Yeah, you should specifically," Yang replied.

"Im just a comedian," Yang later added. "I dont have the answers, but Im not just looking for them online. I'm looking around me."

He then told the story of Xiao Zhen Xie, the San Francisco grandmother, 75, who fought her attacker and received nearly $1 million via GoFundMe, which she plans to donate to the Asian American community. Thats where we are as Asians. Now come meet us there," Yang stressed.

He ended the segment on a hopeful note, sharing a Mandarin cheer that means fuel up.

I dont know whats helpful to say to everyone, but thats what I say to myself, he said. Fuel up. Do more. Its the year of the metal ox, which basically means a car. So everyone, get in, buckle up! Its no pee breaks! We ride at dawn, grandmas!

The segment received praise on social media and has already hundreds of thousands of views online.

Daniel Dae Kim, who has been outspoken about the surge in anti-Asian hate incidents, calling for racial unity, tweeted Yang's clip writing, Thank you, Bowen Yang and @SNL. Yes, were fueling up!

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Comedian Jenny Yang added on Twitter, I will sleep on a mattress of pineapples for Bowen Yang.

Bowen Yang is a legend," tweeted writer Akilah Hughes.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Anti-Asian hate incidents have surged during the pandemic. Between March 2020 and February 2021, there were nearly 3,800 anti-Asian racist incidents reported to Stop AAPI Hate.

Olivia Munn, Sandra Oh and Joanna Gaines are among the host of celebrities who've drawn attention to anti-Asian sentiment in the U.S. following the Atlanta spa shootings earlier this month, which left eight dead, including six Asian women.

Related:
Sunday COVID-19 Coverage: DHSS reports no new deaths in the last 24 hours
The police cruiser of officer Eric Talley has almost been swallowed by the flowers and sentiments left at the Boulder Public Safety Center. Talley was among the 10 people who were killed in a shooting at a King Soopers on Monday afternoon. Talley, 51, had been with the department since 2010 and was the first officer to arrive at the scene at 3600 Table Mesa Drive, where he was fatally shot.
Colorado shooting suspect allegedly chuckled and laughed at himself, as he went on a shooting rampage inside a grocery store in Boulder Colorado. The suspect identified as Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa caused the death of 10 victims inside King Soopers grocery store, according to a Fox news report.

The suspect was also identified to be 21 years old, victimizing three employees from the grocery store and a police officer who responded at the scene, according to a CBS News report. The suspect is now facing charges of 10 counts of first-degree murder.

ALSO READ: Colorado Shooting Suspect Was Bullied and Anti-Social, Brother Says

Colorado shooting suspect "chuckling"

A witness who was at the deli when the shooting sparked, noted that they heard someone chuckling as the gunshots were close during that time. Police also transmitted a message over their radio saying that the suspect is laughing at them, according to a report from The Denver Post.

Aside from the 10 counts of murder, Alissa is facing, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty pointed out that they plan to file more charges against the suspect in the coming weeks.

"Our position is we cannot do anything," said public defender Kathryn Herold adding that they can only act once they have already fully assessed the mental health of Alissa. Herold is the attorney holding the case of Alissa. Herold also requested a mental health review of the suspect.

During the gunfire, the authorities have claimed that Alissa was injured and was hospitalized. Alissa is now in stable condition.

The suspect then shot at officers, killing Officer Talley, and firing on officers until he was taken into custody. No other individuals were shot or killed after these brave officers engaged the suspect #BoulderStrong  Boulder Police Dept. (@boulderpolice) March 26, 2021

Meanwhile, Boulder Police Department addressed the concerns of people online regarding their response time. The Department noted that Officer King Talley, one of the victims in the recent Colorado shooting led a contact team of officers into the grocery store in 20 seconds. The suspect shot the officers leading to Officer Talley's demise.

The suspect is armed with a rugged AR556 pistol which was believed by the authorities that the suspect has acquired six days before the shooting. The gun was identified to be from Eagles Nest Armory in the Denver suburb of Arvada. The said location was also identified to be the residence of the suspect. Apart from the rifle-like gun, authorities have also reported that the suspect has a handgun, but it was believed that it was not used in the shooting.

Colorado shooting victims

Apart from the workers of the grocery and the police officer who were killed, victims also include a veteran and resident of the area where the grocery store is located.

Mourners were also reported to offer flowers on the temporary chain link fence that is now surrounding the King Soopers grocery store. Community members also gathered to offer vigil and remembrances. Candles were also lit by the mourners as they sing while hugging each other. President Joe Biden also extended his condolences to the families of the victims.

Meanwhile, authorities have not yet figured out the motive behind the Colorado shooting that targeted the grocery store. "Like the rest of the community, we too want to know why," said Chief Marris Herold at a news conference. Herold added that it will be haunting for all of them until the motives were figured out. Herold is the Chief of the Boulder Police Department.

RELATED ARTICLE: Colorado Shooting Leaves 10 Dead, Including a Police Officer

WATCH: Colorado Shooting Suspect Moved To New Jail After Threat - from TODAY
EXCLUSIVE: Last nights Nine News bulletin was pulled together with old school tools, including a white board, after Nine fell victim to a cyber attack.

A Nine News bulletin produced from Melbourne, was also packaged for Sydney with Alicia Loxley as presenter.

Nine News Melbourne Director Hugh Nailon last night told TV Tonight, We faced an issue where none of the magnificent tools at our disposal were working. So we were forced to go back to how we did the news many decades ago. It involved a whiteboard, a lot of different textas, and a lot of ingenuity and a lot of incredible get up and go from our newsroom.

None of our computers were working, but we had an idea of what the bulletin was going to look like. We had to put that in a publicly-visible area and a whiteboard is the old-school social media.

Our line-up producer Brendan Stafford started writing the bulletin on Notes on his mobile phone. From there it went to a Word document and we eventually got to air.

Nines technical headaches began in the early hours of Sunday morning which led to Weekend Today unable to broadcast. The Sunday Footy Show also fell victim to the disaster while NRL commentators headed to Newcastle.

Hugh Nailon credits the team for pulling together under extreme difficulties.

Our Sydney newsroom sent some bodies down which was great. Lots of members from our newsroom -cameras, editors, reporters, producers put their hand up and volunteered to come in. The newsroom was absolutely buzzing  the definition of all hands on deck.

Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth were all able to find a similar work-around that we managed to find, which basically involved using our old equipment to put the bulletin to air manually without using the automated system that weve got in place.

It was like winding back the clock, literally. We had to pull out the old stopwatch to help us time stories out. Modern tools that we take for granted werent at our disposal so it was a bit of a flashback.

A 5pm bulletin was unable to proceed due to the extra workload, but the end result was almost seamless, carefully aimed at both Melbourne and Sydney audiences.

As (3AWs) Ross Stevenson says theyre not two different cities, theyre two different countries. So we had to create a bulletin that appealed audiences in both cities, but I think our viewers would feel as though they were informed clearly on what was happening to them in their patch. I think we struck the right balance.

Yesterday wasnt the first time a TV network has fallen victim to such an attack, with 10 also hit in 2019 just before the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Last year ratings data provider Nielsen was also hacked causing some 10 days of data to be delayed.

Nine staff have worked overnight to ready the Today and Today Extra shows from Sydney, with Nine confident it can broadcast all bulletins today. While IT Teams work to rectify the bigger problem, it isnt clear how long it may drag on for. A ransom has not been received, nor any party identifying itself as responsible.

Hugh Nailon continued, A good newsroom thrives on adversity. Today demonstrated that Nine newsroom in Melbourne was able to take up the challenge and produce a bulletin for Sydney and Melbourne under difficult circumstances as weve ever had. They are the best in the business -today demonstrated that.

Grateful for a trusty white board in his hour of need he added, There might be a rush on at Officeworks tomorrow morning.

Photo: Twitter

Related
2 Teen Girls Charged With Murder of 66-Year-Old Uber Eats Driver in DC

Two teenage girls were charged with murder and carjacking in connection to the death of a 66-year-old Uber Eats driver in Washington, officials said.

The girls, aged 13 and 15, were charged in a family court with felony murder while armed, reckless driving, and carjacking, according to Fox Baltimore.

A police homicide detective, Chad Leo, testified in court that witnesses told him the teen girls and the driverwho family members identified as Mohammad Anwar, a Pakistani immigrantwere arguing loudly. The witnesses said the driver complained the girls were attempting to steal his car.

The identities of the two girls were not disclosed by officials.

Leo said one witness shot a video showing one girl behind the cars steering wheel with a Taser as the other girl partially wedged between the open drivers door sitting on top of the other girl, according to Fox Baltimore. Social media footage reviewed by The Epoch Times showed one girl starting the car as the other girl was behind the wheel as Anwar was hanging on.

Leo cited footage showing the car speeding down Van Street before hitting a tree box. The car then took a right turn on N Street before it hit other cars and flipped on its side, throwing Anwar from the vehicle. According to the Fox affiliate, he suffered broken ribs, a broken pelvis, and other significant injuries before he was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.

According to a GoFundMe page, nearly $400,000 has been raised for Anwars family. It described him as a Pakistani immigrant who came to the United States to create a better life for him and his family and was simply at work yesterday evening, providing for his family, when his life was tragically taken in an appalling act of violence.

The details are still being investigated, however we know that Anwar was working on an UberEats delivery when two assailants attempted to carjack him in Navy Yard, the page read.

The two girls are being held pending their next court date on March 31, reports said.

I saw all the police cars first. Then I saw the car, and I thought, This must be a movie scene or something,' witness Pamela Johnson told NBC4. I think that people do need to be brought to justice and that they have to stand for what they did and be accountable for their actions, because someone died, Johnson added. I mean, thats serious.
Patna, March 29 : Patna High Court issued notice to 25 candidates, including the winning candidate, who contested the Bihar 2020 Assembly elections from Arwal constituency after a petitioner Rahbar Adbin filed a plea against the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Deepak Sharma for hiding criminal cases in affidavit while filing nomination.

"I had filed a complaint against the BJP candidate but the court issued notice to all candidates including Mahanand Singh of CPI (ML) who won from the Arwal constituency in 2020," Abdin said.

"Patna High Court has asked all the candidates that why the elections shouldn't be cancelled," Abdin said while quoting the High Court notice said.

"The notice has been issued on the basis of Supreme Court guidelines pertaining to the cancellation of elections in case of mischief by candidates. All the candidates have right to defend themselves," Abdin said.

Such a situation arised due to callous attitude of the Returning Officer (RO) who did not check the criminal background of the particular candidate.

"The mischief was done by the BJP candidate and the RO of Arwal is equally responsible for allowing him to take part in electoral process despite hiding the criminal cases against him. The action should be taken against them," Mahanand Singh, who won the elections in 2020 said.

"I see a conspiracy of the BJP to drag me into all this. How can I be blamed for candidates for the mischief of the candidate of other party. I have not received the notice so far but, after receiving it, I will reply it in the court," Singh said.
GLENVILLE  First he saw the swirling lights in the rearview.

And then it happened again. And again.

Altogether, the driver was pulled over 15 times, most of them, he contended, without reasonable cause.

Eventually, he started avoiding the village of Scotia altogether, opting instead to drive through the city of Schenectady.

You cant even drive through the town as a Black person, said the Glenville resident, who asked for anonymity for fear of retribution by the police. I went to court one time and the entire room was full of Black people.

Yet the extent to which his experiences are part of a broader pattern in which people of color were disproportionately targeted in traffic stops is difficult to quantify because officers in the Glenville Police Department were not consistently gathering racial data  nor is its collection mandated by the state.

Supervisor Chris Koetzle called the account disturbing.

"We're on our way to rectifying any potential issues that arise in the future," Koetzle said.

The drivers experience doesnt exist in a vacuum: A review of data by the Times Union provided by the Capital Regions largest suburban police departments as part of the state-mandated order to reform operations with community feedback revealed Black people are arrested and ticketed at rates that far exceed their percentage of the population in the mostly white communities.

The data is emerging after decades of American studies show racially biased policing or racial profiling was to blame for Black drivers being stopped for alleged infractions at a disproportionately higher rate than their white counterparts. And civil rights activists have called for the end of what they contend are ticket-writing schemes to trap poor people, largely people of color, in a dragnet of fines and court fees for minor offenses.

Collection of data on traffic violations in New York is in itself a relatively new frontier. And while the reform package signed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo last June in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd required police departments to expand data collection and reporting, its applicable only to misdemeanors and felonies  not violations.

The New York Civil Liberties Union said while the scattershot approach presents a challenge, its a much-needed starting point to chip away at the systemic racism it says exists in policing.

It was a necessary bill to get a sense of what street policing looks like, said Michael Sisitzky, senior policy counsel, and an important piece of challenging those tactics and figuring out what other alternatives to law enforcement we can be thinking about to reduce less disparate outcomes.

But its still not enough.

Discomfiting as it may be  and intentional or not  the Glenville mans experience is part of a pattern in the Schenectady suburb where Black people are disproportionately ensnared by law enforcement compared to whites.

Just 1.4 percent of Glenvilles population is Black, yet they constituted 26 percent of all arrests in 2019.

In Rotterdam, Black residents constitute just 4.7 percent of the population but constituted 27 percent of all arrests in the first half of 2020, according to data provided by the police department.

Black residents make up about 2.3 percent of the town of Niskayunas population but accounted for about 30 percent of all arrests in the past half-decade, according to a report by the Virginia-based CNA Center for Justice Research and Innovation, which found similar disparities affecting Black people when it comes to police using force and stopping motor vehicles (though the Black drivers impacted were predominantly residents in the cities of Schenectady and Albany).

The reports authors called the disparity striking and acknowledged its possible that bias in policy, practice, or individual behavior plays a role in explaining this disparity."

Odo Butler, former president of Schenectady's NAACP chapter, said at the time the findings were reflective of institutionalized racism in Niskayuna and that Cuomo's executive order has put the problem in the spotlight.

"I think what everyone that is interested in justice wants is that these (recommendations) become real changes in behavior within institutions that protect the rights of all people," Butler said.

When her town's report became public earlier this year, Niskayuna Supervisor Yasmine Syed said "the overarching salient point that you can take from this report is that the Niskayuna Police Department arrests a disproportionate number of Black people compared to the percentage that they make up of Niskayuna's population."

She suspected that similar trends could be found in Capital Region suburbia. Her hunch turned out to be true.

Thirty-eight percent of all arrests in Guilderland in 2020 were of Black people despite constituting 4.2 percent of the population.

In East Greenbush, Black people made up a third of all arrests last year despite making up 2.6 percent of the population.

In Colonie, African Americans constitute about 6 percent of the population, but accounted for 39 percent of the arrests in 2019, according to Colonie Police Chief Jonathan Teale.

Asked if the high rate of arrests for Black people might be a sign of racial profiling by police, Teale said "none of our officers are discriminatory or racists" and that one of the department's goals is to increase the diversity. There is one Black officer in the roughly 108-member department.

The chief said the town recently purchased a computer-aided dispatch-and-records management system that will help them "dive down a little deeper into the stats."

In nearby Bethlehem, Cmdr. James Rexford, a police spokesman, said data related to the demographics of motorists being stopped is inconclusive because patrol officers weren't always checking off the race of the drivers they pulled over. A few months ago, he said the departments put out a directive making that mandatory.

Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union

Protests prompt reform

Cuomo said he hoped to restore trust and confidence in policing when he ordered the reforms amid a national reckoning on systemic racism and police brutality. The May 25 killing of Floyd, a Black man who died after Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes, prompted a summer of protests about police brutality and systematic injustices.

"We're not going to fund police agencies in this state that do not look at what has been happening, come to terms with it and reform themselves, Cuomo said.

The directive, which localities must meet by April 1 at the risk of losing state funding, has prompted departments to confront and confirm with data the racial disparities that have long bubbled under the surface and craft concrete policy changes.

Glenville adopted a package of reforms last week.

The driver recounted his experiences with the town committee guiding the process, prompting an investigation and internal review.

Officers are now mandated to complete the field for race in order for the ticket to be validated (which wasnt possible until the town asked the software designer to tweak the technology).

Officials will then use that information to study, and ideally prevent, potential disparities.

In the long run, these things need to be discussed in a realistic way," said Glenville Police Chief Stephen Janik. "If theres a perception about traffic stops or whatever else, lets talk about it and get to the facts.

Yet while collecting racial data on traffic citations is now mandatory in Glenville, the practice remains patchy across different jurisdictions.

Rotterdam Police Department began collecting the information only in the past 18 months ago and gaps remain.

Some 18 percent of motorists issued tickets during traffic stops were listed as unspecified or other in the first three quarters of 2020 (Black motorists were again disproportionately impacted, constituting 13 percent of stops despite making up less than 5 percent of population).

Despite the nationwide focus on addressing racial disparities in policing, officials indicated officers remained uncomfortable posing those questions.

I dont want our officers to be offensive, and have people take offense to that question, said Rotterdam Deputy Police Chief Mike Brown.

The East Greenbush Police Department is also struggling with asking drivers to identify their race.

"We're trying to pound through that and how to best do that, said Jack Conway, the town supervisor.

Will Waldron/Albany Times Union

Shoplifting under scrutiny

Reading the tea leaves on crime statistics can be tricky and local officials were quick to point out one factor skewing the numbers: Shoplifting at large retailers, which prompts a police response that is purely reactive.

Forty-five percent of arrests in Glenville in 2019 stemmed from shoplifting.

On a five-year average, 70.9 percent of shoplifting arrests at Walmart alone were of Black defendants, Koetzle said.

These defendants are primarily non-residents of Glenville, Koetzle said.

Once shoplifting arrests are stripped out of the 2019 data, disparities are more muted, but Black people were still arrested at disproportionate numbers: At nearly 14 percent of the arrests, the number is 10 times the population.

Arrests in East Greenbush, too, are driven by shoplifting calls including at a local Walmart, which generates 30 percent of the departments calls.

"On the surface, the numbers can point us in a bad direction, Conway acknowledged.

Similarly in Guilderland, police responses are largely generated by Crossgates Mall, which constituted 52 percent of total arrests, with a nearly even divide between Black and white arrests.

Rotterdam was among the few localities to release details on both reactive and proactive arrests.

The overwhelming majority of arrests in 2019 in Rotterdam were reactive, with proactive arrests making just 4.4 percent  and even then Black people were still disproportionately reflected at 26 percent.

Activists said theres myriad systemic reasons that lead people to the precipice of shoplifting, including a lack of economic opportunity, educational and housing disparities, and living in a state of forced scarcity in which people have these needs and are looking for ways to address them, said Shawn Young, a co-founder of All of Us, a Schenectady grassroots organization.

Shoplifting is often a crime of need, Young said. Our response to that is our response to all social problems: Lock it away, and thats no problem here.

Young said deeper investments are needed to reverse decades of institutional inequity.

At times, he acknowledged the constant drive to educate people and push back against systemic racism can be exhausting, and despite the push for racial justice over the past year, the state-mandated reform process has often felt regressive.

In some cases, we seem to be rolling back a bit, Young said.

Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union

A lack of diversity

While towns have created their own road maps for reform, absent any type of outside catalyst pushing for immediate change, they all follow the same basic template:

Most localities acknowledge their police departments should be more diverse and pledged to step up outreach to candidates of color (yet all said civil service exam requirements are a barrier and changes are needed at the state level to remove the barriers they contend hamper recruitment).

All vowed to boost de-escalation and implicit bias training and said they would explore ways to steer mental health calls to social service agencies better tasked to handle them, as well as boost health and wellness programming for officers.

Doing so would ideally reduce scenarios that lead to fatalities such as the death of Daniel Prude last spring in Rochester, who died following an encounter with police while suffering a mental health episode.

And all departments broadly agreed to boost community engagement, efforts that in theory would lead to more positive interactions between cops and the communities they police, resulting in fewer altercations and arrests.

Yet few of the plans contain boldfaced proposals.

Among the few are Rotterdam, which will introduce a body-worn camera program for its 40 officers.

Another part of the reform package signed by Cuomo last year repeals a statute that had long prevented public scrutiny of police disciplinary records.

Despite reversing the legislation allowing localities to block the release of personnel records of police officers, many agencies handle misconduct with "counseling memos" that are kept on file for a short period of time before being expunged from officers' personnel files.

As part of its reform package adopted earlier this month, Guilderland will make every attempt to eliminate provisions allowing for disciplinary matters to be removed from a personnel file  and bar hiring officers from localities that did so.

Residents have different priorities

If the reforms seem to fall short of transformational, the changes are steered by public feedback.

Despite the racial disparities in arrests, suburban locales have largely been spared the high-profile incidents that have generated outrage in Albany, Troy and Schenectady, including deaths of Black people at the hands of police.

And while surveys conducted by localities reveal residents believe disparities need to be addressed, theyre generally pleased with their police departments.

Surveys in East Greenbush and Guilderland each logged over 400 participants.

Were a suburban town with a low crime rate and no major issues, said Guilderland Supervisor Peter G. Barber, who held up the Guilderland Police Department as highly skilled and at the vanguard of policing developments, which include receiving state accreditation status and being among the first local agencies to outfit its officers with body-worn cameras.

East Greenbush similarly offered a sunny assessment, with Conway noting the last time an officer discharged his weapon was during an altercation on Interstate 90 in 2009 that left a suspected carjacker dead.

The police department, he said, has tremendous support in the community  so much so, in fact, residents crowdfunded a campaign to purchase a new police canine.

"People in East Greenbush trust the East Greenbush Police Department and believe they're fair and responsive, Conway said.

Key areas of concern highlighted by residents were home burglaries, drugs and school safety, while participating officers themselves flagged mental health issues.

Glenville residents issued the same general outlook.

Towns officials pledged to make efforts to reduce arrest disparities, which include bringing in Black instructors for implicit bias training and exploring how to log data on traffic stops that didnt yield a ticket in order to monitor future disparities.

I think the numbers are one thing, but at the end of the day its all about human interactions, Koetzle said. Were looking at those, and we will do better.

Yet as evidenced by the arrest data, people of color who live in an adjoining community to the suburb usually feel the brunt of those racial disparities, and it's those who live outside that may have some real concerns about being profiled or targeted.

And while towns by and large don't have civilian police boards for anyone who may feel aggrieved by police, some said they would make it easier for people to file complaints, including Guilderland and East Greenbush.

East Greenbushs plan includes numerous measures to bolster accountability. The town will establish a use of force review board, require police to file an annual report for incidents and will clarify policies for filing citizens complaints.

The plan will also create a citizens advisory committee, where Conway said the conversations that began during the process will remain ongoing.

The public will also be asked to weigh in with annual surveys of police performance.

"We want to be sure to keep our finger on the pulse, Conway said. "We've had our issues, nobody is perfect. This is not a cosmetic exercise, we're going to take this very seriously.

Cuomos order is the first time the state has embarked on such a sweeping directive, and observers said suburban departments embarking on reforms and soul-searching is a significant exercise that shouldn't be overlooked.

It makes it clear previous reforms are not sufficient, said Danielle Taana Smith, professor of African American Studies at Syracuse Universitys Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs.

Communities have pledged this is the beginning of the conversation and dialogue will continue.

Yet for any true change to stick, any reforms must have continued buy-in from and participation from overly policed community members who have not historically been part of the conversation, Smith said.

Those voices have not been heard, Smith said. If they had been, the reforms were now hearing about would be more transformational.

Graphics by Lori Todd / Times Union
Two passenger trains have crashed into each other leaving at least 19 dead and almost 200 injured. On Saturday, the Health Ministry revised down the initial death toll of 32.

A collision between two passenger trains in central Egypt on Friday left at least 19 people dead and 185 injured, the Egyptian Health Ministry said.

Health Minister Hala Zayed told reporters on Saturday that an initial toll of 32 killed in the crash was revised down, while the number of injured rose from 165.

"After we honed in on the details of those killed and injured... at this moment there are 185 injured and 19 corpses," Zayed said.

What happened?

Three passenger cars were flipped over in the collision. Videos from the scene depicted people still trapped inside.

Dozens of ambulances raced to the scene of the crash in the Tahta district of Sohag province, around 460 kilometers (285 miles) south of the capital, Cairo.

Egypt's railway authority said the accident was caused by an unknown individual applying the emergency brakes in the first train, which was subsequently hit by the train behind, causing two carriages to derail.

"The trains collided while going at not very high speeds, which led to the destruction of two carriages and a third to overturn," a security source told Reuters.

"The [railway] service has been neglected for decades to an extent that made it quite outdated and extremely dangerous," Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly told reporters after he arrived to the scene.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Egypt Transport 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.

"We have spent billions to upgrade the railway but we still have a long way to go in order to complete all the required work."

Egypt's history of deadly train accidents

Egypt has a history of train accidents caused by poorly maintained equipment and bad management. Official figures recorded 1,793 train accidents in 2017.

One of those accidents left 43 people dead when two trains collided near the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria.

More than 300 people were killed in Egypt's deadliest train accident when a speeding train caught fire in 2003.

In 2018, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said that the government needed around 250 billion Egyptian pounds ($14.1 billion, 11.97 billion) in order to bring the country's run-down railway system up-to-date.

Egypt has one of the oldest and largest railway networks in Africa.

ab, jsi/msh (Reuters, dpa, AFP, AP)
London, March 28 : Ten people were arrested after a protest against the UK government's crime bill turned violent in the English city of Bristol, local media reported.

A "minority" of protesters "showed hostility" to police officers on Friday night and arrests were made after some who had sat in front of a police station were cleared, Xinhua news agency quoted the BBC as saying in a report on Saturday.

Crowds swelled to around 1,000 as protesters confronted officers in an angry stand-off before firing fireworks at police horses.

Officers were also pelted with eggs, bottles and traffic cones, the Evening Standard newspaper reported.

Police in riot gear started dispersing crowds at around 10.10 p.m. on Friday due to Covidrestrictions and mounted police and dog units were used to drive back the crowds, according to the London-based newspaper.

Supt Mark Runacres, of Avon and Somerset Police, said in a statement: "The majority of people acted peacefully however there was a minority who once again showed hostility to officers.

"Items, including glass bottles and bricks were thrown at officers, fireworks were launched at our mounted section while one of our horses was also covered with paint.

"This violent conduct is not acceptable...Officers repeatedly encouraged people to disperse but once the atmosphere changed and people became physical it was necessary to take action.

"At times reasonable force had to be used -- this is not something we ever want to do but we have a duty to uphold the law, prevent crime, and protect people and property." Demonstrators clashed with police last week in Bristol during the "Kill the Bill" demonstration against the UK government's Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

The bill would give the police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those deemed to be too noisy or a nuisance, according to Sky News.

Those convicted under the bill could face a fine or jail.

Mass gatherings are currently banned in Britain under coronavirus legislation.

In a tweet on Saturday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the violent protest was "disgraceful".

"Last night saw disgraceful attacks against police officers in Bristol. Our officers should not have to face having bricks, bottles and fireworks being thrown at them by a mob intent on violence and causing damage to property," Johnson said.

"The police and the city have my full support," he added.

Home Secretary Priti Patel also condemned the disorder with "violence being directed towards the police".

"I'm in no doubt the silent, law-abiding majority will be appalled by the actions of this criminal minority," she said on Twitter.

"Despite repeated warnings to disperse, it's clear these thugs were only intent on causing trouble. I am receiving regular updates and the police have my full support."
Mark Wahlberg to produce, star in faith-based film 'Stu'

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Actor Mark Wahlberg is set to star in and produce a drama titled Stu, which is loosely based on a true story.

The film was announced on Deadline this week, which reported that the Hollywood actor will be working with first-time director Rosalind Ross who penned the script. Wahlberg was reportedly impressed with Ross and felt confident that she was the right person to tell the story he wanted to tell.

Ross, an actress and writer, has been romantically linked to Mel Gibson, with whom she shares a child.

The film is pegged as a faith-based film and is said to be loosely based on a true story. Its also reportedly a story that's  ... very close to Wahlbergs heart and something he had been developing for a number of years.

The Boston native was able to find a gap in his schedule at the top of the year to move forward with making the film. Along with starring in the movie, Wahlberg will serve as a producer alongside his producing partner and manager Stephen Levinson, as well as Jordan Foss. Miky Lee and Colleen Camp are named as executive producers.

Financing has been secured and production will begin in April.

In a previous interview with The Christian Post in New York City, Wahlberg opened up about his faith. At the time, the Spencer Confidential actor explained how important his time with God is.

Wahlberg revealed that he'd rather go to church on a Saturday night than see a Broadway show and said he likes to start and end each day by reflecting on his faith.

"That's what it's all about. You know, for me, it's just the way I love to start my day, finish my day," Wahlberg told CP, explaining why he decided to go to church instead of buying tickets to a musical when he was in New York City.

"I've been very blessed and very fortunate. And it's because of the focus that I put on my faith and on my family that has allowed me to accomplish so many things. Also, with the failure and disappointment and loss, life is not easy," he emphasized.

In a video message posted on Facebook in 2016, Wahlberg talked about how his Christian faith and priests in the Catholic Church have served as an "anchor" in his life.

"My Catholic faith is the anchor that supports everything I do in life. In my daily prayers, I ask for guidance, strength in my vocation as a husband and as a father," Wahlberg said of the impact priests have had on his life.

"I want you to know my support for your work to foster vocations to the priesthood because I want my children and future generations to have good priests in their lives, just like I had."
First Minister Arlene Foster has said there is great unease within unionist and loyalist communities around the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Speaking on RTE's The Week in Politics, the DUP leader said the Protocol has also damaged commerce in Northern Ireland in "a real and meaningful way".

Theres great unease within the unionist and loyalist community. I hear it every single day. Thats dangerous when people think theyre being sidelined and not listened to. I think that is something the Dublin Government need to recognise and the government in London as well, she said.

aRationally and objectively there is no argument for a united Irelanda a Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster speaks about the possibility of a united Ireland with Tommie Gorman in an in-depth interview. pic.twitter.com/pM2Cegj80a  RTA News (@rtenews) March 28, 2021

Read More

Mrs Foster also said she believes that "rationally and objectively there is no argument for a united Ireland" and that voting in favour of unity would be engaging in "self harm".

As someone who considers herself British, she said she wanted to remain in the UK and not go into a united Ireland.

Mrs Foster said there is a "misunderstanding" that somehow she is "a misguided Irish person" and that "actually what she needs to do is realise that she is Irish and actually not British at all".

She described that as "a fundamental misunderstanding that republicans and nationalist have".

Speaking on the same programme, Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill said she believes not just nationalists and republicans but unionists too have been a victim of partition and "there is a chance to try to do something better".

The Sinn Fein vice-president said she hoped Mrs Foster would rethink her position about leaving if a united Ireland took place.

She added: "It is difficult, this is a really challenging Executive and Arlene and I come from two completely different walks of life, two different perspectives. However, there are things that we share in common. We are both female political leaders. We are mothers. We are west of the Bann, all these things where we do have common ground and you always build on the common ground and you work on the difference."

Ms O'Neill said a new Ireland would have to be a place that is "better for us all, where people with a British identity and an Irish identity could live side-by-side".

aThe new generations do not re-fight the battles of the pasta - Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle OaNeill speaks to Tommie Gorman in a wide-ranging interview. pic.twitter.com/88aU8Umpb0  RTA News (@rtenews) March 28, 2021

She also said she hoped there will come a time when her party leader Mary Lou McDonald will be elected the first female Taoiseach.

While Stormont both leaders said they were committed to making power-sharing work, neither was prepared to predict that the current Assembly will run its full term until May of next year.
C-17's 'Sightseeing Tour' Over Ireland That Drew Complaints from Locals Was Pre-Approved, Base Says

The C-17 made headlines overseas after aircraft spotters noticed the massive aircraft moving through Irish airspace.
The Biden White House is facing multiple cyber attacks and cyber espionage campaigns targeting U.S. companies and government agencies, without the services of a cybersecurity czar to coordinate a response and keep lawmakers in the loop.

The role, known officially as the national cyber director, remains unfilled two months into Joe Bidens presidency despite a legal mandate that it be occupied. Congress had ordered the creation of the post in a defense bill it enacted late last year over then-President Donald Trumps veto. And they expected the Biden White House to act quickly on it.

But nearly a dozen current and former officials familiar with the deliberations say that it has been the casualty of classic Washington dramas: executive branch officials wary of legislators meddling in their business and government bureaucrats trying to fend off potential colleagues from encroaching on their perceived portfolios.

The failure to fill the role, which would be responsible for coordinating the entire U.S. governments defensive cyber operations, comes as the new administration grapples with how to kick suspected Russian and Chinese hackers out of federal cyber infrastructure following two major breaches. And it lays bare the challenges in setting up a brand new agency that could encroach upon some power centers in the White House, particularly the National Security Council.

Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), who serves as co-chairman of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission  the body that successfully pushed for the inclusion of the National Cyber Director role in last years National Defense Authorization Act  said he was frustrated by the delay.

Its like we are in conflict and they are not appointing the secretary of defense, he said. I would hate to have another attack occur in the next 30-60 days and still not have anyone in that position.

The White House has indicated to lawmakers that it will send their conclusions to Congress next week, King said. But its still not clear when they will nominate a director, who will need to go through a potentially lengthy Senate confirmation process. Further complicating matters is that Congress has yet to fund the NCD office, making it difficult for the White House to plan out how it will be structured.

Story continues





Theyre taking way too long, and while conducting this review they have not nominated someone, said Mark Montgomery, a senior adviser to the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and senior fellow at Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. So they are very much slowing down the development of the NCD office.

Montgomery said he believes one reason for the delay is that the administration is underwater with responding to Russias recent hack on SolarWinds  a company whose software is used by multiple federal agencies  and Chinas breach of Microsoft Exchange servers, used by many local and state governments and private companies. Things really are very bad, he said.

In a statement, NSC spokesperson Emily Horne said the administration has been working tirelessly to urgently make the necessary investments to effectively defend the nation against malicious cyber activity.

She added: We are in the midst of a thorough and whole-of-government 60 day review regarding Solar Winds lessons learned, which includes consideration of how the new federal National Cyber Director entity will be structured in light of these lessons learned. Like Congress, we are committed to the defense of the nations cybersecurity. We understand the intense interest in the outcome of this review. However, this work is too important to rush and we must get it right for the American people.

Current and former officials involved in the talks, say they feel the White House has also been trying to buy time. Administration officials, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan, have been wary of the idea of a largely autonomous national cyber director role because of the power it would give to Congress in a key area of national security. The director would be Senate-confirmed and subject to congressional oversight. And, while primarily responsible for overseeing defensive operations, the office would also have visibility into sensitive offensive cyber actions coordinated by the NSC.

I know they had those reservations initially, and I hope theyve gotten over that, King said, referring to the White Houses wariness of congressional involvement. Im sure Pericles would go home and bitch to his wife about the Athenian senate, but this is how our system works.

Another major issue is turf  specifically, how to structure the position so that it doesnt conflict with the Deputy National Security Advisory for Cyber and Emerging Technology Anne Nueberger, who is currently the senior-most adviser to the president on cyber issues.

"It is generally accepted that having a Deputy National Security Adviser for Cyber and an NCD both working out of the White House is something of a recipe for bureaucratic disaster, said a former senior federal cyber official. In that context, it's reasonable to presume that any opposition to the appointment of an NCD is purely organizational, not personal."

But personalities are, in fact, at play, said three people familiar with the dynamic. Neuberger has clashed in the past with the top candidate for the national cyber director role, Jen Easterly, who also headed cyber policy for the Biden transition team.

They are like oil and water, said one former national security official involved in the discussions, referring to Easterly and Neuberger. Theyre both professionals. But it is true that they do not get along.

One recent source of tension was Neubergers decision to sideline a number of draft cybersecurity executive orders that were proposed by Easterly and her team during the transition, said the former official. Having shelved those options, the White House is now effectively starting over. For example, a draft executive order that would require software vendors experiencing a cyber breach to notify their federal government customers  first reported by Reuters and confirmed by POLITICO  is brand new, the former official said.

Proposals drafted by the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and provided to both Neuberger and Easterly early on in the administration did lay out a clearly-defined structure for the NCD office. One of the proposals, which have not been released publicly but were reviewed by POLITICO, said the entity would complement, rather than duplicate the functions already being undertaken by the NSC.

The office will work closely with the Deputy National Security Advisory for Cyber and Emerging Technology in coordinating defensive operations under the [Cyber Response Group] with offensive operations under the NSC, the proposal says.

Another document outlining the offices structure, however, raises a potential conflict: The National Cyber Director should be ... the primary advisor on issues involving cyber, cybersecurity, federal information security, and associated emerging technologies  a job description that, largely, is currently enjoyed by Neuberger.

Much of the problem the White House now faces with deconflicting the jobs stems from the fact the transition team did not think they would need or want a national cyber director, multiple people familiar with the situation said.

The transition team imagined that they would have a coordinator role on the NSC that would restore the focus on cyber that had been lost when [former National Security Adviser] John Bolton did away with the position in 2018, and that that would be sufficient, said a second former national security official involved in the discussions.

In fact, transition officials lobbied against congressional efforts to create and shape the cyber director position, said the former official and another person familiar with the Biden teams efforts. The former official said the transition team tried to kill the national cyber director provision  inserted into the National Defense Authorization Act  altogether. The other person said the Biden teams position was more nuanced; they did not necessarily oppose the creation of a cyber office, but did bristle at the idea of the director being Senate-confirmed.

No administration wants to have a Senate-confirmed position inside the White House because it gives Congress some say in how the President organizes his staff and brings an obligation to testify, which other officials in the Office of the President do not do, said Suzanne Spaulding, a former DHS Undersecretary for cybersecurity and infrastructure.

Nevertheless, there are other confirmed positions within the White House staff and they seem to work fine, she said. More importantly, staff sizes within the NSC are extremely limited--basically a handful, at best, for any given issue.

Recognizing the massive task at hand in coordinating a national cybersecurity strategy, kicking out hackers and protecting government agencies against future attack, the White House has begun to warm to the creation of the NCD office, people familiar with the deliberations said  particularly because the office will be able to access resources, review budgets, and build a staff of up to 75 people to implement a national strategy in a way the NSC can not.

But deconfliction is still an issue. One option now being explored is to have Neuberger serve in both roles, and be dual-hatted as deputy national security adviser and National Cyber Director, said two people familiar with the discussions.

King said he would be opposed to that structure. To say youre going to make someone a NSC senior staff person and the NCD  I don't think that works. I hope they don't do that.

Wherever the White House lands on this, a decision needs to be made soon, experts said.

The NCD is needed to work the day-to-day deconfliction and institutionalize plans for preventing and, when that fails, responding to the next crisis, Spaudling said. And the next crisis could be tomorrow, so time is not on our side.

Eric Geller contributed to this report.


Lee Sang-mok, head of Strategic Planning Division of SK Bioscience, speaks during The Korea Times' Bio Webinar, March 26. Captured during the event



By Baek Byung-yeul





Logo for SK Bioscience

SK Bioscience has set its sights on becoming the global vaccine powerhouse by developing its own COVID-19 vaccine and expanding its contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) business, said Lee Sang-mok, head of the company's Strategic Planning Division, March 26.



"SK Bioscience is implementing a two-track strategy  developing our own vaccines and manufacturing and distributing vaccines developed by global vaccine makers. Based on our capabilities in every process in vaccine business, we are aiming to become a vaccine specialist company," Lee said during The Korea Times' Bio Webinar.



The Korea Times hosted the online seminar to shed light on the government's steps to attract global biotech entities for its plan to build a cluster here, and discuss diverse issues regarding the biotech industry.



Park Jae-young, director general of the Manufacturing Industry Department at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, took part in the event as a main speaker and panelists included executives from major biotech companies here  SK Bioscience, Samsung Biologics, LG Chem and Celltrion.



Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, SK Bioscience has been cooperating closely with global vaccine makers and signed CDMO contracts for COVID-19 vaccines with global firms AstraZeneca last July and Novavax last August.







A high school has paid tribute to its school captain after he was electrocuted while welding during Queensland's huge rainstorm.

Tullawong State High School has set up a memorial for Liam Keegan, 17, after he died at his Upper Caboolture home, north of Brisbane, on Tuesday.

Workplace Health and Safety are still investigating his death but it is believed Mr Keegan was welding at the time.

His shock death drew tributes from his devastated family, the community and staff and peers at his high school.

Tullawong State High School raised the flag at half-mast while students laid down flowers, photos of Mr Keegan, and a Caboolture jersey at a dedicated memorial on Friday.

A high school has paid a touching tribute to its school captain (pictured, Liam Keegan) after he died from an electrocution

Tullawong State High School has set up a memorial for Liam Keegan, 17, after he died at his Upper Caboolture home, north of Brisbane, on Tuesday

Flowers and photos of Mr Keegan were laid at the memorial site on the premises of Tullawong State High School on Friday

Tullawong State High School raised the flag at half mast to honour its late school captain

Students were also allowed to wear casual clothes with a tradies and country for life theme.

'This is a tribute to Liam, who had a love for country music and a fondness for the tradie attire,' the school posted on Facebook.

Principal Kiah Lanham said the school was 'deeply shocked and saddened' by the news.

'Liam Keegan was a popular and talented young person who will be greatly missed by all his friends and teachers,' she said.

'Our thoughts and sincere sympathies go out to his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.'

Mr Keegan's sister Ebony paid tribute to her 'brother and best mate' in an emotional social media post.

'My heart shatters into too many pieces to count,' Ebony wrote.

'With nothing but absolute heartbreak, my family announce the sudden passing of our son, brother and best mate, Liam.

'We are so overwhelmed with the love and support which we have been shown, and so deeply grateful for the community of people we have.'

Tullawong State High School has raised the flag at half mast and held a country for life dress theme day for students in honour of Mr Keegan

Liam Keegan and his sister Ebony. She paid tribute to her 'brother and best mate' in a touching social media post

Emergency services are seen in Upper Caboolture, north of Brisbane, on Tuesday night

Just a few weeks ago, the 'popular and talented' student shared his dreams for the future in the local newspaper.

'I want to leave a legacy and know when I graduate, I was a part of making even a small change for our students and community by being proactive in establishing a positive culture and a sense of belonging for all students,' he said.

'I want to be a proactive captain and not just sit back and watch.'

Devastated mates took to social media to pay tribute, with one writing: 'Rest easy now mate. You were one of the best.'

'You made an impact on so many people without knowing it. Fly high,' another said.

Another heartbroken mate said: 'Love you forever Liam, you beautiful boy. I'll see you one day my love.'

Liam is understood to have been welding when he was electrocuted. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is investigating

Tributes have since poured in for the student (pictured) who was one of the captains at Tullawong State High School


As Connecticut gears up for universal adult vaccine eligibility starting later this week, details are expected Monday on how the state will speed up access for those with certain medical conditions.

When Gov. Ned Lamont first announced that he would move up eligibility for 1.3 million residents to early April, he said those with high-risk medical conditions would get accelerated access. But with vaccines available to all adults starting Thursday, it remains unclear how these individuals will get priority.

While providers have been working on how to address this, Lamont said last week that he anticipated releasing more details on Monday. Lamonts Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe said previously that for some this may mean dedicated clinics.

When eligibility expands Thursday, it will be the largest to date, but state officials expect the number of people rushing out for a vaccine to be about half the number of residents in that age group.

As always, well have to ask people to be a little patient at the beginning of a new phase; we wont have 600,000 appointments available day one, Geballe said.

The new date for universal eligibility comes as the states vaccine allocation is expected to swell to 200,000 first doses a week.

With 200,000 doses coming in a week you can do the math and kind of understand quickly that well be in a position in a relatively short period of time - probably before the end of April - where everyone in the state who wants to get a vaccine will have the ability to get one, Geballe said.

So far most states have plans to open vaccine eligibility to everyone by May 1, with the noted exception of New York and Arkansas, The New York Times reported.

Connecticuts plan beats the deadline in President Joseph Bidens directive that all states, U.S. territories and tribal nations should make the vaccine available to all adults by May 1. The state has consistently ranked among the highest for the number of shots it has put in peoples arms when adjusted for population.

By Thursday, Connecticut had administered 1.1 million first doses of the vaccine, and a total of 619,000 people were fully vaccinated.

Prioritizing shots

As the state opens shots up to everyone, the governor said the state and vaccines providers were working together to get fast access for those with high-risk medical conditions.

On Thursday, Lamont said Geballe has had exhaustive conversations with the leaders of the states hospitals on how they can prioritize those people.

Were going to roll out some of their best recommendations on Monday, he said.

Geballe said the state is planning dedicated clinics for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the Department of Social Services.

Were working in collaboration to identify the width of the at-risk groups and how well prioritize them, said Kathy Silard, president and CEO of Stamford Health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists a dozen conditions that put people at risk of severe illness or death from the novel coronavirus. The list of conditions includes heart conditions, cancer and Down Syndrome.

The governor drew criticism from both advocates for people with disabilities and essential workers after he announced the state would continue opening the vaccine on the basis of age only.

By focusing vaccination efforts by age group, Lamont and his administration moved away from federal guidance that prioritized those with high-risk medical conditions.

State officials said that it would be difficult to narrow the scope of conditions that qualified. From there, it would be hard for providers confirm that someone had a condition. Defending their decision, state officials said an age-based approach would be streamline the rollout.

At the time the decision was announced in late February, young people with conditions that put them at high risk would have had to wait until May 3 to register for a shot. But the timeline was moved up, first to April 5 and then to April 1.

Vaccinating minors

Thursdays new eligibility will also make the vaccines available to minors. Currently, only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been approved for people younger than 18. The vaccines from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are only approved for people age 18 and older.

The good news is we are getting a lot more Pfizer, Geballe said.

He said a filter will be added to the states vaccine finder on its website so 16 and 17-year-old can look for a clinics serving the Pfizer vaccine. He said it is likely those teens will need a parent or guardian with them.

But, given that the risks are not as great for younger people, Geballe suggested they wait several days before looking to book appointments.

Julia Gillard has urged Australian women to turn their 'anger into action' in a conversation with TikTok star Abbey Hansen.

Last year a TikTok video of Ms Gillard's 2012 misogyny speech, dubbed over footage of Ms Hansen putting on makeup and getting dressed, went viral.

In the interview streamed on the social media app, the pair discussed sexism in politics, women in leadership and feminism.

Former prime minister Julia Gillard (top) interviewed by TikTok star Abbey Hansen (bottom)

'Justice 4 Women' marches were held in cities around Australia on March 15 to protest sexual violence towards women, following an allegation by former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins that she was raped in Parliament House.

Ms Hansen asked Ms Gillard what she would have said if she were a speaker at one of those rallies.

'Turn that anger into action,' said Ms Gillard.

'Going to a march is absolutely fantastic, but you have to take that anger and turn it into action day by day, by day.

'This changing the culture in Parliament House and beyond, making sure we live in a world where women are safe and able to forge their own path without gender barriers, that takes persistent effort.'

Ms Hansen made Ms Gillard's 2012 misogyny speech go viral with Generation Z last year

The former Prime Minister also said it was more important than ever that women and girls consider going into politics, despite revelations of workplace sexual harassment within Canberra.

'The more women who come forward for leadership, the greater our power to knock those barriers out of the way,' she said.

'Don't let any of the stuff about sexism and misogyny put you off. We need young women stepping forward for leadership.

'We need you to own and claim your space. There are gender barriers, we have to be really honest about that, but the joys that come with leadership and the ability to put your values into action outweighs those gender barriers.'

Ms Hansen (pictured) said she was surprised her original TikTok was so popular

In 2012, Ms Gillard made a speech in response to sexist criticism by the Opposition Party, including comments she was 'unfit for leadership' because she was unmarried.

The video Ms Hansen made of the speech went viral, which she told Daily Mail Australia was a surprise.

'I wasn't surprised that the response was so positive,' she said.

'[But I was surprised] by how many people had seen it and interacted with it.'

Ms Hansen said Ms Gillard's message was clear.

'Don't be deferred from stepping into leadership because of past displays of misogyny. The world needs women in leadership,' she said.

The midwife has made other videos under the handle @minorfauna, many of which touch on politics, while others broached more light-hearted topics.

Videos include 'turning the heinous and ridiculous things Scomo says into computer savers' and one captioned 'Scotty from marketing is at it again'.

The TikTok star makes content under the handle @minorfauna on a range of topics
Increasing threats of poaching and loss of habitat have made Africa's elephant populations more endangered, according to a report released Thursday by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The African forest elephant is critically endangered, and the African savanna elephant is endangered. The two species had previously been grouped together as a single species and were classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.

The number of African forest elephants has fallen by more than 86% over a 31-year period, while the population of savanna elephants dropped by more than 60% over a 50-year period, according to the IUCN, which rates the global extinction risks to the world's animals.

Africa currently has 415,000 elephants, counting the forest and savanna elephants together, according to the IUCN.

The savanna elephants prefer more open plains and are found in various habitats across sub-Saharan Africa, with Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe having high concentrations. The African forest elephants  smaller in size  mostly occupy the tropical forests of West and Central Africa, with the largest remaining populations found in Gabon and Republic of Congo.

In Gabon, the fight against elephant poaching "is more than just fighting for nature. It's fighting for the stability of our country," Lee White, Gabon's minister of water and forests, told The Associated Press.

"We have seen countries like Central African Republic, where poachers became bandits, became rebels and destabilized the whole country," White said, attributing the bulk of poaching and ivory trafficking to international cross-border syndicates.

"Eighty to 90% of our ivory goes to Nigeria and ends up funding (the jihadist rebels) Boko Haram. So it's very much a cross-border fight against organized crime and even against terrorism," he said.

The battle to protect Gabon's forest elephants is a war, he said. "We have transformed biologists into warriors," White said. "We have transformed people who signed up to watch elephants and work with nature and the national parks into soldiers who have gone to war for the survival of the elephants."

Criminal networks working with corrupt officials are a significant problem in central and western Africa, Rudi van Aarde of the University of Pretoria's zoology department told The Associated Press.

"Most of the ivory that leaves this continent for Asia is from central and western Africa. The population is suffering more because of the illegal trade in ivory instead of environmental issues like deforestation," said van Aarde.

Sub-Saharan Africa's elephants suffered a huge knock with a spike in poaching between 2008 and 2012. A worrying trend is that a substantial amount of that poaching occurred in East and Southern Africa where an estimated 100,000 savanna elephants were killed in northern Mozambique and southern Tanzania, during that period, he said.

"Africa's elephants play key roles in ecosystems, economies and in our collective imagination all over the world," IUCN Director General Bruno Oberle said, lamenting the reduced numbers of Africa's elephants.

"Today's new IUCN Red List assessment of both African elephant species underlines the persistent pressure faced by the iconic animals," Oberle said. "The results quantify the dramatic extent of the decline of these ecologically important animals."

"With persistent demand for ivory and escalating human pressures on Africa's wildlands, ... concern for Africa's elephants is high, and the need to creatively conserve and wisely manage these animals and their habitats is more acute than ever," said Kathleen Gobush, lead assessor in the IUCN team compiling the list.
James Bond. The character launched an entire film franchise. Multiple actors have played Bond over the years. Get a list of every Bond movie in order, according to the official 007 site, and learn how to watch each one.

Daniel Craig as James Bond | Greg Williams/Eon Productions via Getty Images

1. Dr. No (1962)

The Bond movie that started all, Dr. No premiered in 1962 with Sean Connery playing the suit-wearing, martini-loving agent. Connery famously delivered the iconic Bond, James Bond, line in this film.

At the time of publication, Dr. No isnt available for free on any major streaming services. Rent or buy it on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, YouTube, or Vudu.

2. From Russia with Love (1963)

Connery reprised his role as the suave agent a year later in 1963s From Russia with Love. Watch the follow-up to the original with a premium subscription to Fubo TV or a subscription to Philo. Alternatively, rent it or buy a digital download via YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, or Google Play.

3. Goldfinger (1964)

Connery continued his turn as Bond in Goldfinger. Again, this 007 film isnt streaming on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video but it is available elsewhere to rent or buy. Watch it on Fubo TV with a premium subscription or stream it on Philo. Rent it for $3.99 on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Vudu, and Google Play.

4. Thunderball (1965)

The Connery Bond era continued with the release of Thunderball in 1965. This time, Bond went to the Bahamas to recover nuclear missiles. Rent the film for $3.99 on YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Vudu. Or buy it for $14.99 on Apple TV+ or iTunes.

5. You Only Live Twice (1967)

Once again Connery put on a tux to play Bond in 1967s You Only Live Twice. His mission? Go to Japan to find out what happened to missing American and Russian spacecraft. Head to Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, or YouTube to rent You Only Live Twice for $3.99. Own it for $14.99 via Apple TV+ or iTunes.

6. On Her Majestys Secret Service (1969)

RELATED: James Bond: Why This Actor Regretted Her Time as a Bond Woman

Mixing it up, George Lazenby played Bond in 1969s On Her Majestys Secret Service. Offered a million-dollar contract to star in six more Bond movies, the actor turned it down. One of the reasons? He got advice that James Bond was over anyway.

Rent On Her Majestys Secret Service on YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, or Amazon Prime Video for $3.99.

7. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Connery came back to the franchise that made him a star in Diamonds Are Forever. Pay $3.99 to rent the movie on YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video, or buy it for $14.99.

8. Live and Let Die (1973)

With Connerys Bond era over, Roger Moore became the new face of the franchise in 1973s Live and Let Die. Again, this is another Bond movie that cant be streamed for free. Rent it for $3.99 on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube, or Google Play.

9. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

Moore continued his turn as the charming MI6 agent in The Man with the Golden Gun. Watch it on YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video for $3.99.

10. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Moore continued starring in the franchise with The Spy Who Loved Me. Pay $3.99 to rent it on Vudu, Google Play, YouTube, or Amazon Prime Video.

11. Moonraker (1979)

The actor played Bond yet again in Moonraker. Rent it for $3.99 on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu, or YouTube.

12. For Your Eyes Only (1981)

Moores portrayal of Bond continued in the 80s with For Your Eyes Only. Head to Google Play, Vudu, YouTube, or Amazon Prime Video to rent it.

13. Octopussy (1983)

Moore reprised his role once again in Octopussy. Watch it on Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, or Vudu for $3.99.

14. A View to a Kill (1985)

His last time as Bond, Moore quit the 007 franchise after this film because he felt he was getting too old. Rent A View to Kill for $3.99 on YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, or Google Play.

15. The Living Daylights (1987)

A new era, Timothy Dalton became the new Bond in The Living Daylights. Pay $3.99 to watch it on Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, or Vudu.

16. License to Kill (1989) Timothy Dalton

His second and last Bond movie, Dalton starred in License to Kill. Rent it on Vudu, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, or YouTube for $3.99.

17. GoldenEye (1995)

Pierce Brosnan became the new Bond in GoldenEye. The first of the more modern Bond movies, GoldenEye is available to rent on YouTube, Vudu, Google Play, and Amazon Prime Video for $3.99.

18. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

RELATED: Ed Sheerans First Kiss Was Inspired by Pierce Brosnan in James Bond  Very Awkward and Wet

Brosnan reprised his role as the MI6 agent in Tomorrow Never Dies. Watch it on YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, or Google Play for $3.99.

19. The World Is Not Enough (1999)

Brosnan continued his turn as the iconic character in 1999. Watch The World Is Not Enough on Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, or Vudu for $3.99.

20. Die Another Day (2002)

Brosnans fourth and final Bond movie, he starred in 2002s Die Another Day. Rent it for $3.99 on YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, or Google Play.

21. Casino Royale (2006)

The current Bond, Daniel Craig made his debut in the 007 franchise with Casino Royale. Unlike previous Bond movies, Casino Royale is streaming on Netflix.

22. Quantum of Solace (2008)

Craig reprised his role two years later in Quantum of Solace. Watch it on Netflix.

23. Skyfall (2012)

Craigs third Bond movie, Skyfall, is available to rent on Apple TV+, YouTube, Vudu, Google Play, and Amazon Prime Video for $3.99.

24. Spectre (2015)

The latest Bond movie, Craigs Spectre is available to watch on Hulu and Sling TV with a premium subscription. Its also available to rent on Apple TV+, YouTube, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play.

25. No Time to Die (2021)

RELATED: Sean Connery Almost Appeared In a Daniel Craig James Bond Movie

Craigs final Bond movie is set to be released on Oct. 8, 2021. Billie Eilish sings the title song and theres already talk about who will be the next Bond. Outlanders Sam Heughan is a candidate. Meanwhile, Bridgertons Rege-Jean Page has hinted at wanting to play Bond too.
Three teenagers escaped the McLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn early Sunday after authorities said they attacked a staff member and stole their keys before escaping through a fence.

The Oregon Youth Authority, which runs the states facilities for juvenile offenders, said the three young men are considered a risk to themselves or others and urged anyone who sees them to call 911.

They are:

Preston Andrizzi, 19, convicted of second-degree assault in Marion County

Anthony Fitz-Henry, 18, adjudicated for second-degree burglary in Marion County

Christian Goin, 17, adjudicated for fourth-degree assault in Linn County

All three are from the Salem and Albany areas.

MacLaren, the states largest juvenile correctional campus, was placed on lockdown after the escape, and visitation was canceled for the day.

Sarah Evans, a spokesperson for the Oregon Youth Authority, said it was the first escape at the facility since at least 2000, when a perimeter fence was installed.

Evans said the three assaulted a staff member and took their keys, then escaped through a hole in the fence. The hole has since been repaired, she said. The staff member was treated and released at a local hospital.

The about 200 youth at the facility are held in locked dormitory-style living units, some in single rooms and others in groups, and each living area is supervised around the clock by on-site staff and security cameras.

The youth authority urged anyone with information about the three to call the Oregon State Police at 503-375-3555 and reference case # SP 21-07842.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive
Theres no public safety value in prosecuting these low-level offenses, said Marilyn Mosby

At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, States Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby announced her plan to discontinue the prosecution of minor charges like drug possession, prostitution, and trespassing. According to The Washington Post, not only did violent crime rates drop in Baltimore by 20 percent, and property crime by 36 percent, but the city also saw fewer homicides by 13 percent when compared with 2019.

Accused offenders who had not yet been sentenced were granted a major reprieve when Mosby made this decision, resulting further in 20 percent fewer people in jail and 39 percent fewer people entering the citys criminal justice system, as reported by The Post. This move also accounted for the dismissal of more than 1,400 pending cases and the rescinding of more than 1,400 warrants for non-violent crimes.

Marilyn J. Mosby (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images for BET Networks)

According to The Post, on Monday, Mosby made what began as a temporary response in the the interest of public health, a permanent measure to remedy failures of the criminal justice system. Mosby wants to rehabilitate nonviolent criminal offenders by offering them rightful and necessary access to behavioral health resources, instead of locking them up.

Read More: Legal team for Baltimores Marilyn Mosby, husband call federal investigation a witch hunt

A year ago, we underwent an experiment in Baltimore. Mosby said. What we learned in that year, and its so incredibly exciting, is theres no public safety value in prosecuting these low-level offenses. These low-level offenses were being, and have been, discriminately enforced against Black and Brown people.

The era of tough on crime prosecutors is over in Baltimore, Mosby said further. We have to rebuild the communitys trust in the criminal justice system and thats what we will do, so we can focus on violent crime.

Baltimore is still a city overwhelmed by violent crime, even with the decline its seen during the coronavirus pandemic, and Mosbys initiative will allow prosecutors to spend more time addressing violent criminal offenders.

Story continues

Marilyn J. Mosby (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images for BET Networks)

Read More: Maxine Waters introduces bill to end bias against job applicants with criminal records

Per The Post, Mosby noted the significance of last summers racial justice protests and the catalytic impression they made upon social justice reform. Kobi Little, head of the Baltimore NAACP said Mosby had been responsive to the communitys needs and to calls for equity.

According to the Post, he said the new approach has led to reduced policing and incarceration of Black people, increased access to crisis services and reduction in violent crime.

Mosby highlighted the disparity in prison population statistics, emphasizing that although Black people comprise only 13 percent of the nations population, 35 percent of inmates convicted for drug-related offenses are Black. As a prosecutor, our mission is justice over convictions, said Mosby. You have to understand the importance of rectifying the wrongs of the past.

Have you subscribed to theGrios podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now!

TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today!

The post Baltimore to end nonviolent criminal prosecutions appeared first on TheGrio.
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.

Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference held in the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 27, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

14 States Ask Supreme Court to Let Them Defend Immigrant Self-Sufficiency Rule

Texas and 13 other states have filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court asking to be allowed to defend the so-called public charge rule in court proceedings after the Biden administration decided not to defend it in court.

The public charge rule, which requires prospective immigrants to be able to support themselves financially, has been very heavily litigated in federal courts. The Supreme Court stayed a lower courts injunction against the rule in January 2020, allowing it to be enforced, pending disposition of the governments appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit.

Over vigorous left-wing opposition, the Trump administration revived the rule, which had largely fallen into disuse in recent years. Critics say the pro-taxpayer rule is xenophobic and discriminates against poor aliens.

The public-charge principle, that is, the idea that immigrants should have to demonstrate they can get by without becoming wards of the government, has been part of the American experience for centuries.

Public charge provisions have been part of U.S. immigration law since at least 1882. One of the earliest known public charge laws in colonial Massachusetts was enacted in 1645. By the end of the 1600s, many American colonies screened would-be immigrants and required bonds for those believed likely to become public charges.

The Supreme Court case is Texas v. Cook County, Illinois, court file 20A150. The 308-page application for leave to intervene and to stay a Nov. 2, 2020, judgment of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois was filed with the Supreme Court late March 26.

Chief Justice John Roberts has ordered the respondents, including the federal government, to file a response to the application with the Supreme Court by April 9.

The Republican state attorneys general who filed the application with the Supreme Court say the Biden administration is remiss in its duties and decided to let a ruling adverse to the rule stand without considering the interests of their states.

The States interests in this matter were adequately represented by the United States during the previous Administration. But on March 9, and without notice to the States or other interested parties, the Biden Administration agreed to voluntarily dismiss its appeal in every pending challenge to the Rule, the application filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, states.

Having received no notice of this dramatic change in position, the States promptly moved to vindicate their interests. Merely two days after the voluntary dismissals, they filed all the necessary motions to intervene in this matter in order to defend those interests and the Rule. The Court of Appeals denied those motions without explanation.

The federal governments decision to abandon its defense of the rule leaves the States with a vital interest undefended by the party who would normally be tasked with defending its own rule. By stipulating to dismissal without providing notice to the affected States, the United States has both prejudiced the States concrete interests and made an end run around the procedural protections that would otherwise have been available to the States.

The States interests are vitally affected here, the application states.

In particular, the States have important interests in conserving their Medicaid and related social-welfare budgets. Providing for the healthcare needs of economically disadvantaged individuals represents a substantial portion of the States budgets. For example, in Texas in 2020, over 4 million Texans relied on Medicaid.

The applicant states in the Supreme Court proceeding are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia.

On March 9, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit lifted its stay of the U.S. District Courts Nov. 2, 2020, decision vacating the public charge rule nationwide, a move that allowed the district courts invalidation of the rule to take effect.

As a result of the ruling, on March 9, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stopped enforcing the rule. Before that, on Feb. 2, President Joe Biden had indicated he was considering abandoning the rule. On that day, he issued Executive Order 14012, which directed government officials to review the rule.

On Feb. 22, the Supreme Court had agreed to hear the federal governments appeal of a lower court decision against the rule in the case of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) v. New York, court file 20-449, which began when Donald Trump was president.

The Biden administration dropped the appeal that came from the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court ordered the case dismissed March 9 after the parties to the legal proceeding signed a joint stipulation to dismiss.

On March 10, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, a Republican, filed a motion to intervene in a separate lawsuit involving the rule that is pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, as The Epoch Times previously reported.

It is unconscionable to overwhelm our infrastructure and immigration personnel when we are dealing with the health and economic devastation of the pandemic, Brnovich said at the time.

Eleven states, including Arizona, signed on to the motion.

Acting Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar didnt immediately respond to requests by The Epoch Times for comment.
The Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa in a file photo. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Supreme Extremism Will Leave Canadians Hurting

Commentary

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled March 25 that the federal government is fully within its jurisdiction to impose a carbon tax on provinces, even if the duly elected governments of those provinces oppose the imposition of such a tax.

Their rationale? The wisdom of Greta Thunberg.

Judges arent scientists. They arent climate experts. Yet in this case the judges have acted like they are both. Im surprised they didnt quote Greta directly with a how dare you statement. In effect, that is what they have given us.

What the court did was declare that global warminga term even environmentalists werent using this winter in the Northern Hemisphere because we kept having cold snapscauses harm beyond provincial boundaries. The court ruled that global warming is therefore a matter of national concern that allows the federal government to rely on its residual constitutional power, found in the peace, order, and good government clause of the Constitution, to impose a tax on the provinces (or oblige them to have a comparable one of their own).

Now of course, sounding like Liberal Party propagandists, the justices said the carbon tax is not a tax. They in fact said the federal carbon tax has nothing to do with taxation, as understood constitutionally.

Weve heard this one before. It might feel like a tax, look like a tax, and stink like a tax, but it isnt a tax, it is a regulatory charge. Doesnt that make you feel better as you watch the carbon tax climb (starting next week in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) by big increments until it reaches $170/tonne?

As if that wasnt enough, the court felt compelled to go further. A majority of justices noted that all the parties in the disputeSaskatchewan, Ontario, and British Columbiaagreed that climate change was real. And in a dramatic step into the world of policy, the court went so far as to say climate change is caused by greenhouse gas emissions resulting from human activity and it poses a grave threat to the future of humanity. (Hello Greta!!)

Its along the lines of former U.S. President Barack Obamas famous tweet that 97 percent of scientists agree that climate change is real, man-made, and dangerous. That tweet, like the rhetoric of Greta, like the rationale for the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada, is, for the most part, without foundation.

For the most part.

As I have said before, no one disputes that climate change is real.

It is happening all the time.

What people do dispute (myself included) is the jump that is made from saying climate change is real, to saying that humankind is the overwhelming cause of it. And people (millions in fact) also dispute the claim that those causal human actions are very dangerous.

Today, daring to raise such disputes is tantamount to treason.

It prompts the how dare you rhetoric of Greta Thunberg and her well-funded environmentalist supporters.

It prompts the derisive criticisms of self-righteous ministers, like federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, that opponents of their radical green agenda are flat earth advocates.

It prompts the monstrous use of language of denier against anyone who asks why we dont embrace traditional scientific self-doubt.

And now it will prompt the established interests to say, The court says so.

Any Canadian daring to dispute the conventional thinking has been cowed into submission by the shrieks of the alarmists.

And now those shrieks have been taken up as truth by the Supreme Court of Canada.

A majority of justices:

Dont acknowledge that the science is in dispute.

Dont acknowledge that there may be a series of approaches other than imposition of taxes (sorry, regulatory charges) to address any environmental concerns.

Dont acknowledge that provincial jurisdiction may in fact be legitimate to address such concerns (because, apparently, climate change is real and that demands something more).

Have no reservations about stepping into matters of public policy dispute.

What these justices are doing is:

Embracing an extreme position on an issue in dispute.

Endorsing the concentration of power in the federal government.

Signalling that the continued imposition of aggressive tax (sorry, regulatory) regimes by elected government now has the sanction of the unelected judiciary.

What a world.

The Trudeau government has committed to a budget 25 months after the last one, is spending money at an unprecedented rate, is imposing a radical energy and environmental agenda of unprecedented scope and scale, and is compromising our sovereignty with ridiculous commitments to the Paris Accord and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

And now Trudeau and co. have the sanction of the unelected judiciary.

Canadians will pay the price for all of this over time. Eventually, people will realize how bad a track we are on, how unnecessary and expensive it is, and how much it hurts the prospects of our children and grandchildren.

A change of government would offer an opportunity to reverse the impact hereif indeed such a change would elect a government opposed to carbon taxes. Time will tell.

Dan McTeague is a former Liberal MP and the president of Canadians for Affordable Energy.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Condair, a leading global player in humidity control and evaporative cooling sector, said it has signed up Central Air Conditioning Trading & Services (CAT) as its new distributor for Qatar.

As per this deal, CAT will be offering the full range of Condair products including humidifiers, dehumidifiers and evaporative cooling systems.

The Condair Group offers energy efficient, hygienic and innovative technologies for commercial, industrial and heritage applications in addition to system design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning, maintenance and spares.

On the new partnership, CAT General Manager Mohammed El Khatib said: "I am looking forward to increasing sales with the companys comprehensive range of humidity control systems. Combining Condairs market leading products with CATs extensive knowledge and application experience offers customers across Qatar an unbeatable solution for their humidity control requirements."

"As well as strengthening links with and supporting HVAC consultants and contractors across Qatar with their humidity control projects, we will be assisting several core manufacturing sectors to increase their production efficiency," he stated.

"We are also looking forward to working with production managers to educate them on the potential improvements Condairs humidifiers and dehumidifiers could offer to their profitability," he added.

Lauding the appointment, Urs Hefti, the Head of Condair Global Sales, said: "With offices located in Doha, a service engineering team and extensive experience in offering a wide range of HVAC products, CAT is an ideal partner."

"Its great that Condair is now able to meet the needs of our Qatari customers more comprehensively and we are looking forward to substantial growth across the region in the years to come," he added.-TradeArabia News Service

Some advertising slogans become iconic  Just do it, Every little helps, Does exactly what it says on the tin. In the world of beauty, there is none more so than LOreals Because Im worth it.

Its a tagline that, since its inception 50 years ago, has been translated into more than 40 languages and spoken by some of the most high-profile women in the world, from Eva Longoria, Kate Moss, Linda Evangelista, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Claudia Schiffer and Cindy Crawford to Helen Mirren, Jennifer Aniston, Catherine Deneuve and Andie MacDowell.

As a popular phrase, its also arguably done more for women than any number of feminist tracts or academic debates.

Indeed, the woman who was the first to say it in a 1971 TV ad believes the very concept  that a womans self worth is valuable of itself, independent of any man  was quite revolutionary at the time.

In the world of beauty, there are no slogans more iconic than L'Oreal's 'Because I'm worth it', which was first used 50 years ago and has been spoken by some of the most high-profile women in the world, including Jennifer Anniston (pictured)

It was totally patriarchal back then; totally sexist, actress and model Joanne Dusseau tells me. Men would do anything to make you feel less than, and anything to get a peek [at your body].

As the face of LOreal in the early 1970s, Joanne also became the poster girl for the tagline, which she uttered for the first time ever in a TV commercial. In the 30-second advert, she strides through what looks like a jungle but, she tells me, was actually a plant shop near [New York department store] Bloomingdales.

Explaining why she uses a product called Preference, the most expensive hair colour in the world, she concludes: I dont mind spending more for LOreal, because Im worth it.

Joanne, now 79, lives on her own in a little town called Troutdale, just east of Portland, Oregon, on the west coast of America.

When I meet her over Zoom, she still looks every inch the model, despite complaining that in lockdown shes gained 10lb and, as a result, has just taken on a virtual personal trainer.

While there might be a few lines on her face, Joanne has the same piercing blue eyes and captivating smile  and her hair, which is about the same length as when she filmed the advert, is still the same colour, LOreal Paris Preference Honey Blonde.

Still! I did try other brands but, to tell you the truth, this ones the best, she confides in in her soft, slightly southern-accented voice.

Actress and model Joanne Dusseau (pictured) was the first to say the tagline on a TV ad in 1971 and believes the very concept  that a womans self worth is valuable of itself, independent of any man  was quite revolutionary at the time

Now retired, after a career that has spanned acting, modelling, stockbroking and almost 20 years as a contract negotiator with the U.S. Air Force, she lives 15 minutes from her daughter, whos a doctor, and her two grandchildren.

The world of work was far more restricted for women 50 years ago, when Joanne was single, living in New York City and making a living by modelling.

All around her, however, prejudices and stereotypes were changing. It was in 1970 that 50,000 feminists paraded down New Yorks Fifth Avenue as part of the Womens Strike for Equality March. In 1971, the first issues of Gloria Steinems liberal feminist magazine, Ms, hit the news stands, while in law offices in Texas the foundations were being laid for 1973s historic Roe v Wade case that established womens rights to abortion in the U.S.

It was a very revolutionary time for women, recalls Joanne. I was an activist. People were marching about the [Vietnam] war. Women were marching for women.

Meanwhile, in an advertising agency on New Yorks Third Avenue, another woman was feeling the same beginnings of radical change. Ilon Specht was 23, and part of the creative team at the McCann-Erickson agency working on the LOreal account. It was her script for a campaign that would change the way beauty was sold to women  for ever.

The French brand wanted to steal a march on market-leader Clairol, which at the time dominated the world of home hair colour. The problem was, not only were women notoriously brand loyal when it came to hair colour, but LOreal was more expensive than the competition. In a rare interview in 1999, Ilon recalled the original idea for the campaign that had been dreamt up by the predominantly male team. They wanted to do something with a woman sitting by a window, and the wind blowing through the curtains, she says.

Ilon Specht, who was 23 and part of the creative team working on the L'Oreal account scripted the campaign which changed the way beauty was sold to women forever (pictured: Jennifer Anniston in a 2000s L'Oreal advert)

The woman was a complete object. I dont think she even spoke. They just didnt get it.

Back then, even adverts that ostensibly sold products to women did so by playing on their appeal to men, and the voiceover was invariably a male voice because that was more authoritative.

Joanne remembers this genre of advertising all too well. As a model at the time, she was cast in a wide range of campaigns for everything from beauty products to cigarettes. Beauty commercials were all about men saying Look at her hair. Men were doing the dialogue; women were just posing. It was really neanderthal.

THEY WERE WORTH IT! Andie MacDowell $500,000 (363,000) per year In 1999, it was reported that the Four Weddings And A Funeral actress was able to command $500,000 a year from LOreal for just 12 days modelling. She first signed in 1986, and at 62 is now the longest-serving brand ambassador. Beyonce $3.6 million (2.6 million) In 2004, the superstar was thought to have signed a 2.6 m contract to promote hair products  for just ten days work a year in a five-year deal, which ended in 2009. Eva Longoria $2 million (726,000) In 2005, the Desperate Housewives star reportedly secured 1 m to promote LOreal hair products. The latest advert, shot on a smartphone, shows her dyeing her grey roots during lockdown. Scarlet Johansson $4 million (2.2 million) In 2006, it was reported that the Hollywood actress then aged 21, had won a 2.2m deal, to be the face of High Intensity Pigments make-up. Penelope Cruz UP TO $2 million (726,000) In the same year, Cruz also became the face of the Natural Match Shade 5W hair colour. She was thought to have been paid up to $2m a year for a multi-year contract. Cheryl 4 million In 2009, the X-Factor judge became the first British woman to sign to LOreal Paris since Kate Moss in 1998. She was reportedly paid 500,000 a year for advertising haircare, products, Elnett hairspray and skincare products. However, in 2018, she was allegedly axed from what was thought to be a 4 million deal. Adele Turned down 12 million contract In 2013, the singer rejected a 12 m contract with the brand. Advertisement

But what was happening on screen was only a reflection of what was going on in the real world. Joanne says: I was brought up in a generation where you were used to being put down, you know  you were used to being denigrated. It was your life and you had to learn how to work with that.

She recalls one audition where she walked in to find the casting director with his trousers down.

I said to him: What are you doing? What in the world? Who do you think I am? Why would you do this? and he immediately zipped up.

But when she called her agent to complain  I said to her My God, how bad is it going to get?  she was told to ignore it and carry on. Just dance, Joanne, just dance with it, and that was the answer to it.

It was against this backdrop of misogyny that Ilon Specht wrote her script.

I could just see that they had this traditional view of women, and my feeling was that Im not writing an ad about looking good for men, which is what it seems to me that they were doing, Ilon told The New Yorker magazine. I just thought, F**k you. I sat down and did it, in five minutes. It was very personal. I can recite to you the whole commercial, because I was so angry when I wrote it.

The words struck a chord with Joanne when she auditioned.

I remember reading it and thinking This is fantastic. This is a total winner. But I also knew I was up against like 3,000 other women for the role.

When I got the job, that was really a coup. For the first time, I was speaking about my feelings, as a woman, in an advert, and that was brand new.

Its no exaggeration to say that this was a role that changed her life. Talking about it now, even 50 years on, she becomes quite emotional. When I did that first shoot, I walked out of there  she pauses, and tears fill her eyes. Im going to cry. Because I walked out of there and I thought, This is great. I feel great. I feel different. You know, after saying Im worth it so many times, it changed me. It became my life.

And in more ways than one. At the time, Joanne was the only model signed to LOreal. The actress Meredith Baxter Birney took over from her in 1977, and after that a host of famous names uttered that immortal line. But for five years  during which time she shot 23 TV adverts and a host of magazine campaigns  it was Joannes, and Joannes alone.

Five years. Five years of saying that line! Naturally, she was often recognised in the street. Sometimes theyd repeat the line back to me, and sometimes theyd just say I know who you are, you do the LOreal commercials! but it was always positive.

By the time she shot her last ever LOreal ad, Joanne had met the father of her daughter and was heavily pregnant.

I think I was nine months pregnant on the LOreal set. They got so nervous that they sent me home because it looked like any minute I was going to pop!

After having her daughter, Joanne turned her back on the world of acting and modelling. I went to law school and business school, I became a stockbroker and a financial planner. I got a job with the Air Force.

After Joanne, actress Meredith Baxter Birney took over in 1977 and following her was a long line of famous names, including Dame Helen Mirren (pictured) who featured in an advert for the Elvive purple shampoo in the 2010s

And the reason I could do that is that I had so much confidence. Nothing knocked me off balance. I was just self-confident from saying that phrase a million times, she tells me. Seriously. You could use, Im worth it as a mantra in psychology. Say it enough and youre going to be able to stand up to anything.

Its a message that she also passed on to the next generation, after separating from her partner.

Thats what I gave to my daughter. I said You can do it  and she did. Shes a doctor!

Joanne admits to being in awe of the strides that women are taking today. Oh my goodness, the Me Too movement? Women have gotten so bold. Bolder than I could ever be. I salute this generation of women. And things have changed.

Ilon refused to write an advert which was 'about looking good for men', so she refuted misogyny and angrily wrote her script, still being able to recite it years later due to her anger (pictured: Jane Fonda in a 2010s L'Oreal advert)

But you need to keep going. Theres a lot more to do. You know so much has changed, but were not there yet. Its still evolving.

It seems incredible that a tagline in a beauty ad could have quite so much power. This, after all, was a catchphrase primarily designed to make women open their purses.

Yet when you look at the timing and context of that first advert  and at just how widely disseminated these campaigns have subsequently become  you can see that, as an idea, it will have touched far more women than anything ever written by feminist luminaries such as Germaine Greer or Erica Jong.

Because Im worth it seeped into popular culture and changed the way that women thought about themselves.

I really think its helped, says Joanne. Women can stand on their own, and say what they want to say, and feel how they want to feel, and be who they want to be.

Its part of the reason that I feel that its perfectly OK for me to live on my own, and be who I am. Because Im worth it.
Britain's biggest supermarket Tesco has triggered a major overhaul of the way its stores will be run in future  putting more than 2,000 managerial jobs under review.

The shake-up will result in a slimmed-down management structure with fewer senior jobs across its biggest Extra and Superstore outlets.

Some managers will be expected to take on wider responsibility for the same pay.

Staff affected by the changes told The Mail on Sunday that the efforts were part of attempts to rebalance the business following a structural shift to online delivery and an admission that the surge in demand seen last year will not continue.

Cuts: The shake-up will result in a slimmed-down management structure with fewer senior jobs across its biggest Extra and Superstore outlets

But other sources said it was the latest confirmation of long-term efforts to cut management layers as more efficient processes, digital systems and AI technology reduce the need for decision-makers in shops.

Staff have been in individual discussions with Tesco bosses to examine options.

Several departmental roles will be scrapped altogether and managers will instead be given broader responsibilities.

A company spokesman last night dismissed suggestions that any staff would be worse off. Tesco insisted that the reduction in roles would come from 'attrition' as employees leave over time.

Tesco in understood to have described the review as a 'soft' consultation  implying that no one will be forced to leave.

A spokesman said: 'The way our customers shop with us is changing and so is the way we need to manage our stores.'

But one industry source said: 'Over time, this is designed to reduce the number of managers and the wage bill will come down.'

Clive Black at broker Shore Capital said: 'This is an ongoing process in supermarkets that will see head office and regional workers removed and replaced by digitisation and artificial intelligence.

'All that inevitably means you need far fewer people over time  and less expensive people.'

Tesco has almost 3,500 shops in Britain. The review has focused on its 800 Extra and Superstores. Thousands of smaller Express and One Stop shops are not affected.

The overhaul is one of the first visible signs of the impact of new chief executive Ken Murphy who arrived from Boots and will present his maiden full-year results to City investors on April 14.

He said in January the company has 'strong momentum in the business'.

There is an estimated 162billion in potential spending stored up as extra savings since last March, which could boost big grocers.
You can hear the frustration in the nurse's voice as he narrates the video, walking closer to an open window.

"You have to be an engineer to make this work," he says. "You have to be like MacGyver."

The video moves past a woman on oxygen, the tube running down from her nose to the gurney she's sitting on and, eventually, out that open window.

It runs to another window, the green tube swinging in the breeze above an open courtyard a half-dozen stories below. The tube ends at an oxygen hookup in the wall of the other room.

This is the only way that woman, a Covid-19 patient at this hospital in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia, can get oxygen. The room where the oxygen source is located is so overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients, she has to sit in what is otherwise a hallway, her life-saving oxygen precariously fed to her.

The scene is a microcosm of what is playing out across Brazil right now amid a brutal and out-of-control wave of Covid-19.

On Thursday night, Brazil's Health Ministry reported the gruesome figure of more than 100,000 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in a single day, the country's highest such figure since the pandemic began.

So far, a total of 303,462 people have died in the country from the virus, according to official data.

But it's the seven-day averages that paint an even bleaker picture.

At 15,963 deaths from March 19-25 and 14,610 deaths in the previous week, those are the highest such numbers of the pandemic so far and they are trending in the wrong direction.

Brazil has recorded roughly 24% of all coronavirus deaths worldwide over the past two weeks, according to JHU data.

A Covid-19 variant, P1, continues to rip through the country as experts agree it is more contagious and potentially produces more severe illness than previous strains. Even younger people are not spared.

Of Brazil's 26 states plus its federal district, only one or two on any given day have ICU occupancy rates below 80%.

More than half are above 90%, which means if the healthcare systems haven't yet collapsed already in those states, they are at imminent risk of doing so.

Health systems have been inundated with patients they can no longer adequately take care of due to a critical lack of space and supplies.

As Brazil suffers through its worst days of this pandemic so far, there are signs of collapse at every level of the healthcare system in nearly every state across the country.

Signs of collapse

First responders, hospital personnel and even cemetery employees have told CNN they've been brought to their knees by this latest wave.

"It's a war scenario," said paramedic Luis Eduardo Pimentel in Sao Paulo. "I can barely describe what I'm seeing, it is so sad what is happening to the country."

He described non-stop Covid-19 calls, unnecessary deaths, and hospitals so overburdened, they take supplies from wherever they can.

CNN spoke to him after his shift ended, earlier than expected, after a hospital took the gurney he had brought his Covid-19 patient in on -- the hospital had run out of beds.

Other examples are myriad.

In a video given to CNN last week, 12 ambulances with patients inside are seen waiting outside a Sao Paulo hospital for bedspace to open up inside.

CNN visited a Covid-19-designated hospital on Thursday that had stopped accepting patients because they had run out of room. In a section normally reserved for 16 semi-intensive care patients, nearly double that amount were being treated.

Several had already been intubated and would normally have sent to an ICU, but no such space existed in the hospital.

When ICU rates hit 90%, as they did in Sao Paulo on Thursday, they're effectively full, said Geraldo Reple Sobrinho, the state's President of the Council of Municipal Health Secretaries. "In reality, that means total bed occupancy because every time there is a patient who is discharged or dies, you need time to clean this bed and change the equipment. It takes four, five hours."

In the meantime, more and more patients keep dying. On several recent days, there have been so many deaths that burials in Sao Paulo cemeteries are happening every few minutes.

Crematoriums have not been able to keep up. In a video shared with CNN, at least two dozen coffins can be seen waiting to be cremated -- the demand is about three times what the facility can handle in a single day.

The government response ... or lack of it

As his country has reeled during this latest outbreak, President Jair Bolsonaro has yet to take any significant steps to try and implement a coordinated national response.

He did deliver a televised address to the country on Tuesday night, saying 2021 would be the "year of the vaccine."

But critics derided the 3-minute speech as a half-hearted attempt at a public-relations rescue on a day where Brazil set its own record for most coronavirus deaths recorded in a single day.

The federal government appeared to commit another own goal the following day, with the Health Ministry announcing that it would require more information from municipalities reporting Covid-19 victim information.

That sparked immediate concern that the additional requirements would lower the number of Covid-19 deaths that were reported.

Those concerns appeared to be immediately justified as Wednesday's reported death toll was nearly 1,200 fewer than the previous day.

By the end of the day Wednesday, the Health Ministry suspended the new reporting requirements after severe backlash from states and the public.

Absent a coordinated federal response, any restrictions put in place designed to stem the spread of the virus have been left to individual states.

Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Minas Gerais are among the states that have implemented nightly curfews, even as the Bolsonaro administration filed suit in Brazil's Supreme Court declaring that only the federal government has the right to impose such restrictions.

The court this week sided with the states, however, calling Bolsonaro's argument "totalitarian."
Hyderabad airport gets new tech to track vaccine shipments

GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo (GHAC), a division of GMR Air Cargo and Aerospace Engineering Limited (GACAEL), has tied up with Singapore-based technology startup StaTwig to introduce a new technology-based solution to track and monitor vaccine shipments handled at the airport's cargo terminal, a report in The Hindu said. The development is significant since Hyderabad is a key global supplier of vaccines. The region is set to produce over 3.5 billion shots of vaccine over the next couple of years in the global fight against the pandemic, the report said. Read more here

Complaints of domestic violence surged in Covid year

Complaints of domestic violence to the National Commission for Women (NCW) rose sharply in 2020 when most people were forced to stay home amid the pandemic-induced nationwide lockdown, a report in NDTV said. The NCW received a total of 23,722 complaints of crimes against women in 2020, compared to 19,730 in 2020, according to official data. A year after the lockdown, the NCW continues to receive over 2,000 complaints of crimes against women each month with nearly one-fourth of them related to domestic violence, the report said. Read more here

Covovax screening process to start in Pune

The bridging study of Pune-based drugmaker Serum Institute of India's (SII) new Covid vaccine "Covovax" is expected to start soon in Pune, The Indian Express reported citing a source close to the matter. The screening process for volunteers began earlier this week. The vaccine was developed by US-based vaccine maker Novovax, SII is a manufacturing partner. The vaccine is expected to launch by August following the bridging study in India. This study will be carried out using 1,600 participants in 19 sites across Delhi, UP, Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Puducherry, Odisha, Karnataka and West Bengal. Read more here

infects the mouth: Study finds

Scientists have found evidence that the novel infects the mouth, including inside the cheeks, in the gums, and in salivary glands, a report in CNN said. The findingspublished in the peer-reviewed medical journal Nature Medicinemay explain why the loss of taste is a common symptom associated with Covid-19. The researchers also suggest the mouth is an important source of the spread of the virus. Read more here

Google searches for WFH jobs, e-courses surge in Covid year

As Covid-19 upended lives and ravaged the economy, internet search queries such as work from home jobs, online course, how to sell online and certificate course were among those that recorded the most growth in India in 2020, according to Googles annual Year in Search report, The Indian Express reported. While the search term work from home jobs saw a 140 per cent growth from 2019, the query online course saw 85 per cent growth. Searches for certificate course saw 50 per cent growth and how to sell online saw over 65 per cent rise in searches, the report said. Read more here
(@FahadShabbir)

Facebook said Saturday that it was "freezing" Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's page for a month after repeated violations of the platform's rules against Covid-19 misinformation

Caracas, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Mar, 2021 ) :Facebook said Saturday that it was "freezing" Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's page for a month after repeated violations of the platform's rules against Covid-19 misinformation.

The social media giant has faced criticism over the spread of virus-related false information on its network, and has said it is ramping up efforts to fight back.

A Facebook spokesperson said Saturday that Maduro's page would remain visible but closed to new posts, saying, "Due to repeated violations of our rules, we are also freezing the page for 30 days, during which it will be read-only." The spokesperson said Facebook had removed a video from Maduro's page "for violating our policies against misinformation about Covid-19 that is likely to put people at risk for harm." It said the administrators of Maduro's account had previously been warned.

In the video, the socialist leader had promoted the use of the drug Carvativir -- saying a few drops under the tongue would provide a "miracle" cure with no side effects -- in the latest of a series of remedies he has advocated without medical evidence.

But as the Facebook statement said, citing World Health Organization guidance, "there is currently no medication to cure the virus." Maduro had previously lashed out at Facebook and other social media platforms for censuring videos about Carvativir.

- Facebook pledges action - "They say that until the WHO says yes, I cannot talk about Carvativir," he said on television in February.

"Who is in charge in Venezuela? The owner of Facebook? Who is in charge of the world? The owner of Facebook?" Facebook says that since the pandemic began, its automated systems have removed more than 12 million posts considered misleading about Covid-19 or the vaccines against it.

The platform, accused in the past of allowing dangerous misinformation about Covid-19 to spread, said in February it was cracking down.

Facebook said it was specifically banning dozens of false claims, such as the assertion that it is safer to get the disease than the vaccine.

The policy covers both Facebook posts and those on Instagram, which Facebook owns.

Venezuela, with a population of around 30 million, has registered nearly 155,000 coronavirus cases and more than 1,500 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University Covid tracker, though Maduro's political opponents say the government-provided numbers are seriously understated.

Venezuela began a vaccination program in February, starting with health workers, using Russia's Sputnik V vaccine and the Sinopharm vaccine from China. It has said it will soon receive 60,000 doses of a Cuban vaccine.

But Caracas has not authorized the AstraZeneca vaccine, amid questions about possible side effects.

Authorities have become concerned recently about a rise in infections and the appearance of the highly contagious Brazilian strain of the virus.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a media conference after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels on March 24, 2021. (Virginia Mayo/Pool/AP Photo)

US Condemns Beijings Retaliatory Sanctions Over Uyghur Human Rights Dispute

BEIJING/OTTAWAThe United States on March 27 condemned Beijings sanctions against two U.S. religious-rights officials and a Canadian lawmaker amid a dispute over Beijings treatment of Muslim Uyghurs and other minorities.

Chinas moves only contribute to the growing international scrutiny of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. We stand in solidarity with Canada, the UK, the EU, and other partners and allies around the world in calling on the (China) to end the human rights violations and abuses, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement.

He condemned the sanctions.

We condemn the Peoples Republic of Chinas sanctions on two members of the independent and bipartisan @USCIRF. Beijings attempt to silence criticism of serious human rights abuse in Xinjiang only contributes to growing international scrutiny.  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 28, 2021

Amid growing international condemnation, the PRC continues to commit genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, the U.S. State Department said last week,

Beijings sanctions followed those imposed by the United States, European Union, Britain, and Canada earlier this week for what they say are violations of the rights of Uyghurs and other ethnic or religious minorities in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang.

Activists and U.N. rights experts say at least a million Uyghurs have been detained in camps in Xinjiang. Witnesses and their friends and families say the Chinese communist regime subjects Uyghurs and other dissidents to torture, forced labor, and sterilizations.

Beijing has repeatedly denied all accusations of abuse and says its camps offer vocational training and are needed to fight extremism.

Blinkens statement came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denounced Beijing and vowed to defend human rights.

China sanctioned Canadian opposition lawmaker Michael Chong, vice chair of parliaments Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development and its Subcommittee on International Human Rights, which this month presented a report concluding that atrocities in Xinjiang constitute crimes against humanity and genocide.

Beijing also said it will take measures against the chair and vice chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Gayle Manchin and Tony Perkins. Manchin is the wife of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Perkins is also president of the conservative Christian advocacy group Family Research Council.

The individuals under Beijings sanctions are banned from traveling to China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and Chinese citizens and institutions are prohibited from doing business with them or having any exchanges with the subcommittee.

The Chinese government is firmly determined to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and urges the relevant parties to clearly understand the situation and redress their mistakes, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

They must stop political manipulation on Xinjiang-related issues, stop interfering in Chinas internal affairs in any form and refrain from going farther down the wrong path. Otherwise they will get their fingers burnt.

USCIRFs Manchin, in an email to The Epoch Times, said shes flattered to be recognized by Communist China for calling out genocidal crimes against religious and ethnic minorities in the country.

She added, While I dont have plans to travel to China this summer, I wont stop speaking out when egregious violations of religious freedom are taking place as they are in China.

Beijings previous sanctions on U.S. individuals who it says have seriously undermined Chinas sovereignty and interests on Xinjiang-related issues remain in effect.

Chong, who is a member of the opposition Conservative Party in Canada, said he would wear (the sanctions) as a badge of honor.

This demonstrates that parliamentarians are being effective in drawing attention to the genocide of the Uyghur people that is taking place in western China, Chong said in a telephone interview.

Chong urged the Trudeau government to officially recognize the Uyghur genocide; he added that the sanctions would have no practical effect because he had no plans to travel to China.

The Epoch Times contributed to this report.
British ministers have rejected a request from mining magnate for a 170 million pound ($234.36 million) emergency loan to prevent his group, GFG Alliance, from collapsing, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

GFG, a holding company for Gupta's assets, was the biggest recipient of financing from Greensill, a British financing company, which filed for insolvency earlier in March.

The British government wrote back to Gupta formally rejecting the request last week due to multiple concerns, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the situation.

A GFG spokesman declined to comment.

A government spokesman did not comment specifically on the rejection of GFG's loan request mentioned in the FT report, but said the government was "closely monitoring" developments related to Gupta's Liberty Steel.

Gupta said earlier this month that the conglomerate had been in talks with administrators of its former financial backer Greensill on a so-called standstill agreement.

(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.)
Latest SUNRISE magazine for senior citizens out View(s):

The March-April 2021 issue of SUNRISE magazine for senior citizens is now available at VijithaYapa and Sarasaviya bookshops and also through the Sunrise office.

Among other highlights, this issue contains a no-holds barred interview with evergreen musician cum entertainer Sunil Perera who goes down memory lane to talk about his life, devotion to music and activism and what needs to be done to bring all communities together.

The ideal companion for senior citizens and their families, the magazine also includes a host of other interesting information plus columns by a retiree, music for relaxation during troubled COVID-19 times and on Parkinsons disease, plus jokes and games. Published by the not-for-profit Sunrise Senior Foundation (SSF), it is comes out once, every two months.

To subscribe or buy the magazine priced at Rs.200, interested readers can contact the SSF Administrator on 0766 694 399 or email: sunrisesenior.foundation@gmail.com
: linjin (), : PhotoProcessing

 : Pseudoscience of "China Made Virus" Cannot Withstand Expert Demonstration

: BBS  (Sun Mar 28 03:13:53 2021, )



"A'world's top new coronavirus expert' revealed that the new crown pneumonia

virus may originate from a research laboratory in China", Luther, the host

of the "Lutheran" channel of "You Tube", quoted as saying. With the closure

of Wuhan City due to the epidemic, the news attracted the attention of the

world, various lies began to breed, and "conspirators" waited for

opportunities to act.

On August 15, 2020, in an interview with the British Daily Mail, Limeng Yan

revealed that he had sent news about COVID-19 to Luther in January, and

disclosed anonymously on the Internet that COVID-19 actually came from the

Peoples Liberation Army laboratory. Limeng Yan flew to the United States

on April 28 after receiving Luther's notice. Therefore, Luther's "world's

top new coronavirus expert" is Limeng Yan, a former postdoctoral researcher

in Virology and Immunology at the Infectious Disease Research Center of the

School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong.

Luther was originally named Wang Dinggang. He came to the United States a

few years ago and settled in the United States. He created the "Luther

Society" channel on YouTube. The content is full of conspiracy theories. The

main sponsor is Wengui Guo. Wengui Guo and Bannon have a special

relationship. The two have established a rule of law fund, and Bannon serves

as the chairman of the rule of law fund. Wengui Guo was listed as a red

wanted criminal by China for fraud and other crimes.

After Limeng Yan arrived in the United States, he frequently introduced

media visits and fabricated false news. In September, October, and November,

he continuously published non-peer-reviewed reports on the novel

coronavirus on the academic resource library website zenodo, in an attempt

to get through and use " Professionals continue to concoct fake news. For

this kind of academic deception, science has put forward professional

insights.

Kristian Andersen of the Scripps Research Center in the United States and

Carl Bergstrom, a professor at the University of Washington in the United

States, believe that: "Limeng Yans paper is non-scientific, ignoring a

large number of existing research results on the spread of viruses in

animals and humans. Its spreading conspiracy theories."

"It's encroaching on pseudoscience, really. This paper just cherry-picked a

couple of examples, excluded evidence, and came up with a ridiculous

scenario." said David Robertson, a viral geneticist at the University of

Glasgow, UK.

Kishana Taylor, a virologist at Carnegie Mellon University, believes that

the first report on the genetic data of the virus is "full of contradictory

statements and unreasonable explanations."

"With such a great effort, what is the intention to write such a ridiculous

thing? I think there is no scientific argument in this paper, but it is made

for politics." Nakagawa, a biogenomics researcher at the Tokai University

School of Medicine in Japan, made This is the summary.

Kevin Bird, a genetics expert at Michigan State University and Karl

Bergstrom, a professor of biology at the University of Washington, found

that the research institutions that the paper is linked to are the "Rule of

Law Association" and the "Rule of Law Foundation." The two institutions were

created by Bannon, who also served as the chairman of the "Rules of Law

Association".

In view of the strong certification of the scientists, "Facebook" labeled

the interview of the Fox News political theory show "The Carlson Tonight

Show" as a verification tag. Limeng Yans view "This virus was made in a

lab & I can prove it." has only one result, "that multiple independent fact

checkers say is false."

It is worth noting that Bannon and Wengui Guo are behind the pseudo-

scientific papers, both of whom are radicals suspected of multiple crimes,

and their actions need to be carefully identified.

--

 :WWW  mitbbs.com [FROM: 47.]





 []


Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Editors note: This story has been updated to direct persons interested in the program to visit the state Health Department registration site to update that you are homebound.

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Yolanda Trent has been afraid to leave her house for more than a year. The 69-year-old, who has mobility issues and a restrictive lung disease, said she even put signs on her front door: Sorry, were not having visitors, please dont come over.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

So when Trent received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine from the comfort of her living room couch Wednesday morning, she was moved to tears.

Its just a burden lifted off my shoulders, something I dont have to worry about now.  Its been hard just to go out, Ive been paranoid, like, I need to get my vaccine,  she told the Journal.

Members of Rio Rancho, Corrales and Sandoval County fire departments fanned out on Wednesday to deliver vaccine doses to Trent and others unable to leave their homes due to health or mobility problems.

Barbara Butcher, supervisor at Sandoval County Health Commons, said, to her knowledge, the county is among the first in the Southwest to do home vaccinations. The efforts have resulted in roughly 100 people getting vaccinated in the past two weeks.

Im just really proud of the work weve done, considering how the whole vaccine rollout went in the beginning and availability.  Were working as hard as we can, she said.

Butcher said the county is registering Sandoval County residents for home vaccination through its Elderly and Frail Senior Program, as well as through the New Mexico Department of Health.

She said that to be eligible, Sandoval County residents with mobility problems must register for the vaccine and on their registration make it clear they are homebound.

Among those the crew visited Wednesday morning was a man who uses a wheelchair and lives in a double-wide on the sprawling mesa on the outskirts of town, a woman in an upscale housing community on the bluffs above Rio Rancho and another woman at a large assisted living facility near Corrales.

Some were nervous and asked many questions. Others just rolled up their sleeves and looked away. Once a shot is given, paramedics have to wait 15 minutes to make sure there is no adverse reaction.

Shianne Mitchell, with Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue, said that there are plenty of residents in Sandoval County who need the program and that everyone is super-thankful.

Unfortunately, we have a big population of people who get missed, she said, whether its because they dont drive, have health issues, mobility issues or fall between the cracks of home health care and assisted living.

One of Mitchells first stops is the home of Carol Piatek, who said almost immediately, You cannot imagine how much I appreciate this.

Mitchell drew the vaccine into the needle in the kitchen as Piatek talked about the past year, which she described as the scariest thing that Ive ever lived through.

I dont know what life wouldve been like if they had not invented the vaccine. I cant imagine, she said, adding that she and her husband have been afraid to do everything.

Weve just been staying in the house except to go out and get food because Im just so afraid of getting sick, she said. I wont be so terrified now when I go to the grocery store.

At one point, her husband  who was vaccinated at a clinic  walked into the kitchen and jokingly said, Geez, what service! How come I couldnt get mine like that?

Paramedic Shannon Farrell, who has been with Sandoval County Fire and Rescue since 2003, said the home vaccination program is amazing.

These people cant get out, or its really problematic for them to try to get out, she said, adding that everyone they visit is thrilled.

First of all, they cant believe that people would actually come to their home. Its so convenient for them, Farrell said. She hopes the program can expand to those who live in far-flung places in Sandoval County, such as Torreon.

Around noon, Farrell and Sandoval County paramedic Greg Bobick pulled up to Trents house, where she lives with her granddaughter and two great-grandkids in a cul-de-sac in the middle of Rio Rancho.

Trent told them she has trouble getting around or standing for long periods and thought she might have to wait until everybody got the vaccine so she could walk straight in.

In the meantime, its been a constant weight on her mind.

Its been hard to be home all the time, and I was just so afraid of getting it and bringing it home. Everybody else is here, she said, looking toward her great-grandson, Damien.

The mood was cheery as family members watched Farrell explain the vaccine process to Trent while Bobick helped Damien fix a malfunctioning Nerf gun.

Trent, whose mask bore the face of her pit bull mix, Donna, said she was in disbelief when she got the call about the home visit Tuesday.

It was, like, Oh, thats amazing. Its wonderful. Thats like a dream come true for someone like me whos paranoid just to go to the doctors office  Well, you have to come in  No, theres a pandemic. Have you heard about it?,  she said, laughing along with Farrell and Bobick.

Butcher said the days are long for everyone involved, but the result is worth it.

Were so excited that its working and so thrilled, she said. The partnership has been so inspiring. Just when you get really tired, you look at all these people that are putting their whole heart and soul into it, and its really inspiring.

For those Sandoval County residents who are homebound with mobility or health issues:

To inquire about getting a home vaccination through the countys Frail and Elderly Program, visit your New Mexico Department of Health COVID-19 vaccine registration site  cvvaccine.nmhealth.org to clarify that you are homebound.
NSW will push ahead with plans to lift restrictions on dancing, visitor caps and mandatory face masks for public transport as Queensland health authorities announce they have found the source of a COVID-19 cluster in Brisbane.

NSW Health says it is closely monitoring the situation in Queensland, as the northern state recorded a third case linked to the new cluster, but are not planning to implement a lockdown.

Sydneysiders will have more freedom than they have experienced for more than a year from 12.01am on Monday. Credit:Cole Bennetts

On Sunday QLDs Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young said the brother of a 26-year-old man who tested positive for the virus on Thursday also had the virus. A 20-year-old man and a close contact of the older man was also found to have the same UK variant of the virus on Saturday.

The brother is believed to be the missing link between the new cases and the cluster at Brisbanes Princess Alexander Hospital a fortnight ago.
Aujla calls on Union Education Minister for immediate release of grant

Amritsar, Mar 28 (UNI)) Gurjit Singh Aujla MP from Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday called on Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal and demanded immediate release of pending grant of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Study Center at Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar.

Demanded that ongoing projects and research be continued.

Disclosing this here, Mr. Gurjit Singh Aujla said that this center was started on 1st April 2011. For the first time, Guru Nanak Dev University received a recurring grant of Rs. 5,92,58,618 for this purpose. Apart from giving Rs. 12 crore (non-recurring) grant, Rs. 11.50 crore was released for building and Rs. 50 lakh for procurement of infrastructure and other equipment. 91,53,516 was released on 12 December 2016 during the annual budget of 2019-20 on the basis of positive report after the visit of the central team to Guru Nanak Dev University. No grant has been released by the Center for this center to Guru Nanak Dev University during 2020-21.
(Natural News) Have you ever remembered something from the past that never actually happened? If so, this phenomenon is known as a false memory, and scientists in Germany claim to have figured out a way to induce and implant false memories into peoples brains.

Researchers from multiple universities conducted a series of experiments on test patients in which false memories were artificially incepted in their minds. Using psychological techniques and tricks that rely heavily on the power of suggestion through repetition, the team successfully implanted false memories into the subjects.

What the researchers did was create fictional stories about the participants childhoods that contained some truths mixed with lies. They then repeated these skewed stories over and over again until the participants started to believe them as being true.

At first, the participants were told to just play along since they knew which portions of the stories were lies. After a while, however, the fictional elements became progressively murkier to the point that parsing truth from fiction was no longer possible for the participants.

Once this process was complete, the researchers then reversed course and used similar techniques to undo all of the false memories they had implanted. This turned out to be almost as easy a process as injecting the false memories in the first place.

They merely asked the volunteers to identify the source of the memory while highlighting the fact that false memories can be created through a process of repeated, elicited recall that itself can become a form of conditioning, reports RT.

Does law enforcement psychologically abuse suspects by implanting false memories during questioning?

Over the course of multiple sessions, volunteers were gradually awakened to the presence of the false memories, allowing them to shed them off as fiction. Their parents, who had participated with the researchers in establishing the false memories, also contributing by explaining to their children what had happened.

After a while, most of the participants returned back to normal. A follow-up a year later found that 74 percent, or nearly one in three, participants had not only completely rejected all of the false memories but also forgotten that they were ever even implanted.

If you can bring people to this point where they are aware of that, you can empower them to stay closer to their own memories and recollections, and rule out the suggestion from other sources, says psychologist Aileen Oeberst from the University of Hagen.

The scary part of all this is that it has far-reaching implications particularly in the realm of law enforcement and criminal justice. If researchers were able to successfully implant false memories using such tactics, chances are that prosecutors, police officers and other elements of law enforcement are doing the same.

Faulty memory may not matter in everyday life  if I tell you I had chicken last night instead of pizza, it may not matter, says false memory expert Elizabeth Loftus.

But very precise memory does matter when were talking about these legal cases. It matters whether the bad guy had curly hair or straight hair, or whether the car went through a red light or a green light.

Commenting on the story, many RT readers speculated as to the full extent of this form of psychological manipulation. The general sentiment is that nearly everything in modern society contains some degree of mind control, which is used to socially engineer society.

USA has something more effective that works as both torture to some, and mind control to others. They call it CNN, joked one RT commenter.

This is what Western media is doing, wrote another. As soon as media starts writing some propaganda, i.e. made-up stories about any country, people go into hysterics.

More of the latest news can be found at Propaganda.news.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

NaturalNews.com
A teenage boy has been arrested in connection with a shooting that killed an eighth grade girl in Virginia, after a day-long manhunt.

Loved ones identified the victim as Lucia Whalen Bremer, an eighth-grade student at the Quioccasin Middle School in Richmond.

She was shot multiple times on Friday afternoon at the Gayton Forest West subdivision and died at an area hospital soon after.

Police said the suspected shooter fled the scene immediately after opening fire and was arrested on Saturday afternoon about a half-mile away.

His name has not been released due to his age but he is said to be facing charges including second-degree homicide, possession of a firearm by juvenile, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to the Henrico Citizen.

Lucia Whalen Bremer (pictured) was shot multiple times and killed in Richmond, Virginia, on Friday afternoon. A teen boy was arrested and charged with her murder on Saturday

Bremer was shot multiple times at the Gayton Forest West subdivision. The Henrico Citizen said the shooting occurred on the path shown above

Bremer's family, who run a local produce business called Liberty Tree Farm, announced her death in a Facebook statement on Saturday.

'Liberty Tree Farm is saddened to report that our beloved daughter and joyful farmer, Lucia Whalen Bremer, was killed in a senseless act of gun violence on March 26,' the post read.

'Thank you for keeping our family in your thoughts as we navigate the next few weeks.'

Henrico County Public Schools posted a photo of the slain student and said the community was 'heartbroken and devastated'.

Quioccasin Middle School Principal Melanie Phipps released a heartfelt statement remembering Bremer.

'Lucia was funny. She loved to tell jokes and made people laugh. She was an amazing public speaker, and you would just listen in awe as she spoke. Lucia was wise beyond her years. Talking to her didn't feel like talking to a middle schooler,' Phipps wrote.

'Lucia was exceptional; truly one-of-a-kind. She was brave, hardworking, and kind to everyone. Her smile would light up the entire room.

'In fact, her mother told me that Lucia's name means "light", which is just the perfect way to describe her. She radiated happiness, and she loved our school.'

Bremer's family, who run a local produce business called Liberty Tree Farm, announced her death in a Facebook statement on Saturday (pictured)

Phipps said the school was preparing to hold a vigil for Bremer on Sunday. Attendees were urged to wear gray and white, which the principal said were two of Bremer's favorite colors.

'Our school will have an additional police presence on Monday, which we appreciate to ensure that everyone feels safe on what we know will be a most difficult day,' Phipps wrote.

Friday's shooting shocked the Richmond community and forced a nearby high school into lockdown.

The motive for the shooting remains unclear and anyone with information is urged to contact the Henrico County Police at 804-501-5794.

Police previously described the suspect as a younger black male who is 5'8" and 125lbs.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
By Mark Peterson





There are still people who refer to Korean history in terms of "feudalism." The evidence is quite to the contrary  there was no real feudalistic stage in Korean history. The problem is two-fold: (1) that there was no feudalism, and (2) that there was no "stage" of history to be labeled as feudalism. If there was no feudalism in Korea, why then do we find people repeatedly referring to feudalism and a feudalistic stage in Korea?



First, let me backtrack just a little by saying there was a time in the late Silla and early Goryeo period where the socio-political structure had some decentralized elements that people like to call feudalism, but I have problems with that. I'll explain.



With the beginning of the modern era, with the end of the Joseon period and the onset of the 20th century, Korea saw itself in a new world  a world beset at the time with imperialism. Japan could see that it had better become an imperial power, one of maybe four or five imperial powers in the world, or it might become colonized like China which was already being carved up by European powers.



Intellectually, the force behind imperialism, on the one hand, and colonization, on the other, was the idea of social evolution, and with it a perception that there were superior and inferior societies  some more evolved than others. Europeans saw themselves on the top of an evolutionary scale, built on racist ideas, that put non-Europeans lower on the scale. The proof was obvious, to them  they had superior machines and war capabilities so that they could conquer nations that were lower on the evolutionary scale.



One of those who wrote this down was none other than our old friend Karl Marx. Marxian views of history came to dominate. And in true 19th-century European fashion, the evolutionary scale was spelled out. Marxian history has its stages. 1. Primal communal living, 2. Slave societies and private ownership of land, 3. Feudalism, 4. Capitalism and then 5. Communism.



There are lots of problems with Marxian ideas, not the least of which is the culmination in communism. But along the way there are problems, among which is the idea of feudalism.



Marx was ethnocentric. He held his society in Europe as the pinnacle of the evolutionary hierarchy and he assumed European society was the standard, and since there was feudalism in Europe, feudalism was incorporated into his stages of history.



Meanwhile in Asia, the Japanese opened themselves, with the aid of Commodore Perry, to the Western world, and saw that there was an intellectual approach to the development of societies, and "bingo" there's feudalism. Now, Japan had a true feudalistic society that developed around the 12th century, and this concept allowed them to fit into the European model of social, political and economic development. Japan could put itself on equal footing with the imperialistic powers of Europe.



So, this newfound imperial power looked to conquer lesser states, and who do they see? None other than Korea, next door  and later China, next door to Korea. And according to the handbook on social and political development dominating European thinking at the time, Japan was higher on the hierarchy than lowly Korea that had not yet developed even a very good feudal system yet. And Japan had an intellectual basis for imperialism as well as a military one.



Of course, the Marxian approach to history was bogus. Ethnocentric from the beginning, it only reinforced the military might on the ground, for European powers and for Japan. In reality Korea had a more advanced form of political development  the centralized state. After the semi-centralized Silla period and a minimally decentralized stage in early Goryeo, Korea developed a strong central state authority that lasted close to 1,000 years. On an evolutionary scale that prefers centralized states as "more advanced," and one that had sped past the developmental stage of decentralized feudalism already years ago, Korea could easily claim to be more advanced than Japan. Whose evolutionary scale do you prefer?



But Korea had to suffer through the subjugation of not only its state, but its intellectual underpinning because Japan was claiming superiority by military might, industrial might and intellectual might. Why, Japan was more like Europe, after all, and look at how high they are on the evolutionary scale!



Long after the end of the Japanese occupation, when I was a young grad student in Korea, students asked me where I saw Korea on the evolutionary stages of history. They assumed at that point that the stages outlined by Marx were correct, and they were dismayed to have found themselves below Japan on that scale  and it was assumed to be correct because of the relative military might of Japan and the economic weakness of Korea.



Things have changed. And Korea is close to equal on a scale with Japan now. But we still have people who talk about the "feudalistic past" and "feudalistic history." It's not only mistaken, but it is a sellout to Japan, and it ought to be thrown onto the dustbin of history with the rest of Marxian ideas.





Mark Peterson (markpeterson@byu.edu) is professor emeritus of Korean, Asian and Near Eastern languages at Brigham Young University in Utah.


ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 28th Mar, 2021) Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chairman of the Federation of the UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, has received Moez Benmim, Ambassador of Tunisia to the UAE, to discuss with him means of bolstering joint trade cooperation to serve the business environment of both countries.

During the meeting held at the Chambers tower in Abu Dhabi, both sides also discussed the strong relations between the two countries and the need to coordinate their joint work in order to share their experiences, especially in the economic sector.

Ambassador Benmim commended the accomplishments of the UAE in all sectors, especially the economic ones, noting his country's interest in boosting cooperation ties with the UAE.

Concluding the meeting, Al Rumaithi stressed the readiness of the Federation of the UAE Chambers to further develop trade and investment cooperation between businesses in both countries.

The meeting was attended by Mohamed Helal Al Mheiri, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, Hamid Mohammed Bin Salem, Secretary-General of Federation of Chambers, and Abdullah Ghurair Al Qubaisi, Deputy Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber.
Ukraines president has dismissed two judges from the countrys Constitutional Court, saying in a decree issued Saturday that certain jurists "pose a threat to the state independence and national security of Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy removed Constitutional Court Chairman Oleksandr Tupytskyi and another judge in the decree. Tupytskyi was appointed to the court in 2013 by former President Viktor Yanukovych, who was driven from office the following year by massive protests sparked in part by anger over widespread corruption.

The Constitutional Court last year froze anti-corruption reform in the country, canceling key provisions of anti-corruption legislation that Ukraine approved after persistent demands from the West.

The Constitutional Court declared unconstitutional public access to electronic income declarations of officials, and also outlawed criminal punishment for providing false income information.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
FILE- In this March 19, 2021, file photo, a patient from the Paris region and affected by the COVID-19 virus is taken out a plane at the Biarritzs airport, southwestern France. Frances president say he has nothing to be sorry about for refusing to impose a third virus lockdown earlier this year, even though his country is now facing surging infections that are straining hospitals and more than 1,000 people with the virus are dying every week. (AP Photo/Bob Edme, File)

Critical care doctors in Paris say surging coronavirus infections could soon overwhelm their ability to care for the sick in the French capitals hospitals, possibly forcing them to choose which patients they treat.

The sobering warning was delivered on Sunday in a newspaper opinion signed by 41 Paris-region doctors. Published by Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper, it comes as President Emmanuel Macron has been vigorously defending his decision not to completely lock down France again as he did last year.

Since January, his government has instead imposed a nationwide overnight curfew and followed that with a mixture of other restrictions.

But with infections soaring and hospitals increasingly running short of intensive care beds, doctors have been stepping up the pressure for a full lockdown.

The doctors who wrote in Le Journal du Dimanche said they had never known such a situation, even during the worst (terror) attacks that targeted the French capital, notably assaults by so-called Islamic State extremists in 2015 that killed 130 people and filled Paris emergency wards with the wounded.

The doctors predicted that softer new restrictions imposed this month on Paris and some other regions will not bring the resurgent epidemic under control quickly.

They warned that hospital resources will not be able to keep pace with needs, forcing them to practise catastrophe medicine in the coming weeks as cases peak.

We already know that our capacity to offer care will be overwhelmed, they wrote. We will be obliged to triage patients in order to save as many lives as possible. This triage will concern all patients, with and without Covid, in particular for adult patients access to critical care.

Mr Macron remains adamant that not locking France down again this year, like some other European countries, was sound, even as more than 2,000 deaths per week push the country closer to the milestone of 100,000 lost to the pandemic. The country now counts more than 94,400 dead.

We were right not to implement a lockdown in France at the end of January because we didnt have the explosion of cases that every model predicted, he said last week.

There wont be a mea culpa from me. I dont have remorse and wont acknowledge failure.
Kathmandu: The Indian Army on Sunday (March 28) gifted one lakh doses of made in India anti-COVID-19 vaccines to the Nepal Army.

The vaccines brought on Air India aircraft were handed over by the Indian Army officials to their counterparts from the Nepal Army at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

"Indian Army has gifted one lakh doses of made in India COVID-19 vaccines to Nepal Army and it will be helpful for the force," according to a source from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, news agency PTI reported.

Earlier India, which has provided made in India vaccines to several countries, has provided 1 million doses to Nepal in January.

Previously, India has also provided medicines and testing kits to Nepal.

Nepal has so far reported 276,839 cases of coronavirus and 3,027 deaths related to it.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
(CNN)-- Those afraid of heights have a new excuse to steer clear of amusement park rides.

Last week, two Florida teens were suspended for a few hours on a slingshot ride around three stories high after a cable snapped, rescue officials told CNN affiliate WKMG-TV.

The passengers were rescued without injuries from the ride at Old Town theme park by the Osceola County Fire Rescue and Kissimmee Fire Department. The cable that snapped was non-load-bearing, rescue crews said.

The cause of the malfunction is still being investigated.

John Stine, director of marketing and sales for Old Town Slingshot, told WKMG there's "no timetable" for the investigation.

"We'll do it when everything is done the way it needs to be done," Stine said.

Frequent inspections

The slingshot ride was last inspected on March 19 without issue, the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services told WKMG.

Stine said the company performs daily inspections, with state inspections happening twice a year.

"The ride is designed with redundancy, so if something like this does happen, it's very unusual to begin with, but if it does, then we have a backup system and everything went fine," Stine said. "The only unfortunate situation is they were suspended on the ride for a few hours."

Investigators said rescue crews had to retrieve the passengers from the 30- to 40-foot height they were stranded at, since the ride cannot lower a pod below 30 feet when the cable is not functioning, as a safety precaution.

Slingshot attractions across Florida in Daytona Beach, Orlando and Panama City Beach have been closed as a result of the Kissimmee malfunction, WKMG-TV reported.

Officials said the rides will not reopen until the state performs an inspection and consults with the manufacturer.
Actor Martin Compston has noted that the popularity of his hit show Line Of Duty is somewhat bittersweet thanks to the attention it garners.

The 36-year-old has appeared on the entire run of the show - now in its sixth season - and told Dermot O'Leary on his BBC Radio 2 show this weekend about how the series has become a 'mammoth machine'.

'We had a Zoom catch-up last night  Me, [co-stars] Vick [McClure], Adrian [Dunbar] and [writer] Jed [Mercurio]  we chat once a week while [the show's] on because we each know what the other one is going through and we can have a proper moan,' he said.

All eyes on him: Actor Martin Compston has noted that the popularity of his hit show Line Of Duty is somewhat bittersweet thanks to the attention it garners

'The support we have is amazing, but you know, the show's just become this mammoth machine. That amount of attention isn't something that kind of sits naturally with me.

'I'm really appreciative of it, but we're at that point now where everything we've said in the past just gets scrutinised, so it's good to just get the first [episode] out and it becomes more about the show because that's what people have got to talk about rather than us. And that's the main thing.'

Adrian Dunbar, who plays AC-12 boss Ted Hastings, revealed this week that he wants to do more stunts on Line Of Duty.

The actor, 62, even joked that it's normally his co-stars Martin, and Vicky McClure, 37, who get to do the 'exciting stuff' on the show.

Attention: The 36-year-old has appeared on the entire run of the show - now in its sixth season - and told Dermot O'Leary on his BBC Radio 2 show this weekend about how the series has become a 'mammoth machine'

Action: Adrian Dunbar, who plays AC-12 boss Ted Hastings, has revealed that he wants to do more stunts on Line Of Duty (pictured in 2019)

The Irish actor told the Daily Star: 'I do like things that are a bit reckless, so long as the people around me are professionals. Stuntmen will see you through anything.

'It is all about timing. The safety comes into the timing. So I love doing stunts like that. But sadly mostly Martin and Vicky that get to do the exciting stuff these days'.

It comes after Adrian's co-star Vicky admitted that despite considering her co-stars as 'family', they sometimes have dramatic bust-ups as she remarked: 'Of course we've p****d each other off'.

Hilarious: The actor, 62, even joked that it's normally his co-stars Martin Compston, 36, and Vicky McClure, 37, who get to do the 'exciting stuff' on the show (pictured in show still)

Speaking about the dynamic behind-the-scenes, the actress explained that at times things can get quite heated between the trio on the set, but their fall-outs are 'never something so bad it's not repairable.'

On screen, Vicky's character Kate, DS Steve Arnott (Compston) and Supt Ted Hastings make quite the formidable team, having spent years catching 'bent coppers' as part of police anti-corruption unit AC-12.

And despite being great pals in real life, Vicky revealed that there can sometimes be tension between the three, though she brushes it off as 'no big drama'.

Getting involved: 'It is all about timing. The safety comes into the timing. So I love doing stunts like that. But sadly mostly Martin and Vicky that get to do the exciting stuff these days'

Speaking to The Mirror, she said: 'You can have a laugh and if anything it's Adie who gets the brunt of it having to put up with me and Martin acting like a pair of school kids around him. There's a perfect dynamic.

'The reality of it is of course we have, of course we have p***** each other off. It would be wrong of me to say 'that has never happened' as that would be a lie.'

It comes after Line Of Duty's series six premiere became Britain's third most watched show of the year on Sunday, with nearly 10million viewers tuning in for the return of AC-12.

The new series saw the formerly tight-knit Anti-Corruption unit in a state of disarray, as a new murder investigation with DCI Joanne Davidson (Kelly MacDonald) at the epicentre, took hold of the force.

Fans were instantly hooked with the BBC One show averaging 9.57million viewers, a 44.5 per cent share of the ratings.

At its peak between 9pm and 9.15pm, the show was watched by an even more mammoth 9.69million viewers.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:

A security guard of a hospital in Da Nang has been fired for demanding money to let a patient caregiver enter the institution to care for his child.

The guard in question is P.M.C., who was axed by the company providing security services for the Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children, Vo Thi Thanh Trang, spokesperson of the infirmary, said on Sunday.

Pham Thanh, from Hoa Vang District, Da Nang, had written a post on Facebook accusing C. of soliciting money from him to allow the man entry to take care of his child.

The hospital only permits caregivers to enter at specific times, as per COVID-19 prevention regulations, but Thanh could not be on time because of his work.

On the evening of March 22, his child ran a high fever and was cared for by his wife at the hospital.

She was too tired then so she called Thanh for help.

Thanh came to the hospital and C. asked him to pay VND300,000 (US$13) before he could be granted entry.

The man was so angry that he recounted the solicitation on social media later.

Following the Facebook post, the hospital convened a meeting with the security company and C., Trang said.

The company already apologized to Thanh and dismissed the security guard, she added.

Pursuant to COVID-19 prevention protocols, we only allow entry to caregivers at designated times but the family of patients who are in an emergency can be an exception, the spokesperson explained.

The hospital has made it clear to the company that it will end the service contract with the firm in case of any recurrence of such an incident.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The United States said Saturday that it is concerned about increasingly anti-democratic behaviour and the politicization of the legal system in Bolivia following the arrests of officials from the countrys former interim government.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that there are questions about the legality of the arrests and urged Bolivia to release the detainees pending an independent and transparent inquiry into human rights and due process concerns.

Blinken said the arrests threaten to undermine democracy in Bolivia, which held national elections in October. He noted that the European Union, the Bolivian Conference of Catholic Bishops, as well as Bolivian and international human rights organizations, had also expressed concerns.

This month, a Bolivian judge ordered former interim president Jeanine Anez held for four months in preventative detention following her arrest on charges linked to the 2019 ouster of leader Evo Morales, which his supporters consider a coup.

Prosecutors accuse Anez, who assumed the presidency following Morales resignation and exile, of terrorism and sedition for the unrest that led to his ouster. She has called her detention an abuse, denying that a coup took place.

The judge also ordered four months of preventative arrest for two of her former ministers.

Morales Movement Toward Socialism won last years elections with 55% of the vote under Morales chosen candidate Luis Arce, who took the presidency in November. Anez had dropped out after plunging in the polls.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Rochester businesses are coming together to raise money and awareness for organ transplant patients.

KIMT News 3 spoke to one of the businesses playing a role - both personally and professionally - in this fundraiser.

Marcus Tolbert passed away in 2019 while awaiting a dual lung transplant.

In honor of his 10th birthday Saturday, his dad, Jack Lester, owner of Jack's Bottle Shop, started a fundraiser - giving back to transplant patients like Marcus.

The local craft beer shop created Marcus' Swag Bag, including items from local breweries, restaurants, and bakeries, with all proceeds going to the Gift of Life Transplant House.

Jennifer Lester, Co-owner of Bleu Duck Kitchen and Marcus' step-mom, says the effort is near and dear to her heart.

"We wanna do our very best at keeping Marcus' spirit alive - anything that we can do to give back - and a place like the Gift of Life transplant home, they work effortlessly - for us that's a win-win, she explains.

Lester says Marcus was a bright light to anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

The organizers of this fund hope to keep this going every year.

Im hoping that this will be something that we can keep this going every year, and start a legacy that's so true for Marcus, so we can remember him in a positive manner and remember how alive his spirit was, Lester adds.

Marcus Swag Bag can be purchased through Jack's Bottle Shops website now through April 10th.
Indonesia aims to become an electric car manufacturing center in the region in the next few years, which will be a competitive challenge for Vietnam's domestic automobile industry.

Toyota has announced additional investment capital of $1.95 billion in Indonesia. The capital, to be disbursed from now to 2024, will be used to make hybrid and electric cars. The manufacturer plans to market more than 10 electric car models in the next five years.

Analysts say that Toyota plans to turn Indonesia into its car export center, from which products would be exported not only to ASEAN but to other markets as well.

Meanwhile, Honda has committed additional investment in Indonesia to develop new car models, including electric ones. Hyundai from South Korea in late 2019 stated it would invest $1.55 billion to build a factory in the country which would put out 250,000 products a year, mostly SUV, MPV and electric cars.

Experts believe that electric cars are the future. Hybrid and PHEVs (Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) are being used in the transitional period while waiting for more sophisticated electric car technologies.

Forecasts say from 2025 there will be 5.5 million cars in circulation worldwide. And they will become more popular in the 2030-2040 period.

In addition to advantages in natural resources, population and FTA memberships, investors are interested because Indonesia is amending the tax law on cars, and planning to tax based on the volume of CO2 emissions. This will benefit the sales of hybrid, PHEV and electric cars.

An analyst said that with its policies, Indonesia will successfully attract electric car developers. He warned that once foreign investors flock to Indonesia to set up factories, other countries will have no more opportunities. If so, electric cars made in Indonesia may flood Southeast Asia in the time to come.

He said this will be a threat for Vietnam, which is still in the early stage of building an automobile industry.

Some of Vietnams large corporations want to develop electric cars, but if Vietnam doesnt have reasonable policies to encourage research and development, it will once again lag behind other manufacturers in the region.

On March 24, VinFast, a Vietnamese automobile manufacturer, stated it had officially begun taking orders for its first electric car model, VF e34, priced at VND690 million.

The manufacturer received 3,692 orders just after 12 hours, unprecedented in Vietnam, according to Lao Dong.

Tran Thuy

Vietnam automobile industry on recovery path despite Covid-19 Vietnams rising income per capita would soon move cars from a luxury product with a passenger vehicle density of 34 per 1,000 to a more ordinary one with a density level comparable to countries in the region.
interview

Susan Ojochide (from Nigeria), talks about her research that will contribute to tackling one of Africa's worst enemies - drought:

Tell us about yourself. Where were you born and where did you grow up?

I was born in Kwara State, western Nigeria and I grew up in Kano State, northern Nigeria.

What inspired you about science in general, and specifically your field of research?

I was fascinated by nature and the environment from an early age. As such, I always knew that I wanted tostudy science. The major turning point in my scientific path came during my undergraduate studies at Kogi State University in Anyigba town, central Nigeria. I noticed that the town's periphery was always cooler than the centre within which the university is situated. This scenario sparked my curiosity and desire to understandvariations in temperature in different spaces.

Therefore, as part of my BSc studies in Geography and Planning, I conducted an analysis of the university as an urban heat island. I proceeded to an MSc at the Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State to study spatio-temporal variation of temperature in Kano State.

What is the focus of your PhD research?

I commenced my PhD studies in 2020, supported by the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF). I am registered at Bayero University Kano, Nigeria, an RSIF host university.

My research employs earth observation datasets and climate models to investigate drought as the result of spatio-temporal variations. My area of focus is northern Nigeria, a semi-arid region that is part of the Sahel. While this region is a major producer of cereals and grains in Nigeria, it is prone to constant drought, with significant implications for food security.

I aim to develop a model integrating ground station meteorological data, earth observation data and climate models. I will undertake part of my studies through a two-year sandwich programme at the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Greenwich in the United Kingdom, to analyse climate models using high computational systems.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Nigeria Agribusiness 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.

How does your research contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals?

This research contributes particularly to SDG 2: Zero Hunger. Drought is one of the major causes of food insecurity in Nigeria.

My findings will boost existing knowledge of this phenomenon and also contribute to the development of early warning systems to predict possible drought episodes. The results will be useful to agro-meteorologists, farmers, decision-makers and many stakeholders in agricultural production. Beyond the study area, the knowledge could also be applicable to other semi-arid regions across the continent.

Who have been your key mentors?

First is Professor Salihu Danlami Musa, my supervisor during my undergraduate studies and an environmental enthusiast who brought a captivating way of learning through practical examples and analysis that are applicable in real life.

Second is Dr. Michael Thiel, who co-supervised my postgraduate studies, and whose research focus is on climate change, land use, land cover and the application of remote sensing for climate change studies in Africa. He has been very crucial in my growth, mentoring me in all research pursuits and encouraging me along the journey.
Here is The Oregonians weekly look at the numbers behind the states economy. View past installments here.

Portlands glittering office towers, fashionable neighborhoods and trendy restaurants helped make the city one of the nations most economically vibrant regions for most of the past decade.

Rural Oregon, meanwhile, was struggling with the states long transition away from natural resource industries and the declining appeal of small towns to young, upwardly mobile workers.

The coronavirus has turned the situation upside down. Rural Oregon and smaller cities shed fewer jobs early in the pandemic and are bouncing back much faster than the Portland area.

Statewide, employment fell more than 13% in the first month of the pandemic a year ago this month. The decline was roughly similar in all parts of the state.

By summer, though, employment gains in the Portland area were much slower than elsewhere. That pattern has continued, with jobs in Portland off nearly 10% while rural areas are down a little more than 5%.

There are many reasons why the Portland area is lagging.

Pandemic job losses have been steepest in the leisure and hospitality sector. So all those restaurants, hotels, theaters and arenas that help make Portland attractive in the years before the pandemic have been the source of many of the citys layoffs this past year.

And state economic forecasters note that stimulus checks, jobless benefits and emergency federal business loans went further in rural communities, where the cost of living is lower, than they did in urban centers.

Additionally, a higher share of the rural population works for the government  10 percentage points higher in eastern Oregon than the state average. State revenues have held up well during the pandemic and federal employment has been steady, insulating most government jobs from the pandemics direct impacts.

Portland, of course, faces an additional hurdle with downtown in crisis. Like other large cities, the citys core emptied out at the beginning of the pandemic. And last summers unruly protests and subsequent, sporadic vandalism have given the region a big black eye, state economist Mark McMullen told Oregon lawmakers last month.

That reputational damage probably isnt a big factor in the regions slower recovery, he said, not yet anyway. McMullen said the distinctive nature of pandemic job loss is a much more important reason at this point.

If Portlands recovery continues to lag as the pandemic wanes, though, he said the citys reputation could become an important consideration: The question would be, is that why were not getting the jobs back?

-- Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | twitter: @rogoway
Most students come from lower income families and taking exams online will be difficult, says Hyderabad DEO.  . Representational image/DC

HYDERABAD: Schools that started physical classes just last month have again been closed due to the resurgent Coronavirus infection. Parents are unhappy that they had to pay full fee for classes that have hardly been held.

Private teachers are sad that just when they hoped their livelihood is getting secure, getting salaries has once again come in doubt. Some schools that provide transport and food facilities are being charged with collecting the fee when their kids are continuing to remain at home. Deccan Chronicle spoke to parents, teachers and Hyderabad district educational officer (DEO) R. Rohini in this regard.

Salla Prasad, whose son is a student in Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur, said, The school has charged full fees as well as for transport and food, which have not been provided from the time of the lockdown. Prasad said the school management is harsh with them when questioned. Neither has government come to rescue of parents, he said.

G. Subbalaxmi, womens wing president of Telangana Private Teachers Forum, said, Private schools had removed most of the staff during the lockdown. Only a few teachers were working for half of their salary for taking online classes, though the managements were collecting full fee from students.

Subbalaxmi said their forum had made many representations to the education authorities but they were of no help. When schools restarted on February 1, we teachers had some hope of life getting back to normal. But closedown of schools has made us sad, she remarked.

Deccan Chronicle interacted with R. Rohini, DEO, Hyderabad, in this regard.

Why are private schools charging full fee and what action has the government taken against them?

GO 46 clearly says only the tuition fee is to be collected from students during this period. There are around 1,800 private schools in Hyderabad. About 10 to 15 of them are violating the norms. Parents associations have filed cases against those schools.

Parents are saying managements have been charging them for transportation and food even though the classes are online.

Not a single such complaint has been lodged with us so far. If parents do not come forward who can we do? They can even email their complaints to deo-hyderabad@yahoo.com

Most schools are not paying teachers their salaries. In many cases, partial salaries are being paid.

Apart for 15 to 20 private schools, others are low budget schools. Many students of those schools have not paid their fees. Because of that managements are in a tough situation. Still, we are trying to reach out to schools are helping teachers get their salaries.

There is a demand from parents about conducting this years exams online. What do you have to say about it?

Most students come from lower income families. They cannot afford gadgets. We are telecasting classes, which some are watching at their neighbours homes. Taking exams online will be difficult.
Bengaluru, March 28 : Amid claims and counter-claims, Congress' Karnataka unit chief D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday alleged that attempts were made to shut the sleaze CD case against former state minister Ramesh Jarkiholi.

"Attempts are being made by the ruling party (BJP) and its government to close the sleaze CD case against Ramesh, whom the victim had accused of sexually exploiting her when she approached him for a job," Shivakumar told reporters.

The state government on March 11 set up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the sensational case, which had forced Jarkiholi to resign on March 3 - a day after the sleaze CD was aired on local news channels.

Though the SIT, headed by Additional Director General of Police Soumendhu Mukherjee served notice five times on the elusive woman to depose before it in the case, her father and brother appeared before it on Saturday and blamed Shivakumar for the sex scandal.

But the Congress leader dismissed the allegations.

"I am not bothered over who says what about me or against me. Let the government do what it wants. But the state police should probe the case impartially," he said.

On the victim's parents accusing him of involving their daughter in the sleaze case, Shivakumar retorted that the woman had claimed that her parents were forced to make such statements and they were not aware of the facts.

"The woman made a statement through a video clip after her parents told the media that they had informed the SIT that I was behind the sleaze CD though I have nothing to do with it and did not meet her (victim)," he said.

In a related development, supporters of Jarkiholi, who was one of the Congress legislators who had defected and helped to bring down the JD-S-Congress coalition government in 2019, protested against Shivakumar and burnt his effigy at Belgaum after he flew there on Sunday evening to campaign for the party's candidate in the April 17 Lok Sabha by-election.

Hundreds of Jarkiholi supporters also attacked Shivakumar's convoy, smashed the windshield of the car in which he was travelling, waved black flags and shouted "DKS go back".

Incidentally, the Congress fielded its state unit's Working President Satish Jarkiholi, Jarkiholi's younger brother, as its candidate for the Belgaum parliamentary by-election.

The BJP nominated Mangala, widow of former Minister of State for Railways and four time MP Suresh Angadi, whose death on September 23, 2020 due to Covid caused the vacancy.
A juvenile is being charged with the shooting death of a Springfield man in Adams, Berkshire authorities said Sunday.

In a release, Andrew McKeever, spokesperson for Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington, said the unidentified juvenile was arrested by Massachusetts State Police in Springfield Friday night.

The suspect will be charged with first-degree murder after authorities discovered the body of 34-year-old Benjamin Martinez of Springfield in Adams Thursday. Police located Martinezs body in an apartment at 1 East Hoosac St. at about 9 a.m. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Martinez had been shot to death.

A multi-department police investigation identified the juvenile suspect as the alleged shooter, McKeever said.

Massachusetts State Police detectives attached to the Berkshire DAs office, Adams police, North Adams police and the Berkshire County Sheriffs Department all participated in the investigation.

The accused will face arraignment in North Berkshire County District Court Monday.
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.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/28/2021



ADVERTISEMENT

[ Spoiler Warning: This report features spoilers that reveal if Hazel and Tarik are still together or if the couple split and ended their relationship.]

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

So are Tarik and Hazel still a couple or did the couple call it quits?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

's eighth season showed Hazel Cagalitan happier than ever before her wedding with Tarik Myers , so did the pair get married and are they still together now? Or do spoilers reveal that circumstances changed and Hazel and Tarik split up?Tarik was a 43-year-old realtor and single father from Virginia Beach, VA, when he first saw Hazel, a single mother from Quezon City, Philippines who is now 28-years-old, on an Asian dating website.Following a three-month courtship, Tarik traveled over 9,000 miles and 36 hours to meet Hazel in-person in the Philippines on : Before the 90 Days' second season.Tarik's family and friends worried Hazel was after a Green Card, money and a better life, but Tarik determined for himself that Hazel liked him for the right reasons and he wanted to marry her.Once the couple got engaged and Tarik returned to the U.S., he filed for Hazel's K-1 visa and she agreed to sign a prenuptial agreement.At the time 's eighth season filmed, Tarik and Hazel had been together for two years and Hazel finally got approved for a K-1 visa.Hazel hoped to one day bring her eight-year-old son Harrey to America, and in the meantime, her goal was to bond with Tarik's daughter Auri, who has high-functioning autism, in America."This is the turning point in my life. It's like everything before her and then everything after her," Tarik said.Hazel was a bit overwhelmed by the United States at first and needed time to adjust. She also apparently didn't like the spiritual center at which Tarik hoped to wed.Hazel and Auri also got along great, but problems arose once Hazel discovered a message to Minty from Thailand -- the couple's shared ex-girlfriend whom Hazel dumped out of jealousy in three days over Minty's strong connection with Tarik -- on Tarik's phone.Hazel asked why Tarik hadn't been honest with her right away, and he acknowledged that she was right and wouldn't contact her again.During quarantine, the couple searched through women's dating profiles together. Hazel told the cameras that she wanted to find a "sexy, brown American woman" to date although her relationship with Tarik was more important.But the couple had trouble in their search for the perfect partner, which resulted in Tarik suggesting they should contact Minty for some dating advice.Tarik said Minty could help them because she understood what the both of them were looking for, but Hazel saw through Tarik's plan and accused him of finding an excuse to talk to Minty again."If Tarik still has feelings for Minty, I don't know how we can get married," Hazel noted.In May 2020, Hazel agreed they could contact Minty, but only because she wanted to watch the pair interact with each other."I am attracted to Tarik very much," Minty told the cameras. "If Tarik not engaged to Hazel, I think me and him would be together."Hazel made it very clear she didn't want to date or be friends with Minty, but Minty told Hazel to compromise since Tarik really likes Thai woman. Minty therefore suggested she could join their love triangle again."She will not be our girl," Hazel confirmed.With 18 days left to wed on Hazel's K-1 visa, the couple wasn't in a great place.Tarik was afraid Hazel was going to throw in the towel and refuse to get married, but Hazel felt disrespected and had lost trust in her fiance.Tarik insisted he had done nothing wrong and never tried to get back with Minty. He didn't appreciate being accused of something he didn't do."What if one day he gonna fall in love with her again? But Tarik wants me to think that will never happen," Hazel said, adding that she didn't believe Tarik.When the couple's wedding was only two weeks away, Hazel still wasn't sure whether she could trust Tarik 100 percent -- and so she was feeling "uncomfortable."Tarik was then shown shopping for wedding attire, and he revealed his wedding date was June 7, 2020. Tarik told his friend that he didn't have cold feet but he and Hazel had been arguing a lot.When a friend asked if he had any lingering feelings for Minty, Tarik hesitated at first and replied, "Umm, no... She's not [in my life anymore]."Tarik determined he should probably delete Minty's number from his phone in order to please Hazel.In May 2020, Tarik and Hazel only had seven days left to wed. During an outing with Tarik's friend Angela, Hazel revealed Tarik had contacted another girl, not Minty this time, which made her really upset.Tarik said a woman in the Philippines -- whom he had previously been friends with for years but lost touch with -- suddenly started calling him a lot and so Hazel apparently messaged the girl asking why she was reaching out to her fiance.Tarik said he felt "embarrassed" that Hazel had contacted the woman, but Angela said Tarik should be embarrassed that he didn't shut the conversation down himself and make Hazel feel better about it.Hazel said Tarik was good at defending himself and added, "Just because I am bisexual, it doesn't mean Tarik is allowed to talk to any girls he wants. I still want to find a girlfriend, but I have to choose the girl, not Tarik."Tarik said Hazel's behavior made him look crazy, but Angela insisted Tarik was acting like "an alpha male" and needed to accept the fact he was wrong.Angela advised Tarik to block the women who made Hazel feel uncomfortable because Hazel was about to become his wife and had moved to a foreign country -- and left her son behind -- to be with him.Tarik acknowledged he needed to fix his broken relationship or else there may not even be a wedding.In June 2020, Tarik put his powder-blue suit on and decorated the house with rose petals and candles in order to please Hazel and surprise her with a romantic evening. Tarik admitted he had disregarded Hazel's feelings about other women and there was "no excuse for that."Tarik apologized to his fiancee and promised that no one would ever come before her and he wanted to start over.Tarik then got down on one knee and proposed marriage to Hazel again under the new circumstances of their relationship.Hazel apparently felt so much better and concluded, "I can say I am ready to marry you."Hazel noted she was happy to have a future with Tarik, but before getting married, she felt the need to come out to her religious, born-again Christian parents in the Philippines and reveal she's bisexual and would like to have a girlfriend in addition to a husband."In America, I am proud of who I am, and I want my family to see that too," Hazel shared.Hazel then asked her father via FaceTime, "Would you be angry if I like women? I like women and I like men."Hazel's mother hoped her daughter's feelings would go away, but her father was actually pretty supportive and said he'd be happy as long as Hazel is happy."If my mom never accepts me being bisexual, I will be very sad. But I am happy that I can get married without hiding anything," Hazel told the cameras. "I feel like this is a new life for me in America."One day before the couple's wedding, Hazel celebrated her bachelorette party thrown by Tarik's friends Angela, Kia and Michelle at a hotel room. All of the women had been cleared of coronavirus.Tarik expressed how he felt purely happy, even though he wasn't going to have a bachelor party for himself. Tarik also "cooked up a surprise" for Hazel that he thought she was going to love.Once in the hotel room, Hazel and the girls popped champagne and then had a surprise visit from an exotic dancer, whom Hazel called "sexy."Hazel loved the dancer's moves and gushed about how Tarik had chosen the right girl for her taste.Hazel giggled about how lucky she was to have met Tarik. She said her life was happier than ever before.Tarik and Hazel are still together and their relationship seems to be thriving.In mid-March, Tarik posted a funny blooper-video of Hazel trying to wish someone a happy birthday on Cameo. Tarik even commented about how Hazel's lipstick line would soon be available.Tarik uploaded a video of Hazel and himself dancing together in early March."Men. Wanna get outta the doghouse? Try Wil Smith style dumb dancing. If you're deep in the doghouse, add the running man with jazz hands. Hazel is wearing her own lipstick. Available soon. #Tarzel 4L #90dayfiance #90daybaresall #90dayfiancepillowtalk #beforethe90days," Tarik captioned the video.In late February, Tarik posted a video of Hazel posing as computer-generated snowflakes fell around her face."I remember when you said you'd always wanted to see and play in the snow. I said I had to walk to school calf high in it in Ohio. So I'm very happy without snow but not without you," Tarik captioned the video, before promoting her new lipstick. #Tarzel #allnatural."Tarik posted a video of Hazel driving a lawn mower in mid-February and captioned it, "Hazel doesn't just sit around searching profiles all day. She also nearly crashes the riding mower into the fence lol. Maybe I'm a bad driving instructor."He added the hashtags "Tarzel," "girlpower" and "ilovevirginiabeach."On January 31, Tarik shared a video of Hazel and himself driving in the car, and about a week earlier, he posted a photo of Hazel in glasses and added a funny caption with it."Me : I clearly text Minty to see if she was ok bc there was a big Covid outbreak in her city. Hazel : I put my glasses on to clearly see if this was BS. #Tarzel #90dayfiance #90daybaresall #90dayfiancepillowtalk #beforethe90days #rayban #allnatural," Tarik wrote.On January 16, Tarik posted a photo of Hazel standing in the sunlight with her eyes closed, and he captioned the image, "You are an original. You are misunderstood. You are ridiculed and hated on by many close to you. But you are still perfect."He continued, "I am an original. Misunderstood. Ridiculed and hated on by many close to me. We soak up the sun different. #Tarzel #90dayfiance #90dayfiancebaresall #90dayfiancepillowtalk #beforethe90days #nomakeup #nofilterneeded."A few days earlier, Tarik uploaded a photo of Hazel and his daughter flashing peace signs, showing they're still together as a family.Tarik also apparently rang in the New Year of 2021 with Hazel by his side.Tarik posted several photos of Hazel standing in front of a sunset, including two pictures of Hazel standing out of the sunroof of a car."Ok. So the house may have been a LITTLE messy," Tarik captioned the slideshow, referring to Hazel's first impression of his home in America."I'll make it up to you with a beautiful sunset. 2020 GO THE F AWAY ALREADY! BYE FELICIA! Everyone have a SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 2021 #Tarzel #90dayfiance ##90daybaresall #90dayfiancepillowtalk #beforethe90days."On December 18, Tarik posted two selfies with Hazel in which she looked stunning in a burgundy dress and matching lip. In one of the pictures, she was kissing Tarik on the cheek."Hawt Sauws. Hella Hawt Sauws. #Tarzel Watch #90dayfiance Sunday at 8pm EST on @tlc #90daybaresall #90dayfiancepillowtalk #90dayfiancebeforethe90days," Tarik wrote alongside the images.One day earlier, Hazel posted a similar photo and captioned it, "Haters don't hate hate, haters hate LOVE.' #Tarzel #90dayfiance."Tarik reposted Hazel's quote on his own page saying he agreed with her, and then Hazel commented with multiple kiss-blowing emoticons.Tarik also posted a video of Hazel on October 25, 2020.In the video, Hazel told her fans, "I'm here to send good tidings and well wishes to your family and friends... I'm here for y'all! Have a good one!"Tarik captioned the Instagram post, "My beautiful Hazel is on Cameo now. Book her for all occasions. She is Hazel Cagalitan on Cameo. Thanks. #beforethe90days #90dayfiance."On August 28, 2020, Tarik posted a selfie of the couple, revealing they had watched Black Panther three times in one week together because Hazel loved it so much. He said it was "the first move we ever watched together."2Tarik posted a photo of Hazel and her father on June 21 and gushed about how he raised 14 children in poor conditions."I thought I knew the difficulties of fatherhood until I met this man. He raised 14 children in conditions most of us only see on TV. Never once shirked his responsibility. The definition of a real man. Salamat Pa. Happy Father's Day," Tarik wrote.Tarik also wished Hazel a happy Mother's Day in May."When life dealt you crap, you turned it into fertilizer. I was proud of you before the cameras rolled. And I'll be proud of you... Well anyway. I'm your defense mechanism against anyone. And I mean anyone. Happy Mother's Day Zellybean," Tarik wrote alongside a photo of Hazel and her son.Tarik and Hazel's posts about one another date all the way back to Fall 2018.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
A man was given probation on Thursday after pleading guilty to his role in a group beating a judge described as an attempt at vigilante justice.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

A man was given probation on Thursday after pleading guilty to his role in a group beating a judge described as an attempt at vigilante justice.

Ayden Scramstad, 20, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault and driving with a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit, both from different incidents.

Crown attorney Trinda de Monye told the Brandon provincial courtroom that on June 9, 2020 at approximately 6:45 p.m., the 18-year-old assault victim was behind the Brandon Staples in a vehicle.

Scramstad and three other men approached the vehicle before Scramstad reached inside and punched the victim in the face, the Crown said. The victim was pulled from the vehicle and he was surrounded by the four assailants.

Scramstad punched the victim in the face and body, as did the others, de Monye said.

Police were called and officers saw the victim had a swollen and bruised right eye.

A witness said the assault was unprovoked and each accused punched the victim between four and five times in the head, body and ribs, she said. They all took turns punching him after he left the vehicle.

De Monye said it was especially concerning the assault was by multiple people on a single victim.

Scramstad also pleaded guilty to an impaired driving incident on Sept. 25, 2020 at approximately 3 p.m.

De Monye said Brandon police were conducting speed enforcement near Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School when an officer saw a vehicle speed through a 30 km/h school zone at approximately 50 km/h.

The officer gave chase, the Crown said, and pulled Scramstad over.

After pulling him over, Scramstad told police he felt the need to drive as the other passengers had also consumed alcohol. De Monye said he told police he had one-and-a-half drinks a few hours before, but the officer could smell alcohol from inside the vehicle.

Scramstad provided a breath sample, where he blew approximately twice the legal limit for blood-alcohol content. The legal limit in Manitoba is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milligrams of blood.

De Monye suggested a sentence of 45 days in jail for the impaired driving charge and a three-year driving prohibition. She suggested two years of supervised probation on the assault charge from June.

"He needs to understand that there will be significant consequences for his actions, which hopefully now he will understand given he has spent time in custody," she said.

Defence lawyer Michael Nerbas said Scramstad deserves credit for an early guilty plea, which would have been earlier had code red restrictions not created issues.

On the June assault, Nerbas said Scramstad and his friends believed the victim had assaulted one of their friends, but understands there is no place for vigilantism in society.

"He regrets those actions these days and he wishes he would have taken a more responsible route with that respect," Nerbas said.

Scramstad also has Gladue factors, his lawyer said, and alcohol is an issue for him.

Speaking to the court, Scramstad said he feels the time he has spent in jail so far has given him a "clean break" from alcohol and he feels better than he has in a long time. Jail isnt somewhere he wants to go back to, he said.

Judge Patrick Sullivan said the impaired driving charge shows Scramstad has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, but he is glad to hear he is making efforts to get sober.

"Having an unhealthy relationship with alcohol is not a crime, driving while impaired is a crime," he said.

While Sullivan said the work Scramstad is doing to manage his relationship with alcohol is positive, he said there was no excuse for the group assault he took part in.

"We have no tolerance here for vigilante justice," he said.

"The suggestion was made you were doing this to defend the honour of another friend of yours, but there was nothing honourable about what you did. A four-on-one assault is disgusting, it is cowardly and I dont think thats who you want to be."

Sullivan sentenced him to a three-year driving ban and 45 days in jail for the impaired driving charge, minus 36 days time already served. In addition, he also sentenced him to a year of supervised probation for assault.

 dmay@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @DrewMay_
New Delhi: A day after TMC circulated an audio clip of a phone call between two BJP leaders allegedly plotting to influence the Election Commission, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted there was nothing secret about that conversation and that the important question was who tapped it.

He said that whatever the leaders discussed over phone were demands that were made in written publically.

Two BJP leaders were discussing over a phone call the demands made for transfer. These demands were made in writing. There is nothing secret in this. The question which needs to be raised is that who tapped the phone call, said Shah.

Shah further clarified that the leaders were discussing the demand for the transfer of certain officers, which was made in writing.

The TMC has alleged that BJPs Mukul Roy, during a call, was heard briefing party leader Shishir Bajoria on ways to influence the Election Commission for the assembly elections.

The party has also claimed that this was the reason why the Election Commission changed the rules, which allegedly favoured BJP candidates.

Earlier, Bajoria alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sought help from the partys district vice-president in Nandigram urging him to return to the TMC.

Bajoria also released an audio clip claiming the recorded conversation is between Mamata and the local BJP leader.

Polling for the first of the eight-phased assembly polls in West Bengal concluded on Saturday with an estimated 79.79 per cent voter turnout. There are seven more phases to go. Counting of votes will take place on May 2.

Live TV

Ashley Tisdale and her husband Christopher French are now just four days into being first-time parents to their newborn daughter, Jupiter Iris.

And on Saturday the High School Musical alum took to Instagram and gave her 13.4million fans and followers another partial glimpse of their bundle of joy.

She also posted a photo documenting the baby girl's first time in the outdoors on what turned out to be another lovely Southern California day.

Tease: Ashley Tisdale gave her 13.4 million Instagram fans and followers another partial glimpse at her daughter, Jupiter, who made her arrival on Planet Earth on March 23

Like they did when they shared a photo announcing Jupiter's birth this past Tuesday, Tisdale posted a sweet snap of her daughter without showing her face.

This time around the image was taken of the top of her baby girl's head -- all while she was bundled up to keep her warm and feel secure.

'Drops of Jupiter,' she wrote in caption of the sweet snap.

First of many firsts: Tisdale also shared a photo of Jupiter's first ti me outside, as her daddy, Christopher French, cradles her in his arms

A life moment captured on camera: French, 39, also shared the post of his daughter 'first time outside' and commented: 'Life is good'

The couple documented -- what will be one of many firsts in these initial months of life: Jupiter's first up-close look at Mother Nature's plush green beauty.

'Baby's first time outside,' the new mom gushed about Jupiter in an adorable photo of French cradling his little girl with plenty of green trees and leaves in the backdrop.

Just over three hours later, French showed that he's basking in fatherhood when he posted that very same picture on his Insta-Story; only he added a yellow smiley face that also read, 'life is good.'

The High School Musical alum also called French the 'best dad' for trying to do the perfect swaddle wrap for Jupiter

Safety first: Jupiter also gets to ride in healthy style and comfort in a non-toxic car seat

Tisdale also raved about her husband when he attempted to wrap up his daughter in a blanket, in what's called a swaddle.

'But seriously how sweet is he? Best dad,' she captioned a black-and-white video shared on her Instagram Story.

After arriving back at their home after giving birth, Tisdale and French celebrated the arrival of Jupiter with some of their favorite food and drinks, compliments of her longtime friend and actress Haylie Duff, Hilary's older sister.

The new parents were able to celebrate the arrival of their little girl with some of their favorite food, compliments of longtime friend Haylie Duff and her partner Matt Rosenberg

Celebratory dinner and more! Both French and Tisdale thanked Duff and Rosenberg for their favorite foods, including sushi

'Nothing like some sushi after nine months. Thank you @haylieduff for sending my favorites,' the New Jersey native wrote along with a tasty snap of her plate full of sushi.

French gave Haylie Duff's longtime partner, Matt Rosenberg, a shout-out when he shared a photo of the sushi, and other delicious goodies, on Instagram.

''Wow. Thank you @haylieduff and Matt for the most amazing celebratory dinner for out entire family from Katsuya! So awesome,' he wrote.

Gal pals: Tisdale has been long been friends with Haylie Duff and her younger sister Hilary Duff

The brand new parents made their baby's arrival Instagram official this past Wednesday with a sweet black-and-white photo.

'Jupiter Iris French arrived earth side 3.23.21,' the actress gushed, as the little wrapped her hand around her thumb.

Tisdale and French, a composer and multi-instrumentalist, began dating in 2012 and eventually got married in September 2014.
Hunter Biden and Barbara Bush arrive to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2021. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

GOP Senators Demand FBI, Secret Service Records on Alleged Hunter Biden Gun Incident

Two Republican senators are asking the directors of the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for details of their alleged investigation into a handgun that belonged to Hunter Biden that was reported missing in 2018.

In their letters, Sens. Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson refer to a report from Politico this week about the gun incident.

According to Politico, on Oct. 23, 2018, Hunter Bidens sister-in-law, Hallie Biden, called police in Delaware to report that she had thrown Bidens gun in a trash can behind a grocery store.

Hallie, who was also dating Hunter, said that she went to retrieve the gun after growing worried someone might find it and use it in a crime, but that it was no longer in the trash can.

The FBI responded to the scene of the investigation, as did ATF. The U.S. Secret Service also became involved in the investigation and contacted the gun store that sold the firearm to Biden, according to Politico.

The store owner provided documents to the ATF, but refused to supply the paperwork to the Secret Service out of concerns that the Secret Service officers wanted to hide Hunters ownership of the missing gun in case it were to be involved in a crime, Politico reported.

Nobody was arrested in connection with the incident.

The Secret Service denied this week that the agency was involved in the incident, though text messages that came to light on Friday show that Hunter Biden wrote to someone that the FBI and Secret Service showed up to investigate an incident that resembles the one in Delaware.

U.S. Secret Service records confirm that the agency did not provide protection to any member of the Biden family in 2018, and that the Secret Service had no involvement in this alleged incident, the agency said in a statement.

The New York Post reported Friday that Biden said in a Jan. 29, 2019, text message that Hallie Biden had taken the gun out of his truck lock box and dropped it in a garbage can behind a grocery store.

She stole the gun out of my trunk lock box and threw it in a garbage can full to the top at Jansens [sic]. Then told me it was my problem to deal with, Biden wrote, according to the Post.

Then when the police the FBI the secret service came on the scene she said she took it from me because she was scared I would harm myself due to my drug and alcohol problem and our volatile relationship and that she was afraid for the kids, wrote Biden.

Grassley and Johnson noted in their letter to Secret Service Director James Murray that neither Joe nor Hunter Biden were under Secret Service protection at the time of the incident.

Politico also reported that an anonymous law enforcement official said that Secret Service agents kept an informal hand in maintaining the former vice presidents security.

If true, USSS must explain to Congress why such informal actions were taken and whether they were necessary in light of the circumstances, the senators wrote.

The report comes as the U.S. Attorneys office in Delaware is investigating Hunter Biden over tax issues. The investigation began in 2018, the same year as the gun incident.

By Chuck Ross

From The Daily Caller News Foundation

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.

Imperial Valley News Center

Justice Department Takes Action Against COVID-19 Fraud

Washington, DC - The Department of Justice announced an update Friday on criminal and civil enforcement efforts to combat COVID-19 related fraud, including schemes targeting the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs.

As of today, the Department of Justice has publicly charged 474 defendants with criminal offenses based on fraud schemes connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. These cases involve attempts to obtain over $569 million from the U.S. government and unsuspecting individuals through fraud and have been brought in 56 federal districts around the country. These cases reflect a degree of reach, coordination, and expertise that is critical for enforcement efforts against COVID-19 related fraud to have a meaningful impact and is also emblematic of the Justice Departments response to criminal wrongdoing.

The Department of Justice has led an historic enforcement initiative to detect and disrupt COVID-19 related fraud schemes, said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. The impact of the departments work to date sends a clear and unmistakable message to those who would exploit a national emergency to steal taxpayer-funded resources from vulnerable individuals and small businesses. We are committed to protecting the American people and the integrity of the critical lifelines provided for them by Congress, and we will continue to respond to this challenge.

To anyone thinking of using the global pandemic as an opportunity to scam and steal from hardworking Americans, my advice is simple  dont, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. No matter where you are or who you are, we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.

We will not allow American citizens or the critical benefits programs that have been created to assist them to be preyed upon by those seeking to take advantage of this national emergency, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Departments Civil Division. We are proud to work with our law enforcement partners to hold wrongdoers accountable and to safeguard taxpayer funds.

In March 2020, Congress passed a $2.2 trillion economic relief bill known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Anticipating the need to protect the integrity of these taxpayer funds and to otherwise protect Americans from fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Justice immediately stood up multiple efforts dedicated to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting such fraud. Leveraging data analysis capabilities and partnerships developed through its vast experience combatting economic crime and fraud on government programs, the Justice Departments response to COVID-19 related fraud serves as a model for proactive, high-impact white-collar enforcement, and demonstrates our agility in responding to new and emerging threats. This rapid and nationwide response enabled the Justice Department to quickly ensure accountability for wrongdoing amid a national crisis and sent a forceful message of deterrence during an ongoing crisis. The multifaceted and multi-district approach to enforcement during this national health emergency continues and is expected to yield numerous additional criminal and civil enforcement actions in the coming months.

On criminal matters, the Justice Departments efforts to combat COVID-19 related fraud schemes have proceeded on numerous fronts, including:

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud: Prominent among the departments efforts have been cases brought by the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section involving at least 120 defendants charged with PPP fraud. The cases involve a range of conduct, from individual business owners who have inflated their payroll expenses to obtain larger loans than they otherwise would have qualified for, to serial fraudsters who revived dormant corporations and purchased shell companies with no actual operations to apply for multiple loans falsely stating they had significant payroll, to organized criminal networks submitting identical loan applications and supporting documents under the names of different companies. Most charged defendants have misappropriated loan proceeds for prohibited purposes, such as the purchase of houses, cars, jewelry, and other luxury items. In one case, U.S. v. Dinesh Sah, in the Northern District of Texas, the defendant applied for 15 different PPP loans to eight different lenders, using 11 different companies, seeking a total of $24.8 million. The defendant obtained approximately $17.3 million and used the proceeds to purchase multiple homes, jewelry, and luxury vehicles. In another case, U.S. v. Richard Ayvazyan, et al., in the Central District of California, eight defendants applied for 142 PPP and EIDL loans seeking over $21 million using stolen and fictitious identities and sham companies, and laundered the proceeds through a web of bank accounts to purchase real estate, securities, and jewelry.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) fraud: The department has also focused on fraud against the EIDL program, which was designed to provide loans to small businesses, agricultural and non-profit entities. Fraudsters have targeted the program by applying for EIDL advances and loans on behalf of ineligible newly-created, shell, or non-existent businesses, and diverting the funds for illegal purposes. The department has responded, primarily through the efforts of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado and their partners at the U.S. Secret Service, acting swiftly to seize loan proceeds from fraudulent applications, with $580 million seized to date and seizures ongoing. The EIDL Fraud Task Force in Colorado, comprised of personnel from five federal law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors, is investigating a broad swath of allegedly fraudulently loans and their applicants. It is working to identify individual wrongdoers and networks of fraudsters appropriate for prosecution.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than $860 billion in federal funds has been appropriated for UI benefits through September 2021. Early investigation and analysis indicate that international organized criminal groups have targeted these funds by using stolen identities to file for UI benefits. Domestic fraudsters, ranging from identity thieves to prison inmates, have also committed UI fraud. In response, the department established the National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force, a prosecutor-led multi-agency task force with representatives from more than eight different federal law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the department is hiring Assistant U.S. Attorneys in multiple U.S. Attorneys Offices whose focus will be UI fraud prosecutions. Since the start of the pandemic, over 140 defendants have been charged and arrested for federal offenses related to UI fraud. In one case, U.S. v. Leelynn Danielle Chytka, in the Western District of Virginia, a defendant recently pleaded guilty for her role in a scheme that successfully stole more than $499,000 in UI benefits using the identities of individuals ineligible for UI, including a number of prisoners.

Through the departments International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) program, ICHIP advisors have provided assistance and case-based mentoring to foreign counterparts around the globe to help detect, investigate and prosecute fraud related to the pandemic. The ICHIPs have helped counterparts combat cyber-enabled crime (e.g., online fraud) and intellectual property crime, including fraudulent and mislabeled COVID-19 treatments and sales of counterfeit pharmaceuticals. ICHIPs conducted webinars for foreign prosecutors and law enforcement in Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America on how to take down fraudulent COVID-19 websites. These webinars addressed methods for finding the registrar for a particular domain and requesting a voluntary takedown as well as the U.S. legal processes necessary for obtaining a court order that would bind a U.S. registrar. This has resulted in the take down of multiple online COVID-19 scams and significant seizures of counterfeit medicines and medical supplies such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizers and other illicit goods.

The department has also brought actions to combat coronavirus-related fraud schemes targeting American consumers. With scammers around the world attempting to sell fake and unlawful cures, treatments, and personal protective equipment, the department has brought dozens of civil and criminal enforcement actions to safeguard Americans health and economic security. The department has prosecuted or secured civil injunctions against dozens of defendants who sold products  including industrial bleach, ozone gas, vitamin supplements, and colloidal silver ointments  using false or unapproved claims about the products abilities to prevent or treat COVID-19 infections. The department has also worked to shutter hundreds of fraudulent websites that were facilitating consumer scams, and it has taken scores of actions to disrupt financial networks supporting such scams. The department is also coordinating with numerous agency partners to prevent and deter vaccine-related fraud.

The department is also using numerous civil tools to address fraud in connection with CARES Act programs. For example, in the Eastern District of California, the department obtained the first civil settlement for fraud involving the Paycheck Protection Program, resolving civil claims under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) and the False Claims Act (FCA) against an internet retail company and its president and chief executive officer arising from false statements to federally insured banks to influence those banks to approve, and the SBA to guarantee, a PPP loan. FIRREA allows the government to impose civil penalties for violations of enumerated federal criminal statutes, including those that affect federally-insured financial institutions. The FCA is the governments primary civil tool to redress false claims for federal funds and property involving a multitude of government operations and functions. The FCA permits private citizens with knowledge of fraud against the government to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Such whistleblower complaints have been on the rise as unscrupulous actors take advantage of vulnerabilities created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the new government programs disbursing federal relief, and whistleblower cases will continue to be an essential source of new leads to help root out the misuse and abuse of taxpayer funds.

Indictments and other criminal charges referenced above are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The unprecedented pace and tempo of these efforts is made possible only through the diligent work of a wide range of Justice Department partners, including the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section and Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Civil Divisions Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section) and Consumer Protection Branch, U.S. Attorneys Offices throughout the country, and law enforcement partners from the FBI, Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Offices of Inspectors General from the Small Business Administration, Department of Homeland Security, Social Security Administration, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Federal Housing Finance Agency and Federal Reserve Board, Food and Drug Administrations Office of Criminal Investigations, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Special Inspector General for Pandemic Relief, Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, OCDETF Fusion Center and OCDETFs International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center.
Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support is calling on leaders in sports, legal, media, music and business industries to show their support for their employees by attending a landmark event aimed at preventing sexual harm and harassment within organisations.

The recent disturbing and sexually violent statement made by high profile sportsman, Israel Adesanya shows this event is well overdue, says a Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support spokesperson.

Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support says the use of such explicit language to simply taunt a competitor in sports, has shone a light on a desperate need in Aotearoa for a significant change to the culture of downplaying sexual harm.

Tautoko Mai Chief Executive Officer Blair Gilbert says using the threat of a violent sexual attack as a flippant insult normalises what is actually a brutal crime. Put simply, sexually violent language is never ok, no matter what sport, industry or organisation.

Our event is about supporting organisations to educate their teams or employees on what sexual harm is and how it can impact the people around them, says Blair.

At the upcoming event, industry experts such as NZ Rugby Unions Eleanor Butterworth will give insights into how their organisation has implemented change in a male-dominated workplace.

Employment lawyer and 2018 Wellingtonian of the Year, Steph Dyhrberg will talk about a new paradigm for complaints processes, drawing on her experiences tackling sexual harassment in the legal profession and managing complaints for the Rugby Union.

Gilbert says the event targets people and culture leaders, management, change specialists and board directors who can create a gender safe culture including responding appropriately to the way it addresses sexual harm issues.

There is no one size fits all solution and we need organisations who are not afraid to confront this issue head on. Attendees will learn how to educate their teams, identify sexual harm, respond to complaints, how to support people in the workplace, and where to go for further advice, says Blair.

Tautoko Mai is committed to achieving a society free of sexual harm.

Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support is a for-purpose, non-profit organisation, governed by a board of trustees. It employs highly trained counsellors, educators, social workers, nurses, doctors and clinical health practitioners specialising in sexual harm support services in the Bay of Plenty, Greater Waikato region and Whakatane. Tautoko Mai supports all people and communities affected by sexual harm towards wellbeing through healing, education and prevention.

Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support, formally Bay of Plenty Sexual Assault Support Service, was established in 2010 by a group of doctors and nurses working in the area of sexual assault assessments, who were concerned about the lack of a service to co-ordinate care and support for clients and their families. The Trust provides services for many clients and whanau who would previously not have been able to access this support.

Organisational sexual harm can have far-reaching consequences. It impacts not only the people affected and their families, but also organisational reputation, productivity and culture, says Blair.

The event will be MCd by Alison Mau, leader of the #metoo NZ Project, and an investigative journalist; and opened by New Zealands first ever Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Marama Davidson.

From humble beginnings, Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support is now a significant organisation with 145 staff and contractors working to prevent sexual harm and support those impacted by sexual harm in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions. Combined it is the second largest population group outside of Auckland.

Sadly, since the outbreak of Covid-19, it has seen a staggering increase in the number of people reaching out for help, says a Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support spokesperson.

The day-long event will be held at The Atrium at Wintec, Hamilton on Monday June 14 2021.

For more information go to: www.tautokomai.co.nz
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
New discoveries at Sanxingdui Ruins great achievement for world: archaeologists

Xinhua) 11:03, March 27, 2021

The new archaeological discoveries at the Sanxingdui Ruins site in southwest China's Sichuan Province are a great achievement for the whole world, archaeologists said in recent interviews with Xinhua.

"These discoveries are very important because they explain an important historical period of the Chinese civilization, which helps researchers know more about this important period," said Professor Mohammed Salih Attia, assistant director-general in the department of investigation and excavations at Iraq's State Board for Antiquities and Heritage.

Specialists studying on ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egypt would also be motivated to compare the similarities and interconnections of their discoveries with those from Sanxingdui Ruins site, Attia said.

Attia called for enhancing cooperation with China to benefit from its advanced experiences in the field of archaeological excavations, to learn about the modern technologies used by Chinese experts.

"We invite Chinese experts to come to Iraq and participate in the excavation operations, as the land of Mesopotamia is rich in ancient civilizations," Attia told Xinhua.

"In Iraq, we have a plan for excavations. We are waiting for the funds allocated for that in the current annual budget, so we can implement it," he added.

Archaeologists have found six new sacrificial pits and unearthed more than 500 items dating back about 3,000 years at the Sanxingdui Ruins in Sichuan Province, the National Cultural Heritage Administration announced.

Archaeologists have unearthed various important cultural items from four of the pits, including pieces of gold masks, gold foil, bronze masks, bronze tree relics and several ivory pieces. The rest of the newly discovered pits are still under excavation.

"The excavations include many unique items, which would enrich civilized museums after documenting and identifying, then the world can see the latest archaeological discoveries in China," said Junaid Amer, another archaeological researcher at the Iraqi State Board for Antiquities and Heritage

"Discovering any civilizations are achievements for all humanity, because the cultural diversity is a bridge between the past and the present, for people to understand about and learn from the history," Amer said.

(Web editor: Liu Ning, Bianji)
Nebraska gov. urges parents to oppose curriculum teaching young kids LGBT ideology

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts has urged parents to speak out against a proposed overhaul of the states health education curriculum that would introduce LGBT ideology to students starting in kindergarten.

Ricketts is one of many conservatives expressing concerns about the proposed Nebraska Health Education Standards, unveiled earlier this month.

The governor highlighted his opposition to the curriculum framework in a statement:

I am calling on the Nebraska Department of Education to scrap the proposed sex education topics that are included in their draft health standards, he said. The new standards from the department would not only teach young children age-inappropriate content starting in kindergarten, but also inject non-scientific, political ideas into curriculum standards.

The sex education standards represent a significant shift in approach to health education, and many of the new themes are sensitive topics that should be addressed by parents at home and not by schools, he continued. The draft standards were developed with the help of political activists, and without the input of key mainstream organizations. I am urging Nebraska parents to speak up now, and to share their reaction with the department, so it can be made a part of the formal record to the full board.

According to the Nebraska Department of Education, A group of educators (teachers, administrators, ESU staff, postsecondary representatives), led by the Nebraska Department of Education, began the work of developing the Nebraska Health Education Standards in March of 2020. The standards, Nebraska Health Education Standards, create the framework for K-12 education in Nebraska. The anticipated approval date by the State Board of Education is Fall 2021.

An update from the Nebraska State Board of Education from August 2020 revealed that in the process of crafting the health education curriculum framework for the state, the role of equity in health education was considered. Those who created the framework include health and physical education teachers, family and consumer science teachers, school administrators, school psychologists, HIV and sexual health specialists, as well as Out Nebraska, an LGBT advocacy group.

The authors of the framework were required to undergo bias training last summer. The curriculum will undergo a bias review before its anticipated approval by the state board of education this fall.

The framework of topics that will be taught to younger students under the proposed curriculum are divided into eight categories by grade level. Curriculum in the category studying Human Growth and Development is causing the most concern among critics of the framework.

At each grade level, beginning in kindergarten, students will learn characteristics relating to identity, sexuality and healthy relationships. The kindergarten curriculum calls on teachers to discuss different kinds of family structures (e.g. single parent, blended, intergenerational, cohabitating, adoptive, foster, same-gender, interracial).

The first-grade curriculum teaches students to define gender, gender identity, and gender role stereotypes.

In third grade, students are introduced to the topics of sexual orientation and bodily autonomy. The third-grade curriculum builds on the first-grade curriculum by asking students to discuss the range of ways people express their gender and how gender-role stereotypes may influence behavior.

The concepts of gender identity and sexual orientation will also be taught to fourth graders under the framework, where students will be asked to distinguish between sex assigned at birth and gender identity and explain how they may or may not differ.

Fifth graders would be taught that gender expression and gender identity exist along a spectrum. The sixth-grade curriculum calls for teaching students to explain the difference between cisgender, transgender, gender non-binary, gender expansive, and gender identity.

Additionally, sixth graders will be taught to define sexual identity and explain a range of identities related to sexual orientation (e.g. heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian, gay, queer, two-spirit, asexual, pansexual).

In addition to concerns about teaching young children LGBT ideology, critics of the proposed Nebraska Health Education Standards are opposed to other portions of the guidelines that come across as overtly political. For example, the health standards for high school students call on students to evaluate and explain how some laws and policies are viewed as tools of systemic racism.

While public and accredited non-public schools in Nebraska are required to include health education within their instructional programs for elementary, middle, and high schools, the aforementioned types of schools are not required by law to adopt the Nebraska State Health Education Standards but are required to have standards in place for health education.

According to the states Department of Education, The decision to utilize the Nebraska Health Education Standards, in whole or in part, are determined by each local school district or school system.

Nebraska is not the only state to consider implementing a controversial sex education curriculum. A newly introduced bill in New York state would require sex education for kindergarteners and second graders to learn about gender identity.

In a referendum last year, voters in Washington state rejected an attempt to repeal a bill that would require comprehensive sex education to be taught at all K-12 schools in the state. Under one of the approved frameworks for teaching comprehensive sexual health education, schools would teach fourth graders about sexual positions and show them pictures of children masturbating.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., left, and wife Gayle Conelly Manchin arrive for a State Dinner with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and President Donald Trump at the White House, in Washington on Sept. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

US Religious-Rights Official Says She Is Flattered to Be Target of China Sanctions

WASHINGTONA U.S. religious-rights official said she was flattered to be the target of Chinese government sanctions stemming from a dispute between the two countries over Beijings treatment of Uighur Muslims, which Washington has described as a genocide.

The United States on Saturday condemned Chinas sanctions against two Americans and a Canadian lawmaker, which followed those imposed by the United States, European Union, Britain, and Canada last week for what they say are violations of the rights of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities Chinas western region of Xinjiang.

Beijing sanctioned the chair and vice chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Gayle Manchin and Tony Perkins, banning them from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau. It also prohibited Chinese citizens and institutions from doing business or having any exchanges with them.

I feel flattered to be recognized by Communist China for calling out genocidal crimes against religious and ethnic minorities in the country, Manchin told Reuters in a statement late on Saturday.

While I dont have plans to travel to China this summer, I wont stop speaking out when egregious violations of religious freedom are taking place as they are in China, said Manchin, who is married to Democratic U.S. senator from West Virginia Joe Manchin.

USCIRF last year recommended that the U.S. government and its partners sanction China for abuses in Xinjiang.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the Chinese government sanctions only draw more international scrutiny to the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang.

In an interview that aired on CNN on Sunday Blinken said he sees increasingly adversarial aspects to the United States relationship with China.

Activists and U.N. rights experts say at least a million Muslims have been detained in camps in Xinjiang. They, and some Western politicians, accuse China of using torture, forced labor, and sterilizations. China has repeatedly denied all accusations of abuse and says its camps offer vocational training and are needed to fight extremism.

Canadian opposition lawmaker Michael Chong, who was also targeted by China, said he would wear Beijings sanctions as a badge of honor.

The United Nations is holding serious negotiations with China for unfettered access to the Xinjiang region to verify reports of persecution, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a CBC interview broadcast on Sunday.

Rights advocates, however, have expressed skepticism about the prospects for unrestricted access to the region.

By Michael Martina
Rwandan investors have been urged to take advantage of Ghanas socio-economic growth and competitive environment to establish firms in the country.



They could also partner their counterparts in Ghana to put up businesses for mutual benefit.



Ghanaian trade agencies said this in a virtual summit jointly organised by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA).



It was aimed at deepening the bilateral trade and investment relations between Ghana and Rwanda.



The participants who included GEPA, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), took turns to explain investment opportunities which the Rwandan businesses and entrepreneurs could take advantage of while their counterparts in Rwanda also spoke of the business opportunities in that country.



Business continuity



The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GEPA, Mr Samuel Dentu, said to ensure business continuity which was central to global economic recovery, new approaches to building market contacts such as harnessing online promotion and networking had become necessary.



He said through such initiatives, opportunities could be created for suppliers to link up with potential buyers or distributors without escalating the risks of further spread of the virus, while ensuring that necessary revenue from international trade was sustained.



Currently, the trade value between the two countries is below $1 million.



Our recent visit to Rwanda gave us an experiential and more insightful view of opportunities for trade between both countries. We picked learnings from the intentional effort Rwanda has put in place to position the country as a destination of choice on the continent.



Similarly, we identified areas where Ghana can meet Rwanda for mutual benefit, especially in the sectors of manufacturing, agribusiness and services, Mr Dentu said.



According to him, it was imperative for the two countries to intensify their trade relations and also take advantage of the current trade protocols birthed by the Africa Union (AU) through AfCFTA.



With the operationalisation of AfCFTA, Mr Dentu said the promotion of trade among African countries had become paramount due to the large market and the removal of trade barriers.



Rwanda situation



For her part, the Head of Special Economic Zones and Export Facilitation Department of RDB, Ms Diane Sayinzoga, said Rwanda, with a population of about 12.6 million people, had leveraged the right leadership to make important economic and structural reforms for sustained economic growth rates over the last decade.



Rwanda now aspires to reach middle-income status by 2035 and High-Income Country (HIC) status by 2050.



This aspiration will be achieved within a seven-year national strategy for transformation (NST1), underpinned by detailed sectoral strategies that are aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, she added.



The NST1 has been preceded by two, five-year economic development and poverty reduction strategies  EDPRS (2008-2012) and EDPRS-2 (2013-2018), under which Rwanda experienced robust economic and social performances.



Growth averaged 7.2 per cent over a decade till 2019, while per capita growth domestic product (GDP) grew at five per cent annually.

Source: Daily Graphic









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
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
New Orleans authorities are investigating a homicide after a man was found with a gunshot wound and pronounced dead Saturday, according to police.

Just before 7 p.m., officers responded to the 3700 block of Blair Street to reports of a man who had been shot. The shooting was reported to media around 7:45 p.m.

Officers arrived to find a man dead at the scene.

Emergency personnel pronounced the man dead at the scene.

Police did not immediately release any other information. This story is developing. Check back for updates.
60%

Website dpsfamily.org uses latest and advanced technologies. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 448956 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 20170 bytes (19.70 kb uncompressed).

This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-03-28, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.
Longshoreman Angela Warren, 53, a member of Local 24, showed up at the union halls vaccination clinic after a morning shift Wednesday, still dressed in the fluorescent gear she wears on the job. Early in the pandemic, the national union had lobbied for port workers to be considered first responders, at the front of the vaccine line, and to Warren, that still seems right.

If were not there to take PPE off the ship, she explained, then you cant get it out to people.

Charles Lewis, president of ILA Local 1351, seconded that opinion. We are the backbone of the port, he said. No longshoremen, no cargo.

Lewis union is for clerks; Warren drives a truck. To outsiders, those jobs dont seem like high risks for COVID-10. But that, Lewis says, is wrong.

You have to understand how container shipping works. Giant ships arrive in port stacked high with containers destined for 18-wheelers, which will haul their contents across the country. A crane lifts each container off the ship and places it onto a longshoremans truck, which hauls the container to an office where clerks register its arrival.

That, Lewis said, is where the COVID danger lies.

Well have eight or nine people working in a 20x30 room for maybe 10 hours, he said. They operate the radio, log the paperwork, serve as the base where other port workers check in. We have to do all of that right there, and in real time, he said.

The drivers come in and out of the office as they log their loads, and they take their breaks there too. In 10 or 15 minutes, Lewis says, a driver might interact with three people inside.

In December, he said, there was an outbreak at one of the offices his local serves. Six of the eight people tested were positive for COVID-19. Everyone whod come in contact with them had to quarantine.

In January, two of them died.

It shook people. At Wednesdays clinic, roughly 500 longshoremen got their first doses of vaccine.

Hardworking, humble people

Its not just longshoremen who need the vaccine, said Adrian Garcia, the Harris County commissioner whose office organized the clinic. Its lots of people in working-class neighborhoods, in places like his east side district.

Precinct 2 has a lot of hardworking humble people with limited resources, he said. The district is around 62 percent Hispanic, home not only to lots of longshoremen, but also construction workers, janitors, restaurant workers and home health care workers. Many are uninsured. Some are undocumented and wary of government. Many live in multi-generational households. Many are at high risk. The whole precinct, he said, is medically underserved.

In February, a county report showed that vaccinations of residents of Garcias district significantly lagged the rest of Harris County  and did so to a degree that surprised even Garcia: That report lit me on fire.

To reach herd immunity on the east side, he said, will require taking the vaccine to people where they are, and connecting with them through people they trust.

Recently, as more vaccine became available, did the state of Texas finally gave Garcia a direct allocation. For about a week and a half now, his office, working with Harris Health and United Memorial Medical Center, has organized vaccination clinics like the one for longshoremen. Thereve been clinics for plumbers, for construction workers  and they plan lots more, to reach people where they are, working with people they trust.

We have to do everything we can to reach herd immunity, Garcia said on the phone Friday. His communications director, Frida Villalobos, was driving him back to the office after a vaccine clinic at an apartment complex for seniors. Besides the residents there, he and his aides had rounded up other people in the neighborhood: grocery workers at a nearby Fiesta; people theyd found on NextDoor; somebodys aunt and a bunch of her friends.

The vibe was very different than the giant county efforts where people register online, then show up at a drive-thru clinic. It was personal  driven by unions, or workplaces, or neighbors.

Sometimes, said Villalobos, it takes a lot of good old-fashioned knocking on doors.

lisa.gray@chron.com

twitter.com/LisaGray_HouTX
An elected official in Ohio, fed up with people questioning his patriotism because he's Asian American, bared his chest during a recent town meeting to reveal scars from injuries he suffered while in the US Army.

Lee Wong, 69, says he came to America when he was 18 years old and has been a US citizen longer than many of his constituents have been alive. Wong retired from the Army after 20 years of active-duty service.p

"There are some ignorant people that will come up to me and say that I don't look American or patriotic enough," Wong said during a meeting of the West Chester Township Board of Trustees on March 23. "Now that just gets my goat."

"Here is my proof," he said pointing to his scars. "Now is this patriot enough?"

Wong has lived in West Chester Township, near Cincinnati, for about 20 years. He is president of the board of trustees and ran for a state Senate seat last year. He knocked on thousands of doors during his campaigns and said it's a dynamic and diverse community.

But he said anti-Asian sentiment has gotten "worse and worse" in the last few years for him and other members of the community, who he described as hardworking Americans.

Video of his speech has gone viral. Wong said he was surprised by the supportive comments and that friends in California had seen the video online.

Wong told CNN that he has always been self-conscious about his scars and isn't comfortable taking his shirt off -- even at the beach or a pool -- and decided to show his scars in the heat of the moment.

The scars are from multiple surgeries he underwent while he was in the Army to treat infected cuts he received during combat training in South Carolina.

Wong said he's ethnically Chinese, but was born in British Borneo, which is now part of Malaysia.

He told CNN that he's dealt with abuse and discrimination in silence -- ranging from children making racist facial gestures at him to being beaten up because of his race shortly after he came to America.

That attack derailed his plan to become a pharmacist and is one of the reasons he joined the Army.

He said he's heard from friends and family members across the country, who are afraid because of the recent surge of attacks against Asian Americans and the recent killings of eight people -- including six Asian American women -- at Atlanta-area spas.

Anti-Asian hate crimes are up 150% during the pandemic, according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino.

The violence is very disturbing and he has felt unsafe, he said.

"It has to stop. It just has to. I just felt that this is really going out of control here," he said. "A few ignorant people that insult all. Barbaric. Horrible."

Wong said he ran for office to make his community better and he hopes this experience helps restore the American values of compassion, love and kindness.

"That's my basic message, to be kind, and be a good citizen, to be a good role model," he said. "I mean, it's wrong to go out to hurt somebody just because they look different or they don't look American enough. We are America."
Kamala Harris is bothered, a Saturday report revealed, as she continues to live out of suitcases awaiting completion of renovations on the vice president's residence at the Naval Observatory.

Vice President Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff are living temporarily across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House at Blair House, the president's official guest quarters known for its luxury.

'She is getting frustrated,' an administration official told CNN, noting that every day her desire to move into her designated house grows more intense.

The vice president, however, could be contributing to the delays despite her complaints.

According to two administration staff with knowledge of the ongoing updates to the residence Harris, who likes to cook, requested work be done to the kitchen.

The vice president's official residence is a stately mansion situated two-and-a-half miles from the White House at the Naval Observatory in North West Washington, D.C.

Kamala Harris is 'frustrated' she is still living in Blair House  the president's guest house  more than two months after inaugurations as renovations continue on the official vice president's residence

The Blair House is known for its luxury and museum-quality piece of American history

There are more than 100 rooms, which is used to house official guests of the president, like visiting foreign dignitaries

Harris has a more informal style than that of Blair House. The guest room pictured is known as Mrs. Truman's Bedroom

The Vice President's Residence at the Naval Observatory in North West Washington, D.C. is undergoing renovations, like updating all seven working chimneys

Sources claim Harris and First Gentleman Doug Emhoff are still living out of suitcases

Usually in the change over of residents, there are a few weeks where Naval staff who operate the home can refresh and prepare it for the incoming vice president.

The second couple, however, has been unable to move into their private residence for more than two months after inauguration as renovations and construction continues.

The official residence for the vice president, built in 1893, receives regular updates and renovations.

An administration official said the delay in construction has left Harris increasingly testy.

Recently, Harris has been spotted checking out the 9,000 square-foot mansion  even stopping by for an hour-long visit three weeks ago, according to CNN.

Harris knew at the time of inauguration that she wouldn't immediately be moving into her residence since repairs were required that are easier conducted with an unoccupied home.

An administration official revealed some of the work required was renovating the mansion's seven chimneys.

While Blair House is comfortable and luxurious, Harris has a tendency to prefer more informal, modern and sleek accommodations. In January, Harris moved out of her minimalist condo in D.C. to Blair House.

The more than 100 rooms of Blair House include a gym, private hair salon and thousands of antiques and museum-quality pieces.

The Blair House has been called 'the world's most exclusive hotel' as it primarily is used as a guest house for visiting foreign leaders, dignitaries and other guests of the president.

Harris moved from her sleek, minimalist D.C. condo to Blair House upon inauguration

Her condo was light and airy and modern, cohesive with her more informal style  unlike the formal and antique nature of Blair House

Biden spoke fondly of his time living at One Observatory Circle, particularly lauding the heated pool, which was installed by former Vice President Dan Quayle.

'You're on 80 acres, overlooking the rest of the city,' Biden said. 'You can walk out, and there's a swimming pool.'

'You can ride a bicycle around and never leave the property, and work out  but the White House is very different,' he lauded.

The vice president's residence (VPR) is situated on 13 acres of gated land, not 80.

The entire Naval Observatory compound, however, is 72 acres, which includes several buildings and offices.
Music composer AR Rahman is known for not commenting on political issues and also refrains himself from pulling pranks. Recently, he surprised everyone when he made fun of the anchor at the launch event of 99 Songs, for speaking in Hindi.

Rahman, who is an Academy and Grammy Award winner, was addressing the media for his upcoming debut project as a producer and co-writer. He was addressing the media along with the movies lead, Ehan Bhat, at a press conference in Chennai.

While speaking to Rahman in Tamil, the anchor started speaking in Hindi to welcome Ehan. She said, Main aapka hardik swagat karti hoon (I welcome you warmly).

As soon as she started speaking in Hindi, Rahman was left shocked and asked, Hindi? and started walking off the stage.

Watch the video here-

He later cleared the air saying that he was only making fun of the anchor and wasnt serious about walking off the stage.

Heres what people on the internet have to say about this-

 Surya Surya Instagram

 Surya Surya Instagram

People on the internet started calling him out for having a problem with Hindi language and some also called him anti-national for the same.



A user also commented, There is no national language in India, yet people dont try to even indulge in learning and respecting the other languages. If you want the respect of Tamilians, try learning a bit of their language and culture as well.

Earlier, many Tamil celebrities such as Suriya, Kamal Hassan, and others have questioned the Hindi imposition in non-Hindi-speaking states.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below!
Inspectors from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health have fined a clinic VND575 million (US$25,000) for operating without a license and practicing certificate.

The fine was levied on the Rivera Terence Christopher clinic at 55 Tu Xuong Street, Ward 7, District 3, city health inspectors said on Friday.

The clinic offered medical care services without any license or practicing certificate.

Health inspectors also suspended the clinic for 18 months and required it to submit VND495 million ($21,500) it had earned from providing the unlicensed medical services.

In related news, the health department fined Ladova Beauty Institute Company Limited, located in District 10, VND30 million ($1,300) for unauthorized advertising.

Health inspectors had also caught Thai Viet Polyclinic offering unlicensed medical services at 165 Nguyen Van Cu, Ward 2, District 5.

Two Chinese wearing a white coat left the clinic at the sight of the health inspectors.

On the fourth floor, four patients were on a drip while another was about to undergo circumcision.

They said they did not know who their doctors were.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
This week, beneath a creased Australian flag strung between two crooked eucalyptus trees on the tropical Chinese Island of Hainan, one of Australias most poignant wartime mysteries was finally solved.

After a search lasting 46 years, officials of the Australian embassy in Beijing uncovered what they believe to be the remains of the only Australian soldiers to fight alongside Chinese guerillas in World War II.

The discovery, in the remote village of Lao-ou, on the far western coast of Hainan, is the concluding chapter of a little-known story of extraordinary bravery on the part of young Australian soldiers held in a brutal Japanese PoW camp 7400 kilometres from home.

Escaping their captors in 1944, 10 of the Australian PoWs battled starvation, malaria and beriberi to join Chinese guerillas in a courageous but hopeless insurgency against heavily armed Japanese troops occupying Hainan, a mineral-rich island south-west of Hong Kong.

With China and Hong Kong under Japanese control, Vietnam sympathising with Tokyo, and Allied relief still a year away, there was no refuge for the Australians, all of whom perished in the jungle.

It must have been a lonely death, far from home and no mates around, said Captain Ian Pfennigwerth, Australias Beijing defence attache, as the remains of two of the soldiers were unearthed.
MUSKEGON, MI  Cassandra Crump doesnt like shots, but she was one of hundreds of people who showed up to get a COVID-19 vaccine at a Muskegon County walk-in clinic Saturday, March 27.

Public Health Muskegon County held its first largescale, walk-in clinic at Muskegon Community Colleges Health and Wellness Center to target senior residents who havent been vaccinated yet.

We want to make sure everyone who is over 65 has had every possible opportunity to get a vaccine before the end of March, said Jamie Hekker, community engagement coordinator with Muskegon County Public Health.

Over 1,200 Pfizer doses were administered Saturday.

About half the doses administered in Muskegon County to date have gone to residents over 65 years old. Hekker said the event was the health departments last big push to vaccinate the most vulnerable residents.

Related: COVID-19 vaccinations ramp up in Muskegon County, see how to get registered

Starting April 5, any Michigan resident over the age of 16 will become eligible to get a vaccine.

The clinic opened at 9 a.m. to a line of people waiting to get their shots. But as the morning slowed, health officials lowered the age limit to 50, allowing Crump, 52, her sister-in-law and her husband to all be vaccinated.

I didnt have to do much, Crump said. Just jump in the car and run out.

Most vaccine clinics require people to sign up for an appointment ahead of time. Hekker says a walk-in clinic can be more convenient for people who would struggle to make an appointment online.

When Jeff Robinson, 51, heard the age range dropped he drove right over to the clinic.

Ill get it done and over with, and hopefully back to normal, he said.

The health department also administered doses to any spouses or in-home partners of eligible residents.

Its important to get those households all protected together, said Hekker.

A follow-up clinic will be held in the coming weeks to provide the second dose.

More on MLive:

Volunteers help inform Ypsilanti Housing Commission communities about COVID-19 vaccines

Michigan reports 4,670 coronavirus cases, 22 deaths Saturday, March 27

Volunteers help inform Ypsilanti Housing Commission communities about COVID-19 vaccines
An intriguing Unreal Engine comparison featuring a whole range of high-powered processors has been carried out by Puget Systems, with the very expensive AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 3995WX coming out on top. The test also featured the Zen 3 Ryzen 9 5950X, AMDs Ryzen Threadripper 3990X, and even a Comet Lake Intel Core i9-10900K.

4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 5G , Accessory , Alder Lake , AMD , Android , Apple , ARM , Audio , Business , Camera , Cannon Lake , Cezanne (Zen 3) , Charts , Chinese Tech , Chromebook , Coffee Lake , Comet Lake , Console , Convertible / 2-in-1 , Cryptocurrency , Cyberlaw , Deal , Desktop , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy Note , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Ice Lake , Intel Evo / Project Athena , Internet of Things (IoT) , iOS , iPad Pro , iPhone , Jasper Lake , Lakefield , Laptop , Launch , Linux / Unix , Lucienne (Zen 2) , MacBook , Mini PC , Monitor , MSI , OnePlus , Opinion , Phablet , Radeon , Renoir , Review Snippet , Rocket Lake , Rumor , Ryzen (Zen) , Science , Security , Smart Home , Smartphone , Smartwatch , Software , Storage , Tablet , ThinkPad , Thunderbolt , Tiger Lake , Touchscreen , Ultrabook , Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) , Wearable , Windows , Workstation , XPS , Zen 3 (Vermeer) Ticker

Puget Systems, a custom workstation computer builder based in Washington, United States, has put together a fascinating, and very expensive, Unreal Engine-based comparison test. The firm included most of the best workstation powerhouses AMD currently offers, which are the Zen 2-based Threadripper (TR) and Threadripper Pro (TR Pro) ranges. In addition, the mighty 16-core AMD Ryzen 9 5950X was thrown into the mix, and Puget also decided to enlist the Intel Core i9-10980XE and i9-10900K processors. The addition of these latter more mainstream chips was simply for the sake of comparison  no-one would expect a 10-core Comet Lake part to outscore a 64-core Zen 2 TR Pro in an Unreal Engine (4.25) test.

The test system specifications and test results can be seen below, with Puget declaring it tried to balance the systems fairly. A powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 10 GB graphics card was on hand to help all of the processors deal with the Unreal Engine compiling and packaging benchmarks. The AMD TR Pro parts, and especially the top-end Ryzen Threadripper 3995WX, did have a distinct advantage though, which will be discussed later. In the overall CPU score awarded by the company in its Unreal Engine performance analysis, the Intel Core i9-10900K scored a handy baseline mark of 1,000 points. The Zen 3 part was much faster at compiling source code than the Comet Lake chip (889 seconds vs. 1,327 seconds), and the Ryzen 9 5950X came away with a total score of 1,492 points.

The AMD Threadripper Pro 3955WX, with its 16 cores and bargain price of US$1,149, was unsurprisingly the worst-performing out of the six TR SKUs tested, lying behind the 24-core TR part and 32-core TR and TR Pro chips. The most-interesting battle was at the top between the US$3,990 TR 3990X and the US$5,489 TR Pro 3995WX. Both of these 64-core monsters scored over 2,500 points, with the 3995WX edging out the 3990X by 2,679 points to 2,524 points in the overall performance score. But this is just a +6.14% advantage for a +37.57% cost. In addition, the regular Ryzen Threadripper 3000 processors have higher boost clocks than their counterparts, and they have higher base clocks in regard to the 3970X vs. 3975WX and 3990X vs. 3995WX.

The intrinsic value of the Threadripper Pro 3995WX, and the other TR Pro SKUs, goes way beyond core count and clock rate. The TR Pro chips have double the memory bandwidth support than the regular TR parts (octa-channel vs. quad-channel), so the Ryzen TR Pro CPUs in this comparison get to use more RAM and can distribute data quicker. Additionally, the TR Pro chips can utilize 128x PCIe 4 lanes (64x for non-TR Pro) to further cement their positions as workstation processor champions. It is an interesting comparison Puget has carried out, and considering their much lower price tags, the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X (US$799) and Intel Core i9-10900K (US$488) actually performed more than admirably in the challenging Unreal Engine benchmark battery.

Buy the AMD Threadripper 3970X on Amazon
Yangon: Myanmar security forces opened fire at a funeral, witnesses said, as people across the country gathered to mourn 114 people killed on Saturday in the worst crackdown on protests since the military coup on February 1.

Mourners fled the shooting at Sundays service for 20-year-old student Thae Maung Maung in Bago near the commercial capital Yangon and there were no immediate reports of casualties, three people in the town told Reuters.

While we are singing the revolution song for him, security forces just arrived and shot at us, a woman called Aye who was at the service said. People, including us, run away as they opened fire.

Mourners weeping at a funeral for a protester in Mandalay in February, 2021. Witnesses said the military shot at mourners at a funeral in Yangon on Sunday. Credit:AP

Another 12 people were recorded dead in incidents elsewhere in Myanmar by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners advocacy group on Sunday, taking its total toll of civilians killed since the coup to 459.
While waiting for approval of special mechanisms for the development, the municipal authorities will hand over the highest authority to Thu Duc City to solve its issues and problems promptly

Chairman of the HCMC Peoples Committee, Nguyen Thanh Phong speaks at a working session. (Photo: SGGP)





While waiting for approval of special mechanisms for the development, the municipal authorities will hand over the highest authority to Thu Duc City to solve its issues and problems promptly, said Chairman of the HCMC Peoples Committee, Nguyen Thanh Phong at a working session to approve the implementation of the new citys key tasks in 2021 on March 27.

The citys leader allowed the Thu Duc City Peoples Committee to use the proceeds from public property auctions to invest in its infrastructure investment.

Thu Duc Citys most important project is the establishment of the Department of Science & Technology and a digital transformation working team, he added.

Regarding to the new citys proposal on the State budget collection target of over VND8, 300 billion (US$358.2 million), chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong said that Thu Duc has enough capacity to reach more than VND10,000 billion (US$431.6 million) and should make every effort to overcome the District 1s achievement of VND19,000 (US$820 million)

About the models of growth and development, he made a suggestion on service and industry. The High Tech Park, Thu Duc City-Quang Trung Software Park and Institute for Innovation and Creativity will be set to become the Silicon Valleyin Vietnam.

In addition, the chairman stressed that Thu Duc City must creat good conditions for businesses development and investment, and driving force for scientists to study and commercialize their reseach works.

He asked the new city to cooperate with relevant deparrtments to solve existing problems, such as issues of the Thu Thiem new urban area and the High Tech Park; complete its detailed planning in the third quarter; improve administrative procedures; enhance quality of life and living standards of residents.

Speaking at the meeting, chairman of the Peoples Committee of Thu Duc City Hoang Tung said that the city has set 26 economic growth goals, including gaining the State budget collection target of over VND8, 300 billion, completing 15 projects and kicking off 16 others.

He has proposed the HCMC government to allow the Thu Duc to organize auctions of public property auctions, including 29 locations covering on an total area of 21,520 square meters, and use an estimanted proceeds of about VND1, 000 billion (US$43.1 million) from the sales and auctions to invest in infrastructures, implement compensation and site clearance, create land resources to call for investment.

Sercreaty of the Party Committee of Thu Duc City, Nguyen Van Hieu noted that the new city has been especially interested in planning, management of planning, developing infrastructure and caring for residents.

Thu Duc needs a special mechanisms and jurisdiction for its development as well as State budget collection target of VND10, 000 billion. If the city has not been given an suitable mechanisms, the authority could not solve current obstacles and cope with work overload, he stressed.

SGGP
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the current cluster now had seven cases.

Schools will be closed from Tuesday. However, children of essential workers will still be able to go to school and daycare.

Brisbane will go into another three-day lockdown at 5pm on Monday. Credit:Jono Searle/Getty Images

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there had been 10 new cases overnight, with four of those cases confirmed as community transmission.

Greater Brisbane will go into a three-day lockdown from 5pm on Monday.

One of the new cases was in the central Queensland city of Gladstone for three days while infectious. Two other cases visited Byron Bay while contagious.

When asked whether Gladstone could face similar restrictions, Dr Young said authorities needed to find out what venues were visited to make that call. She said the man was in Gladstone from March 25 to March 28.

We now have significant community transmission, Dr Young said.

The current cluster were dealing with has seven cases: the initial two gentlemen and now a brother of one of those that we think could be that link [to] the PA doctor who was infectious two weeks ago.

Then we have two colleagues of the second new case, who have tested positive yesterday, and one of those people was in Gladstone for three days while they were infectious.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
She was kept apart from her boyfriend Johnny McDaid due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But Courteney Cox reunited with her partner after months of long-distance for a trip to the grocery store in western Malibu on Saturday.

The actress, 56, and the Snow Patrol star, 44, were spotted leaving Vintage Grocers at Trancas Country Market after a food shop with a cart full of groceries.

Together again: Courteney Cox reunited with her partner Johnny McDaid, 44, for a trip to the grocery store in Malibu on Saturday after months of long-distance due to the pandemic

Courteney dressed down for the outing with her long-term beau of seven years, who pushed the shopping cart.

She held a bottle of juice in her hand and tucked her hair behind her ear as they headed back to the car.

The Friends star opted for a simple grey t-shirt and cargo pants which she paired with comfy black sliders and wore her hair scraped back in a bun.

The couple kept their faces covered behind matching back face masks and sunglasses.

Casual: The actress, 56, opted for a simple grey t-shirt and cargo pants for the outing which she paired with comfy black sliders and wore her hair scraped back in a bun

The pair were recently reunited in the US after spending months apart apart during the coronavirus crisis, with her Northern Irish beau living in London.

Earlier this month, Courteney shared a sweet St Patrick's Day tribute to partner Johnny as the couple remained miles away from each other.

Resting her head against the Snow Patrol star's shoulder in the photo, Courteney wrote: 'My lucky charm. Happy #StPatricksDay.'

She also posted another photo of Johnny along with a snap of his extended family and told how she was missing them.

Courteney wrote: 'Happy St. Paddy's Day! I'm missing my favorite Irishman and family. I love you'.

Sweet: It comes after Courteney shared a sweet St Patrick's Day tribute to partner Johnny McDaid earlier this month, as the couple spend the holiday in separate countries

Johnny and Courteney were reunited over the Christmas period which she spent in Northern Ireland after the couple spent nine months apart due to the pandemic.

The Scream actress had revealed in October that hadn't seen Johnny for more than 200 days.

Courteney said goodbye to Johnny in March, when he returned to the UK just a day before the lockdowns happened, but she insisted she hasn't been feeling too lonely without him.

'At first I was like, wow what do I do with myself? I cook every day, I've learned to cook so much more, I've perfected it...,' she told pal Foy Vance on his 'Vinyl Supper' podcast and video series.

Apart: She took to her Instagram and shared a snap of the couple looking cosy, after last seeing her boyfriend at Christmas after nine months apart

Courteney wrote: 'Happy St. Paddy's Day! I'm missing my favorite Irishman and family. I love you'

'I haven't seen John in that many days, he left when the country shut down, the day before.

'Sundays are different, I miss a lot of it, although people are starting to go, 'OK, people have been quarantining, everyone's safe,' they like to come to the beach so I'm not that lonely.'

In September Cox celebrated seven years since meeting the musician.

Sharing a collection of snaps of the couple to Instagram, the actress wrote: '7 years ago today I had my first date with this incredible man... and my life was changed forever. I love you J'.

Courteney and Johnny announced their engagement in June 2014 but later called off the engagement but remained a couple.
DETROIT, MI  A crowd of more than 100 people gathered in front of Spirit Plaza Saturday to listen to speeches and march in solidarity with a nationwide protest against hate crimes directed towards Asian Americans in the wake of the Atlanta spa shootings that left eight dead. Michigan Senator Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, was one of the speakers in attendance.

Weve been through a lot, Chang said. Our communities know this history of oppression its not new and we know we are going to be able to get through this again. I am so grateful for this community for our strength and our resilience and I know we are going to be able to get through this.

Sen. Chang went on to encourage the crowd to continue to speak up and to work together with different communities of color. She also referenced the medias handling of the Atlanta Spa shooting.

I also think its important to lift up that some of the media rhetoric has been around well its a sex addiction or it can only be race or sex. We all know thats wrong, Chang said. We know that racism and sexism work together and weve seen it in our own lives. We know the fetishization of Asian American women is a real thing many of us have had to deal with that. That intersectionality is something we cannot forget and something we have to continue to talk about in a personal way because I think its really important for people to hear our stories and hear our own histories.

Following the speakers, protesters marched on Woodward around Campus Martius Park twice and then listened to more speakers to end the evening.

This was the second rally the city held since the Atlanta spa shootings. Many protesters said they thought this could just be the beginning, including Martha Bryan, who said she was representing the Filipino Americans in Detroit.

As our community, sometimes we think we have to stay quiet, Bryan said. We have to just take it and submit to all these things especially going with this model minority idea, so Im glad were finally doing this because its time. Its time to stop the silence and to see the support of not just Asian people but everybody. As a teacher of an inner-city school in Detroit it is important we speak up, educate and actively fight racism and injustice of all kinds for our current and future generations.

RELATED:

Community rallies in Grand Rapids to denounce Asian hate, remember those killed in Atlanta

Resolution condemning Asian hate crimes passes Michigan legislature following Atlanta shootings
BANGKOK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th March, 2021) The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) in Myanmar says over 90 people died during the Saturday clashes between protesters and security forces.

"As of 27 March, (423) people are now confirmed killed by this junta coup. 90+ were killed today, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) compiled and documented killings of children, students, youths and civilians," AAPP said on Facebook.

Earlier, Myanmar Now reported that at least 91 people were killed during the protests against the military rule in Myanmar on Saturday. Fatalities were reported in the cities of Yangon, Bago, Mandalay and surrounding regions.

AAPP said that a total of 2,428 people have been detained in Myanmar in connection with the protests; 24 of them have been sentenced, while another 119 have been issued arrest warrants.

"In Meikhtila Township, Mandalay Region, a 13-year-old girl was shot dead while she was inside her house. This is the second child to be shot dead in the house after a 7-year-old girl from Mandalay Town. In Dawei Township, Tanintahryi Region, while a 16-year-old boy was driving a motorcycle, he was shot at from an unmarked car," AAPP said on Saturday.

According to the association, Myanmar's security forces opened fire at the American Center in Yangon on Saturday.

Myanmar Now said that the Saturday crackdown came as the military celebrated Armed Forces' Day.

On the eve of the deadly protests, the military-controlled MRTV channel warned that participants in acts of violence and unrest "could be accidentally shot in the head or back." Unlike other outlets, the state-run channel repeatedly reported that there are armed people among protesters who shoot at soldiers and police, provoking security forces to return fire.

On February 1, Myanmar's military seized power in the country, announcing a one-year state of emergency and vowing to take action against alleged voter fraud during the November 8 general election. The military said it was committed to the democratic system and vowed to hold new and fair elections after the state of emergency ends.

Protests have been held across Myanmar since the military took over.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday (March 28) at 11 am. This will be the 75th episode of Modis monthly radio programme. In the third edition of 2021's Mann Ki Baat programme, the Prime Minister will share his thoughts with the people in the country and abroad on All India Radio.

The Prime Ministers monthly address comes a day before the festival of Holi. Earlier, PM Modi sought suggestions from citizens on his micro blogging social media account. Adding to this, the leader also encouraged people to share their inspiring life journeys for the upcoming months programme.

"28th March...this year's third #MannKiBaat and yet another opportunity to highlight interesting topics, and inspiring life journeys from across India. Post your views on MyGov or the NaMo App, or record your message, PM Modi tweeted on Sunday (March 14).

28th March...this years third #MannKiBaat and yet another opportunity to highlight interesting topics, and inspiring life journeys from across India. Post your views on MyGov or the NaMo App, or record your message. https://t.co/oOBxXc69Vv pic.twitter.com/Ecy0s1QRFL  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 14, 2021

In the last Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi had urged the students, who were about to face their annual exams, to become a warrior and not a warrier. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 28 had said that he has updated the Exam Warriors book with new mantras and interesting activities.

"Most of the young friends will have exams. All of you should remember - you have to become a warrior and not a worrier, go gleefully for the examination and come back with a smile. You have to compete with yourself, not with anyone else," he had said.

The Prime Minister had also encouraged people to use indigenous products in order to promote the idea of self-reliance. When people feel proud of indigenous products then Aatmanirbhar Bharat does not just remain an economic programme but becomes national spirit, PM Modi said.

Mann Ki Baat is a medium for the Prime Minister Modi's to connect with the people of the nation. In this monthly radio programme he shares his thoughts and views with the people of the country. The programme is broadcasted on the last Sunday of every month.

Live TV
The Earth Shattering Arrivals of Europeans and Railroads

Shapeshifters and the Horse

A Border Like No Other: Magic, Medicine and the Power to Stop Soldiers

The Author as Careful Reader

Most histories of the  Indian Wars  in the American West end with the Wounded Knee Massacre on Dec. 29, 1890, when U.S. troops of the Seventh Cavalry killed between 200 and 300 Lakota (Sioux) people, the majority of them women and children, most of whom had been disarmed, at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota, just one year into its statehood. The great Nebraska epic poet and historian John Neihardt (1881-1973) gives his Lakota seer Black Elk the last word  I did not know then how much was ended. When I look back now from this high hill of my old age, I can still see the butchered women and children lying heaped and scattered all along the crooked gulch as plain as when I saw them with eyes still young. And I can see that something else died there in the bloody mud and was buried in the blizzard. A peoples dream died there. It was a beautiful dream.But thats not really the story, as Pekka Hamalainen reminds us in his magnificent new book,. The Lakota still exist. They are still a sovereign nation state embedded in the larger jurisdictions of the Dakotas and Montana. They still resist white encroachments, including cultural appropriations, and they are working strenuously to reinvigorate parts of their traditional culture. They existed as a nation long before the United States was born, but Hamalainen marks their takeoff point in 1776, when they left the lake country of the Midwest and moved out onto the Great Plains, while back in Philadelphia Mr. Jefferson was writing the birth certificate of another great American nation. The Lakota survived the great onslaught of the 19th century. And, as the last sentence of Hamalainens book declares, They will always find a place in the world because they know how to be fully in it, adapting to its shape while remaking it, again and again, after their own image.Hamalainens book is not a romantic and hand-wringing account of the impact of white civilization on the Lakota ( formerly known as the Sioux ) in the manner of Dee Browns ground-breaking 1970 book,, or Ralph K. Andrists 1964 lament,. Every page of Lakota America is an implicit rebuke to the widely held notion that American Indians should be seen as noble but doomed victims of American settler colonialism. Or as a prominent American historian has put it, part of a vast sad Greek tragedy. Hamalainen criticizes the many acts of historical misrepresentation that, over generations, have diminished the Lakota people as historical actors.Hamalainen addresses the Lakota as a sovereign nation, like Mexico or France, just as responsive to the dynamics of modernity as every other nation on earth. He sees the Lakota as a highly adaptive nation  flexible, creative, resourceful  expanding its inland empire right up to the moment when the U.S. government, employing steam locomotion, superior firepower, and what amounts to a starvation policy, finally crushed armed Lakota resistance at the end of the 1870s. It was only in 1875-76 that the Lakota realized that the wasicus [white people] had turned themselves into an existential threat. Lakotas had clashed with them again and again, but now they would be fighting for cultural survival.Hamalainen calls the Lakota shapeshifters. This unusual characterization has the benefit of reminding us that the Lakota cannot be understood without coming to terms with the deep and pervasive spirituality of their negotiation with the cosmos. As one Lakota spiritual leader said, the sacred is like rain; it falls everywhere but pools in certain places. That constant awareness of the Great Mystery (the wakhan) does not mean the Lakota were incapable of doing the hard, violent, geopolitically necessary things that strong and expanding nation states must do, especially in the face of a massive, unprecedented invasion of aliens from the east, but it means that the Lakota, like so many other Indigenous American groups, saw the world through lenses that white Europeans have no access to. This has led, and continues to lead, to enormous cross-cultural confusion and conflict.The arrival of Europeans on the eastern coast of North America in the 17th century, but also inward along the St. Lawrence River, touched off a ripple or domino effect that continued for two full centuries, until the reservation system and the designated Indian Territory of Oklahoma finally gelled out at the end of the 19th century. Actually, the metaphors of pond ripples and cascading dominoes dont begin to do justice to this incredibly complex story of response, hospitality, reaction, conflict, migration, war, accommodation, resistance, negotiation, adaptation, removal, resilience, dependency, kaleidoscopic alliances, cultural collapse and cultural renewal. The complexity of all of this is usually simplified into a story of the arms race that was touched off when European trading companies, including the Hudsons Bay Company and the North West Company, began supplying firearms to favored Native tribes closest to their North American warehouses. Thus, when Lewis and Clark met the Shoshoni along the continental divide in southwest Montana in August 1805, they recognized that the once-strong Shoshoni had been driven from the plains into the Rocky Mountains, reduced to a marginal refugee status, their leader Cameahwait with his ferce eyes and lank jaws grown meager for the want of food. The other standard trope  true but superficial  was once summarized by the Oglala leader Red Cloud, They made us many promises, more than I can remember, but they never kept but one; they promised to take our land, and they took it. Hamalainen wants us to know it was much more complicated than that. In the spirit of the distinctly modern iwastegla policy, Lakotas were gradually adjusting to a reality where coexistence with the wasicus was a fact of life. The Lakota word iwastegla means something like political philosophy. Throughout Lakota America, Hamalainen forces us to see the Lakota world partly through their own terminology, because such terms as tribe, band, medicine, shaman, and chief carry so much distorting cultural baggage.Hamalainen previously wrote a good book on the Comanche Empire , butis a bolder, more provocative, and more insightful contribution to American history. Hamalainen is Finnish, with a Ph.D. from the University of Helsinki. He is now the Rhodes Professor of American History at Oxford University. Thats a very long distance in several important ways from the Great Plains of the United States, but not being an American turns out to be an intellectual advantage. Like the French sociologist Alexis de Tocqueville, who visited the United States in 1831-32, Hamalainen is able to see things with eyes we simply dont possess, I suppose because we Americans are still, no matter how hard we try to liberate ourselves, soured in the brine of manifest destiny, and complicit in the conquest of the continent. I know I live on my own private property in the Mandan homeland in North Dakota, land taken by executive order, without consultation or compensation, 150 years ago. I have read enough and listened enough to know that much of what Anglo-Europeans have done since 1806 (or 1492 for that matter) has violated not only our sacred agreements with Indigenous Americans (the trail of broken treaties ), but also our own principles of due process, justice, contract and fair play. When we Americans discuss the history of our interactions with Indigenous Americans, we cannot help being defensive even when we dont wish to be. Thats why white historians invariably find themselves positing some form of inevitability for what happened, as if the cosmos endorsed the natural law that a more powerful and acquisitive people will inevitably subject and displace a comparatively weaker or less numerous people. It is easy to find evidence for such a view in the long warp of history. But those other incidents occurred far back in time when there was no means to publish a narrative of dissent or outrage, and the people who overwhelmed their weaker neighbors were not the enlightened United States of America, which pledged, in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 , that The utmost good faith shall always be observed towards the Indians; their land and property shall never be taken from them without their consent; and, in their property, rights, and liberty, they shall never be invaded or disturbed, unless in just and lawful wars authorized by Congress; but laws founded in justice and humanity, shall from time to time be made for preventing wrongs being done to them, and for preserving peace and friendship with them. If this were posted in the lobbies of the tribal headquarters of Americas 574 federally recognized Indian nations , it would be seen as some kind of joke.Hamalainen has a brilliant mind, bordering on genius, that can see things in a fresh, sometimes almost quirky, way, things that we take for granted. Take his description of the revolution the horse brought to the Lakota (ca. 1740):Just as steam power was fueling an accelerating industrial revolution in the United States, equine power ushered Lakotas into a new technological age. The horse was more than a tool or a bigger and more muscular dog; it was a means to access the immense pool of energy that spread out boundlesslyand seemingly uselesslyright under Lakotas feet: grass. Horses were magnificent, empowering creatures of spectacular strength but what really made them so useful for Lakotas lay in their stomachs. The dogs could tap grass energy only indirectly, by consuming the flesh of the herbivores their mastered procured for them, whereas horses harbored symbiotic bacteria in their large intestines that enabled them to digest enormous quantities of cellulose-rich grass.This is superb. If Alexander Pope defined wit as what oft was thought but never so well expressed, Hamalainen goes even farther to find a way to express insights that have never appeared in quite this way and at this level of historical clarity in any other book about the history of the American West. He characterizes Pine Ridge agent Valentine McGillycuddy as edgily passionate. He speaks of the legendary Oglala Crazy Horse as a strange man of introverted spirituality, single-mindedness, and dazzling performance, coupled with unassuming charisma that wound up being profoundly charismatic nevertheless. I think, however, that his calling Standing Rock agent James McLaughlin a ruthlessly effective assimilation crusader may be a little unfair to a complex individual who was at times a strong advocate for Native American rights, especially land rights, at Standing Rock.Hamalainen provides a fresh reading of the Medicine Line , the U.S.-Canadian border at the 49th parallel, established in 1818. The term Medicine Line is usually regarded as an ingenious Native commentary on the fact that the boundary does not follow the contour of a river or a continental divide or a great lake, something immediately recognizable, but rather an invisible and arbitrary line drawn with no regard for landscape. Hamalainen reads Medicine Line to also mean a border that seemed to stop U.S. troops like a spell. Thats a way of saying that the border prevented U.S. troops from following Sitting Bull and other Lakotas into Grandmothers Land [Queen Victoria] after the debacle of the Little Bighorn. Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce was making a sprint for the Medicine Line in 1877 when he was arrested by General Nelson Miles in northeastern Montana, just 40 miles from Grandmothers Land.belongs to the same school of Yuval Hararis. In both cases, we not only get an intellectual tour de force, but we actually get to witness great minds thinking out loud. Hamalainen explains why the slaughter of the American bison herd was not curtailed during the economic panic of 1873: a low-capital industry, hunting was largely immune to the panic. Then he adds: and the U.S. government did nothing to stop the slaughter. Most readers will never have stepped back before to consider what enterprises are immune to economic recessions.His understanding of the importance of the transcontinental railroads in the disruption of the Lakota world is worth the price of the book alone. Hamalainen reminds us that the railroads did not merely bisect the Lakota nation, enable the U.S. government to rush troops around lickety-split (6,000-7,000 army troops descended on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the weeks before the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890, for example), and facilitate the extraction of millions of tons of buffalo hides (thus destroying the keystone of the Lakota economy) in the only way such bulk could get to market in a cost-effective manner, but  just as important  the railroad lines laid down a necklace of settlements every 10 miles along their routes, first to refill the water tanks of steam locomotives, but with the inevitable accompaniment of hostels, cafes, saloons, sex workers and all the rest that followed in Frederick Jackson Turners frontier dynamics: the Masonic lodge, the jail, the courthouse, the churches, and the schoolmarm.Hamalainen has a genius for finding the perfect quotation, often never previously extracted from the extensive archives. On this subject, he quotes Secretary of Interior Jacob D. Cox s 1869 annual report:The completion of one of the great lines of railway to the Pacific coast has totally changed the conditions under which the civilized population of the country come in contact with the wild tribes. Instead of a slowly advancing tide of migration, making its gradual inroads upon the circumference of the great interior wilderness, the very center of the desert has been pierced. Every station upon the railway has become a nucleus for a civilized settlement.Hamalainen restores nuance and complexity to the lives and work of such leaders as Red Cloud Spotted Tail , and Gall , and resists the urge to dress them up as noble indigenes in the manner of Rousseau. He sees them as shrewd and resourceful leaders, capable of greatness and occasional blundering like the rest of us, each following his own path for the same purpose: Lakota survival, resistance to the conquest. The old notion that Red Cloud won the Powder River War of 1876 and then settled down as a Native accommodationist cannot survive a reading of this book. Spotted Tail has usually been regarded as even more accommodating than Red Cloud to the white world, but he gets off some of the best lines in. When he visited Washington, D.C., in 1875, he was subjected to a sumptuous White House dinner under massive chandeliers. Spotted Tail wryly observed, the white man has a great many more good things to eat and drink than they sent to the Indians. He said he would be happy to settle down and take up farming, as the agents insisted, if you will always treat me like this and let me live in as big [a] house. When officers of the government extolled Indian Territory in Oklahoma as a wonderful place for the Lakota to relocate, Spotted Tail said, I want nothing to do with it. I was not from there; but, if it is such a good country, you ought to send the white men now in our country there and let us alone.That the Lakota thought they could abort the completion of the Northern Pacifics transcontinental railway may seem naive in retrospect, but from a Lakota point of view it made perfect sense. The line had been stuck at the Missouri River at todays Bismarck, N.D., for nine years. The Lakota were able to disrupt and turn back the two military-escorted Northern Pacific line surveys in Montana in 1872 and then again in 1873. It was in 1872 that Sitting Bull strolled out into the no mans land between the U.S. and the Lakota armies, sat down well within rifle range, quietly smoked a pipe while bullets thucked into the earth all around him, then got up and strolled back to his people. From a white power point of view this was a foolish and futile gesture, but it gained Sitting Bull enormous prestige and added to his political capital among the Lakota. It was also one of the greatest gestures of defiance in the history of the American West. The panic of 1873 and the mismanagement of the Northern Pacific had more to do with the stalled construction than the Lakota, but they could not entirely know that. As Hamalainen summarizes the 1872-73 skirmishing, And then the wasicus vanished from the Yellowstone basin, their railroad seemingly abandoned . . . Lakotas appeared to have stopped U.S. expansion in its tracks.One of the best moments in the book begins with the words, That same year a Lakota boy had a vision in the Little Bighorn Valley. He was a sensitive child who heard voices and communicated with spirits. As soon as I started reading this passage, I reckoned Hamalainen was referring to Nicholas Black Elk , the subject of Neihardts marvelous but in some ways problematic book,. My initial response was to wonder why Hamalainen did not just name him right away. Then I recognized the authors disruptive purpose. By withholding the name Black Elk until the end of the passage, Hamalainen prevents us from dwelling on our cultural privileging of Black Elk  one of the best-known and best-loved Indigenous Americans in U.S. history  at the expense of his important 1873 vision. Himalayans historical strategy is to pull us as far away from our mythic memory of the Indian Wars  our own continuing Wild West Show  as possible, and as often as possible, so that we have the opportunity, if we accept it, of looking at this critical period of American history with fresh eyes.should be regarded as an introduction to all future studies of the plains Indian Wars. It should be read by every student of the Lewis and Clark Expedition , everyone who wishes to make sense of the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) crisis that brought thousands of people from all over the world to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. It should be read by everyone interested in the history of colonialism and post-colonialism, everyone who seeks to understand the Custer debacle at the Little Bighorn or the Massacre at Wounded Knee. It should be required reading in the high schools of the Dakotas and Montana. Above all, it should be read by people who want to know more about the extraordinary and resilient Lakota Nation that continues to flex its culture and power at the heart of the North American continent.Pekka HamalainenYale University Press, 544 pages, October 2019, $35.00Governing
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian president Joko Widodo strongly condemned a suspected suicide bomb attack outside a church that wounded 14 people in the city of Makassar on the island of Sulawesi on Sunday.

In a video broadcast, he described the attack in the country with the world's largest Muslim population as an "act of terrorism", and urged people to remain calm, saying the government would ensure that everybody can worship freely, "without fear".

(Reporting by Stanley Widianto, Fransiska Nangoy; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
Gunfire in Mozambique Continues After Deadly Palma Attacks

Mozambican forces are fighting to drive back insurgents after dozens of people were killed in attacks in the northern Mozambique province of Palma. Human Rights Watch has called on authorities to take urgent measures to protect civilians fleeing the violence in northern Cabo Delgado province. One South African was killed and as many as 15 are still missing, the Daily Maverick reports.

The attacks occurred after French energy giant Total announced that work would gradually resume at a liquified natural gas project in the region. Total is the principal investor in the region, with other firms such as ExxonMobil also involved in the area. Districts in Northern Cabo Delgado have been the centre of fighting between government forces and the armed Islamist group since October 2017. According to the US-based data collecting agency Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), the violence has caused the death of more than 2,600 people. Half of those killed have been civilians.
When Jim Foley was a 7-year-old boy living a block from the Church of the Presidents, he had a fateful encounter with Edgar Dinkelspiel, the founding president of the Long Branch Historical Museum Association, the non-profit group that still owns the 142-year-old chapel where seven U.S. presidents worshipped in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Foley, who lived just over the border in Deal, was so eager to get inside the unusual 1879 structure, which combines elements of Shingle style, Greek revival and Gothic architecture, that he offered to weed the chapels overgrown brick walkway if Dinkelspiel would let him in for a look.


Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday lashed out at AIADMK top leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami alleging he is trapped due to graft and he bowed in front of Union Home Minister Amit Shah as he had indulged in corruption.

Addressing a public meeting for the April 6 Assembly polls, Gandhi said when he saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'controlling' the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and making him "touch his feet silently I am not ready to accept it." A 'leader' in Uttar Pradesh was forced to bow in front of Shah as he was corrupt and this person lost his freedom due to graft and Palaniswami too faced a similar situation, he claimed.

The former Congress party chief did not specify the name of the UP leader. "The tragedy is, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu does not want to bow in front of Amit Shah and no Tamil person will want to do that." However, Palaniswami is forced to bow in front of Shah because of the "corruption he has done," Gandhi alleged.

"Ironically, because of the money he has stolen from the people of Tamil Nadu, he is now trapped," the Congress MP alleged. While previous polls were contests between political parties of Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK and DMK, the present one was between the AIADMK, RSS, Modi, Shah (BJP) on the one side and the Tamil people on the other side, he alleged.

"The AIADMK-BJP front would be 'decimated' in Tamil Nadu in the poll battle and the DMK, its chief M K Stalin and his party-led Secular Progressive Alliance is the instrument that would steer the rout of AIADMK and its allies, he said. "

Stalin would become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, he exuded confidence.

The 'attack' on Tamil Nadu shall, however, not end with Stalin becoming the CM, he said adding it shall happen only when the Saffron party was removed from power in Delhi.

Also Read: West Bengal, Assam polls: Cast ballots against 'divisive forces' to strengthen democracy, says Rahul Gandhi

Also read: Bengal, Assam Phase 1 Voting Live Updates: Assam records 24.48%, Bengal 24.61% voter turnout till 11 am

Also read: Assam polls: Over 1.54 cr voters to decide fate of CM Sonowal, top opposition lead
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Hyundai has issued an urgent recall for Tuscons made between 2015 and 2021

An elderly couple's Hyundai Tuscon has ignited and burst into flames while turned off in their garage, their lawyer claims, as an urgent recall is issued for the popular SUV.

Richard and Judy Edwards were lucky to escape their Ballina home, in northern NSW, with their lives before it was gutted by fire in the early hours of February 1.

Three days later, Hyundai Australia recalled more than 93,000 Tucons made between 2015 and 2021 because a defect in anti-locking braking circuit board could spark a flame even when the vehicle is turned off.

But the car giant still claims the Tuscons have never caught fire in Australia.

Fire and Rescue NSW confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the blaze began in the garage where the 2016 Tuscon was parked, but were unable to determine the cause due to the extent of the damage.

Pictured: Richard and Judy Edwards who lost everything in a house fire, which started where their Hyundai Tuscon was parked

The Edwards' lawyer Greg McBurney told the Daily Telegraph: 'The preliminary indications are that the fire did start in the vehicle  but we have to do our due diligence.'

He explained an independent expert arranged by the car insurer would assess the vehicle and determine whether it was the cause of the fire.

The couple, who spent their professional lives running a restaurant, 'pretty much lost everything', according to a GoFundMe page created to help them rebuild their lives.

'Unfortunately their contents insurance had expired. We need your help to assist them to buy new furniture, linen, crockery, utensils and other basic items,' the fundraiser read.

Another Tuscon owner, Zane Lewis-Hamilton, from Craigieburn in Melbourne, tried to take his nephew to school on March 18 in the car, but the vehicle wouldn't shift from park to drive.

Zane Lewis-Hamilton (pictured) says his Tuscon caught alight before he took his nephew to school

Mr Lewis-Hamilton called RACV roadside assist, but the car caught alight before they arrived (pictured: the Tuscon after the blaze)

He called RACV roadside assist, but the car caught alight before they arrived.

'I think people's lives are at risk,' he told the publication.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Hynundai for comment.

While the warning was issued only vehicles made between 2015 and 2021, Soraya and Justin Longdon's 2013 Hyundai ix35 - which was not included in the recall - also burst into flames on a highway on February 7.

The couple, who were driving with their young daughters, said the car stalled while accelerating around a semi-trailer on the M1 near Cowan, north of Sydney, when it 'cut out'.

Soraya and Justin Longdon's 2013 Hyundai ix35 burst into flames on a highway on February 7 (pictured)

Mr Longdon pulled to look under the bonnet and check the battery connections, before unsuccessfully trying to start the car again.

When he looked under the hood again, he noticed flames under the engine.

HYUNDAI TUSCON RECALL Some Tucson vehicles may have an increased risk of an electrical short circuit within the ABS module when it is exposed to moisture, which can lead to a fire in the engine compartment. The recall applies to certain Tucson models made between 2015 and 2021. If the vehicle displays an engine warning light, drivers are urged to stop driving and contact their local Hyundai dealer. Hyundai does not recommend parking the vehicle in a garage. All repairs by Hyundai dealers are free-of-charge, and will take approximately 40 minutes to complete. Motorists can check whether their car is affected by the recall by heading to the Hyundai site and entering their vehicle VIN number. Source: Hyundai Advertisement

The Longdons grabbed their daughters Raina, age four, and Maya, nine months, and ran down the side of the highway just minutes before the car burst into flames.

In 2019 Hyundai recalled 8,200 ix35 models, made between 2010 and 2013 due to a defect that caused a leak in the engine oil, meaning the car could stall when travelling at high speeds.

The family's ix35 was not on the recall list, with a Hyundai spokesperson telling the publication that it was 'not affected.'

Hynundai initially offered the Longdon's $2,000, which they rejected.

They eventually accepted an offer of $5,000, but they will still be left out of pocket even with their insurance payout.

'This was not our fault,' Mrs Longdon said. 'It's not fair.'

On Wednesday, Hyundai told worried customers on social media that the recall was a 'precautionary measure only, with no actual reported cases in Australia'.

One user wrote: 'Did two catch fire in Australia? When are the parts available to fix the fault? Meant to be end of February. This is a disgrace. It was my first ever new car.'

The car manufacturer also used Facebook to advertise its new Tuscon model on Saturday.

'How about we get our Tucsons fixed so we arent worrying about it catching fire, before showing off the new model?' one social media user commented,

'I love my Tucson but am a little paranoid and not happy.'
New Delhi: A day after the first phase of polling was conducted in the eastern states of West Bengal and Assam, Union Home Minister Amit Shah exuded confidence of a resounding victory by the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).

The BJP leader said, as per the feedback received from the ground, his party will win 26 of the 30 seats that polled in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Further, he also said the party is confident of a clear mandate itself in Assam as well, and that they will win 37 of the 47 Assembly seats.

Amit Shah informed that the voting process was largely peaceful and that high voter turnouts show a positive sign.

He expressed his gratitude to the voters for turning up in large numbers and thanked the Election Commission (EC) for the peaceful conduct of elections in Assam and violence-prone West Bengal.

He exuded confidence that the saffron party will be able to register a huge electoral win in West Bengal by winning more than 200 seats in the 294-member Assembly and also improve its tally in Assam.

Shah also appealed to the people of Nandigram, from where West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee is contesting the polls, to vote for change and a better future of the state.

Rejecting the TMC's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh, he said the visit is to strengthen bilateral ties and has nothing to do with elections.

Meanwhile, polling in the remaining seven phases in West Bengal will take place on April 1 (30 seats), April 6 (31 seats), April 10 (44 seats), April 17 (45 seats), April 22 (43 seats), April 26 (36 seat) and April 29 (35 seats). While, polling for the next two phases in Assam will be held on April 1 and April 6. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.
On Sunday, March 14th, 2021, Einsteins birthday, a historic event took place when Astronaut Dr. Soichi Noguchi (JAXA, Japan Exploration Agency) was inducted as a Genius 100 Visionary. Maestro Eduardo Marturet, a fellow Genius100 Visionary, took part in the ceremony along with a global representation of the organization.

The celebration and induction were divided into a three-part event during that same day:

At precisely 3:14PM, Genius 100 Foundation was connected to a live feed at the International Space Station for a private ceremony and conversation with Dr. Noguchi. During this private event, Planet 9", an opus Maestro Marturet composed exclusively to be performed in space, was performed for this occasion. Maestro Eduardo Marturet and many other Genius 100 Visionaries took part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Prior to this out of this world event, there was a community event at 1:00PM/EST, to honor Einsteins birthday, and to celebrate the inauguration of Astronaut Soichi Noguchi on becoming a Genius100 Visionary. The event was hosted by Genius100 Foundation via YouTube live streaming. An exceptional performance by the Miami Symphony Orchestra was part of the event.

In 2019, Maestro Marturet, was inducted as a Genius 100 Visionary, and there to support him, amongst the G100 global community, was Dr. Soichi Noguchi. On Sunday, Maestro Marturet returned the honor.

At 6PM/EST the complete performance of Marturets Planet 9 was streamed on the MISO Youtube channel. This piece was composed by Maestro Eduardo Marturet in honor of his fellow visionary Dr. Souchi Noguchi, featuring concertmaster Daniel Andai and G100 Visionary, electric guitarist Konstantin Batygin. Batygin, a world-renowned astronomer, co-discovered the Planet 9. The video was produced by Miami Symphonys Executive Producer for Special Events Fernando Duprat, taking place at the Miami Design Districts Moore Building, Elastika

For more information about Genius100 visit: https://www.genius100visions.com

For more information about MISO visit: https://www.themiso.org

Miso Marketing Team

The Miami Symphony Orchestra

http://www.themiso.org
Ahn Yong-ho, vice president and head of CDO business unit at Samsung Biologics, speaks during The Korea Times' Bio Webinar, March 26. Captured during the event



By Baek Byung-yeul





Logo for Samsung Biologics

The outbreak of COVID-19 has provided Korea with the momentum to look back on how well the country has nurtured its biotechnology industry.



Some firms have responded swiftly to the market's need for reliable test kits to diagnose the novel virus and other companies have gone all-out to manufacture vaccines and treatments.



Taking the pandemic as a turning point, the country's biotechnology firms are readying to take the giant leap forward to compete against global players.



Specializing in the development and manufacturing of biopharmaceutical products for global pharmaceutical firms, Samsung Biologics is one of the local companies leading the country as a rising player in the biotechnology industry.



The company has also been working on expanding its business scope to develop its contract development organization (CDO) business, an end-to-end biopharmaceutical project running drug development procedures from laboratory research to clinical trials.




ISLAMABAD (AP)  Zimbabwe has chosen Harare as the venue for its first international cricket games since the pandemic began with Pakistan due to play three Twenty20s and two test matches in April.

The Twenty20 series will be played from Apr. 21-25, followed by the test matches on Apr. 29-May 3 and May 7-11.

Pakistan will fly out to Harare from Johannesburg on Apr. 17 following its three ODIs and four T20s against South Africa.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has been at the forefront of the revival of international cricket in the post Covid-19 world and the tour of Zimbabwe is another step in that direction, PCB director of international cricket, Zakir Khan, said in a statement on Sunday.

We have always maintained that cricket and Covid-19 can co-exist in a safe and secure environment, and we continue to demonstrate this to ensure the game develops and flourishes in these difficult and challenging times.

Pakistan has won all of the 14 T20 matches the teams have played. It has also won 10 of the 17 test matches it played against the African nation. Zimbabwe has won three of the test matches.

Zimbabwe last hosted Sri Lanka for a two-test series in January last year before the coronavirus halted most sports around the world.

___

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports




Too Convenient to Be a Coincidence

(PALM SUNDAY) MARCH 28

The next day [five days before Passover] a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel! John 12:12-13

For 3,500 years, our Jewish friends have kept the Passover. Christians look back admiringly to the Passover, grateful for the lesson God gave us in the Passoveranother picture of the Lord Jesus.

Lambs specifically designated for Passover sacrifice were bred and cared for in the fields of Boaz outside of Bethlehem. Its not without significance that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, or by coincidence that so close to Jerusalem, about 5 miles away, those lambs would be raised and cared for.

On a specified day, the shepherds would bring the lambs into the city through the Sheep Gate to be sacrificed. Did you knowthe day they were brought in was the day we now call Palm Sunday?

Christians around the world celebrate Palm Sunday, the day our Lord came triumphantly into Jerusalem, riding a white Syrian colt. The day the lambs were coming in, the Lamb of God came in.

They cut down palm branches and put them under His feet. The crowd waved them shouting, Hail Him, Hail Him. Five days later, on Passover, they would be shouting, Nail Him, Nail Him.

Jesus, Gods Passover Lamb, died in our place so we can be reconciled to God.

If youve never received Him, never bowed the knee, made Him your Lord, or allowed Him to become your sacrifice for sin, one day you will experience a Calvary of your own. The Savior is waiting to enter your heart. What is your answer to Him?

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.

You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com.

Watch Adrian Rogers and Love Worth Finding Video Online.
Alliance Defending Freedom to purchase Prison Fellowship's 11.3-acre headquarters

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

The Alliance Defending Freedom, a prominent conservative nonprofit legal organization, is in the process of purchasing the Virginia-based headquarters of the global evangelical prison ministry Prison Fellowship.

Founded by Chuck Colson, the worlds largest Christian ministry for prisoners, moved into the 11.3-acre Lansdowne, Virginia property in 2005, after having outgrown its previous headquarters in Reston, Virginia.

The decision to sell the property in the Washington, D.C. suburbs was due in large part to the ministry work increasingly becoming virtual or on location at prisons, according to a statement.

ADF President and CEO Michael Farris told The Christian Post in an interview Monday that his organization signed a letter of intent as of last week and is going through closing now on the property.

Weve been renting in the area for a couple of years now, and our growth is so explosive that we were looking at getting a long-term place to grow, where were not going from one rental to another, Farris said.

This opportunity became available. With the legacy of the building, it is especially wonderful, but just the building itself was perfect for our needs. And so, were really excited to pursue it.

Farris also told CP that his organization and Prison Fellowship had worked on multiple projects together, with the group offering legal advice to Prison Fellowship via ADF Ministry Alliance.

James Ackerman, president and CEO of Prison Fellowship since 2016, told CP that his ministry was in the process of finalizing certain contingencies and inspections but expected to close the transaction by the end of June.

According to Ackerman, Prison Fellowship decided to sell the property more than a year ago but held off on doing so due to the poor market caused by the recent economic downturn.

Farris had been interested in the property for some time, noted Ackerman, with the ADF head telling them a couple of months ago that he was still interested in acquiring the land.

Ackerman also told CP that the sale was not tied to any financial problems, explaining that Prison Fellowship has had a steady stream of income, even during the coronavirus pandemic.

Our revenue has grown year over year for the last three years. From everything I can see today, were going to see revenue grow again this year, said Ackerman.

The pandemic has not impacted us financially. We have not had to lay off a single person or furlough any employees. Weve been super busy, and we carry no debt. We have zero debt on the balance sheet.

Prison Fellowship plans to remain on the property as renters for at least the next couple of years, moving its personnel from the third floor of the building to the second.

Over the last five years, Prison Fellowship became an increasingly virtual organization with more employees operating closer to its in-prison work. According to Ackerman, over two-thirds of the organizations staff worked from home before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The Board of Prison Fellowship and the senior management team are thrilled Alliance Defending Freedom will operate on the same property and buildings our founder, the late Charles Colson, dedicated to the Lord, Ackerman said in a statement.

Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian nonprofit headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is dedicated to defending religious freedom and free speech in court. The organization, founded in 1993, has won nearly a dozen Supreme Court cases since 2011.

The Lansdowne campus will be an expansion of ADFs existing offices.

In a statement, Farris described Prison Fellowships late founder Chuck Colson as a  strong advocate for freedom of conscience and religion.

As a drafter of the Manhattan Declaration, he defended the very principles that we defend today, Farris explained. With the purchase of this new property, we carry on his legacy and begin a new and exciting chapter in ADFs 28 years of ministry as the worlds largest legal advocacy organization committed to protecting religious freedom, sanctity of life, freedom of speech, and parental rights.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

SUEZ, Egypt  Two additional tugboats deployed Sunday to Egypts Suez Canal to aid efforts to free a skyscraper-sized container ship wedged for days across the crucial waterway, even as major shippers increasingly divert their boats out of fear the vessel may take even longer to free.

The MV Ever Given, a Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned ship that carries cargo between Asia and Europe, got stuck Tuesday in a single-lane stretch of the canal. In the time since, authorities have been unable to unstick the vessel and traffic through the canal  valued at over $9 billion a day  has been halted, further disrupting a global shipping network already strained by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Dutch-flagged Alp Guard, a specialist tugboat, arrived at the location Sunday, according to the stuck ships technical management company, Bernard Schulte Shipmanagement. The Italian-flagged tugboat Carlo Magno was also close, having reached the Red Sea near the city of Suez early Sunday, satellite data from MarineTraffic.com showed.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

The tugboats, along with at least 10 others already there, will be used to nudge the 400-meter-long (quarter-mile-long) Ever Given as dredgers continue to vacuum up sand from underneath the vessel and mud caked to its port side, Bernhard Schulte said.

Excavators dug Sunday on the eastern wall of the Suez Canal, hoping to free the bulbous bow of the Ever Given that plowed into the embankment, satellite photos showed. Bernard Schulte said the team was also waiting for the arrival of additional equipment to dredge the canals seafloor. The THSD Causeway, a dredger registered in Cyprus, was expected to arrive by Tuesday.

Authorities canceled Sundays planned freeing attempts until sufficient tug power is in place, said canal services firm Leth Agencies. They plan to conduct an effort to free the vessel Monday to coincide with high tides, it said.

Officials have been desperately trying to avoid unloading the vessel, which likely would add even more days to the canals closure. Taking containers off the ship would require a crane and other equipment that have yet to arrive.

On Saturday, the head of the Suez Canal Authority told journalists that strong winds were not the only cause for the Ever Given running aground, appearing to push back against conflicting assessments offered by others. Lt. Gen. Osama Rabei said an investigation was ongoing but did not rule out human or technical error.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement maintains that their initial investigations rule out any mechanical or engine failure as a cause of the grounding. However, at least one initial report suggested a blackout struck the hulking vessel carrying some 20,000 containers at the time of the incident.

Rabei said he remained hopeful that dredging could free the ship without having to resort to removing its cargo, but added that we are in a difficult situation, its a bad incident.

Asked about when they expected to free the vessel and reopen the canal, he said: I cant say because I do not know.

Speaking on Sunday to the pro-government Egyptian television channel Extra News, Rabei said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi had ordered the canal authority to prepare for all options, including taking containers off of the vessel. He said officials had been in talks with the U.S. about that possibility, without elaborating.

Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd., the company that owns the vessel, said it was considering removing containers if other refloating efforts failed.

The Ever Given is wedged about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) north of the canals Red Sea entrance near the city of Suez.

A prolonged closure of the crucial waterway would cause delays in the global shipment chain. Some 19,000 vessels passed through the canal last year, according to official figures. About 10% of world trade flows through the canal. The closure could affect oil and gas shipments to Europe from the Middle East. Already, Syria has begun rationing the distribution of fuel in the war-torn country amid concerns of delays of shipments arriving amid the blockage.

As of early Sunday, over 320 ships waited to travel through the Suez, either to the Mediterranean or the Red Sea, according to canal services firm Leth Agencies. At least 10 of those vessels carried livestock, raising concerns about the animals. Rabei told the Saudi-owned satellite news channel Al-Arabiya that authorities planned to offer provisions to help them.

Dozens of others still listed their destination as the canal, though shippers increasingly appear to be avoiding the passage.

The worlds biggest shipping company, Denmarks A.P. Moller-Maersk, warned its customers that it would take anywhere from three to six days to clear the backlog of vessels at the canal. Already, the firm and its partners have 27 ships waiting to enter the canal, with three stuck in the waterway itself and two more coming Sunday.

We have until now redirected 15 vessels where we deemed the delay of sailing around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa equal to the current delay of sailing to Suez and queuing. the shipper said.

Mediterranean Shipping Co., the worlds second-largest shipper, said it already had rerouted at least 11 ships around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the canal. It turned back two other ships and said it expected some missed sailings as a result of this incident.

MSC expects this incident to have a very significant impact on the movement of containerized goods, disrupting supply chains beyond the existing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it said.

___

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell reported this story from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and AP writer Samy Magdy reported in Suez. AP writers Isabel DeBre and Malak Harb in Dubai contributed to this report.
Tikiri Toys  First organic rubber toy company in the world to be awarded GOLS accreditation View(s):

In a world first, Tikiri Toys  the acclaimed Sri Lankan brand of natural play products for children  is the first-ever natural rubber toy manufacturing company to be awarded the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) accreditation.

The accreditation, which was initiated by Tikiri Toys after recognising an industry need, is a pioneering award for the first global standard for organic latex by Control Union Certifications. It is the equivalent of the well-known Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification and ensures the traceability in any latex used at every stage of production, the company said in an announcement this week.

Tikiri Toys is locally-designed and manufactured by DSL Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, the chief exporter of organic toys from Sri Lanka. From a humble production facility in 1991, DSL Lanka has now garnered a loyal global following for its ethically sourced and produced, organic soft toys for toddlers. Tikiri Toys is its Sri Lankan brand, launched in 2013. Their beloved Meiya and Alvin collections are currently sold in over 56 countries including Sri Lanka and enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of children around the world. The brands Bonikka collection is now an international phenomenon and features beautifully handcrafted rag dolls, all inspired by a precious family heirloom.

We are excited that our efforts have resulted in a new global standard for toy manufacturers. It serves as recognition of the impeccable care we have taken to ensure that our products are made from 100 per cent pure organic rubber. In addition, all cotton materials are ethically sourced, and our toys are biodegradable. Tikiri toys are designed to delight, comfort and promote infant development. Therefore, our responsibility is twofold  we go to great lengths to ensure that our products are safe for children and we work very hard to ensure that our toys do not harm the environment, stated Mano Sheriff, CEO of DSL Lanka.

Tikiri Toys ethos on safety and sustainability pervades the entire lifecycle of their childrens toys. It sources latex from small plantations in Sri Lanka which are certified organic, and this safeguards that all toys are pure, natural and safe for infants and toddlers.

The GOLS accreditation is a recognition of Tikiri Toys business ethos while also offering parents peace of mind, knowing that the toys are non-toxic, sustainable and ethical. DSL Lanka is the only Sri Lankan company that manufactures organic soft toys for export and local retail.
By Park Ji-won







Poster for JTBC TV series "Snowdrop" / Courtesy of JTBC

JTBC's upcoming TV series "Snowdrop" has also faced a backlash from audiences for allegedly distorting history, following a similar controversy over SBS' "Joseon Exorcist."







Some reacted furiously about the forthcoming drama after its synopsis was leaked online. According to leaked information, the drama, set in Korea gripped by pro-democracy protests in the 1980s, tells the story of love between a North Korean agent and a female South Korean college student.







Their discontent comes from lead characters. Suho, played by Jung Hae-in, is a pro-democracy student activist who turns out to be a North Korean agent who infiltrates South Korea to instigate chaos and political instability, during which he falls in love with the other lead role Young-cho (BLACKPINK's Jisoo). People reacted poorly to the way the male character is described and claim the plot is an apologism for the South Korean spy agency, which had tortured and even killed student activists at the time.







Tens of thousands of people left comments on the network's website, calling for the cancellation of the series claiming that it distorts the history of the democratic movement of South Korea by including false information.







"There are still victims out there who are suffering from the torture done by the spy agency and they are fighting for their honor and compensation. The drama is mocking history and democracy. Stop the production of the series and apologize," someone surnamed Yoon commented.







A petition was also submitted to the presidential office calling for a halt to the series' production and its cancellation, already attracting more than 92,000 votes.







"History proved that there was no North Korean involvement in the democracy movement. But the drama adopted a North Korean spy as a lead role. It is also trying to defend the spy agency which tortured and killed under the name of the government  The synopsis itself mocks the victims and cannot be approved under the name of the drama  The production of the series should be stopped and canceled," the petition wrote.







Meanwhile, JTBC made a case for the TV series: "The drama is not distorting the pro-democracy movement and beautifying the spy agency. It is a black comedy drama satirizing the political situation between the two Koreas under the authoritarian government back in the 1980s. Also, it is a romance drama showing young people who sacrifice their love."







The controversy came amid the cancellation of SBS' original series "Joseon Exorcist" for allegedly distorting history after releasing its first two episodes. The network canceled the show and discontinued production last week after receiving angry responses from viewers for portraying highly regarded historical figures as incompetent and insane, and using Chinese props and designs for a Korean period setting.


A senior Metropolitan Police officer has said that sexual abuse is rife in both private and state schools as a major Whitehall investigation is launched into the emerging 'rape culture' scandal engulfing classrooms.

Detective Superintendent Mel Laremore, Scotland Yard's lead for rape and sexual offences, said more than 100 schools have been named on a website set up to expose 'misogyny, harassment, abuse and assault'.

She is now offering to send police into schools to teach boys about consent, with a warning that allegations of abuse will be investigated.

Officials from the Home Office and Department for Education (DfE) are leading a cross-Government response with senior police officers, who are being urged to take claims of misogyny, harassment and abuse seriously.

Whitehall sources told the Sunday Telegraph that inspectors from Ofsted and the Independent Schools Inspectorate will launch 'immediate and surprise' investigations at certain schools if safeguarding concerns are raised.

The Met Police launched an investigation on Friday after it received multiple reports of 'misogyny, harassment, abuse and assault'. Officers are reviewing dozens of anonymous submissions on a website by victims of alleged abuse.

A link is also now available on the website Everyone's Invited, whose founder Soma Sara met with the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and Government officials, to directly report alleged crimes to Scotland Yard.

Scotland Yard's intervention came after a number of independent schools in the country have been accused of failing to deal with complaints about a 'rape culture', with many testimonies shared on Everyone's Invited.

Some of the country's top private schools, including Eton College, Westminster, Dulwich College, St Paul's Boys' School and Latymer Upper School, have been identified in unverified accounts published online.

The schools have said they take such allegations 'very seriously' and 'will investigate fully any specific allegations'. Highgate School, a north London private school, announced it would be launching an independent review into issues raised.

Robert Halfon, Tory chairman of the Commons Education Select Committee, called for an independent inquiry after blasting senior school staff for being more worried about 'woke' issues than the 'welfare of students'.

Pupils stage a protest against alleged rape culture at Highgate School in London, Britain

Picture of the protest signs attached to the fence outside James Allen's Girls' School in Dulwich. Pupils have protested against alleged 'rape culture' at Dulwich College boys

Ministers are expected to meet with officials in the coming weeks to discuss next steps, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

A source told the paper: 'Where schools do not meet the strict safeguarding standards that we have in place, we will always take action.

'If it becomes clear that there are current failings in any school's safeguarding practice, we will immediately ask Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate to conduct an inspection. If a school is found to not be meeting the required safeguarding standard, we will make sure it either improves or closes.'

Chief Constable Simon Bailey, the NPCC's lead for child abuse and investigation, said yesterday 'thousands of children and young people have come forward to report allegations of sexual offences within schools'.

'We will now work at pace with Everyone's Invited and partners, including the Home Office and Department for Education, to progress a joint response,' he added.

'If victims wish to report sexual abuse to the police, they can be confident that they will be believed and treated with compassion and respect before a thorough investigation is undertaken.'

An Ofsted spokesman told the Sunday Telegraph it vowed to conduct 'surprise' inspections of schools where 'safeguarding issues' arise.

Last night, Ms Sara, a former private school girl and sexual abuse survivor, asked to meet senior ministers to discuss 'the best way forward in eradicating rape culture'.

Detective Superintendent Mel Laremore said more than 100 schools are cited on the Everyone's Invited website. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday it is a 'national issue', adding: 'I think it's more widespread than private schools.

'I think we're still looking into the exact scope of how wide this is spread but certainly I know there's already over 100 schools cited on the website which do reach out to national parameters.

'The private school element of this is a factor, in that certainly for us as the Metropolitan Police we have a safer schools officers and a safer schools network, we have identified ourselves that there isn't a safer schools network within the private schools.'

One female demonstrator outside Highgate School held up a placard which read: 'We stand strong, we stand tall and most importantly we stand together'

It comes as Conservative MP Robert Halfon called for an inquiry, writing in the Sunday Telegraph that what has allegedly been happening at some of the country's most distinguished schools was 'appalling' and it had spread to state schools too.

The chair of the Education Select Committee said that countless stories had emerged of female pupils being 'objectified, harassed and sexually assaulted', with websites set up by students highlighting 'a rape culture'.

Mr Halfon said senior staff had been 'at best unable or at worst unwilling' to deal with what had allegedly gone on. He welcomed an investigation by the Met Police but said an independent inquiry should be launched after the probe.

Mr Halfon said he feared the possibility that 'a Lord of the Flies culture has engulfed respected private education institutions and spread to some state schools'.

'Countless stories have emerged of female pupils being objectified, harassed and sexually assaulted,' he added. 'Websites set up by these students have highlighted 'a rape culture'. 'Moreover, it appears that senior school staff have been at best unable or at worst unwilling to deal with what has gone on.

'It seems safeguarding in some of these schools has become more of a tick box exercise or a form of wokery, rather than genuinely looking after the welfare of students.'

A placard is seen attached to the fence outside the James Allen's Girls' School in south London. Pupils have protested against alleged 'rape culture' at Dulwich College boys

Mr Halfon said that Ofsted should be responsible for safeguarding inspection of private schools and they must fund a national helpline so female students can report incidents confidentially and get help and advice.

He added: 'Given that it looks that safeguarding has fallen short, there should be a fundamental review of school safeguarding and just one body responsible for safeguarding inspection of private schools - Ofsted - rather than the current system, which allows the independent sector to have its own inspection regime.

'There must be a national helpline, funded by these schools, to ensure that when such abuse takes place female students in particular can report confidentially and get advice and assistance.

'The schools have to be required to provide mental health and wellbeing counsellors, to give support for present and past pupils affected by these awful revelations.'

A spokesperson for Highgate School said: 'We are horrified and deeply shocked by the testimonies on 'Everyone's Invited' and elsewhere.

'The governing body have appointed The Rt Hon Dame Anne Rafferty to lead the independent review into the issues raised by the testimonies.'

A Government spokesperson said: 'We are very concerned by the significant number of allegations recently posted on the 'Everyone's Invited' website. The abuse of children and young people in all its forms is abhorrent.

'The vast majority of schools, colleges and universities take their safeguarding responsibilities very seriously, so it is particularly shocking when allegations of abuse are made in connection with a place of education where everyone should feel secure and be protected.

'Working together, the Department for Education, the Home Office and the National Police Chiefs Council are in contact with 'Everyone's Invited' to provide support, protection and advice to those who are reporting abuse, including on contacting professionals or the police if they wish.'
(TNS) - California has administered more than 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.Thats a lot. But in the nations most populous state, thats still a fraction of the demand. And that means many who want to be vaccinated are still being turned away.California is lagging behind some other states in expanding vaccine eligibility.Alaska, West Virginia and Mississippi are vaccinating everyone ages 16 and older. Georgia, Arizona and Texas are following suit this month. Everyone 50 and above is eligible in Florida and New York, and Indiana and Ohio are vaccinating residents in their 40s.Nearly half of all Californians are already eligible for the vaccine. That includes adults 65 and older, healthcare workers, educators, people who are incarcerated or living in homeless shelters, essential workers such as those in the food industry or emergency services, public transit workers and janitors, and residents 16 and older who have disabilities or underlying health conditions. This list is not exhaustive, though, as the state continues to refine specifications for who qualifies under the various categories.So when will that change?Looking to MayGov. Gavin Newsom said Friday he believes the state could make the shots available to everyone by early May.Were anticipating within 5 1/2 weeks where we can eliminate all of the tiering, so to speak, and make available vaccines to everybody across the spectrum because supply will exponentially increase, Newsom said.The governor didnt elaborate on the timeline, but it dovetails with previous federal guidance as to the expected availability of, and access to, the vaccines.President Biden said last week that restrictions on who could make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment would be lifted nationwide by May 1, as supply is expected to be sufficient to meet demand.Barbara Ferrer, head of Los Angeles Countys public health department, said Tuesday that she hopes the county will open vaccinations to everyone before that date.Patchwork of eligibility rulesAs COVID-19 vaccine supplies increase, a growing number of Californias 61 health departments have broken with state health guidelines and made the shots available to potentially millions of additional people,Consider:At least four counties  including Contra Costa, San Luis Obispo, Butte and Solano  have recently lowered their age requirement for vaccination to 50. In Tuolumne, its 45.Several others  including San Diego and San Francisco  are now vaccinating people who are considered overweight or have chronic health conditions.L.A. County is continuing to follow the states guidance for vaccine eligibility, the health department said Tuesday. County-run sites will not vaccinate people who do not live or work in the county, and have overbooked appointments if people from other counties manage to get a slotPeople who are overweight  those with a body mass index between 25 and 29.9  can be vaccinated in San Diego County, but not in neighboring Orange County, for instance. Residents of Contra Costa County in their 50s are now eligible, but residents in Alameda County are not.___2021 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(Natural News) A female member of the Ukrainian military died two days after getting the AstraZeneca COVID-19 jab. The Ukrainian Ministry of Healthcare confirmed the death on its website March 24, adding that the woman did not complain of any side effects. Ukrainian health officials nevertheless reminded people not to jump to conclusions regarding the womans death as the actual reason was not yet determined.

Reuters reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the servicewomans passing on March 23. The militarys statement said she lost consciousness before her sudden death. Meanwhile, the health ministry remarked that investigations on what caused her death are still ongoing. It further added that she suffered from a number of underlying comorbidities  including chronic cardiovascular disease.

Aside from the woman, nine others got vaccinated with the same batch of AstraZeneca jabs on the same day. The nine people did not report any adverse reactions after getting inoculated. The female military officers death is the first fatality recorded in Ukraine ever since it started COVID-19 vaccinations. It received an initial batch of 500,000 doses of the CoviShield vaccine  a version of the AstraZeneca jab manufactured in India.

The incident in Ukraine followed a number of European countries suspending use of the AstraZeneca vaccine over reports of blood clots in some patients. Both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) insisted the vaccine was safe, and that getting the jab outweighs its purported risks. They also stated that available data does not suggest that the AstraZeneca vaccine caused the patients deaths.

However, German and Norwegian researchers conducting separate investigations have found that certain antibodies in the vaccine trigger blood platelets to become over-active. These overly excited blood platelets could then form clots in blood vessels, resulting in thrombosis or vessel blockage. Both teams of researchers stumbled upon the discovery after investigating incidents of blood clots in their respective countries.

Questionable data threatens to undermine the U.S. approval of AstraZenecas vaccine

While the AstraZeneca jab has been approved in many other countries, it is yet to be authorized for use in the United States. If in case it does, it will be the fourth vaccine authorized for emergency use alongside those from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. The Associated Press reported on March 24 that the British pharmaceutical firm seeks to apply for an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (Related: Aussie scientists cast doubt on low-efficacy AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.)

However, American health officials raised concerns that the British drug manufacturer may have used incomplete data for the trial results it turned in. In a March 23 statement, the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) voiced out its concern that AstraZeneca may have included outdated information  [providing] an incomplete view of the efficacy data.

According to the statement, the Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB) alerted the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and AstraZeneca over this faulty information. NIAID then called on the company to work with the DSMB to examine the efficacy data and ensure that more accurate and updated information is made public at the soonest. (Related: VAX FRAUD: AstraZeneca fudging data to declare its coronavirus jab safe and effective.)

NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci elaborated on the DSMBs move. In a March 23 interview with STAT, the American infectious disease expert said the DSMB raised alarm bells after the results in a company press release appeared to be more favorable than more recent data submitted to the safety board.

The [DSMB was] concerned that the data that went into the press release by [AstraZeneca] was not the most accurate and up-to-date data. That is what the DSMB communicated  in a rather harsh note. Having seen that letter, we could not just let it go unanswered, Fauci said.

The NIAID director also answered a question regarding its March 23 statement. He explained: We just felt we could not remain silent. Because if we did remain silent, we could be understandably accused of covering something up. And we definitely didnt want to be in that position. According to Fauci, AstraZenecas gaffe was an unforced error.

Read more about the dangers of AstraZenecas COVID-19 vaccine at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

News.Yahoo.com

Reuters.com

NPR.org

APNews.com

NIH.gov

STATNews.com
NEW DELHI: Actress Sara Ali Khan, who recently wrapped the shooting of Aanand L Rai's directorial 'Atrangi Re', took to Instagram and shared stills from the sets along with a thank you note for the filmmaker and her co-stars. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Dhanush and Sara in key roles.

"That's a film wrap. Ek saal baad. Thank you so much @aanandlrai sir for giving me this role, this film and this opportunity. But more than that thank you for your unconditional love, unwavering support, the best India darshan, delicious khana, early morning sunrise drives to location, sufi ginger water evenings, and the most memorable year with the best team," she wrote.

Tagging the Tamil superstar, Sara wrote, "@dhanushkraja thank you for always being helpful, motivating and inspiring. Couldn't have asked for a better partner in this journey and yes thank you for introducing me to your amazing music and mouth watering varieties of South Indian food (even though we could`ve avoided that indulgence during shoots)."

Apologising for stalking Akshay Kumar, Sara added, "Thank you so much @akshaykumar sir for bringing so much love, laughter, energy and positivity on our set and sorry for stalking you for photos in all our costumes sir."

'Atrangi Re' went on floors in March 2020, in Varanasi. The team resumed shoot post lockdown in Madurai, followed by schedules in Delhi and Agra. The film is slated to release on August 6.
 Flash

China-Iran relations will not change, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday during his meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.



Wang conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and wishes for the Iranian New Year to Rouhani, and thanked the Iranian side for its warm and thoughtful reception to the Chinese delegation during the Nowruz, or Iranian New Year.

The Chinese foreign minister said that the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership has withstood the test of changes in the international situation.

Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Wang said the document of comprehensive cooperation signed by the two sides on Saturday will map out an overall blueprint for boosting the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership, which will not only benefit the two peoples, but also make China-Iran contributions to maintaining regional and world peace.

China, Wang said, firmly supports Iran in defending its national sovereignty and dignity, and safeguarding its chosen development path.

No matter in the past, at present or in future, China is consistent in opposing the unreasonable unilateral sanctions imposed on Iran by other countries, because they violate the international law, especially those based on lies and false information, which are immoral and unpopular and constitute an affront to human conscience, Wang said.

China stands ready to work with Iran and other countries to jointly oppose the acts of bullying by powers, uphold international equity and justice, and defend the basic norms of international relations, the Chinese diplomat said.

Wang pointed out that it is time to seriously reflect on the bad consequences inflicted on the region by external interferences, and work together to explore effective ways to maintain long-term regional security and stability.

He said that the core of China's five-point initiative to achieve security and stability in the Middle East is to call on regional countries to uphold the sense of ownership, carry forward the spirit of independence, get rid of the interference of geopolitical competition, seek development paths suitable for the national conditions of regional countries, and establish a security framework in line with the interests of these countries.

China is willing to work with regional countries to this end, he added.

For his part, Rouhani asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to President Xi.

The Iranian president said that all walks of life in his country regard China as Iran's most important partner.

Recalling Xi's successful visit to Iran in 2016, Rouhani said it has promoted the remarkable development of the Iran-China relations.

The signing of the comprehensive cooperation document between the two countries will further clarify the roadmap for future cooperation between the two countries, Rouhani said.

Iran, he said, hopes to strengthen its cooperation with China in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and enhance anti-terrorism cooperation.

Noting that Iran and China share the same or similar positions on regional and global issues, the Iranian president said that Iran advocates solving problems through dialogues and hopes to further bolster its coordination with China on maintaining regional security.

Rouhani said that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a multilateral agreement, and the United States should not impose any preconditions for resuming its implementation of the nuclear deal and should take action first.

Iran appreciates China's important role in maintaining the agreement and stands ready to strengthen its communication and coordination with China on this matter, he added.

Calling the JCPOA as an important and hard-won achievement of multilateralism, Wang said that the unilateral withdrawal by the former U.S. administration from the deal set a bad precedent of non-compliance with international agreements and was unanimously condemned by the international community.

China welcomes the wish of the new U.S. government to return to the JCPOA, Wang said, adding that China believes that safeguarding the agreement means upholding multilateralism and the authority of the UN Security Council.

The JCPOA is not a revolving door, and no one should leave or return to it whenever it wants, he said.

The Chinese foreign minister called on Washington to reflect on the harm done by its pullout from the JCPOA to regional peace and international stability, as well as the losses caused to relevant countries.

The unilateral sanctions against Iran and the long-arm measures of jurisdiction against other countries including China should be lifted as soon as possible, he said.

On the same day, Wang also met with Ali Larijani, advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and held talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Pete Doherty has revealed that his new healthy look is down to his love of cheese on toast and that his 'guilty pleasure' is sleeping after he used to stay up for 'six days'.

The Babyshambles and Libertines frontman, 42, looked relaxed and happy as he enjoyed a walk with his girlfriend Katia De Vidas in Etretat in Normandy, France, earlier this week, where they live.

Talking in a new interview, Pete admitted that he is now 'quite clean' and that he enjoys a 'nice glass of water'.

Healthy new look: Pete Doherty has revealed that his new healthy look is down to his love of cheese on toast and that his 'guilty pleasure' is sleeping after he used to stay up for 'six days'

The once-troubled and gaunt rocker famously painted a portrait of then-girlfriend Kate Moss in his blood and was thrown out of rehab for 'not trying hard enough' to kick his heroin habit.

He told The Sun about his new lifestyle: 'I like Comte [a type of French cheese], Comte on toast. My guilty pleasure is sleeping.

'For years and years, I would stay up for five or six days and then I would sleep for 24 hours, so now I love sleep. At the moment I'm quite clean. I stopped taking heroin and ketamine.'

He added: 'I like experimenting, making cocktails with champagne, a bit of rum, orange juice, I'm coming across like a bit of an alcoholic, but I'm not  I like a nice glass of water.'

Way back when: Talking in a new interview, the Babyshambles and Libertines frontman, 42, admitted that he is now 'quite clean' and that he enjoys a 'nice glass of water' (pictured outside Thames Magistrates' Court in Bow, east London in 2004)

Pete's bad boy rock and roll image earned him an army of fans including the world's most famous supermodel Kate Moss, who hung off his arm as they made their way from party to party.

But these days, Pete enjoys nothing more than a genteel stroll through the French countryside with his dog.

The Babyshambles and Libertines frontman was pictured with his girlfriend and Puta Madres bandmate Katia as they enjoyed a walk through Etretat in Normandy earlier this week.

The pair looked relaxed and happy and Doherty - dressed in joggers and a T-shirt - was a far cry from his hedonistic heyday, when his debauched behaviour repeatedly landed him in custody for the night.

The once-troubled and gaunt rocker famously painted a portrait of then-girlfriend Kate Moss in his blood and was thrown out of rehab for 'not trying hard enough' to kick his heroin habit.

Indie bad boy: The once-troubled and gaunt rocker famously painted a portrait of then-girlfriend Kate Moss in his blood and was thrown out of rehab for 'not trying hard enough' to kick his heroin habit (pictured in 2003)

But these days Pete enjoys a more relaxed way of life, spending his time 'cooking and dog walking', according to friends.

Last week he wished fans a Happy St Patrick's Day on Instagram before sharing the news that he'd be guest hosting a second anniversary listening party of the Puta Madres album on Twitter.

Peter has a teenage son, Astile, from his relationship with Lisa Moorish and a daughter, Aisling, from his romance with model Lindi Hingston.

While his most famous relationship was with Kate Moss, he also had a fling with friend Amy Winehouse and a reported tryst with Big Brother Seven housemate Nikki Grahame.

While on a promo trail in 2019 with his latest musical offering, he was forced to pull out of a radio appearance after his finger got infected from an hedgehog spike.

He'd attempted to rescue the animal from his Siberian Huskies during a dog walk.

The Libertines bought a hotel in Margate which Pete admitted was the 'saving of him' because he had a roof over his head and didn't have to worry about rent.

Fame: Babyshambles, pictured here at a gig in Leicester in 2004, won an army of Indie fans

Last year, the frontman was charged with driving while disqualified after he was stopped by police in the early hours while riding an electric motorbike in Margate, Kent.

The former Babyshambles rocker had already been been given a six-month disqualification in October 2019 after he was caught speeding four times in three weeks.

On that occasion, at Folkestone Magistrates' Court, he was ordered to pay 9,228 and he was heard to have muttered 'ouch' at the fine.

And in November 2019, Doherty was fined 8,500 and given a three-month suspended jail sentence for 'violence while intoxicated' after being arrested in Paris twice in a week.

He had been detained in the Pigalle district for buying cocaine before getting into an argument with two passers-by that led to his eventual re-arrest.

Doherty is a frequent visitor to Paris, and often spends long periods living and performing in the French capital.

Doherty shot to fame in the mid-2000s, when he dated supermodel Kate Moss, and has been arrested numerous times for drug offences.

But their turbulent relationship came to an end in 2007, months after he revealed he'd proposed to her.

In the past, he has pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, heroin, cannabis and ketamine.

In 2012, he was thrown out of a luxury rehab clinic in Thailand after claims he was a bad influence on other patients and did not try hard enough to kick his heroin habit.

A picture Doherty drew himself of him and his former partner Kate Moss using crayons and his own blood from 2005 was recently put on sale for 5,000.

For one of Doherty's previous works, Ladylike, he collaborated with Amy Winehouse, who helped create the self-portrait with her own blood.

The artwork sold for 35,000 in Doherty's exhibition 'On Blood: A Portrait of the Artist' at the Cob Gallery, London, in 2012.
A gate of what is officially known as a vocational skills education center is photographed in Dabancheng, in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, on Sept. 4, 2018. (Thomas Peter/Reuters)

US Accuses China of State-Led Social Media Campaign Against Companies Over Xinjiang

The United States on Friday condemned what it called a state-led social media campaign in China against the United States and other international companies for deciding not to use cotton from Chinas Xinjiang region over forced labor concerns.

State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter said the social media campaign and consumer boycotts had targeted American, European and Japanese businesses.

We commend and stand with companies that adhere to U.S. laws and ensure that products we are consuming are not made with forced labor, she told a regular news briefing.

We support and encourage businesses to respect human rights in line with the U.N. guiding principles on business and human rights and the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises, she added.

The Chinese regime rejects allegations of abuses in Xinjiang, which is one of the world leading producers of cotton.

Earlier, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki called on the international community to oppose Chinas weaponizing of private companies dependence on its markets to stifle free expression and inhibit ethical business practices.

A number of overseas retailers have faced a public backlash from Chinese consumers who have circulated statements from the brands on social media announcing they will cease sourcing from Xinjiang.

Chinese celebrity endorsers have abandoned several foreign retail labels, including six U.S. brands such as Nike, as Western concerns over labor conditions in Xinjiang spark a patriotic backlash from consumers.

New Balance, Under Armour, Tommy Hilfiger and Converse, owned by Nike, are among companies that have come under fire in China for statements that they would not use cotton produced in the far-western Chinese region due to suspected forced labor.

The United States and other Western countries have imposed sanctions on Chinese officials for human rights abuses in Xinjiang, which the United States has said have amounted to genocide.

In January, Washington announced an import ban on all cotton and tomato products from the region over allegations that they are made with forced labor from detained Uyghur Muslims.
San Francisco, March 28 : Workplace collaboration app Slack wants to bring new video and audio features which could be on the lines of Instagram Stories and voice-based social media app Clubhouse.

Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield discussed the new features last week with SignalFire investor Josh Constine in a Clubhouse interview.

While Slack already has a lot of services, it has predominantly been text-based so far.

The new emphasis on video and audio features comes at a time when hybrid work mode has gained traction amid the pandemic and it is expected that such a work culture could continue even after the pandemic is over.

The video feature that Slack is trying to build into the app will not compete with Zoom or Microsoft Teams, TechCrunch reported on Saturday.

Instead, the focus would be more on offering experience similar to Instagram or Snapchat Stories.

Similarly, Slack is working on building audio feature which could offer experience for enterprises similar to what the app Clubhouse offers users.

Slack Chief Product Officer Tamar Yehoshua in a blog post last week provided some details about the new features.

"We need to reduce team fatigue while improving belonging. To help with this, we are piloting ways to shift meetings toward an asynchronous video experience that feels native in Slack. It allows us to express nuance and enthusiasm, without a meeting," she said.

However, it is not clear when the new features will be made generally available.

Cloud software firm Salesforce at the end of last year announced a pact to acquire Slack for $27.7 billion.
As a leading provider of news, information and advertising solutions in Auburn and Cayuga County, I am excited to announce the launch of our Back to Business initiative. This program provides the ultimate opportunity for our local businesses to tell their story, in their words, through branded content, video, digital display and print. As our local economy reemerges stronger than ever from the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are happy to partner with our local business community to build the future, one success story at a time. This program comes on the heels of our highly successful Local Marketing Grant program and Stimulus programs, in which Lee Enterprises, owner of The Citizen, provided over $15,000,000 in advertising support to local business partners across the country.

From the large to the small, things have changed, and our local businesses have emerged stronger and more focused than ever. Now is the time to tell their stories, and I would ask that all of you support our local business base, by reading their stories, and patronizing their businesses in the upcoming months.
There is no doubt that they meant well, coming out in their thousands to sincerely express their grief over the deeply tragic kidnap-murder of 23-year-old Andrea Bharatt.

But the organisers of those candlelight vigils held all over Trinidad between February 4 and April 1 did not seem in the least bit concerned that what they were assembling could turn out to be Covid super spreaders.

Buying a sofa is a significant investment, both financially and in terms of its lifespan as the focal point of your lounge room, so its important to put the time and effort into making the right decision. A new sofa, when chosen wisely, will refresh your home, breathing colour and life into your living room space.

According to Interior Designer, Bronwyn Pool, from Touch Interiors, investing time and money in finding the right piece to suit your home is crucial because a sofa is a key piece that needs to last.

Cant make up your mind? From functionality to making a style statement, here are some key factors you may want to consider when buying your new sofa

Purpose

The right sofa should suit your routine and your loved ones. When choosing the perfect sofa, you should first ask yourself the following questions:

Who will be using it (will children be using it)?

How many people will be using it (what size will you need)?

What will it be used for (lying down, sleeping, reading, eating, watching TV)?

How often will it be used?

What other furniture is in your living room, does it need to match?

If you have a family, Susan Redman of Domain.com.au suggests choosing a couple of sofas that fit together in an L-shape or U-shape so that everyone can sit together. These styles, known as modular or sectional sofas, should be upholstered in a durable fabric  especially if you also have pets. Good choices are leather, strong microfibre, cord or chenille.

The type of comfort you want will also determine the type of lounge you look for: one with a fixed back often gives a sleeker look, ideal for smaller spaces, but will offer limited comfort compared to a generous loose cover lounge with overfilled back and seat cushions, says Bronwyn Pool of Touch Interiors.

Consider how you would like to sit in it, eat in it or work on it. All these factors will determine your preference for proportions such as seat depth, arm style and the height of the back, she said.

Whats in Style?

Head of styling at Temple & Webster, Jessica Bellef, notes a trend in modular sofa bed such as mid-century-style sofa beds and day beds.

We are also noting a rise in the popularity of chaise-style sofa, the L-shape sofa, that allows you to swap the position of the extended end, she said, explaining that this design allowed seating to be better adapted to the room.

Lexi Kentmann, from Williams-Sonoma Australia (the company behind West Elm and Pottery Barn) said smaller, more slimline sofas were rising in popularity, particularly given the rise in apartment living.

Sectionals are increasingly popular too  giving you flexibility  and are space-saving, she said. If you measure out the footprint of a sectional, it will most likely allow more wiggle room  plus its perfect for entertaining, she said.

In terms of colour, Ms. Bellef suggests mid to dark greys, navy or oatmeal-linen for a classic base colour, with pops of colour provided by cushions or throw rugs.

Look out for a sofa with a clean-lined design, and avoid anything that is overly decorative or embellished, she said.

For information on how to style your sofa with decorative pieces, please watch:

Comfort Matters

Arlo & Jacob of Arlo & Jacob Furniture, insist that just as you would lie on a mattress in a store, you need to try a couch before you buy it, to assess its comfort against your needs and preferences. Comfort is purely subjective - some people prefer a softer, sink-all-the-way-in feeling, whilst others prefer a firmer seat with more back support, and its important to remember that the fabric of the sofa will also affect the feel of it.

Leather and less malleable fabrics will always feel firmer in comparison to fabrics prone to stretching and slackening, such as the natural fibre fabrics, including linen and cotton.

Ergonomically, if youre looking for a supportive sofa, seek out firm cushions and a shorter seat, said Ms. Kentmann of Williams-Sonoma Australia.

Size is Proportionate

Ensuring that the sofa size is proportionate to the size of the room is essential! A sofa shouldnt be overbearing or impede movement  a large sectional may look nice, but in a small space may be inappropriate and ill-fitting, much like a small armchair may look out of place in a large room.

Proportions are everything! The couch is often the largest piece in a living space. Too wide and big; it overpowers the space, too narrow and small and you are left trying to fill in space with unnecessary furniture, Ms Pool suggests.

Interior Designer, Jodie Kingman of Coco Republic agrees, saying buyers need to Take into consideration how it looks from all angles  the length, depth and back height.

Ms Pool offers the following tips on finding the perfect sofa for your space:

- If your space is small consider a couch with a petite arm profile. A Smaller couch can be made to look longer and sleeker by using one or two-seat cushions as opposed to three and often these are changes you can request.

- If you have the luxury of space and want two couches, dont jump straight into ordering a pair. Consider a modular and combine it with alternative seating such as a feature armchair or ottoman. Or two couches that work sympathetically with each-other such as a deeper one and a slimmer one.

Buying a new sofa can be a difficult and complicated process, but it doesnt have to beto ensure you find your perfect match with ease, make sure you consider its purpose, your comfort preferences and the current style recommendations.
A woman has opened up about the moment she broke down after hearing her niece had died after being mowed by a car while walking home with pizza for dinner.

Taylor Maddock, 25, and her daughter Alannah Sobolewski, 5, were hit by a Toyota Tarago while on a pedestrian crossing in Plumpton, Sydney's north-west, after 7pm on March 17.

The little girl died that night while her mother has been left with critical injuries, including a fractured spine, broken leg and shattered pelvis.

Five-year-old Alannah Sobolewski (pictured with bunny Sparkles) was run over by a car

Alannah (left) pictured with her mother Taylor Maddock (right), who suffered critical injuries

Alannah (pictured) was in her first term of primary school and wanted to be a zoo keeper when she grew up

Taylor's sister Brooke Maddock told 7NEWS she wasn't prepared to learn her young niece had passed.

'My mum called me and said that Taylor and Lana had been hit by a car,' she said.

'My mum was quite emotional on the phone so I rang other family members as I didnt really understand what was going on.'

Ms Maddock said when she went to Children's Hospital at Westmead, a social worker walked with her to the emergency room.

Ms Maddock said she asked the social worker, 'has someone died?' and the social worker said she was just there 'for when a trauma happens.'

Alannah and Taylor were walking home with pizza for dinner when they were struck

She was only told Alannah had passed away when she got into the room, saw her family in tears and her brother told her the news.

The 'sweet innocent' girl had only turned five a month prior and recently gotten her first pet, a bunny called Sprinkles.

She was in her first term of primary school and wanted to be a zookeeper when she grew up.

'The look of happiness on her face when she got her [Sprinkles] is a memory we will never forget,' said Ms Maddock on a GoFundMe page she set up to support her sister, which has raised over $60,000.

Alannah's aunty Brooke (not pictured) said she was a 'sweet innocent' girl

'Lana was the world to her mum. Anyone who knew her was lucky to have known her beautiful smile, her funny personality and her loving heart. She was truly the most special girl.'

The night after her death, loved ones visited the crash site leaving balloons, toys and flowers.

Two critical care paramedic units and a number of ambulances rushed to the scene where they tried to save the youngster before rushing the pair to Westmead Hospital.

Photos of the horrific crash show a team of paramedics desperately working to stabilise the mother and daughter.

The impact shattered the front windscreen on the Tarago and left a large dent in the front bonnet.

The little girl had only just turned five a month before she died when she was hit by a car

Local resident James Camilleri said there were many road accidents in the area and the traffic lights near the scene were not working.

'We heard a thud then all of these sirens going off,' he told TNV.

'Just a year ago my brother was here, got t-boned by a truck. He had a heart attack and they brought him back to life.

'Something definitely has to be done about this road.'

The driver sustained no injuries and was taken to Westmead Hospital for mandatory testing.

Detective chief inspector Sean Gabin said the driver was in shock, and had been released without charge.

'Anyone who goes to a scene where someone has died is obviously distressing,' he said.

'It's more distressing when you see a small child.'
An interior design expert has revealed how to style neon lights following a soar in sales for the vibrant decoration.

While neon signs were once the privy of sleazy bars and arcades they've now become a huge interior home design trend, with Gen Z and millennials hanging up catchy well-lit slogans in their homes, and sharing pictures online.

But the brashness of the decoration can look garish if not styled correctly.

Speaking to FEMAIL, London-based interior designer Benji Lewis said: 'Neon in interiors has long been a talking point with the huge success of Tracey Emins hand written messages - "You loved me like a distant star" - and my favourite by neon artist Zoe Grace - "Exactly where you are supposed to be".

'Where once it might have been perceived as being for the exclusive use of a rock and roll superstar - the messages of positivity, most often depicted in neon, are always going to be good, and being able to see these in a hand written style, adds to a feeling of intimity.'

The interior designer suggested placing the vibrant art on plain black walls, or even among oil paintings - but said patterned spaces should be avoided.

While neon signs were once the privy of sleazy bars and arcades they've now become a huge interior home design trend, with Gen Z and millennials hanging up catchy well-lit slogans in their homes, and sharing pictures online. Pictured: A design from Neon Love UK

The surge popularity in part is due to the the so-called TikTok bedroom, where social media users post videos from their bedrooms filled with vibrant multicoloured LED lights pinned to the wall and ceiling. Pictured: A design from UK brand Yellow Pop

Pretty in pink! Neon has become such as huge trend Pinterest has reported a 800 per cent increase in searches for 'neon room' in 2020 while Google Trends data shows searches soaring by 300 per cent in between August and November last year. Pictured: A design from Yellow Pop

'For neon art to really stand out I think it needs to be showcased on a plain dark wall,' said the interior designer.

'Little Greene Lamp Black (a shade of off-black) is a great backdrop because the black has a softness to it and the texture is kind of chalky matt.

'Hand written messages being a popular way for artists to use neon, the text stands to be lost shown against a patterned wall,' he added.

The surge popularity in part is due to the the so-called TikTok bedroom, where social media users post videos from their bedrooms filled with vibrant multicoloured LED lights pinned to the wall and ceiling.

It's become such as huge trend Pinterest has reported a 800 per cent increase in searches for 'neon room' in 2020 while Google Trends data shows searches soaring by 300 per cent in between August and November last year.

Meanwhile nearly one million people have posted #neonsign on Instagram, with feeds filled lit up catchy slogans or are Pop Art style designs, including astronauts , palm trees and shapes.

Nearly one million people have posted #neonsign on Instagram, with feeds filled lit up catchy slogans or are Pop Art style designs, including astronauts , palm trees and shapes. Pictured: A design from My Neon

The trend has translated into homes after becoming a staple in fashionable restaurants in recent years. Pictured, a design from Yellow Pop

Pictured: A table with neon lights from Vin Design co, the trend has become popular across the world

The trend has translated into homes after becoming a staple in fashionable restaurants in recent years.

Some of London's trendiest and most Instagrammable restaurants were early adopters of the trend.

The Prince, in West Brompton, an 'outdoor pub' from the Pergola group has signs reading it's name as well as cheeky slogans reading 'That's Filth' 'Eat this Way' and 'better than sex'.

Meanwhile, ChoppaLuna in Bloomsbury, a chic salad bar import from Berlin, has a huge sign reading 'ready to eat' which can only be read through a mirror, tempting its customers to get selfies.

The Instagrammable trend shows people showing off cool details including block signs (pictured)

Elsewhere, Tonight Jospehine in Waterloo, has become and Instagram sensation for it's pink neon sign reading 'Well Behaved Women Don't Make History' which has drawn the attention thousands of women in the capital.

L'antica Pizzeria da Michele, widely thought to be the best pizza restaurant in London, has a fuchsia neon sign reading 'I want someone to look at me the way I look at pizza' which sees dozens of hungry customers snapping shots everyday.

Even gyms are on the trend, with Virgin Active's flagship in Kensington High Street sporting a huge 'It's not an exercise, it's an experience' sign in red tube lights as its members enter their lobby.

The signs are often catching slogans such as 'Nothing Is Impossible' (pictured) among others

This design from Yellow Pop shows 'I woke up like this' over a bed. The signs are often catchy

Daze Neon shared this sign from their collection in their Manchester showroom, aptly reading 'You're My Wonderwall' a tribute to Manc band Oasis

Covid friendly! One Instagram user showed off her 'Let's Stay Home' slogan online

ChoppaLuna in Bloomsbury, a chic salad bar import from Berlin, has a huge sign reading 'ready to eat' which can only be read through a mirror, tempting its customers to get selfies.

Benji added 'Using neon in the context of a gallery wall is good because the shape and form of the font in the message adds interest,'

'An industrial type medium, and long acknowledged as an art form is neon.

'From the early 20th century, neon signage was used in a multitude of ways, as a means of highlighting - in spectacular fashion - retailers that wished to advertise their products, theatres showcasing their latest offering or cafes and restaurants making their mark on the high street.

L'antica Pizzeria da Michele, widely thought to be the best pizza restaurant in London, has a fuchsia neon sign reading 'I want someone to look at me the way I look at pizza' which sees dozens of hungry customers snapping shots everyday.

Tonight Jospehine in Waterloo, has become and Instagram sensation for it's pink neon sign reading 'Well Behaved Women Don't Make History' which has drawn the attention thousands of women in the capital. Pictured is a sign in their Birmingham branch

'By dint of the fact that it lights up, clearly a great way of using neon is against a dark backdrop, think soft black walls and a multi-coloured neon glow.

'Even for those of a more traditional persuasion, theres something to be said for a shake up of the decorative formula, by including a little neon signage amongst the old oil paintings, itll add freshness and a feeling of confidence to things.

'Of course you need to allow for an electric feed for your neon sign and give thought to how and where you wish it to be seen, allowing sufficient space for it to shine.

The Prince, in West Brompton, an 'outdoor pub' from the Pergola group has signs reading it's name as well as cheeky slogans reading 'That's Filth' 'Eat this Way' and 'better than sex'
Huntington, WV (25701)

Today

Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Investment Company has announced plans to invest in Rodenstock Group, a leading manufacturer of premium ophthalmic lenses, as a minority investor alongside the funds advised by Apax.

Founded in 1877, Rodenstock has been a global leader in prescription lenses for over 140 years, with a strong track record of innovative product development and market leading technologies.

Headquartered in Munich, Germany, the company employs 4,900 people worldwide and is represented by sales subsidiaries and distribution partners in more than 85 countries.

Rodenstock has a strong portfolio of innovative technologies; its patented DNEye Pro technology is at the heart of its business strategy, thus enabling the group to become the first company to measure the individual shape and size of each eye using thousands of data points.

The technology allows the company to produce individualized eyeglass lenses, called Biometric Intelligent Glasses. The companys portfolio also includes eyewear under the Rodenstock and Porsche Design brands.

Camilla Macapili Languille, the Head of Life Sciences at Mubadala, said: "Rodenstock is the leading pure play lens manufacturer in the European market, with a strong reputation for innovation and a consistent focus on offering a differentiated customer proposition."

"We see its highly customized biometric lenses as only one part of its growing pipeline of proprietary technologies that will enable significant future growth. We are excited to be partnering with Apax and the management team to support the Company in this next stage of its journey," she noted.

Mina Hamoodi, the Senior VP of Life Sciences at Mubadala, said: "We will work in partnership with Apax to support the Rodenstock management teams vision of accelerating the companys growth through innovation, commercial execution and digitization, whilst continuing to deliver the highest level of service to clients and partners."

The transaction is subject to applicable regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the middle of 2021, stated Hamoodi.-TradeArabia News Service
Young members of rare blood clubs in Hanoi and northern localities are doing their best to make sure hospital patients with uncommon blood types have the precious liquid they need to survive.

Blood banks across Vietnam seem constantly low on stock of rare blood types.

Some young people have banded together to create an emergency response group capable of meeting the needs of patients with rare blood types who require life-saving transfusions.

Some blood types are present in less than one in every 1,000 people.

This means that patients with these blood types who are in need of life-saving blood often find themselves in a race against the clock to find a donor.

This has begun to change over the past several years as rare blood clubs begin to grow in popularity across northern Vietnam.

Life-saving blood banks

Nguyen Thi Nham, a resident of Thanh Hoa Province, remembers receiving a call seven years ago from a hospital in dire need of her blood.

Nguyen Thi Nham, from Thanh Hoa Province in north-central Vietnam, has donated blood 11 times. Photo: N. Nguyen / Tuoi Tre

The patient in need had Rh (D) negative blood, a type found in just 0.1 percent of the Vietnamese population.

With such a low prevalence of Rh (D) negative blood in the population, it was no surprise that the hospital had none in its store.

Nham rushed to the hospital right after hanging up the phone, well aware that she had very little time to spare.

The patient was in need of blood so I knew I had to help, she shared.

Nham viewed the incident as a call to action, prompting her to join several clubs set up by people with less common blood types in order to help those in need.

Now, at 28 years old, she has donated blood 11 times, mostly in emergency cases, to save patients in a critical condition.

I dont know who the recipients are, all I know is that they are carrying the same blood type as mine, she said.

While Nham has always been eager to help people with her blood type, those around her did not always offer their support.

Her parents, for instance, were worried that donating blood might take a toll on her health.

Over time, however, she won their support by proving that donating blood kept her both physically and mentally upbeat.

Im happy that my blood can save someones life, Nham said.

Nhams pride is echoed by 31-year-old Nguyen Luong Hieu, a resident of Hoai Duc District in Hanoi.

Hieu also has a Rh (D) negative blood type and has donated blood 19 times.

He shared that those with rare blood in their veins are now on standby as rare blood banks, on call and ready to help out in case of emergency.

In a particular instance, Hieu and three other members of a local rare blood club braved torrential rains to make it to the hospital in time for a transfusion.

All we knew then was that there were patients in life-threatening conditions and that their families could not find a suitable, willing donor, Hieu shared.

Members of a Hanoi-based rare blood club are seen in this supplied photo.

Pham Quoc Cuong, a 23-year-old staffer at the 108 Military Central Hospital in the capital, is also a member of a rare blood club.

Cuong has type B negative, which makes up less than two percent of the population, according to www.redcrossblood.org.

Despite his young age, he has taken part in 14 blood donations and is currently preparing for the 15th time.

Like Nhams parents, Cuongs family fiercely rejected the idea out of fear it would affect his health, forcing the young man to give blood behind his familys back.

It was only after he donated blood for the 11th time that his mother found out about his deeds.

Cuong eventually persuaded his parents to give him their blessing by explaining the pros and cons of blood donation, as well as describing his own experiences.

I was scared at first, but got addicted to it later on, he shared.

Ive experienced improvement in my immune system and overall health and well-being.

"Most importantly, were doing our part to help give others a new life.

Cuong is active in encouraging others to become blood donors.

Many young rare blood donors, including Nham, are organ donors as well  a choice they see as a means to save lives even after death.

Becoming a rare blood and organ donor is what makes me most happy, Nham said.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A rare block of four Penny Blacks - the world's first postage stamp - has emerged for sale for 80,000.

The adhesive stamp, which featured an image of Queen Victoria, was adopted by the Post Office in May 1840 and allowed users to send letters weighing up to 14g for the price of one penny.

However, it lasted less than a year after it was found that the red Maltese Cross postmark, which was used by postmasters to cancel a stamp, was difficult to see on the Penny Black.

The red ink was also easy to remove, making it possible to re-use cancelled stamps.

The rare block of four Penny Blacks has emerged for sale for 80,000 with auctioneers Just Collecting, of St Helier in Jersey

In February 1841, the Treasury switched to the Penny Red and began using black ink for cancellations instead, which was more effective and harder to remove.

With an identical design to its predecessor, the new stamp was introduced to prevent fraud and allow the Maltese Cross cancellation mark to be seen more clearly.

Now, the rare block of Penny Blacks, which is lettered AD to BE and is in 'mint condition', has been consigned from a private stamp collection with auctioneers Just Collecting, of St Helier in Jersey.

Mike Hall, chief executive of Just Collecting, said: 'This philatelic rarity belongs to an elite group of stamps.

'Those which usually feature in the world's finest and most valuable stamp collections.

'Finding just one mint unused Penny Black with original gum is hard enough.

'We are lucky if we manage to find more than one or two a year we can offer to clients.

'Finding a block of four can take much longer, sometimes decades.

'Owning something like this is a real privilege. It is such a key piece of our postal history.'

The sale also features a rare 'Prussian Blue' George V stamp which was printed in error to mark his 25th anniversary as king in 1935.

Also on sale with the auctioneers are the rare 1935 Silver Jubilee 'Prussian Blue' George V stamps

The Treasury switched to the Penny Red in February 1841 and began using black ink for cancellations. (Stock image)

Despite the Royal Mail's desperate attempts to destroy them, 480 Prussian Blue stamps made it into public circulation.

It created the most desirable British stamp mistake in history, with this example tipped to fetch 4,000.

Mr Hall added: 'This mistake was hugely embarrassing for the Royal Mail, especially as the king himself had chosen the colour he wanted.

'Quite simply, you're bidding on a stamp that should not exist. That is a tantalising prospect for collectors.'

The sale takes place on Tuesday.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
A teenager is fighting for life in hospital after a car being chased by the police crashed into a lamppost.

At 4.25am on Sunday, March 28, the police asked a car to stop in Streatham Common Northside in south west London.

But the vehicle failed to stop and a police car chase followed.

Three women are still in hospital, one aged 19-year-old is in critical condition (pictured, Greyhound Lane)

The car can be heard screeching before it loses control and smashes into the post in a loud bang

Shocking CCTV footage captured the moment when the car crashed. Harrowing screams can then be heard

Officers from the Met's Serious Collision Investigation Unit are investigating the incident

Shortly later, the car crashed into a post in Greyhound Lane.

Shocking CCTV footage captured the moment when the car crashed.

The car can be heard screeching before it loses control and smashes into the post in a loud bang.

A few moments later, the police sirens die down and harrowing screams can be heard.

London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade attended the scene and five people from the car were taken to hospital for treatment.

Three women are still in hospital, one aged 19-year-old is in critical condition.

Two other women have been discharged and have been arrested in connection with the incident along with two women in hospital.

The women remain in police custody and road closures are in place on Greyhound Lane.

Officers from the Met's Serious Collision Investigation Unit are investigating the incident.

It has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Any witnesses who have yet to make contact are asked to call the Mets Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8285 1574.
Look out, Zoom shirt. Here comes the vaccine top.

As millions of more Americans become eligible for the coronavirus vaccine, fashion-minded folks are giving extra consideration to what they will wear for their coveted appointments, and the emerging vaccine-ready top seems to be the cold-shoulder top, thanks to Dolly Parton.

On March 2, the 75-year-old country music star posted a four-minute video across her social media channels, getting her first shot of the Moderna vaccine at Vanderbilt Health in Tennessee.

Dolly gets a dose of her own medicine, she wrote on Instagram, a reference to the $1 million she donated last year for coronavirus vaccine research to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which worked with Moderna.

For the occasion, she wore a sparkly navy blue knit top with cold-shoulder cutouts that was custom designed by her creative director, Steve Summers. I even have a little cutout in my shirt  I matched it over here, she told the doctor who administered the shot, pointing to her other shoulder.
While greenhouses have been a part of agriculture for years, more and more school districts are recognizing their importance in agriculture education programs, leading many districts to add greenhouses  or improve existing ones  for their students.

Triopia school districts agriculture program is getting its first greenhouse, allowing students in the district the opportunity to see what can take place in the world of plants.

The district has a plot of land that is harvested by a company to help the schools FFA program raise money, but the greenhouse will provide a new learning experience for those not in FFA and even those at the elementary school level.

Seniors Hannah Cook and Mason Fricke are excited to be some of the first students to work in the greenhouse once it is completed this month.

Its a lot more hands-on and well get to watch the seeds develop over the next few months, Fricke said.

Cook, in her second year in the agriculture program, said having the greenhouse already is changing what she is learning in the program.

This is my second year and the first time was mostly just book work, Cook said. There is a big difference between learning about it and getting to do something that you are learning.

Triopia agriculture teacher Brianna Harmon said the students soon will be growing plants in the greenhouse.

Theres a lot more to growing plants than what you learn in a book, Harmon said. A lot of these students are doers. They like to get their hands dirty.

It even will help with younger students, even though they wont be working directly in the greenhouse and actively growing plants, she said, adding that teachers can tour the greenhouse with younger students as part of lessons on how plant production works and where food comes from.

Franklin schools also is in the early stages of building a new greenhouse.

The high schools agriculture program has had a greenhouse for decades, but it hasnt been updated often.

Agriculture teacher Brent Nelson said a new greenhouse will be built during the summer to provide a better learning experience for students.

Weve had one (greenhouse) that is more than 30 years old, Nelson said. With the new technology, the greenhouse will be more modern.

Having access to a greenhouse often helps students retain the information they are learning in the classroom, Nelson said.

It is all very student-based, he said. Ill show them how to do something once, but then its them doing it. They are taking care of the plants, or making the flyers for the plant sales.

While there are book-based classroom components to the program, having the ability to apply the book material to activities in the greenhouse helps students learn, Nelson said.

They are in a classroom, but then they are actually doing the things we talked about, he said. They get to dead-head flowers, do the watering and the business aspects. Its a different learning and teaching method.

Having access to a greenhouse also helps students explore various fields in agriculture and could help them find something they want to do in the future, Nelson said.

It exposes students to what they can do, he said.

For Fricke, who plans to pursue a career in agriculture, having access to a greenhouse is providing him with groundwork for future classes, he said.

Im getting actual experience, he said. I get to learn things before I go to college and into a career. Ill know some of what Im supposed to see.

The greenhouses also make things more exciting for the students.

Its way more exciting than if I just lecture, Nelson said.


Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Michigan's largest supplier of COVID-19 PCR testing will be coming to Midland this week.

LynxDx, a testing center based in Ann Arbor, will be setting up a testing facility in Midland beginning next week. An exact date has not been determined yet.

LynxDx will provide COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) saliva testing at no out of pocket cost to anyone who wants a test. The PCR testing generally has a 24-hour turnaround time, said Dr. Catherine Bodnar, Midland County Department of Public Health medical director.

"The Midland County Department of Public Health is very concerned about the COVID-19 surge in our community," Bodnar said. "We are also concerned about the potential for a post-spring break surge."

The Midland County Department of Public Health also wants to be sure the community is aware of all testing in the county, which can be found by visiting at www.michigan.gov/coronavirus and clicking on find a test site."

Upcoming clinics

A vaccine clinic will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 30 at the Midland Center for the Arts for anyone in the above expanded eligibility plus folks from previous eligibility groups, according to the MCDPH website. MCDPH is aiming to vaccine 1,000+ people that day.

Registration for the clinic can be found by visiting www.co.midland.mi.us and clicking the "COVID-19 Vaccine Information" banner.

Saturday, March 27 COVID-19 numbers:

 Midland County: 19 cases and one death were added. Pandemic total is 4,869 cases, 621 probable, 65 deaths and three probable deaths.

 Bay County: 63 cases, 1 death and 1 probable death were added; pandemic total stands at 7,761 cases, 373 probable, 290 deaths and 12 probable deaths.

 Gladwin County: 7 cases were added; pandemic total stands at 1,336 cases, 250 probable, 40 deaths and three probable deaths.

 Isabella County: 18 cases were added; pandemic total stands at 3,798 cases, 528 probable, 76 deaths and one probable death.

 Saginaw County: 91 cases were added; pandemic total stands at 15,144 cases, 781 probable, 520 deaths and 13 probable deaths.

On Saturday, the state added 4,670 new cases and 22 deaths. Overall, Michigan is at 652,569 cases and 16,026 deaths.

Testing

The state report shows as of Saturday, Midland County has performed 63,541 COVID-19 tests. Gladwin County is listed as having administered 17,834 tests.

Midland Countys seven-day rolling positivity rate on March 25 was listed at 8.8%, and Gladwin County was listed at 8.7%. Our 12-county region is listed at 12.8% and Michigan is at 12.8%.

MidMichigan Health statistics

As of Thursday, MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland was listed as having a 76% bed occupancy, with 6 COVID-19 patients and none in the ICU. MidMichigan Medical Center in Gladwin was listed as having an 12% bed occupancy, with no COVID-19 patients.

Regarding PPE supplies, the Midland hospital reported 15-30 days for N95 masks; 15-30 days for surgical masks; 30-plus days for surgical gowns; 15-30 days for exam gloves and 30-plus days for eye protection as of Thursday. The Gladwin hospital reported 30-plus days for all of the above supplies.
The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option.
Many South Africans are living lavish lifestyles but only declare meagre incomes to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

This was revealed by Judge Dennis Davis, chair of the Davis tax committee, during a webinar about the future of financial wealth in South Africa.

Davis said they recently did a study on a group of people with very fancy Ferraris parked outside a hotel.

The person he was working with at SARS took down the registration numbers of the 26 Ferraris and looked at how much tax they pay.

What it revealed was that not one of the owners returned a taxable income of more than R400,000 per year, or R34,000 per month.

Davis highlighted that it is not possible to fund a lavish lifestyle, like driving an expensive Ferrari, on an income of only R400,000 per year.

He said SARS data shows that only 5,000 South Africans report taxable income of R5 million or more.

That makes no sense to me. I invite people to drive in Sandton, Bryanston, Camps Bay, and Bishopscourt  you have to be earning significant amounts to afford houses in these areas, he said.

He said the country is losing more than R100 billion each year  around 10% of South Africas total tax income  from people and businesses dodging tax.

To address this problem, Davis said SARS should ramp up lifestyle audits for wealthy South Africans.

A good starting point is to use Natis, which maintains a registry of cars in the country, and look at people who own expensive luxury vehicles and supercars.

If you have a R3 million Ferrari but are only reporting R100,000 in taxable income, I think SARS is entitled to knock on your door and ask you to explain, he said.

He added that he would like proper lifestyle audits of all people who are accused of corruption at places like the Zondo Commission.

The Al Capone technique is the best way to stop corruption. If we can do that, I can assure you that we will bring people to book.

Judge Dennis Davis interview
An ambulance entering the grounds of Oklahoma County Detention Centre on 28 March 2021 ((The Oklahoman))

An inmate at an Oklahoma prison was fatally shot on Saturday after he took a corrections officer hostage.

The incident took place at around 4:22pm on the 10th floor of the Oklahoma County Detention Centre, the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

The inmate took the officer hostage while staff members were distributing medication to prisoners, with Sheriff Tommie Johnson III saying that the inmate overran the officer, before taking his keys and tying him up.

After the officer was taken hostage, the prison was placed on lockdown for around two hours, while other staff members attempted to deal with the situation.

The unidentified inmate used the officers keys to release several other prisoners from their cells, with authorities claiming that many of them helped in the hostage-taking on Saturday.

Read more:

Thats where the inmates that have really been most difficult to manage are housed, jail administrator Greg Williams said about the floor, which houses 37 prisoners according to NBC News.

Part of the incident was live-streamed on social media by an inmate who took the officers phone. The prisoner who sparked the incident was heard complaining about conditions at the facility, claiming: We cant take showers and adding, The toilets backed up. This is what were dealing with.

The inmate filming the prisoner could then be heard saying that the corrections officer aint got nothing to do with this. He just so happens to be a product of the situation.

A sheriffs office tactical unit alongside city police responded to the scene and attempted to de-escalate the situation after a request from the prison.

However, an Oklahoma City officer shot at the inmate who took the staff member hostage after he allegedly held an undisclosed object up to the officers neck.

Story continues

The inmate later died from injuries sustained in the incident, according to Aaron Brilbeck, spokesman for the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

The corrections officer suffered minor injuries in the incident and was hospitalised for treatment. Mr Brilbeck confirmed that the officers injuries were not sustained during the shooting.

Oklahoma City police Chief Wade Gourley said that his department would lead an investigation into how the incident occurred.

According to Fox News, a small group of protesters gathered outside of the prison after the incident, complaining about the conditions faced by inmates.

Mr Williams said that the prison would investigate whether poor conditions in the facility led to the violence on Saturday.

Non-profit organisation Nondoc.com reported that the prison has been under the oversight of the US Department of Justice since 2009 due to violations related to overcrowding and supervision.
Chinese companies have been sending more goods by rail through Russia and Central Asia in recent months as the cost of shipping by sea increases.

Subscribe To Our New China Newsletter It has become impossible to tell the biggest stories shaping Eurasia without considering Chinas resurgent influence in local business, politics, security, and culture. China In Eurasia is the new biweekly newsletter by correspondent Reid Standish in which he builds on local reporting from RFE/RLs journalists across Eurasia to give you unique insights into Beijings ambitions. It's sent on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. To subscribe, click here.

China sent more than 2,000 freight trains to Europe during the first two months of 2021, double the rate a year earlier when the coronavirus first hit, the Financial Times reported.



An equipment manufacturer in the Yiwu in eastern China told the paper that prices for sea transport have "skyrocketed" since last year as the coronavirus spurred demand in Europe for electronics and other home appliances.



Meanwhile, sea transportation times have doubled, the manufacturer said.



An agent providing export services in Shenzhen said that between 20 and 30 percent of her clients had switched from sea to rail.



Sea transport has become the focus of international attention after a ship became stuck in the Suez Canal, blocking all traffic. The Suez Canal offers the shortest route by sea from Asia to Europe.



Despite the jump in the use of rail transport, it still accounts for a small fraction of total goods exported from China to Europe. And it may not last.



The Shenzhen agent said she expected clients to return to shipping routes when the pandemic eased.

Based on reporting by the Financial Times
(Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said on Saturday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus and has mild symptoms.

Guaido said on his Twitter account that he is in isolation and expressed concern about the number of infections in the country.

"I want to express my solidarity with the thousands of Venezuelans suffering during the pandemic," Guaido wrote on Twitter. "Today we all have a relative or acquaintance affected by COVID-19."

Dozens of countries have backed Guaido as interim president of Venezuela following Maduro's re-election in 2018 in a vote Western governments called a sham.

The opposition leader added that he considered the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines to Venezuela urgent.

Venezuela has received 700,000 doses, of which 500,000 were donated by China's Sinopharm and the rest are Russia's Sputnik V. Opposition leaders are separately negotiating to buy vaccines via the COVAX program using funds frozen in the United States.

Venezuela's official figures as of Saturday showed 155,663 cases of coronavirus and 1,555 deaths, though opposition critics say the actual figure is likely higher due to limited testing.

(Reporting by Sarah Kinosian; Editing by Stephen Coates)
Seven years ago, 23-year-old Marquise Jones was killed at a Northeast Side restaurant by off-duty Police Officer Robert Encina.

Encina shot Jones in the back while he ran from the scene of a fender-bender, where he was a passenger in a car that hit another vehicle in the drive-thru lane at the restaurant.

Saturday, Jones aunt, Deborah Bush, stood in front of a crowd of about 200 at a rally in support of Proposition B, begging for police accountability and justice for her nephew.

No matter what, I will never give up the fight, Bush said. We need everyone to vote yes on Prop B to hold these officers accountable.

On ExpressNews.com: Case of Marquise Jones, Black man killed by San Antonio police officer, will not be presented again to grand jury, officials say

Encina has said he was afraid for his life because Jones was waving a gun as he ran, something Jones family disputes. They say he was unarmed and that evidence was mishandled. A grand jury declined to indict Encina, and a federal jury cleared him of wrongdoing in a later civil lawsuit filed by Jones family.

Social justice advocates have remained strong in their belief that there are problems with some members of the police force, and last year a new organization, Fix SAPD, launched a petition drive that gathered more than 20,000 signatures to get Proposition B on the May 1 ballot.

The charter amendment would repeal police officers right to negotiate contracts with the city. Fix SAPD and its supporters believe that collective bargaining has made it difficult to appropriately discipline officers for misconduct.

For too long now, we have allowed officers committing misconduct to stay on the force, to beat and brutalize and murder us, and face no repercussions for their actions, said Ananda Tomas, Fix SAPDs deputy director. Prop B is about taking policing in our own hands.

Mario Marcel Salas, the president of the San Antonio Coalition for Police Accountability, said Proposition B is not about defunding the police.

Were not anti-police, he said. We are anti-bad cop.

The San Antonio Police Officers Association, the union that negotiates new contracts with the city every few years, adamantly opposes the ballot initiative. The association says that if the proposition is approved, it would have the end result of hurting officer recruitment and slowing response times and that it could lead to a rise in crime.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio police organizations rally for collective bargaining, oppose ballot measure

Bush stood in front of the portraits of Jones, Darrell Zemault Sr., Antronie Scott Sr., Jesse Aguirre, Gilbert Flores, Norman Cooper, Charles Chop Chop Roundtree Jr. and Erick D. Mejia, who were shot and killed by police officers or sheriffs deputies in San Antonio.

The rally was hosted by the San Antonio Coalition for Police Accountability at Pittman-Sullivan Park, where attendees could learn about Proposition B and register to vote. There was also food, music and a space dedicated to those who died after violent encounters with police.

Fix SAPD, Black Voters Matter, Texas Organizing Project, All of Us or None, Black Freedom Factory, Our Revolution Texas, Black Lives and Allies in Community, Radical Registrars, Move Texas, Autonomous Brown Berets and AAPIs for Justice also were co-hosts of Saturdays event.

Earlier in the day, about 20 cars  including a massive RV with a Black Voters Matter logo  drove across City Council District 2 on the the East Side, stopping to register people to vote and educating voters about Proposition B.

With 67,656 registered voters in the May 2019 election, District 2 had the citys third-lowest voter turnout rate, 8.6 percent. District 5 had an 8.5 percent turnout, and District 4 had 7.8 percent, according to data from SA2020.

District 2s population has the highest percentage of African American residents, with 21.4 percent; District 10 is second, with 8.9 percent, according to SA2020.

The deadline to register to vote for the May 1 election is Thursday. Early voting starts April 19.

liz.hardaway@hearst.com | Twitter: @liz_hardaway
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Ordinarily, Id think twice about paying $5 for a dozen eggs  even the organic, orange-yolked variety you get from backyard chickens. But the pandemic seems to have done something to the way I shop for food. And, in Santa Fe at least, Im not alone.

I considered this shift in grocery shopping as I drove to a former co-workers house this week to pick up a carton that included five mint-green Araucana eggs. (I grew up raising chickens and the pastel orbs were always my favorite.) I thought about my fridge, which was freshly stocked with salami and cheese from the Deli at Sassella, as well as a half-quart of soup, and cinnamon rolls Id scored from Open Kitchens downtown storefront.

I had just visited Beck & Bulow, the new meat purveyor on Cerrillos Road, to peruse a selection that ranged from ground elk to bison tenderloins to wild-caught Alaskan salmon. After the egg handoff, I planned a trip to CHOMP Food Hall to check out the array of specialty provisions there, along with its full bar and restaurant stalls.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

As my Depression-survivor grandpa would say, Santa Fe cooks are living high on the hog with a freshman class of specialty grocers. Shopping at the new gourmet venues is a far cry from standing in line outside Market Street or Trader Joes  but, like the lines, these stores are all products of COVID-19. Their success depends on the flavors theyve brought us, whether local or imported, and the territory theyve carved out proves that townies are hungry for more diverse food retail experiences.

People are cooking more and more at home, says Sassella sous chef and deli manager Tony Smith. Its great to be able to re-create some cool thing you saw on the Food Network or Instagram with stuff from our store. Its a lot of the specialty stuff you cant find in your average grocery store.

Deli at Sassellas cottage on Mckenzie Street not only boasts the best muffalettas and meatball subs you can find in town, but also the cozy storefront is home to a dizzying lineup of imported antipasti, pasta, olive oils, vinegars and even Italian ketchup. At the deli counter, I sampled a few tastes of charcuterie, sliced thin by Smith, before settling on 4 ounces of salame picante ($7.28) and 5 of coppa ham ($12.45). I also grabbed a bag of orecchiette pasta from Puglia ($7.95) and a jar of black chili from Urfa, Turkey ($9.95). Smith says customers who hail from Philadelphia and New York, accustomed to Italian delis jam-packed with imported delicacies, are extra stoked to find the Deli at Sassella in their own backyard.

Like the Italian deli, Beck & Bulows new store on Cerrillos Road is a return to an old-school, pre-World War II shopping model, where you get your meat from a stand-alone butcher shop as opposed to the meat section of the supermarket. Owners Tony Beck and J.P. Bulow say their business  featuring beef, lamb, pork and poultry from small organic producers, as well as wild-caught seafood and game, such as bison, elk and boar  reflects the trend, especially since COVID, of consumers shifting their loyalties to clean, non-factory-farmed meat without hormones, additives or preservatives.

I had a 95-year-old woman who was in here buying 40 dollars worth of buffalo short ribs, says Bulow, and she said, This buffalo tastes like what beef used to taste like in the 1950s. 

After picking up a pound of free-range ground elk for $14.99, I wondered if new customers were balking at Beck & Bulows prices. Bulow pointed out, The big meatpackers kill 30,000 to 50,000 heads of cattle a day. Were a totally different beast here. Im not selling ground beef for two dollars thats filled with hormones. Everyone wants grass-fed and local, but its a lot more expensive to raise.

He compared the difference to a $5 single-origin espresso drink versus a cup of coffee from McDonalds.

I could taste the difference in rich, flavorful and just fatty enough Beck & Bulow green chile pork sausage ($11.99/lb.) that I fried up later to top some tagliatelle from Quattro Mani Pasta ($16). Id bought the pasta at Open Kitchens new open pantry in Santa Fe Village on Don Gaspar, where chef-owner Hue-Chan Karels has set up a space for private dining appointments, cooking classes and a thriving weekly food delivery business.

Between 2 and 6 p.m. on Monday afternoons, Karels sets out a rotating cast of items for sale that include pastas and sauces from Quattro Mani, along with a choice of two soups, focaccia and other baked nibbles. There are also 12-ounce jars of handmade syrups (lemongrass, hibiscus, ginger, $15) to jazz up homemade shrubs or cocktails, and quick-pickled carrots and daikon radishes ($15). I grabbed a four-pack of brioche cinnamon rolls ($13) that required a quick heat at home, accompanied by a divine orange-flavored cream cheese frosting, and a $16/oz Massaman curried chicken soup with rice noodles ($13). The noodles were lovingly packed separately with basil and chili garnishes, and I made two meals of the heady soup.

Soup is a prominent feature of the CHOMP Food Hall at the Luna Center on Cerrillos Road. There, a growing lineup of food vendors includes Yes, Soup for You!, a positive spin on Seinfelds Soup Nazi that offers four soups a week. Naths Inspired Khmer Cuisine makes a mean, sweet-and-spicy chicken Tom Yum soup ($11 for 9 ounces) redolent with cilantro and chiles, as well as tasty gluten-free and vegan turmeric sweet potato noodles with broccoli, spinach, carrots, scallions and crimini mushrooms ($15). You can pile on the spice with an ancho-chile Bloody Mary with a pilsner back ($9) from the wine-centric Bottega del Vino bar while you watch the comings and goings of people checking out the Italian imports at the Artisans Bottega, or opening the fridges to inspect $25 ready-made charcuterie plates from cheese master Lauren Stutzmans Picnic NM. CHOMP is still a work in progress, getting ready to provide outlets for Jambo Cafe and Changs Dumpling House in the weeks to come. But, even in its fledgling phase, Santa Fes first food hall has significantly boosted both the dine-in and dry goods options in the Railyard area.

Back to those eggs. Being the kind of person who likes to cook one egg a day, Im having mornings where I sigh out loud during breakfast, grateful I spent a dollar or so more on a home-cooked meal I can truly cherish. One byproduct of the COVID era seems to be a newfound appreciation for those rare moments of luxury. Times being what they are, its important to afford ourselves that kind of pleasure.
Anthony Sampieri died in an isolation unit at Long Bay Prison Hospital, where he was receiving treatment for liver cancer

A sadistic paedophile who brutally raped a seven-year-old girl inside a public toilet at her dance studio has died in jail of liver cancer.

Anthony Sampieri, 56, dragged the little girl at knife point into the bathroom of a dance school in Kogarah, in Sydney's south, in November 2018 and sexually abused her for 40 minutes.

Sampieri died in an isolation unit at Long Bay Prison Hospital, where he was receiving treatment for liver cancer. He had been given just a 60 per cent chance of surviving the next five years.

Sampieri, a self-confessed ice user, in February lodged an appeal with the Court of Criminal Appeal.

One of his previous victims said the decision proved he had no remorse for his crimes.

'If Sampieri was truly remorseful, he would decline putting the victims through any more pain and suffering than he already has by telling his lawyers to go kick rocks,' they said.

He became the first paedophile in Australia to be jailed for life for sexually assaulting a child, setting a precedent for future cases.

Throughout the entire court process, Sampieri used Legal Aid to fund his defence.

Sampieri admitted the rape and seven other offences during the attack. Pictured: The scene

Judge Paul Conlon said during sentencing Sampieri showed a 'complete lack of empathy for the child' and that the assault was 'any parent's worst nightmare'.

'One can only imagine the confusion and heightened state of fear she would have been in as he subjected her to sexual abuse of the most horrifying and degrading kind,' he said.

Sampieri wrapped a cord around the child's neck then raped her for 40 minutes while filming his attack.

The notorious child rapist tormented her for 40 minutes in a Sydney dance studio bathroom (pictured)

He then bound the girl's hands with a cord from his shorts and stuffed toilet paper in her mouth so she could not call out for help.

As he left the bathroom, which was shared by the dance studio and other businesses, he was confronted by mechanic Nicola Gilio who was helping the girl's mother search for her.

Mr Gilio tackled him to the ground and, with the help of a dentist who rushed upstairs from his surgery underneath the studio, restrained him until police arrived.

The rapist, who had his trousers down and was covered in blood, claimed to officers he was doing drugs, saying: 'I was shooting up and he's come in, beat me up and stolen my meth'.

At the time of the attack, Sampieri was on parole having been released from jail for raping a 60-year-old woman at her home Wollongong in 2012.

Pictured: The scene of the crime after the attack. Sampieri was captured and held until emergency services could arrive by concerned locals

Hero diesel mechanic Nicola Gilio (pictured on a stretcher) found the girl and fought Sampieri in the bathroom, suffering several cuts in the melee

In the months before the shocking assault, Sampieri made 94 sexually explicit calls to various women including a 71-year-old community choir treasurer, a chaplain and 20 real estate agents.

Sampieri in June last year pleaded guilty to 10 charges related to the dance hall attack including three counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10.

He also admitted to charges related to sexually explicit and harassing phone calls he made to women in the months before.

In a previous court appearance, Sampieri admitted he had repeatedly injected ice in nearby public toilets before the attack.

He said he was in such a state of sexual excitement by the time he was in the dance studio facilities, he would have attacked anyone who had walked in.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Harvard was one of the first universities to evacuate its campus in mid-March last year, and it is still in caution mode. In an email to students on Feb. 26, its president, Lawrence Bacow, said that postponing live commencement for two years running was deeply disappointing, but public health and safety must continue to take precedence.

Like other universities, though, Harvard promised to bring the classes of 2020 and 2021 back to celebrate at some future date.

Some universities plan to hold their commencements in outdoor stadiums. Notre Dame, which was aggressive about bringing students back to campus last fall, is planning to accommodate all 3,000 graduates and a limited number of guests in its 79,000-seat stadium. Health officials have authorized the use of up to 20 percent of the seating.

The University of Southern California will hold in-person ceremonies for the classes of 2021 and 2020 in May. The ceremonies will take place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and graduates will be allowed to invite two guests, although they must be California residents.

Northeastern University in Boston will host five commencement ceremonies in Fenway Park in May. Officials are aiming to allow each graduate to invite one guest, though they are still evaluating total capacity with physical distancing.

The University of South Florida in Tampa said this month that its commencement would take place at nearby Tropicana Field, which can hold about 40,000 people. The university set a tentative date of May 7 to 9. Students will be allowed to bring two guests and must register in advance.

Some schools are holding ceremonies without guests, in what will be largely empty stadiums.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison will hold in-person ceremonies in its Camp Randall Stadium, which can hold about 80,000 people. The university will hold two ceremonies on May 8, but graduates cannot bring guests.
Constance Moofushi in the Maldives has recently been refurbished by Studio MHNA, ensuring guests enjoy the ultimate luxurious desert island experience.



Soft white sand beaches, sapphire seas and towering coconut trees further enhance this paradisical island resort located in the South Ari Atoll.



Viewed from above, Constance Moofushi is an emerald pearl set in the turquoise blue gradient that is typical of the archipelago. Studios MHNA have used the beauty of the ocean and the vivid colour palette of the surrounding nature to give the resort a new and natural freshness.



In the water villas they have used turquoise tones harmonised with fawn and ivory and alternating stripes, fish patterns and cut coral designs to exude an atmosphere of calm, daydreaming and gentle cruising. In the beach villas there is a nod to the exuberant natural foliage with a palette of greens and vivid flower patterns that awaken the entire decoration.



A new collection of contemporary furniture, inspired by travel pieces from around the world, decorates the different spaces of the hotel and brings freshness, modernity and novelty. Lamps made of rope, a large shell chandelier, back-lit columns made of bottles, vibrant sofas, whitewashed bricks and neon lights are just a few of the additions.



Theres even an old Citroen food truck set in the sand by the new Grill Lounge, adding extra character and providing a real focal point while guests chill under bamboo pergolas playing games, reading or simply relaxing with a drink.



With its brand new atmosphere, exceptional service and deserted white beaches, Constance Moofushi is the destination of choice for travellers in search of calm and pleasure. Hugely popular with scuba diving enthusiasts who appreciate its teeming coral reefs, its manta ray colonies and the very special sunset boat trips, this little piece of the Indian Ocean provides the idyllic island retreat. No shoes, no news is the motto here, allowing guests to truly escape from everyday life.



The authentic and contemporary decoration, reflecting the breathtaking nature that surrounds us, have given a modern reinterpretation to the island. White sand, coconut palms, turquoise sea ....all the ingredients that make a perfect Maldivian holiday are here, said Henri Arnulphy, Managing Director of Constance Moofushi.



 Sensitive to the protection of nature and sustainable development, we focused on using recovered and transformed wood, recycled glass, raffia and shells. Some of these materials have been combined with elaborate and colourful fabrics and materials in order to create vibrant spaces, all different from each other and all breathing happiness and the joy of living, added Marc Hertrich and Nicolas Adnet from Studio MHNA.



The venue is offering up to 40% off the price on all-inclusive rooms, until April 10, 2021.  TradeArabia News Service
Serial killer on federal death row dies at Indiana hospital View Photo

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP)  A convicted serial killer whose victims included two young boys died Sunday at a hospital in Indiana, authorities said.

Joseph Edward Duncan died at the medical center near United States Penitentiary, Terre Haute, where he was on death row, according to a statement from prosecutors in Riverside County, California.

Duncan, 58, had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

Duncan was convicted of killing four members of a family from Coeur dAlene, Idaho, in 2005. He kidnapped two children, Dylan and Shasta Groene, from the familys home and tortured them in Montana before killing the boy.

Shasta Groene was the only survivor of the rampage and was rescued when Duncan stopped at a restaurant in Coeur dAlene and the staff recognized the girl.

Following that conviction, Duncan was extradited to Southern California to be tried for the death of 10-year-old Anthony Martinez of Riverside County in 1997. Duncan, who is from Tacoma, Washington, was linked by DNA to the killing. He pleaded guilty and received a sentence of life in prison.

While I wouldve liked to witness his execution, knowing he is now standing before God being held accountable for what he has done, what he did to my son, and the horrible crimes he committed to others, thats the real justice, Anthonys father, Ernesto Martinez, said in a statement provided by prosecutors.

In court filings earlier this year, attorneys disclosed that Duncan underwent brain surgery last October and was diagnosed with glioblastoma, stage 4 brain cancer. According to court records, he declined chemotherapy and radiation.
Washington, March 28 : Hospitalisations and death rates among the elderly in the US are falling, marking hopeful signs that a Covid-19 vaccinnation push aimed first at older Americans is bearing fruit, a media report said.

Deaths tied to US nursing homes where the elderly tend to stay have plummeted -- seven-day averages for newly reported deaths recently fell below 1,000 for the first time in more than four months, Xinhua news agency quoted The Wall Street Journal newspaper as saying.

Public-health researchers caution the pandemic is far from over, especially as newly reported US cases plateau after a steep decline and more infectious coronavirus variants spread.

But as this happens, "the Americans who have long faced the highest mortality risk are increasingly protected", the report said.

"The people who die tend to be older," said Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University's School of Public Health. "And we've vaccinated a lot of people over 55 now." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites vaccinations among people aged 65 and higher.

This group has on average represented about four of every five Covid-19 deaths in the country since the pandemic began, death-certificate data show.

By Friday, 71 per cent of this age group had received at least one vaccine dose, compared with 27 per cent of the general population, CDC data show.

Nearly 46 per cent of people 65 and over are fully vaccinated.

The age-based vaccination strategy may be starting to show up in hospital data.

A CDC surveillance system that tracks preliminary data from select states, including California and New York, shows steep declines in the rate of hospitalisations among the oldest Americans in recent weeks.

The percent of all hospitalizations made up of people at least 65 years old has also been falling, the hospital data indicate.

"We're seeing less severe disease in the highest risk population, that's probably in large part due to the vaccine," said infectious-disease doctor James Lawler, co-director of the Global Center for Health Security at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
The defense chiefs of 12 countries, including the U.S., issued a joint statement on Saturday condemning Myanmar's military and security forces for its crackdown on anti-coup demonstrators.

Why it matters: The statement comes after the U.N. called Saturday the deadliest day of protests since the military last month overthrew the country's democratically elected government. Protesters have rallied to restore democracy in the country for nearly two months.

What they're saying: "As Chiefs of Defense, we condemn the use of lethal force against unarmed people by the Myanmar Armed Forces and associated security services," the statement says.

"A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting  not harming  the people it serves."

"We urge the Myanmar Armed Forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions."

The statement was issued by the defense chiefs of Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea and the U.K. along with the U.S.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin tweeted his support for the statement, calling the developments in Myanmar "deeply disturbing."

Worth noting: U.S. Ambassador Thomas Vajda also issued a statement Saturday saying that "security forces are murdering unarmed civilians, including children, the very people they swore to protect."

"This bloodshed is horrifying," he added. "These are not the actions of a professional military or police force."

Go deeper: Myanmar forces kill more than 100 in deadliest day since coup
Motsi Mabuse has reportedly signed up for a German stage tour at the same time Strictly Come Dancing will air this autumn.

The judge, 39, is said to be still speaking to BBC bosses about her upcoming contract for the show which is due to begin filming in September and finish just before Christmas, reports The Sun.

And the potential overlapping of the dancer's schedule has reportedly caused panic at the BBC.

Clash? Motsi Mabuse has reportedly signed up for a German stage tour at the same time Strictly Come Dancing will air this autumn

As well as sitting on the panel for Strictly in the UK, Motsi - who lives in Frankfurt - is also a judge on the German version of the popular show which is called Let's Dance and will be part of their upcoming theatre tour.

Posters produced for the tour show that it will be taking place throughout the entire month of November including on Saturday nights when Strictly airs.

Motsi appears on the publicity posters and ticket website for the German tour alongside two other judges.

Difficult: The judge, 39, is said to be still speaking to BBC bosses about her upcoming contract for the show which is due to begin filming in September and finish just before Christmas

The Sun has reported that until recently Motsi didn't know if Strictly would renew her contract for this year.

It comes after fellow Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli is reportedly set to miss the upcoming series due to the Covid pandemic.

The dancer, 65, who missed the last series due to his commitments on the judging panel for the US version Dancing With The Stars, has reportedly told pals he 'can't commit' to the upcoming series.

Awkward: The potential overlapping of the dancer's schedule has reportedly caused panic at the BBC

Bruno appeared on last year's Strictly via video link after being unable to return to the UK during the Covid crisis, and has previously travelled across the Atlantic to simultaneously film both shows.

In reference to both Bruno and Motsi, a TV source told The Sun: 'Producers have been pulling their hair out as they struggle to get all of their judges in the right place for the live shows.

'Motsi's fans in Germany are buying show tickets expecting to see her live.

'Pre-Covid it was easy for talent to jet in and out of the UK for the night, but with travel restrictions it's much harder.'

The source added that producers want to avoid relying too much on video links, especially as they're paying big money for talent and that it's a real 'schedule clash'.

However, a BBC spokesperson said: 'Motsi will be doing the next series, we will be working out the schedule as we have done in the past.'

Motsi missed two weeks of last year's Strictly Come Dancing after she had to isolate due to an emergency trip to Germany - with Anton Du Beke stepping in to cover the role.

Busy: As well as sitting on the panel for Strictly in the UK (pictured), Motsi - who lives in Frankfurt - is also a judge on the German version of the popular show which is called Let's Dance

The dancer caught a flight after her dance school was 'targeted' and worked with police to 'solve the crime'.

Bruno is reportedly set to miss the upcoming series after only appearing occasionally via video link last year.

A source told The Sun: 'Bruno can't commit to both shows right now and is staying put in LA  it's a better lifestyle there, with great weather, which is good for his health.

'He earns close to 1 million a series in America, so he has to prioritise that.

Sad: It comes after fellow Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli (left) is reportedly set to miss the upcoming series due to the Covid pandemic

'Of course, he's still very much part of the Strictly family and is keen to appear on a video link several times through the series.'

MailOnline contacted representatives for Bruno Tonioli and Strictly Come Dancing for comment at the time.

This will be the second series the judge has missed out on the dance competition.

Bruno was due to resume his panel duties on the semi-final last year but he and his bosses decided it would be safer for him to remain stateside and maintain his judging commitments on Dancing With The Stars.

The decision apparently meant facing a 125,000 pay cut from his reported 250,000 salary, and he instead appeared via satellite link.
With Spring Break here for many students and summer vacation just around the corner, many health agencies are still saying people should avoid
A major campaign will remind the public to stick to the rules and remain outside when meeting others to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.

TV doctor Hilary Jones will head the Government's 'Let's Take This Next Step Safely' campaign which will run across television and radio from tonight.

It will encourage people to remember a new 'Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air' message and resist the temptation to hug those who are not in the same household or bubble.

The campaign will also tell Britons they should have the courage to say 'No' if someone tries to tempt them to break the rules. Ministers are concerned that people will see today's easing of the lockdown as an excuse to meet indoors, even though this is not allowed until May.

TV doctor Hilary Jones (pictured) will head the Government's 'Let's Take This Next Step Safely' campaign which will run across television and radio from tonight

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: 'As we see from rising cases in Europe, this virus still poses a very real threat. We have come so far thanks to the vaccine rollout and that progress must be protected.

'So let's take this next step safely, When you meet others do so outdoors and keep a safe distance.'

Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said: 'Thanks to the efforts of the public, we have reduced the number of cases and deaths but the virus is still in circulation. The evidence is very clear that outdoor spaces are safer than indoors. It is important to remember this as we move into the next phase.'

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: 'As we see from rising cases in Europe, this virus still poses a very real threat'

The Government said about one in three people with coronavirus shows no symptoms so anyone could be spreading it without knowing. Someone who is infected releases particles into the air by breathing, talking or coughing. Research shows the risk of infection is significantly lower in fresh air than indoors.

Dr Jones said: 'As we are approaching these milestones out of lockdown, we all must be vigilant and follow the new guidelines where we can, especially as we can now see our friends and family.'

Psychologist Laverne Antrobus said: 'It's really important to stick to the guidance and only meet outdoors.

'This may mean being put in situations where you have to say 'No' to joining a large group of more than six or perhaps feeling pressured to go indoors with people outside your bubble.'
The Irish Hairdressers Federation has called on the Government to allow hair salons in Longford and other counties to reopen for those who are fully vaccinated.

Also read: Stonepark neighbours raising funds for ten-year-old girl's rare cancer treatment

In a statement issued on Saturday, March 27, the Federation said it would provide an essential boost to the mental health and wellbeing of elderly people, who have been cocooning for over a year.

The Federation also asked for consideration to be given for fully vaccinated heroic frontline healthcare workers.

The call from the Federation comes on the eve of the Government considering plans to lift some restrictions for those who are fully vaccinated. A reopening of salons for fully vaccinated people would also prove a major boost for frontline healthcare workers who have been under extreme pressure in the past twelve months.

GALLERY | Birth of twin foals in Granard and honouring Longford Falcons basketball star feature in our 2005 trip Down Memory Lane

The Irish Hairdressers Federation President is Danielle Kennedy. She said these two critical groups are at the forefront of their call for reopening.

"Elderly people have been cocooning for the past year, and it would such a great boost for their mental health and general wellbeing to be able to pop down to the salon and talk to people in a safe, controlled environment. They get out of the house, get their hair done, feel refreshed and come away feeling great. Not a day goes by where we dont think about our heroic frontline healthcare workers have been under suffering under huge strain and trauma with this crisis for the past year. I dont know anybody who would deny them the boost they deserve, and it would be great if they could enjoy a trip to their hair salon or barber.

"We are asking the Government to consider our essential proposal with the wellbeing of these two groups in mind, as they have been hardest hit by the pandemic. Hair salons are safe and hygienic spaces for them to go to. We have extensively reviewed and updated our health & safety guidelines. We are continuing to review and refresh our guidelines as new information becomes available," she said.

Also read: Longford landlord in court fight for eviction of tenants

The Federation said it is is very aware of many elderly customers suffering badly, due to not being able to get their hair done, including many who cannot wash their own hair due to health conditions. Furthermore, there are many people undergoing various stages of cancer treatment who need vital access.

The Irish Hairdressers Federation is the trade association for Irish hairdressers and represents over 500 salon owners nationwide, who in turn employ over 7,000 stylists.

Also read: House rebuild costs increase by 7.3% in County Longford
Singapore: Australias top military officer has joined with defence chiefs from the United States, Britain and nine other countries to condemn the use of lethal force against unarmed people by the Myanmar junta after 114 people, including children, were killed on the bloodiest day since it seized power nearly two months ago.

The slaughter on Myanmars Armed Forces Day, which commemorates the start of an uprising against Japanese occupation in 1945, increased the number of deaths in the crackdown against the pro-democracy movement to more than 420, according to activist group the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Anti-coup protesters put out fires during a protest in Thaketa, Myanmar, on Saturday. Credit:AP

Among the latest casualties across the country were two 13-year-olds, while in the main city of Yangon a one-year-old baby was struck in the eye by a rubber bullet.

The bloodshed has triggered further international outcry including from Chief of the Australian Defence Force General Angus Campbell, who on Sunday was a signatory to a statement released by a dozen defence chiefs around the world.
Storm Keating revealed she celebrated her daughter Coco's first birthday at home as she was discharged from hospital after undergoing emergency spinal surgery.

The Australian fashion designer, 39, took to Instagram on Saturday evening to upload a sweet clip of her baby girl's milestone celebration, as well as a montage of images from her life.

Ronan's wife, who was admitted to Cromwell Hospital after being diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome, admitted Coco's big day was 'an explosion of emotions' as she said her mini-me made her 'the proudest mummy in the world'.

Happy birthday! Storm Keating revealed she celebrated her daughter Coco's first birthday at home as she was discharged from hospital after undergoing emergency spinal surgery

The birthday girl appeared over the moon as her parents had decorated their home with a rainbow-print arch.

In the gushing message, the blogger wrote: 'Happy 1st birthday to our little ray of sunshine.. our little Coco Bean.

'Today was an explosion of so many emotions for so many wonderful reasons. I love this girl with all my heart - what a spirit and what a sparkle.

'I'm so excited about the future ahead for this little firecracker, and the proudest mummy in the world. I love you

Hard times: The Australian fashion designer, 39, was admitted to Cromwell Hospital after being diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome earlier this month

Adorable: The fashion designer, 39, took to Instagram on Saturday evening to upload a sweet clip of moments from her life (husband Storm and son Cooper pictured with Coco)

'Coco Knox Keating - unconditionally and always  Music copyright approval granted for use - Song 'As Long As We're in Love' performed by Ronan Keating and myself.' (sic)

Taking to Instagram on Friday night, where she shared a snap of her hand and hospital gown, the media personality said she had experienced the 'most frightening week' of her life after her diagnosis.

Cauda equina syndrome is a rare and severe type of spinal stenosis that causes the nerves in the lower back to become severely compressed.

'Our little ray of sunshine': Ronan's wife admitted Coco's big day was 'an explosion of emotions' as she said her mini-me made her 'the proudest mummy in the world'

In a lengthy Instagram post, the mother-of-two said that she 'wouldn't wish what I've been through on anyone.'

Beginning her message, she said: 'It's been a long and trialling week, the most frightening week of my life.

'But I feel so utterly grateful to Dr Syed Aftab and all the amazing specialists, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and aids at #CromwellHospital who have assisted me through this.

'On Saturday I was rushed in with what we already knew was a very bad prolapsed disc, which had more recently escalated to the point where it needed surgical intervention.'

Shock: The mother-of-two recently told how she had initially been rushed to hospital for a 'very bad prolapsed disc', which needed 'surgical intervention' (pictured with Ronan in 2018)

Detailing how her condition escalated, she continued: 'Whilst stabilising in hospital however, this then escalated to Cauda Equina Compression/ Syndrome which required emergency spinal surgery to avoid permanent damage.

What is cauda equina syndrome? Cauda equina syndrome is a serious condition where the nerves at the very bottom of the spinal cord become compressed. Symptoms include: lower back pain

numbness in your groin

paralysis of one or both legs

rectal pain

loss of bowel control (bowel incontinence)

loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence)

pain in the inside of your thighs Doctors advise seeking medical assistance immediately if a person develops these symptoms. They should visit their GP or the accident and emergency (A&E) department of the nearest hospital. If cauda equina syndrome is not promptly treated, the nerves to the bladder and bowel can become permanently damaged. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement

'If it wasn't for Dr Aftab and his acute diligence, care, attentiveness and skills, I would not be walking out of this hospital with the prospects of leading the normal life I had always envisioned I would.'

The condition causes the nerves in the lower back to suddenly become compressed and can lead to loss of sensation, incontinence and paralysis if not treated immediately.

Sharing her gratitude towards the medical staff that helped her, Storm added: 'There are no words that will ever come close to describing my gratitude to you Syed, thank you.

'And to Georgia and all the wonderful nurses and healthcare assistants who wiped my tears, comforted my fears, cleaned me up and allowed me to keep my dignity in moments where I thought I would lose it... you are amazing human beings to do what you do, thank you.'

Turning to her family, she said: 'My little girl turns one year old tomorrow and I can't wait to get home to her (just in time!) and to my amazing family who have been supporting each other and holding the fort together in my absence this last week.

'It couldn't have been easy and especially knowing the way my baby @rokeating worries! So baba, @jackrkeating and @missyykeating you are my heroes and I love you and I can't wait to get home and see you!!!!'

The businesswoman concluded her post: 'Finally I just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone for your well wishes this last week, they filled me with strength and courage. I hope that by sharing my story, it's a small reminder for everyone to take care of your back!

'Many of us take our spine for granted and often our health too... but sometimes the unexpected can throw a real curve ball if you're not paying attention or if you're ignoring your body.

'I'm very lucky but I wouldn't wish what I've been through on anyone. We share our highs on Insta but sometimes it's good to share our lows too. This has been one of mine .'

Ordeal: In a lengthy Instagram post, the mother-of-two explained how it had been 'most frightening week of my life'

Storm gave birth to Coco in March last year and also shares three-year-old son Cooper with Ronan.

The happy couple met in September 2012 while they were both working on The X Factor Australia.

They tied the knot in a romantic Scottish ceremony in 2015 before announcing in December 2016 that they were expecting their first child.

Ronan shares three other children with ex-wife Yvonne Connolly: daughters Missy, 19, and Ali, 15, and son Jack, 21.
David Shers ComebackTown giving voice to the people of Birmingham & Alabama.

Click here to sign up for newsletter. (Opt out at any time)

Todays guest columnist is Graham C. Boettcher.

The Birmingham Museum of Art is home to nearly 27,000 works of art encompassing cultures around the globe, created throughout human history.

More impressive than this object count is the incalculable number of stories represented by our collection. Works of art can provide us with insights about their makers, their subject matter, their materials, and the time and context in which they were made.

As we celebrate Womens History Month, one particularly striking painting provides an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of Sarah Miriam Peale (1800-1885), widely regarded as the first woman to find commercial success as an artist in the United States.

The youngest daughter of the painter James Peale and niece of the eminent Philadelphia portraitist Charles Willson Peale, Sarah Miriam Peale was born into a dynasty of American artists sometimes known as the painting Peales, whose members largely encouraged her development as an artist, a rarity at a time when most young womens education and artistic trainingif they received anywas focused on their refinement and finishing as future wives and mothers.

Trained by her father, and later by her aptly named cousin Rembrandt Peale, Sarah Miriam Peales earliest work consisted of floral and still life paintings, but she quickly set her sights on portraiture, painting and exhibiting her first portrait, a likeness of herself, when she was just 17, a picture acclaimed as wonderfully like by her famous uncle.

In 1824, Sarah and her sister Anna Claypoole Peale became the first women to be elected to membership in Philadelphias Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (established 1805), the countrys first and oldest art school and museum. She established her studio in Baltimore, where she painted for 25 years, becoming that citys leading portraitist. Peales work was prized for its realism, especially her lifelike rendering of skin and hair, as well as the attention she paid to the details of her sitters attire.

Because of Baltimores proximity to the nations capital, her talents were sought out by the Washington elites of her day, resulting in numerous commissions from diplomats and congressmen, including the Honorable Dixon Hall Lewis (1802-1848) of Alabama, who served first as a United States Representative and later as a Senator.

Born in Virginia, Lewis moved to Alabama in 1820, eventually settling in Lowndesboro, outside Montgomery, where he began to practice law. In 1829, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat, and served until 1844, when he was appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated when Senator (and later Vice-President) William Rufus King was appointed Minister to France. To be sure, there is nothing honorable about the Honorable Dixon Hall Lewiss congressional record: he supported slavery as well as the forced removal of Native Americans, and used his considerable skills as a rhetorician to lay the groundwork for Southern succession.

While Lewis was noted in the contemporary press for his speaking prowess, the majority of the public attention he received focused on his considerable size. An inscription in Peales hand on the reverse of the canvas records that at the time of Lewiss sitting he weighed 460 pounds, but he was reported to have topped the scales at 500 pounds (for comparison, at the time of the Civil War, the average soldier weighed 140 lbs.) Lewiss striking obesity made him the object of jokes among his Senate colleagues who liked to quip that Alabama had the largest representation of any state.

His considerable girth also provided fodder for political cartoons such as Expansion & Contraction, which contrasted the corpulent congressman with the gaunt figure of newspaper editor Francis Preston Blair.

In his 1872 book Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama, William Garrett described that a chair of very large dimensions, and of the strongest manufacture, was provided for [Lewis] on the floor of the two Houses of Congress. Today, that chair resides in the Hoole Special Collections Library of the University of Alabama, where it for many years served as the desk chair for longtime University Librarian Amelia Gorgas, for whom the schools main library is now named.

Executed between 1841 and 1843, Peales portrait of Lewis might best be described as a speaking likeness, a term reserved for an especially lifelike depiction of the sitter. Indeed, characteristic of her reputation, she paid special attention to the congressmans skin, giving it a rosy vitality, and likewise painted his hair in such a way that every strand appears to be individually articulated.

Lewiss elegant attire is punctuated by the red pendant hanging from a fob around his neck: a watch key made of red coral or carnelian set in gold, a common accessory for gentlemen before the advent of the stem-winding pocket watch. The inclusion of Lewiss wood and silver walking stick also adds a distinguished mien to the portrait. Whereas for some men of the period a walking stick was simply a fashionable accoutrement, for Lewis it was a necessity: as William Garrett recalled, Lewiss size rendered walking rather disagreeable and always attended with fatigue.

Lewis died at the age of 46 on October 25, 1848, just five years after sitting for Peale. He had gone to New York City, reportedly to seek medical treatment, and was interred in Brooklyns Green-Wood Cemetery, following an elaborate funeral procession after lying in state in New Yorks City Hall. Period newspaper accounts described his coffin, noting it was of uncommon size, of mahogany, and with body and lead casing said to weigh upwards of 900 lbs.

Peale continued to enjoy a successful career, working for most of her life until her death in 1885. However, like many women artists of the 19th century, her reputation faded into obscurity until the mid 20th century, when scholars rediscovered and exhibited her work, inscribing her within her rightful place in the history of American art. Peales portrait of Lewis has been on view in the Birmingham Museum of Arts American galleries since 1997, where it is the cornerstone of a growing collection of works by trailblazing women artists including Jane Stuart (1812-1888), Mary Josephine Walters (1837-1883), Edmonia Lewis (1844-1907), Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller (1877-1968), and Birminghams own Carrie Hill (1875-1857).

As this collection grows, so too will our ability to tell new, more complete stories about our nations art and the women who created it.

Graham C. Boettcher is The R. Hugh Daniel Director of the Birmingham Museum of Art, where he has served in various curatorial and administrative roles since 2006. A native of Bellingham, Washington, Boettcher received his B.A. and Ph.D. from Yale University, and an M.A. from the University of Washington.

Click here to sign up for our newsletter. (Opt out at any time)

David Sher is the founder and publisher of ComebackTown. Hes past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).
Russian small private carmaker Zetta is designing an electric car and plans to launch production this year, Russia's Industry and Trade minister, Denis Manturov, said on Friday.

The auto industry in Russia, a global oil and gas exporter, has no successful electric car projects at present and analysts see slim prospects in the near future primarily due to poor charging infrastructure.

There were 5,960 electric cars sold in Russia last year including 687 new ones, and the entire fleet of electric cars in the country is just over 10,000, according to the Autostat analytical agency.

Zetta, a startup carmaker based in Tolyatti, the home of AvtoVaz, which produced the Soviet and Russian Lada, is designing a series of electric vehicles, including an urban car and a commercial cargo vehicle, the company's website says.

"We expect that they will start (production) before the end of the year, but it depends on how the development work is completed," Manturov said, without providing details.

"The project deserves attention, but given that the presented model is experimental, it needs to be completed," the Ministry of Industry and Trade said in a statement.

Denis Shchurovsky, director and co-owner of Zetta, declined to comment.
It's a sign of the appallingly archaic views of some local politicians when you find yourself cheering on a Tory secretary of state.

"Back off" is Arlene Foster's uncompromising message to Brandon Lewis on abortion as the DUP literally clings to a 19th century law.

The party, which presents an Irish Sea border for daffodil bulbs and Amazon parcels as a major violation of rights, is keen to retain one that denies women here equality with their sisters in Britain.

Brandon's not for budging, and there are many reasons to give thanks for that. For the tens of thousands of women who, for half a century, were forced to scrape together the money and head to London, Liverpool or some other city more compassionate than home.

For the women who sat alone on boats and planes with directions to an abortion clinic scrawled on a bit of paper in their pocket or saved on their phone.

For the women who have bled or shed tears in English airports on their journey home with not a soul to support them.

For the women who have swallowed abortion pills behind closed bathroom or bedroom doors, terrified in case side effects necessitate a trip to the doctor and they find themselves prosecuted.

For the teenage girls or their mothers who found themselves charged with "procuring and supplying poison" with intent to cause a miscarriage and facing a 10-year jail sentence for buying those tablets.

For the two young women who ended up in hospital after trying to take their own lives when their flights to England were cancelled due to lockdown restrictions last year.

Imagine the pressure of dealing with a crisis pregnancy during a pandemic?

Expand Close PROVISION: Secretary of State Brandon Lewis / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp PROVISION: Secretary of State Brandon Lewis

Yet, knowing all this, the DUP continues to oppose the provision of abortion services centrally here despite the law being changed over a year ago by Westminster. It doesn't even seem bothered about how its insistence on regulatory divergence on this one appears to everybody else in the mother parliament.

There was extensive cross-party support for Brandon Lewis in the House of Commons.

And the 2019 vote to liberalise Northern Ireland's abortion laws was far from close - MPs approved it by 339 votes to 99.

The Secretary of State will assume the new power compelling Stormont to implement the abortion law at the end of the month, and Lewis is expected to act in early May.

As Amnesty International has counselled, it's still not too late for Robin Swann to find the courage to do his job and provide lawful health services to those who need them. He is, after all, the health minister.

Expand Close Health Minister Robin Swann / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Health Minister Robin Swann

Claiming it is a controversial issue may have been legitimate if regulations weren't in existence but, given the law has already been passed, it just doesn't cut it.

However, there is no hope of DUP dinosaurs changing their minds. They just don't get how bad this looks. Continually making speeches about a progressive, inclusive unionism is meaningless when, every inch of the way, the party refuses to walk the walk.

The SDLP, Sinn Fein, and the Ulster Unionists have in recent years all changed their stance on abortion - at the very least to take a conscience position - but the DUP alone remains intransigent.

For decades, we were told that Home Rule was Rome Rule. Indeed, a 21-year-old Arlene Foster described the Irish constitution as "riddled with Roman Catholic social and political doctrine".

The examples she cited to a 1992 conference included "the Republic's stand on abortion". She was spot on then, but the South let in the light three years ago. The shame is that the DUP wants to keep women up here still living in the dark.
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
He's been bandied about as a possible replacement to play a young Luke Skywalker by Star Wars fans.

But Sebastian Stan won't even consider taking over the role of the iconic Jedi knight until he gets Mark Hamill's blessings.

The 38-year-old Falcon And The Winter Soldier Star opened up about a possible future with the Star Wars franchise when asked earlier this week on Good Morning America, though he doesn't seem to be holding his breath.

Waiting for permission: Sebastian Stan, 38, said he won't play Luke Skywalker unless 'Mark Hamill calls me personally' during a GMA appearance this week after fans suggested he could fill the part on social media

'People are wondering about you perhaps playing a young Luke Skywalker...' co-host Robin Roberts mused during Sebastian's Good Morning America appearance.

'Even Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker himself, has tweeted his support,' she added.

'Well, if Mark Hamill calls me personally to tell me that he feels inclined to share this role with me, then I'll believe it,' he said cautiously.

'Until then, I won't believe it.'

Hot topic: 'People are wondering about you perhaps playing a young Luke Skywalker...' co-host Robin Roberts mused during Sebastian's Good Morning America appearance; Hamill seen in The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Hesitant: 'Well, if Mark Hamill calls me personally to tell me that he feels inclined to share this role with me, then I'll believe it,' Stan said cautiously. 'Until then, I won't believe it'

Twins: Roberts was referencing a 2017 tweet in which Hamil posted a headshot of Sebastian next to a film still of himself taken from the 1993 film Time Runner to show how alike they looked

Roberts was referencing a 2017 tweet in which Hamil posted a headshot of Sebastian next to a film still of himself taken from the 1993 film Time Runner.

The side-by-side comparison showed the two actors have remarkably similar facial structures and features.

Other fans have even photoshopped the Marvel actor's face onto Luke Skywalker's body in Star Wars still to prove he's a dead ringer for Hamill, who's now 69.

In 2018, Mark replied to a fan's tweet endorsing Sebastian with more words of encouragement.

'Sebastian doesn't need my stamp of approval!' he wrote. 'He's a wonderful actor & is never less than great in everything he does.'

Seal of approval: In 2018, Mark replied to a fan's tweet endorsing Sebastian with more words of encouragement

'Sebastian doesn't need my stamp of approval!' Hamill wrote. 'He's a wonderful actor & is never less than great in everything he does'

Changing features: Notably, the comparisons between Sebastian and Mark only works from 1980's The Empire Strikes Back and on

Notably, the comparisons between Sebastian and Mark only works from The Empire Strikes Back and on.

Between 1977's Star Wars and the first sequel, Hamill was in a major car crash that fractured his nose and cheekbone.

He returned for 1980's Empire with a significantly different look, though fans never wavered in their support for the actor, who reprised the role in the most recent Star Wars sequel trilogy.

Ouch: Between 1977's Star Wars and the first sequel, Hamill was in a major car crash that altered his facial structure. He returned for 1980's Empire with a significantly different look (Hamil L, Stan R)

Sebastian is currently reprising his role as the Winter Soldier in Disney+'s new Marvel series The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, opposite his costar Anthony Mackie.

He debuted a significantly different version of the character in 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger with Chris Evans playing the title character, but he emerged decades later as a villain in 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Since then, Sebastian has made major appearances in Captain America: Civil War and the last two Avengers films, this time as a hero.

Taking on the role of Luke Skywalker might not even be much of a stretch for the actor, as both Marvel and the Star Wars empire were bought up by Disney in recent years.
People in Japan will be given a choice of a vaccine, a senior official in charge of the vaccination campaign, Fumiaki Kobayashi, said Sunday.

"We'll create an environment where people have a choice," the official said as quoted by the JIJI news agency.

The government will publish information on which COVID-19 vaccines are available at each vaccination site, Kobayashi reportedly said.

Japan's vaccination campaign started in February with BioNTech/Pfizer jabs. In addition to Pfizer, the country is set to receive AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines as well.

(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.)
Facebook froze the Venezuela President's page after claiming and testifying in favor of a solution that promises positive effects on COVID-19. The response of the social media platform follows a video of President Nicolas Marudo promoting the herbal solution even without scientific evidence backing his claims.

It can be remembered that Facebook, along with Twitter, was demanded by attorneys general from 12 American states to take concrete measures on the anti-vaxxers that promulgate misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. This is in response to the continuous efforts of the federal government to vaccinate Americans and immunize them against the notorious disease.

ALSO READ: Misinformation on Social Media Targets Latino Communities

Venezuela President Endorses Carvativir

Apart from freezing the page of President Nicolas Maduro, the company also has taken down his video promoting an oral solution called Carvativir, which he claimed to be effective against the COVID-19, according to a Reuters report.

Maduro labeled the solution derived from thyme as a miracle remedy that can neutralize the manifestations of the disease.

Facebook explains the said video violated a policy that is concerned with false claims, according to a New York Daily News report. Experts also believe that the claims of the Venezuelan president are not backed by scientific research.

"We follow guidance from the WHO (World Health Organization) that says there is currently no medication to cure the virus," said a spokesman from Facebook. Because of the repeated violation of their regulations, the spokesman shared that the page of Venezuela President Marudo will also be frozen by the company for a total of 30 days. The page will have the "read-only" feature and will not be allowed to post during the ban.

In a Twitter post, President Maduro also promoted the said oral solution. A translated passage from his tweet says that "mass productions" of the antiviral solution will soon take place so that their National Public Health System will have the "powerful" solution.

Maduro noted during a televised appearance that only "ten drops under the tongue every four hours" will neutralize the notorious disease.

Venezuela and COVID-19

As of March 27, Venezuela has recorded 154,165 positive cases, according to the World Health Organization. Meanwhile 1, 532 deaths caused by the notorious disease have been reported by the country.

Venezuela has also reported that they had a daily count of between 200 and 500 COVID-19 positive cases in December and January. However, the country recorded 937 new cases on March 19, 2021, while 1,161 new cases on March 20, 2021, according to an Al Jazeera report.

Despite the number of cases, Maduro has been promoting the solution since January. In February, the Venezuelan president accused his critics of taking part in a "campaign of hatred, revenge, and lies." In the same month, Maduro has also claimed that Facebook and other social media platforms have been treating him unfairly. Meanwhile, the administrators of the President's page were notified about the violation. Maduro's account on Instagram will not be affected.

RELATED ARTICLE: Facebook Launches New Features to Help Fight COVID-19 Misinformation

WATCH: Doctors skeptical as Venezuela's Maduro touts coronavirus 'miracle' - from UNTV News and Rescue
Nay Pyi Taw, March 28 : Scores of funerals were held across Myanmar on Sunday after the daily death toll resulting from clashes between protesters and the military junta rose to its highest-ever level.

The funeral processions were held in cities including Yangon, Meiktila, Monywa and Mandalay, dpa news agency quoted media outlets Mizzima, Khit Thit News and RFA as saying in reports.

The latest violence, which reportedly left 114 people dead on Saturday, took the death toll in the suppression of protests since the February 1 coup to 423, according to Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) monitoring group.

The military seized control of the South-East Asian country after an election which former de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling National League for Democracy party won by a landslide.

Protests in different parts of the country continued also on Sunday.

Residents near Hlaing township reported that soldiers threw grenades at protesters.

There were no immediate reports of deaths of deaths, however.

"Since the morning, the military has fired shots in our neighbourhoods," Hnin Yu, a female resident, told dpa.

"People are afraid of going out and some were injured. They are still shooting." Defence chiefs from 12 countries on Sunday slammed the military for its use of violence against peaceful protesters.

"We condemn the use of lethal force against unarmed people by the Myanmar Armed Forces and associated security services," read the joint statement from the US, Britain, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan.

The military chiefs urged Myanmar's armed forces to cease violence and work to "restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions." "A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting - not harming - the people it serves." Myanmar's military celebrated Armed Forces Day with parades and speeches on Saturday, turning a deaf ear to the increasingly deadly and non-stop protests against its seizure of power last month.

It is impossible to independently verify the death toll in Myanmar because of Myanmar's crackdown on journalists and restrictions on internet use.

A tally by the independent Myanmar Now news portal reported 114 killed in 44 towns and cities on Saturday.

A count by the Irrawaddy newspaper put the toll at 59 dead, among them three children.
The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option.

Nicky Hilton was her usual stylish self in a colorful striped sweater and a $3,350 pink Valentino Garavani handbag, while out on a leisurely stroll in NYC on Friday afternoon.

The fashion designer, 37, was seen spending some quality time with her two daughters Lily-Grace, four, and three-year-old Teddy.

Hilton carried her youngest down several blocks, while also holding hands with her firstborn, who wore a floral dress and glittery flats.

Chic: Nicky Hilton was her usual stylish self in a striped sweater and $3,350 pink shoulder bag with gold studs as she enjoyed a stroll in New York City

The doting mother made her way down the sidewalk in a pair of light-wash denim shorts that showcased her toned legs.

Little Teddy looked adorable in a pink dress and a matching face mask, which was adorned with images of the seven Disney princesses.

While strutting around in her pink and white tie-dye flats, Nicky kept her blonde hair in a sleek bun and stayed safe in a black facial covering.

The 365 Style author recently posted a sweet photo to Instagram of her little girls, who she shares with husband James Rothschild, playing dress-up to celebrate International Women's Day.

Doting mom: As the fashion designer, 37, spent some quality time with her two children Lily-Grace, four, and three-year-old Teddy, she showcased her toned legs in a pair of light-wash denim shorts

Fashionable family: The doting mother carried her youngest down several blocks, while also holding hands with her firstborn, who wore a floral dress and glittery flats

She captioned the snap: 'Happy #InternationalWomensDay to all the incredible women who have paved the way for us to be where we are today.

'Cheers to all the wonderful women fighting for an even greater future for the women of tomorrow. These are tough times but our future is bright!'

She also recently joined another one of her favorite women when she appeared on sister Paris Hilton's podcast This Is Paris.

Mama's girls: The 365 Style author recently posted an adorable photo to Instagram of her daughters playing dress-up to celebrate International Women's Day

The blonde beauty revealed that Carter Reum, 40, asked her permission before popping the question to her big sister, 40, last month, also asking her and the rest of the family to join them on the beach when he did it.

She said: 'So, we were at lunch and you got up from the table to go and use the bathroom, and he got up and came and sat next to me and said 'I have two quick questions.'

And it's a good thing she signed off, as Paris thinks highly of her little sister, praising her during the episode: 'Even though she's my little sister, I've always looked up to her like a big sister.

'She's the one that's way more responsible, and always watching out for me and is so protective she's very intuitive and very strong.'

By Cheryl Moss

The explosive growth of gambling will predictably increase the number of disordered gamblers in New Jersey. The government and its citizens will bear the costs. Gambling Courts are integral problem-solving courts and part of the solution.

Several know me as the judge who does not judge or the Jersey Girl Judge, having spent my childhood in New Jersey. I served as a Family Court Judge in Las Vegas for 20 years, and I also presided over Nevadas first Gambling Treatment Diversion Court.

In 2009, Nevada passed a law for treatment diversion to individuals who committed offenses in furtherance or as a result of problem gambling. Anthony Cabot and Jennifer Roberts, professors at the University of Nevada Las Vegass Boyd School of Law, briefly summarized the laws history in an article, Problem Gambling and the Law:

The purpose of A.B. 102 was to address problem gambling as the core of a criminal defendants problem to prevent recidivism and assist in returning the individual to a productive role in society. Some legislators feared that individuals might abuse this program to escape punishment for crimes they committed, even if they were not problem gamblers. Senator Barbra Cegavske noted: I want it on the record that the intent of A.B. 102 is for those people who have an identifiable problem with gambling. It is not intended for people who declare they have a gambling problem just because they want to go into the program. 

To curtail those concerns, which are equally applicable to every state specialty rehabilitation program, such as drug rehab programs, the bills refined language made clear that the presiding judge must determine that the accused is a problem gambler, based on the results of an independent clinical evaluation.

Strong support came from advocates of other rehabilitation programs. I told the Legislature that the new court would merely be an extension of the services already allowed to criminal defendants who acknowledge they have substance abuse and alcohol problems. Often, gambling problems co-exist with substance abuse. The additional services will benefit these individuals and hopefully, keep them away from a life of crime.

A criminal defendant is not entitled to enroll in the program; instead, involvement is at the discretion of the presiding judge. Moreover, individuals charged with certain crimes are not eligible for consideration.

After defendants successfully complete the program, his or her conviction relating to their problem gambling behavior may be set aside and the records sealed by the court.

Nine years later, I heard my first two cases. The participants never had a criminal history but for their disordered gambling. After two years, I had nine cases. I felt good about the human connections I made with each of them. They were three-card monte dealers, former casino employees, a bookkeeper, a salesman, a country club employee, an office manager, and a military veteran.

The pros of Gambling Courts

Gambling Treatment Diversion Courts save lives and taxpayer money. According to the VERA Institute of Justice and the NJ Institute for Social Justice, it costs New Jersey about $61,603 per year for a healthy inmate. Compare this to Nevada at an average cost of $17,851.

There is a low budget impact in creating a Gambling Court. No building needs to be built. Court proceedings can be held a few times per month in one courtroom. One judge can be trained at little to no cost to work with attorneys (prosecutors, defense attorneys), social service workers, and treatment providers (certified problem gambling counselors) to preside over and adjudicate diversion treatment cases in criminal settings.

Specialized treatment courts can lead to better outcomes. Gambling Treatment Diversion Courts have more resources to work directly with gambling treatment providers and organizations, such as state Councils associated with the National Council on Problem Gambling, which exist in 36 states. This coordination can lead to positive outcomes in lowering recidivism rates and saving taxpayer money that would otherwise be wastefully spent on incarceration.

Courts can oversee the process of the gamblers recovery and relationship with family members.

Finally, it just makes sense that gaming states should have gambling diversion. The upward increase of gambling across the country, coupled with the relatively recent recognition of gambling disorder as a behavioral addiction with many parallels and significant co-occurrence with substance addictions for which most states already have specialized court remedies, argue for their creation.

The stigma and shame with disordered gamblers who hide their addiction, lie to their family, friends, co-workers, bosses and ultimately hit rock bottom by committing theft and embezzlement make it difficult for them to get help. Only until they land in criminal court will they face the possibility of prison time or asking the judge to order them into a treatment diversion program  that is if New Jersey enacts such a law.

They have spouses and young children. They have never been arrested their entire lives. They were the breadwinners with good-paying jobs. Gambling disorders can devastate families, force some to live on the streets or go on welfare, and the children will lose their bond with that parent.

Some recovering gamblers cry at night because their children stopped talking to them for years.

The National Council on Problem Gambling, citing various studies, also reports that one in five pathological gamblers attempts suicide, a rate higher than for any other addictive disorder.I have heard stories of gamblers arrested while deep into their addiction.

Gambling Courts are problem-solving courts. They are one part of the solution. If New Jersey wants to know how to create gambling treatment diversion courts, just ask the Jersey Girl Judge.

Retired Judge Cheryl Moss served on the bench for 20 years and presided over Nevadas first Gambling Treatment Diversion Court in 2018-20. She is the first judge in Clark County to use problem gambling assessments in divorce and child custody cases.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Heres how to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters.

Sorry!

This content is not available in your region


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. traffic deaths soared after coronavirus lockdowns ended in 2020, hitting the highest yearly total since 2007 as more Americans engaged in unsafe behavior on U.S. roads, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday. For all of 2020, 38,680 people died on U.S. roads - up 7.2% or nearly 2,600 more than in 2019, even though Americans drove 13% fewer miles, preliminary data showed. In the second half of 2020, the number of traffic deaths was up more than 13%.
India on Sunday sent a consignment of COVID-19 vaccine doses to Denmark that will be administered to UN peacekeeping personnel. Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar took to Twitter to inform about the delivery of Made-in-India vaccine doses to UN peacekeeping forces. India has delivered COVID-19 vaccine doses to several countries in the last few days, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, and the Maldives.

Ensuring safer Peacekeeping.

Made in India vaccines land in Denmark for @UNPeacekeeping personnel.#VaccineMaitri pic.twitter.com/gMoqh8ygT4  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 28, 2021

India's Vaccine Maitri programme

India has delivered more than 600 million doses of vaccine to over 70 countries so far, 98 million doses in grant, 341 million commercially, and 178 million through WHOs COVAX initiative. India has won global praise for its Vaccine Maitri programme which aims to aid low- and middle-income countries amidst the global pandemic.

So far, New Delhi has exported the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and Bharat Biotech's indigenous vaccine, both of which are already in circulation in India with senior citizens receiving the jabs in the second phase of the immunization drive. India is currently witnessing the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak with infections surging again in various parts of the country. On Saturday, India registered its biggest rise in the number of daily cases since October 16. This has led to growing internal calls to put a ban on vaccine imports.

India will likely be in a better position to export vaccination when other vaccines, which are mostly in their lap of approval, hit the market. India's Serum Institute on Saturday said that the Covovax vaccine, which is made in partnership with Novavax, is expected to be launched in September 2021.

(Image Credit: Dr. S. Jaishankar/Twitter/PTI/AP)
By the early 70s, the biggest names in British rock had gotten into reggae. After Paul McCartney and Wings dove in with 1971s Love Is Strange, John Lennon highlighted the Jamaican style in 1973s Mind Games. But neither track hit like Eric Claptons take on Bob Marleys I Shot the Sheriff.

Marley had released the song on The Wailers 73 Burnin album. The following year, Clapton covered the tune for his 461 Ocean Boulevard LP. Claptons version really took off in summer 74, and it hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts in mid-September. Its the only No. 1 of Claptons career.

While Claptons cover meant good things for Marleys reputation on the international scene, he reportedly had conflicting emotions about it when he heard that version of I Shot the Sheriff getting more airplay than his own music in Jamaica.

Eric Claptons I Shot the Sheriff got more Jamaican airplay than Bob Marleys version

Eric Clapton backstage in Chicago during his 1974 US tour | Michael Putland/Getty Images

RELATED: Eric Claptons Awkward Audition for The Band Never Panned Out: They Were Magnificent Heroes for Me

When Claptons I Shot the Sheriff reached the top of Americas charts, it had already hit its peak (No. 9) in the U.K. earlier in summer 74. Back in Jamaica, it was getting played in heavy rotation on the islands two radio stations.

In the 1985 biography Bob Marley, Stephen Davis wrote that this infuriated Marley. At that point, hed already had trouble getting his music in the rotation on Jamaican airwaves. And Davis wrote that Marley and a few associates had gone to strong-arm DJs into giving his music more exposure.

Claptons I Shot the Sheriff was being played every hour on the JBC, while the Wailers new single Knotty Dread was never to be heard, Davis noted in Bob Marley. In fact, JBC disc jockeys were playing the Clapton single (per Davis) as no Wailers song ever had been.

If this were a story about Led Zeppelin, the next scene would feature manager Peter Grant turning up at the station to give people a peace of his mind. But in Marleys case he went on his own.

Marley reportedly confronted Jamaican DJs about Wailers airplay

Bob Marley (1945-81) at the offices of Island Records, July 1975 | Michael Putland/Getty Images

Nearly 50 years later, its hard to imagine Jamaican DJs spinning Claptons I Shot the Sheriff while ignoring Marleys music, but thats the way it was. According to Davis Marley, the situation bothered him so much hed threatened the DJs in person a second time.

After hearing the airplay Clapton got, Marley and his friend Skill Cole went back to the station to inquire about the latest Wailers single. In Marley, Davis wrote that one DJ went to the police afterward to complain hed been threatened.

In the end, Claptons cover brought Marleys music to different parts of the world, so it was definitely a great thing for the rising Jamaican star. All these years later, its no contest as to which version aged better. It calls to mind a joke Shaq once told about a reggae album Snoop Dogg recorded.

Snoop made a reggae album, Shaq said at the 2015 Justin Bieber roast. If youre a rap fan, you may not have it. But if youre a reggae fan, I know you dont f*cking have it.
On two of the hottest issues facing the nation right now  the flow of migrants at the southern border and the two mass shootings that killed 18 people in a matter of a week  Vice President Kamala Harris suggested in an interview Friday the Biden administration will take bold action.

Harris, in a conversation with Hearst Connecticut Media during her visit to Connecticut, stopped short of offering specifics, instead outlining the path forward the administration could take.

And on racial and economic equity, exposed all the more a national rift by the coronavirus pandemic, Harris touted the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, saying it will do for children and families in poverty what years of earlier efforts could not.

The pandemic really exaggerated and magnified the inequities that existed before, she said after her remarks at the West Haven Child Development Center. We are addressing that by so much or our policydoing what we can to, one, recognize itin terms of getting resources to everyone, especially those who have been overlooked or left out.

As for whether the likely upcoming proposal for a massive federal infrastructure program would contain more social programs, she said, Ill keep you posted.

When asked whether the administration would take executive action to address gun reform, Harris pointed to President Joe Bidens long-standing track record on this issue, including his involvement in the 1994 federal ban on assault-style weapons, which expired in 2004.

Its not about getting rid of the Second Amendment. Its saying Hey, look, assault weapons, you know how assault weapons have been designed? Theyve been designed to kill a lot of people quickly. Its a weapon of war. It has no place on the streets of civil society.

Speaking of assault-style weapons like the one used by the Boulder, Colo. shooter to kill 10 people in a grocery store, Why would you want those? Harris said Friday. Well because you just might want to know, before someone can buy a lethal weapon, if theyve been found by a court to be a danger to themselves or others. You just might want to know, before someone can buy a lethal weapon, if theyve been convicted of a violent felony.

Harris said she worked with Biden following the massacre at Sandy Hook when he was Vice President and she was Californias Attorney General. Biden, in a press conference this week, urged the Senate to pass legislation to close loopholes on background checks for guns.

We are equally committed to addressing the issue, she said.

Connecticut has extraordinary leaders on this in U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, she said. We all feel the same way. There should never be another Sandy Hook.

At a press conference outside Roberto Clemente School in New Haven earlier Tuesday ahead of the vice presidents arrival, Blumenthal said he planned to talk privately with Harris about gun control measures. A member of his staff confirmed later in the day, that he did have a discussion with her on the issue.

While the vice presidents visit was about how the rescue plan, and specifically the child tax credit, which economists say could lift as many as four million children nationwide out of poverty, Blumenthal said he planned to talk to Harris about gun violence, a leading cause of death among children.

The senator said he would convey a message from Kristin Song, of Guilford, whose son, Ethan Song, who was shot and killed on January 31, 2018 while handling a .357 Magnum pistol at a neighbors house. His death inspired Ethans Law, which would require all firearms, loaded and unloaded, to be safely stored in homes occupied by minors under 18 years of age.

Her message to the vice president: Continue the fight for common sense measures to stop gun violence, Blumenthal said.

Both Blumenthal and Murphy said theyve had conversations with the White House about addressing gun control through executive action, which they said officials may consider.

They seem very open to the idea, Blumenthal said. I would not be surprised by some executive action on gun violence.

Pressed on when that might happen, Blumenthal said in the coming weeks.

In conversations with the administration on executive orders, Murphy said hes underscored low hanging fruit the administration could grab, such as regulating of so-called ghost guns, homemade guns that dont have a serial number, and clarifying when as a private seller youre selling so many guns that you should be licensed federally, an issue President Barack Obama worked on.

Obama sent out guidance clarifying that if youre selling a certain amount of guns, even if you dont have a brick and mortar store, you still need to license yourself as an FFL (federal firearms licensed dealer), Murphy said.

The current administration seems focused on sequencing whether legislation should come first and executive order should come later, Murphy said.

I think they should move forward and take executive action, he said. I dont think theres going to be a lot of overlap between their executive action and a background checks bill.

Federal law provides a clear exception for gun shows and for private sales of firearms so there are certain gaps in the background check systems that have to be addressed by a change in the law, Murphy said.

Biden recently named Harris the administrations point person to deal with the immigration issues on southern border. In that issue, she said the United States must address the root causes of the migration from Central American countries, including El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala.

Harris said she would take a diplomatic approach in her new role, working with the governments and civil society in those countries.

We cant just be in a reactive mode, she said.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
April 5, keep a date with Gratiaen Prize shortlist live streaming View(s):

The shortlist for the Gratiaen Prize 2020 will be announced at an online event on Monday, April 5, at 7 p.m.,live-streamed on the Facebook page of the Gratiaen Trust:https://www.facebook.com/gratiaentrust

This is the second consecutive year the Prize event has gone online and for a third consecutive year a long list for the Prize was announced. At the short list event, these long listed writers and their work will be featured before the announcement of the short list.

The Gratiaen Prize was founded in 1992 by the Sri Lankan-born novelist and poet Michael Ondaatje with his Booker Prize money for The English Patient. The Prize is awarded each year to the best submitted creative work in English, written by a Sri Lankan writer resident in Sri Lanka. Both published works and unpublished manuscripts are accepted, and this year over 60 entries were received.

Every year the Trust appoints a creative writer, an academic, and an informed general reader to its three-member jury. This year the panel is chaired by Mahendran Thiruvarangan, a Senior Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Jaffna and an active arts and political commentator. Other members in the panel are well-known creative writer Ashok Ferrey and Victoria Walker, a former diplomat and passionate supporter of arts and culture, currently working as a volunteer for Sri Lankas Design for Sustainable Development Foundation. Detailed bios of the jury members can be found on the Gratiaen Trust website.

The Long-list announced earlier this month includes eight writers:

A Sunbirds Guile  Chamanthi Denisha Jayaweera

Chasing Tall Tales and Mystics: Ibn Battuta in Sri Lanka - Ameena Hussein

Crossmatch  Carmel Miranda

Mind Games  Jehan Aloysius

Ovaryacting!  Piumi Wijesundara

Restless Rust  Lal Medawattegedara

Softly We Fall  Megan Dhakshini

The Red Brick Wall  Ciara Mandulee Mendis

The Gratiaen Trust continues its partnership with John Keells Foundation  the CSR entity of the John Keells Group under its focus area of Arts & Culture.

Though COVID 19 disrupted the global and local arts calendars in 2020 and threatens to do so for most of 2021, the Gratiaen Trust was able to conduct a number of activities, utilizing a mix of in-person (according to health regulations) and online activities. In September 2020 the Gratiaen Trust in association with John Keells Foundation held a well-attended event to celebrate International Childrens Day titled Storytime with Sarasavi Bookshop (Pvt) Ltd and Lite87 as event partners. The Trust also held a Literary Weekend in Bentota in September 2020 in association with John Keells Foundation, with media sponsorship by Daily Mirror and the Sunday Times. Earlier this month the Trust also conducted an online literary translation workshop entitled Doubling Ourselves to recognize and develop literature in translation  a goal of its H.A.I. Goonetileke Prize which will also be awarded this year. This workshop, in association with John Keells Foundation was held in collaboration with the Department of English, University of Peradeniya and the Seagull School of Publishng, Kolkata.
Gwalior: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Saturday (March 27) said the deadlock over the ongoing farmers' agitation will end the day the leaders of farm unions decide to sort out this issue.

"The government will also find a way out. The Centre is ready for talks and wants to resolve the issue," said Tomar while addressing the press.

The Union Agriculture Minister addressed a press conference after campaigning for the BJP in Assam for the upcoming Assembly polls, where voting for the phase 1, out of the three, was held on the same day.

"The incumbent BJP government in Assam worked well. After a long period, the people of Assam witnessed peace, development and a sense of security under this government. The BJP will come to power again in that state," said Union Agriculture Minister.

Meanwhile, thousands of farmers from Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, have been protesting from the past four months at Delhi's border, demanding the Central government to take back three new farm laws, which are 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 Farmers Union have termed these three new laws as "anti-farmers"

Multiple rounds of talks have been conducted between the Central government and farmer leaders but no concrete solution has been put on the table. Earlier on Friday (March 26) farmers union called for a Bharat Bandh as the day marked completion of four months of protests, which started on November 26.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmer unions, has called for a Bharat Bandh on March 26, from 6 AM to 6 PM.

Live TV
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on March 28 greeted the Hindu Australian community and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "happy and colourful Holi". In a video message posted on Twitter, Morrison noted that last year the festival was overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic. However, he said that this year even though the pandemic will still affect the festival, people can still "look to the future with much greater confidence".

Morrison said that India is doing a "tremendous job" in making vaccines that are helping the broader world. He also noted Indias role in QUAD and added that the two nations will continue to "chat out a way forward together". "In a spirit of unity, I wish you all a very happy Holi," Morrison concluded.

Wishing our Hindu Australian community, my good friend @narendramodi and all the people who are celebrating it, a happy and colourful Holi!



   pic.twitter.com/rjz1MA8gHJ  Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) March 28, 2021

Meanwhile, earlier, Morrison had said that his country intends to take the bilateral relation with India to new heights by working together in frontier technologies. Morrison said that the two countries have unlimited possibilities of working together in Space research, critical minerals, AI, 5G, quantum computing, and much more. It is worth noting that Australia has also placed India at the forefront of its international partnerships.

Festival of colours

Holi is one of the highly anticipated festivals that everyone looks forward to. Be it the kids or elderly, all look forward to celebrating the festival of colours. It is considered to be one of the biggest festivals after Diwali. Unfortunately, citizens are advised to stay indoors this year in the light of the pandemic.

One of the major festivals of India, Holi is celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety on the full moon day in the month of Phalgun which is the month of March as per the Gregorian calendar. Holi festival is celebrated with various names and people of different states follow different traditions. But, what makes Holi so unique and special is the spirit of it which remains the same throughout the country and even across the globe, wherever it is celebrated.

(Image: Shutterstock/AP)
Sir Roger Moore's granddaughter has said she believes the late actor would have struggled sitting through the 'torture' scenes in her movie debut.

Ambra Moore, 22, has a starring role in the upcoming gangster thriller Nemesis, with former EastEnders actor Billy Murray also appearing.

In the film, the rising starlet's character, Kate, is set to be tied up before she kills her on-screen girlfriend in explosive scenes.

'He'd find it difficult to see me in pain': Ambra Moore has said she believes her grandfather Sir Roger Moore would have struggled watching 'torture' scenes in her movie debut (pictured with her father Geoffrey)

Speaking to The Mirror, Ambra said: 'I think granddad would find it quite difficult to watch because of all the torture.

'Hed find it difficult to see me in pain but would definitely enjoy the fact that I was in a film with Billy Murray and all the gangsters. He would be proud of me.'

Ambra also spoke about how Roger - who passed away at the age of 89 in 2017 - helped her develop as an actress, as he would often watch her school plays and teach her poetry.

She recalled: 'One poem was If by Rudyard Kipling. Just watching him recite it helped me.'

Iconic: Sir Roger Moore was renowned for taking over the iconic James Bond role from George Lazenby (pictured with Julius Harris, Jane Seymour, Geoffrey Holder, Earl Jolly Brown, Yaphet Kotto in 1973 movie Live and Let Die)

Ambra explained that whenever she is missing her grandfather, she takes comfort in watching one of his many films, which includes seven as the iconic spy James Bond.

The actress also highlighted The Spy Who Loved Me and Live and Let Die as 'my favourites'.

In Nemesis, Ambra plays Kate, the daughter of Billy Murray's crime boss John Morgan, in the film which co-stars Nick Moran and is due for digital release on Monday.

Julian Glover, Sir Roger's co-star from 1981 Bond film For Your Eyes Only, also makes an appearance in the British gangster film, directed by James Crow.

Rising star: Ambra Moore, 22, has a starring role in the upcoming gangster thriller Nemesis, with former EastEnders actor Billy Murray also appearing (pictured as a child with her grandfather, left, and father Geoffrey, right)

Ambra is the daughter of Sir Roger's son Geoffrey and his wife Loulou.

A rising star in the film world, she has already co-produced and appeared in 2017's And The Winner Isn't, a satirical documentary about the Oscars race in Hollywood.

Alongside her father, she travelled around Los Angeles to try to find out what it takes to become an Academy Award winner, talking to industry insiders and filmmakers.

She also kept the family connection to 007 alive by working as an on-set runner on 2015 Bond film Spectre, running errands for its star, Daniel Craig.

But she didn't reveal her identity and left Craig in the dark as to who her grandfather was.

Role: In film Nemesis, Ambra's character Kate is tied up before she kills her on-screen girlfriend in explosive scenes (pictured Billy Murray as John Morgan and Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott as Sadie Morgan)

'I was on set as a general runner but all my errands revolved around Daniel,' she told Hello! magazine in 2019. 'He didn't know I was Roger Moore's granddaughter. He is such a charming man  and a terrific actor.'

Following her grandfather's death aged 89 in 2017, Ambra and her father co-wrote a song to raise money for Unicef in his honour  he was an ambassador for the United Nations childrens agency.

The star-studded video for the song also featured his friends including Sir Michael Caine and Liam Neeson.

'He was the most wonderful man, always making a joke with a twinkle in his eye,' Miss Moore said of her grandfather.

She said that she would be happy to have a role in a future 007 film  but would rather play a Bond villain than a Bond girl.

Her father Geoffrey is Sir Roger's son from his third marriage to Italian actress Luisa Mattioli.

He also tried his hand at acting and starred opposite his father as a child in 1976 film Sherlock Holmes In New York and in 1990's Fire, Ice And Dynamite. He went on to become a restaurateur and founded the Hush restaurant in London's Mayfair.

Sir Roger was married to Miss Mattioli from 1969 to 1993, when a diagnosis of prostate cancer prompted him to leave her and marry Danish socialite Kristina Tholstrup.

He said the early bout of cancer had been 'life-changing' in many ways and had made him re-evaluate his marriage.

The actor, who was to die of liver cancer, played 007 in seven Bond films, including Live And Let Die, The Man With The Golden Gun and The Spy Who Loved Me.
With Napas long-planned overhaul of a downtown square on hold, the city may turn its attention to placing artworks in various parks, a parking garage, and a newly rebuilt gateway to the city center.

Napas Public Art Steering Committee on Tuesday endorsed adding a quartet of public art projects totaling more than $800,000 to the citys next yearly budget, which will take effect July 1. The package includes an installation at First Street and California Boulevard in the triple-roundabout entryway into downtown, another work at the Second Street garage, and a new Art in Parks program that would add outdoor art pieces to some of the citys 50-plus recreational spaces.

A fourth project would place an outdoor art piece along a currently missing link of the Napa Valley Vine Trail, which remains unbuilt along Soscol Avenue from Vallejo Street south to Napas Riverfront.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register.

The committees choice of projects, which requires City Council approval, would spread Napas stock of publicly viewable artworks to other neighborhoods beyond the downtown core that has been the focus of exhibitions like the Art Walk outdoor gallery.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Won In-choul / Korea Times file



Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Won In-choul has joined his counterparts from 11 countries, including the United States, in adopting a statement condemning Myanmar's military using "lethal force against unarmed people."



The 12 military chiefs also include those from Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, according to the statement that was made available on the website of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff on Saturday.






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.
In this report, CHIBUZO UKAIBE, captures the intrigues generated by the recent PDP panel report ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The debate on which geo-political zone should produce the next president in 2023 will occupy the imagination of the political elite, perhaps until the two major parties, APC and PDP, head to the primaries.

Both parties have been caught in a 'cat and mouse' game over the politics of zoning as it has since become perhaps the single most important criterion on how the next president will emerge.

While the debate on merit and competence serve as the benchmark for choosing the next president rages, the agitation for power shift to the South is equally rife.

However, while the debate has been muffled somewhat within the APC because of the ongoing revalidation and registration exercise, attempts by the PDP to set the tone on this delicate matter has not gone without some form of backlash.

The PDP's panel on the matter seemed to heighten the anxiety over the controversial but critical political question.

The panel named the '2019 post-election review committee' headed by the governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, didn't recommend which region should get the party's presidential ticket.

Though it offered some insight on the agitation for certain regions to get preferential treatment on the matter, it recommended that the ticket be thrown open to all zones based on merit.

Mohammed while submitting the report to the party, said; "In line with certain unwritten conventions of the nation's history, many people think that for fairness and equity, the North East and South East geo-political zones that have had the shortest stints at the presidency should be given special consideration in choosing the presidential flag bearer of the party for the 2023 election.

"While we admit that this is a strong argument, we should not lose sight of the fact that Nigeria is endowed with many capable and very experienced leaders in every part of the country.

"Moreover, the exigencies of the moment demand that nothing should be compromised in choosing the leader with the attributes to disentangle the country from the present quagmire.

"Therefore, we think every Nigerian from every part of the country should be given the opportunity to choose the best candidate through a credible primary election as a way of institutionalising a merit-based leadership recruitment process for the country," he said.

While the panel premised its decision on the current political realities in the country, it didn't follow in the steps of its predecessor which after the 2015 election out rightly recommended the zoning of the 2019 presidential ticket to the North.

Nevertheless, the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, said the committee's report would form the bedrock of the party's plan ahead of the 2023 general elections.

He said: "I have no doubt in my mind that your report will form the bedrock of our party's plan ahead of 2023 general elections. The National Working Committee (NWC) is going to study and analyze your report meticulously and come up with a position that will be beneficial to the party.

"We will continue to build the party along the line of the recommendations with a view to cultivating wide support base with utmost urgency towards 2023," he said.

Reacting, a former deputy governor of Sokoto State, Murktar Shehu Shagari, told LEADERSHIP Sunday that the panel's decision to throw the ticket open to all aspirants reflects democratic culture.

Shagari said; "I honestly believe that merit, integrity and competence should be the criteria for being elected president rather than where the candidate comes from."

Still, not even assurances by Secondus that the party would constitute a team to further work on the report assuaged frayed nerves in the broader Nigerian space.

Perhaps, this is because of the debate over the North/South power rotation. For proponents of this argument, irrespective of party, the North having served eight years under President Muhammadu Buhari, should hand over power to the South.

However, this argument which seems to resonate more within the APC gets further complicated as agitations over which sub-region in the South should get the ticket mounts.

Although some PDP chieftains like former national chairman Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo align with this power rotation to the South, other forces within the PDP argue that the party's zoning arrangement which provides that the North must serve its term under the party's arrangement stands.

They argue that the North has not served out its term under the party's platform as advanced after the death of former president, late Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

Nevertheless, the apex Igbo socio-political group, Ohaneze N'digbo, isn't moved by PDP's dilemma. Its deputy national vice president, Ichie Damian Okeke-Ogene, warned that any party that denies the South East zone the ticket in 2023 would regret the action.

In the same vein, a political group from the South East, Igbo Leadership Development Foundation (ILDF), lambasted the PDP over its intention to jettison zoning of the presidential ticket.

Chairman of ILDF, Dr. Godwin I. Udibe who spoke at a press conference in Abuja, said the PDP panel mentioned the North East for consideration because, "We are aware of the surreptitious moves within the party to zone its presidential ticket to the North."

He quoted the party's provision on zoning in Article 7 (2) of the PDP Constitution in 2009: "In pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness, the party shall adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices, and it shall be enforced b

y the appropriate executive committee at all levels.

"So, in line with this express provision of the PDP constitution, since power has resided in the North for two straight terms it has to move South, specifically to the South East in the spirit of rotation and zoning which has been the practice since 1999.

"All the political parties ought to flow with this national understanding. PDP, APC and other major parties cannot be moving to the North when power is supposed to be moving South if they hold the unity and continued corporate existence of this country dear to heart," he said.

But the PDP through its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, clarified that it had yet to take a position on zoning.

He said, "While our party appreciates the enthusiasm by Nigerians on our nomination process, the PDP assures that its decision on zoning will be the product of wide consultations, discussions and consensus building, taking into consideration the aggregate aspiration and hope of the generality of the Nigerian people.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance 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.

"Our party has however noted the disposition and line of discussion from various political interests across the six geo-political zones of our country in this regard, and at the appropriate time, the collective understanding of Nigerians will prevail," he said.

He further told LEADERSHIP Sunday that the APC was instigating the zoning crisis and that in the fullness of time, the PDP would decide how it would zone its ticket for the presidency.

"Zoning is a problem of the ruling party. We believe in the PDP that all the hullabaloo about zoning or no zoning is being instigated by the APC who have been caught up in their own game of insincerity.

"So the APC should manage its own affairs rather than trying to import the issue to the PDP. For us in the PDP, at the fullness of time our party will determine what we will do with the presidential ticket," Ologbondiyan told LEADERSHIP Sunday.

As the debate lingers, some contenders for the ticket are already at work. A former vice president and PDP presidential candidate in 2019, Atiku Abubakar, has already embarked on a membership e-registration drive for his support organisation ahead of 2023.

While the likes of former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, who also contested for the ticket in 2019 are yet to decide on their speculated ambition, others like the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, have been in the fore of those nursing presidential ambition.

Indeed, the months ahead will be interesting as the party navigates through this dicey political storm.
Nationals Economic Development spokesperson Todd McClay is calling on the Government to commit to a two-year moratorium on additional government costs on businesses as New Zealanders struggle under the weight of border closures and a slowing economy.

Fewer businesses are operating across the country than there were before the nationwide lockdown a year ago.

The latest StatsNZ figures highlight the impact of the pandemic, showing there were more than 1000 fewer businesses in January than there were in January last year.

The drop follows an increase of 10,500 businesses the year before the country's borders closed.

New Zealand is facing an unprecedented level of business closures without urgent government action," says McClay.

In 2019 New Zealanders created 10,500 new businesses. In January this year there were 1000 fewer than the same time one year ago  a net loss of 11,500 in the last calendar year.

The business closure rate increased by a significant 130 per cent in 2020.

Between April last year and January, the number of businesses closing exceeded the number of businesses starting out.

BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope says it is not surprising fewer people wanted to risk opening a new business.

"There were businesses who were hard hit already before we went into lockdowns, particularly in tourism and hospitality and parts of retail, so it's not a surprise that some those businesses haven't survived."

He says the number of closures was less than first expected.

"That is quite a low number of business closures and it speaks to the high volume of support that was provided to keep people attached to businesses."

He says it demonstrated how critical government support was for businesses to survive lockdowns.

StatsNZ is collating the business entries and exits data for a regional breakdown, which is likely to be available in a few months time.

Kirk says it is likely that would show Auckland and tourism towns had borne the brunt of the downturn.

National MP Todd McClay says that behind every business that has closed are hard-working New Zealanders who deserve a Government focused on reducing cost and burden, not imposing more.

The 1 April changes coming into effect this week, the minimum wage increase combined with doubling of sick leave, extra public holidays and union-heavy labour law changes, will be the final nail in the coffin for many Kiwi businesses," says McClay.

These costs alone equate to $2.8 billion before accounting for the burden of extra government red tape.

With the Government refusing to announce the date for a trans-Tasman bubble they are condemning thousands of New Zealand businesses to the scrap heap and that means more job losses for Kiwis already struggling under increasing costs of rent and food.

"This month alone weve seen the Whakatane Mill which has operated for 80 years, Mountain Air Ruapehu (33 years), Espressoholic Wellington (30 years), and OConnells Bistro Auckland (24 years) announce theyre closing," says McClay.

At a time when fruit is left rotting on trees and essential industries cant get workers across the border, the Government shouldnt be making it harder for Kiwi businesses to pay their staff.

New Zealanders need a Government thats on their side. They deserve better.
General view of the Ahoy arena that will host the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on March 27 2021. (Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters)

Belarus Disqualified From Eurovision Song Contest

MOSCOWOrganisers of this years Eurovision Song Contest have disqualified Belarus, ruling that its entry songby a band whose lyrics have been deemed in the past to mock anti-government protestsis in breach of competition guidelines.

Earlier this month the organisers rejected an entry by Belarus, which has been gripped by political crisis since August last year, as the submitted song mocked protests against President Alexander Lukashenko.

The song, by the band Galasy ZMesta, sparked a backlash from opposition figures in Belarus, who have faced a violent crackdown during the protests.

After the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) rejected the song, Belarus submitted another option, by the same band. But late on Friday the EBU also turned that down.

It said in a statement that it had carefully scrutinized the new entry to assess its eligibility to compete but found it to be in breach rules of the competition that ensure the Contest is not instrumentalized or brought into disrepute.

This means Belarus will not be participating in the Eurovision Song Contest at all, the EBU said. The contest takes place on May 18-22 in Rotterdam.

Opposition has grown in Belarus to Lukashenkos rule following an August election that demonstrators say was rigged to extend his 27-year rule, leading to mass unrest and a violent crackdown.

Rights groups say over 34,000 people have been detained. The government says it is being unfairly maligned. The president denies electoral fraud and has accused the West of sponsoring the protests.

By Matthias Williams
Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription.

Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service.
BERLIN (AP)  A woman and a four-year-old girl were found shot to death in a car in a rural area north of Vienna, Austrian authorities said Sunday.

Police are trying to determine the whereabouts of the 29-year-old womans ex-partner.

A spokesman for Lower Austria police said a witness reported finding a car with two bodies inside early Sunday afternoon in the Mistelbach district, 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the capital.

Officers didnt immediately find a firearm at the scene before cordoning it off for specialist investigators, said police spokesman Raimund Schwaigerlehner.

Heavily armed police went to the ex-partners home but did not find him there. The man is not currently being treated as a suspect, said Schwaigerlehner.

In a separate incident, police in neighboring Switzerland said Sunday that two people, a 44 -year-old woman and a 53-year-old man, were found dead near the southern town of Bellinzona.

Local newspaper Corriere del Ticino reported that police are investigating it as a possible murder-suicide.
A group of mates have been filmed launching a desperate mission to retrieve what appeared to be a small bag of white powder they dropped in Sydney Harbour.

Footage showed a crowd of revellers, all dressed in white, egging on one of their friends as he tried to reach the bag floating in the water at Rose Bay Wharf in Sydney's eastern suburbs over the weekend.

The young man tasked with salvaging the bag was seen being gradually lowered down the wall of the wharf until he could no longer hold on - toppling fully-clothed into the harbour.

Footage has captured a group of partygoers' desperate mission to retrieve a small bag of powder they dropped in Sydney Harbour

'Quick get it - get it out with your foot cuz', one of the man's friends said as he tried to get closer to the bag.

Another told him to go all-out in the rescue attempt.

'Throw the pants away - don't worry about the pants,' the friend said.

The man tried desperately to reach the bag as his mate held onto him from above.

Seconds later though he lost his grip and plunged back-first into the water.

'Are you OK?' one of his friends asked.

Commenters joked about the man's decision to go after the small bag - which appeared to be full of white powder

The video was shared online alongside the caption 'some bags must be saved'.

Some commenters were left wondering why he tried to get the bag back fully clothed.

'Why wouldn't you just go in jocks and shoeless... and step on the rocks,' one said.

'Tell me you're from Sydney without telling me you're from Sydney,' another added.
Doodnath Maharaj was the general secretary of the Oilfields Workers Trade Union for nearly two decades. This is out of a total of 40 years service.

He was a dedicated and loyal comrade who did his best work away from the limelight. Indeed, he shunned it, embodying a self-effacing personality that was deeply mystifying to many who came to know him.
Like Brandenburg, that had far larger German colonising power before the formation of the German Empire, the Polish-Lithuanian fief of Courland had a European crusading, hence expansionist, past. The colonies were established under Jakob, Duke of Courland and Semigallia, and were indirect colonies of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. During his reign (1642-1682), the Duchy established trading relations with all of the major European powers. Jakob established one of the largest merchant fleets in Europe, with its main harbours in Windau (today Ventspils), and Libau (today Liepaja). His fleet made voyages to the West Indies as early as 1637 when the settlers established the first colony on Tobago. The first colony was a failure, but it was refounded in 1639.



In 1651 the Duchy established its first colony in Africa, St. Andrews Island at the Gambia River and founded Jacob Fort there. The main export goods included ivory, gold, furs and spices. Soon afterwards, in 1652, Courlanders established another colony, in Tobago in the West Indies. There the main export goods included sugar, tobacco, coffee and spices.



However, during this time, the Duchy of Courland remained an object of interest for both Sweden and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1655 the Swedish army entered the territory of the Duchy, starting the Swedish-Polish war (1655-60). The Swedish army captured Duke Jacob (1658-60). During this period, the Dutch took over both of Courland's colonies that lacked supplies and manpower, and the merchant fleet and factories suffered destruction. This war ended with the peace Treaty of Oliwa (1660). Courland regained Tobago on the basis of the treaty and held it until 1689. Duke Jacob set about restoring the fleet and factories, but the Duchy of Courland never again reached its pre-war level of prosperity.

The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia (today, part of Latvia), a tiny but wealthy duchy situated in the Baltic region, was easily the smallest European state to colonise the continent of Africa and the second smallest (after the Knights of Malta) to set up a colony in the Americas.
MYSURU: An elderly retired female teacher in Karnataka's Mysuru sparked a debate after she released a matrimonial ad seeking a husband or primarily 'a companion for the rest of my life'. The female teacher is 73-year-old and is a divorcee. Her decision to find a companion for herself at her age has resulted to a debate with many applauding her positive attitude towards life.

The ad, which has now been widely shared on social media, drew cheers from youths who said her decision is most likely to break cultural stereotypes in society. There are some who feel that the ad is an eye-opener for a society where the elder people are mostly neglected with growing age and often face loneliness.

In the matrimonial ad, the woman stated that she is looking for an alliance with a man, who is healthy and older to her, and mandatorily a Brahmin, of her community. The woman stated that she has lost her parents and has been leading a lonely life for a while. She added that her first marriage had ended in divorce, which was painful and it, therefore prevented her from re-marrying all these years. However, she further adds that she now fears walking home from the bus stop or leading a life alone and hence, is looking for an alliance.

"I don't have a family of my own. My parents are no more. My first marriage ended in divorce. I fear staying alone. Thoughts that I may fall at home and fail to get help, or fear of walking home from the bus stop, have led me to look for a life partner," the woman told TOI. More than marriage and spouse in the traditional sense, she added, what she needs now is a companion for the rest of my life who will stay with her.

At noon on Monday, veterans and their families, elected and appointed governmental officials, local citizens and members of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and other organizations dedicated to historical preservation and patriotism will gather for a public ceremony on the South lawn of the Hamilton County Courthouse to Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans, 46 years after the withdrawal of U. S. forces from the Republic of South Vietnam.

Why?

March 29 is National Vietnam Veterans Appreciation Day, designated as a day to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the more than 2.7 million members of the U. S. Armed Forces who served in the Republic of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War and the additional 6.9 million who served in support of the military actions. In Hamilton County, Tennessee and across the nation, governmental officials, veterans and community leaders will pause to remember and acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, recognizing the more than 10,000 Vietnam veterans who reside in the Tennessee Valley.

The United States became involved in the Vietnam conflict in the mid-1950s, after official authorization was granted for the deployment of advisors to assist the South Vietnamese government in their fight against Communist forces in North Vietnam, directed by Ho Chi Minh. U. S. support grew throughout the early 1960s with the first Tennessee casualty recorded on December 22, 1961.

Tom Davis, a senior at Tennessee Technological University who resided in nearby Livingston, Overton County, decided to leave school and enlist in the United States Army. After basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. and AIT at Fort Devens, Davis was ordered to join the 3rd Radio Research Unit in Vietnam, aiding the South Vietnamese in identifying enemy signals and locating insurgents. Because of the rugged terrain, the unit served as advisors from the front lines with the South Vietnamese forces. On Dec. 22, Davis lead a Vietnamese team, attempting to locate a Viet Cong guerilla force operating in the area, and his team fell under heavy attack, eventually succumbing to enemy fire.

U.S. military forces grew incrementally through the Kennedy administration and, following the Gulf of Tonkin incident in early August 1964, U. S. policy changed. After reports that two U. S. destroyers reported that they had been fired upon by North Vietnamese forces, President Lyndon B. Johnson went to Congress, requesting permission to increase the U. S. military presence in Indochina. Days later, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, authorizing the President to use any necessary measures to retaliate and to promote peace and security in Southeast Asia. By July 1965, full combat units were deployed and the U. S. became fully engaged in the fight, alongside South Vietnamese forces, against North Vietnamese troops and the Viet Cong forces.

Over 58,000 members of the U. S. Armed Forces would die in the Republic of South Vietnam, including eight women.

At the same time, civilians became divided over U. S. military involvement in South Vietnam and the country erupted into public demonstrations, protests including the burning of draft cards and U. S. flags and conflicts in Congress regarding continued support of the war. Members of the Armed Forces found themselves trapped between those who supported intervention and those who opposed the U. S. presence in Southeast Asia. It appeared that the nation had turned on its own military, often serving because they had been drafted and had chosen to serve in the tradition of their fathers and grandfathers who had served with valor in World War I and World War II.

Returning home meant encountering hostility from those who opposed the war. Most Vietnam Veterans simply returned home, changed into their civilian clothes and set about working to support their families and to improve their communities, seldom acknowledging their service. There were no grand parades in their hometowns and no Welcome Home signs. When the last personnel were evacuated from South Vietnam in April 1975, the Vietnam Veterans and their war seemed to slip from our nations memory.

Unfortunately, South Vietnam did not slip from their memory; instead many of them suffered in silence. The horrors of guerilla warfare, chemical warfare and the disregard for those who had given the supreme sacrifice haunted the veterans days and nights.

When existing veteran groups failed to include Vietnam veterans or promote issues of concern to them in their political agendas, the younger veterans came together to advocate for their own needs. Known as the Council of Vietnam Veterans after its official formation in 1979, the group would eventually become known as the Vietnam Veterans of America when they reorganized to add political strength to arguments based on morality and justice. They advocated for health care related to combat service and other VA services. They pledged that no other veterans would return home without a Welcome from the nation and its citizens. Today, VVA has a national membership of over 85,000 members and over 650 chapters, including two in Hamilton County.

In 2007, the 110th Congress authorized the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, 2015-2025, mirroring the years of active combat presence. President George W. Bush signed the National Defense Authorization Act on January 29, 2008 and President Barack Obama officially inaugurated the Commission at a commemoration at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Memorial Day, 2012.

Chattanooga and Hamilton County 50th Anniversary Commemoration Committee, co-chaired by Major General Bill Raines and Chattanooga-Hamilton County Historian Linda Moss Mines and comprised of Vietnam veterans and other public officials, seeks to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the Nation, with special recognition of former prisoners of war and families of those still classified as Missing in Action and to remember those who were Killed in Action during their service to their nation.

Fly your flag during the week of March 29 in recognition of those who served and were not welcome home. It is never too late to say Thank You.

For more information regarding the Vietnam Veterans of America, contact Charlie Hobbs who serves the national VVA organization at 423-991-5858.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 18:50:23|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Staff members unload the AstraZeneca vaccines from the plane at Cardinal Bernadin Gantin International Airport in Cotonou, Benin, March 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Seraphin Zounyekpe)

African countries have received over 26 million COVID-19 vaccines both from the COVAX facility and through bilateral agreements outside the COVAX facility, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said.

ADDIS ABABA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- African countries have received over 26 million COVID-19 vaccines both from the COVAX facility and through bilateral agreements outside the COVAX facility, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said.

The COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX arrive at Bole international airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

The Africa CDC, the specialized healthcare agency of the African Union (AU), said on late Friday that some 28 AU members have received their consignment of COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX facility, accounting about 16,245,560 doses.

From these, a total of about 7,272,148 doses have been administered, according to the agency.

In addition to the COVID-19 vaccines obtained from the COVAX facility, some 18 African countries have received COVID-19 vaccines outside the COVAX facility through bilateral agreements, accounting for about 10,034,220 doses, it was noted.

According to the agency, additional nine African countries had received their vaccine consignments, totalling about 723,000, from MTN as part of its 25 million U.S. dollars donation to support the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team's (AVATT) efforts. 
Some of the nations top bass anglers in the B.A.S.S. Elite tour visited Lake Pickwick last weekend under difficult conditions of extreme current and muddy flows, and more of the best parsed Lewis Smith this week, expecting the Bassmaster Central Open to be fished there April 1-3, though it was just canceled due to high, muddy water. The visiting pros regularly discover patterns overlooked by locals, and their expertise makes us all better bass anglers.

The Bassmaster Open at Lewis Smith has been rescheduled to Oct. 7-9, 2021.

At the B.A.S.S. Elite tour on Pickwick last weekend, Indiana pro Bill Lowen took home the $100,000 first prize, mostly by fishing jigs dressed with soft plastics. With Wilson Dam dumping approximately 180,000 cubic feet per second into Pickwick, the current was a major factor in where the bass could hold, and Lowen was one of the few who figured out theyd be in brush, trees and docks on the side of the flow.

By flippin a jig into these areas he was able to amass the winning catch, helped dramatically by a fish over 8 pounds that came from under a boat dock on the final day. He switched to mostly boat docks on the final day as the water levels began to drop, leaving the brushy spots too shallow.

He said he drifted a 3/8 ounce jig through the brush when the current was running strongly near the shallows, switching to a  ounce jig as the water dropped back off the banks and he had to fish somewhat deeper areas.

When it comes to Lewis Smith, Bassmaster Jasper native David Kilgore, said flooded trees and brush and a lot of murky water is likely to change the pattern at this usually clear lake.

What we are facing now is the lake is superhigh, said Kilgore, a four-time B.A.S.S. winner and two-time qualifier for the Bassmaster Classic. You are going to have flooded trees and bushes. It is going to be a whole different lake.

Smith Lake, a 21,000-acre reservoir located northwest of Birmingham, is a generally rocky reservoir with plenty of creek arms and fishable docks during normal conditions. The presence of blueback herring controls the attitude of the bass  and while there is a healthy largemouth population, spots are the predominant species.

Kilgore said the beginning of April is when the spawn usually begins, and he normally focuses on the spotted bass spawn rather than the largemouth.

I dont fool with the largemouth much just because of the population. They are harder to find, he said. Spots spawn all over the lake. They will spawn in the back of a pocket in a foot of water and sometimes they will spawn in the middle of the lake on a point.

With the herring, they are there one day and gone the next. The bass will come to the bank and spawn and then theyll go back to eating herring.

Depending on the air and water temperatures, the 2014 Bassmaster Open champion at Smith Lake thinks the next few weeks could be more pre-spawn than a spawning situation.

Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and worms are a few of the baits Kilgore expects to play once the water becomes fishable again. If the bass are chasing herring, he said a topwater bait could come into play as well.
The return of the wolf and grizzly bear to the northern Rockies are two success stories that came out of the Endangered Species Act. In 1975, when grizzly bears were listed as endangered species, there were from 800 to 1,000 of them, mostly in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Their numbers are now estimated at about 1,800 in the Lower 48 states. The grizzlies were able to make that comeback largely because hunting was ended, trash was carefully managed and there was an effective crackdown on poachers.

Outside Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, grizzly bears roam mainly in wilderness areas of the state, though they are expanding into more populated areas where they are increasingly vulnerable to being hit by cars, shot by hunters, and killed or removed by biologists because of conflicts with humans. And bears and wolves pose a real threat to livestock and to humans. Every year, hikers or hunters are attacked by bears, and in many parts of the state anyone hiking is cautioned to be bear aware and carry a pepper-based spray for protection.

The debate over protecting endangered species, particularly predators, has long roiled Montana, pitting liberal urban areas in the state and across the country against rural ranchers who are increasingly concerned about their livestock being killed or hunters who think game animals are in decline. Until now, a measured approach  which includes some hunting of wolves and intervention by the state when grizzlies get into someones beehive or chicken coop  along with lots of protection have prevailed. But with wildlife management increasingly part of the culture wars, antagonism toward widening federal control and Republican control of the state, the balance has shifted, conservationists say.

The new bills approach management of bears and wolves in various ways. One of the new bills would pay wolf hunters their expenses  in effect, critics say, a bounty  to kill the animals. Another bill would allow for snaring animals with a metal aircraft cable fashioned into a noose that would hang over a trail. When the animal gets its head caught in one, it grows tighter as the animal tries to flee, until it is strangled to death. Snares can be used for coyotes in Montana but not wolves.

A major problem with snares is that they also kill species that are not the target, such as moose, elk, deer and even pet dogs. Snares are cheap, Mr. Bangs said. It isnt unusual for a trapper to set out 100. And you catch all kinds of stuff. Snares that were set for coyotes, for example, inadvertently killed 28 mountain lions from 2015 to 2020, Mr. Gevock said.

Another bill would extend the wolf trapping and snaring season. Wildlife experts say the extended season would overlap with the period that grizzly bears and black bears are out of their dens and could be inadvertently trapped. Another would reinstate hunting black bears with dogs and prevent Montana wildlife officials from relocating any grizzly bears captured outside recovery zones. Most recovery zone habitat are occupied, which means many grizzlies would most likely have to be euthanized.
Ann Gauthier is fed up with all the complaining.

Cant go in, cant sit outside, gotta be closed at a certain time, why cant I have a real dish if Im outside, its cold out can I come inside, why are you closed  just ridiculous questions, Gauthier told NJ Advance Media.

As the owner of the wishfully named Toms River joint Shut Up and Eat, she constantly deals with customers who dont want to abide by distancing or face covering guidelines.

And with spring upon us, its only getting worse.

Restaurants are getting busier, as more people receive vaccines, lovely spring temperatures allow for outdoor dining again and stimulus checks arrive in once-cobwebbed bank accounts.

People are ready to spend money, Matt Martin, owner of More Than Q Barbeque with locations in Princeton and Lambertville, told NJ Advance Media. Theyve been obviously nailed down for a year-plus, and they want to get out, interact and at least get some Vitamin D in their system with some sunshine.

While restaurant owners are obviously happy with the increase in business, problems abound when customers, some of whom havent been to restaurants in a year, begin dining again.

Chef Ehren Ryan prepares a dish as patrons enjoy an evening of socially distant fine dining at Common Lot in Millburn on Friday, March 26, 2021John Jones | For NJ Advance Media

Currently, New Jersey restaurants are open indoors at 50% capacity, with a limit of eight customers per table and a requirement that tables be placed six feet apart. Just last Sunday, Gauthier said a customer confronted staff over where she was allowed to sit and left a lengthy Yelp review decrying her experience.

And the problem exists across New Jersey, whether at a casual diner like Shut Up and Eat or a finer dining establishment like Common Lot in Millburn.

Were struggling to make ends meet, plus paying bills and I dont think people understand that, owner and Executive Chef Ehren Ryan told NJ Advance Media. And I dont think they realize that everything in the market is going up as well.

Demand shocks and supply chain problems brought about by the coronavirus pandemic have caused price fluctuations across the food and beverage industry. Throughout the last year, Common Lot has offered a much more limited menu than usual, which has earned Ryan his fair share of gripes.

Thereve been times when theyre like, Oh, this is it? You dont have anything from the old menu? and were like, No offense, but what rock have you been under? Ryan said.

Beyond discourteous customers giving employees a hard time, restaurant owners are having trouble hiring staff in the first place.

David Viana, partner and executive chef of Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge, was able to keep all of his 15 staff members on throughout the pandemic. But while consulting for Little Tijuana, a Newark restaurant he helped open, he saw firsthand the dearth of candidates vying for a surplus of jobs.

Every restaurant in New Jersey felt like they had an ad out for people, Viana told NJ Advance Media. It is on right now, as far as hiring in this profession.

Martin recently brought on about a dozen new employees across his four locations. Where in the past he normally just posts jobs on Indeed, this time around he needed to seek help on Craigslist and social media as well as relying on word of mouth from his current employees.

April is when it goes to fifth gear, Martin said. Now, theyre scrambling to load up staff and get them trained before the warm weather kicks in and theyre busy.

While staffing was a harder lift than usual, Martin has the luxury of operating a fast-casual barbecue restaurant, where he said rude customers are more the exception than the norm. He said that the nature of fast-casual and takeout means people arent expecting a fancy dining experience and theres less opportunity for grumbling.

For restaurants that just offer take-out and not sit-down dining, there are completely different dynamics at play. Scott Rasizer, owner of Chicken Galore in Woodbridge, said while other restaurants were bending over backward to keep the lights on, his business was thriving.

In the first eight, nine months when COVID started, we were busier than a one-armed paper hanger, Rasizer told NJ Advance Media.

Only now, while sit-down restaurants are experiencing a huge bump in demand, is Chicken Galores business starting to level off to pre-COVID levels.

But now its Vianas turn to revel in the strange pandemic dining patterns that, for better or worse, have upended the food and beverage industry. In the last five weeks, Heirloom Kitchen has seen a 20% increase in business, he said.

And, for whatever reason, Heirloom Kitchen doesnt seem to attract as many inconsiderate diners as some other establishments do.

By and large, aside for a rare anomaly, we have kind people come into our space who are really respectful and want to celebrate good times and that is the norm, Vianna said.

Restaurant owners remain at the whim of reopening guidelines. And as New Jersey currently leads the country in new COVID-19 cases, Gov. Phil Murphy told business owners that current restrictions likely wont be lifted anytime soon.

That leaves customers and businesses in a delicate dance, with diners coming out in droves and restaurants begging them to heed guidelines they have no say in setting.

We all have to protect each other to get over this, Berekti Mengitsu, owner of Mesob in Montclair, told NJ Advance Media. I want people to come and dine because I want to stay in business, but I dont want to jeopardize my health, because I have to be alive to be in business.

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.


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Keep a health monitor on FTSE250-listed Primary Health Properties.

It owns 500 medical centres and Stocks to Watch hears it has submitted proposals to the Treasury and MPs to modernise up to 750 surgeries 'for the price of a packet of Lemsip per patient a year'.

Many GPs' surgeries are housed in cramped Victorian buildings which are unable to accommodate equipment such as X-ray machines and ultrasound scanners which could help them to relieve the pressure on hospitals.

Idea: Primary Health Properties owns 500 medical centres and Stocks to Watch hears it has submitted proposals to the Treasury and MPs to modernise up to 750 surgeries

The idea is that if the Government shells out between 200million and 300million a year on rent it could unlock 3billion to 5billion of investment in new facilities.

PHP argues that the green light could allow it to reach 12million to 18million patients in new and refurbished centres built much more quickly than hospitals.

The stock has steadily climbed in recent years to sit around 1.50, valuing it at nearly 2billion.

Word has it that a meeting with a Cabinet Minister is in the offing.

As hospitals feel the strain from the pandemic, this one might have legs.

Sea shanty NFT

How's this for a new asset class? Sea shanty inspired online landscapes.

Unique digital artwork paid for using blockchain technology is the latest Elon Musk driven investment craze.

A digital-only art auction recently fetched 50million for artist Beeple at Christie's.

Now Nathan Evans, the sea shanty singing Scottish postie currently sat at No.1 in the singles charts with Wellerman, has teamed with animator Jonathan Monaghan for an art series which debuts tomorrow on Crypto.com and is expected to raise around 3million. More than enough for a few bottles of rum.

Davidoff

Investors will decide whether to take a drag on Imperial Brands this week as the Davidoff owner informs the City on recent trading.

It's the first update since newish boss Stefan Bomhard unveiled his strategy to focus more keenly on markets such as the UK and US, while it builds up its business in next-generation products beyond traditional tobacco.
Thiruvananthapuram: As a high voltage campaign is on in Kerala for the April 6 Assembly polls, the fight of three women candidates is drawing attention for reasons beyond politics in the state.

Their campaigns may not be as loud and vocal as others but their candidature itself is sparking debate and discussion among the public.

Three women-former Congress leader and Mahila Congress chief Lathika Subhash, mother of Walayar sisters and K K Rema, the widow of slain RMP leader T P Chandrasekharan- are contesting in the election symbolising three causes.

More than winning elections, their priority seems to be projecting their cause- male dominance in political parties, murderous politics and speedy justice for abused daughters.

If Lathika, who recently shocked everyone by tonsuring her head protesting against being denied assembly ticket, has plunged into poll fray to protest the male dominance and unfair treatment towards women in her party, K K Rema, through her candidature, wants to keep live her fight against the alleged murderous politics by the ruling CPI(M).

Rema, who is now a leader of Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) after Chandrasekharan's death, believes that some of the leaders and workers of the Marxist party were behind the murder of her husband who had suffered 51 hack injuries on his body.

While Lathika is seeking her electoral luck in Ettumanur, her hometown in Kottayam district as an independent candidate, Rema is contesting from the Vadakara constituency in Kozhikode with the support of Congress-led UDF.

The mother of the Walayar girls wants justice for her daughters, who were found hanging in their hut in Palakkad district under suspicious circumstances in 2017.

Her repeated requests to take action against police personnel, who had allegedly committed lapses in the probe into their death, had prompted the woman, an ordinary homemaker so far, to contest elections.

Her decision to take on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Dharmadam constituency has brought back to the public consciousness the horrendous memories of the pain and sufferings underwent by the little Dalit siblings.

Lathitka, who is now busy campaigning in the constituency, said she is thoroughly confident about her victory.

"The voters in the constituency are considering me as one among them. The overall response is very positive," she said.

The 56-year old leader also felt that she had been denied a ticket as she was a woman.

If the students' union president and youth congress chief could get tickets, why the Mahila Congress head had been denied a seat, an emotional Lathika asked.

Besides Congress-UDF candidate Prince Luckose, CPI(M) nominee N Vasavan and NDA's N Sreenivasan were her main opponentsin Ettumanur.

Rema, who had unsuccessfully contested from Vadakara in the 2016 Assembly polls, was initially hesitant to contest this time.

But, she later changed her decision and entered the poll fray following the pressure from her own party and from the Congress-UDF who see her as a strong choice against the CPI(M) in the segment, a traditional Left bastion.

The UDF, which announced their support to her in the April 6 polls, also calculated that through her candidature, the brutal murder of T P Chandrasekharan, a CPI(M) dissident, can be brought back to the memory of voters again.

Once a strong follower and now an arch critic of the CPI(M) and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Rema had shocked the Left camp by garnering over 20,000 votes during her maiden fight in 2016.

"My fight is against the brutal murders carried out in the name of politics," the 51 year-old woman said and expressed confidence about her victory.

LDF nominee Manayath Chandran and NDA's M Rajesh Kumar are her main opponents in the April 6 polls.

A CPI(M) rebel who created a parallel Left outfit called RMP in his home turf Onchiyam in north Kerala, Chandrasekharan was hacked to death in May 2012.

Several of the accused in the case were local CPI(M) workers, besides goons hired to execute the murder.

In 2014, a special court had sentenced 11 people, three of them local CPI(M) functionaries, to life imprisonment.

The mother of Walayar sisters, who has been on a warpath demanding action against police personnel, had recently tonsured her head as a mark of protest and carried out a state-wide rally seeking justice to her daughters.

She said her candidature against the Chief Minister was also a protest against the alleged denial of justice by the Left government.

"My priority is not success or failure in the elections. My daughters should get justice. All the accused should be punished. I hope the society will stand up with me in my fight," the mother of the girls added.
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

View Results
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa

BEIJING/OTTAWA (Reuters) - The United States on Saturday condemned China's sanctions against two American religious-rights officials and a Canadian lawmaker in a dispute over Beijing's treatment of Uighur Muslims and other minorities.

China's moves "only contribute to the growing international scrutiny of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. We stand in solidarity with Canada, the UK, the EU, and other partners and allies around the world in calling on the (China) to end the human rights violations and abuses," U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement.

Beijing's sanctions followed those imposed by the United States, European Union, Britain and Canada earlier this week for what they say are violations of the rights of Uighur Muslims and other Turkic minorities in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang.

Activists and U.N. rights experts say at least a million Muslims have been detained in camps in Xinjiang. The activists and some Western politicians accuse China of using torture, forced labour and sterilisations.

China has repeatedly denied all accusations of abuse and says its camps offer vocational training and are needed to fight extremism.

Blinken's statement came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denounced Beijing and vowed to defend human rights.

China sanctioned Canadian opposition lawmaker Michael Chong, vice-chair of parliament's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development and its Subcommittee on International Human Rights, which this month presented a report concluding that atrocities in Xinjiang constitute crimes against humanity and genocide.

Beijing also said it will take measures against the chair and vice-chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Gayle Manchin and Tony Perkins.

The individuals under Beijing's sanctions are banned from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, and Chinese citizens and institutions are prohibited from doing business with the three individuals or having any exchanges with the subcommittee.

Story continues

"The Chinese government is firmly determined to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and urges the relevant parties to clearly understand the situation and redress their mistakes," the Chinese foreign ministry said.

"They must stop political manipulation on Xinjiang-related issues, stop interfering in China's internal affairs in any form and refrain from going farther down the wrong path. Otherwise they will get their fingers burnt."

China's previous sanctions on U.S. individuals who it says have seriously undermined China's sovereignty and interests on Xinjiang-related issues remain in effect.

Chong, who is a member of the opposition Conservative Party in Canada, said he would "wear (the sanctions) as a badge of honour".

"This demonstrates that parliamentarians are being effective in drawing attention to the genocide of the Uighur people that is taking place in western China," Chong said in a telephone interview.

Chong urged the Trudeau government to "officially recognize the Uighur genocide," and said the sanctions would have no practical effect because he had no plans to travel to China.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo in Beihing and Steve Scherer in Ottawa; additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici in Washington; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Cynthia Osterman)
The upcoming Abu Dhabi Tourism and Data Analytics Forum will cover the impact of Covid-19 on the tourism sector in order to identify future opportunities for recovery and growth.



Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism  Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the second edition of the event will take place on March 28 as a virtual event.



The Forum aims to provide participating tourism professionals with the tools and insights to aid in the enhancement of the overall sector. It also aims to shape the future of the tourism industry in Abu Dhabi through a series of innovative discussions and talks.



The virtual event will feature approximately 20 expert speakers in eight key sessions and discussions, as well as unique networking opportunities for hundreds of tourism industry professionals in the emirate. This years edition will also cover the impact of Covid-19 on the tourism sector in order to identify



The Forum was founded with the purpose of creating a unique platform that showcases the latest data and technology to encourage dialogue around the future of the industry, said Nawal Rashed Al Hassani, Executive Director of the Strategy and Planning Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi.



The Forums approach is one that is rooted in science and analytics to produce accurate information and reliable strategies for the future. In that, the Forum also provides the opportunity for the patrons and leaders of the tourism sector in Abu Dhabi to come together and shape the future of our industry together.



The inaugural event, which took place in December 2019,was marked by the emergence of important data points and insights that signalled key growth points as well as risk mitigation tactics for the industry.



The 2021 edition is set to see the participation of leading brands such as Wego, Expedia Group, Adnec Group, and Google Mena with the aim to position Abu Dhabi as a leader on the subject of analytics in tourism regionally and identify opportunities to grow the industry and capitalise on emerging trends as they arise.



During volatile periods such as the one we are living in today, it is important to come together to address the challenges of the present and share best practices for the future. Only through this dialogue can we begin to establish effective strategies and solutions to overcome the difficulties we face and pave the way for a brighter future for the tourism industry. The event provides an open-source platform for such dialogue, and we are looking forward to gathering with all of our industry peers to drive this conversation forward, added Al Hassani.  TradeArabia News Service
Hyderabad, March 28 : Television show presenter Teenmaar Mallanna, who gave a tough fight to the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in the recent Legislative Council elections, on Sunday said he has no plans to float a political party.

Mallanna, whose real name is C. Naveen Kumar, also clarified that he will not be contesting next month's by-election to Nagarjuna Sagar Assembly seat.

His clarification came amid reports that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) approached him to contest on its ticket.

Addressing a meeting of his supporters in Medchal district, he announced that he will undertake a 6,000 km long padyatra. He also stated that he will set up Teenmaar Mallanna teams at state, district and constituency level. He, however, said he will not form a political party.

In the recent elections to the Nalgonda-Warangal Khammam graduates constituency of the Legislative Council, Teenmaar Mallanna gave jitters to the TRS by contesting as an independent. He gave tough fight to TRS candidate P. Rajeshwar Reddy and finished runners up with 1.49 lakh first and second preference votes.

While Teenmaar Mallanna has no plans to form a political party or to contest Nagarjuna Sagar bypoll, he said he will be working to queer the pitch for the ruling party.

He is working to launch an aggressive social media campaign against the TRS, alleging that it failed to fulfill the aspirations of the people in the new state.
There is a sunny outlook for solar power in Pennsylvania.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday nearly half of the state governments electricity will be generated through seven new solar energy arrays, constructed on farmland in six counties, starting on Jan. 1, 2023.

The arrays are part of the governors GreenGov initiative, Pennsylvania PULSE (Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy), which set a goal of obtaining at least 40% of electricity from clean energy generated in the state.

The 191-megawatt project, expected to supply 361,000 megawatt-hours per year, represents the largest solar commitment by any government in the country, state officials said.

Even though hes not directly part of the project, Dylan Hull Zeitlyn, who helps operate the family-owned Spring Hills Farm in North Abington Twp., said thats good news.

He said the farm owners are looking to purchase their own panels to expand their solar array, which has been in use for about five years.

The farm currently leases 32 solar panels as part of a 10-kilowatt system that produces about $125 worth of energy each month and powers half the farm, Zeitlyn said.

He believes it would take another 10 kilowatts to power the rest of the more than 200-acre farm consisting of five buildings.

Zeitlyn is intrigued by the possibility of leasing land to a solar company in the future.

We dont have any offers, but were exploring the idea of what it would be like and how the land could also be used for agriculture at the same time, he said.

Gov. Wolfs Climate Change Executive Order in 2019 set a goal of lowering Pennsylvanias greenhouse gas emissions 26% by 2025 and 80% by 2050 compared with 2005 levels. It also re-established the Green Government Council, co-chaired by the Departments of General Services, Environmental Protection, and Conservation and Natural Resources.

The arrays will be built on farms in Columbia, Juniata, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and York counties and the project is expected to create 400 construction jobs.

Through the Pennsylvania PULSE program, carbon dioxide emissions are projected to decrease by 157,800 metric tons each year  the equivalent of taking 34,000 cars off the roads.

The 2020 Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment found the states average temperature has climbed nearly 2 degrees since 1901 and projected every county will be 4.9 degrees hotter than in 2000 by 2050 unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.

If we dont move in the direction of clean, renewable energy and the climate continues to heat up, virtually every aspect of life in Pennsylvania will be affected, said Patrick McDonnell, state secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.

The states Department of General Services contracted with Constellation, a Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission-licensed electric generation supplier, to secure a 15-year fixed-price supply agreement.

Lightsource bp will build, own and operate the solar fields leased from landowners.

Mike Pitcavage, CEO of Endless Energy in Wilkes-Barre, has been encouraged by recent trends in solar energy.

The U.S. solar industry grew 43% and installed a record 19.2 gigawatts of new capacity in 2020, according to a report released by the Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie.

Wood Mackenzie, a global energy, chemicals, renewables, metals and mining research and consultancy group, is forecasting the amount of solar power will quadruple by 2030.

Pitcavage is optimistic the long-term projection signals a positive outlook for his business.

If thats the case, I also expect to quadruple, if not more, he said.

While the industry has fluctuated over the past 10 to 12 years in Pennsylvania, Pitcavage believes its back on the rise.

From 2008 to 2011, solar was booming and then it died off, he said. In the past four or five years, weve been starting to see a return.

He credits a significant decrease in the cost of materials for the rebound.

Prior to about four or five years ago it didnt make sense financially, but since the price of equipment has dropped so much the interest is starting to come back, Pitcavage said. Residentially, were starting to see a fairly decent uptick and commercial systems got us through a lot of last year.

He estimates the cost of the systems has dropped 50% to 75% from 10 to 11 years ago.

Something wed sell for $80,000 is now $20,000, Pitcavage said.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
More than 200 gardai have been attacked and injured while policing during the pandemic, new figures reveal.

Despite a major curtailment in the population's movement with restrictions due to Covid-19, a huge amount of gardai have suffered violent attack by members of the public since the beginning of last year.

A total of 199 officers were injured as a result of attacks last year, according to the Garda Representative Association (GRA), which represents rank and file officers.

The GRA figures do not reflect attacks on members of the force in the first three months of this year, which has also seen several violent assaults on gardai.

A number of security sources spoken to this weekend say there has been "at least" another 25 attacks on members so far this year, which include a number of violent assaults on gardai policing anti-lockdown protests in recent months.

Read More

Following violent scenes at anti-lockdown protest in the capital on February 27, which saw a firework allegedly fired at officers, three gardai were injured. One required surgery for a fractured ankle while another suffered a perforated eardrum.

Read More

In Portlaoise, Co Laois, gardai and ambulance workers came under attack and five gardai were injured and needed hospital treatment, while in Dublin, St Patrick's night saw a female Garda member violently beaten, sustaining an elbow to the face and a number of kicks to the head. A male colleague also sustained head injuries in the same incident.

The Dublin-based officers were assaulted when they attempted to deal with a man who was urinating on the street.

The female community garda officer was admitted to hospital after the assault and underwent CAT scans after the sustained attack in Mercer Street. Gardai arrested a 35-year-old man following the incident.

In relation to the 199 attacks last year, gardai suffered internal injuries, broken bones, cuts needing multiple stitches and more.

Gardai have been shot at, rammed, dragged along roads by cars, and assaulted with a variety of actual and improvised weapons, added the spokesman for the union, which represents over 11,500 members.

The attacks last year took place in both urban and rural settings. Some injuries were life-threatening and life-changing, added the spokesman.

The GRA is now calling for tougher action against those who assault officers, including more robust legislation and mandatory sentencing to deal with people who inflict injuries on members of all emergency services.

The union also wants better personal protection equipment such as body cameras and tasers.

GRA president Frank Thornton told the Sunday Independent that, despite Covid, gardai are still suffering an abundance of vicious attacks.

"The recent violence in Dublin when gardai were shot at with fireworks is typical of incidents involving improvised weapons used against our members," he said.

"Gardai have also been spat at by people who could be transmitting the Covid virus."

Mr Thornton also criticised the "low prioritisation" by Government for the vaccination of gardai.

"The number of firearms seizures in the past 12 months, and the greater willingness of criminals to openly use guns show the level of risk is rising, which means the chances of sustaining a life-threatening or life-changing injury is rising too," he said.
Photo: The Canadian Press Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan takes part in a press conference via video link in Ottawa on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada's defence minister has paid tribute Sunday to Canadas only all-Black unit to serve during the First World War.

Harjit Sajjan has told a virtual event that the 600 members of the No. 2 Construction Battalion and their descendants are owed an apology for the racism and discrimination they faced despite their willingness to serve their country.

Sajjan says plans are in the works for a formal apology from the federal government, which will highlight the fact that hundreds of Black men in Canada were turned away when they volunteered to fight overseas in 1914.

After two years of protests, the Canadian military was given approval in 1916 to establish a segregated, non-combat battalion that would be tasked with building roads, railways and forestry operations as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Sajjan says members of the battalion continued to face hatred and racism while serving in the United Kingdom and in France, and he says their service received no recognition when they returned home.

The defence minister says Canada continues to struggle with systemic racism, but he insisted that the best way to deal with it is to recognize the failures of the past.
Federal Liberal MP Andrew Laming (pictured) will not recontest his seat of Bowman at the next federal election

Federal Liberal MP Andrew Laming will quit politics after relentlessly harassing at least two women on social media and allegedly taking a photo of another woman while she was bending over.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced on Sunday morning Mr Laming will not be recontesting his seat of Bowman, in Brisbane's southeast, after furious backlash over his 'unacceptable behaviour'.

'Andrew is not re-contesting the next election for the LNP, we'll find a new candidate and that will be up to the preselectors. Andrew is also taking some time to seek some additional support and that is important given his behaviour has been unacceptable,' he said.

Mr Frydenberg said the decision was made after Mr Laming spoke with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Mr Morrison slammed Mr Laming's trolling of two women on Facebook - which pushed one of them to the brink of suicide - as 'not acceptable to both women and also to the Prime Minister'.

'The Prime Minister spoke to Andrew yesterday and made it very clear what was expected of our MPs. Andrew has reflected on that conversation with the Prime Minister and he has decided not to contest the next election,' Mr Frydenberg said.

However, the Treasurer rejected calls for Mr Laming to leave parliament immediately. If he did exit politics straight away, it would leave the government with a minority.

'He was elected by representatives and constituents of his community to support them in the parliament  that is what the coalition does,' Mr Frydenberg said.

In a statement released hours after Mr Frydenberg's comments, Mr Laming confirmed 'I will not be contesting the next federal election in any capacity'.

'The common thread of the last week has been not demonstrating anything close to understanding how my actions affect others. I intend to own those mistakes,' Mr Laming said.

He said he would be receiving clinical counselling as he seeks help to better understand how his actions affect others.

'Starting tomorrow I will get assistance with courses in empathy and appropriate communication, not just to be a better MP, but to be a deeper and more empathetic person than what the recent events have demonstrated,' Mr Laming said.

Mr Laming issued a statement on Saturday night and revealed he would undergo sensitivity training ordered by Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured)

'I will also be obtaining clinical counselling, for a duration decided by others, but I will aim to complete it by the next Parliamentary sitting. I intend to get that help immediately and at my own expense.'

LAMING STATEMENT Last night I took health leave from all parliamentary, electorate and committee work; effective today with my office continuing to serve my community. Starting tomorrow I will get assistance with courses in empathy and appropriate communication, not just to be a better MP, but to be a deeper and more empathetic person than what the recent events have demonstrated. The common thread of the last week has been not demonstrating anything close to understanding how my actions affect others. I intend to own those mistakes. I will also be obtaining clinical counselling, for a duration decided by others, but I will aim to complete it by the next Parliamentary sitting. I intend to get that help immediately and at my own expense. I hope some privacy can be extended to me and my family in this time, and I ask my local community to be kind to them. Being elected by the people of Bowman at six consecutive elections has been the greatest honour of my life. I will not be contesting the next federal election in any capacity. Advertisement

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said Mr Laming brought 'disrepute and disgrace' to parliament and should leave before the next federal election.

'Andrew Laming is not fit to be a member of parliament today. Andrew Laming should go. He brings disrepute and disgrace to our national parliament and he simply should go,' he said.

Two federal female Liberal politicians, Katie Allen and Sarah Henderson, had earlier demanded Mr Laming resign from parliament during a joint appearance on the ABC's Insider program on Sunday.

'I'm really appalled by Andrew's conduct,' Senator Henderson told the program, while Ms Allen said 'What he has been doing is completely outrageous'.

Deputy Nationals leader David Littleproud denied Mr Laming was just retaining his position because it would throw the government into minority if he was kicked out.

'With respect, I don't think that's the case. It's about making sure we do the right thing,' he told the Sky News' Sunday Agenda program.

Mr Laming on Saturday stepped down from all parliamentary roles following complaints about his conduct online and the allegations he took a photo of a woman who accidentally showed her underwear while bending over.

The Queensland LNP backbencher revealed he had been ordered by Mr Morrison to undergo sensitivity training.

'I will step down from all Parliamentary roles effective immediately and complete both the counselling courses I committed to; as well as additional clinical counselling, and ask for privacy while that is completed,' he said in a statement.

'I would like to thank my local community for their understanding during this time and assure them my electorate staff remain available to them.'

Brisbane woman Crystal White (pictured) accused Mr Laming of snapping a picture of her bottom and underwear at a landscape supply business in 2019

Mr Laming accused Alix Russo (left) of misappropriating funds at a homeless charity, while Sheena Hewlett (right) said she was forced to contact police after claiming Mr Laming hid in the bushes and took photos of her in a public park

The decision to step down comes after Brisbane mum Crystal White accused Mr Laming of snapping a picture of her bottom and exposed underwear while she put drinks in a fridge at a landscape supply business in 2019.

'The photo was really inappropriate, especially when I was bent over,' Ms White told Nine News.

Sean Blinco, who was working at the time, said the store manager forced Mr Laming to delete the photo.

Mr Blinco questioned the MP over the 2019 incident on social media after reports emerged in recent days about Mr Laming trolling two women online.

'Remember that time you took a photo of an employee bending over at local landscaping yard, you perve? We had to force you to delete it before you left the store. We remember,' he wrote on Facebook.

Mr Laming replied: 'I do but it wasn't meant to be rude. I thought it was funny but your reaction was awkward.'

His response was then shared with Ms White by Nine News.

She fired back: 'My reaction is, how is that funny? What's funny about taking a picture of a lady bending over?'

Mr Laming on Thursday apologised in Parliament for trolling two other women online, then backtracked on social media and claimed he 'didn't know' what he was saying sorry for.

Mr Laming earlier claimed in a now-deleted Facebook post that he did not even know what he was apologising for - and accompanied his comment with laughing emojis

Screen grabs of Mr Laming's now-deleted Facebook post in which he laughed off the apology he made to Alix Russo and Sheena Hewlett in parliament

'In this climate - I willingly apologise - I didn't even know what for at 4pm when I did it,' Mr Laming wrote on a Facebook post, which has since been deleted.

Mr Laming was forced to apologise after telling a charity worker, Alix Russo, on Facebook: 'Unfortunately for you, I make the rules and you follow them.'

Ms Russo, a single mother who said the trolling left her suicidal, told Nine News: 'I want to be alive, I don't want to be attacked anymore.'

'This man has to stop. He cannot continue abusing his community like this.'

Sheena Hewlett, a schoolteacher, said Mr Laming - who was elected to Federal parliament in 2004 - asked for her teaching timetable then hid in bushes while taking photos of her in 2019. The incidents were reported to police.

Mr Laming's social media response to his own apology was accompanied by several laughing emojis - which he claimed were accidentally posted by his phone when he put it in his pocket, news.com.au reported.

Queensland Labor MP Kim Richards (pictured) came forward claiming Mr Laming 'weaponised social media to attack women'

Queensland Labor MP Kim Richards has since come forward claiming Mr Laming 'weaponised social media to attack women'.

'It's just been constant. I blocked him years ago for my own mental health,' she said.

'The character assassination, the personal nature of the way he's posting, is harassing and bullying by its very existence.'

Ms Richards said locals in Redlands have been left 'fearful' of Mr Laming due to his conduct online.

A spokesman for Mr Laming rejected Ms Richards' claims about the MP's online behaviour as his social media accounts post about political issues in the electorate.

Mr Laming has been accused of 'trolling' women on social media and has been ordered to complete an awareness course

Ms Hewlett has also said she complained about Mr Laming 'countless times' both under Mr Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull's leadership, The Australian reported.

Retired former MP Tony Windsor added his voice to an avalanche of calls on social media to remove Mr Laming from office.

'Now that Andrew Laming has made light of his apology and your directions to apologise Scott Morrison you have two options - sack him or call in the police to investigate his behaviour.'

A screen shot of one of Andrew Laming's online comments to charity worker Alix Russo

'The fact that he thinks it is all a bit of a joke leaves you with no alternative. Lead.'

On Twitter, Mr Laming was trending with the hashtag #SackLaming also popular.

'I've checked with a couple of Liberal National party people I am familiar with in Queensland and said, 'Is this bloke a complete f***wit?'' 2GB radio host Ray Hadley said on air.

'And they replied yes, he is. He is,' Hadley said.

Mr Laming apologised for causing Ms Russo and Ms Hewlett distress in a speech in Parliament on Thursday. He also apologised to the women in writing.

It came after being hauled into the PM's office, conceding his social media commentary had caused significant distress to two 'well regarded individuals' of his electorate.

'His comments were not acceptable to both women and also to the Prime Minister,' a spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office said.

'Every Australian has the right to feel safe online and Mr Laming has made a commitment to change his online communication practices.'

Mr Morrison has spoke to Mr Laming once again regarding his online behaviour and ordered him to complete an awareness course.

A statement issued by Mr Laming on Thursday, where he issued 'an unreserved public apology'

'I want to express my regret and deep apologies for the hurt and the distress that communication may have caused,' Mr Laming said in his apology.

'I want to retract those comments and issue a public unreserved apology.'

The Liberal National Party backbencher, who regularly attracts criticism for his behaviour and comments on social media, acknowledged he had lessons to learn about his use of words.

'I have made a concerted effort to understand the impact of these responses upon others and demonstrate a clear change in the way I communicate,' he said.

'I want to say to any person who has received correspondence from me which fell short of what they expect from an MP that I intend to own that failure and apologise without hesitation.'

Lifeline 13 11 14
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Egypts president orders preparations for the possible removal of some of the ships cargo as teams struggle to free it.

Video Transcript

IMRAN KHAN: Six days on, and the fear is that the Ever Given's blocking of the Suez Canal will lead to global shortages of oil, gas, and goods. And it's not just what's on the vessel itself, although that's significant given it's one of the largest container ships in the world. But it's what's on the other 300 or so vessels treading water at the entrance and exits of the canal, as well as those stuck in the middle. Syria's already feeling the pinch. The authorities announced fuel rationing as supplies from Iran are stuck.

SAMAH HADID: The news coming out of Syria is deeply, deeply worrying. The country was already hitting crisis point with the economic collapse hitting Syria and the daily lives of Syrians. And now, these delays to fuel shipments will make an already bad situation worse.

IMRAN KHAN: And as tankers queue, oil prices are rising. The blockage is another blow to global trade already disrupted by COVID-19.

SPENCER WELCH: Around about 7% of the world's oil trade goes through the Suez Canal, and it can't. Any ship has the choice of taking the longer route round the South of Africa. It takes around two weeks longer, obviously costs more because of the additional shipping costs. So ships are having to make that decision. Do they wait in that queue of 300? Or do they take the longer trip?

IMRAN KHAN: There are two main strategies in place to dislodge the Ever Given. They are currently using tugboats to push and widen the canal by using diggers on land. At the stern end of the vessel, that seems to be working. The second is lightening the load by removing containers. That's seen as time consuming, dangerous, and untested. Either way, this has never happened in the history of shipping before. Imran Khan, Al Jazeera.

- Let's discuss this with Gerry Northwood, who is the chairman of the risk management and security company, MAST. He's joining us from Meonstoke. That's in Hampshire in the UK. Thanks for speaking to us on Al Jazeera. Let's look at the method of lightening the load. That's what the Egyptian president has reportedly ordered preparations for authorities to do. What would such an operation involve?

Story continues

GERRY NORTHWOOD: Well, it's certainly a good idea, I think, to think of all the contingencies and possibilities. Clearly, you need to get a fairly large crane down there, float it down on a barge. I understand there may already have been moves afoot to do that. And then also you have some facility in place for taking the containers and removing them to somewhere else. So it's quite a big operation.

- So what are the challenges associated with this operation? I mean, what do they need to do to minimize damage, if any damage at all?

GERRY NORTHWOOD: Well I think the main thing to think about here is exactly where do you want to get the containers off. I mean, if this is about lightening the load around the bow area to free that, then it may just be a relatively small section of the vessel that needs to be cleared. They may need to think about doing it on both sides. It depends on the size of the crane, but obviously, one side alone may not be enough.

And then, the second thing is having the capacity to shift all the containers that they're taking off and put them somewhere else, whether that's back in one of the ports, like Port Said, or have an arrangement to stack them up on the bank of the canal.

- Right. And how long would this operation take?

GERRY NORTHWOOD: That's a very good question. This is all about resource and the amount that they'd need to get off. The salvagers would have a better idea of that. It could take some while.

- Canal officials are saying that, so far, some progress has been made. The rudder was released. And also, now there are about 14 tugboats joining the effort to be able to dislodge that ship. But will authorities be continuing with this strategy? Or have they, in your opinion, given up on it, and now they're looking to lighten the load?

GERRY NORTHWOOD: I think what we're hearing is that they are hoping that the high water tonight will be another opportunity to get the vessel off. So a continued program of dredging and using the tugs makes a great deal of sense. But that clearly hasn't worked yet. It's had some benefit. And they've managed to create a stir. So that's good.

But they do need to be thinking about other contingency, and it will take time to get the appropriate machinery in place, in terms of cranes and barges, if they're going to have to-- if they're going to start removing the cargo in order to try and reduce the draft of the vessel.

- Have you ever seen anything like this before? I mean, how would you describe this situation and what's transpired over the past six days?

GERRY NORTHWOOD: I think we're all finding this is a unique situation. I mean the canal has been closed in the past. It's been closed for very lengthy periods during the Arab-Israeli Wars. But it's the first time for quite a long while where we've had this kind of interruption to traffic. So it's clearly having a very significant impact on the supply chain across the globe. And so the sooner we can get this resolved the better, and people can get back to normal business.

- Gerry Northwood, thank you so much for speaking to us from Meonstoke. Thank you.

GERRY NORTHWOOD: Thank you.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Hagerstown Housing Authority closes in on end of McCleary Hill project

After objections from neighbors, the Hagerstown Housing Authority's McCleary Hill project is done its first phase. Officials held an open house.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov paid a visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this month as part of his tour of the Gulf countries. Lavrov was received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on March 10 and met with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Unlike the top Russian diplomats meetings in Abu Dhabi and Doha, no major statements came out of his stop in Riyadh, nor were any important initiatives adopted. Yet the importance of this trip should not be underestimated.

As Al Monitor writes, Russia is probing sentiments in Saudi Arabia to help Moscow draw conclusions about steps toward rapprochement with the kingdom against the backdrop of a possible cooling in US-Saudi relations. Speculation has grown about a potential weakening of ties between Riyadh and Washington after US intelligence declassified a report Feb. 25 assessing that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved in the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Earlier in February, the White House had said President Joe Biden would conduct diplomacy through Saudi King Salman bin Abdulazizi rather than the crown prince, in contrast to former President Donald Trump. Weve made clear from the beginning that we are going to recalibrate our relationship with Saudi Arabia, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters.

This shift, along with Washington's decision to lift sanctions the Trump administration had imposed on the Houthis in Yemen, suggests that the Biden administration may not bode well for Saudi Arabia and its rulers.

The State Department has issued a number of statements on how relations with Riyadh will develop since the declassification of the report. In a March 1 briefing, State Department spokesperson Ned Price spoke about visa restrictions on 76 Saudi individuals  part of the so-called Khashoggi ban  and said that human rights abuses such as jailing womens rights activists undermine our ties. While Price stressed the US-Saudi relationship is important, he said Saudi actions will determine what the two countries can achieve together going forward.

It looks like bin Salman will have to abandon the Rapid Reaction Force  sanctioned by the United States for its involvement in Khashoggi's murder  as it has functioned to date. It is also likely that the Saudi leadership will need to punish higher ranking officials for their role in the killing. However, doing so does not guarantee Riyadh wont face US calls for liberalization of the political system. Restrictions on the supply of US weapons to the Saudi military also cannot be ruled out.

Thus Moscow believes Saudi Arabia will take steps to diversify its external relations. It is possible that it will try to intensify contacts with Russia to compensate for costs arising from the stagnation of relations between Riyadh and Washington. Russia is already demonstrating its readiness to meet Saudi Arabia halfway.

Diplomacy between Moscow and Riyadh has already intensified. In addition to Lavrov's visit to Riyadh, the Russian president's special envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, paid his own visit to the kingdom a day earlier. During these negotiations, the Russian side spoke in favor of increasing the role of the kingdom in resolving the Syrian crisis. In doing so, Moscow is promoting the regional role of Saudi Arabia, which is competing with Turkey for influence in the Middle East and has ceded influence in Syria to Ankara.

Russia may be useful for Saudi Arabia as a mediator in the Yemeni conflict. Moscow has been able to maintain contacts with all parties to the Yemeni conflict  with the Houthis, with supporters of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and with the Southern Transitional Council  and will be in demand if a peaceful dialogue can be restored. Moscow's line in Yemeni affairs could, in a sense, balance the course of Washington, which is also likely to be more active in resolving the Yemeni crisis. The involvement of Russia in this process would create wider room for maneuvering for Saudi Arabia, since Riyadh fears that the United States does not recognize the security concerns the Saudis give as justification for the war in Yemen.

Moscow will try to revive its initiative from two years ago involving the formation of a new security architecture in the Persian Gulf region and possibly in the Middle East as a whole. It was supposed to work out a certain scheme of interaction of regional players, marketed as a Middle East version of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Russias initiative could help regulate relations between the monarchies of the Gulf and Iran. Although this plan has little chance of ever being implemented, Russia's consultations with both Saudi Arabia and Iran could play a role in normalizing relations between Riyadh and Tehran and reaffirm Moscows importance as an important arbiter for the states of the Middle East.

Russia also expects that the cooling of US-Saudi military ties will mean new contracts for Moscow to supply weapons to Saudi Arabia.

In the fall of 2017, following King Salmans visit to Moscow, several documents were signed for military-technical cooperation. The documents included a memorandum on the purchase and localization of production of TOS-1A Solntsepyok flamethrower systems, Kornet-EM anti-tank missile systems and AGS-30 grenade launchers. Most of these agreements have been implemented. Nevertheless, Moscow failed to promote high-tech and expensive weapons such as the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system, aircraft or armored vehicles on the Saudi market.

The types of weapons that Riyadh would like to acquire  Iskander operational-tactical missiles, for example  Moscow cannot supply to the Gulf states because of agreements with Israel. However, in the future these restrictions may be revised. Saudi Arabia's difficulties in accessing American military equipment may open up new opportunities for Russia to supply weapons, for example T-90MSK tanks, Mi-17/171Sh helicopters and Tor-M2 and Buk-M3 short- and medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems.

Moscow would also like to increase general trade between the two states, bringing the trade volume to $5 billion by 2024. So far, that volume barely exceeds $1.5 billion, though some progress has been observed in this direction. In 2020, Russia began exporting wheat to Saudi Arabia. The kingdom was already one of the largest importers of Russian barley.

Also, Russia and Saudi Arabia are looking to strengthen cooperation in the world oil market and "do not note any reasons that could undermine the interest in their cooperation within OPEC+, according to Lavrov, speaking at a joint press conference in Riyadh following talks with his Saudi counterpart.

We have confirmed today our focus on strengthening our cooperation in the global hydrocarbon markets. At this stage, we do not see any events that, if implemented, will undermine the interest in our mutual cooperation. This is an objective reality and it has a long-term, stable character, in my opinion, he added.

Despite efforts to find areas where Russia could play a greater role in the event of cooling Saudi-American relations, Moscow realizes it wont be able to replace Washington as a strategic partner for Riyadh anytime soon. Nevertheless, Russia is ready to take advantage of the current situation to gradually boost Russian-Saudi ties and strengthen its tactical positions, with an eye to their gradual transformation into strategic ones.
The UN is in negotiations with Beijing for a visit "without restrictions" to Xinjiang to see how the Uyghur minority is being treated, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in an interview broadcast Sunday.

At least one million Uyghurs and people from other mostly Muslim groups have been held in camps in the northwestern region, according to US and Australian rights groups, which accuse Chinese authorities of forcibly sterilizing women and imposing forced labor.

China has repeatedly bridled at criticism of its treatment of the group.

"A serious negotiation is at the present moment taking place between the Office of the (UN Human Rights) Commissioner and the Chinese authorities," Guterres told Canada's CBC television network.

"I hope that they will reach an agreement soon" to allow a visit "without restrictions or limitations," he added.

Guterres said the Chinese had repeatedly affirmed to him "that they want that mission to take place."

On Saturday, Beijing announced sanctions against two Americans, a Canadian and a rights advocacy body that had criticized its treatment of the Uyghurs, which US officials have said constitutes genocide.

Guterres said he was also following "with concern" the fate of two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who are being held prisoner in China on charges of espionage.

Their detention, which Ottawa has denounced as "arbitrary," is widely viewed in the West as a reprisal for the arrest and continued detention in Canada of Meng Wanzhou, an executive of Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei.

"Our position has been very clear," Guterres told CBC: "that in all situations of this kind, there must be due process and full respect for the human rights of the people involved."

ps/bbk/jm
MOSCOW  Russia has lauded with much fanfare the arrival of its homegrown vaccine, Sputnik V, in Latin America and Africa, and even in some countries in Europe, calling it a solution to shortages around the world.

It has been less vocal, though, about one country that is also importing the vaccine: Russia.

The Russian government has contracted out the manufacture of Sputnik V to a South Korean company that has already sent the vaccine to Russia, and plans to do the same with a company from India.

While the scale of the imports is impossible to gauge because of nondisclosure agreements, they undermine some of the narrative Russia has proudly presented about its role in the pandemic as an exporter of vaccines to needy countries.

The imports, which are expected to ramp up in coming weeks and months, could help Russia overcome a dismally slow vaccination rollout at home. They also illustrate that even countries whose scientists designed successful shots rely on cross-border trade for vaccine supplies.
New York, March 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Milk Fat Fraction Market Research Report by Form, by Technology, by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06033896/?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 Milk Fat Fraction Market is expected to grow from USD 472.57 Million in 2020 to USD 652.56 Million by the end of 2025.

2. The Global Milk Fat Fraction Market is expected to grow from EUR 414.36 Million in 2020 to EUR 572.17 Million by the end of 2025.

3. The Global Milk Fat Fraction Market is expected to grow from GBP 368.37 Million in 2020 to GBP 508.66 Million by the end of 2025.

4. The Global Milk Fat Fraction Market is expected to grow from JPY 50,436.03 Million in 2020 to JPY 69,644.68 Million by the end of 2025.

5. The Global Milk Fat Fraction Market is expected to grow from AUD 686.24 Million in 2020 to AUD 947.60 Million by the end of 2025.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Milk Fat Fraction to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Form, the Milk Fat Fraction Market studied across High-Melting Fraction > 30C, Low Melting Fraction <15C, and Medium-Melting Fraction 15-30C.



Based on Technology, the Milk Fat Fraction Market studied across Crystallization from Melted Milk Fat, Crystallization using Solvents, Short-Path Distillation, and Supercritical Fluid Extraction.



Based on Application, the Milk Fat Fraction Market studied across Butter Manufacturing, Chocolate Manufacturing, Confectioneries & Bakery products, Ice-cream Manufacturing, Milk Powder Manufacturing, and Nutraceuticals & Dietary Supplements.



Based on Geography, the Milk Fat Fraction 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 Milk Fat Fraction Market including Fit Company Institute, FLECHARD SAS, Fonterra, FrieslandCampina, Glanbia Ingredients Ireland, MCT Dairies, Inc, Oleo, Inc., Royal VIV Buisman, Uelzena eG, Uelzena Group, and Wilmar International.



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 Milk Fat Fraction 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 Milk Fat Fraction Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Milk Fat Fraction Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Milk Fat Fraction Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Milk Fat Fraction Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Milk Fat Fraction Market?

6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Milk Fat Fraction Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06033896/?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 fly-in-fly-out worker has shared his stunning isolation villa in Phuket and gourmet meals as he calls for better hotel quarantine conditions in Australia.

Ed Thistlewaite, who lives in Singapore, spent two weeks in isolation at Mercure Brisbane last year when he returned to Australia after his mother suffered a stroke.

He said he was given no choice in hotel selection and 'being told where you must stay in substandard hotels without balconies or windows' was a 'beyond terrible and expensive experience'.

Now, the Australian ex-pat is questioning why his home country's quarantine system is so unpleasant after recently staying in the luxury Anantara Resort in Thailand on a work trip - for a similar price.

Australian expat Ed Thistlewaite has shared photos of the villa in Phuket (pictured) where he served hotel quarantine during a recent work trip to Thailand

Mr Thistlewaite shared photos of his incredible villa, featuring an outdoor pool, courtyard, and spacious bathroom, in a Facebook group for Australians stuck overseas or in quarantine.

'Does quarantine need to be the way it is in Australia. Answer = No,' he wrote.

'[Doing quarantine in Thailand] has been so much less stressful. [It is] mentally and physically much healthier and where humans should be held for 15 days.

'It is so great to have a choice in hotel selection and not get forced to pay a fortune for an old overnight hotel with no window or balcony and awful food along with getting made to feel unwanted and like a criminal.

'No one is travelling at the minute for fun it is nice not to be treated as an inconvenience.'

Mr Thistlewaite also posted images of some of his delectable meals, saying there was 'no need for Uber Eats and cutlery' at his accommodation.

Mr Thistlewaite said the larger-sized accommodation with outdoor access was much better for his mental health

So far, his menu options have included a salmon fillet with a side of baked potato and sauteed asparagus, and chicken breast with roasted potatoes and peas in gravy with a bed of salad.

Australians were amazed by his lavish living conditions, with some putting up their hands to enter quarantine voluntarily just to get a taste.

'GET OUT! sign us up for a year of isolation please,' one woman wrote.

'S**t! I am going to Thailand!' another wrote.

'Where do I sign up for this?!?' a third comment read.

Mr Thistlewaite stressed that he was not arguing returned Australians should be provided with the same accommodation he received.

Australia should simply be doing more for people who have to quarantine, rather than offering overnight accommodation venues, he said.

Mr Thistlewaite's meals have included a salmon fillet and chicken breast with potatoes and greens on the side

He suggested that the government adopt Thailand's model, which offers travellers a choice of where they would like to stay based on their budget.

Others agreed: 'Australia, this is the example to take from!' one woman commented.

Another wrote: 'So much nicer than the Australian style.'

'That is how human beings should be treated,' someone else said.

Mr Thistlewaite said though top-level Thai hotel quarantine was more luxurious, the rules were far stricter than Australia.

'Doctor visit on the first day and a nurse facetimes you twice a day and you show your temperature,' he said.

In NSW, returned travellers must pay $3,000 for one adult for hotel quarantine, with an additional $1,000 for each extra adult, and $500 per child under 18.

The cost of mandatory isolation in Queensland for one room is $2,800 for one adult, $3,710 for two adults, or $4,620 for two adults and two children.
Police put brakes on move to fine drivers for worn tyres By Nadia Fazlulhaq View(s): View(s):

Last years import ban on tyres had a negative impact on this weeks decision by police to fine drivers with faulty tyres after a recent fatal accident.

Police have now temporarily withdrawn plans to inspect and fine drivers for using worn tyres following a public outcry over the fact that a shortage of tyres has made it difficult for drivers to maintain roadworthy vehicles.

Tyre shop owners confirm that drivers are finding it difficult to source tyres.

Every day, about 10 drivers, especially those driving smaller vehicles, come to us desperately searching for 12, 13 and 14-inch tyres. Some opt for used ones, paying high prices, as there is no way to find tyres in an emergency. We are getting a lot of airport drivers searching for tyres, said K. Sanjeewa, who owns a tyre dealership in Colombo.

He said some tyre shops have increased prices of bus tyres from Rs. 38,000 to Rs. 48,000-50,000. Tyres that were previously Rs. 7,400-7,500 are being sold for Rs. 9,000, and these are hard to obtain even at that price.

If there is an import ban, the local supply should be strengthened. Otherwise there wont be roadworthy vehicles in the coming months as most will be running with worn tyres, Mr. Sanjeewa said.

An employee of Kandy Tyre House said during the past few months there has been no supply of locally-manufactured tyres for smaller vehicles.

We are getting many inquiries from drivers of vehicles such as the Alto and WagonR, he said.

Anuradhapura District MP Rohana Bandara this week raised the issue in parliament, saying the shortage of tyres, especially for batta mini-trucks, has affected the livelihood of farmers and low-income businesses.

Sri Lankas largest tyre manufacturing facility was declared open early this year.

This week, police introduced a plan to fine motorists and drivers of vehicles that had worn or unroadworthy tyres. Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said those found guilty would be fined Rs. 3,500 under the Motor Traffic Act.

The plan was shortly afterwards suspended due to the shortage of tyres in the country.

Dr. T. Sivakumar, senior lecturer at Moratuwa Universitys Department of Transport and Logistics Management, said the move to inspect worn tyres, check engine performance and roadworthiness was commendable in the effort to prevent accidents caused by faulty parts  but not at a time of shortages of spare parts.

Motor Traffic Commissioner Sumith Alahakoon said the department was willing to strengthen inspection with police once tyres are in adequate supply.

He added that the department was short of motor examiners qualified to inspect vehicles. There are about 122 qualified motor examiners in the country. The country needs more examiners to ensure vehicles both in the cities and outstations are roadworthy, he said.
Several thousand women took to the streets in Istanbul on Saturday to demand Turkey reverses its decision to withdraw from an international treaty against domestic abuse which it once championed.
As of Friday, 825,310 vaccines had been administered in Northern Ireland - 711,673 of which were first doses and 113,637 were second doses.

A further two people in Northern Ireland have died after testing positive for Covid-19 and 116 new cases of the virus have been confirmed.

It brings the death toll to 2,111 and the total number of confirmed cases since the outbreak began to 116,950.

Some 1,061 people have tested positive for the virus in the last seven days.

There are 126 Covid patients in hospitals across Northern Ireland, with 15 in intensive care and 11 requiring ventilation.

Hospitals are operating at 93% occupancy.

Six care homes are dealing with outbreaks of Covid-19.

The news comes after First Minister Arlene Foster said she believes the UK government will offer Covid-19 vaccine stocks to Ireland once its own vaccination programme is complete.

Read More

Her comments come as The Sunday Times reports that the UK is planning to offer 3.7 million Covid jabs to Ireland, partly to help lift the lockdown in Northern Ireland.

The DUP leader, who received her first Covid jab in her Co Fermanagh constituency on Saturday morning, told RTE's The Week in Politics programme, vaccine sharing should and hopefully will happen.

"I think it is a runner and when I'm next speaking to him (Mr Johnson) I'll be making that point again," she said.

Read More

She added: "I think it's important that we continue the conversation. I'll be listening very carefully to what our medical advisors are saying about the roll-out of the vaccine in Northern Ireland, where it is in the Republic of Ireland and what that means for both jurisdictions."

The Irish Government has said it is not aware of a specific UK plan to share vaccines with Ireland.

A spokesman said: "The UK has previously indicated that once it has achieved a high level of vaccination of its own population, it would consider sharing vaccines with other countries.

"We are not aware of any specific plans to share vaccines with Ireland at this stage.

"The Irish and UK governments maintain close contact across all matters of common interest."
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong receives President of the Moroccan

House of Representatives Habib El Malki during the latter's official visit to Vietnam

(Hanoi, December 19, 2017) (Photo: VNA)

The event is being held by VNA in coordination with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Vietnam to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries (March 27, 1961 - March 27, 2021).

Although the number of photos is not large, they help demonstrate the important strides forward in the two countries political relations, most notably high-level meetings.



Mutual high-ranking visits reflect the two countries wish to promote the friendship and cooperation between their parliaments, States, and people, as well as their resolve to continue bringing into play and capitalising on the opportunities and huge potential so as to jointly enhance bilateral cooperation and relations.

VNA reported that in 2006, Vietnam and Morocco opened their embassies in each others capitals - an important milestone in bilateral ties.

Within the framework of the Francophone community, Vietnam and Morocco have carried out a number of practical cooperation activities. In recent years, the Moroccan Embassy has taken part in the sponsorship of the Young Francophone Reporters contest held by Le Courrier du Vietnam, a VNA newspaper./.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
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.
In her speeches, Davis called HTGAWM the ride of her life and gave a heartfelt shoutout to the late Chadwick Boseman

Viola Davis scored big at the 2021 NAACP Image Awards, winning two prizes for her roles in Ma Raineys Black Bottom and How To Get Away with Murder.

How To Get Away With Murder said a final goodbye to its fans when it aired its series finale in May 2020. The show was an immediate success for ABC when its premiered in 2014, and Viola Davis, a legend of the stage and screen herself, burst through the culture with role of Annalise Keating.

In her first season alone, Davis broke records, becoming the first African American woman to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

In this screengrab, Julius Tennon and Viola Davis, winner of Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series and Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture categories speak at the 52nd NAACP Image Awards Virtual Press Conference on March 27, 2021 in Various Cities. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

Read More: Viola Davis makes history as most Oscar-nominated Black actress

Now, in her final year of eligibility, Davis has won an NAACP Image Award for that special Shondaland role. In a gorgeous purple and pink dress, Davis jumped for joy as she heard her name announced as the winner.

The actress referred to How To Get Away with Murder as the joy of her life in her acceptance speech, saying, Oh my God! Thank you Pete Nowalk, Shonda Rhimes, the beautiful cast of How To Get Away With Murderit was the joy and journey of my life to go on this ride with you.

She then thanked series creator Nowalk and Rhimes again, this time for changing the landscape of television, saying, Thank you for redefining what it means to be a leading lady, what it means to be a woman, what it means to be Black on network televisionthank you for the ride of my life!

Davis then won the Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture award for her role in Netflixs Ma Raineys Black Bottom. In her speech, Davis said, Thank you so much! Thank you August Wilson, thank you for honoring us with your Century Cycle of plays. Thank you for loving usthank you for leaving this legacy.

Davis also thanked the entire team behind Ma Raineys Black Bottom and gave a special shoutout to her co-star, the late Chadwick Boseman, saying, And to the beautiful Chadwick Boseman, I love you Chad!

Story continues

As How to Get Away With Murders smash run came to a close in 2020, Davis caught up with theGrios Cortney Wills to discuss saying goodbye to Annalise Keating. She revealed at the time, Im sad about leaving behind Annalise. Shes tugging at me. Its such a dynamic character and shes an unpredictable character and variety is the spice of life and she sort of put a lot of variety in my life. Its sort of like jumping out of a plane.

Read More: Viola Davis shows off curly afro for Critics Choice Awards

In the interview, she also opened up about the importance of characters like Annalise Keating in Hollywood. She explained, Her lasting legacy is, I feel like the leading lady was re-defined with Annalise. The leading lady in the past was definitely not defined as being a dark-skinned, Black woman who is of a certain age. Re-defining women as the anti-hero. We dont all necessarily have to be warm and fuzzy.

She added, Shes someone without boundaries. In the past, Black women have not been written like that. They have been very tethered.

Have you subscribed to theGrios podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now!

TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today!

The post Viola Davis wins two NAACP Image awards for final season of HTGAWM, Ma Rainey appeared first on TheGrio.
Mary Irvine was at it again last week. The President of the High Court was moaning about the lack of judges. The workload of their lordships and ladyships demanded at least another 20 judges to ease the burden on the poor beaks' shoulders.

Perhaps Mary was firing the opening shots in a campaign for the Chief Justice's job? Frank Clarke is on the way out.

It is a pity that she chose the week when it emerged that her colleagues are spending fewer hours on the bench than we had imagined. The breathtaking amount of time our battered judges feel obliged to fill by travelling the world has left the Four Courts short of workhorses at home.

Poor Frank had flown overseas 36 times in the two-and-a-half years before Covid grounded him. Yet in the previous two-and-a-half years, his predecessor Susan Denham had travelled overseas only three times. Ah well, horses for courses.

Frank himself has regularly moaned about the failure to appoint enough judges, especially to the Court of Appeal. Charlie Flanagan used to reflect his views at Cabinet.

In 2018 when Charlie and I were fighting the battle over judicial appointments in Cabinet, Caroline Costello, granddaughter of former Fine Gael Taoiseach John A Costello, was in the frame for promotion to the Court of Appeal. In a private note to me at Cabinet, Charlie wrote: "Chief Justice irate. Court of Appeal not functioning. Matters are now critical".

I was deeply sceptical, especially after Charlie had passed over another note, with a real sense of urgency: "I need a woman."

Little did I know at the time that the Court of Appeal was suffering from an overdose of judicial travelling. Mr Justice John Hedigan, the man whom Caroline was set to replace, was a seasoned traveller. When Caroline eventually took his place in November, he had already endured an exhausting year.

His duties had brought him to Strasbourg, Slovenia, Verona, Bucharest, Warsaw and Lisbon. Caroline was soon destined to share a workload with senior Court of Appeal Judge John Edwards, another willing traveller, whose position on the International Association of Judges (IAJ) had taken him to Santiago, Amsterdam, Berlin and Marrakech in the previous 12 months.

Caroline caught the travel bug thriving in the Court of Appeal in that year. She was only in the saddle a few weeks when she took off for a humdrum trip to The Hague, but in 2019 she warmed to the demands of the job. Her 2019 workload included trips to Rome (twice), Vilnius, Amsterdam, Lithuania and Brussels (three times). She even managed to squeeze in a final trip to Italy in February 2020, just before the Covid shutters came down.

Even Frank's good buddy, President of the Court of Appeal, George Birmingham, has felt compelled to travel overseas regularly on official duty. He is not as enthusiastic as some of his Appeal Court colleagues, but that did not stop him flying to Paris twice in 2018 and dropping over to Vienna, London, Porto and Zagreb in the same year. No wonder they need more judges in the Court of Appeal. And in other courts.

Read More

Undoubtedly many of the 500 trips made by our judicial friends did the State some service, but the realisation that over a five-year period 1,000 planes were boarded by Irish judges in pursuit of justice for Ireland begs many questions.

The fact that Frank Clarke's predecessor, Susan Denham, took one trip for every 12 enjoyed by Frank is notable. No doubt Frank sits on a European committee that demands time and energy, but his pleas for more judges ring hollow when so many of his present gang are absent for so long.

Five hundred trips is probably 1,500 working days, depending on how many hours really comprise a judge's daily drudge. Judges could hear a lot more cases if they cut down on flying time, long legal dinners and token ceremonies. They could hear a lot more cases if they attended meetings remotely.

They could hear a lot more cases if they took shorter holidays. Judges take outrageous breaks. Not only do they enjoy about two weeks off for Easter and adjourn for three weeks at Christmas, but they give themselves a unique holiday at "Whit". More indefensible is what they loftily call the "Long Vacation", a period from July 31 till the first Monday in October when the courts don't sit, except in cases of urgency. We should not take any more lectures from Clarke or anyone else about litigants being denied justice because of lack of judges, as long as the judiciary prolong this inexcusably short sitting year. Nor does anyone take seriously their pleas for time to read up cases and prepare judgments. They have a sense of entitlement that is condescending: ordinary people just don't understand the elite.

No doubt their lordships will bellow and bluster about the utterly subversive suggestion that these trips are extravagant. But surely it is reasonable to raise an eyebrow at four judges from the Circuit Court heading for sunny Malaga for a weekend conference in the middle of an Irish winter?

Is it not equally reasonable to expect an explanation for two junior judges, Patricia McNamara and Sinead Ni Chulachain, jetting off to Buenos Aires - business class - at a price of 4,465 each at the expense of the publicly funded Courts Service? God knows how much must be added to that for accommodation, conference fees and expenses.

And why did the Irish judiciary feel it necessary to send two judges to IAJ conferences in Mexico City, Santiago, Kazakhstan and Marrakech? They can always plead that they were being democratic about distributing the spoils, as a humble district court judge accompanied John Edwards of the Court of Appeal in all cases.

The judiciary can bellyache about today's tales of their sojourns in world-famous Ballymaloe House, denouncing it as begrudgery. It is not. Should judges be entitled to live in the lap of luxury in Ireland while conducting their business a few miles from home?

Is the 127,000 spent in Ballymaloe justified? Good luck to them with their 'haute cuisine' Ballymaloe House packed lunches, but God love them, could they not go out and buy a ham sandwich? Was it justifiable for seven members of the Supreme Court to spend two nights and 3,380 in Ballymaloe House when sitting in Cork for the first time? As the battle lines are drawn for a successor to Frank Clarke as chief justice in October, perhaps the selection process might address the claims of front runners like media darling Donal O'Donnell, Mary Irvine, George Birmingham and any other candidates. Let there be interviewers for the first time. Let them ask each applicant where they stand on the Seamus Woulfe debacle and to explain their own role in it.

Are they in the Frank Clarke camp or the Susan Denham mould on foreign travel trips? Are they in favour of the secrecy surrounding the selection? How do they intend to attract more judges, as appears to be their unanimous wish?

Mary Irvine's campaign pitch for more judges to assist the currently overworked crew is unconvincing. She might attract greater interest with a slogan like: 'Join the Judiciary and See the World'.
In 1692, a group of hysterical teenage girls in Salem, Massachusetts, began denouncing girls from rival families as witches. Accusations of witchcraft soon multiplied and spread throughout the town; some of the accused were as young as four years old. Ultimately, 200 people were tried, and dozens executed, for fictitious crimes. The court did not require evidence, as the accusations themselves were considered proof of guilt.

There are obvious parallels between the Salem Witch hunts and todays cancel culture, especially in the ubiquitous and toxic accusation of racism. The accusation alone smears the accused as guilty, and the denounced party has no way to defend against the charge. Looking back at Salem gives us insight into the conditions that enable cancel culture to take root, why the public tolerates it, and how it might end.

Seventeenth-century Salem was known as a particularly fractious town burdened with continuous disputes over property and church rights. These poisonous divisions among the citizens provided the fertile soil necessary for the false accusations and terrible punishments they inflicted on one another.

Today we have a similarly caustic political climate in the United States; we are perhaps more divided than at any time since the Civil War. Polite, intelligent, political discussion has largely disappeared, with political conversations quickly dissolving into anger and hysteria. As a result, people often avoid political dialogue with people who hold opposing views; this confirmation of bias ensures that people remain frozen in their opinions. This division is reinforced as people listen only to news sources that support their beliefs, sources that often contain little news and lots of opinion. It is in this fractious environment that cancel culture flourishes.

Primitive 17th century communications ensured that the witch hunt remained localized in Salem. In contrast, todays traditional and social media enable our modern-day witch hunters to spread their accusations instantaneously across the nation.

The question has never been why hysterical young girls would label their rivals witches, but why the entire adult population of Salem would go along with it. Likewise, today the question is not why political hacks or hysterical teenagers on the internet routinely accuse their rivals of racism and other charges without any meaningful proof, but why our entire society caves into such allegations, with no evidence or due process offered or required. The short answer is moral cowardice.

Of the two hundred people accused in Salem, only one, 81-year-old Giles Corey, had the courage to refuse to enter a plea. Stones were gradually piled on him to force a confession until, after two days, he finally expired. Others, not wishing to share his fate, quickly confessed to being witches.

Just as the goal of the Salem Witch Trials was to force the accused to confess, so too the goal of cancel culture is to force confessions of racism. Chris Harrison, the long-time host of The Bachelor, confessed to being a racist; not for anything he had done, but simply for opposing cancel culture in the case of a contestant who had attended an antebellum-themed sorority party years earlier:

I am here to extend a sincere apology... yesterday I took a stance on topics about which I should have been better informed.my intentions were simply to ask for grace in offering her an opportunity to speak on her own behalf. What I now realize I have done is cause harm by wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism, and for that I am so deeply sorry.

Groveling, however, did not save Harrison, who lost his job anyway. The actress Gina Carano lost her job after being accused of anti-Semitism for writing: Jews were beaten in the streets, not by Nazi soldiers but by their neighbors. even by children. Her post was clearly anti-Nazi, not anti-Semitic, but facts are irrelevant in cancel culture where accusation is proof of guilt. Likewise, Meghan Markels accusations of racism against the Royal family, Democrat claims that mispronouncing Kamala Harriss first name is a sign of racism, and Kamala Harris accusations of racism against Joe Biden in their 2019 debate are all taken at face value.

During the recent conservative CPAC conference, the internet was abuzz with accusations that the stage, if viewed from above, was purposely built in the shape of a Nazi symbol. Not the well-known Nazi swastika, but an obscure ancient European symbol called an orthala rune which almost nobody had ever heard of. That this is obvious nonsense did not stop the Hyatt hotel, in which the conference took place, from immediately issuing a statement declaring that Hyatt had nothing to do with the design or installation and calling the stage abhorrent.

Hyatts and Chris Harrisons groveling responses to these false accusations are exactly the sort of confessions of sin their accusers seek, and are the typical reaction of cancel cultures victims. Few people have the moral compass, self-assurance, and courage to stand up in the face of such mass hysteria.

Only one public figure in Salem, Major Nathaniel Saltonstall, stood up against the proceedings, resigning his position on the court. This level of moral courage is rare. A twentieth-century example occurred when, before the Army/McCarthy hearings, President Eisenhower was one of the few brave enough to criticize Senator McCarthy publicly. When libraries began burning books McCarthy claimed were subversive, the thoroughly decent Eisenhower urged Americans: Dont join the book burners. Dont be afraid to go in your library and read every book.

Beginning with the 2016 Presidential election campaign, the Democratic Party and media, in an effort to gin up the black vote, began claiming police racism every time a police officer killed a black person. This, despite the fact, that many of the officers involved were themselves black. Nor is police racism borne out by police shooting statistics. In almost every case, the medias original attribution of racism as the police motive has fallen apart in court, and many of the suspects have been found to have been armed and/or in the act of committing a violent crime.

Charges of racism soon spread beyond the police, and our entire society and history as a country is now being accused of systemic racism. Just as the citizens of Salem saw the Devil in everything and everyone, our modern witch hunters now see the specter of racism everywhere. They have convinced themselves that the United States is permeated by systemic white racism. Schools teach critical race theory, essentially anti-white, racism. What began with tearing down statues of Confederate generals soon spread to tearing down statues of Grant and Lincoln.

So, what might we learn from Salem about how this will end? Witch hunts always end in the same way. Drunk on their power to destroy people with mere words, the accusers are eventually emboldened to level charges against the powerful. In Salem, the trials ended soon after the wife of the governor of Massachusetts was accused. Joe McCarthys reign of terror ended when he went after the U.S. Army. Cancel cultures ubiquitous accusations of racism will end once they begin leveling that charge at the party now in power in Washington: the same Democratic party that instigated this witch hunt in the first place as a weapon against its Republican rivals.

Ultimately, the Salem witch trials so discredited the Puritan theocracy in Massachusetts that it permanently lost power. The history of witch hunts indicates that the Democratic party can expect a similar fate.

What should the rest of us do in the meantime? We should not abase ourselves in response to false, malicious accusations. We should emulate those decent and heroic people who maintained their honor and good name by standing up and boldly speaking the truth in defiance of the mob. In the words of Hillel: In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.

Authors credit, website: www.devinsper.com

IMAGE: Mary Walcott accusing Giles Corey, illustration by John W. Ehninger, 1902. Public Domain.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  Authorities in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro begged the population to stay home, but thousands of Brazilians are traveling to coastal cities and ignoring recommendations on the first weekend of a 10-day holiday period decreed to contain the increase in COVID-19 infections in the country.

Some residents are clearing out and taking advantage of the holidays, despite warnings from authorities. Brazils two biggest cities, Rio and Sao Paulo, have imposed extensive restrictions on nonessential activities. Their state authorities brought forward holidays to create a 10-day break period, which started Friday.

Many scenes in Brazilian cities show the difficulty that authorities are facing in enlisting the cooperation of the population to contain the spread of the virus.

In Sao Sebastiao, a city of more than 80,000 inhabitants on the Sao Paulo coast, tourists destroyed barriers installed at the access to beaches to avoid crowds, according to local reports. The city is one of those that suffered an invasion of tourists who took advantage of the holidays decreed by the state government.

Dont come to the coast. We depend on tourism, but right now we depend on health. We need to avoid an even bigger collapse, said the citys mayor, Felipe Augusto, angered by the acts of vandalism.

In Ubatuba, another of the main cities on the Sao Paulo coast, residents burned tires on a road to try to prevent an influx of visitors.

Restrictions on activity implemented last year were half-hearted and sabotaged by President Jair Bolsonaro, who sought to stave off economic doom. He remains unconvinced of any need for clampdown, fearful that the damage to the economy could generate more unemployment and social chaos.

Brazil currently accounts for one-quarter of the entire worlds daily COVID-19 deaths, far more than any other single nation, and health experts are warning that the nation is on the verge of even greater calamity. The nations seven-day average of 2,500 deaths stands to reach to 3,000 within weeks, experts told the Associated Press.

The health system is already buckling, with almost all states intensive care units near or at capacity. On Sunday 92.6% of ICU beds were occupied in Sao Paulo, while Rio state had an occupancy of 92%.

Rio city authorities closed 19 stores and fined 60 bars, restaurants and street vendors on Saturday for breaking rules that prohibited their operation, the mayors press office confirmed to The Associated Press. On the city beaches, some people ignored the new rules and stayed on the sand.
The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574.

Community Perspective

Send Community Perspective submissions by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Submissions must be 500 to 750 words. Columns are welcome on a wide range of issues and should be well-written and well-researched with attribution of sources. Include a full name, email address, daytime telephone number and headshot photograph suitable for publication (email jpg or tiff files at 150 dpi.) You may also schedule a photo to be taken at the News-Miner office. The News-Miner reserves the right to edit submissions or to reject those of poor quality or taste without consulting the writer.

Letters to the editor

Send letters to the editor by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707), by fax (907-452-7917) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Writers are limited to one letter every two weeks (14 days.) All letters must contain no more than 350 words and include a full name (no abbreviation), daytime and evening phone numbers and physical address. (If no phone, then provide a mailing address or email address.) The Daily News-Miner reserves the right to edit or reject letters without consulting the writer.
NEW HAVEN, Conn.  In the more than two months shes been vice president, Kamala Harris has spent most of her time at President Bidens side. Now, shes beginning to command her own stage.

Harris role in the administration is emerging as one of salesperson and spokesperson, both at home and abroad. The opening months of the administration, in which Harris was seen and heard from mainly in the room with Biden, were probably intended to prepare her for that part, a vice presidential historian says.

On Friday, Harris wrapped up a campaign-style swing around the country to sell the $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus package that Biden and Democrats enacted without GOP help, putting a particular focus on the bills provisions to combat child poverty. Here in Connecticut, in discussions with government leaders and in a classroom filled with excited preschoolers, Harris extolled the virtues of investing in children and warned of the harm to society of not doing so.

The trip came days after Harris was given her first clear portfolio assignment as vice president, when Biden tapped her to lead the administrations efforts to address migration to the southern border. Diplomacy and working with foreign leaders  skills the former California senator, state attorney general and San Francisco district attorney will have to learn on the job  will be key to U.S. attempts to change conditions that drive Central American immigrants north.

Harris had a simple answer for reporters who asked Friday if she was worried about the risks of taking on a problem that has vexed generations of politicians: No.

But the reality is that Harris every move will be scrutinized as she becomes a more prominent figure in the administration, given that the 56-year-old vice president is an obvious political heir to Biden, 78. Her spokesperson, Symone Sanders, emphasized that Harris is not doing the border  a fraught visual optic that is seen as dealing with the consequences of the problem, not the cause  and rather has been tasked with working with the nations southern neighbors to address the reasons thousands of their citizens are fleeing.

Sanders also said the vice president hasnt scheduled a trip to Central America, though Harris will be making a number of calls to foreign leaders.

Last week showcased Harris new domestic role, as she pitched Democrats stimulus bill as a victory with generational impact. It had all the feel of a campaign trip: One of the Connecticut politicians who joined her, Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who led the effort to include an increased child tax credit in the bill, even repurposed Harris slogan from her presidential bid, saying the vice president was still Kamala Harris, for the people.

Sitting on the floor in a child care center full of rambunctious 4- and 5-year-olds who peppered her with questions, Harris stayed on message.

I love meeting our young leaders, and thats why Im here to meet you, Harris said. And I love to think about what we can do to make sure that all of our kids are like you, that they are smart and strong and have everything they need.

Upstairs, Harris told child care staffers, parents and local officials that the American Rescue Plan, as the stimulus bill is called, could cut child poverty by up to half, as estimated by Columbia University. She said that even as the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in loss and devastation, it has been a clarifying moment for Americans about the value of child care and educators.

I believe in that saying that in every crisis there is an opportunity, if we see it for what it is, Harris said. Lets not be incremental. Lets leapfrog over the problems. ... We have a moment where we can see, kind of, a spring. So lets go into this with all of the wounds we carry, but lets go into it with a sense of optimism about what we are capable of doing when we do it together.

The trip showed that the Biden administration plans to make use of Harris skills as a retail politician and communicator, deploying her to key constituencies and to sell the presidents plans to the public. In the days before coming to Connecticut, Harris visited Florida to highlight efforts to fight hunger, Las Vegas to promote vaccinations and Denver to spotlight relief for small businesses.

Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal told reporters at the child care center that the vice president was critical to driving Democrats message home to Americans.

Its hard to put into words, Blumenthal said. Its not only her the vice president, its her as a person, as a role model and as a teacher, because what shes doing is educating about what this American Rescue Plan means.

He said politicians and pundits can often take for granted that the country understands the difference that the huge sums in the package will make.

These numbers are very abstract, Blumenthal said, adding Harris embodies (the impact) in her person, in her connections to these kids, in her raising up the day care workers.

Its likely that Harris built up to her role representing Biden domestically and abroad during the relative quiet of the administrations early days, said Joel Goldstein, an emeritus law professor and expert on the vice presidency at Saint Louis University. He said the modern role of the vice president as a powerful player in the administration started with Walter Mondale, who served under former President Jimmy Carter.

Mondale saw previous vice presidents be marginalized and ignored and realized that proximity to the president was key.

He figures it out even before Lin-Manuel Miranda, that the way to be important is to be in the room, Goldstein said, referring to the creator of the musical Hamilton. It was also a lesson Biden learned at the outset of his time as Barack Obamas vice president.

Being by Bidens side nearly nonstop the past two months was an opportunity for Harris to build a relationship with the president and understand how to represent him, earn his trust, and signal to other leaders that she has that trust, Goldstein said.

Whats happened so far has all made sense, and its all been sort of laying the groundwork for a potentially consequential vice presidency. Goldstein said. Biden, from the minute he announced her from the rollout, when he said shes going to be the last person in the room, and when he said no one can handle an assignment like she can  hes credentializing her, hes empowering her.

Biden projected that united front when he announced Harris assignment on migration.

When she speaks, she speaks for me, doesnt have to check with me, Biden said. She knows what shes doing.

Tal Kopan is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @talkopan
Officials hail China-aided lighting project in Lao capital

Xinhua) 13:35, March 28, 2021

VIENTIANE, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Officials from both China and Laos have sung high praise for the newly-finished China-aided lighting system in the Lao capital's downtown area, saying it is a symbol of two countries' friendship.

At a handover ceremony of the project held at the Patuxay Monument Park here on Friday evening, Chinese Ambassador to Laos Jiang Zaidong, said that the project is a vivid manifestation of the efforts of both countries to strive to meet the people's needs for a better life.

The China-Laos community with a shared future has been continuously enriched through the cooperation in fighting COVID-19 and the municipal project, said Jiang.

The lighting system project includes upgrading the fountain, lighting, and audio system of the park, renovating the lighting system of seven major streets in Vientiane downtown, and building a related control center and video surveillance system.

The ceremony was also attended by Vientiane mayor Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, who is also a politburo member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and Atsaphangthong Siphandone, the deputy party chief of Vientiane and also a member of LPRP Central Committee.

Atsaphangthong, on the Lao side, expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for its valuable assistance to the Lao capital and praised Chinese companies for their contributions to the city's development.

The Chinese companies have actively resumed construction during the COVID-19 epidemic, and completed engineering tasks on time with high quality, he said.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)
"Our consistent results are based on all of us working together with the same goal in mind. The success of our group practice is only possible by the addition of all the individual successes of our doctors and team." Past News Releases RSS

Dr. Ray Besharati is the winner of the Top Dentists 2021 award, which affirms his place as a leading dental practice in Issaquah.

The award is an annual list that Seattle magazine releases on the field's best dentists. The publication selected Dr. Ray for the award, highlighting the practice's commitment to excellence.

Ray Besharati D.M.D, M.S., said that success comes down to the synergy of the team approach.

"Our consistent results are based on all of us working together with the same goal in mind. The success of our group practice is only possible by the addition of all the individual successes of our doctors and team."

Dr. Ray has spent more than 20 years carefully building its relationships with members of the local community. The constant interaction between patients and doctors is fundamental to its approach.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Dr. Ray said, We are honored to be recognized by our peers, and it is a great incentive to all of us to always reach for the best outcome. It pushes us to be true to our commitment to excellence in dental care.

Dr. Besharati currently offers various cosmetic dental treatments, including porcelain veneers, cosmetic dental bonding, dental implants, Invisalign invisible braces, all-porcelain dental crowns, tooth-colored fillings, and Raviance Teeth Whitening his own patented brand. He is a Platinum provider of Invisalign. Dr. Ray Also specialized in Orofacial pain and TMJ and holds a master of science from USC.

For more information on Dr. Ray Besharati, His team, and the services they offer, please visit http://www.RayBesharati.com. For their office, call (425) 996-0457.
On Sunday (March 28), The Meadows Casino, Racetrack and Hotel named Scott Lishia as its new director of racing.

As part of his duties, Lishia will be responsible for all facets of The Meadows' year-round harness racing program and its pari-mutuel operations.

Lishia returns to the horse racing industry after working several years in the private sector. He previously worked in executive positions with the Maryland Jockey Club (operators of Pimlico and Laurel Park) for over a decade. Lishia other horse racing experience includes work with the Maryland Racing Commission and several years as a racing official at multiple Thoroughbred racetracks in New Jersey, Florida and Massachusetts.

"Im excited to return to the horse racing industry and join the outstanding organization here at The Meadows," Lishia said. "Im looking forward to working with the team and horsemen to help the racing product grow into the future."

Pending customary regulatory approvals, Lishia will start at The Meadows April 6.

(The Meadows)
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.
Last Tuesday, Micheal Martin, Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan cravenly condemned as "misogynistic" Jim Cogan's cartoon attached to my column in the Sunday Independent. There was no media pressure on them to do so. RTE did not cover the story, possibly because it would mean breaking their ban on me.

Andrea Gilligan, irreverent presenter of Newstalk's Lunchtime Live, and guests Terry Prone and cartoonist Niall O'Loughlin refused to follow the woke agenda that depicting Mary Lou McDonald as a strong political witch was misogynistic.

Terry: "I would have no problem being portrayed as a witch, and neither should you and neither should Mary Lou: witches in the Middle Ages were the powerful women."

She added what should have been clear to the three cowardly government leaders: "I don't see this going anywhere, because it's a cartoon."

Cartoonist Niall O'Loughlin took a professional view: "The cartoon fit the narrative of the piece - it opens with a witch-hunt on Leo Varadkar."

Likewise, there was no political pressure on Martin or Varadkar to condemn it, even if some of Ryan's greenier Greens supported SF's line.

Before I show how last Sunday Sinn Fein HQ cynically used the cartoon as cover to attack my column, let me deal with the SF slur on Twitter that I am "misogynistic" - that is, a woman hater.

First, I was almost alone, apart from Stephen Collins, in supporting Mairia Cahill's successful campaign for Alan Rusbridger to step down from the Future of Media Commission, following his failure while he was editor of The Guardian to protect her from Roy Greenslade's slurs.

Second, many of my readers are women. Some of the younger ones think I suffer from a dated sense of old-fashioned courtesy in my reluctance to attack women politicians like the hapless Maria Bailey.

Far from hating Mary Lou McDonald, older readers still remember how on Questions and Answers I gallantly tried to separate her from Sinn Fein by saying she was like "a rose on a dunghill".

Trawl through my past columns and you find my favourite writers are lesbian feminists, that I supported abortion and same-sex marriage, and called out racist taxi drivers on the spot. If not woke, I am awake.

But none of this counts when Sinn Fein mobilises its mighty social media machine to trash a political critic, using a satirical cartoon as cover.

Last December, The Irish Times exposed an abusive Facebook group followed by 16,000 Sinn Fein supporters, including Sinn Fein TDs Martin Kenny and Violet-Anne Wynne.

In early 2020, Fianna Fail senator Malcolm Byrne wrote to Eoin O Broin - without result - to complain that the Facebook group repeatedly called Labour's Joan Burton a c**t, and an "ugly bitch".

All of which strikes me as more misogynistic than depicting Mary Lou McDonald as a powerful witch stirring the political pot.

Let me now give you a small sample of how the Sinn Fein Twitter machine worked hour by hour last Sunday.

At the start of the day, it was the politics of my column that bothered Sinn Fein - not the cartoon.

9.21am: Sinn Fein TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn, no mention of the cartoon, claimed to be "amused" by my belief that over the past 30 years it was likely Sinn Fein had planted sleepers in State institutions.

11.37am: Sinn Fein was still focused on the column. SF TD Mairead Farrell tweeted a photo of the headline with a relaxed: "You OK hun?"

Noon: SF HQ shifted focus from the column to the cartoon as Aine Downes, a Sinn Fein 'political co- ordinator', arrived to whip up a "woke" campaign that in hundreds of tweets continually used the word 'misogynistic'.

"I hope women will come out strongly and condemn the disgraceful misogynistic portrayal of the female leader of the Opposition in the Sunday Independent today."

2.26pm: Luke O'Riordan, another SF media official, repeated: "Such shameful levels of sexism and misogyny in 2021 is breathtaking."

3.18pm: Sinn Fein TD Reada Cronin - who last year had to apologise for anti-Semitic tweets and for referring to people as a "bitch" - tweeted with some brazenness: "a cynical, misogynistic trope."

3.21pm: Mairead Farrell TD was back again. This time no cheerful 'hun'. This time she was firmly on message about witches and misogyny.

So far, the campaign was mostly confined to Sinn Fein. For impact, it needed "neutral" politicians, journalists and lobbyists to support it.

Enter the gullible radical wing of the Green Party which increasingly behaves like a political colony of Empress Mary Lou McDonald.

At 4.05pm Green Party councillor Una Power tweeted that the cartoon was a "misogynistic disgrace". Neasa Hourigan was not far behind.

4.32pm: Emboldened by Greens, Siobhan Fenton, a SF adviser with an MPhil in gender studies, denounced "base misogyny".

5.03pm: Journalist Alison O'Connor endorsed the Green tweets and criticised the cartoon.

5.33pm: The National Women's Council of Ireland weighed in to tweet the cartoon was " deeply sexist".

8.08pm: Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill tweeted to say that, while she didn't agree with Mary Lou McDonald's politics, she didn't want her portrayed as a witch.

Her tweet encouraged Sinn Fein to continue smearing her FG party colleague, Charlie Flanagan, whom it falsely accused of misogyny when he had only endorsed the centrist politics of my column.

Let me pause here to note that, unlike me, neither Sinn Fein, the Green politicians, Alison O'Connor, the National Women's Council nor Jennifer Carroll MacNeill had said one public word in support of Mairia Cahill during the Rusbridger-Greenslade controversy.

The above case history is a classic example of just one Sinn Fein campaign in its continual targeting of its political opponents on Twitter - last Sunday, I was the target of hundreds of abusive SF tweets.

But the brute fact is that Sinn Fein can only carry out these campaigns with the help of gullible liberals who believe themselves to be "woke" but have not yet woken to the fact that Sinn Fein is a manipulative front for a conspiracy to subvert our State.

Behind the Sinn Fein targeting is a censoring culture. Sean Mac Bradaigh, former adviser to Gerry Adams, retweeted: "Eoghan Harris is a poisonous toad. Best banished to the bin as we did with Myers, Hook etc."

Leo Varadkar kicked Kevin Myers when he was down. Last Tuesday, he opportunistically attacked a political cartoon attached to my column defending him! In doing so, he subverted freedom of the press as if Charlie Hebdo had never happened.

Luckily, my employers believe in press freedom. So I am free to point out that Sinn Fein now knows it just takes a Twitter campaign to cause this Government to cave in on a basic principle like press freedom - and in passing hang one of its strongest supporters out to dry.

Given the Government's gutless lack of political courage on a freedom of the press issue, if Professor Kieran McQuinn, of the ESRI, is correct and this risk-averse regime continues to lock down domestic construction - and consequently fails to build the 25,000 houses promised for 2021 - then democrats can only dread what SF will do with that failure on social media.
Efforts to dislodge a giant container ship blocking the Suez Canal have allowed its stern rudder to move, but it remains unclear when the vessel will be refloated, the head of the canal authority said on Saturday.

The 400 metre (430 yard) long Ever Given became wedged diagonally across a southern section of the canal amid high winds early on Tuesday, blocking one of the world's busiest waterways.

A combination of dredging material from around the ship and pulling and pushing the vessel with tugboats made minor progress in dislodging the ship on Saturday, two SCA sources said. One source said there had been some movement at the bow of the ship.

Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman Osama Rabie told local TV that water had started running underneath the ship. "We expect that at any time the ship could slide and move from the spot it is in," he told a press conference earlier.

About 15% of world shipping traffic transits the canal and hundreds of vessels are waiting to pass once the blockage has been cleared.

Rabie said he hoped it would not be necessary to remove some of the 18,300 containers on board to lighten the ship's load, but strong tides and winds were complicating efforts to free it.

Also read: Centre chalks out four-point plan to deal with Suez Canal blockage

"The ship's stern began (on Friday) to move towards Suez, and that was a positive sign until 11 p.m. (2100 GMT) at night, but the tide fell significantly and we stopped," Rabie told journalists in Suez.

Dredgers removed some 20,000 tonnes of sand from around its bow by Friday. A Dutch firm working to free the vessel said it could be freed by the start of next week if heavier tugboats, dredging and a high tide succeed in dislodging it.

Tugging attempts restarted on Saturday afternoon and further efforts were planned for Sunday, SCA sources said, though they added more sand may need to be removed from around the ship to free it.

A shipping agent in Port Said said the SCA had notified agencies to prepare for the possible entry of new ships into the canal, while a shipping source said the SCA had outlined a plan for the rapid transit of 133 vessels once the Ever Given was freed.

HEAVY TUGBOATS

The head of Boskalis, parent company of Dutch firm Smit Salvage which has been brought in to help the SCA, said heavy tugboats with a combined capacity of 400 tonnes would arrive sometime this weekend.

"We aim to get it done after the weekend, but everything will have to work out exactly right for that," Boskalis Chief Executive Peter Berdowski told Dutch TV programme Nieuwsuur late on Friday.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Saturday thanked foreign partners for offers to help refloat the ship.

Shipping rates for oil product tankers nearly doubled after the ship became stranded, and the blockage has disrupted global supply chains, threatening costly delays for companies already dealing with COVID-19 restrictions.

If the blockage drags on, shippers may decide to reroute their cargoes around the Cape of Good Hope, adding about two weeks to journeys and extra fuel costs. Rabie said the ships that are waiting were free to reroute, but none had yet done so.

He said 321 vessels were waiting to enter or continue their transit through the canal. Those included dozens of container ships, bulk carriers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vessels, according to a shipping source.

Fourteen tugs have so far been involved in efforts to refloat the Ever Given, although Boskalis and Smit Salvage have warned that using too much force to tug the ship could damage it.

Berdowski said a land crane could lighten the Ever Given's load by removing containers, though experts have warned that such a process could be complex and lengthy.

"If we don't succeed in getting it loose next week, we will have to remove some 600 containers from the bow to reduce the weight," he said. "That will set us back days at least, because where to leave all those containers will be quite a puzzle." Rabie said empty container ships with cranes could offload cargo.
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Parts of Tennessee, including Nashville, were under a flash flood emergency Sunday morning as a powerful storm system rolled through the region -- with reports of people clinging to trees and taking refuge in their attics to avoid the rising water.

"Major flash flooding is occurring with numerous roads, interstates, and homes flooded with water rescues ongoing," the National Weather Service in Nashville said. "Please stay home and do not travel."

The weather service said there were multiple water rescues ongoing across southern Nashville and there were "people clinging to trees."

"This is a life-threatening situation," it said early Sunday morning.

Nashville Fire Department public information officer Kendra Loney said the department is fielding multiple calls of "persons trapped" inside buildings, vehicles and at homeless camps by rising flood waters. No deaths have been reported.

The weather service reported water entering a Walmart store in southern Nashville with cars in the parking lot submerged up to their windows.

Widespread rainfall totals across the middle Tennessee region since Saturday range from 4 to 8 inches, the NWS said. The Brentwood area of Nashville may have received 7 to 9 inches of rain, according to radar rainfall estimates.

The Nashville airport recorded at least 7 inches of rain since Saturday -- the making the two-day rainfall total the second-largest on record, trailing only 13.5 inches of rain that fell from May 1 to 2, 2010. More than 5 inches of rain fell between 10 p.m. local time Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday, the NWS said.

The fast-falling rain inundated several rivers, creeks and streams, forcing them to breach their banks. Moderate-to-major river flooding was ongoing across the region Sunday morning. The Cumberland River, which flows through downtown Nashville, is expected to go into moderate- or major-flood stage in coming days.

Mill Creek at Woodbine, on Nashville's south side, crested at 20.8 feet, the second-highest level on record. "All the creeks and streams in southern Davidson County appear to have crested now and are falling," according to the NWS office in Nashville.

In Mount Juliet, an entire shopping center was completely submerged in water, according to a storm report from the weather service.

"Roadways across the area are extremely dangerous, with many flooded roadways," Mt. Juliet Police Capt. Tyler Chandler wrote on Twitter. "Please, if you are in a safe area, stay where you are. Do not travel, and definitely do not attempt to drive through flood waters. Our emergency responders are handling multiple incidents."

Another storm report said residents were trapped in attics of their homes near Woodbine. The Metro Nashville Fire Department said early Sunday emergency crews were responding to residents impacted by the severe weather all across the county.

In Williamson County, south of downtown Nashville, emergency crews responded to more than 34 swift water rescue calls from both vehicles and homes, Emergency Management Director Todd Horton said during a virtual news conference early Sunday. More than 50 roads were closed across the county.

Eight homes were struck by lightning during the storms, Horton said.

The Harpeth River at Franklin is rising and expected to crest at just under 34.8 feet, the weather service said. "If that is accurate, it will reach a level that is about six inches less than the May 2010 flood, which was at 35.3 feet," Horton said.

The Brentwood Fire Department was going door-to-door Sunday to check on residents who live near the Harpeth River, Brentwood City Manager Kirk Bednar said. Emergency officials conducted multiple water rescues of those trapped in their homes.

The flash flooding is expected to recede as the rain ends Sunday morning, but the river flooding will take more time to clear. Several rivers will not fall below flood stage for the next 24 to 48 hours.

The next chance for rain across Tennessee and Nashville will be from Tuesday night into Wednesday, CNN meteorologist Haley Brink said.

Flash flood watches are in effect for parts of surrounding states with more rainfall expected. The floods come just days after strong storms and tornadoes gripped parts of the South, killing at least six people. Rains from the earlier storm system have left the ground extremely saturated and rivers already swollen.

Tornado damage reported

There were also reports of possible tornado damage in the wake of the storm system.

Late Saturday afternoon, radar showed possible twin tornadoes in middle Tennessee, about 80 miles southwest of Nashville -- one near Linden and the other just east of Lexington. Two houses were "extensively damaged, one of which was destroyed" by a tornado Saturday evening in Middlefork, near Lexington, Henderson County Sheriff Brian Duke told CNN.

Several structures and homes were also damaged Saturday night when a tornado moved through Rusk County, Texas, according to David Chenault, spokesperson for the Rusk County Office of Emergency Management.

"We have had quite a bit of damage in the Mount Enterprise area of Rusk County," Chenault said.

Most of the roads in that area were blocked by downed trees, the spokesperson said, and utilities are out. The NWS has not officially confirmed any tornadoes in Mount Enterprise but a tornado warning was in effect around 7 p.m., when the damage happened.
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
On Sunday 28 March, clocks go forward in the UK marking the beginning of British Summer Time (BST)  and meaning Brits lose an hour of sleep.

Britain first started using Daylight Savings Time in 1916 when the government introduced British Summer Time (BST) to help people spend more time outdoors in daylight.

But despite this intention, the practice hasnt always proved popular over the years and, in 2019, the European parliament voted in favour of scrapping Daylight Savings Time altogether.

This change was due to take effect for the first time in 2021 but plans have now been stalled.

EU member states were asked to decide whether they wanted to remain in winter or summer time once the change took place and they couldnt agree.

Read more:

But will the UK ever get rid of Daylight Savings Time?

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has called for the UK to do so many times, arguing that Daylight Saving Time can increase the risk of road accidents, due to more people driving during dark autumn and winter evenings.

The Society was in favour of the EU discontinuing DST, and urged the UK government to adopt British Summer Time on a permanent basis at the time.

"RoSPA is in favour of this proposal, and is calling for the government to adopt British Summer Time (GMT+1) all year," the society states.

"This would mean road users will no longer experience the sudden onset of darkness during their autumn commutes, potentially saving many lives."

Last week, Boris Johnson was asked during Prime Ministers Questions whether the UK would ever follow the EU and abolish DST.

He said: I will have a look at the suggestion  but it seems unlikely to me.

After the European parliament voted to scrap the change of the clocks in 2019, a YouGov poll found that the majority of Brits were marginally in favour of keeping DST.

More Brits (44 per cent) wanted to keep the current system, with 39 per cent voting in favour of ditching the change of the clocks.

If DST was to be scrapped, survey respondents majoritively supported remaining in British Summer Time all year round, meaning more light on summer nights but less on winter mornings.
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.
New Delhi: In a major boost for the Indian Air Force`s firepower, at least 10 new Rafale fighter aircraft would be joining its fighter fleet leading to the formation of the second squadron of the planes.

The new additions would increase the number of these planes to 21 as already 11 of these planes are flying with the Ambala-based 17 Squadron.

"Three Rafale fighters would be arriving in India in next two to three days directly flying from France with midair refuelling support by a friendly Air Force. Following that, we would be getting around 7-8 more of these fighters and their trainer version in the second half of next month. This would greatly boost our capability to carry out our missions," senior government sources told ANI.

The aircraft had started joining the Air Force fleet in the July-August timeframe last year and were quickly operationalised by the Air Force in the shortest possible time. The aircraft had also been deployed for patrolling along the China front in eastern Ladakh and other fronts during the height of the China confrontation.

The aircraft after arriving in the country from France would be stationed in Ambala and some of them would be later sent to Hashimara where the process of starting the second squadron has already started, they said.

India had ordered 36 of these fighter aircraft from France in September 2016 and by April-end, more than 50 per cent of these fighters would have arrived in India.India is now going to place orders for 114 multirole fighter aircraft along with the indigenously developed stealth fighters Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft whose seven squadrons would join the Air Force in the next 15-20 years.

After the planes were formally indicted in September, the second set of Rafale fighter jets reached India in November.

The twin-engine Rafale jets are capable of carrying out a variety of missions ` ground and sea attack, air defence and air superiority, reconnaissance, and nuclear strike deterrence.

The Rafales carrying the long-range Meteor air to air missiles have given an edge to Indian planes over their Chinese and Pakistani rivals.The planes equipped with the Hammer missiles have enhanced their capability to carry out air to ground strikes like the one in Balakot.
China has overcome difficulties to facilitate two trips undertaken by international experts in the country during the COVID-19 outbreak, setting an example for global cooperation and openness, a Foreign Ministry official said on Friday.

The World Health Organization has dispatched two teams of experts to visit China since the epidemic broke out. The trip last February aimed at expanding knowledge on effective disease control measures, and the other from Jan 14 to Feb 10 strove to enhance understanding of the virus' origins.

Yang Tao, director-general of the ministry's Department of International Organizations and Conferences, said at a briefing that during these visits China was coping with local outbreaks or infection clusters, and some experts had to be pulled from the frontline to join the mission.

By addressing challenges and organizing the two visits, China has played an exemplary role in implementing resolutions adopted by the World Health Assembly, he said.

"It shows that China has always been open and transparent. China's prevention and control efforts are conducted in the sunshine, and there is nothing to hide," Yang said.

However, following the recent trip, a handful of countries have jumped to attack WHO experts for patronizing China and conspired to sign a joint statement objecting to an upcoming final report summarizing findings from the trip.

"Such acts are a politicization of scientific questions and a double standard," Yang said.

"Political manipulation will damage the global battle against the disease and may result in more lost lives, which is extremely immoral."

The briefing in Beijing was attended by diplomats from about 50 countries, the Arab League and the African Union.

Feng Zijian, deputy director-general of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said on Friday that experts participating in the recent visit have all agreed the mission had progressed smoothly as planned and they reached their goals.

The team concluded during an earlier briefing that the virus most likely first appeared in humans after spilling over from an animal, and the theory that the virus leaked from laboratories is extremely unlikely.

Feng said that to pinpoint the origin of the virus, it is significant to launch a global search for early infections and early cases testing positive for the virus.

More sampling and testing of bats and other animals susceptible to the virus should be implemented across the globe. The role of cold-chain and cold products in aiding virus transmission is worth exploring further, he said.

Yang added that China is willing to continue cooperation with the international community and will provide assistance within its capacity.

As the first major economy to declare COVID-19 vaccines a global public good, he said, China will not impose export restrictions on vaccines and will help boost vaccine accessibility in developing countries.

The latest data from the National Health Commission show that by Thursday, more than 91.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered nationwide, up by nearly 5.5 million from Wednesday.
The Biden administration is desperately trying to prevent the American people from realizing the extent of the fiasco at our Southern border. Thus, loyal Democrat Chris Wallace this morning criticized Biden, pointing out that the Trump administration was more transparent.

The Biden administration has repeatedly tried to prevent photos and videos of conditions at the border from reaching the American people. Late last week, a delegation of 18 senators visited the border, in particular the Donna, Texas facility that has been the center of the crisis. The Biden administration sent a political operative (as described by Senator Ted Cruz) to try to block Cruz from filming the Donna disaster:

How far is Joe Biden going to stop the American people from seeing inside the Donna CBP facility? Biden sent a political operative from DC to block our cameras and even threatened another senator to obstruct legitimate congressional oversight. pic.twitter.com/vHT2U7Nh1z  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 28, 2021



The Biden party linethat no one should take pictures of people suffering in Bidens cages in order to respect their dignity would be funny if it were not so sad. Lets recall all the times when the Democrats tried to suppress pictures and videos of problems at the border during the Trump administration in order to respect the dignity of the illegal immigrants. Oh, yeahnever mind.
New Delhi, March 28 : President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday approved the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) (Amendment) Bill 2021, which was passed by Parliament last week.

The Union Home Ministry will now determine when it comes into effect.

The development came just as Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal welcomed support from Chief Ministers of other states against the new law, which provides more power to the Lt Governor.

"Thank you @vijayanpinarayi ji for supporting the people of Delhi against BJP's assault on democracy and federalism," he tweeted, welcoming Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's support.

Extending his support to the AAP, Vijayan tweeted: "Govt of NCT of Delhi (Amd) Bill is an affront to our federal principles and rights of States. Restriction of constitutional authority of democratically elected State Govts and violation of Supreme Court's verdicts, should be resisted. @BJP4India has colonial a mindset." The bill, passed by Parliament on Wednesday in a major setback to Delhi's ruling AAP, ensures more constitutional powers to the Central government's appointed Lt. Governor as against the Delhi Assembly.
The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) Group has launched its own Data Literacy Academy, which will ensure that their staff have the necessary skills in an industry that is rapidly transforming to meet the needs of the digital economy.

NBBs CEO, Jean Christophe launched the Academy saying: The Data Literacy Academy is a core element of the Groups journey towards digital transformation, the Academy aims to build sustainable skills that our employees can use to make more effective, evidence based, data driven decisions that will translate into improving organisational performance and building a pipe-line of data-literate leadership teams for the future.

More than 700 employees from across all disciplines and at all levels of the Group were considered for inclusion in the Academy. BisB CEO Hassan Jarrar, said: Being part of the Group Data Literacy Academy will become an aspirational goal for our people as they begin to see the very tangible benefits of being able to engage in data driven discussions that support decisions across the Bank, demonstrating effective analytical thinking and the value of these skills to the ongoing digital transformation processes that are simultaneously challenging, disrupting and providing exciting opportunities across the financial services industry.

The selection of the final 80 employees to join the first cohort to attend the Data Literacy Academy has been completed, and as you would expect this was managed via a digital assessment process that identified the specific level within the Academy that is right for each employee. The Data Literacy Academy opens to the first NBB Group employees in May with the launch of the Fundamentals Module and continues in July with the more advanced Data Literacy Module.

Leading the Data Literacy Academy, Dana Buheji, Group Chief Human Resources & Sustainability Officer at NBB, said: The launch of the Academy takes us a step further along our journey of digitalisation and creating a more efficient and skilled workforce. One of the goals within the Group is to support our aspirations to be always considered as an Employer of Choice in the industry, and we strive to do this is by continuously investing in our people, developing and equipping them with the necessary tools and experiences to adapt to the rapidly changing digital workplace.

She added: NBB Group is excited to launch this initiative and provide our employees with opportunities to develop the skills that we believe will have a significant impact on employee and organisational performance. The Academy will give our people the opportunity to learn from specialised training programmes that cover both the fundamentals of data literacy and also offer more advanced learning that will build confidence amongst our employees in their ability to offer analysis and insights, allowing them to become more effective data storytellers and for some to eventually gain an accreditation in data literacy. -- Tradearabia News Service

LAist only exists with reader support. If you're in a position to give, your donation powers our reporters and keeps us independent.

Our reporting is free for everyone, but its not free to make.

Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.

Hundreds of people turned out in Koreatown on Saturday to make a statement against anti-Asian racism.

The march from a Korean Baptist church to a rally at the intersection of Olympic and Normandie was one of multiple events taking place across the country using the hashtag #StopAsianHate.

The event, organized by the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles and Koreatown Youth and Community Center, was called in response to the Atlanta-area shootings that killed eight, including six women of Asian descent.

Koreatown itself has seen a rise in reported anti-Asian hate in the past year, including a February attack on 27-year-old Denny Kim that is being investigated as a hate crime.

Kim, who attended Saturday's rally, said it was hard to be back in Koreatown after two assailants yelled racial slurs and broke his nose and gave him a concussion and black eye. He said the shootings in Atlanta left him speechless.

"It got so bad to a point where they're killing our folks now," Kim said.

RECENT COVERAGE

The roster of speakers was dominated by politicians, including those who represent Koreatown, such as city councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas and Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell.

"We can't be silent bystanders in L.A. County," Mitchell said. "If you see something, say something and do something in real time."

Diff politicians who represent Ktown spoke, incl. LA councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas, CA Assemb Miguel Santiago, Congressmember Jimmy Gomez & County Supe Holly Mitchell.



Said Mitchell: We are going to stand up and not allow law enforcement to say somebody had a bad day." pic.twitter.com/uCUifZruW7  Josie Huang (@josie_huang) March 27, 2021

Congressmember Judy Chu, a Democrat who represents San Gabriel Valley communities, has been sounding the alarm about anti-Asian violence for the past year. She said after the rally that she would head to Atlanta to meet with the victims' families and "trace the shooter's steps."

Chu said she had no doubt that the shooting spree was a hate crime. She's among lawmakers and civil rights activists who have pushed back at initial statements by law enforcement officials that they did not believe the spree shootings were racially motivated.

"He had plenty of other places to go," said Chu, referring to how the shooter drove 27 miles from one Asian-run spa to the next. "Instead, the spas that he chose were three spots where there was no doubt that Asian women would be killed."

Chu said the Atlanta shooter was motivated by race, noting he drove 27 miles from the first spa to the second.



"He had plenty of other places to go in those 27 miles. Instead, the places he chose were 3 spas where there was no doubt that Asian women would be killed. pic.twitter.com/xhmjId1yd9  Josie Huang (@josie_huang) March 27, 2021

Photographer Brian Feinzimer captured the participants:

Denny Kim and Joseph Cha posing for a photo. Authorities have been investigating the attack on Kim, a miltary veteran, in Koreatown this February as a potential hate crime. His friend, Cha, intervened in the assault. (Brian Feinzimer/LAist)

Ktown has seen hate incidents rise during the pandemic.



Denny Kim was attacked in Feb in what is being investigated as a hate crime.



Kim said while waiting to get dinner w/a friend, 2 men yelled racial slurs & beat him. He suffered a concussion, black eye & broken nose. pic.twitter.com/YzDrBaG4gT  Josie Huang (@josie_huang) March 27, 2021

Drummers perform during a #StopAsianHate rally in Koreatown. (Brian Feinzimer for LAist)

(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)

A child holding signs during a #StopAsianHate rally in Koreatown.(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)

Sophia Cortez of the Reimagine LA Foundation takes the stage at the #StopAsianHate rally in Koreatown.(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)

A rally participant at the #StopAsianHate rally in Koreatown.(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)

A scene from the #StopAsianHate rally in Koreatown.(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)

#StopAsianHate rally participants marching in Koreatown.(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)

People of all ages and backgrounds marched in Koreatown.(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)

#StopAsianHate rally participants marching in Koreatown.(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)

A rally participant at the #StopAsianHate rally in Koreatown.(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)

An older rally participant uses a walker while participating in the #StopAsianHate rally. (Brian Feinzimer) (Brian Feinzimer/Brian Feinzimer)

A young girl holding a "Uplift Asian Girls" sign at the #StopAsianHate rally in Koreatown.(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)

LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell raises her fist in solidarity at the #StopAsianHate rally in Koreatown.(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
Northern Irelands First Minister received her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine today in her Co Fermanagh constituency.

The DUP leader was given an AstraZeneca jab by a GP at the Castle Park leisure centre in Lisnaskea, Fermanagh, on Saturday morning.

The 50-year-old politician became eligible for the vaccine earlier this month when Northern Irelands programme opened to the 50-and-over cohort.

Northern Irelands vaccine rollout is slightly behind the other three nations of the UK, with the BBC reporting that 38 per cent of the population has been vaccinated, compared to 44.6 per cent in England, 43 per cent in Scotland and 42.9 per cent in Wales.

As of Friday, 825,310 vaccines had been administered in Northern Ireland, 711, 673 of which were first doses and 113, 637 were second doses.

The region is on course to offer first jabs to the entire adult population, 1.4 million people, by July.

Posting about her vaccination on Twitter, Mrs Forster said she was delighted to take my turn and get the vaccine.

Outside the vaccination centre, she said: It was very painless, very well organised and very quick.

She added: Theres something very special about being able to come to your hometown and get your vaccine.

She also encouraged all those offered a jab to take the opportunity, so that as a society we can move forward because this has been a very difficult year for so many people and the hope that the vaccine gives is very strong.

In an interview published in Northern Irish newspaper The News Letter today, Mrs Foster discussed how the lockdown had affected her personal life, including limiting her visits to her 87 year-old mother.

She said: What I miss is being able to visit each other in each others homes. In the country, its what we do.

Ive been trying to keep away from my mum in person which is very difficult because we are a tight family and her home is the centre of it all.

In receiving her vaccine today, Mrs Foster becomes the third leader of the UKs four nations to be vaccinated, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, 57, and Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, 66, already having received a first dose.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday that she had been invited to receive her first dose, which really does soften the blow of being 50.

In Northern Ireland, deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Health Minister Robin Swann will have to wait to be vaccinated as they are in the 40 to 49 age bracket.

On Monday, a new mass vaccination centre will begin operations in Belfast's SSE Arena, speeding up the rollout.
Ever Given container ship is pictured in Suez Canal in this Maxar Technologies satellite image taken on March 26, 2021.

REUTERS
The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has come under attack on social media for promising millions of naira to Grammy award-winning artiste, Damini Ogulu (Burna Boy), and others who performed at a homecoming party for the music star.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Burna Boy, his family members and his management team visited Mr Wike on Saturday.

Speaking during the visit, Mr Wike said when the music star was announced as the winner of the Best Global Music Album category at the 2021 Grammy Award, for his Twice As Tall album, the entire state was elated.

A homecoming party, however, took place at Port Harcourt, the state capital, where the governor announced that all musicians who performed at the event would go home with N10 million gift each.

The speech of the governor had gone viral on social media, particularly Twitter.

Those of you who have come to play, whatever you have agreed with the ministry of culture and tourism is not my business.

All of you that have come today and the Niger Delta people that have come to play today to show the talent you have, Im very proud of you. All of you will go home with N10 million each, Mr Wike said amidst cheers from the audience.

PREMIUM TIMES also discovered that most people at the event including Mr Wike and Burna Boy were not wearing face masks nor maintained social distancing despite the COVID-19 pandemic rocking the nation.

The governors donation comes a week after public school teachers protested over five years non-payment of salaries by the Rivers government.

The protesting teachers told journalists that they have lost about ten of their colleagues due to the hardship experienced within the period.

Outrage

Many Nigerians have, however, attacked Mr Wike for what they tagged reckless spending on Saturday. The governor trended on Twitter on Sunday morning.

Wale Adetona, a social media marketer, said: The impulse gifting by Governor Wike is so unnecessary for a state that has failed to pay gratuity & pension.

Mr Wike is yet to react to the criticism by Nigerians of his action.

See more tweets condemning the governors action below.

Burna Boy has been gifted land in Old GRA, Port Harcourt and money to build by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. Wike also promised to give each Artiste who performed at Burna's Homecoming Concert in Rivers State, Nigeria N10 million ($24,411) each. pic.twitter.com/tWwHIVWcoZ  Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) March 28, 2021

This is the reason why they can never like Buhari. Kudos to Emperor Wike for teaching Bubu how to spend taxpayers money DiLiGeNtLy.pic.twitter.com/Fnfo2sXlnI  TallJohn (@JohnFanimokun) March 28, 2021

ADVERTISEMENT

https://twitter.com/BrianJDennis/status/1376076845251182595?s=19

When they say Nigerians deserve the leaders it gets, this is part of why they say that. Gov Wike is so confident and unashamed to be paying artistes from government funds and people are hailing him but turn round and also criticize corruption in the same breath?  https://t.co/9s7D29kmxr   DaddyMO (@therealdaddymo1) March 28, 2021

Lmao Burna boy will come on Twitter to drag politicians, hell call them looters and all but see the hypocrite hailing Wike after receiving N10M. Teachers are being owed 5 years salary in the same Rivers State o. pic.twitter.com/xgp7BHfIAI  OTUNBA (@ManLikeIcey) March 28, 2021

Is this him wasting taxpayer money and getting cheered, or is this going to be from his personal account? Wike gets away with nearly everything all other governors get angrily criticized for. I wonder why its like that?? https://t.co/hVV2iH8K55  Man of Letters. (@Letter_to_Jack) March 28, 2021

Not you same insufferable fools who claimed you could get 150 million on your birthday as a governor or the same ones who called security votes their pocket money giving hot takes on how Governor Wike should spend his own birthday money too. If you don't geddifok from my sight  Lidocaine  (@trending_medic) March 28, 2021

https://twitter.com/Joshibirogba/status/1376056677607170053?s=19

https://twitter.com/Giftama_/status/1375938011158941696?s=19
More than 40 years ago, a rabbi at Temple Hesed in Scranton explained some of the traditions around one of the holiest Jewish holidays: Passover.

Also known as Pesach, the holy day, Rabbi Milton Richman explained in a Scranton Times article, is filled with symbolish, reminding us of slavery and freedom, the rebirth of nature, compassion for the needy and hope for a radiant future.

Families gather together on the first night of Pesach to share in the ritual of repeating the story of the Jewish peoples exodus from Egyptian bondage to freedom in the Promised Land, he wrote in the April 8, 1979, article.

The foods served at the Passover Seder on the first night of the holiday hold deep meanings, which Richman broke down for readers.

At the very beginning of the home Seder service, a sprig of parsley or romaine lettuce or celery, symbolizing the greenness of spring, is dipped into water reminding us of the tears shed by our forefathers in Egypt, Richman wrote. The juxtaposition of the sorry of the past and hope of regenerative spring typifies the Jews concept of history.

He also listed the meanings behind other foods consumed during the Passover Seder, including:

Matza, representing the bread they baked while fleeing Egypt. The unleavened bread is meant to remind the faithful of the bread of affliction or suffering which our ancestors ate in Egypt, Richman wrote.

Maror, which means bitter in Hebrew. Horseradish or another bitter vegetable is eaten to remember the bitter life of slavery in Egypt.

Hard boiled egg in the shell, a symbol of the new life the Jews were to enter and the offering brought each day of the Passover Festival during the existence of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Haroset, made of chopped nuts, apples, raisins and cinnamon, thinned with wine. This mixture recalls the bricks Jewish slaves used to build the palaces and temples of the pharaohs, as well as serving as a reminder of the sweetness of freedom.

A roasted lamb bone, meant to remind Jews of Gods command to offer a burnt offering of lamb.

Karpas, a mixture of potato, parsley, lettuce or other green vegetable, dipped into a dish of salt water before it is consumed to signify a festive, special supper. The additional relishes are dipped in salt water to make them palatable, in addition to symbolizing the royalty of the Seder, when in ancient times salt was a luxury afforded only by the very rich, Richman wrote.
Do you have a news tip?

Want to share good news story, or do you have information that should see the light of day? Then we want to hear from you.

More here
Do rats drink alcohol? Apparently yes! At least that is how over 1,400 cartons of liquor that went missing from a Police station in UP disappeared.

If that sounds unbelievable, imagine being the District Magistrate and have to hear this from the police during an investigation.

Cops at the Kotwali Dehat police station in UP's Etah actually told the DM Vibha Chahal that 1,459 cartons of seized liquor were missing because rats chewed up plastic cans containing illicit liquor, broke the glass bottles and damaged the bags.

BCCL

Just to brush up your memory, this is the same police station where the cops had falsely implicated some 10 people in a fake encounter because the dhaba owner where they had food asked them to pay for it.

According to The Times of India, during a surprise visit to the station by the DM and superintendent of police Sunil Kumar Singh, it came to light that the liquor worth Rs 35 lakhs has gone missing.

TOI

The report added that despite summons, neither SHO Indreshpal Singh nor head clerk Rasaal Singh turned up to give an explanation following which DM Chahal ordered that an FIR be registered against them

The duo who has been suspended was also booked under IPC section 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant) and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and UP Excise Act.

Later during the probe, it came to light that the cops had sold the seized liquor to gangster Bantu Yadav, who was arrested on Friday in connection with the fake dhaba encounter case.

Unsplash

It is alleged that Yadav had helped the policemen stage a fake recovery from the 10 men held following an encounter.

This, however, is not the first time police have blamed rats for missing liquor or drugs from their custody.
There is a lifebuoy next to the lake quarried out at the Ballyneety quarry in Limerick.

The buoy is attached to a stand which states: Area closed. No swimming in quarry.

Quite obviously, the warning is ignored, hence somebody thought it best to put a buoy there as a last resort. Another sign notes Danger deep water and another Beware underwater obstructions.

What is entirely missing from the lake is any effort to make it inaccessible.

There is sheer rock around most of it, and preventing entry would not be too difficult.

Over the years people have commented online on the attraction of the lake.

On the Reddit message board, one poster mentioned swimming in it and another asked whether there was any fish there.

Nope, just a lone scubadiver, who I initially thought was the Lockness (sic) monster when I saw the moving bubbles.

Another wrote: Great spot for a swim, apparently.

The reply: The blue colour of quarries in Ireland is usually caused by copper leached from the stones and is not indicative of water quality and can hide hazards. Quarries are amongst the most dangerous places to swim.

Ballyneety quarry

The lake is accessible down one side, next to a sheer face of rock, from which stones, some as big as pumpkins, frequently fall. Picture: Dan Linehan

Ballyneety quarry is about 11km from Limerick City. Operations at the facility ceased in September 2010. A condition of planning permission at the Roadstone-owned quarry was that the area be restored once operations ceased.

Yet the whole place has the eerie quality of having been abandoned overnight in a hurry. To that extent, it has the appearance of a set in a dystopian movie.

The quarry is about 2km from the village of Ballyneety. It sits among rolling hills and has a lot in common with at least dozens of similarly abandoned quarries around the country.

The main building is slowly falling apart. Local environmentalist John McInerney, who has worked as an industrial engineer, says the building is full of asbestos. Windows are broken, an office chair upturned.

Outside, gorse bushes push up through the concrete. Stacks of blocks are laid out on a tarmacked platform.

Beyond that, mounts of stone are piled high here and there, again giving the impression that one day a whistle blew and everybody ran off.

A bunker, where the workers sheltered when explosives were blasting out new rock, is intact. There is a sign saying CCTV cameras in operation, but the cameras certainly dont appear to be in use.

Then there is a rope tied to a tree that grows halfway down the slope at the boundary of the quarry grounds. Young people who come here use the rope to lower themselves down and seek out adventure.

Some of that adventure is found at the lake, which is accessible down one side, next to a sheer face of rock, from which stones, some as big as pumpkins, frequently fall. Swimming and diving in quarry lakes are common and highly dangerous in a country where abandoned quarries sit.

People come here for the adrenalin rush, John McInerney says. The last time I was down here, there was a plastic barrel which looked like it was used by kids for having fun on the lake.

They see the water, it looks great, like its the Med, but its highly dangerous.

Councils around the world put black, environmentally friendly dye in lakes like this just to ensure people dont swim in it. You dont see that here.

In July last year, two brothers drowned in a quarry in Tipperary. In 2018 two 15 year-olds drowned in another quarry in Co Clare.

One reason the local authority may have done nothing about such a dangerous place is that, officially, the council doesnt even know that work stopped here 10-and-a-half years ago.

The council has not been informed that the quarry is worked out and therefore we have not followed up with remediation, a statement from the council read.

Officially, the abandoned quarry is not abandoned.

This is also the position of Roadstone.

While production activity at Ballyneety was suspended in 2010 following a decline in construction activity, it remains a long-term source of essential materials for future construction and infrastructure projects, according to a statement from the company.

The licence to operate Ballyneety expired in 2013. It is difficult to envisage the quarry complex being renovated, particularly as the disposal of the asbestos would be a considerable job.

The planning permission also stipulated that the landscape must be restored. But if, officially, the quarry isnt worked out, then the restoration must wait until the official position changes.

Quarry operational for 41 years

The lake where people have gone swimming at the Ballyneety quarry in Limerick. Picture: Dan Linehan

The quarry opened in 1969 and was operational for the following 41 years. In 2006 a further planning application was made to extend the mine and for retention planning permission on some work already completed.

This was granted by Limerick County Council, but appealed by a number of parties, including Limerick TD Willie ODea.

An Bord Pleanala commissioned an inspectors report. The inspector determined there was potential environmental damage at issue so an Environmental Impact Study was required.

Ultimately the inspector recommended planning, pointing out as well that the quarry in question is run by a highly reputable and experienced company" (Roadstone).

In its ruling in 2007, An Bord Pleanala stated: This permission is for a period of six years from the date of this order. No further extraction shall be permitted without a prior grant of planning permission and the restoration of the site shall be completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority within one year of the cessation of the extraction works.

The ruling included a provision for funds to be made available to Limerick County Council to ensure that restoration works be completed.

Prior to the commencement of development, the developer shall lodge with the planning authority a cash deposit, a bond of an insurance company, or other security to secure the provision and satisfactory completion of works including landscaping.

The form and amount of the security shall be as agreed between the planning authority and the developer or, in default of agreement, shall be referred to the board for determination.

Reason: To ensure the satisfaction completion of works, including landscaping.

As observed above, no restoration works have been carried out. The quarry is as it was 10-and-a-half years ago when work ceased, or officially was suspended.

Companies, even reputable ones, sometimes dont comply with the law.

This outcome was provided for in the planning ruling through the lodgement of a bond with the local authority, which could be used in the event of Roadstone failing to comply.

Except no bond was paid to Limerick council. This was confirmed by a spokesperson. In fact, the council didnt even know that the quarry had been worked out.

The responsibility to restore the landscape lays with the company who operated the quarry according to Limerick City and County Council.

Asked whether the council had pursued the company about restoration of the site, the reply was that the onus is on the company to ensure the regulations are followed".

Limerick City and County Council also confirmed that it had not received any complaint about the quarry.

This raises the question as to whether the authority only acts on potential planning and safety issues when it receives a complaint.

Environmental issues

The abandoned quarry also gives rise to environmental issues, both in terms of the hazardous material and restoration of the landscape.

The Environmental Protection Agency says these matters are not within its remit.

A statement issued to the Irish Examiner from the EPA said that any environmental concerns in relation to a quarry should be reported to the relevant council.

The EPA may subsequently have a role if it is considered that, after engaging with the council, the complaint has not been dealt with appropriately.

"At this point the complainer should contact the EPA, whose role will be to determine if the council has met its statutory responsibilities in addressing the issue.

As far as Roadstone is concerned, there is no problem and everything has been done responsibly and in accordance with the law. Roadstone complies with all relevant planning, environmental, health and safety, and other regulatory conditions at its quarries, the statement from the company reads.

It also notes: Roadstone has continued to actively manage the quarry since 2010 and 24-hour monitored CCTV and other safety and security measures remain in place.

'Is this trustworthy?'

CCTV cameras were seen on a recent visit to the site but appeared to be in disuse. Despite a presence on the site for over two hours on that occasion, there was no response from any security agency. The main gate is boarded up, but access to the complex is extremely easy and local farmers even use one corner for storage of silage.

John McInerney has been examining the background to the quarry and the state in which it has been left in recent years.

Is this a trustworthy way to leave a place after having made vast profits from it?

Michael Clifford with local man John McInerney standing near the lake where people have been known to swim at the abandoned Ballyneety quarry in Limerick. Picture: Dan Linehan

Kieran Cummins, who set up the environmental group, Eco Advocacy, is not surprised at the state of Ballyneety both in terms of breaching planning conditions and the abandonment. He has, over the last five years, examined planning and regulatory matters around quarries across the country.

There does seem to be something in the way that local authorities deal with planning when it comes to these quarries, he says.

I know of two instances in Co Meath near me where people built houses without planning permission and the council threw the kitchen sink at them, and thats like a pea in a place the size of a front yard.

"Yet quarries, whether its planning issues or unauthorised developments, seem to be treated differently.
Colombo Port City under high-powered body Sweeping tax incentives in special economic zone; China welcomes move View(s): View(s):

A high-powered five-member Colombo Port City Economic Commission, with adequate powers at its disposal, will oversee the development of 446.6153 hectares of land as a special economic zone in the heart of Colombo city.

The commission is to function as a Single Window Investment Facilitator in relation to the grant of any registration, licence, authorisation or approval for business entities in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Only persons authorised by the Commission will be permitted to engage in business in and from the Colombo Port City, according to a bill gazetted following the Cabinet approval early this week.

The commission will consist of five members including a chairperson appointed by the President.

Every project company that wishes to invest in the SEZ should contribute Rs 400 million to the Commission Fund which will be used by the commission to defray initial setting up and operational expenditure of the Commission, including international promotional expenditure of the Colombo Port City and Sri Lanka and such other expenses as may be incurred by the Commission in terms of this Act.

The Commission will also set up an International Commercial Dispute Resolution Centre within the Colombo Port City for the purposes of offering conciliation, mediation, adjudication, arbitration and any other alternative dispute resolution services.

Any legal proceedings instituted on civil and commercial matters where the cause of action has arisen within the area of authority of the Colombo Port City, the bill indicates that priority should be given by court to hear them on a speedily day-to-day basis to ensure the expeditious disposal of the cases.

As an interim measure, the Commission can permit an authorised person to engage in business from a location in Sri Lanka, outside the area of authority of the Colombo Port City for five years from the date the act comes into effect. Such business shall, for such period of five years be entitled to all the privileges accorded to, and be deemed for all purposes to be, a business situated within and engaged in business, in and from, the Area of Authority of the Colombo Port City, the bill said.

Any transfer, lease or agreement executed by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to be deemed to be documents executed by the commission while the same will apply to agreements entered into by the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI).

According to the bill, seven enactments have no application within the area of authority of the Colombo Port City. Among them are the Urban Development Authority Act, No. 41 of 1978, the Municipal Council Ordinance (Chapter 252), and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Law No. 4 of 1978.

On Tuesday, a Cabinet Memorandum on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission bill submitted by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. The bill is expected to be submitted for Parliamentary approval shortly.

CHEC Port City Colombo, local implementing partner under China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) owned by the state-owned China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) welcomed the Cabinet approval this week saying the Port City Economic Zone would bring more Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to the country.

It is expected that the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) will attract multinational enterprises to set up headquarters or regional offices in the Port City and in turn bring in financial resources, technology and technical and managerial know-how. We hope the establishment of an SEZ will accelerate Sri Lankas economic growth, a statement from the company said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa issued an order this week under the Strategic Development Projects Act, giving a tax exemption for eight years on Corporate Income Tax, Dividend Tax, Withholding Tax, Personal Income Tax, Value added Tax (VAT) for new development projects within the Port City.
At the beginning of Holy Week, Pope Francis celebrates Palm Sunday and the Passion of the Lord at the altar of the chair. To admire Jesus is not enough. We have to follow in his footsteps, to let ourselves be challenged by him; to pass from admiration to amazement. " This is the amazing thing: to see the Almighty reduced to nothing. To see the Word who knows all things teach us in silence from the height of the cross. We love Jesus: For that is where he is: in the least of our brothers and sisters, in the rejected and discarded."

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "Let us be filled with that amazement as we gaze upon the crucified Lord": this is the invitation that Pope Francis addressed today Palm Sunday to the faithful at the Mass of the Passion of Our Lord, which begins the rites of Holy Week.

Due to anti-Covid restrictions, the liturgy took place in the area of the basilica in front of the altar of the chair in the presence of a few hundred faithful.

The theme of "amazement" covered the pontiff's homily, according to whom this interior attitude "will accompany us throughout Holy Week".

Amazement is different from the admiration that the people of Jerusalem showed towards Jesus as he entered the holy city on a donkey: " They admired Jesus, but they did not let themselves be amazed by him. Amazement is not the same as admiration. Admiration can be worldly, since it follows its own tastes and expectations. Admiration, on the other hand, remains open to others and to the newness they bring. Even today, there are many people who admire Jesus: he said beautiful things; he was filled with love and forgiveness; his example changed history They admire him, but their lives are not changed. To admire Jesus is not enough. We have to follow in his footsteps, to let ourselves be challenged by him; to pass from admiration to amazement. What is most amazing about the Lord and his Passover? It is the fact that he achieves glory through humiliation."

" This is the amazing thing: to see the Almighty reduced to nothing. To see the Word who knows all things teach us in silence from the height of the cross. To see the king of kings enthroned on a gibbet. Seeing the God of the universe stripped of everything and crowned with thorns instead of glory. To see the One who is goodness personified, insulted and beaten. Why all this humiliation? Why, Lord, did you wish to endure all this? 

Jesus did it for us, to plumb the depths of our human experience, our entire existence, all our evil. To draw near to us and not abandon us in our suffering and our death. To redeem us, to save us. Jesus was lifted high on the cross in order to descend to the abyss of our suffering. He experienced our deepest sorrows: failure, loss of everything, betrayal by a friend, even abandonment by God. By experiencing in the flesh our deepest struggles and conflicts, he redeemed and transformed them. His love draws close to our frailty; it touches the very things of which we are most ashamed. Yet now we know that we are not alone: God is at our side in every affliction, in every fear; no evil, no sin will ever have the final word. God triumphs, but the palm of victory passes through the wood of the cross. For the palm and the cross are inseparable.

During this Holy Week, let us lift our eyes to the cross, in order to receive the grace of amazement. As Saint Francis of Assisi contemplated the crucified Lord, he was amazed that his friars did not weep. What about us? Can we still be moved by Gods love? Have we lost the ability to be amazed by him? Maybe our faith has grown dull from habit. Maybe we remain trapped in our regrets and allow ourselves to be crippled by our disappointments. Maybe we have lost all our trust or even feel worthless. But perhaps, behind all these maybes, lies the fact that we are not open to the gift of the Spirit who gives us the grace of amazement" .

In conclusion, Pope Francis indicated in the centurion of the Passion story "He saw him die in love. Jesus suffered immensely, but he never stopped loving. This is what it is to be amazed before God, who can fill even death with love. In that gratuitous and unprecedented love, the pagan centurion found God.

Under the cross there is no longer room for worldly admiration: "Now it can no longer be so, for at the foot of the cross there can be no mistake: God has revealed himself and reigns only with the disarmed and disarming power of love. Today God continues to fill our minds and hearts with amazement. Let us be filled with that amazement as we gaze upon the crucified Lord. May we too say: You are truly the Son of God. You are my God".
Amid the Myanmar military coup Chiefs of Defense on Sunday has released a joint statement where they condemned the Military-sponsored violence and used of use of lethal force against unarmed civilians. Chiefs of defense from Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom has called out the military junta in Burma (Myanmar) to follow international standards of military professionalism.

On February 1, the military launched the coup in Myanmar, arresting top political leaders, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. The coup occurred a day before the newly-elected members of parliament were scheduled to take the oath. Myanmar military levelled unfounded allegations of ''election-fraud'' and used the reason as an excuse for the coup.

Joint Statement of Chiefs of Defense Condemning Military-Sponsored Violence in Myanmar. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/DB6aFi0PJM  U.S. Embassy Burma (@USEmbassyBurma) March 28, 2021

'Condemn the use of lethal force'

The statement said that the following is a joint statement of the Chiefs of Defense of Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

"As Chiefs of Defense, we condemn the use of lethal force against unarmed people by the Myanmar Armed Forces and associated security services. A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting  not harming  the people it serves. We urge the Myanmar Armed Forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions," the statement read.

114 civilians killed

On Saturday, at least 114 civilians were killed across Myanmar as the junta staged a peaceful protest of might for its annual Armed Forces Day. The killings in 44 towns and cities across the country represented the bloodiest day of protests since a military coup last month. The killings have drawn swift international outrage.

The United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres and the UN office in Myanmar spoke out against the violence. He said that the military crackdown has recorded the highest death toll on Saturday since the demonstration started and it is critical to find an urgent solution to this crisis.

I am deeply shocked by the killing of dozens of civilians, including children & young people, by security forces in Myanmar today.



The continuing military crackdown is unacceptable and demands a firm, unified & resolute international response. https://t.co/qtnQaH5jvN  Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 27, 2021

Military coup

The military coup occurred on February 1, a day before the newly-elected members of the parliament were scheduled to take the oath. The army accused the government of rigging the November election in which Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party had won an overwhelming majority. International observers, who were in Myanmar to observe the polls, dismissed the military's allegation of "election fraud". Experts suggest that the military feared Suu Kyi's government will try and reduce the number of parliamentary seats reserved for the Army. After the previous military rule ended in Myanmar, the Army helped co-write the constitution, under which it reserved 25% of seats in the parliament.

(Image Credits: AP)
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Palmdale, CA (93550)

Today

Clear skies. Gusty winds during the evening. Low 68F. SW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Gusty winds during the evening. Low 68F. SW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph.
This years dramatically reduced Anzac Day ceremony at the Australian War Memorial will be the last that veterans will be able to attend at the national place of remembrance until at least 2024 because of a planned $500 million redevelopment.

The War Memorial has submitted plans for approval of early works that include removing the Stone of Remembrance, excavating the parade ground, cutting down all but six of the 32 trees at the buildings front and erecting a six-metre-high fence in front of the site.

A timeline of the nine-year redevelopment project submitted to federal Parliaments public works committee shows the southern entrance works are expected to last until September 2023.

COVID-19 restrictions mean this years Anzac dawn service at the War Memorial is restricted to 4200 people, less than a quarter of the usual attendance. Tickets are already sold out. The mid-morning national ceremony, which usually attracts about 10,000 people, will be restricted to 3000.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid has said the decision by Beacon Hospital to give Covid-19 vaccines to teachers and creche staff is  a real body blow to all of us.

For his part, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said the board of the hospital should ensure those responsible "are held to account".

The hospital gave 20 vaccine doses to teachers at a private school attended by children of Beacon chief executive Michael Cullen, and also to workers at nearby creche.

Weekend reports suggest those given vaccines included administrative staff who do not work directly with children.

On Saturday Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced the HSE would suspend the hospitals vaccination programme and set up a review.

The Beacon Hospital was the only non-HSE site delivering vaccinations.

Speaking to RTE on Sunday, Mr Paul Reid said: I fully welcome the decision that was made yesterday."

Everyone (involved in vaccinations) takes this as a huge privilege, and for that privilege to be breached as it was by the Beacon is a real body blow for all of us.

He said this has caused anger and fury among the public and within the HSE itself. Mr Reid defended the HSE protocol around vaccinations, saying there are clear guidelines for the back-up list of appropriate people.

This list should only contain names of people who are in the vaccine sequencing list.

Once a vaccine is complete, it has to be registered on the portal. We collate and hold all of the data about who has been vaccinated, he said.

He estimated up to 99.9% of the vaccines given are correctly registered.

HSE chief executive Paul Reid defended the HSE protocol around vaccinations, saying there are clear guidelines for the back-up list of appropriate people. Picture: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

In this case, it was made clearly known to us on Thursday by the Beacon themselves. They communicated that to us.

"We immediately communicated that it was a complete breach of any sequencing, of all of the processes from ourselves. 

Extra capacity will be provided now at the clinics in the Aviva Stadium and City West.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney described the behaviour of the Beacon Hospital as such a slap in the face.

Mr Coveney strongly criticised the actions of Beacons chief executive Michael Cullen and while he did not call for his resignation he called on the Beacon board to ensure individuals are held to account.

This is such a slap in the face to so many people, and that's why people are so angry about this, so many families that have loved ones that are vulnerable to this virus, patiently waiting for a vaccine, Mr Coveney said.

Seeing this story has generated an awful lot of anger, he added.

Asked should Mr Cullen resign, Mr Coveney said: I don't think it's a good precedent for a senior minister to be on the radio calling for someone to resign.

"But what I'd say is that I think the board of the beacon hospital, have a responsibility now to ensure the individuals are held to account."

I do expect the board to ensure that that accountability is there in the decisions that they're going to make in the days ahead. And I think that would be reflected across government.

He said the decision by Stephen Donnelly to suspend the Beacons involvement in vaccine rollout was one he supported even though Mr Donnelly had said just 24-hours before that to do that would be to shoot ourselves in the foot.

Mr Coveney said by the time the decision was taken to suspend it was clear how much public anger there was around the issue.

I think Stephen Donnelly's initial response to this was looking at let's do nothing that slows down the rollout of vaccines.

"But I think when he considered the issue, when, when all of us experienced the public anger on the back of this, this issue, I think Mr Donnelly made the right decision, Mr Coveney said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney strongly criticised the actions of Beacons chief executive Michael Cullen but did not call for his resignation. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

This is about the vaccine rollout and ensuring that we get credibility and belief back into the vaccine rollout, it's also about accountability and making sure it is correct.

"That's why I'm being very direct with you that we expect the board to ensure that there is full accountability, he told RTE radio.

Mr Reid urged people who think they are in the Group 4 priority list to access details of this list on the HSE website to check if their condition is included in the very high risk category.

He said in the meantime the vaccination programme continues, and said that up to Sunday evening there will be about 800,000 doses given in Ireland.

Mr Reid also said the HSE has been investigating revelations made on RTEs Primetime programme last week.

The programme revealed, with insight from whistleblower Shane Corr, the Department of Health had collected dossiers on families who took legal cases against the health services.

Mr Reid said the allegations were extremely concerning but added that, up to Friday, the HSE has not yet confirmed cases where patient confidentiality has been breached by clinicians.
A mother-of-two has received a suspended prison sentence for assaulting her partner's brother and kicking a garda in the groin.

Judge Elma Sheahan told Lisa Geoghegan (34), who also smeared the word PIGS in menstrual blood on a prison cell, that she should be ashamed of her behaviour.

She said Geoghegan's actions showed an immense lack of respect for herself and for those charged with upholding the law.

After a trial in February 2020, a jury convicted Geoghegan of assault causing harm to Aidan Kenna and of assaulting Garda Anthony Sugrue at Willans Way, Blanchardstown on August 9, 2017.

Geoghegan of Glovers Court, York Street, Dublin had pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage to a prison cell wall at Blanchardstown garda station on August 10, 2017.

The trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Geoghegan was in a dysfunctional relationship with a man named Paul Kenna at the time of the incident. On the day in question, Mr Kenna's brother, Aidan Kenna, was concerned about his brother and called to Geoghegan's door. He was then assaulted, stabbed with a stanley knife and bitten in the hand.

Geoghegan was acquitted of producing a knife in the course of assaulting Aidan Kenna, and Derek Cooney BL, prosecuting, told the court that it could then not be established that she was the person who stabbed him.

She was found guilty of assaulting Garda Anthony Sugrue by kicking him in the groin during her arrest. Geoghegan's child was present in the house at the time, the court heard.

After she was detained in a cell in Blanchardstown garda station, Geoghegan wrote PIGS on the cell wall using her menstrual blood, the court heard. Sergeant Stephen Byrne told Mr Cooney that it cost 150 to have the cell professionally cleaned.

Ciaran Macloughlin BL, defending, said his client was extremely intoxicated on the day in question.

He submitted Geoghegan was not violent towards gardai until her child was removed from her care by arresting officers.

My client was in a distraught situation where she had a difficult altercation with members of An Garda Siochana, he said. He noted she had been found not guilty of assaulting two other gardai who were present on the day.

Geoghegan had a difficult upbringing and suffers from anxiety and depression, Mr MacLoughlin said. She was in a violent and difficult relationship at the time but is now in a stable relationship with a new partner and has a 10-month-old baby.

She is extremely embarrassed about a number of things she did, he said.

Judge Elma Sheahan said she would be sentencing Geoghegan for the biting only which she said was a disgusting act.

She suspended a prison term of one year on condition that she keep the peace for two years and engage with the Probation Services in relation to anger management and alcohol abuse issues.

Judge Sheahan said she was taking into consideration the lack of previous convictions, and the fact that the defendant was going through a particularly difficult period at the time of these offences.

Geoghegan was found not guilty by the jury of five further counts, including producing a stanley knife in the course of an assault, two counts of assault causing harm to two gardai, one count of damaging a garda ballistics vest and one count of intimidating a witness.
If being landed with the lion's share of EU debt after the financial crash in order to save German banks from the consequences of their own reckless lending didn't ultimately dent Ireland's faith in the European Union, then the almighty mess being made of the rollout of Covid vaccines surely won't either.

But it has certainly shaken the complacency about the superiority of the EU project which has been pervasive across the political spectrum in Ireland since the UK voted to Leave.

Britain was supposed to have been exposed as an incompetent bungler once it left.

Instead it was the EU itself which struggled to supply its own people with the vaccines needed to return to some semblance of normality.

Last week's raid on vaccine stores in Italy, after false rumours that there were secret doses inside earmarked for Britain ahead of EU citizens, only exposed the panic gripping Europe amid a growing realisation that they were too slow to order vaccines, and failed to nail down contracts to ensure uninterrupted supplies.

The figures speak for themselves. Half of Britain's entire population will have received a vaccine jab by the middle of April, whilst parts of Europe now face a third wave of Covid.

The European Commission's response was to retreat into nationalistic belligerence, even as the Taoiseach warned that threats to seize AstraZeneca supplies would set a dangerous precedent. As he pointed out, the vaccines don't belong to the EU just because they're made on its soil.

Those who continue to insist that the EU is doing nothing wrong have been left looking like the wife who constantly makes excuses for her partner's abusive behaviour whilst hiding her own bruises. He's tired. He's under stress. He's not usually like this. He's promised that he won't do it again. However they're described, these are not signs of a healthy relationship.

Underneath that defensiveness always lurks the doubt that maybe this is what he's like, and that his previous partner was right to leave him.

Similar uncertainties are now being expressed across Europe, and not just by imagined "far right" bogeymen. Of course, Ireland won't be following Britain out the door any time soon.

Eurosceptic roots are planted in much shallower soil here. Not for nothing did the last Eurobarometer study name Ireland as the most enthusiastic about EU membership, with two-thirds of people expressing a positive view of Brussels. The average across the bloc was just 43pc, and it was even lower (31pc) among Greeks, who were also hammered by the EU but who've been less quick than the Irish to forget. Anti-EU sentiment may go up a few points in the polls in coming months, but it would take a political revolution to shake such faith in the EU project.

The best hope is that this crisis will at least make Irish opinion a bit less dewy-eyed about Brussels, and a bit more realistic about its faults. The EU is overly bureaucratic and unwieldy. It's run by technocrats rather than democrats. It's arrogant about what it sees as its historically inevitable role as a world power. It's far too slow to admit when it's wrong. Such a recognition of the EU's limitations wouldn't be before time. For decades, we acted like the poor relation who needed the help of wealthier members of the family to pay the bills, and so didn't make too much of a fuss. Devotion to the EU made sense. The victim of a bully often seeks security by hanging around with bigger boys, and may be willing to turn a blind eye when they bully someone else. There was comfort in no longer being alone.

The economic benefits that came from having access to the Single Market, and do global trade deals, made us reassuringly less reliant on Britain than ever before. It all helped make Ireland feel more confident. Bigger.

Throwing in our lot with the EU's vaccine purchase programme likewise seemed the natural course last summer. It's sticking with it even as it unravels that doesn't look so wise.

Other European countries have opted to go it alone and source their own vaccines. Ireland could do it too. The country is now a net contributor to the EU budget, and doomed to pay even more in years to come now that Britain has left. If footing the bill for the EU still doesn't give Ireland the mettle to demand more, what will?

Irish Europhiles have consistently made a more positive case for EU membership than their counterparts in Britain, but it's not unthinkable that further crises, as yet unknown, could nurture resentment here too.

That's why the vaccines row is so dangerous. The last thing anyone expected in Ireland was that being the best pupil in the EU class might actually prove fatal. It's not just about trade any more. It's life and death.

The agreement on vaccine supplies now reached between the EU and UK should see tensions ease and relief will surely make many people in Ireland more willing to forgive and forget once vaccines start rolling out smoothly. Until then, though, doubts about whether we've backed the wrong horse are bound to fester. Families have made huge sacrifices in the past year. They did so on the understanding that it would be rewarded. That contract has not been honoured.

The one weapon that those in power, both in Dublin and Brussels, have in their armoury to stem the rise in discontent is the same one they wielded after the financial crash. That is, fear. We were too afraid in the midst of recession to follow through on our anger at how badly we'd been treated. It's the same now as societies around the world teeter on the brink of economic disaster.

But fear is unpredictable. No one knows ultimately where it can lead.
Ray of hope in magistrates remark, but long way to go for transgender freedom View(s):

Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage recently admonished police to stop making derogatory comments about transgender people in a development that was seen as encouraging by a community that has long suffered in Sri Lanka.

The magistrate was hearing a case following the arrest of five transgender people by the Kollupitiya police for allegedly violating quarantine guidelines and in court described them as wes walagaththa pirimi or men in disguise.

Justice Liyanage maintained that there must be more recognition and acceptance of more than two genders. The suspects were released on personal bail while the case continues.

The statement was not binding, but it was still persuasive and could be considered as progressive in accepting and integrating the transgender community, said Aritha Wickramasinghe, a lawyer and LGTBQ activist. This sort of reprimand from a judge could stop police from their continued persecution of transgender people.

As the statement wasnt legally binding, we have no guarantee that similar statements will be made again, said Thiyagaraja Waradas, a Director of the Community Welfare and Development Fund and Colombo University lecturer. It would have had bigger impact had it come from the Supreme Court. But it was a step in the right direction, he agreed, and could be a stepping stone to authorities being more accepting of the transgender community.

Sri Lanka does legally recognise the identity of transgender people and they are able to change their gender on documents such as birth certificates and the national identity card. This has to some extent help them to face challenges such as having service sector employees questioning their identity in public. However, there is a long road ahead.

The Penal Code still criminalises carnal intercourse against the order of nature. This has left room for vague interpretation which police use as a grounds to arrest transgender people. Cheating by personation is also an offence and is the pretext under which police claim transgender people are

in disguise.

It should be clear that this law does not prohibit a person being in disguise, said Mr Wickramasinghe. An offence is committed when you engage in impersonation to cheat someone of their property or assets. The police abuse the law by applying it against transgender people. This was grossly unacceptable.

It was clear that transgender people do not steal identities to cheat anyone of their belongings. They are giving expression to who they are. But the police use these legal provisions to threaten the community and cause a sense of fear among them, even extorting money from or blackmailing them.

There has been research, including by Human Rights Watch, on how police commit physical and sexual abuse of transgender people. Many victims are reluctant to file counterclaims as they feel powerless and intimidated by police, causing a failure of accountability.

Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Executive Director of EQUAL GROUND, insisted that public officials like police and doctors must be educated and sensitised on this subject. This would help change how they perceive transgender people and be a significant

step towards normalising of the community

within Sri Lanka.

The law that incriminates them must be abolished, she held, and it should be made clear that it is illegal to discriminate against sexual minorities. The judiciary must also be more educated and advocative of the LGBTQ community.

Bhoomi Harendran, a transgender activist, also pressed for law reforms. She raised concern, too, that prevailing legislation did not protect transgender people. Non-discriminatory policies and attitude changes must be initiated within the public sector.

COVID-19 has affected the transgender and LGBTQ community. Many are forced to quarantine with families who often dont accept their sexual identity. This has resulted in a spike in mental health problems, activists pointed out.

As LGBTQ people are scorned as criminals and perverts, there are barriers to their accessing healthcare, social services, education and employment. Access to adequate mental health services such as counselling are limited due to stigma that can be traced back to colonial times.

Transgender women, in particular, find

themselves the target of severe abuse. Without money and support, their voices go unheard, campaigners said. Many issues are swept under

the rug.
He is currently in a relationship with Lori Harvey.

But Michael B. Jordan shared an intimate moment with Chante Adams on Saturday as they shared a kiss while shooting the film, A Journal for Jordan, in New York City.

The actor, 34, and his onscreen love, 26, embraced one another at nightfall in The Big Apple, with the city lights illuminating their warm expressions.

Chemistry: Michael B. Jordan shared an intimate moment with Chante Adams on Sunday as they shared a kiss while shooting the film, A Journal for Jordan, in New York City

Michael looked typically handsome in a brown blazer and straight-leg jeans, complete with an orange polo shirt.

Meanwhile Chante combined femininity with fashion as she sported a floral top and leather-look coat.

She boosted her height with grey stilettos and rocked tailored black trousers.

Opting for a subtle make-up look and silky straight tresses, she delicately wrapped her hands around Michael's neck to share the steamy smooch.

Sweet! The actor, 34, and his onscreen love, 26, embraced one another at nightfall in The Big Apple, with the city lights illuminating their warm expressions

Catch the eye: Michael looked typically handsome in a brown blazer and straight-leg jeans, complete with an orange polo shirt

The actor placed his arms around her waist, working his way down to her bottom as he felt her slender curves.

Michael and Chante both flashed a quick smile as they held hands on set after sharing the sizzling moment.

A Journal for Jordan is based on the book of the same name by Dana Canedy, the character Chante is playing.

The film is based on the true story of the death of her fiance, U.S. Army First Sergeant Charles Michael King - who Michael is playing - during the Iraq War.

Turn up the heat! Meanwhile Chante combined femininity with fashion as she sported a floral top and leather-look coat

Lock lips: She boosted her height with grey stilettos and rocked tailored black trousers

Set pulses racing: Opting for a subtle make-up look and silky straight tresses, she delicately wrapped her hands around Michael's neck to share the steamy smooch

Before his death in Baghdad, Charles writes a journal to his young son, telling him how to live a decent life without a father.

Denzel Washington is directing the feature film, his fourth project following Fences, The Great Debaters and Antwone Fisher.

'Being directed by the GOAT - Denzel, himself - and being able to work with a very talented cast and actress in Chante Adams, it's something that I've been looking forward to,' Michael told The Hollywood Reporter last month.

'We're having a blast,' he added, 'and Im getting a masterclass and a crazy education on character development, directing, and producing from Todd Black and Denzel Washington. It's a great thing.'

Sensual: The actor placed his arms around her waist, working his way down to her bottom as he felt her slender curves

Happiness: Michael and Chante both flashed a quick smile as they held hands on set after sharing the sizzling moment

True story: A Journal for Jordan is based on the book of the same name by Dana Canedy, the character Chante is playing and it details the death of her fiance, U.S. Army First Sergeant Charles Michael King - who Michael is playing - during the Iraq War

Away from the camera, Michael is dating the 24-year-old daughter of TV personality Steve Harvey.

The duo went Instagram official in January after months of rumours that they were dating.

Lori's famous father told Ellen DeGeneres on the comedienne's daytime chat show that, as hard as he's tried, he can't find anything to dislike about his daughter's actor beau.

'This guy is such a good guy, man,' he said of the 34-year-old Black Panther and Creed star. 'He is one of the nicest guys... I just can't find nothing wrong with him!'

She has previously been linked to stars including Future, P Diddy and Trey Songz, to name a few.
Amazon stops streaming Clarence Thomas documentary during Black History Month

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Amazon has stopped streaming a critically acclaimed PBS documentary on Justice Clarence Thomas, the only black justice currently serving on the U.S. Supreme Court, during Black History Month.

This video is currently unavailable to watch in your location, the Amazon Prime page for Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words reads. The film has a five-star rating on the platform.

Additionally, the DVD version of the documentary is no longer available for purchase on through the online retailer.

The documentarys producer Michael Pack of Manifold Productions Inc. told The Blaze that the documentary was pulled from Amazon Prime around Feb. 8., just eight days into Black History Month. The producer added that Amazon stopped streaming the documentary at its own discretion.

On Jan. 31, Amazon announced that it is kicking off Black History Month 2021 with a monthlong celebration that is rooted in our commitment to being a place where Black leaders want to grow their careers, as well as supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in the Black community.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and always look for ways to scale our impact as we grow, Amazon states on its diversity and inclusion page.

Amazon Prime is streaming four films on the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, a liberal icon and Americas first black Supreme Court justice.

According to Breitbart, Amazon Prime is also streaming two films on Anita Hill, who accused Justice Thomas of sexually harassing her during his confirmation hearing.

A New York Times/CBS News poll after the Senate confirmation hearings in 1991 found that a majority of Americans were skeptical of the allegations against Thomas, who is one of the courts more conservative justices.

Last June, the tech giant banned the Christian conservative activist group Family Research Council from its AmazonSmile program. The program allows customers to choose a charity to receive proceeds from their purchases on recommendations from the Southern Poverty Law Center. The SPLC frequently labels conservative and Christian organizations as hate groups.

While Amazon customers can use the AmazonSmile program to donate a portion of each purchase to left-leaning organizations like Planned Parenthood, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and the Center for American Progress (and to be fair, to many right-leaning organizations, too), Amazon has decided to single out a few well-known conservative organizations like FRC and [Alliance Defending Freedom] from receiving part of the tens of millions of dollars the program raises each year from customers, Kay Coles James, president of The Heritage Foundation, wrote in an op-ed at the time.

The Scottsdale, Arizona-based Christian legal firm Alliance Defending Freedom, which has won several Supreme Court cases in recent years, was also banned in 2018 after SPLC labeled it as a hate group due to its biblical views on sexuality.

In 2017, Amazon also banned D. James Kennedy Ministries from participating in the AmazonSmile program after it was labeled as a hate group by the SPLC.

Robert Netzly, CEO of Inspire Investing, expressed concerns in an op-ed piece for The Christian Post that Amazon wasnt living up to its commitment to viewpoint diversity. He specifically called out Amazons board for recommending that shareholders vote against a resolution on viewpoint diversity.

Amazon has taken great pains to portray themselves as champions of diversity, and have made public statements about their supposed commitment to respecting diverse viewpoints, Netzly asserted. For example, their website proclaims that diversity and inclusion are good for business  and more fundamentally  simply right.

This begs the question, if Amazon is such a believer in diversity, why would its board recommend that shareholders vote against a resolution that would provide a full evaluation of viewpoint bias and associated risks to ensure that Amazon is making balanced decisions and that it is acting consistent with its commitment to diversity? he asked.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
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.

One year to the day after workers first stepped inside a new Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, a milestone union vote at the facility is set to come to an end.

Monday is the final day for ballots to be received by the National Labor Relations Board in order to be counted in the election. The vote -- a tally of which is expected later in the week -- will determine whether the Bessemer workers form the first US union in Amazon's 27-year history.

For nearly two months, thousands of Amazon warehouse workers have been eligible to cast their vote by mail on whether to unionize. Workers have had to make the decision while sifting through competing messages from union organizers, celebrities, politicians -- including President Biden -- and Amazon which had been posting signs in bathroom stalls and pulling workers into meetings before the start of the election period.

The heated back-and-forth around the union election is only set to intensify in the final days of the vote. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has long been critical of the e-commerce giant -- over such issues as how much it pays in federal taxes and how it compensates warehouse workers -- is planning to rally with workers at the union headquarters in Birmingham Friday as part of a last-minute push that also includes the Atlanta rapper best known as Killer Mike and actor and activist Danny Glover.

The tension around Sanders' visit is palpable. Amazon executive Dave Clark took jabs at the Senator Wednesday in tweets: "I often say we are the Bernie Sanders of employers, but that's not quite right because we actually deliver a progressive workplace." Clark touted Amazon's $15 minimum hourly wage as proof, a benefit it set in 2018 after backlash from critics including Sanders.

While there's been a drumbeat of support from well-known figures in recent weeks, it's unclear what influence that may have had on workers. For Jennifer Brown, a training ambassador at the Bessemer facility, not even Glover, who campaigned for a 'yes' vote outside the fulfillment center in late February, could sway her decision to vote 'no.' "Amazon has been great for me," she told CNN Business. "I haven't had any real problems."

For others, the messages may have reached them too late, given the length of the election period and the chance to change their mind. The outcome of the vote remains uncertain but one thing seems clear to union organizers and labor experts: the vote tally likely won't mark the end of this high-profile fight.

"We've always known that this campaign is just a beginning no matter what the result is. It is about a lot more than Bessemer," said Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which is conducting the union drive for Amazon workers at the Bessemer facility. "What we have done -- which is crucial -- is we have opened the door to union organizing at Amazon, we've gone further than anyone else has come close to in the past ... and Amazon never anticipated it."

Workers in other locations are watching

The workers at Bessemer are just a fraction of the company's hundreds of thousands of US-based warehouse employees. While the pandemic has been a boon for Amazon's business, safety precautions related to the virus, as well as general workplace conditions, have also been a factor behind a more general employee uprising at its facilities.

In recent months many of the same frustrations that Bessemer workers are hoping to improve with the help of union representation have similarly been expressed by Amazon workers at other facilities. The issues involved include adequate break time, better procedures for filing and receiving responses to grievances, higher wages as well as protection against Amazon wrongfully applying policies like social distancing to discipline workers.

More than 1,000 warehouse workers around the country have contacted the RWDSU union, according to Appelbaum, as well as others outside the United States. "Some workers from South Africa even recently contacted us to know if we can help them organize. It is not something we do, but it really tells us that this campaign has struck a chord with people everywhere," he said.

Tyler Hamilton, a warehouse worker who has worked at Amazon's Shakopee, Minnesota, facility since 2017, called the Bessemer workers "ahead of the pack."

"Normally it takes time for people to figure out the system -- how Amazon works, and to get pissed with it," he said, adding that the Bessemer workers pushing to unionize have changed the conversations amongst workers at his facility. "Ultimately I think it is inevitable that Amazon warehouses -- maybe not all of them, but I'm sure a good number of them -- will become unionized."

The Bessemer union push has also once again cast a harsh light on the realities of working for Amazon, including from recent testimony by one of the facility's workers, Jennifer Bates, before the Senate Budget Committee. Bates, a vocal organizer behind the union push, described "grueling" work conditions, including 10-hour shifts with just two 30-minute breaks that are "not long enough to give you time to rest" given the facility's expansive size.

"We take employee feedback seriously, including Ms. Bates', but we don't believe her comments represent the more than 90% of her fulfillment center colleagues who say they'd recommend Amazon as a great place to work to friends and family," an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement last week. The spokesperson added that Amazon employees "earn at least $15 an hour, receive comprehensive healthcare and paid leave benefits."

What happens after the vote

Rebecca Givan, a labor expert and associate professor at Rutgers University, said she doesn't expect either side to give up -- whatever the outcome of the vote. "We can already start to see the legal strategy on both sides depending on the outcome," she told CNN Business.

If the vote is successful, Amazon would need to come to an agreement with the union on a contract, something that the e-commerce giant could draw out. Givan said it could "eventually try to decertify the union," referring to the NLRB process where employees can vote to get rid of the union representation.

Jeffrey Hirsch, a labor law professor at the University of North Carolina, said there's precedent for employers fighting back in a variety of ways. Hirsch recalled the successful Walmart union effort by a group of butchers in 2000; months later, Walmart said it would cease in-house butchering services in favor of supplying pre-packaged meat. At the time, a company spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal the change was planned before the vote and "is the way the whole industry is going."

"You can't just shut down a plant and reopen it somewhere else non-union; that's called a runaway shop. But you have much more leeway as an employer to change your business, in this case, saying you're not going to be butchering anymore," said Hirsch. He called the comparison notable given Walmart was "sort of the Amazon of its day" and similarly had staunchly fought unionization, but dissimilar in that the Walmart union only applied to a small group of workers doing a certain type of job.

To avoid the runaway shop problem, according to Hirsch, Amazon needs a legitimate reason and to be able to "convince the NLRB that it's really the reason and not just pretext to avoid the union." (Amazon spokesperson Heather Knox declined to comment on "hypotheticals" to CNN Business, including a question about whether it would accept the results of the vote count.)

If the union vote falls short, Givan said the union may seek to file unfair labor practice claims against Amazon, including around a mailbox that has popped up outside the facility.

According to Appelbaum, a government mailbox appeared on the Bessemer property near the exit, and workers were encouraged by texts from Amazon to mail their ballots via the mailbox. "It makes no sense. You receive your ballot at home, you can mail it the way you mail any other ballot," he said. "Everything you do at Amazon you know is surveilled, everything is monitored, and you have every reason to believe that if you mail from that box it is going to be monitored, as well."

Amazon's Knox told CNN Business in a statement that "the USPS recently installed a mailbox onsite for the convenience of our employees."

"As we have said all along, every employee should have the opportunity to vote in this important decision. This mailbox is enclosed in a tent making it convenient, safe, and private for our employees to vote on their way to and from work if they choose to, or use it for any of their other mailing needs. Only USPS can collect the outgoing mail from this box or put incoming mail into it," the statement continued.

The NLRB declined to comment on the situation.

For some workers at Bessemer, the conclusion of the months-long union fight comes too late. Shelia Ross, who started working at the Bessemer facility in September 2020 only lasted about six months before deciding she'd had enough. Ross, who said she was previously undecided about the union effort, told CNN Business she voted in favor of representation only to resign this month.

She said "the place isn't for the workers," but that she's hopeful it gets better for the people still employed by the company.

Do you have a news tip?

Want to share good news story, or do you have information that should see the light of day? Then we want to hear from you.

More here
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Western Sydney startup hub gets green light

The New South Wales government has received approval for a second startup hub project located in the Parramatta North Heritage Core, in Greater Western Sydney.

The hub was first announced in December 2020 and received approval in March 2021, which allows for three heritage buildings to be adapted for the creation of affordable co-working space, a cafe, and a shared event space.

The heritage site covers an area of 60,000 square metres of which 1,500 will be used by the startup hub. The hub is expected to be up and running by 2022 and is part of the state governments wider COVID-19 recovery strategy.

New crime-solving app

Macquarie University researchers are developing an app expected to analyse data sets in minutes and help police officers to make better decisions.

The app is being developed for the Australian Federal Police and will use artificial intelligence to compile and analyse data sets generated from devices, including CCTV-images, vehicle licence plates, audio recordings, and photos and videos from witnesses. It will also link this analysis to historical police data to help investigators make better decisions.

The Interactive Constable on Patrol System (ICOPS) app will assist in in data-driven and knowledge-intensive criminal investigation cases such as fraud and homicide.

NBN Co. expands satellite coverage

More small businesses will be able to connect to the NBN network through its satellite services as NBN Co. readies to expand its satellite coverage across Australia from 93% to 100%.

The expansion means coverage will extend across Australiaincluding large surrounding islands such as Christmas Island, Lord Howe Island, and Norfolk Islandfrom 29 July 2021.

Services offered under the business NBN satellite service (BSS) are likely to benefit from a discount as NBN Co. is offering a wholesale price discount of about 40% for the BSS Access Bandwidth Service Layer 3speeds of up to 50Mbps up and /13 Mbps downdedicated bandwidth product for internet retailers that engage in extended contract terms with NBN Co.

Pluralsight offers free courses for all in April

Online education provider Pluralsight is offering all its course contents for free during the month of April.

Those interested will have unlimited access to the more than 7,000 video courses, and no payment details will be required upon registration.

Courses available covers cloud computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, data science, and security, among others.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will lead a delegation to the 'Heart of Asia' conference scheduled to take place on Tuesday at Tajikistan capital Dushanbe, the Foreign Office announced on Sunday.

On the sidelines of the 9th Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) ministerial conference, Qureshi will hold "consultations with key regional and international partners," it said.

The conference would also see the participation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

The participation of both the ministers at the event has sparked speculation of a possible meeting between the two leaders amidst peace overtures from the Pakistan Army. However, both countries have not said anything about a possible meeting between the two foreign ministers in Dushanbe.

Speaking at the India Economic Conclave in New Delhi on March 26, Jaishankar also did not give a specific reply to questions on whether he will meet Qureshi on the sidelines of the conference.

"My scheduling is in progress. So far I do not think any such meeting (is scheduled)," he said.

Jaishankar is expected to meet leaders of other participating countries on the sidelines of the conference, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Friday while announcing his participation.

Asked whether the agreement between the militaries of India and Pakistan and the talks between Indus commissioners of the two sides were a sign of thaw in ties, Jaishankar said, "I think the agreements between the DGMOs is a sensible agreement because I don't think Pakistan either did themselves or us good by encouraging or facilitating infiltrators and terrorists across the Line of Control and the IB (international border)." On March 18, Pakistan's powerful Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said it was time for India and Pakistan to "bury the past and move forward".

India has said it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence and that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment free of terror and hostility.

The ministerial conference is part of the Istanbul Process  a regional initiative on security and cooperation for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan  that was launched on November 2, 2011 in Turkey.

The Foreign Office said the ministerial meeting will be preceded by the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on March 29.

The theme of the Conference is Strengthening Consensus for Peace and Development. During the ministerial conference, Qureshi will deliver a statement highlighting Pakistans positive contributions to the Afghan peace process and its support for Afghanistans development and connectivity within the regional framework, the Foreign Office said.

In 2015, Pakistan co-chaired the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, along with Afghanistan, and hosted its 5th Ministerial Conference in Islamabad.

Qureshi's visit to Tajikistan will help deepen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields and reinforce the growing partnership between the two brotherly countries, the Foreign Office said.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Fatoumata Thiam (from Senegal) talks about her groundbreaking research on the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, with broader implications for Africa's ambitions to embrace the 4th industrial revolution (4IR). Excerpts:

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I was born in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal. I grew up between the city and my village, Diofior, about 150 kilometres away.

What inspired you about science and this specific discipline?

I interacted with science from a very early age because my father is a computer scientist. When I was young,he would to take me to his office where he allowed me to mess around -- draw, write, print and play -- on the computers. He also had access to the latest technology gadgets, which were at my disposal, as long as I wasn't destroying them, of course! As a result, I chose to study computer science at university.

My mathematics teacher in secondary school influenced my interest in mathematics and sciences because he taught us with patience and passion.

How did your early path in science progress?

I obtained a BSc in computer engineering in 2013 at Universite de Thies, Senegal. I then proceeded to theUniversity Cheikh Anta Diop still in Dakar, for an MSc in Distributed Information Systems, which I obtained in 2015.

I worked on a distributed architecture of Voice over IP (VoIP), which are networks that do not rely heavily on centralized server nodes to facilitate communication. For my MSc thesis, I worked on real-time storage techniques for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN).

I consider my greatest achievement to be a two-year tenure as an engineer of telecommunications networks and services in the Department of Information Services at Thies University in Senegal. Our mission was to set up a distributed authentication system for the university. It was a very challenging project that we managed brilliantly.

What is the focus of your PhD research?

In 2018, I commenced my PhD studies through the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF), registered at the University Gaston Berger in Senegal. My research focus is on the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), as applied to agriculture and farming. I am assessing energy efficiency within irrigation networks and clean energy within solar-powered systems.

The aim is to develop an automated irrigation system that will compute the right amount of water for overall crop growth, ensuring that only the required amounts of water are supplied to the plants. The goal is to propose a solution that will optimize and automate the irrigation paradigm in the Niayes area in north-western Senegal.

Niayes has exceptionally favourable climate for farming and represents a natural base of agricultural production in Senegal. However, the region is experiencing increasing salt intrusion and destruction of the strip of Casuarina trees [that help prevent erosion], caused by speculation and irregular sale of land.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Agribusiness Africa Senegal 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.

So far, I have been able to establish a mathematical model of reliability and accessibility based on energy efficiency. I also have an Internet of Things testbed and several projects are being built from it for novel publications, in the context of our research focus.

How does your research contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals?

My research has a cross-cutting impact on several SDGs. The need to regulate and optimize water resources, as well as the move to more sustainable farming systems is a shared concern in many developing countries and across the globe. This research will contribute much-needed knowledge towards this goal.

What are the broader implications of your research?

The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated the importance of IoT beyond the traditional focus of industrial applications. More human-centric applications of IoT have emerged, for example, in making visible the web of human connections as a critical part of the track and trace strategy to monitor and contain the spread of the virus.

Although our research focuses on agriculture, we are also assessing IoT in a more generic format, with extensive potential for broad transfer of the applications that we will develop.

Overall, this study provides strong evidence of the transformative potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in Africa and the need for the continent to invest heavily in the necessary infrastructure, capacity and policies.
Armenia 2nd President meets with leaders and officers of Police, MOD and National Security Service of various years

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative: Incumbent authorities' mistakes are irreversible

Europe sees progress in latest rounds of Iran nuclear talks

Armenian analyst: Turkey wants to push Russia out of the South Caucasus

Young Armenian says brawl with Azerbaijanis in front of Azerbaijan Embassy in Moscow might have been organized

Catholicos of All Armenians leaves for Armenia's Syunik Province and Artsakh on pontifical visit

Armenian and Russian Prosecutors General meet in St. Petersburg

Armenian acting minister: EU allocated EUR 68,700,000 to Armenia for budget support in 2020

Armenia Finance Ministry: MFA's budget grew by AMD 1,600,000,000 in 2020

Bodies and remains of Armenian soldiers are kept in morgue in Armenia's Martuni

White House confirms Biden-Erdogan meeting in Brussels

Armenia acting MOD touches upon priority directions for development of Armed Forces

Diaspora Armenian writer, publicist Toros Toranian dies

2 Armenian soldiers injured in scuffle with Azerbaijan, Armenian POW is hospitalized, Jun. 3 digest

Wedding held in Armenia's Shurnukh for first time since the war ended

EEU member states to finish preparing for negotiations over free trade zone in Iran in late June

Armenia Central Bank: Economic downfall in 2020 was due to decline in service and construction sectors

Armenia legislature adopts several bills in first reading

Armenia President meets with Nursultan Nazarbayev

Dejavu: Armenia ruling party distributes money for votes at Yerevan district election office

Chief Advisor to Karabakh President sacked

Russian MFA: Works are carried out to settle situation around Karabakh every day

Armenia opposition MP sounds alarm about Baku fabricating criminal cases against Armenian prisoners

Armenia acting health minister: I have apologized, I am not going to resign

Helga Schmid meets with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs

Armenia's deputy foreign ministers resigned or have heavy workload?

Dollar goes down in Armenia

Armenia Elections Oversight Committee reports Iranian citizenship of ruling party's MP candidate

Acting deputy minister: Only 17 of 711 Iran-Armenia power transmission line towers were installed by 2017

Armenia Parliament Council holding session

Armenia to host CSTO "Thunder-2021" military exercises

NYT: Chinese hackers launch cyberattack on New York city transportation authority

Armenia President to Kazakhstan counterpart: I would like to see much deeper cooperation between our countries

Armenia citizens shut down Etchmiadzin-Ashtarak road, complaining about lack of irrigation water

Armenia independent MP: Foreign minister and his deputies don't want to take part in treacherous acts

Armenia to get $11mn loan, 350,000 grant for agriculture

WHO worries about worsening mental health worldwide amid pandemic

Armenia health ministry on improper handling of Artsakh war victims bodies: There is no justification

Armenia bloc election foundation already in operation

Russia ambassador to Armenia paying working visit to Syunik Province (PHOTOS)

China pledges to step up resistance to foreign interference in Hong Kong

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: There can be no talk of corridor for Azerbaijan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on incumbent authorities: Wherever they flee, we will bring them by the feet

President: Impossible to ensure peace in region or stay in Artsakh without Russia army joint efforts

China Daily: Dispatch from Makit: Thriving in the desert

Karabakh President: We will never put up with being part of Azerbaijan, it is ruled out

Armenia MFA information department chief: All deputy FMs carrying out their duties

Ardshinbank invited children to the cinema on International Childrens Day

Armenia judiciary to have 10 more judges

Armenia acting premier: We had recorded 40% increase in tax revenues according to 2019 results

Armenia acting PM on Artsakh war casualties bodies: We have 50 remains in which case DNA was not separated

Azerbaijan authorities plan to "squeeze" everything from "terrorist show" related to Armenian captives

Ameriabank announces a contest for bank card design

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia parliament convenes special session

Armenia interim government holding Cabinet meeting

Catholicos of All Armenians heads for Syunik Province, Artsakh

World oil prices going up

Iran loses right to vote in UN General Assembly

Newspaper: Armenia authorities come up with new way of punishing unwanted characters

Newspaper: Russia army Southern Military District deputy commander to arrive in Yerevan Thursday

Lebanese Armenian man taken prisoner by Azerbaijan is hospitalized

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Are we getting under the burden? Then lets get under to the end

Armenia acting health minister on keeping fallen soldiers bodies in bags: What else should they be kept in?

Armenia acting health minister on citizens' demand for her resignation

Karabakh's new State Minister Artak Beglaryan on his appointment and future activities

Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani representatives hold consultations in Moscow

2 Armenian soldiers receive slight injuries after incident with Azerbaijani servicemen in Armenia's Gegharkunik

Armenian boy weighing 5 kg born at Goris Medical Center

"Armenia" bloc representative presents purpose of participation in elections and plans

Isaac Herzog elected President of Israel

Rouhani: Main issues between Tehran, Washington resolved in Vienna

Charles Michel calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume constructive negotiations

US Department of State responds to Pashinyan's proposal to deploy international observers on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Head of Armenia 2nd President's Office: Robert Kocharyan's public meetings are held in warm atmosphere

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representative on photos and videos showing bags of deceased servicemen's bodies

Armenia Ombudsman, AGBU President discuss war crimes committed by Azerbaijan during Karabakh war

Opposition "Armenia" bloc's representatives to hold briefings three times a week

Opposition "Armenia" bloc member: Blood-freezing photos and videos from morgue in Abovyan are authorities' reflection

Yerevan mayor receives Netherlands Ambassador
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for West central Jackson County, Madison County until 4:45 a.m.

At 358 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 7 miles southwest of Harvest to near Decatur to 6 miles northwest of Brushy Lake, moving east at 55 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include... Huntsville, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Hartselle, Moores Mill, Redstone Arsenal, Meridianville, Priceville and Owens Cross Roads.

Turn to WAAY 31 for everything you need to know to stay safe during severe weather. Chief Meteorologist Kate McKenna will provide you with the most accurate information on storms by using our StormTracker Early Warning Radar Network.

Stationed in Muscle Shoals, Decatur and Guntersville, the radars provide the best data for all of North Alabama by scanning EVERY community in North Alabama.

See all the radars HERE

Access the Muscle Shoals radar HERE

Access the Decatur radar HERE

Access the Guntersville radar HERE

And download our news and weather apps HERE
I would really like to know where all those bleeding hearts about kids in cages are now. How come there aren't more letters and articles about the overwhelming border surge at the southern US border.



Children are brought specifically to distract and tie up border agents while drug smugglers and cartels convoy their goods across and into the US. Parents sending children unaccompanied specifically because they think the kids won't get sent back.



Why don't I see any outrage about the atrocious conditions the kids are in or how the media are not allowed to go in and check conditions out for themselves?

Where are all the finger pointers who, not so long ago, were incessantly going on about how Trump was at fault for those kids in cages and claimed, without evidence, that children were being ripped from their mothers arms?



The kids are in all the same conditions again. To top it off we're supposed to be in a pandemic, and those conditions are exactly opposite of what the protocol should be. If you haven't seen the most recent pictures, you should search them.



Is it because we can't blame Trump that no one wants to talk about it anymore?



Michelle Cartmell


New Delhi: A passenger travelling on SpiceJet's Delhi-Varanasi flight tried to open the emergency door of the aircraft when it was mid-air, but was restrained by the flight crew and co-passengers, the airline said on Sunday.

The passenger was later handed over to the police, reported news agency PTI.

"On March 27, a passenger travelling on SpiceJet flight SG-2003 (Delhi-Varanasi) tried to open the emergency door of the aircraft in an abusive and aggressive state while the aircraft was airborne," the airline's spokesperson said in a statement.

The passenger was brought under control by the flight crew with the help of co-passengers, he said.

The crew immediately informed the captain who requested the ATC (air traffic controller) for a priority landing.

"The aircraft landed safely in Varanasi where the said passenger was handed over to the local police by CISF and SpiceJet's security staff," the spokesperson added.

Live TV
A library is like Aladdins cave, filled with hidden treasures. The Napa Valley Genealogy Library has a large collection of family histories. Some of them are publications prepared by professionals on historically well-known families. But many of the volumes represent the efforts of family members to document their own family history. And many of them are local Napa County families.

While browsing through these books, I discovered some interesting things. A set of books on the Martin Family consisted of four volumes compiled by Lillian W. Wilt. She created a comprehensive overview of her Martin family from colonial times through the 1800s. She completed her work in about 1932. Much of the material in these volumes referred exclusively to the Martin family and related families. But there is also some general and useful information on others.

There is information on military activities, government formation, tax lists, land purchases, and much more. This research was done at a time when none of this information was available on the internet. That meant that all the documentation had to be obtained in person at separate locales. This must have taken years to compile and organize four bound volumes.
By State Sen. Judy Schwank

In the state senates recent appropriation hearing about funding Pennsylvanias State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein sought to drive home the fact that our state schools are in serious financial trouble.

So much so, that if nothing changes, his recommendation would be to disband the system.

The key point being: If nothing changes.

But some of my colleagues and those in academia were quick to panic, seemingly understanding Chancellor Greensteins frank comments as a plan to shut down our state schools. It has caused unnecessary uproar considering PASSHEs financial woes arent new. This was evident to the legislature last year when we passed Act 50, which authorized needed reforms, and independent reviews of the system (already completed).

Ive served on PASSHEs Board of Governors, a 20-member board responsible for planning development and operation of the entire system, for six years. Ive invested time and energy into my role because I believe quality, affordable education can bring about meaningful change, both to the students served and to our Commonwealth.

The last few years have been difficult for public and private higher education, even prior to the pandemic. Its a buyers market and students have their pick of schools. PASSHEs main sell for years was its affordability  but the economy has negated that. Striking a balance between keeping education affordable, while also attracting and retaining top-notch professors and staff is difficult.

Keep in mind that a few years ago, our 14 PASSHE schools state support was slashed by hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Although some of those cuts were restored, PASSHE is operating at the same appropriation level it did in 2000. And, primarily due to demographic changes, our systemwide enrollment has dropped to about 95,000 from a peak of 119,000 in 2010.

Our state schools are an integral economic asset to our state, especially for workforce development; their continued health is vital to the economic success of Pennsylvania.

PASSHE is in the process of redesigning itself with three priorities in mind: ensuring student success; leveraging university strengths; and transforming the governance/leadership structure. The plan is currently in its third and final phase. We need to let this process finish and review its recommendations. The intention was never to close schools but to better position them to survive.

For sure, there is more to be done and more can be done. For example, our state schools could forge stronger relationships with community colleges to create a pipeline of students and find ways to provide educational opportunities for retraining and up-skilling our existing workforce. Its also imperative we empanel a Higher Education Funding Commission to review and make recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly on funding public higher education.

I wish Chancellor Greensteins remarks had instead inspired my colleagues into finding ways to support and further invest in our state system. If we cant get beyond the outrage, our students, particularly those of lower income and color, will suffer the most.

Higher education is supposed to be a great equalizer. This is not the time to abandon that goal.

State Sen. Judy Schwank represents Pennsylvanias 11th Senate district and is a member of PASSHEs Board of Governors.
ALBANY, N.Y.  A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection.

Even as the vaccination campaign has ramped up, the number of new infections in New Jersey has crept up by 37% in a little more than a month, to about 23,600 every seven days. About 54,600 people in New York tested positive for the virus in the last week, a number that has begun to inch up recently.

The two states now rank No. 1 and 2 in new infections per capita among U.S. states. New Jersey has been reporting about 647 new cases for every 100,000 residents over the past 14 days. New York has averaged 548.

The situation in New York and New Jersey mirrors a national trend that has seen case numbers inch up in recent days. The U.S. is averaging nearly 62,000 cases a day, up from 54,000 two weeks ago.

Neither state is experiencing anything like what they saw last spring, when hospitals  and morgues  were overflowing. And like the rest of the country, both are in a much better place than in January, at the peak of the pandemics winter spike.

But the lack of improvement or even backsliding in recent weeks has raised concerns that the states are opening too quickly and people are letting down their guard too much, just as potentially more contagious variants of the virus are circulating more widely.

When were seeing leveling off of cases or increase, thats when its a time to rethink policies, said Roy Gulick, chief of the infectious diseases division at Weill Cornell Medical College and New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

In February, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo allowed the states largest stadiums to host sporting events and concerts again, albeit at only 10% of normal capacity. New York City movie theaters have been allowed to reopen. Restaurants can now operate at 50% capacity in New York City and 75% capacity elsewhere in the state. Indoor fitness classes have resumed, too.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has led a similar reopening, with the states restaurants also allowed to operate at half capacity and barbers, salons and other personal care businesses resuming trade.

Thats happened in other parts of the country, too.

Utah, Alabama, Arkansas and Indiana will end mask mandates in early April, joining states including Arizona, Texas, Mississippi, Montana and Iowa that have eliminated face covering requirements in recent weeks. Some states are allowing businesses to operate at full capacity.

But in Illinois, the state public health director on Friday emphasized the need to keep wearing masks and socially distancing amid an increase in cases and hospitalizations. The single-day total of confirmed and probable cases of the illness topped 3,000 Friday for the first time in seven weeks, and hospitalizations have jumped 15% in the past five days.

Murphy said in recent days that he is hitting pause on further loosening of the rules because of New Jerseys resurgence.

The number of people hospitalized with the virus in New York has plateaued around 4,600 since mid-March. New Jersey hospitals are reporting about 2,200 virus patients  up by roughly 300 in the past couple of weeks.

Theyre spreading more quickly and our vaccination rates are improving every week, but they are certainly not where we want them to be, said Bruce Farber, chief of infectious diseases and public health and epidemiology for Northwell Health.

Experts cite several potential factors, including the spread of potentially more contagious variants in the densely populated region.

Is there something different thats happening in this part of the country compared to some other parts of the country? asked Dr. Ed Lifshitz, the medical director of New Jerseys communicable disease service within the state Health Department. And the answer is probably yes.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has questioned whether Cuomo is easing restrictions for political reasons, despite cause for concern. The governor is facing calls for his resignation over sexual harassment allegations.

But then de Blasio himself announced that 80,000 more city employees would no longer work from home, starting in May.

People enjoy lunch hour in Union Square, Friday, March 26, 2021, in New York. A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

New York Citys Public Advocate Jumaane Williams urged New York to pause reopening plans.

I ask the governor to stick to the science, trust the experts, and pause the planned reopenings now, before they take effect and more are infected, Williams said.

Experts worry the public is getting the message that increased vaccination means the state is in the clear, even though only a fraction of the public has completed a full course. Vaccines lessen the risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19, but scientists are still studying how well they prevent the spread of the virus.

To allow larger groups to gather, to give the message to the public that were over the worst and that we can go back to normal is a mistake, Farber said.

Stony Brook University professor and neuroepidemiologist Sean Clouston said growth in new cases is concentrated in younger people, who cant get vaccinated in New York unless they have specific health conditions or certain jobs. He said their infection rates could drop once theyre eligible, too.

___

Marina Villeneuve and Mike Catalini of The Associated Press wrote this story.

Catalini reported from Trenton, New Jersey.
Brisbane, March 28 : Australia's Queensland has urged the federal government to halve international arrivals to the state as locally acquired coronavirus cases in its capital city of Brisbane continued to grow.

Queensland Health said on Saturday a man in his 20s from Strathpine, north of Brisbane, has tested positive to the virus, the second local case in the past week, reports Xinhua news agency.

This man is a close contact of another 26-year-old man who tested positive on March 25.

Genomic testing confirmed that the 26-year-old man was linked to a previous cluster announced earlier this month and had the highly contagious B117 variant first identified in Britain.

"Both men are now being treated in Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. We will conduct genome sequencing on the latest case to confirm they are linked," said Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young.

Besides the local case, Queensland also recorded five cases who are returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

On a press conference on Saturday, Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged Prime Minister Scott Morrison to halve the number of international returning travellers the state is having due to the high rate of positive cases in returning travellers and heavy workload of local hospitals.

Currently the state is bracing about 1,300 people from overseas per week.

Several other states also tightened border control towards the sunshine state despite the long weekend of Easter is coming, including New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
You are here: World

 Flash

A bomb explosion reportedly occurred outside a Cathedral church in the port city of Makassar, capital of South Sulawesi province in east Indonesia at around 10:28 a.m. local time Sunday, with scores of people injured.

"We are now probing into the source of the explosion," South Sulawesi provincial police's spokesman Senior Commissioner E Zulpan told local media.

Human body parts were reported to be found at the scene, but it was not confirmed yet whether they belong to the perpetrator or others.

The injured were rushed to hospitals and news footage showed cars near the building were damaged as police cordoned off the area.
New Delhi, March 28 : As Covid-19 cases are sharply rising all over the country, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid in New Delhi has appealed people to stay at their homes and offer prayers on the occasion of Holi and 'Shab-e-Barat'. 'Shab-e-Barat' would be celebrated between March 28-29. 'Shab-e-Barat' is called the festival of worship during which many Muslims observe a fast for two days.

The Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Ahmed Bukhari, in a video, said: "'Shab-e-Barat' is on March 28 and Holi festival is also falling on that day. The Covid-19 infection also continues to increase at a slow pace. Covid-19 guidelines have been issued as a precautionary measure by the government in Delhi and several other places." Bukhari said, "I appeal to all the people to avoid congestion on the streets as a precautionary measure and on the occasion of 'Shab-e-Barat', people should offer prayers at mosques in their locality or at homes." The Shahi Imam had also made similar appeal last year when corona cases had reached at their peak. People are being appealed to stay at their homes due to the threat of Covid-19 infection.

'Shab-e-Barat' is an important festival celebrated Muslims all over the world. They celebrate this festival on the 14th and 15th night of the month of Sha'ban according to the Islamic calendar.
NEW YORK, March 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Jianpu Technology Inc. (NYSE: JT) between May 29, 2018 and February 16, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 19, 2021 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Jianpu securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Jianpu class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2033.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 19, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience or resources. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020 founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) certain of Jianpu's transactions carried out by the Credit Card Recommendation Business Unit involved undisclosed relationships or lacked business substance; (2) as a result, Jianpu's revenue and costs and expenses for fiscal 2018 and 2019 were overstated; (3) there were material weaknesses in Jianpu's internal control over financial reporting; (4) as a result of the foregoing, Jianpu's fiscal 2018 Form 20-F was reasonably likely to be restated; and (5) as a result, Jianpu's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Jianpu class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2033.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

Related Links

www.rosenlegal.com


The fight over Gov. Tim Walz's emergency powers is still permeating the 2021 Minnesota legislative session, yet more than a dozen state and federal judges have broadly backed his actions.

In refusing to reverse statewide mask mandates, eviction moratoriums and business restrictions, judges are carving out new precedents for executive power amid the pandemic that has killed nearly 7,000 Minnesotans over the last year.

"There's legislative guardrails but there's also court guardrails and we've won every single case because we stayed closed to the law and common sense," said Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose office has defended Walz in court. "And now we have case law to support what we already suspected the governor's powers were during a peacetime emergency."

Republican lawmakers have spent much of the pandemic arguing that the DFL governor is circumventing the legislative branch. At least one 2022 challenger  Chaska physician and former state Sen. Scott Jensen  is making opposition to Walz's COVID-19 response a top campaign pitch.

The political opposition is in stark contrast with findings by at least 15 state and federal judges that Walz has not exceeded his constitutional authority to respond to crises.

After starting with limited legal clarity on how to respond to a pandemic, the Walz administration and Ellison's office have a clean slate defending court challenges. To date, judges at all levels have been unwilling to second-guess Walz's authority.

"The courts for the most part have given the governor pretty broad leeway to be able to act and have really not imposed too many constraints upon him," said David Schultz, a political science professor at Hamline University.

Several judges ruling on Walz's orders have looked to a 1905 U.S. Supreme Court case that affirmed a Massachusetts prosecution of a man who refused vaccination against smallpox.

That court said states could impose measures that infringe on constitutional rights during a public health emergency: "Liberty secured by the Constitution does not import an absolute right  to be, at all times and in all circumstances, wholly freed from restraint."

Story continues

Ellison agrees with the ruling, but said its age underscored the extraordinary uncertainty provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the early weeks of responding to its spread, state officials had a limited legal blueprint for imposing orders that closed businesses and requiring mask wearing.

"We were fearful of the possibility that [Walz] didn't have that power because if he didn't then the governor couldn't protect people from a lethal disease," said Ellison, speaking one year after his mother died because of COVID-19 complications. "But it is clear now that he does."

Minnesota's Emergency Powers Act dates to the 1950s and has been used by governors to respond to weather disasters, the Interstate 35W bridge collapse and even the search for Jacob Wetterling.

Nothing has tested the law quite like COVID-19.

The statute lets the governor declare an initial state of emergency for five days. An initial 30-day extension needs signoff by an Executive Council that includes the lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor and secretary of state. Further extensions require the Legislature to be in session.

A majority vote from both houses of the Legislature can end the emergency. The GOP-led Senate has voted multiple times to terminate, but similar attempts have not advanced in the DFL-controlled House.

Ellison said his office has spent $425,000 so far defending Walz's orders in court. In many cases, lawsuits seeking to remove Walz's powers took aim at the law itself.

Minneapolis attorney Erick Kaardal, a frequent litigant against the government, is trying to undo the emergency powers statute because he believes it includes an unlawful "legislative veto" and because Walz violated the state's separation of powers.

Representing a group of small businesses, Kaardal recently argued before a state Court of Appeals panel after his suit failed in Ramsey County last fall.

Walz supported Kaardal's earlier plea to speed up arguments in the case to "clarify a governor's authority to respond to an emergency." The Supreme Court refused. But Justice Gordon Moore, the only state high court appointee of Walz's term so far, joined Justice Paul Thissen in a dissent that called the debate over Walz's executive authority "urgent and of statewide importance."

"This is too important not to be clear," Kaardal said.

Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, said he has tallied efforts to curb emergency powers in at least 40 states. It is evidence, to him, that executive authority has gone too far nationwide.

But with judges unwilling to reverse the emergency orders, any remedy must come from the divided Legislature.

"It reaffirms that we need to continue to add pressure to remove the emergency powers and get back to normal," he said.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said that the breadth of cases pointing to the Legislature's role on emergency declarations deflates GOP arguments that Walz's orders "removes the voice of the Legislature."

"That is not in fact true," Hortman said. "The Democratic House of Representatives, led by a female speaker, has made the decision 17 times whether to side with the opposition or the governor and we've decided 17 times to side with the governor."

Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea also dismissed three recall attempts last year, finding each time that no allegation proved "malfeasance" by Walz.

Minnesota judges are starting to cite each other's work in their own rulings upholding Walz's decisions, reflecting the growing body of new case law.

Last fall, U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz dismissed a challenge to Walz's mask mandate filed by the conservative Minnesota Voters Alliance activist group. Ramsey County Judge John Guthmann cited Schiltz when tossing out a similar case this month, repeating that the First Amendment does not grant the right to put "at risk the lives and health" of others.

Judges keeping Walz's powers in place include both Democratic and Republican appointees. Schiltz was appointed to the federal bench by Republican President George W. Bush. Guthmann was appointed by former GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud, a Donald Trump appointee, also recently refused to grant an exemption to the mask mandate sought by a group of youth athletes and parents, writing that the "appropriate audience for their argument and objections are Minnesota's political branches," not in court.

When Dakota County Judge Jerome Abrams found Lakeville's Alibi Drinkery in contempt of court after it reopened amid a temporary ban on indoor dining last year, the Pawlenty appointee contemplated the balance communities must strike between preserving liberty and community safety.

"COVID-19 has presented us with a historic challenge," Abrams wrote. "Testing the limits of our ability to survive the disease as well as endure the restrictions necessary to fight it."

Stephen Montemayor  612-673-1755
The husband of Tiger King star Joe Exotic said he and the jailed zookeeper are seeking a divorce.

Dillon Passage tied the knot with Exotic, 58, in December 2017, before he was arrested on charges of animal abuse and orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot against a rival.

Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is serving a 22-year federal prison sentence for trying to have Big Cat Rescue CEO Carole Baskin killed.

His downfall featured in Netflixs wildly popular docuseries Tiger King, which premiered in March last year.

Passage announced on Instagram he has split from Exotic but promised to always love and support him.

After describing being thrust into the spotlight due to Tiger King as incredibly uncomfortable, he said: To answer the main question the public wants to know, yes, Joe and I are seeking a divorce.

This wasnt an easy decision to make but Joe and I both understand that this situation isnt fair to either of us. Its something that neither of us were expecting but we are going to take it day by day.

Expand Close Joe Exotic shot to fame after his downfall featured in Netflix docuseries Tiger King (Netflix/PA) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Joe Exotic shot to fame after his downfall featured in Netflix docuseries Tiger King (Netflix/PA)

We are on good terms still and I hope it can stay that way. I will continue to have Joe in my life and do my best to support him while he undergoes further legal battles to better his situation.

Exotic and Passages wedding came two months after the death of Travis Maldonado, the formers previous husband. He accidentally shot himself.

In January Exotic, who presided over big cats at a zoo in Oklahoma before he was jailed, was omitted from a list of pardons by outgoing president Donald Trump.

His legal team had been confident of securing his release after launching a high-profile campaign to capture Mr Trumps attention.




Chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council Martin Hewitt said he wanted to build trust and confidence in police in black communities (Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

A senior police chief has warned of the damaging effect distrust in British policing in black communities is having on the effectiveness of law enforcement.

Martin Hewitt said trust and confidence in policing was 20% lower in the black population compared with the average, as he highlighted the need to boost the number of black recruits in police forces.

In his first interview on race since the Black Lives Matter protests which spread across the globe last summer, the chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) told the Guardian that he wanted to change generations of history between police and black communities.

The reason it is important is because all of that takes you to the legitimacy of us, as a service, he told the newspaper.

He said trust and confidence in the police was important for people to come forward and report crime and engage with officers, and could also lead to young black men and women saying Im prepared to go and become a police officer.

Expand Close Demonstrators and police at a Black Lives Matter protest in Newcastle (Owen Humphreys/PA) PA / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Demonstrators and police at a Black Lives Matter protest in Newcastle (Owen Humphreys/PA)

British police have been heavily criticised over the years over its disproportionate use of powers, such as stop and search and use of force, on Black and ethnic minority people.

It led to Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) warning in a report last month that police risk losing the trust of the communities they serve.

The inspectorate said 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.

Following the death of George Floyd in the US and the protests that followed, the NPCC said it would develop a plan of action to address racial inequalities in policing.

It said an independent scrutiny and oversight board will be established with members who can draw on a range of experiences to challenge and scrutinise us.

Mr Hewitt said the final action plan would await the approval of the chair of the new scrutiny board, who would be recruited from outside policing.

This is not about political correctness. This is not about wokeism or whatever anyone else wants to call it, he said.

This is about legitimate policing. Legitimate policing has to be legitimate for all the communities, and that includes the black community.
Amidst criticism of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro due to a continuous surge in COVID-19 cases, a Sao Paulo court has ordered in favour of a journalist who sued him. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been directed to pay compensation to a journalist for making derogatory remarks against her. The Sao Paulo court in its order said that Bolsonaro will have to pay 20,000 reais (about US$3,500) to Patricia Campos Mello, a reporter with the daily Folha De S. Paulo.

In February 2020, President Bolsonaro claimed that Campos Mello had offered sex to a source in exchange for negative information about him. On March 16, the judge ruled that the far-right leader had "damaged the honor of the complainant, causing moral damage."

Bolsonaro can appeal the decision.

It is to be noted that Campos Mello wrote several investigative stories on an organisation that slandered Bolsonaro's opponents on WhatsApp during his 2018 presidential campaign.

In January 2021, Eduardo Bolsonaro, a Brazilian congressman and the son of President Jair Bolsonaro, was ordered to pay 30,000 reais (US$5,600) in compensation for moral damage to Campos Mello. Eduardo Bolsonaro made a series of serious accusations against journalist Patricia Campos Mello on the YouTube channel of Terca Livre. He claimed that Campos Mello had attempted to use sex to gain negative information about his father and tried to interfere with the 2018 presidential election. In response, Campos Mello sued the younger Bolsonaro for moral damages in a civil court and won.

'A war is going on against the President'

President Bolsonaro is also facing the heat after the COVID-19 cases of Brazil does not seem to curb. In Brazil, more than 450,000 people have been killed. Intensive care units are 95% full. Fifteen other state capitals are on verge of collapse as well, with ICU occupancy over 90%.

Recently, a Brazilian daily reported that hundreds of Brazilian business leaders and economists have slammed the country's highest leadership over ignoring science, encouraging crowds, hyping unproven treatments. In the report, the business leaders also asked for a new policy approach as the country is entering a critical phase of the coronavirus pandemic.

In an interaction with the media, President Bolsonaro had said that a war is going on here against the him in the name of COVID. "It seems that people only die of Covid. The hospitals are 90% occupied. But we need to find out how many are from Covid and how many are from other illnesses," he said.

(Image Credits: AP)
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
New Delhi:

North Korea on Thursday fired an intermediate range missile over Japan. The missile was launched from Pyongyang. It was latest outrageous action carried out by North Korea after an underground detonation of nuclear device.

Reacting to the reports of Pyongyang firing missile, Japan strongly condemned the action by saying that these repeated provocations on the part of North Korea are unpermissible and they protest in the strongest words.

According to Reuters, the missile reportedly reached an altitude of about 770 km and flew over a distance of about 3,700 km. The US military had announced that it had detected an intermediate range ballistic missile. The US said the projectile did not pose a threat to North America.

The UN Security Council on Thursday strongly condemned "highly provocative" launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea and demanded that the reclusive nation immediately halt such "outrageous" actions.

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned these launches, condemned further North Korea for its outrageous actions, and demanded that North Korea immediately cease all such actions, the Security Council said in a statement after an emergency meeting.

North Korea has launched dozens of missiles under Kim Jong Uns leadership to accelerate a weapons programme designed to give it the ability to target the United States with a powerful, nuclear-tipped missile.

With PTI inputs

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
All lorry drivers entering England face compulsory Covid-19 tests to fight the threat of new coronavirus variants, Grant Shapps said today.

The Transport Secretary confirmed the new regime for hauliers despite concerns it could cause disruption to key imports.

Those coming from outside the UK for more than two days are expected to take a test within 48 hours of arrival, and then every 72 hours after that.

'This is to ensure we keep track of any future #Coronavirus Variants of Concern,' Mr Shapps said on Twitter.

A similar move by France in December caused chaos at UK ports, but the industry believes there is now enough rapid testing available for the impact to be managed.

Although most foreign travel has been banned from Britain until at least May 17, essential workers such as truck drivers have been exempted as they transport crucial supplies. Instead they have been encouraged to take rapid flow tests.

French officials started testing lorry drivers in Dover before they crossed the Channel in December last year (pictured). They dropped the scheme last week

Grant Shapps confirmed the new regime for hauliers despite concerns it could cause disruption to key imports

Hauliers staying in England longer than two days will have to have a test within 48 hours of arriving and then every 72 hours. Pictured, Dover last week

Failure to abide by the new rules could lead to fines similar to the 2,000 penalties for travellers who fail to get screened during home quarantine.

Border Force staff engaged in cross Channel work and similar arrangements for those working on trains and ferries in the area will have to take three mandatory tests a week.

France has dropped its requirement for hauliers coming from the UK to be tested, which had been in place since December.

Lorry drivers heading from Britain to Denmark, Germany or the Netherlands still require a test.

Concerns have been growing about the spread of the South African and Brazilian variants of coronavirus on the continent.

Home Affairs committee chair Yvette Cooper grilled Boris Johnson about the situation on Wednesday, demanding to know why hauliers coming from France were not being tested.

Mr Johnson responded that 'we have to look at the situation at the Channel' and 'we can't rule out tougher measures and we will put them in if necessary'.

When France required the testing of hauliers crossing the Channel in December it led to thousands of lorries being stranded in Kent while the arrangements were put in place.

Three months on from the delays, France last week lifted its requirement for lorry drivers arriving from Britain to present a negative Covid test.
The internet succeeded in getting the newly released Joseon Exorcist cancelled after just two episodes. Only four days after its release, the show's broadcasters SBS announced that the show would stand cancelled given the severe backlash it received from its viewers. Here are all the details about the show and why Joseon Exorcist episodes will not be airing anymore.

What was Joseon Exorcist about?

Joseon Exorcist is a period drama that includes zombie invasions. The show was released on March 22, 2021. Since then only two episodes of the show have been released. In the two episodes, the characters King Taejong and his two sons, Prince Chungnyung and Prince Yangnyeong are introduced. The story revolves around the family's mission to save the Joseon dynasty in South Korea against evil spirits.

Why was Joseon Exorcist cancelled?

According to South China Morning Post, after the two episodes were aired, many viewers were enraged by the depiction, the props and the character names used in the series. Many pointed out that the series distorted a lot of the historical details mentioned. The props used in the series, including the food, were inspired heavily by the Chinese culture which didn't sit well with many viewers, especially ones from Chinese origins, considering the ongoing disagreement between South Korea and China.

After Joseon Exorcist backlash, the makers tried to explain their perspective regarding the use of Chinese props and foods like mooncakes and thousand-year eggs. They said that the scene was set on a border between Korea and Ming dynasty China. This statement did not help in reducing the controversy.

Chinese personalities had claimed that Kimchi (fermented cabbage), Pansori (South Korean musical storytelling), and Hanbok (traditional Korean dress) used to be a part of China. The use of Chinese props, therefore, caused a huge uproar among the audience. This led to the show being cancelled for a week.

The descendants of the Joseon dynasty's rulers from the royal Lee clan who ruled in Korea for more than 500 years called for an indefinite cancellation of the show. They claimed that the show expressed "favouritism towards China's Northeast History Project".

Many viewers believed that the use of the names King Taejong, Prince Chungnyung, and Prince Yangyeong were falsely distorted. They didn't agree with the negative depiction of the characters in the series. King Taejong is shown as a dictator who conducts genocides because of a hallucination that he sees in the first episode of the series. A part of the series also shows Prince Chungnyung being entertained by gisaeng, entertainers in the Korean culture similar to the Japanese geishas, too was disturbing for the audience.

SBS had announced that following Joseon Exorcist backlash they would either cancel or re-edit the show. The show was then kept on hold for a week.

(Image courtesy: Jang Dong Yoon Instagram)

Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment.

A Russian nuclear submarine breaks through the Arctic ice during military drills at an unspecified location, on March 26, 2021. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

3 Russian Submarines Surface and Break Arctic Ice During Drills

Three Russian nuclear ballistic missile submarines have surfaced simultaneously breaking the Arctic ice during drills, reported the commander-in-chief of the Russian fleet at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin via videolink on Friday.

The commander, Nikolai Yevmenov, said the sophisticated maneuver was carried out by submarines for the first time in the history of the Russian Navy. The submarines surfaced within a 300 meters radius and the ice they broke was 1.5 meter deep, the admiral added.

Russia has prioritized beefing up its military presence in the Arctic region, which is believed to hold up to one-quarter of the Earths undiscovered oil and gas. Putin in the past has cited estimates that put the value of Arctic mineral riches at $30 trillion.

Russia, the United States, Canada, Denmark, and Norway all have been trying to assert jurisdiction over parts of the Arctic, as shrinking polar ice opens new opportunities for tapping resources and opening new shipping lanes.

As part of its efforts to project its power over the Arctic, the Russian military has rebuilt and expanded numerous facilities across the polar region in recent years, revamping runways and deploying additional surveillance and air defense assets.

The Russian defense ministry published footage of the submarines emerging from underneath the ice with loud noise.

As part of this weeks maneuvers, a pair of MiG-31 fighters flew over the North Pole, Yevmenov said. A Defense Ministry video featured them being refueled by a tanker plane.

The drill was held near Franz Josef Land Archipelago in the Arctic Ocean and was aimed at testing Russian military hardware in extreme weather conditions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Easter last year, many Christians were like their Early Church counterparts sheltering in their homes worried about the future. This year, while its not quite the same, it will be a triumph for believers who are feeling a new-found freedom with the advent of vaccines to protect the faithful. Heres a look at how many area churches will celebrate the high feast day of Easter.

Founding Pastor Ken Werlein said Faithbridge Church is excited about trying something new the weekend of April 3: Easter Under The Tent!

Werlein said Easter celebrations will be taken outside due to COVID-19 by setting up 1,500 chairs on the front lawn under a 160-foot tent with a sound system and video screens  and most importantly  lots of ventilation.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Cy-Fair Resource Guide: More events on the horizon as vaccine rollout continues

The congregation started gathering in-person again last September, and Werlein believes that the Easter Under The Tent experience will help them overcome many of the distancing challenges theyve faced during this pandemic.

This years Easter services at the northwest Houston church will be held Saturday, April 3 at 5 p.m., and Sunday, April 4 at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m.

Were praying that well have over 5,000 kids, youth and adults worshiping with us this Easter weekend between our on-campus and online services, Werlein said.

The pastor said Easter is an annual celebration of joy for Christians all around the world.

Its a reminder that no matter how hard life gets  whether its pandemics, sickness, pain, suffering, depression, grief or sorrow  hope is alive because of Jesus Christ, he said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: March 25-April 4: Outdoor adventures, Easter events planned in northwest Houston area

Online services have been offered since the start of the pandemic, Werlein said, and theres no plans to stop anytime soon. He said unlike this years hybrid online and in-person services, Easter in 2020 was all online.

But it was very special all the same  after weeks of lockdown, our families were especially hungry for togetherness, Werlein said.

Werlein said theyve launched a new style of online ministry thats now called, Faithbridge @ Home. He said online ministry doesnt have to be a passive experience and watching others worshipping somewhere else.

Instead, we bring together hundreds of households from all over the world to sing and worship together, remotely, Werlein said. We speak to them directly every Sunday as hundreds of families have church right in their living rooms.

From the start of the pandemic, Werlein said Faithbridge Church has been following along and taking cues from the Texas Medical Center. He said theyve never been more hopeful than they are now with the progress being made with vaccinations in Houston.

Truly we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and are eagerly anticipating and preparing for the day we can gather again without masks or social distancing, he said. We are praying that could happen as soon as this summer  Lord let it be!

CyLife Church

CyLife Church was unable to have in-person services last Easter and instead offered video driven and pre-recorded services online.

This year, Executive Pastor Terry Langenberg said the northwest Houston church off Tuckerton Rd. is offering an in-person Good Friday service, three in-person services on Easter Sunday and will provide live streaming online for each service.

Langenberg said last years Easter was well-attended and received online. However, he said nothing compares with celebrating and worshipping together on Easter Sunday.

Its the most highly attended Sunday for the entire year, Langenberg said. Of course, we are extremely excited to get to worship together with those who can and will be attending in-person and without forgetting about a large portion of our church family who cannot attend in person. We look forward to celebrating with them online as well.

Good Friday service will be held Friday, April 2 at 7 p.m. The three Easter Sunday services will be held at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Langenberg said one of the differences will be requiring guests and members to wear masks at the 8:30 a.m. service. He said masks will be recommended for the other two services but not required, which is how theyre currently handling those two services every Sunday.

Hand sanitizing stations and masks are provided at the entries, Langenberg said, but social distancing will be up to attendees once they have entered the auditorium.

We will try to provide extra seating so that attenders will have more selection of seats to social distance, but we cannot guarantee that, due to being open to visitors who may be coming for the first time on Easter Sunday, Langenberg said.

CyLife Church has offered both in-person and online streamed services on YouTube and Facebook since the end of last September. Langenberg said the church strives to provide a great online experience because they know they still have a large number of attendees who are joining them online only at this time.

There will be challenges when it comes to hosting events under the current environment, Langenberg said, and not knowing whether potential attendees will come or not.

Langenberg believes that will be the case in the short-term future until there is minimal risk for infection and people get more confident and comfortable being in large groups of people, especially indoors.

We will look at options for social distancing with spacing in group meetings, what items we serve and how we serve them, if we are including meals, he said. We will consider using Zoom as options, when possible. We are also looking into other creative ways to use online and social media to connect with visitors and ongoing with our partners.

Those interested in learning more about the church can visit them online at CyLifechurch.com.

Langenberg said CyLife Church is a place for individuals to authentically connect with God and people. He said they want to be known as a church that is there for the community and not just perceived as preaching at people on Sundays.

Its why when so many homes were impacted by the winter storm, we sent out teams of people to help those in need with repairs to busted pipes and flood damaged homes, Langenberg said. We also helped to feed those in need last spring and summer during the height of the COVID crisis and we offer a weekly Tuesday evening, Celebrate Recovery ministry, for those who are currently struggling with any hurts, habits or hang-ups.

Tomball United Methodist Church

Tomball United Methodist Church off Baker Dr. will be celebrating Easter with a variety of services - including a community wide easter egg hunt and worship services.

Associate Pastor Rebecca Jones said the congregation is meeting in person and virtually through Facebook live. She said individuals will be required to wear masks while in the building(s) but can remove them once seated.

We have the seating in the sanctuary set-up with social distancing and ask families to sit together respecting space between people not in their family, Jones said.

There will be four worship services on Easter morning starting with a sunrise worship at the outdoor chapel on 20 acres beginning at 6:45 a.m. Jones said that service is being led by their youth ministry program with the youth band leading the worship in song.

Two traditional worship services will be offered on Sunday morning in the main sanctuary beginning at 8:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., Jones said, with the sanctuary choir leading in hymns and congregational singing.

The last service will be at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary, Jones said, with a contemporary worship service being led musically by the worship band.

Jones said worship services were limited last year to virtual services via Facebook Live with limited musical involvement. She said in-person worship was still not resumed but had begun offering traditional and contemporary worship virtually.

We have attempted to remain optimistic about the end to the pandemic and have attempted to encourage our community to continue to look toward to the future and to remain as involved in the ministries of the church as possible.

The community wide Easter Egg Hunt called Shell-Ebration is being held Saturday April 3 from 10 a.m. to noon on the 20 acres adjacent to the church campus.

There are age-appropriate hunts scheduled throughout the morning as well as bounce houses, face painting, and other fun activities for the entire family, Jones said.

In May, Tomball United Methodist Churchs Night of Worship event will feature letters written from the community intermingled with contemporary worship music. She said the congregation has been invited to participate by providing their laments, praises, and hopes for the future which will be compiled in a letter to God.

We would like the community to hear that we are looking toward to the future while implementing appropriate safeguards to protect us in the present while offering opportunities to worship and to be in fellowship with one another, she said. We encourage our congregants to remember that we are all in this boat together and that we must bond together to move through the trying times that are among us.

alvaro.montano@chron.com
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Border guards on Phu Quoc off southern Vietnam are put on standby as several new COVID-19 cases have been caught sneaking into the country via the island in the past few days.

On Friday, during a conference on COVID-19 safety regulations, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long voiced concerns over the threat of the fourth coronavirus wave in the country, which calls for relentless prevention measures in each and every locale.

The Ministry of Health announced the same day seven new COVID-19 cases, three of whom were Vietnamese border jumpers who took a boat with seven others to Phu Quoc Island, administered by southern Kien Giang Province, on Monday before coming to other areas in Vietnam.

Despite local authorities' effort to patrol the Phu Quoc area, which is known as a major tourism hub of Vietnam, they are struggling to cover over 1,500 square kilometers of water surface with their limited resources and vehicles, the Military Command of Border Guard in Kien Giang stated.

Destination for illegal entrants

Nguyen Luu Trung, deputy chairman of the Kien Giang Peoples Committee, referred to a recent COVID-19 outbreak in Cambodia, which adjoins the province, as a mainspring of an increasing number of illegal entrants in the area.

So far, Phu Quoc officials have booked six illegal entrance incidents in 2021 with a total of 39 border jumpers caught.

Phu Quoc has been a favorite destination for border jumpers from Cambodia for years due to its proximity to Vietnams neighboring country.

On top of that, while the 56-kilometer land border between Kien Giang and Cambodia has been carefully monitored, there remains a certain gap in the sea entrances.

It is speculated that all six human smuggling attempts that Phu Quoc have seen this year are all linked to Cambodia-based rings.

Earlier this year, four Vietnamese women were caught using the service of two Cambodian racketeers, who charged them US$350 each, to be smuggled back to Vietnam by boat.

The two smugglers claimed that a large number of Vietnamese working in Cambodia were looking for repatriation, but they were choosing to evade compulsory quarantine for fear of exposing the illegitimate businesses that they were engaging in in the neighboring country.

Nguyen The Anh, chief of the Military Command of the Kien Giang Border Guard, confirmed that all Vietnamese border jumpers caught since 2020 in the area used the smuggling service of Cambodian rackets.

Embarking on motorboats

According to the Kien Giang Fisheries Association, the administration board has disseminated information on the severity of COVID-19 and issued a warning against illegal human transportation to over 4,000 members since the latest outbreak in Cambodia emerged in February.

Truong Van Ngu, a member of the association, said he has stopped giving acquaintances a lift from Phu Quoc Island to the mainland with his boat, as he fears getting into trouble and being fined by authorities.

I can only earn as much as a few tens of millions of Vietnamese dong [VND10 million = $435), its not worth it to do illegal stuff, not to mention the lethal risks of community spread, Ngu said.

Tran Van Ngay, a boat owner in Phu Quoc, said regulations for boats in the area have been tightened, as captains of a boat now must present the crew member list to the border guards before leaving or entering.

According to Flotilla No. 2 under the Kien Giang Border Guard, all border jumpers used motorboats to run along the coast of Cambodia before reaching Phu Quoc or Tho Chu Island of Kien Giang, as the route only stretches 20 kilometers.

Huynh Van Cuong, captain of a fishing boat that operates in Vietnams southwest waters, said he receives messages calling for cooperation in detecting illegal entrants from local authorities around 6:00 pm every day.

Worst-case scenario

Regarding the illegal entrants that sneaked into the island on Monday, Phu Quoc authorities said they are scrambling to locate the seven remaining people on the boat, which include three alleged crew members.

By the end of Friday, Phu Quoc had completed scanning, contact tracing, and isolating 26 direct contacts of newly announced coronavirus cases, while the search for indirect contacts was still underway.

Huynh Quang Hung, chairman of the Phu Quoc Peoples Committee, said the island is capable of quarantining 500 individuals, including 400 spots provided by makeshift quarantine centers.

The city has also equipped local health officials with machines for COVID-19 testing to brace for the 'worst-case scenario' that could happen.

However, border guards are finding it hard to cover the 1,500 square meters of seas and 130 kilometers of coastline despite having mobilized the whole fleet of patrol boats, according to Senior Colonel Nguyen The Anh of the Kien Giang Border Guard.

Smuggling rings are turning more deceiving, as they have started hiding people in blind spots under the deck to evade scrutiny, Anh added.

Vietnam has recorded a total of 2,590 COVID-19 cases, with 2,308 recoveries and 35 virus-related deaths as of Sunday morning, according to the Ministry of Health's data.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The Ministry of National Security has tasked the Ministry of Health to rid the Ghanaian market of a popular green tea brand owing to its unwholesomeness for public consumption.



In a letter addressed to the Minister of Health on March 12, this year, intercepted by GhanaWeb, the Ministry of National Security outlined that it had received reports indicating the Burkinabe Chamber of Commerce on February 12, 2021, warned the public against the consumption of an unwholesome Chinese green tea labeled Achoura.



The Chamber further revealed that the product contains pesticide residue and as a result, recommended the removal of same from the market to protect consumers.



The letter signed by Albert Kan-Dapaah, the Minister for National Security, consequently asked the Minister of Health to take urgent steps to prevent widespread use of the product which is said to be very popular in some West African countries, including the Northern parts of Ghana and some Zongo communities.







Source: Ghanaweb









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-28 19:13:47|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

MEHTARLAM, Afghanistan, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Three police officers were killed when a police pick-up truck was struck by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan's eastern Laghman province on Sunday, local police confirmed. Enditem
The nursing home industry has long been beset by a multitude of issues, including rising expenses, declining admissions and staffing shortages that have pushed some homes to the financial brink, industry officials say.

The coronavirus pandemic exacerbated those challenges to new levels as facilities struggled to contain the virus, leading to widespread outbreaks and deaths that shook the publics confidence.

Statewide more than 67,000 nursing home residents contracted COVID-19, with 12,616 deaths as of March 4, according to the state Department of Health. The 17 homes in Lackawanna County accounted for 1,503 of those cases and 309 deaths.

As the world now emerges from the depths of the crisis, officials say the industry is poised to move past this exceptionally dark chapter, but it will take a concerted effort of players on multiple levels to ensure the critical safety net for the elderly and disabled continues to exist.

While we have made tremendous progress thanks in large part to the vaccines, there is still a long road ahead, and long-term care is facing an economic crisis, said Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive officer of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living.

The industry has operated on razor-thin profit margins in recent years. A recent report by CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), a Minnesota-based firm that provides wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit and tax consulting, showed net operating margins for Pennsylvania nursing homes steadily declined in recent years, dropping from a break-even point in 2015 to -2.4% in 2019.

Industry officials say the losses are tied to several key issues, including a continued decline in nursing home admissions. The median occupancy rate dropped from 91.3% in 2015 to 89.3% in 2019 in Pennsylvania, according to the CLA report.

Occupancy rates continued to plummet in 2020 as families, concerned about rising sickness and death rates and visitation restrictions, sought alternatives, such as home health care, said Zach Shamberg, president of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, a trade group for the nursing home industry

Admissions also were significantly impacted by a reduction in outpatient surgical procedures, such as knee replacements, implemented in the early days of the pandemic to reduce the chance of spreading the virus. Those patients often would seek rehabilitative services at nursing homes.

As of August the nationwide occupancy rate was 73.7%, according to the CLA report. The rates continued to decline in 2021, reaching 68.5% in January, according to AHCA/NCAL. Pennsylvania fared slightly better, with an occupancy rate of 72% as of February.

The revenue loss came as the industry faced an exponential increase in costs as facilities had to invest in personal protective equipment and COVID-19 test kits. Many also were forced to resort to hiring outside staffing agencies to cover shifts left open due to staff illnesses and the high turnover rate in the industry.

In Pennsylvania, nursing homes, assisted-living communities and personal care homes collectively spent $96.2 million per week for personal protective equipment in 2020, according to PHA. That included approximately $30 million spent each week for testing in the early months of the pandemic.

Operating a long-term care facility in these times can certainly be a balancing act in more ways than one when it comes to finances, said Eric Yashinski, administrator at Adventura at Creekside, an 81-bed nursing home in Carbondale. COVID added a whole new obstacle to an already challenging field.

Yashinski and other industry officials say many challenges still remain, particularly with staffing. The industry has long struggled with staffing shortages, particularly for certified nursing assistants  the front line workers that provide daily care to residents including feeding, bathing and recreational activities.

The jobs are relatively low-paying and generally have poor benefits. The work also can be physically and emotionally demanding. Those challenges were magnified by the pandemic as workers now risked contracting the virus and potentially spreading it to their families, said Matthew Yarnell, president of the Service Employees International Union, which represents nurses and health care workers.

Nursing home work is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country based on Bureau of Labor statistics, Yarnell said. We have to find a way to ensure nursing home workers earn a living wage.

Pennsylvania took a step forward in addressing staffing issues last year when it allowed nursing homes to hire nursing aides who completed an eight-hour course on a temporary basis. Gov. Tom Wolf in November signed into law Senate Bill 1268, which allows those workers to attain permanent status after completing 80 hours of on-the-job-training and passing a competency exam.

Its a great way to get folks back into the workforce and a way for them to learn about the industry, Shamberg said.

Officials say solving staffing issues is an important component to help restore the publics trust that their loves ones will be well cared for. The state also needs to ensure the homes continue to receive support in their efforts to prevent COVID-19 from entering facilities, including providing funding for personal protective equipment and testing of residents and staff.

Nancy Newcomb, administrator at St. Marys Villa Nursing Home in Elmhurst Twp., said the public continues to have concerns their loved ones may be exposed to the virus at nursing homes. Having adequate PPE and testing will go a long way to ease those concerns.

I truly believe their loved ones are safer than ever inside our nursing home, Newcomb said. Staff are routinely tested for COVID-19, most are vaccinated and all visitors are carefully screened. Both are required to wear appropriate PPE at all times. ... Hopefully the public will recognize that all changes are meant to keep all our residents and staff safe from COVID-19, and once again by working together we can restore our trust in each other.

Yashinski agrees that restoring trust has to be a top priority. Hes proud of the fact Adventura is among only a handful of homes in Lackawanna County that did not record a single COVID-19 case or death. Still, the fear lingers, he said.

Despite the challenges, Yashinski said hes cautiously optimistic the industry will rebound from pre-COVID days, but it will take time.

There is no miracle answer, Yashinski said. COVID was a massive blow to all health care centers, but the virus, nor its absence took away the need for us. We will always be here for our residents, and I think that families not only trust that we are doing right by their loved ones but have shown tremendous support throughout this whole nightmare.
Amaravati, March 28 : Member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Gunthoti Venkata Subbaiah passed away on Sunday following a brief illness. He was 62.

Subbaiah, who represented the Badvel constituency (SC), breathed his last at a private hospital in Kadapa town, his family members said.

The MLA belonging to the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) is survived by wife and two children.

Subbaiah, an orthopedic surgeon, had undergone treatment at a hospital in Hyderabad and had recently returned to his constituency to participate in the campaign for municipal elections. He again took ill a few days ago and was admitted to a hospital in Kadapa.

Subbaiah had worked as YSRCP coordinator for Badvel constituency in 2016 and was elected to the Assembly from the same constituency in 2019 elections by defeating Telugu Desam Party (TDP) candidate Obulapuram Rajasekhar by over 44,000 votes.

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of Subbaiah and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.

Former Chief Minister and TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu also condoled the death of the YSRCP MLA.
A revolt by junior Goldman Sachs' bankers over work weeks that can stretch to as long as 105 hours has inspired both schadenfreude over discontent at the storied investment bank and wider debate about the future of work after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The erosion between office and home boundaries during the pandemic means many white-collar workers can relate on some level to the complaints, even if the plight of elite young bankers seeking riches does not inspire sympathy.

The issues underlying the Goldman Sachs controversy are "reflective of a broader problem," said Temple University sociologist Kevin Delaney, author of "Money at Work: On the Job with Priests, Poker Players and Hedge Fund Traders."

"People feel the boundaries have disappeared between work and leisure and work and life. A lot of people are struggling with it because they are not sure when they are allowed to take time off."

In the wake of the dustup, Goldman Sachs Chief Executive David Solomon has urged staff to respect a firm-wide policy of not working on Saturdays, and praised the young staffers for speaking up.

The gripes were felt beyond Goldman's corner of Lower Manhattan. Citi Chief Executive Jane Fraser this week announced "Zoom-Free Fridays" and urged workers to take their vacation time, adding that she planned a few days off "knowing I will come back with a fresher brain."

Jennifer Moss, a syndicated columnist who specializes in workplace issues, praised the moves, but said employers will need to follow through if they want to maintain their staff after the pandemic.

The upheaval of the past year -- along with efforts to improve diversity at top firms -- creates the potential for improving work culture. But experts caution change is not easy.

"It needs to be this mind shift, but this is a great start," Moss told AFP. "It's a legacy of overwork that's been institutionalized."

Story continues

- Beyond self-care -

Compared with other options, being overworked could be viewed as a preferable plight during the pandemic. Government data show millions of people in the United States remain out of work.

The coronavirus itself has also infected or killed many "essential" workers such as supermarket staff, transit workers, nurses and others who cannot telecommute.

But among those still with jobs, mental burnout is on the rise.

In a February article in the Harvard Business Review, Ross said the disruption has been especially pronounced for younger staff.

One millennial quoted in the story said they encountered professional roadblocks as well as negative health effects from diminished opportunities to exercise.

A survey of 1,500 workers showed 85 percent reported their well-being had declined and 55 percent said they felt like they had not been able to balance their home and work life, according to Ross.

Possible steps to remedy the situation include establishing a manageable workload and a mental health resource page for staff as part of a strategy to destigmatize the issue.

Solutions must go beyond self-care steps such as yoga and meditation apps, Moss argues, adding "we desperately need upstream interventions, not downstream tactics."

- Will it change? -

All of the young Goldman bankers felt their work hours had negatively impacted relationships with friends and family and also created unrealistic deadlines.

Most also reported feeling as though they experienced workplace abuse and were shunned in meetings, according to an 11-page presentation complete with statistics and graphs, not unlike what the bank would prepare for a client.

"There was a point where I was not eating, showering or doing anything else other than working from morning until after midnight," said one of the staff members surveyed.

A Goldman Sachs employee who has been with the firm for about three years told AFP that the pandemic had indeed made work more grueling, and that first-year employees can suffer especially from the lack of opportunities to interact with senior employees.

But the employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said work weeks of 95 hours or more are not a surprise.

"When you take a job in investment banking, you know that you're going to be working long hours," the person said. "The hours get better over time, but that's a function of figuring out how things work and becoming more efficient."

That the staffers spoke up is characteristic of a generation who "were encouraged to raise their hands," said Paul McDonald, senior executive director for human resources consulting firm Robert Half, adding that younger employees expect a more collaborative work culture.

McDonald anticipates employers will be more open to flexible work formats once the pandemic ends, including combining time at the office and working from home.

"Employers are meeting the employees more today than I've ever seen," he said. "But they're not making excuses for the work that needs to get done."

But how much high-powered organizations like Goldman actually want to change remains an open question.

Making money is Goldman's core mission, an "ever-expanding" goal that orients all of its incentive structures, Delaney, the Temple University sociologist, said. Goldman is also a client-facing business with a 24-hour global orientation, adding to the pressure.

"Change will be hard because there's a lot pointing in the other direction," he said.

jmb-jum/cs/lb/reb
Park Young-sun, Seoul mayoral candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, visits a clothing shop at the Express Bus Terminal Underground Shopping Mall in southern Seoul during her election campaign, Sunday. Joint press corps



By Kwon Mee-yoo



With 10 days left ahead of the Seoul mayoral by-election, the campaigns of two leading candidates  Park Young-sun of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and Oh Se-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP)  are focusing on mudslinging rather than promotion of their respective policies.



The smear campaign tactics are more actively used by Park's side, as recent polls show Oh is outstripping her.



Rep. Yun Ho-jung of the DPK, who went on the stump for Park, referred to Oh as "trash that lies" during a campaign speech at a traditional market in Jungnang District, Saturday.



"Let's separate the truth from the garbage on April 7; whether or not the candidate who approved a redevelopment plan and lied about it is garbage. He's garbage," Yun said.



Oh's in-laws reportedly owned land in Naegok-dong in southern Seoul, and they received compensation after the land was included in a development plan. The DPK criticized Oh for approving the development plan while he was Seoul mayor. Oh claimed that he did not know about the land ownership.



The PPP immediately released a statement to protest Yun's remark, calling it the rudest remark ever.



Oh continued to attack the current administration in his campaign. Oh blamed President Moon Jae-in for worsening the housing and labor markets and widening the gap between the rich and the poor.



On Friday, Oh compared President Moon to a "severe dementia patient" during his campaign, referring to Moon's remark last year that the housing price was stabilizing. It was the second time for him to make such a remark about Moon, with the first being made in response to Moon's October 2019 speech on how the economy was on the right track.





Oh Se-hoon, Seoul mayoral candidate of the main opposition People Power Party, poses with citizens during his campaign at Garosu-gil in southern Seoul, Sunday. Joint press corps
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI - The Ottawa County Sheriffs Office is investigating a report of shots fired from a vehicle early Sunday morning.

A witness reported hearing gunshots and seeing a muzzle flash coming from a vehicle around 4:30 a.m. Sunday, March 28 on Fillmore Street and 28th Avenue in Georgetown Township, according to a Ottawa County Sheriffs Office news release.

No victims have come forward yet, and there are no reports of property damage or injuries, police said.

The Ottawa County Sheriffs Office has asked that anyone with information on the incident call their office at 877-887-4536.

Read more on MLive:

Treating John Ball Zoos anemic red panda cub involved a small army of amazing people

Man suffers life-threatening injuries in Berrien County rollover crash

Pedestrian dies after being hit by vehicle in Walker
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

France will have caught up with Britain on the number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 "in a few weeks", President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview Sunday amid a row with Britain over vaccine access.

France's inoculation drive has been criticized as slow, with 11.45 percent of French people having received one or more jabs, compared with 43.79 percent of Britons.

But Macron told Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD) newspaper France had significantly ramped up the pace of inoculation and suggested Britain's campaign could face headwinds.

"In a few weeks we will have completely caught up with the British, who will meanwhile be increasingly dependent on us to vaccinate their population," he said.

His remark appeared to refer to stocks of the Anglo-Swedish vaccine AstraZeneca that are produced in EU member states.

The EU has threatened to ban pharma firms from exporting coronavirus vaccines to Britain and other well-supplied countries until they make good on their promised deliveries to the bloca threat directed mainly at British-based AstraZeneca.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Friday suggested Britain, which has prioritized getting first vaccine doses to as many people as possible, would struggle to obtain the second doses they needed for full protection.

"The United Kingdom has taken great pride in vaccinating well with the first dose except they have a problem with the second dose," he told France Info radio.

The row with Britain comes as doctors at Paris hospitals swamped by COVID-19 cases warned they would soon have to start choosing which lives to save.

On Saturday, France recorded an additional 42,619 infectionsseveral times the target of 5,000 daily cases Macron set in late 2020.

The spiralling caseload comes a week after a third of the French population were placed under a loose form of lockdown.

In an open letter in the JDD, 41 medics complained that the measures taken by the government to try tame the third wave were "insufficient" and said they would be at full capacity within two weeks.

"We will be forced to sort patients to try and save as many lives as possible," they warned, adding they had "never experienced a situation like this, not even during the worst (terror) attacks of the past few years."

Meanwhile, growing numbers of schools are temporarily closing classrooms over infections among staff and pupils.

Unlike many of its European neighbours France has kept schools open since last summer.

Pressed on whether he was planning to tighten restrictions, Macron told the weekly: "Nothing has been decided".

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 AFP
The government is unlikely to take zero-coupon bond route to further recapitalise public sector banks after the Reserve Bank expressed some concerns in this regard, sources said.

The government, they said, would resort back to recapitalisation bonds bearing a coupon rate for capital infusion in these banks.

To save interest burden and ease the fiscal pressure, the government last year decided to issue zero-coupon bonds for meeting the capital needs of the banks.

The first test case of the new mechanism was a capital infusion of Rs 5,500 crore into Punjab and Sind Bank by issuing zero-coupon bonds of six different maturities last year. These special securities with tenure of 10-15 years are non-interest bearing and valued at par.

However, the RBI raised some concerns with regard to calculation of an effective capital infusion made in any bank through this instrument issued at par, sources said.

Since such bonds usually are non-interest bearing but issued at a deep discount to the face value, it is difficult to ascertain net present value, they added.

As a result, sources said, it has been concluded to do away with zero-coupon bond for recapitalisation.

These special bonds are non-interest bearing and issued at par to a bank, they said adding that it would be an investment that would not earn any return and rather depreciate with each passing year.

This innovative mechanism was adopted to ease the financial burden as the government has already spent Rs 22,086.54 crore as interest payment towards the recapitalisation bonds for PSBs in the last two financial years.

During FY 2018-19, the government paid Rs 5,800.55 crore as interest on such bonds issued to public sector banks for pumping in the capital so that they could meet the regulatory norms under the Basel-III guidelines.

In the subsequent year, according to the official document, the interest payment by the government surged three times to Rs 16,285.99 crore to PSBs as they have been holding these papers.

For the current financial year, interest payment for recap bonds have been reduced to Rs 19,292.77 crore from Rs 25,239.4 crore pegged in the Budget estimate.

Under this mechanism, the government issues recapitalisation bonds to a public sector bank which needs capital. The said bank subscribes to the paper against which the government receives the money. Now, the money received goes as equity capital of the bank.

So the government doesn't have to pay anything from its pocket. However, the money invested by banks in recapitalisation bonds is classified as an investment which earns them an interest.

In all, the government has issued about Rs 2.5 lakh crore recapitalisation in the last three financial years. In the first year, the government issued Rs 80,000 crore recapitalisation bonds, followed by Rs 1.06 lakh crore in 2018-19. During the last financial year, the capital infusion through bonds was Rs 65,443 crore.

(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 Northern Ireland Civil Service is in talks with trade unions about future remote working for up to 23,000 workers, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal.

The Department of Finance, responsible for personnel matters in the NI Civil Service (NICS), said the remote working habit established in the pandemic was here to stay.

Regional hubs are being prepared for workers in locations outside Belfast, such as Downpatrick, Craigavon and Ballykelly.

But the trend could leave NICS offices under-occupied or even empty - such as the Department of Education's Rathgael House Bangor office, Castle Buildings at Stormont and city centre offices like the Child Support Agency's HQ Millennium House.

However, as it announced the hubs last month, the Department of Finance said the civil service will continue to have a "significant" presence in Belfast city centre.

The Department of Finance said: "Going forward, the NICS will be adopting a blended approach to home/remote working depending on the individual departmental requirements and job role. A remote working and home working policy is currently being developed in consultation with trade unions. The department has also recently announced plans for a number of new Civil Service regional hubs which will enable civil servants to work closer to home, reduce travel time and promote regional economic balance."

Expand Close GRAPHIC: RAYMOND ESTEBAN / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp GRAPHIC: RAYMOND ESTEBAN

Figures compiled by the Belfast Telegraph earlier this month show that more than 1.25m in rates and over 3.3m in maintenance across the nine Stormont departments has been spent on existing unused sites.

Read More

SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath, chair of the Assembly's executive committee, said: "Covid-19 has highlighted that we maybe should be reviewing our working practices. People who previously thought it would be unthinkable to work from home have now found a pattern and are very much capable of delivering their work."

He said there are "many, many people taking thousands of car journeys" from Downpatrick, a regional hub, to Belfast for work.

"The fact that some can access a local workspace is very positive for time management and the environment. They're not using buses or cars, and it's good financially that they don't have to pay car parking or petrol," he added.

"And for Downpatrick, there will be dozens of more people on its high streets, bringing lots of benefits."

Mr McGrath acknowledged the movement could result in empty office space in and around Belfast. He said: "That's the challenge - to repurpose those buildings - but we certainly can't have vacant government buildings in the city centre being held on to for five, 10 or 15 years.

"You may currently have one building with room for 500, but if 250 are out working in regional hubs, you only need to provide room for 200 or 300, so obviously a much smaller premises would be required."

He said the move away from the city could bring a positive economic balance, adding: "I'm a fan of decentralisation in the public sector. It guarantees footfall in regional towns and that brings fairness to rate and taxpayer.

"They get the benefits of having a workforce near them, especially the hospitality and retail businesses. If you have 100 or 200 civil servants there, they will spend a certain amount of money a week in those businesses, while the city centre has a different product it can sell to attract those people at weekends."

A city office building which no longer hosted workers could be repurposed into apartments, he said. "You might have had a sandwich shop selling sandwiches to workers at lunchtime. But now instead of workers, it could cater to people living in flats within a converted office. Nobody should lose out from this."

But the DoF and Department for the Economy are not proceeding in the same way as Westminster's Department for Business, Energy and Industry Strategy. According to reports last week, it is looking at ways to strengthen the existing legal right to request flexible working, whether working from home or different hours.

The Department for the Economy instead said its focus was on its economic recovery action plan, which includes measures such as a high street stimulus scheme, a flexible skills fund and a lifting of age limits on apprenticeships.

The department said: "During the last 12 months, employers have already shown themselves to be very flexible in supporting their employees to work from home. Of course, there can never be a one-size-fits-all approach.

"Every employer will have to adopt a business model that works best for them. However, employment law in Northern Ireland already makes provision for employees to request flexible working.

"The real challenge for our economy in a post-Covid scenario, is to make sure there are actually jobs for people to return to. That is why the minister recently published her Economic Recovery Action Plan. Delivering that is where our focus will be in the months ahead."
I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Australia winner Abbie Chatfield took her first business class flight on Sunday - and she was not impressed.

The 25-year-old boarded a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Darwin, and agreed to pay for the upgrade offered to her at the airport.

In a series of Instagram Stories, Abbie documented the journey for her fans in an effort to decide if it was worth the extra fee.

Upgrade: I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Australia winner Abbie Chatfield (pictured) took her first business class flight on Sunday on a Virgin Australia flight, after agreeing to pay for the upgrade. She then reviewed the flight for her fans

Sharing a selfie in which she was wearing a face mask, Abbie wrote: 'I've always said I'd never pay to fly business no matter how much money I earn because like, why?

'But I decided to take the cheap upgrade at the airport with Virgin so let's see if this b**ch is worth it.'

Abbie then shared a photo of her ample leg room, but it didn't win her over, writing: 'Much leg room but it doesn't bother me because I'm 5ft4 so like... I have this much leg room in a normal seat'.

Sharing a selfie in which she was wearing a face mask, Abbie wrote: 'I've always said I'd never pay to fly business no matter how much money I earn because like, why? But I decided to take the cheap upgrade at the airport with Virgin so let's see if this b**ch is worth it'

Abbie then shared a photo of her ample leg room, but it didn't win her over. She wrote: 'Much leg room but it doesn't bother me because I'm 5ft4 so like... I have this much leg room in a normal seat'

Next up was the food, with the reality star enjoying her turkey melt, but complaining that it wasn't exactly an upmarket dish.

'Food was nummies. Was a turkey and Brie melt but also a like worth $6.50 at a cafe,' she wrote.

Abbie was however dazzled by her drink, sharing a photo of her water and writing: 'I got water... in a glass??? Feeling fancy'.

Oh well: Next up was the food, with the reality star enjoying her turkey melt, but complaining that it wasn't exactly an upmarket dish. 'Food was nummies. Was a turkey and Brie melt but also a like worth $6.50 at a cafe,' she wrote

Abbie was however dazzled by her drink, sharing a photo of her water and writing: 'I got water... in a glass??? Feeling fancy'

Finally her flight was over and Abbie rendered her verdict - ultimately deciding she'd be better off spending the money on burrata cheese.

Abbie wrote: 'Landed. In conclusion, I will not be paying for business class again domestically.

'Perhaps I will try international when borders open but probably not. Can spend that money on burrata'.
In order to counter the stress and exhaustion that the workforce is likely to be a victim of, Spain's Mas Pais progressive party has suggested cutting one more day from the work-week, giving the employees a three-day weekend. Spain is the first country in Europe that has launched this experiment that is a 3-year pilot project which will use 50 million euros ($59 million) from the massive Covid-19 recovery fund of the European Union to compensate at least 200 mid0size firms, as they adopt the 32-hour working week pattern.



What is this three-year pilot project proposed by Mas Pais?

Interestingly, the workers will not be deprived of their pay as they avail themselves one more day as off. Hector Tejero, a lawmaker with the Mas Pais in Madrid was quoted by the Associated Press as saying that while the readjustment leads to a real net reduction of working hours, the full-time contract salaries will be maintained. The funds under the three-year pilot project will also be directed towards subsidising the extra costs of all the employers in the first year, and later reduce the government's aid to 50 percent and 25 percent the remaining two years  a blueprint released by the Mai Pais suggests.

'One rule fits all method might not be applicable to all'

"The project in place will observe if we can improve the competitiveness and productivity of our companies and employees. It is not aimed at using European funds for Spaniards to work less," Tejero explained. While there are arguments in the favour of the experiment, critics like ESADE Business School's Carlos Victoria have warned that this one rule fits all method is not likely to be applicable to all sectors. "There are probably industries or economic areas in which a reduction of working hours won't necessarily lead to productivity gains," the research economist pointed.



A study in the Cambridge Journal of Economics published earlier this year predicted that if work hours were cut by 35-40 percent in 2017, the GDP would have grown by 1.5 percent and nearly 560,000 people would be employed. A firm in the south of Spain  Software Delsol in 2020 invested 400,000 euros in one such project to reduce working hours for 190 employees. The company saw a 28 percent reduction in absenteeism while employees use their day-offs to visit banks or see a doctor. The sales of Software Delsol also shot up by 20 percent in 2020 and no employee has since then quit the firm, the Journal reported.

'Spain must consider repair of the country's dysfunctional labour market'

However, many experts are of the view that given the aftermath of Covid-19, where economies are suffering, Spain must consider fixing the country's dysfunctional labour market which is dragging one of Europe's highest unemployment rates and is being criticised for low-wage jobs. On the contrary, Mas Pais argued that "it is better to try first and later decide on how to scale it up, or whether to do it at all."
Nepal is one of the best countries you can visit for your next holiday. It is a country of amazing individuals belonging to different castes, following different cultures and religions, and speaking different languages.

This makes the citizens and the nation unique in a beautiful way. Its identity is not just of being the land of the highest peak of the world, Mt Everest, but also the land with different natural, cultural, and historical resources. The ones who love nature enjoy Nepal, but the people who are interested in history also enjoy the historic values, monuments, arts, and architecture of Nepal.



Nepal is one of the oldest countries in South Asia containing various ethnic groups (i.e. people of the same attributes with similar ancestry, history, language, society) and its native people, where people live with the feeling of brotherhood, helping each other in need. If you are in Nepal, here are a few places you must visit for a culturally rich experience.

1. Kathmandu

One of the most culturally rich destinations to visit in Nepal is Kathmandu. The valley is inhabited by the Newa community, because of which the city is rich with Newa culture. If you are visiting Nepal, Kathmanduthe capital city is the must-visit destination for you as it gives you the perfect combination of culture, food, festivals, and landmarks that reflect the Newar culture.

The Newa population is one of the original, ethnic, indigenous groups residing inside the Kathmandu Valley. They speak their language, Nepal Bhasa. They have more than 70 different subgroups occupying 4.99% population of Nepal according to the census of 2011.

In Kathmandu, some of the architecturally, culturally, and historically rich places you can visit are Kathmandu Durbar Square, Ason, Swayambhu, and Bouddha Stupa.

If you are in Kathmandu, you can try various local Newa food items such as yomari, chhoila, chatamari, aila and also enjoy some of the culturally-vibrant festivals like Gai Jatra, Indra Jatra, Ghode Jatra, Seto Machhindranath Jatra, Yomari Punhi, Swasthani, Kwati Purnima etc. Other places you can visit for a similar experience are Bhaktapur and Lalitpur.

2. Ghandruk

File: Ghandruk

Ghandruk is a beautiful village, an amazing place for trekking. From the village, you can get a magical view of Mt Annapurna, Mt Machapuchare, Mt Gangapurna, and Mt Hiuchuli. And, you can easily trek to Poon Hill from here.

The Gurung community is an indigenous and ethnic group residing in Ghandruk. The Gurung community has also been called a martial tribe and is famous for their bravery as Gurkha soldiers in British, Nepal, and Indian armies. According to the census of 2011, the community covers 1.97% population of Nepal.



Their main festival is Loshar, which is celebrated at the end of December as the New Year with respect to the ancient calendar. The Gurung community is also famous for its cuisine which contains dhindo made from either millet flour or buckwheat. The traditional side dish for dhindo is gundruk (fermented leafy green curry).

3. Ilam

Photo: Shankar Giri

Are you a tea lover? Or do you want to see rare birds and endangered species like red pandas? Then, Ilam is the destination for you.

From the ethnic-cultural perspective, in Ilam, you see the people of the Kirati community (Limbu and Rai) residing here. They are the oldest people known in Nepal. According to the census of 2011, Limbu people occupy 1.46%, whereas Rai people consist of 2.34% of Nepals population.

Illam is very famous all around the nation and abroad for its tea. If you are in Ilam, you must visit nine-cornered Mai Pokhari lake, another major attraction of Ilam. During your time, there you can enjoy the famous Sakela dance of the Kirati community performed mostly by their younger generation. If you are lucky, you can participate in their festival, Ubhauli and Udhauli, celebrated twice a year.

Their major food items and delicacies are kinema, yangben-faaksa, wichita, sargemba, tongbga, and many more.

4. Kailali

Ghodaghodi Lake. Photo: Wikipedia Commons

Another wonderful destination to visit in Nepal is Kailali. Here, Tharu people are the indigenous inhabitants. According to the census of 2011, Tharu people constitute 6.56% of Nepals population.

In Kailali, you can visit the largest artificial park of Nepal, Tikapur Grand Park, the beautiful Ghodaghodi lake. The latter has also been placed in a protected wetland area of the World Heritage List. Major rivers like Karnali, Mohana, Pathariua, Gauri, etc also flow near Kailali, allowing the visitors to view the natural beauty. You also get to enjoy the wonderful cuisine of Tharu people such as jhunna, dried fish, bagiya, ghonghi, rice wine, and many more.

People of the Tharu community celebrate Maghi festival as their biggest festival that marks the communitys new year. It is celebrated for over a week.

5. Solukhumbu

Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Everest. Solukhumbu District, Nepal.

For the people who want to see or climb the highest peak in the world, Solukhumbu is the one and only destination. Hence, it is already a popular destination for adventurers.

But, for culture lovers also, it is a good place to go to. In the Himalayas of Nepal, Sherpas are a prominent ethnic group residing even in harsh weather conditions. Sherpas are globally renowned as the greatest mountaineers and experts in their region. They have played a vital role in exploring mountains in the early days.

Most of the Sherpa people reside in the Solukhumbu district, the eastern part of Nepal. But, they can also be seen residing in Rolwaling, and Helambu among other places. The Sherpa community consists of 0.43% of Nepals population, according to the 2011 census.

While you visit, you can get to Khumjung village, a wonderful place to know about Sherpa culture. Other adventurous trips you can try in Solukhumbu are the Gokyo lake trek and Mera Peak climbing, etc. You can also enjoy Sherpas food dishes such as shakpa, thukpa, riki kur, tsampa, and many more. They also celebrate Gyalpo Loshar and other festivals such as Mani Rimdu, Dumji, etc that you can participate in.

6. Makawanpur

One of the destinations with historical and cultural importance is Makawanpur. Here, one can see that the Tamang community, an ethnic group originating from Tibet, resides here. The Tamang community consists of 5.81 % of Nepals population, according to the census of 2011.

Makawanpur district is situated on the foothills of the Chure mountain range, so has a cool environment where one can enjoy with pleasure. Beautiful national parks like Chitwan National Park and Parsa Wildlife Sanctuary cover various parts of Makawanpur, so you get to experience plenty of wildlife varieties. Another major attraction of Makawanpur is Nepals only human-made lake, Indra Sarovar.

The Tamang community celebrates Sonam Loshar to welcome the Tamang New Year and provides you with various Tamang food items such as alum, baabar, phuraula, gundruk, and many more.

7. Palpa

A view of Butwal-Palpa-Siddhababa road section

A destination that is rich in historic monuments, as well as the beautiful Himalayas, is Palpa. It houses the Magar ethnic group that occupies 7.12% of the population of Nepal.

Palpa is one of the 77 districts of Nepal which is mainly famous for its locally handmade Dhaka topi. Palpa contains Ranighat Palace (Rani Mahal) which is also called the Taj Mahal of Nepal and Argali Palace which was made during the Rana regime by Juddha Shumsher. You can also visit Shringar Hill which is a wonderful spot for getting glimpses of the Himalayas such as Dhawalagiri, Annapurna, and Tukuche.



Nakowange, commonly known as Bhumi Puja (worshipping the earth) is the important festival of Magars that has been celebrated from ancient times. While here, you can taste their delicious food items such as batuk roti, Fried tarul (yam), sekuwa, Nepali thali, and raksi etc.
In today's edition of 'bizarre things human beings do', a robber in Thailand has left us rolling on the floor with laughter. A burglar broke into a house to steal valuables from, according to media reports.

However, looks like he was getting tired on the job and fell asleep on one of the beds only to be woken up later by the police who were called to the scene.

Also read: Woman Locks Thief Inside Kiosk To Help Foil ATM Robbery Bid in Maharashtra, Accused Arrested

Facebook

The incident reportedly took place on March 22 when a resident in the Phetchabun province came across the sleeping robber in one of his bedrooms.

Police officer Jiam Prasert from the Wichian Buri district police station found the burglar. He screamed at the thief asking him to get up. He woke up dazed and confused while backup arrived and arrested him.



Also read: Even Police Not Safe In UP: Robbers Break Into Crime Branch Inspector's House, Steal Valuables

Instagram

According to local publication Thairath, the burglar is a 22-year-old man named Athit Kin Khunthud. He was apparently asking around the area to find a house to rob.

Also read: 12-Year-Old Kills Home Intruder After Armed Robbery Left His Grandmother Wounded

He came across the police officer's house and broke into it. However, his exhaustion took the best of him and he went to sleep when he spotted a bedroom. His decision to take a nap clearly did not go down well.

In fact, the room he chose to take his siesta was the officer's daughter and when the homeowner saw the air conditioner on full blast in her room, he was instantly suspicious.

As of now, the man has been taken into custody. He was charged with burglary and trespassing. Despite him not taking anything from the house, he was still arrested for attempting a robbery.



Instagram

How bizarre!
Brisbane has been plunged into a three-day lockdown just days ahead of the Easter weekend after four new local coronavirus cases were found amid an outbreak of the highly-contagious UK variant in Queensland.

Monday's announcement brings the total number of cases in Brisbane cluster to seven, with six other infections found in hotel quarantine.

Three of the four new cases are close contacts of known cases, but those infected may have been out in the community - raising the risk more transmission may have occurred.

Two of the cases - a nurse and her sister - visited the popular tourist town of Byron Bay in northern NSW while infectious, sparking fears the virus has already spread interstate.

The snap lockdown in Greater Brisbane, including Brisbane, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich and Redlands, means pubs, restaurants and cafes will shut except for takeaway, with millions only allowed to leave home for essential reasons.

Millions across Greater Brisbane - which includes Brisbane, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich and Redlands - will go into lockdown for three days from 5pm on Monday

As part of the snap lockdown starting at 5pm on Monday evening, masks will be mandatory in public indoor settings across Greater Brisbane and schools will also be forced to close.

The only excuse to leave the home will be for essential work, for exercise, to buy essential supplies or for care and medical reasons.

Only two visitors will be allowed in the home under the new rules and restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway service only.

The UK strain of coronavirus - known as B117 - is believed to be at least 50 per cent more transmissable than other variants.

The announcement comes after a Covid-positive man who was wrongly accused by the Queensland government of throwing a party for 25 friends while waiting for his test results hit out at health officials over the embarrassing mix-up.

Brisbane has been plunged into lockdown just days ahead of the Easter weekend. Pictured are residents lining up at a testing clinic in Brisbane on January 8

Descent of a Champion 1997: Announces himself as a force in kayaking when he comes second to Olympics Gold medallist Clint Robinson in the K1 1000m race at the Australian Sprint Championships. 1998: Baggaley beats Robinson to become Australian 1000m champion, ending Robinsons seven-year title reign. 2000: Baggaley is selected for the Sydney 2000 Olympics in the K1 500m event but loses to Bulgarian Petar Merkov, a suspected drug cheat. 2001: Cleo Bachelor of the year finalist. 2002: Wins the first of three consecutive world championships in the K1 500m race at Seville, Spain. 2004: Wins two silvers in the K1 500m and K2 500m (with Clint Robinson) at the Athens Olympics. 2005: Test positive to steroids, which he blames on drinking from a bottle of juice owned by his brother Dru. 2006: Suspended for 15 months by the Court of Arbitration and Sport, who accept his excuse. 2007: The suspension increased to two years as Baggaley prepares for the 2008 Olympics. 2009: Nathan and Dru receive jail sentences for a pill-making operation. 2015: Jailed again for two years for multiple drug offences. 2018: Arrested along with brother Dru and boat driver Anthony Draper for his involvement in a plot to import $200 million worth of cocaine into Australia. 2021: Found guilty of his involvement in the plot, alongside Dru. Advertisement

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday morning as she ordered the whole of Greater Brisbane into a three-day lockdown ahead of the Easter weekend

Ms Palaszczuk said she was declaring the whole of Greater Brisbane a hotspot from 5pm and called on other states and territories to do so too.

'There is now more community transmission, and these people have been out and about in the community, and that is of concern to Queensland Health,' she said.

'This will also enable our health authorities to get on top of the contact tracing,' she said.

'I know this will mean some disruption to people's lives, but we've done this before, and we've got through it over those three days in the past, and if everyone does the right thing I'm sure that we will be able to get through it again.'

One of the cases had travelled to Gladstone, sparking fears the outbreak may spread further, and anyone in Queensland who has been in Brisbane since March 20 will also come under the restrictions.

A nurse who worked in a Covid-19 ward and her sister also spent time in the Byron Bay area while infectious.

Queensland Health is waiting for genomic testing to find out whether or not she caught the virus while working in the ward.

New South Wales Health officials have told anyone who visited the Byron Beach Hotel on Friday March 26 between 7.15pm and 8.30pm or The Farm Byron Bay on March 18 between 8am and 9.30am to get tested immediately and self-isolate.

Shoppers wait outside a Coles in New Farm on Monday in Brisbane as Ms Palaszczuk urged the city's residents not to panic buy despite the lockdown announcement

Shoppers outside a Woolworths in Newstead in Brisbane's inner-north form a socially distanced queue as they prepare to enter their latest three-day lockdown on Monday

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young with Premier Annastacia Palazczuk on Monday morning. Dr Young had promised earlier this month not to send Brisbane into a full lockdown again if there was another outbreak

Those tested must stay in self-isolation until further notice while NSW Health assesses the transmission risk at the two venues.

The restrictions were announced despite Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young promising earlier this month there would be no more strict restrictions in Brisbane even if there was another outbreak.

On March 19, she said only the most vulnerable residents in Brisbane - like those in hospitals and aged care homes - would be locked down in the future.

Greater Brisbane's schools will stay open for the children of essential workers under the latest lockdown.

Ms Palaszczuk called on residents not to panic and start panic buying.

Cars are pictured lining up for COVID testing at Bowen Hills. The whole of Greater Brisbane is a hotspot from 5pm on Monday

Cars are seen lining up for Covid-19 testing at the Bowen Hills clinic in Brisbane's inner-north on Monday after Queensland was plunged into a three-day lockdown

BYRON BAY VENUES ON COVID-19 ALERT Get tested and self-isolate until further notice: Byron Beach Hotel - 1 Bay St, Byron Bay on Friday March 26 from 7.15pm-8.30pm The Farm Byron Bay - 11 Ewingsdale Rd, Ewingsdale on Sunday March 18 from 8am-9.30am New pop-up testing clinics: Byron Bay QML Pathology Drive-Through - 8am to 8pm 7 days from midday Monday Walk-in Pop-Up Clinic; Byron Bay surf club car park - 8am to 6pm from Monday to Sunday, starting Monday afternoon Advertisement

'The supermarkets, the shops are full of supplies and you will still be able to go out and get food as part of this lockdown,' she said.

'So please don't go out and panic buy today. The shops will operate  the food shops will operate as per usual.'

Queensland Health were earlier forced to back-pedal after claiming on Saturday Lachlan Simpson, 25, ignored orders to self-isolate and instead held a party at his home in the Moreton Bay suburb of Strathpine.

Mr Simpson was a close contact of a 26-year-old Stafford man from Brisbane's north who tested positive to the UK variant of Covid-19.

Beachgoers at The Pass in Byron Bay. Two of the cases announced on Monday visited the popular tourist town in northern NSW while infectious

Byron Bay's iconic The Beach Hotel is one of the venues listed as possible Covid-19 exposure sites

Lachlan Simpson, from south-east Queensland's Moreton Bay region, was falsely accused of ignoring orders to self-isolate and holding a party at his home

The 26-year-old's case is linked to the strain which infected a doctor at the Princess Alexandra Hospital two weeks ago  but officials have no idea how it jumped between the two, who are not known to have ever met.

The 'party' was in fact a meeting of just five people at his home - four of whom were housemates - while a gathering and pub crawl happened two weeks ago.

Ms Palaszczuk admitted on Monday she may have been forced to introduce even tougher Covid-19 restrictions had officials not realised their mistake.

'Thankfully, the police were able to go and double check and rule that [party] out and speak to the individual and spoke to the neighbours,' she told the Today show.

'I want to thank both the authorities for working closely together to rule that out.'

She did not apologise though for the mistake a day after Health Minister Yvette D'Ath also refused to do so.

Mr Simpson said he believed the government had muddled up the dates after he told them he hosted a party two weeks earlier

Mr Simpson said he believed the government had muddled the dates after he told them he hosted a party two weeks ago - likely well before he was infectious.

'I told them that I had a gathering two weeks prior to me getting tested and somehow they've taken that day and moved it forward to Friday,' he told 9News.

'We went on a pub crawl the next day (after the party two weeks ago) but I think at that point I had no symptoms at all.'

The Strathpine man said he was stunned to discover he had been accused of flouting self-isolation rules.

'My heart's been racing for the last 24 hours,' he said. 'I didn't have a party with 25 people.'

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath - who revealed the mix-up on Sunday - said the information they provided the public was 'given by the man himself' while assisting contact tracers.

But she admitted there is a possibility authorities misunderstood the information he provided.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said authorities were only told the information they received about Mr Simpson was wrong on Sunday morning

She said the update that the information was wrong only came through on Sunday morning.

'I understand that as time has gone on, and overnight, there has been further investigation, an independent investigation from what the gentleman had said, whether it was a misunderstanding at the time or what it was, I can't tell you, ' Ms D'ath said.

'But that's what the health officials who originally spoke to this gentleman, when they first picked him up, that is what they understood had been said and that had to be acted on quickly.'

Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said it was 'inflammatory' to refer to the gathering on Friday night as a party.

He said there was 'no evidence' anybody in attendance committed an offence.

The 25 people first identified as being at the party were initially forced to self-isolate, but there are now just five people who are undergoing mandatory quarantine.

It is understood most of the people at the gathering and now in isolation were his housemates.

Ms D'Ath asked people to refrain from threatening and abusing people online as mistakes can occasionally happen, but said the outcome was 'extremely fortunate'.

The Sunshine State was put on high alert on Friday after a 26-year-old Stafford man, from Brisbane's north, tested positive to the highly infectious UK varient of the virus. Pictured: Two people wear face masks

'That the numbers are far lower and it is contained to predominantly housemates, that is a good outcome, much better outcome than what we thought was occurring yesterday,' she said.

'It is disappointing that we have ended up in this situation, but we also have to act on the information that we have at the time.'

Dr Young said the scare is a reminder that Queensland is not out of the woods yet and that Covid still poses a major risk.

She said she would not make any promises regarding potential future lockdowns as she urged people to come forward and get tested.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk closed aged care centres, hospitals and prisons to visitors in Brisbane in the wake of the outbreak (pictured, testing in February)

'I cannot rule out anything but I'm very hopeful if we do our bit, which is to come forward and get tested when you are sick, as our first case did. He came forward while I'm sure he was thinking this can't possibly be COVID and tested positive. So we just need people to not make any assumptions,' she said.

The state recorded three new cases of Covid on Sunday, including one within the community.

The new case is the brother of the 26-year-old man who sparked the fears of an outbreak when he tested positive on Thursday.

Dr Young said the scare is a reminder that Queensland is not out of the woods yet and that Covid still poses a major risk as she urged people to seek testing. Pictured: A drive through testing clinic in Brisbane back in January

Dr Young explained on Sunday the brother is likely the 'missing link' contact tracers have been searching for.

Early indications suggest the virus was in his system longer than his brother and that he has entirely recovered, suggesting he was infected first and passed the virus on.

Authorities are investigating whether he came into contact or had any connection with a doctor from the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane on March 13.

Genomic sequencing confirmed that his brother had the same strain as the doctor, and Queensland Health say the cases are likely linked, but authorities are still scrambling to work out how.
ADVERTISEMENT

A special investigation task sorce set up by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, arrived Makurdi, Benue State capital, on Sunday.

This is in continuation of the ongoing investigation into the reported attempted murder of Governor Samuel Ortom, the spokesperson of the police, Frank Mba, said.

He said the team consisting of operatives from the Tactical Investigation Units of the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) is led by Abba Kyari, a deputy commissioner of police.

Others on the team are experienced, crack detectives with specialised competencies in crime scene investigation and reconstruction, ballistics, fingerprint analysis and other core areas of forensics.

The Team is expected to take over and consolidate all on-going investigation into the incident. The Team is also expected to investigate all angles of the reported attack with a view to ensuring that all persons empirically linked to the incident are apprehended and brought to book.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police has charged the team to be professional, thorough and clinical in their investigations. They are expected to liaise and work with the Benue State Police Command and other relevant members of the law enforcement community to ensure that they deliver on their mandate, Mr Mba said.

Mr Ortom was reportedly attacked last Saturday around his farm at Tyo-Mu Community, about 20 kilometres from Makurdi, the state capital.

According to Mr Ortom, he was inspecting the farm when cattle herders dressed in black outfits ambushed him and his security personnel.

President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the attack and called for an open and transparent investigation of the attack, saying whoever is linked to it should be caught and be made to face the law.

The Inspector General of Police, on Sunday, ordered investigation into the incident.
US deploys Green Berets to Mozambique; ISIS-linked militants accused of beheading children

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

The United States has deployed U.S. Army Green Berets to Mozambique to train local troops as the country faces a growing insurgency that has seen children as young as 12 beheaded as well as thousands killed and displaced in the southern African country.

Analysts say this intervention is long overdue with a worsening humanitarian crisis and rise in appalling atrocities. More than 2,600 people have died since 2017 from the fighting and terrorist activity that began in north Mozambique, according to the United Nations.

The U.N. reports the mysterious group of insurgents has committed killing, rape and other atrocities.

The U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers were sent to train Mozambican marines for two months to counter the spread of violence by the Islamic extremist group, al-Shabab.

The United States is committed to supporting Mozambique with a multifaceted and holistic approach to counter and prevent the spread of terrorism and violent extremism, the U.S. Embassy in Mozambique said in a statement. Civilian protection, human rights, and community engagement are central to U.S. cooperation and are foundational to effectively counter the Islamic State in Mozambique.

This approach addresses socioeconomic development issues as well as the security situation, the statement adds.

The elite Green Berets are often deployed worldwide to build relationships, go on missions with locals and teach them how to fight effectively, Business Insider reports.

The U.S. government launched the two-month Joint Combined Exchange Training program to help prevent the spread of terrorism and will also provide communications and medical treatment.

The U.S. recently designated the Islamic State-linked insurgents in Mozambiques Cabo Delgado province a foreign terrorist organization on March 10.

Islamic State affiliates in Mozambique are also known as Ansar al-Sunna and known locally as al-Shabaab. The group reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in 2018.

Since October 2017, ISIS-Mozambique, led by Abu Yasir Hassan, has killed more than 1,300 civilians, and it is estimated that more than 2,300 civilians, security force members, and suspected ISIS-Mozambique militants have been killed since the terrorist group began its violent extremist insurgency, a State Department announcement reads. The group was responsible for orchestrating a series of large-scale and sophisticated attacks resulting in the capture of the strategic port of Mocimboa da Praia, Cabo Delgado Province.

According to the State Department, attacks by Islamic extremists in Mozambique have caused the displacement of nearly 670,000 persons within northern Mozambique.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a March 11 press briefing that designating Islamic State-Mozambique and Islamic State-DRC as specially designated global terrorist organizations is a decisive action against extremism and an important step in the global fight to defeat ISIS.

The United States will continue to expose and isolate terrorists, disrupt their support networks, deny them access to the U.S. financial system, and do everything in our power to preserve the security of the United States, Price said. We remain decisively engaged with our partners to address security challenges and to advance peace and security in Africa.

Islamic extremist-fueled violence in Mozambique has become a trend since 2017.

Senior leaders with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees warned of the urgent need in the Cabo Delgado province due to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of individuals.

The number of internally displaced people has increased from around 70,000 about a year ago to nearly 700,000 today. U.N. officials predict the number is expected to reach 1 million by June.

Most displaced people have fled south or found shelter with family or friends. The government is developing sites for those who remain. More than half of the displaced people are children.

The British aid organization Save the Children published a report earlier this month featuring interviews with survivors who recalled children as young as 11 being killed by insurgents.

A 28-year-old mother told the aid agency that her 12-year-old son was beheaded.

That night our village was attacked and houses were burned. When it all started, I was at home with my four children," she recalled. "We tried to escape to the woods, but they took my eldest son and beheaded him. We couldn't do anything because we would be killed too.

Christian persecution watchdog group Open Doors said the fresh wave of extremist violence in Mozambique ranked the country at No. 45 on the groups World Watch List of countries where Christians face the greatest persecution.

Instability in the region prevents a reliable count of those affected, but we believe the violence is widespread and often religiously motivated, Open Doors USA spokesperson Amy Lamb told The Christian Post in an email. Its part of a greater spread of extremist violence throughout the entire Sub-Saharan region, as factions of ISIS, al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, and their splinter groups expand their reach.

Lamb said this matter is of grave concern and is often fueled by religion against believers.

Make no mistake: this violence is religiously-motivated, and Christians alongside other religious minorities are being systemically targeted, Lamb wrote. Christians in the U.S. should pray urgently for the protection and provision of people in this region.

Christians make up over half of Mozambique, yet Islamic oppression is strong and accelerating.

Islamic extremists have destroyed Christian places of worship, schools and business, as many Christians have been forced to flee their homes, Open Doors reported. The presence of drug cartels in some areas also leads to increased persecution, especially in the country's northern region.
The coalition has agreed PM Igor Matovic and Fin Min Eduard Heger will swap seats.

"If our press conference offended anyone, we apologise," Eduard Heger of OLaNO said minutes after President Zuzana Caputova appointed him the acting health minister.

He was the only OLaNO politician who apologised for what PM Igor Matovic said when he labelled the departure of his health minister Marek Krajci the "world's most absurd resignation" and attacked his coalition partners once again.

With that incursive speech, Matovic buried the ceasefire that the coalition had agreed on and the coalition crisis continued.

"I think he is a kind of calm unifier," the Bratislava regional governor Juraj Droba of SaS said about Heger. The two men have known each other for 20 years.

They became acquaintances in Washington and worked for a company that was behind an exclusive vodka exported to the USA. Heger is the godfather of Droba's son. While Heger is a conservative politician, Droba is a liberal. They say they can learn from each other.

28. Mar 2021 at 21:22 | Daniela Hajcakova
Are you sure you want to delete this post?



Missouri voters voted by a 53-47% margin to expand Medicaid eligibility in 2020, but their elected leaders basically patted them on their heads and told them they know what's best by refusing to allocate the $130 million the state would need to spend in order to be eligible for $1.6 billion in federal Medicaid funds. In short, Missouri voters voted for something, but Republicans in Missouri's legislature said "no."

What is the point of ballot initiatives if state legislatures can simply ignore the will of the people? It's pretty frustrating to witness and I don't even live in Missouri.
When my teenage daughters first used the phrase rape culture I warned them to be careful about deploying such emotive words. As a journalist who has covered several significant rape trials in my career, it jarred with me. Teenagers can be so dramatic, I thought.

The expression came up as we discussed the website Everyones Invited, which has come to prominence in recent weeks as a place where young women leave testimonies of sexual harassment, assault and abuse.

But as the conversation continued I felt guilty for underestimating my 17 and 18-year-old girls. As they shared tale after tale of toxic misogyny among teenage boys, it became depressingly clear that neither of them was being dramatic.

We must encourage the idea that there will now be consequences, legal or otherwise, for any toxic, abusive behaviour

The stories that have come to light in the past few weeks have laid bare a climate in schools that normalises sexist and abusive behaviour towards women. (Pupils stage a protest against rape culture at Highgate School in London)

From being sent unwanted d*** pics which they saw as an everyday hazard, one they and all their friends had endured, to boys secretly filming during sex, boys having sex with drunk girls against their will, boys raping or sexually assaulting girls on nights out, boys groping girls on public transport, in the street, in school corridors and playgrounds, the litany of incidents that had happened to girls they knew seemed endless.

And from what they described, almost any boy at any kind of school could be capable of this behaviour. And if he wasnt, he would be unlikely to have the courage to call his mates out for it.

But why dont these boys get reported? I asked incredulously.

Theres no point, they replied. The most that happens is the boy gets told off at school but it doesnt stop them. Theres no punishment, nothing changes, no one cares. They have no respect for girls. Doing this stuff gains them respect.

Until then I had no idea of the scale of the problem, wrongly assuming incidents as severe as those they were describing would be rare in such young teenagers.

Yet, as a number of prominent schools refer pupils to police over allegations and its announced that a national helpline and taskforce will be set up to tackle the issue, what is becoming increasingly clear is that a rape culture does indeed exist in our schools, both state and private, a culture that until now has been largely ignored by teachers and nurtured by a dangerous lack of awareness or denial among parents of boys.

Which brings me to my 14-year-old son. Alongside protecting and believing my girls, how do I empower and protect him, too? Hearing the girls talk clearly made him uncomfortable and confused. I feel for my daughters, but I also I felt for him, too. It is important we understand that not every boy is involved in the behaviour being reported.

Some boys have already been identified on sites where girls post their experiences  and we cannot know yet what is true and what is not.

That is a fact: however, I think we should believe every girls story right now because I know how hard it is to come forward with these accounts in a society that is statistically proven not to believe womens experiences of crime.

But equally, bringing about meaningful and lasting change will be more complicated than pitting boys defences against girls accusations; this should not become an anti-male witch-hunt, but be about altering entrenched sexist attitudes towards women and girls to keep them safe.

The first step towards that will involve a dose of honesty and reflection from all parents. We all have to educate ourselves on this situation, no matter how kind or sensitive we believe our sons to be.

When Scotland Yard offers to send experts into schools to talk to boys about consent, and one of the countrys most senior police officers calls this the next big child abuse scandal, we have to accept the severity of what is going on. And having spent years interviewing experts on teenagers for my parenting book I can tell you that while you may think you know your child, you really dont.

Indeed in a BBC survey last year 75 per cent of parents didnt believe their children had seen pornography, yet the majority of their children told researchers that they had.

All teenagers lead a private life parents know nothing about and it is healthy for them to have that independence, but it means you cannot truthfully know your son isnt part of this problem.

The stories that have come to light in the past few weeks have laid bare a climate in schools that normalises sexist and abusive behaviour towards women. And its a climate of fear that also makes it hard for teenage boys to avoid peer pressure and condemn the behaviour of others.

The majority of parents of teens will be over 40, meaning their experience of navigating teenage relationships is outdated.

The environment is different to when we were at school  much less exposure to porn, no social media, no sexting. This means educating ourselves  no more ignoring or avoiding the issue  because it affects all of us.

You need to find out what your sons sources of information are online, to find out how their schools are addressing this toxic culture after the news over the past few weeks.

If you only have boys, you need to talk to the mothers of teenage girls whose stories will be different from yours. And yes, you need to talk directly to your sons about sex, consent and relationships, and the earlier you start the better. You might think your children would rather survive on broccoli and cabbage for a year than hear about this from their parents, but family planning experts have told me many times that teens do want to hear about relationships, consent and sex from their parents.

In fact, contrary to popular belief, psychologists I have spoken to say it is a parents words and attitudes that hold the most power over shaping a childs views on sex and relationships.

So IT is up to us to ask our sons, as well as our daughters, about whats going on, to really listen to them when they tell us, without judgement or criticism, to hear their stories and decide if we need to step in and educate our sons about the issues young girls are facing.

We must encourage the idea that there will now be consequences, legal or otherwise, for any toxic, abusive behaviour.

Our children are growing up in a time like no other, a super-connected world where the stresses on them are huge and complex. It is not enough to assume that schools will take care of sex education. They dont appear to have done so far.

Teens need guidance and boundaries from curious and open-minded parents to help build resilience.

Being a teenager is tough. It requires enduring five years of rapid physiological and psychological change from 13 to 18 which involves a complete re-wiring of the brain and this means we have to treat all adolescents with care and patience, our own and other peoples. Boy or girl, they need more support from their parents now than at any other time of their young lives.

Mum, Whats Wrong With You: 101 things only the mothers of teenage girls know, by Lorraine Candy, is out on June 10, 4th Estate
It wasnt the wind turbines. It wasnt natural gas. It wasnt coal that was to blame in Texas deadly blackout that killed 111 people across Texas.

The truth is all those power sources went offline at some point during last months winter storm, not because they were renewable or base load or liberal or conservative fuels but because generators and pipeline owners chose not to weatherize their equipment for a predictable winter storm. Some gas operators chose not to fill out a simple two-page form to exempt their operations from losing power during rolling blackouts and other shortages.

They chose not to do these things because nobody in Texas government required them to.

Lets stop wasting time, as U.S. House members did in a hearing last week, bickering over which political partys preferred natural resource saved the day and which caused death and destruction.

The culprit was not vegetable or mineral. It was human.

It was the people in Texas government who had the duty to secure Texas power grid and refused. The people who had the power to protect millions of Texans from an accident waiting to happen and opted to just let it happen. The people who chose not to require that companies delivering life-sustaining energy do so responsibly, opting instead to make basic emergency planning optional.

It is elected officials, political appointees, and well-compensated executives who, more than a month after the catastrophic failure of Texas power grid, refuse to take true responsibility or move with urgency to fix the problems.

The shameful show of finger-pointing and shallow concern hit the national stage Wednesday as several Texas officials testified before Congress on the impact and causes of Februarys storm.

One moment served as a glaring allegory of Texas deflection: Railroad Commission Chairman Christi Craddick was asked whether she, as the states top oil and gas regulator, would start requiring operators to fill out a short form that keeps their power from being shut off during outages.

The question by U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey should have been a no-brainer. Craddick herself had testified that in the middle of the blackouts, crews returning to gas fields found they couldnt restart production because theyd lost power for their equipment.

Frozen roadways prevented crews from going out, but the No. 1 problem was a lack of power at the production sites, she said.

That problem, as Houston Chronicle reporters Jay Root, Eric Dexheimer and Jeremy Blackman reported this month, was the result of gas production plant owners not filling out simple paperwork to become designated as critical facilities, making them exempt as hospitals are from having their power cut so they can keep supplying fuel to power plants.

Even so, Craddick wouldnt commit to requiring the form, only saying that her agency had sent letters to all operators suggesting that they file it. She also insisted that she hadnt realized this form existed before the winter storm and that power grid operator ERCOT should have done a better job getting the word out about the exemptions. Never mind that her name was on the letterhead of a 2013 Railroad Commission memo explaining the exemptions and urging natural gas facilities to apply.

But do you dont think it should be required? Veasey pushed back.

Craddick continued to dodge the question, pivoting again to her favorite punching bag. She blamed ERCOT for not prioritizing oil fields for such exemptions, and tried to claim they only were available to processing plants anyway. While the 2013 letter uses the term facilities, it also states clearly that high volume gas wells are examples of such facilities.

Letting industry police itself is a basic tenant in Texas laissez-faire approach to oversight. But while expense may be behind Craddicks previous refusal to require winterization of natural gas wellheads, its unclear what kind of burden she thinks filling out a free form that takes about two minutes to complete would impose on companies.

Veasey wasnt having Craddicks excuses.

Republicans just want this problem to go away, he said. They dont want to deal with this, they dont want to require anybody to do anything, which means were going to be sitting in the cold again and that is the problem. They are running out the clock.

Coming from a Democrat, that may sound like partisan rhetoric  except for the fact that the complacency and political cowardice he describes has all happened before. It set the stage for Februarys disaster. And it will lead to another tragedy unless lawmakers resolve to finally act this session.

Just as Gov. Greg Abbott and lawmakers knew Texas grid was vulnerable in winter without proper weatherization, Texas oil and gas regulators knew that gas suppliers had their power cut during the states last major freeze in 2011. A federal after-incident report had warned that communication gaps between gas and electric companies should be fixed to prevent it from happening again.

A state report in 2012 said the same thing, with regulators at the Texas Public Utility Commission and Railroad Commission concluding that cascading grid failures could happen if companies that provide fuel for power generation lost power themselves. Thats exactly what happened in February.

The former PUC regulator who oversaw that 2012 report, Jennifer Hubbs, told Chronicle reporters she was shocked to realize during the storm that her simple recommendations hadnt been followed.

Im on Twitter and I see a photo of downtown Houston lit up like a freakin Christmas tree and all the houses around it dark. It hit me like a physical blow, she told the Chronicle. You know, we might have avoided rotating outages entirely if we had just approached it with some sense.

Sense. Its something as scarce in Austin these days as toilet-flushing water during last months storm.

It is not government overreach or far-left sabotage to require energy companies to engage in basic emergency planning. Its the least a government can do to protect its residents from a harsh winter storm or even an attack on our power grid from a foreign adversary such as Russia or China.

Abbott needs to lean on lawmakers to require safeguards, lawmakers need to pass them, and elected leaders such as Craddick need to stop leaving Texans health and safety to chance and voluntary compliance.

Why should Texans put up with leaders whose loose regulations leave us vulnerable to everything from random chemical explosions to prolonged blackouts that put our homes, our businesses and our loved ones in harms way?

Leaders, do your jobs, not industrys bidding. Texans dont deserve to live this way  or die this way, either.
An actor in hit RTE drama Smother has revealed he was terrified locals in the town where the show was filmed would think he was a real-life paedophile.

Danish star Thomas Levin, who plays Carl Jensen in the show, insisted that posters used in the drama - which carried an image of his face with the word 'Pedo' printed on it - be removed from the area when filming ended.

In the show, Carl and his onscreen daughter Ingrid (Hazel Doupe) were seen removing the posters from the windscreens of cars and also cleaning up graffiti on their home, when 'Pedo' is sprayed onto the front of the house in large red writing.

The scenes were filmed last year in Lahinch, Co. Clare, and centred on the fact that Carl was questioned in Denmark about the alleged sexual abuse of a female teenage student before he moved to Ireland.

Read More

Carl, who is in a relationship with Dervla Kirwan's character, Val, was also brought in for questioning to the local Garda station after an anonymous letter was sent to them, which included a newspaper clipping about the accusation.

He was also suspected of involvement in Denis Ahern's death, after viewers previously saw a heated row between the two.

The local school, where Carl is a science teacher, suspended him after a parent saw him being questioned by gardai, and word soon got out about the Danish accusations.

The fact that he was cleared in Denmark didn't stop locals targeting Carl with the 'Pedo' smears.

"The subject matter is very uncomfortable," says Thomas (42), who in real life lives in Copenhagen with his wife and their two young children.

"It's just a horrible thing and it really provokes strong emotions."

He was terrified someone might find the poster and believe he was a paedophile in real life.

"People don't know me where we were shooting," explains Thomas.

"If somebody found that flyer and I had to go and buy groceries, that would be really uncomfortable because there is a thin line between who I am and who the audience think I am as a character.

"That was just the first time in my life where I had a conversation with the prop department ... 'please make sure that there is not a single poster left anywhere when we leave shooting'. That was the most freaky part."

Bond

Hazel Doupe, who plays 15-year-old Ingrid, said she had no qualms about playing the role of a daughter who supports her father in such circumstances.

"Looking into Ingrid's past with her dad, they have a strong bond and it wouldn't matter to her what other people thought of him," says the 18-year-old Dubliner.

"Obviously, it was going to affect her in ways, but it wouldn't stop her from supporting her father. The usual response for someone in that age is to go with their mother, but she showed a lot of bravery."

Thomas maintains that while the subject matter was dark, he enjoyed playing the role.

"I was interested because I heard about Katie [O'Riordan, the writer], I heard about the production company and the chance to go to Ireland to meet new colleagues," he explains.

"It was nice for me to get a chance to play a father and also where I have a relationship that was not conventional, with Dervla's character. So I guess that was the two main things for me."

Smother continues tonight on RTE One at 9.30pm.

Read More




It was Armed Forces Day in Myanmar on Saturday and as senior generals gathered for a military parade in the capital, security forces elsewhere marked the day with a brutal massacre of more than 100 pro-democracy protesters and civilians who appeared to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, including children. It became the deadliest day since the military coup last month. Numbers vary slightly with online news site Myanmar Now saying the death toll reached 114 while an independent researcher put the toll at 107 across the country. Both numbers are higher than the previous deadliest day, which took place on March 14, when as many as 90 people were killed.

Advertisement

The killings were immediately condemned around the world, with many focusing on reports that children were among the victims. Among the most shocking cases is a one-year girl who was hit in the eye with a rubber bullet in a suburb of Yangon. She is expected to live but security forces shot and killed a five-year-old boy, two 13-year-old boys, and a 14-year-old girl. The way children were caught in the crackdown seemed to mark another level of violence by security forces who appeared to care little about who they targeted.

Advertisement

Advertisement

It was the randomness of todays killings that was particularly shocking, writes BBC Burmeses Moe Myint. Armed with battlefield weapons, the security forces appeared willing to shoot anyone they saw on the streets. The brutality they showed they were capable of today is on another level from what we have seen since the coup.

Advertisement

This 76th Myanmar armed forces day will stay engraved as a day of terror and dishonour. The killing of unarmed civilians, including children, are indefensible acts. The EU stands by the people of Myanmar and calls for an immediate end of violence and the restoration of democracy.  EUMyanmar (@EUMyanmar) March 27, 2021

British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab characterized the killings by security forces Saturday as a a new low, as he vowed the country would work with its allies to end this senseless violence, hold those responsible to account, and secure a path back to democracy. The European Union delegation to Myanmar said Saturday would forever stay engraved as a day of terror and dishonor, adding that the killing of unarmed civilians, including children, are indefensible acts. U.S. Ambassador Thomas Vajda said security forces are murdering unarmed civilians, including children.

Advertisement

The violence Saturday appears to be yet another sign of how authorities in Myanmar are more violently pushing back against opponents to the Feb. 1 coup. Through Friday the Association of Political Prisoners had verified hat security forces killed 328 people since the coup.
Georgias maps have been consistently gerrymandered, or drawn for the benefit of one political party, and under Republican rule, Athens has been one of the most gerrymandered cities in the state.

Third wave closes borders on EU tourists By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):

With the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic taking its toll in most of Europe these markets are looking at lockdowns as a result of which Sri Lanka is likely to face a slowdown in tourist traffic from these nations.

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told the Business Times that should the countries in Europe close down then our numbers will come down but they hope to pick up by July and August.

Moreover, he remained optimistic that the industry would however survive on traffic from some of the states in the Russian bloc. He pointed out that Sri Lanka is currently heading towards the off season and that following the vaccination they will be getting better as a nation that is overcoming the virus.

In fact he stated that traditionally though most tourists are attracted from countries like Germany, numbers from markets like this are low due to the restrictions in place.

There has been reports of a spike in the number of new cases in the some of the Central and South East European countries and even in Germany.

Reports state that the so-called UK variant, which is said to be 75 per cent more transmissible, is now dominant in the European Union, although the South African and the Brazilian mutations have also been detected in several EU countries.

As a result, many countries have now introduced or increased lockdown measures for the coming weeks, covering the Easter holidays, reports stated.

Additionally, several countries including Germany, Belgium, Hungary, Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Slovakia have put in place unilateral restrictions for non-essential travel in a bid to curb the number of infections.

Minister Ranatunga explained that as a result of this situation they will be including the Russian states as well as part of the global promotion campaign as well.

The government will also be looking at relaxing some of the guidelines in terms of the number of PCR tests carried out on vaccinated tourists arriving in the country.

According to official data, tourist arrivals in January and February 2021 were just a trickle at 5,048 compared to over 430,000 in the same 2020 period. The airport was reopened to international traffic from January 21 after a 10-month closure.

Sri Lanka Tourism said that Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Germany, Russian Federation and China were Sri Lankas top five international tourist generating markets in the month of February. Kazakhstan was the largest source of tourist traffic to Sri Lanka with 36.6 per cent of the total traffic received in above period. Ukraine accounted for 25.1 per cent of the total traffic.
The Government has said it is "not aware" of any plans that the British to share almost 4 million vaccines with Ireland, following reports on Sunday.

A Government spokesperson said it and the UK government "maintain close contact across all matters of common interest", but is not aware of a specific UK plan to share vaccines with Ireland.

A spokesperson said: "The UK has previously indicated that once it has achieved a high level of vaccination of its own population, it would consider sharing vaccines with other countries.

"We are not aware of any specific plans to share vaccines with Ireland at this stage. The Irish and UK governments maintain close contact across all matters of common interest."

Speaking on Sunday morning, the UKs Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said Britain does not "currently have a surplus" of coronavirus vaccines.

"Clearly, our first priority is ensuring we deliver vaccines in the United Kingdom.

"We clearly don't currently have a surplus of vaccines, should we get to the point where we have a surplus of vaccines we'd make decisions on the allocation of that surplus," he said.

The UK is reportedly planning to offer approximately 3.7m doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Ireland, according to a report in The Sunday Times.

It would be the first time the British government has exported vaccines to a European Union member state.

The offer would be made in part to help ease Covid-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland first minister Arlene Foster has also expressed support for such a move.

Ms Foster recommended that British prime minister Boris Johnson give the jabs to Ireland during his visit to Enniskillen this month.

First Minister Arlene Foster receiving her first Covid vaccination in Fermanagh on Friday. Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA Wire

It is understood that Ms Foster believes differing vaccination rollout speeds and different infection rates on either side of the border risk complicating both countries' routes out of the pandemic.

The DUP leader said she hasnt yet spoken to Taoiseach Micheal Martin about the proposal.

Calls for UK to send surplus vaccines abroad

Over the past week, Boris Johnson has been facing calls to begin donating vaccines to other nations or risk hoarding supplies while frontline workers are exposed to coronavirus.

On Sunday, health and development charities in the UK urged Mr Johnson to take "accelerated action" and "swiftly clarify" how doses will be shared.

Save the Children UK and Wellcome, an organisation led by the UK's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies member, Jeremy Farrar, were among those making the demand in a letter to Mr Johnson.

With more than half of adults having received a jab, they say the UK is "one of the worlds highest per-capita buyers" of vaccines and is on track to have more than 100m surplus doses.

UK prime minister Boris Johnson has faced calls to send surplus vaccines abroad. File picture: Aaron Chown/PA

"There is, therefore, the high risk that the UK will be hoarding limited supply whilst health workers and the most vulnerable in low and middle-income countries do not have access," the letter reads.

The UK will be sitting on enough surplus vaccine doses to vaccinate the worlds frontline health workers twice over.

They are urging Britain to immediately begin donating doses through the Covax initiative, which is working to provide vaccines for low and middle-income countries.

The British government responded that it will share "the majority of any future surplus vaccines with the Covax pool when these are available.
Irish judges have made hundreds of foreign trips in recent years at a significant cost to the taxpayer, according to internal Courts Service records.

The spending covers more than 1,000 flights for judges and court staff to attend seminars, conferences and events abroad. The outlay does not include the considerable cost of attending foreign conferences and accommodation for those trips.

Meanwhile, a further 127,484 has been spent accommodating judges at the award-winning Ballymaloe House Hotel, where they are provided with bed and breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch while attending court sittings in Co Cork.

New documents and figures obtained by Sunday Independent columnist Shane Ross reveals the level of spending on Ballymaloe stays and foreign travel for judges. Over the past 10 years, judges spent 526 nights at the upmarket hotel renowned globally for its haute cuisine. Judges often stay for five days at a time to allow superior courts to sit in provincial locations close to where parties attending court are from.

These have included High Court Judge Kevin Cross, who incurred three bills in June 2019, totalling 3,135.

In 2018 Court of Appeal Judge Seamus Noonan took up residence at Ballymaloe for three five-day sessions at a total cost of 3,760. Mr Justice Paul Carney has stayed at the hotel 19 times over the past 10 years while attending court sittings.

The Courts Service said it "has always sought and achieved considerably reduced rates for suitable accommodation and board", and regularly reviews hotels used for judges. Courts Service payments for accommodation and food are made in accordance with rates sanctioned by the Department of Finance, but judges may opt to stay in hotels where prices are above the sanctioned rate. They must then pay the excess amount themselves or reimburse the Courts Service.

In 2018 and 2020, excess amounts incurred for stays at Ballymaloe were paid by judges directly to the hotel. Documents show 480 was repaid by judges to the Courts Service in 2019 for excess amounts, including 110 by Mr Justice Cross. There were only two stays at the hotel by judges last year before the pandemic interrupted court sittings. High Court Judges Mary Rose Gearty and Michael Twomey each spent five nights there at a cost of 1,425 each.

Read More

Documents on foreign travel show judges made more than 500 foreign trips between 2015 and the early part of 2020 which have cost the Courts Service almost 180,000. Buenos Aires in Argentina, Chilean capital Santiago, the holy city of Jerusalem, Sydney in Australia and a number of US trips were on the itineraries of some judges.

Chief Justice Frank Clarke has made 36 foreign trips since he was appointed in July 2017. Since 2015 he has made over 50 trips abroad in total on official duty, racking up about 85,000 air miles.

As Chief Justice he has visited Cyprus, Brussels, Lisbon, Prague, Krakow, Estonia, Berlin, Rome, Paris, Strasbourg, The Hague, Vienna, Edinburgh, Karlsruhe, Luxembourg, Warsaw and London. He made two visits to the United States in 2018, first visiting New York in April at a cost of 628.98. The following September he attended events in Chicago and New York. His air fare then was 3,769.95.

A spokesman for the Courts Service said Mr Clarke spoke on law and Brexit at the Irish consulate in Chicago at their request, "garnering much local business and legal world interest".

In New York he gave a similar lecture at Fordham University at an event organised by the Consulate there. He later spoke at the New York Consulate about 'Ireland as a centre for International Arbitration', the spokesman added.

In 2019 Mr Clarke visited Washington on St Patrick's Day to deliver a keynote speech at an event hosted by then Attorney General, Seamus Woulfe. The purpose of his visit was to promote Ireland as an international legal centre. His business class air ticket cost 2,115.53.

He made 15 trips in total in 2019, including five in September. He flew to Paris on September 6 for 229.81 and Vienna three days later for 71.76 to travel to an engagement in the Czech Republic. On September 25 he travelled to Luxembourg before flying to Brussels the following day. The trips cost 208.20 and 278.31 respectively. On September 30 he flew to London on a ticket which cost 947.13. Then Court of Appeal Judge Michael Peart also flew to London on the same date at a cost of 170.54.

Mr Clarke made just two trips last year, flying to Paris twice to attend events in the French capital and Strasbourg. These cost a combined 259.19. Since 2015, Mr Clarke has accumulated 21,505.23 in air fares.

The figures come just days after High Court President, Ms Justice Mary Irvine, asked the Government to nominate up to 20 new judges in anticipation of "a tsunami" of litigation that has built up during the pandemic. There are currently 40 High Court judges, so meeting her request would see this number jump 50pc.

The Department of Justice believes legislation will be required to meet the request and it is currently being examined by the Department of Public Expenditure.

Court of Appeal Judge John Edwards travelled less frequently than the chief justice, but as Ireland's representative on the International Association of Judges (IAJ) he flew to Mexico City, Jerusalem via Tel Aviv, Santiago, Marrakech, and Kazakhstan in the past five years. District Court Judge John O'Connor also travelled to Mexico City. His ticket cost 1,194.21. Mr Edwards's fare was 1,188.54.

Mr Edwards was accompanied at the Santiago conference by District Court Judge Conal Gibbons at a cost of 1,666.76 per person. Mr Edwards also visited Barcelona, Copenhagen, Munich, Amsterdam, Moldova, Berlin ,Croatia and London.

The most expensive air fares for judges came in 2018 when Circuit Court Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain and District Court Judge Patricia McNamara visited Buenos Aires three years ago. Their tickets cost 4,465.50 each. That year, the Courts Service spent 57,719.29 on air tickets for judges and staff.

A Courts Service spokesman said travel restrictions in place for most of last year saw spending on air fares drop significantly.

Last year's spend totalled 5,905.08 and included return flights to Cape Town for Supreme Court Judge William McKechnie.

First class and premium tickets are never used, he added, but business class flights are booked where the duration of the flight is six hours or more.

"Flights for necessary judicial foreign work and travel are booked as economically as possible, generally using available online, economy class flights, and prices as made available through the Government contracted travel agent."

The spokesman also explained why judges travel. "Firstly, the members of the Court attend overseas events in association with the Supreme Court's membership of international judicial networks. The second category relates to bilateral meetings between the Supreme Courts and Courts in other jurisdictions, such as the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights." He said the Chief Justice often makes trips to speak at international events and to perform essential EU functions. "The fourth category involves attendance at events regarding judicial training - as sanctioned by the Committee for Judicial Studies."
While the state charges against several people arrested in the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in Worcester were dropped, it appears the one person charged in federal court plans to plead guilty, records show.

A federal grand jury, in October, indicted 19-year-old Vincent Eovacious on charges of civil disorder and possessing a Molotov cocktail. He was the only person federally charged in the aftermath of the summer protests.

Eovacious was one of several people arrested the night of the June 1 protests.

This month, Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. dropped the charges filed against 17 people arrested in the aftermath of the protests. Earlys office said the charges were dropped after a careful review of the evidence by its senior first assistant and first assistant in charge of appeals.

Early, in a statement, said he recused himself from the case due to a conflict of interest he has with Clark University. Some of the people who were arrested attended the Worcester college.

Each and every case was individually reviewed at length with every piece of video, written and testimonial evidence considered before any prosecutorial decisions were made in these matters. It was determined that these misdemeanor charges lacked sufficient evidence for trial, Earlys statement said.

Clark University hired a Worcester law firm to conduct an independent review of the events and the firm determined none of the four students who were arrested acted violently and police acted improperly when arresting the individuals.

Early noted none of the defendants were arrested for throwing bricks, rocks, concrete, bottles or anything else at officers. No cases involving an alleged assault on a Worcester police officer were dismissed, the district attorney added.

Early said one case resulted in a plea, another one is pending and a third was federally indicted, a reference to the case against Eovacious.

The decision by Earlys office has drawn the ire of Worcester police union officials.

Daniel Gilbert, president of the New England Police Benevolent Association Local 911, said in a strongly worded statement that Early will never receive another endorsement from the police union or another vote from him and his family. The police union head was ashamed and disappointed by the decision to drop the charges against the protesters, he added.

While the case against Eovacious is still pending in Worcester federal court, it appears he plans to plead guilty to the federal charges, according to paperwork on file in court.

In an order filed earlier this month, a federal judge notes Eovacious has separately reported that he intends to plead guilty to the indictment. Eovacious returns to federal court on April 13.

There have been past discussions of Eovacious entering a plea, records show.

According to federal court records, on the night of the protests - hours after a peaceful demonstration took place - police spotted Eovacious pacing on the rooftop of a building at 848 Main St. and yelled at the crowd below to kill the police.

Investigators said they saw Eovacious take a bottle out of a satchel. The bottle appeared to contain liquid, and police saw Eovacious try to stick a rag into the bottle while holding a silver object believed to be a lighter, federal records said.

Eovacious was eventually stopped by police and inside his satchel were three clear glass bottles with a slightly yellow liquid that smelled of gasoline, five white rags, one green lighter and one silver lighter, prosecutors said.

Eovacious said the liquid was gasoline, that he was with the anarchist group and was waiting for an opportunity, authorities said.

Related Content:
Close

NASA has successfully completed the first water drop test for the Orion spacecraft, which will carry astronauts to the Moon and beyond as a part of the Artemis missions.

Engineers based on the Langley Research Center's Landing and Impact Research Facility in Hampton, Virginia, initiated the test, with cameras capturing the drop of the 11-foot (3.35 meters) capsule into the "hydro impact basin," which is basically a large tank of water designed for simulating various landing environments.

For the first drop test of the latest Orion model, the spacecraft was released from a height of 18 inches.

ALSO READ: NASA Successfully Completed 8-Minute SLS Rocket Test





Orion Drop Tests: A Critical Procedure Before Artemis II

NASA has begun testing the initial prototypes of Orion as early as 2011, with the space administration conducting a series of drop tests in what was designated as a "Ground Test Article" at the Langley facility, using the test data gathered for improvements to ensure the safety of its passengers better.

However, NASA reports that the latest water drop test uses the latest configuration of the Orion multi-purpose crew vehicle (MPCV) - the one developed at the Colorado facility of the lead contractor and aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin. This configuration is supposedly the "final design" for the Orion, NASA says in its latest press release.

Additionally, the space administration explains that the data gathered from these tests are required for the "structural design and requirement verification before Artemis II," the first crewed flight scheduled in 2023. The first Artemis mission, set for a November 2021 launch, is an uncrewed flight that will go to the Moon and back to Earth.

Finally, the plan to "land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024" takes shape with the Artemis III mission - with the Artemis missions in their entirety serving as the basis for space missions beyond.

"This is less about trying to reduce model uncertainty and more about loading up to design limits, bringing the model higher in elevation and higher in load, not testing to requirements, but testing to extremes," said Chris Tarkenton, NASA project engineer, back in November when the water drop tests were first announced. He adds that the "design" test is not just the shape of the spacecraft, but how all of its components will interact and will be fabricated in the future.

About the Orion MPCV Spacecraft

The Orion spacecraft is a partially reusable space capsule, originally designed and proposed by Lockheed Martin first for the canceled NASA Constellation Program. It is, however, picked up as the exploration vehicle for the Artemis missions.

It is expected to provide sustenance for the astronauts during space missions and safe re-entry upon their return to earth. The MPCV will be integrated into the Space Launch System, the most powerful rocket to date, and will launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Despite the Artemis I being an uncrewed flight, it will still include the Orion in the launch vehicle to gather additional data for the succeeding missions.

RELATED ARTICLE: Living on the Moon? Prepare $325,067 a Month for Mortgage





Check out more news and information on the Artemis Mission in Science Times.
Reading these stories feels like viewing a series of unrelated Polaroid photos: just as one visual starts to come into focus, the next photograph is presented, still not fully developed.  By arrangement

Maithreyi Karnoor is unafraid of tragedy. From the opening pages of her debut novel Sylvia: Distant Avuncular Ends, the reader is confronted with accidents, deaths, estrangement and amputations. Yet, Karnoors style is light. Life is tough, she seems to be saying underneath a parade of plotlines, but dont try to make sense of it all; that would only produce a fantastical, cyclical, run-on story.

Sylvia is Karnoors illustration of this philosophy. Divided into two parts, the novel introduces several characters, all uniquely damaged, trying to make their way through the world. Together, they take on the shape of a strange, multi-headed beast.

Part I is a novella about a man who moves to Goa after having grown up in Tanzania and the UK. Ethnically Goan, he has returned to his ancestral soil as a foreigner. It is only when he finds a baobab tree in a village in south Goa does he feel comfortable enough to buy a house nearby. Incidentally, he becomes known in the village as Bhaubaab, a fellow Goan brother bhau and an elder, baab. (Baobab and bhaubaab; this is just one example of Karnoors experiments with wordplay throughout the book.)

Bhaubaab and his neighbour Lakshmi become friends. Bhaubaab also ends up hosting his niece, Sylvia, in his new home. She is the daughter of his long-estranged brother, and a total stranger to him. Karnoors narration shifts easily between Bhaubaab, Lakshmi and Sylvia, and each one is honest about their troubles. The resulting novella is equal parts haunting and hopeful, funny and fatal, nostalgic and forward-looking. The final scene is wrenching, but sweet, too. In this way, the sixty-odd pages fly by.

Part II is double the length of Part I, but sliced into shorter chapters. Tragedy persists like a sunrise: routine, but vivid enough to make you stop and stare. A mother commits suicide after having her baby; a hapless girl is possessed by a mutton-devouring spirit; another is assaulted by a truck driver; another writes apologetic poetry about her abusive husband. One of these is Sylvia, but Karnoor does not make it obvious. Unlike Part I, Sylvias life advances haphazardly in this section, always amidst a crowd of characters who are tangentially connected to her. In fact, readers meet Bhaubaab only fleetingly in Part II, and Lakshmi never again. The result is a mosaic, colorful but cluttered.

While the shorter chapters delve into a range of character psyches, its not clear why Part II has been arranged this way. Reading these stories feels like viewing a series of unrelated Polaroid photos: just as one visual starts to come into focus, the next photograph is presented, still not fully developed. The brief references to Sylvia make the reader feel like we should be keeping track of all the connections that Karnoor is setting up, which becomes distracting. Will they help us understand the novel better? Is there a twist lying in wait, like the snake in Bhaubaabs shed? Karnoor doesnt provide any answers directly, but all of her characters allude to a life that is unfortunate and unknown. In the words of one character, trying to describe his wifes state of mind is just a way of putting labels on things that cannot be known  as paying obeisance to the end of human knowledge: defining from the outside the dark, mysterious spaces of human minds that cannot be breached (161).

But Sylvia is entrenched in a physical world, and not just a psychic one. The Goan settler subculture she describes is real and authentic; her WhatsApp group scenes are witty; and her urban-turned-farmer characters are appropriately fly-and-sweat-riddled. These vignettes almost compensate for Sylvia lurking in the shadows of the second half of the book. Almost, because Karnoor has the talent to have retained her onstage to narrate this fantastical, cyclical, run-on story.

Sylvia: Distant Avuncular Ends

Maithreyi Karnoor

Westland Publications
A recent wave of violence and racism against Asian-Americans has shaken the community. In Fort Bend County, where the Asian population is almost 21 percent, the attacks are especially devastating, both to Asian individuals and businesses.

The Asian Chamber of Commerce unites and empowers Asian businesses across the greater Houston area. Bin Yu, founder and chairman of the chamber; Barbara Gallo, director of operations for the chamber; and Paul Gor, chamber director of community development, have seen first-hand the impact that these hate crimes against Asians have had on the community, both in terms of commerce and general well-being.

The three community leaders weighed in on the violence against Asians and what the community as a whole can do to help.

Tell us about your general experiences as Asian-Americans in the Houston area. How have you seen the area change over time? What does the chamber do to serve the Asian community?

Gor: Barbara and I grew up in Houston, and weve had the experience of being Asian-Americans in the Houston area. I feel like having this opportunity to serve the Asian community through the chamber is one way of giving back and rallying the resources that have developed over the years.

Ive seen working with the chamber is an opportunity to make a difference in this whole community. What better way than with an organization that has been helping businesses for 30 years? I think its in line with my core values and how I want to have impact.

Gallo: I was born in Hong Kong, but I grew up in Houston. Back then there were only five Asians in my whole high school.

Weve gone from that to now, where my kids went to school in Fort Bend, and there was quite a majority of Asians there. My kids didnt feel isolated or anything. Its been a big transformation, to see the growth and the diversity of Houston.

In Fort Bend, you really dont even blink really when you see people in different groups and different religions. Were just all part of the fabric of the community.

More by Claire Goodman: From street stray to K-9 cop: This Katy rescue dog could become DPS newest crime fighter

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost 21 percent of the population of Fort Bend County is Asian. Harris County, by comparison, is only about 8 percent Asian. The national average is 5 percent. Based on those statistics, it seems reasonable to conclude that the Asian community is much more impactful here than in other areas. Would you agree with that statement? If so, what does that mean for the overall verve and culture of this area?

Gor: Collectively there are over 45,000 Asian businesses in Harris County, according to statistics that we captured from the University of Houston Asia Studies. Youre correct that there is a big influence of Asians in Fort Bend, and it is represented in a very diverse population.

You see a growing population, so I would agree what you said about Houston and especially Fort Bend being a growing community.

Yu: The reality is, Asian business does have great impact in the community, and the impact is economic. Think about 45,000 Asian business owners in Harris County and 14 percent of companies in Fort Bend County being owned by Asians. Youre looking at many hotels, gas stations, laundries and even smaller businesses.

There has been a disturbing wave of racism and hate crimes against Asians and Asian businesses, largely due to the pandemic and a blatant misunderstanding of how the virus works and its origins. In essence, people are blaming Asians across the board for COVID-19. Have you observed this in the local community?

Yu: We do have Asian businesses that have been targeted. One chamber business with a Vietnamese owner- a white lady screamed at him and told him to go back to China, talking about the China virus and other things.

Fort Bend is actually interesting because  and the Chronicle wrote about this  a politician used a campaign ad that said, China poisoned our people.

What do you think that 14 percent of Asian business owners feel when they hear this? What are their kids going to face when they go to school? Are people going to tell these children that theyre poisoning Americans?

On HoustonChronicle.com: Assault on Korean shop owners investigated as possible hate crime, Houston police say

Are you hearing any feedback from the businesses owners in your chamber regarding this racism, especially following the attacks in Atlanta?

Gallo: When the Atlanta shooting happened, we did a quick survey through our restaurant owners, and the feedback is that they feel pretty fortunate. Houston hasnt experienced that much in terms of hate crimes.

Yu: We pay very close attention to our members and their feedback, and most of the comments are that they appreciate living in Houston because of the diverse culture here. People recognize and respect one another.

What would you say to people who blame Asians and Asian businesses for the virus? What would you say to the business owners who are dealing with this?

Gor: Id say, Dont blame the Asians in this, especially in terms of why youre hating us. I would push back with love, because love is the opposite of hate. I would say, Lets sit down and have a dialogue of why youre feeling this way. Let me share with you our stories of the Asian people here and how were here as businesses to really work together to grow the city.

Yu: Our business owners have their concerns but instead of saying, We need to fight back, the important thing is how we integrate with each other better. Its about how we embrace cultures and respect each other.

I want to say to our business owners, Sometimes Asian businesses can be easy targets to be attacked, and many times in the communities, were scared to report the problems. But you have to report it. Call the police.

On a personal level, both as an Asian-American and a business leader, how have these attacks impacted you?

Gallo: You do take it personally, even if you dont know the person it happened to. From a personal standpoint, its making me more aware and helping me identify the need to start having more conversations.

What are some of the ways the local broader community can help the Asian community, both in terms of businesses and individuals?

Gor: From a personal perspective, something non-Asians who are concerned about our community can be doing is just having a dialogue. Just saying, How are you feeling? Has anything happened to you? How can I help? is so appreciated. Its so great to hear that the community at large is reaching out to the Asian community.

Its also about being cautious of how we create statements or how we interact so that were more sensitive to peoples reactions on both sides, because we want to make sure that were understanding both viewpoints and trying to address it in a very non-confrontational tone. We want to create that conversation. We want to raise awareness that the community has been victimized, and we just need that to stop so that we can go back and really show love instead of hate.

Yu: From another angle, politicians need to stop these comments like, the Chinese are poisoning us or Chinese eat bats, because that creates a lot of damage to the community.

When you blame a region for a virus, what youre really saying is that those people caused this, and you but their lives in danger, open their children to discrimination and put Asian-Americans in a dangerous position. We need to stop that.

As Asians, we also need to be looking inside ourselves as well. How can we be stepping up more? We need to say, Enough is enough. Make your voice heard, speak about your outrage and dont just keep quiet.

Be a good role model in the community, love one another, but dont remain quiet about injustice.

Gor: I want to add: support Asian businesses. When the pandemic hit, even before COVID hit the Houston area, the stereotypes came in, and you saw Asia Town suffer.

Not to mention, now that violence against Asians has escalated, people may avoid Asian businesses because they dont want to be caught up in violence, even though that likely wont be the case.

I want our surrounding communities to really support each other and all businesses, including Asian businesses. When you support their business youre saying, We want to help you and understand that we care. We want you to feel welcome in this community.

The second thing is, if you want to help, ask what you can do, and create that conversation. Be intentional and share that you support us, youre with us, and you support the movement to stand with us.

claire.goodman@chron.com
United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and his counterparts from various countries on Saturday (local time) condemned the deadly use of force by Armed Forces against unarmed protesters.

Chief of Defense from various countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America condemned the bloodshed in by the armed forces and associated security services.

Joint Chiefs of Staff released a joint statement saying that "As Chiefs of Defense, we condemn the use of lethal force against unarmed people by the Armed Forces and associated security services.

"A professional military follows standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting - not harming - the people it serves. We urge the Myanmar Armed Forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions," the statement added.

In a Tweet, United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said, "The recent reports of violence out of Myanmar (Burma) are deeply disturbing. I stand with General Milley, Admiral Davidson, and other military leaders around the world in condemning this violence."

Taking to Twitter, US Secretary Antony Blinken also condemned the attack and said, "We are horrified by the bloodshed perpetrated by Burmese security forces, showing that the junta will sacrifice the lives of the people to serve the few. I send my deepest condolences to the victims' families. The courageous people of Burma reject the military's reign of terror."

This statement comes after 114 civilians were killed across Myanmar on Saturday as the military junta continued to crackdown on peaceful protests.

On February 1, Myanmar's military overthrew the civilian government and declared a year-long state of emergency while detaining civilian leaders including State Counsellor The triggered mass protests which were met by the junta's deadly violence.

(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.)
Courts in New Orleans built up a huge case backlog during the coronavirus pandemic -- and Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams started slashing it during his first month in office, according to recently-released statistics.

Williams dismissed 415 old cases and accepted roughly 227 new ones from Jan. 11-Feb. 11, according to a press release and office records.

Fifty-five percent of the cases dismissed were narcotics-related, the District Attorneys Office said, a pattern that aligned with Williams campaign pledge to toss out low-level drug charges in order to focus on crimes of violence.

The charges dismissed also included domestic abuse and gun charges, which drew concern from some observers.

+3 Jury trials can resume in Louisiana, but New Orleans courts take different approaches to tricky topic After a year of fits and starts that tracked the coronavirus pandemic, state court jury trials can resume April 1, the Louisiana Supreme Court

The statistics dont cover cases that ended in plea agreements, a practice that increased in recent months as the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court returned to a more typical pace after a year of pandemic-related slowdowns.

The rate of pleas could accelerate. With the Criminal District Courthouse closed for air conditioning maintenance the past week, prosecutors and the Orleans Public Defenders spent hours haggling over potential plea agreements.

Some criminal justice system stakeholders say a slimmer docket could smooth operations when the criminal court does finally settle on a plan to resume jury trials.

Every day, we have been working to clear the courts docket to ensure the court is not bogged down with minor matters to provide increased capacity for attention to serious offenses, Williams said in a statement.

Which cases were dropped?

Many of the cases dropped by Williams were growing stale, according to his office. Roughly 65% were more than two years old.

None of the charges dismissed in Williams' first month were for crimes that carry a sentence of life without parole, according to a list of 705 charges dismissed provided by his office. Individual cases can involve multiple charges.

At least 120 of the charges dismissed were for marijuana possession or distribution.

During the campaign last fall, Williams touted dropping or diverting drug possession cases as a way of cleaning up the court docket. Getting rid of those cases, he argues, allows prosecutors to focus on more urgent issues like gun violence.

The relatively uncontroversial pot charges were just a fraction of the charges dropped. The list also includes 58 domestic abuse or violence charges.

+6 Two charged in toppling of John McDonogh statue placed in pretrial diversion Two protesters charged in connection with toppling a John McDonogh statue during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests last year have 

Seven domestic charges were transferred from Municipal Court to Criminal District Court. Others were dismissed for a smattering of other reasons, but the majority, 32, were dropped because a victim signed off on the dismissal, refused to prosecute or failed to show in court.

Those scenarios are all too common, advocates say. Victims may remain in relationships with their abusers or depend on them to support their children, putting social and financial pressure on them to halt a prosecution.

As a member of the New Orleans City Council, Williams criticized former District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro for dismissing large numbers of misdemeanor domestic violence cases. Cannizzaro said that when victims refused to cooperate, his hands were often tied.

In a statement, Williams said some dismissed cases were more than two years old and accusers had received little to no follow-up contact from the District Attorneys Office.

We have hired new lawyers to serve on a backlog task force who have endeavored to reach out to these survivors and many of the complainants have since requested that the accused not be prosecuted, Williams said. In some instances, cases are dismissed and in other more serious instances we have placed individuals in diversion or moved forward with prosecution. Domestic violence cases are complicated and require much more attention than typical cases because of the inter-personal family dynamics.

One victim advocate said she hasnt seen cause for alarm so far. Mary Claire Landry, executive director of the New Orleans Family Justice Center, said shes been encouraged by her discussions with the Williams administration, including a promise to embed more staffers at her office.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Another longtime advocate in Louisiana, Kim Sport, said she worries any time batches of domestic violence cases are dropped. These are egregious acts against victims who are usually terrified to face their offenders in court, Sport said.

Sport said prosecutors in New Orleans and elsewhere should adopt creative approaches to trying crimes even without a cooperative accuser. In his statement, Williams said hes already taking that tack, "by shifting the strategy from simply witness testimony to more evidence-based prosecutions.

Meanwhile, 45 charges dismissed were for crimes like illegal carrying of a weapon, carrying of a gun by a felon or having a gun with illegal drugs. Such arrests are often a high priority for New Orleans Police Department patrol officers.

Fifteen of the weapons charges were dropped because the office lacked the testimony to prove a crime, the charges weren't suitable for prosecution or the accused had a good defense, according to office records. Others were dismissed because the defendant died.

For five charges, defendants remain in legal jeopardy because their cases were transferred to Criminal District Court or U.S. District Court, or they have other pending cases.

However, records list the reason for dismissing 18 charges as interest of justice, a catch-all term.

+2 Men charged with murder, feticide in killing of pregnant mother in New Orleans Two men were charged in the killing of a pregnant mother and her nearly full-term child, as well as a separate fatal shooting the same week, a

Interest of justice is based on the facts as they exist today with the current position or input of the victim, if any, and the criminal record of the accused, or lack thereof, warrants a dismissal, Williams said in a statement. This has become particularly crucial in light of the bloated dockets brought on by the high acceptance rate and the COVID-19 backlog.

While old weapons charges were dismissed, new charges are also stacking up in the court system. The majority of new cases accepted during Williams first month were weapons-related, according to his office.

The number of weapons charges that were dismissed outright rather than placed into diversion concerned Rafael Goyeneche, the president of the private non-profit Metropolitan Crime Commission and a prosecutor under former District Attorney Harry Connick Sr. He worried that the practice could feed into the alarming rise in shootings and gun homicides that happened last year.

This is a grand experiment and only time will tell how this experiment plays out, Goyeneche said. I think that you are taking real risks with the public and public safety.

Plea week tackles backlog

Williams didn't answer a question about how many open felony and misdemeanor cases face his office nearly three months into his tenure compared to the day he took office.

"Given the activity of the courts docket, this number is always changing. Our focus is on moving through cases in an effective, timely manner to ensure efficiency in our criminal legal system," he said.

But out-of-court activity could ease the judicial logjam. Over the past week, prosecutors met with the Orleans Public Defenders to hammer out plea deals.

Cannizzaro sometimes held plea days where he made rapid-fire offers to defense attorneys in individual sections of court. But whats been called plea week is a much larger enterprise involving hundreds of cases, according to Derwyn Bunton, chief of the Orleans Public Defenders.

Section by section, case by case, prosecutors and public defenders went over the facts and pitched each other on resolutions. The talks took place over Zoom video conference, Bunton said. Williams office didnt answer a question about how many cases were resolved this week.

The negotiations didnt involve judges, who can still reject plea agreements when defendants appear in court.

Bunton would still like Williams to go further by dismissing wholesale swaths of old or low-level cases. But he saw plea week as a good start.

From a systemic standpoint, it is good for us to be able to move cases for our clients and our community if that inventory is knocked down by the time we begin opening court and having full access to court procedure, he said.
Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat has appealed to the people of the state to celebrate Holi at their home while adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines.

In a tweet today, the Chief Minister of said, "Heartfelt greetings to all the people on the festival of Holi. Celebrate this festival while ensuring peace and harmony. During this time, please adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines as stated by the Government of India."

As many as 257 new COVID-19 cases were reported in on Saturday, taking the total number of cases to 99,515, informed the State Health Department.

Amid the rising number of cases, the Uttarakhand government on March 25 released a new set of guidelines to be followed, which requires people to strictly adhere to COVID norms in view of Holi, Mahakumbh and other festivals.

(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.)
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.
Four Injured in Hopkinsville Crash

By West Kentucky Star Staff

HOPKINSVILLE - Police have released the names of four people injured in a crash on Eagle Way at the intersection of Bradshaw Road in Hopkinsville, Thursday night shortly after 9:00 pm.WKDZ reports that Hopkinsville Police say 33-year-old Andrea McKenzie of Elkton was eastbound on Eagle Way when her vehicle collided with another vehicle driven by 75-year-old Bertha Childress of Hopkinsville, that was crossing the intersection on Bradshaw Road.McKenzie reportedly told police her light was green before looking down for her phone, but when she looked up again, the light had changed to red.Childress and her passenger, 58-year-old James Childress of Hopkinsville, were taken to Jennie Stuart Medical Center for treatment of injuries.McKenzie and her passenger, 30-year-old James Sowell of Hopkinsville, suffered injuries but were not taken to the hospital.
Mar. 27GRAND FORKS  North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler is concerned about the effect the yearlong pandemic may be having on K-12 students in the state.

Baesler said it's important to understand that the detriment to students' social and emotional health may be a real side effect of the yearlong pandemic.

"I think we have to all recognize and acknowledge that the disruption alone has caused an impact on people's social and emotional well-being, including our youth," she said.

It's too soon to quantify the effects the pandemic has had on students, but anecdotally, she said many educators have reported students falling behind academically as a result of social and emotional disruption.

The issue is at the top of the minds of behavioral health scientists and researchers at the North Dakota Department of Human Services.

"Regardless of whether we were in-person or had our students in virtual learning, the disruption and the uncertainty of the pandemic has certainly had an impact on the social, emotional and mental health and well-being of not just our young people but our adults too, including their teachers and all of those that they care about and love," Baesler said.

Counselors at school districts in Grand Forks, N.D., and East Grand Forks, Minn., say they are concerned the pandemic not only will leave a gap in students' learning process, but also in the emotional and social growth that is commonplace during a typical school year.

So far, there is not yet any good way to quantify elevated student anxiety. But for those in the classrooms, it's clear students are experiencing more anxiety, said Geoff Gaukler, mental health coordinator for Grand Forks Public Schools.

"The levels of anxiety amongst students, it's safe to say, we see growing," Gaukler said, noting that national data show that the median age of onset for anxiety disorders is 11. "That's younger than most people think or expect or realize."

Story continues

"I don't think that (rise) is surprising. There's just more anxiety over the last year in the community at large, and that trickles down to our students," he said. "There's more anxiety in the community, on the news, at home amongst families and (it impacts) their well-being across all those different spectrums  their physical health and their financial health. And that trickles down to mental health."

In many ways, Baesler believes North Dakota is uniquely equipped to handle the challenge. Unlike many other states, where a tug-of-war relationship between the state education and human services departments is closer to the norm, Baesler said those agencies in North Dakota have spent the last several years fostering a much closer, collaborative relationship that enabled them to act quickly and in tandem to address students' mental health during the pandemic. That has included establishing webinars, meetings and talk therapy for students and educators in the state, and working to connect educators with mental health resources to guide themselves and their students through the pandemic.

She uses the comic book superhero tandem of Batman and Robin to help explain. Batman, of course, plays a leading role in comics and movies, and Robin generally supports him.

"We all need to work on this together, and we're better together, but sometimes we don't need to be the Batman, we need to be the Robin," she said, referencing the Department of Education's relationship with the Department of Human Services. "I remind the people within the Department of Education, we need to be the Batman in all things academic, that's our area of expertise. We can't leave the Department Human Services to do this alone, but we need to be the Robin in this situation of social-emotional learning."
Patna: Lakhs of students in the state are eagerly waiting for their class 10th Result 2021. After the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) declared class 12th Result 2021 on Friday (March 26), the sources are certain that the Bihar Board 10th Results 2021 will be announced soon.

However, the board hasnt officially announced the date for class 10th results yet, but sources suggest that it will be out in the first week of April.

Key points of BSEB class 10th results:

- Over 16.84 lakh students appeared in this years Bihar Board 10th examinations.

- Students will be able to check their results on Bihar boards official websites- bsebonline.in, biharboardonline.com and biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in.

- The Bihar Board class 10th examinations were held from February 17 to 24.

- Examinations were conducted in 1525 exam centres in over 38 different districts of Bihar.

- Sources suggest that the checking of Bihar Board class 10th exams is over.

- Authorities are now working towards verifying the results and listing toppers after which the result will be announced.

Heres step-by-step guide to check Bihar Board 10th Result 2021:

- Visit the official website of Bihar Board- biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in, bsebonline.in or biharboardonline.com

- Go to result sections on the homepage

- Click on the Bihar Board 10th Result 2021 link

- Enter the credentials required and log in

- Check and download Bihar Board 10th Result 2021

- Take print of Bihar Board 10th Result 2021 for future reference
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-29 05:37:54|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

CAIRO -- Ethiopia's unilateral actions over the filling and operation of the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will have "massive negative repercussions," Egypt's Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Mohamed Abdel-Ati warned on Sunday.

Abdel-Ati made the remarks during his meeting in Cairo with the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Donald Booth and Marina Vraila, head of the political, press and information section of the European Union (EU) delegation to Cairo, Egypt's Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources said in a statement. (Egypt-Nile Dam-Dispute)

- - - -

AMMAN -- Jordan will extend partial curfew to May 15 to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country, its media minister said Sunday.

In a press briefing in capital Amman, Jordan's Minister of State for Media Affairs Sakher Dudin said the partial curfew and restrictions on movement were scheduled to end by March, but the government has made the decision to extend them until May 15 as the situation is "worrying." (Jordan-COVID19-Curfew)

- - - -

CAIRO -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed on Sunday the controversial Ethiopian grand dam built on the Nile River, the recent developments in Libya, and counter-terrorism efforts.

During a phone conversation, both presidents also discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in many fields, especially at the economic and military levels, said Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady in a statement. (Egypt-France-Presidents)

- - - -

ABU DHABI -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday held a meeting with his counterpart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, during which the two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in varied fields.

Noting that the two peoples are "good friends, good partners and good brothers," Wang stressed that the relations between China and the UAE are based on high level of mutual trust and deep-rooted traditional friendship. The strong friendship and mutual trust between the heads of the two states provide a solid guarantee for the continuous development of the China-UAE relations. (UAE-China-FMs Meet) Enditem
New offers for hot-rolled coil (HRC) were heard at 900 ($1,062) per tonne ex-works, up by 50 per tonne from previous offers at 850 per tonne ex-works in Northern Europe , and up by 80 per tonne from 820 per tonne ex-works in Italy.New offers for hot-dipped galvanized coil (HDG) were reported at 1,000-1,050 per tonne ex-works, up by 30-80 per tonne from previous offers in the north of the EU.Some buyers said that they had received offers at the lower end of the range, while other sources said that official offers were heard at 1,050 per tonne ex-works. Last week, the producer had been offering such material at 940 per tonne ex-works.Market sources also said that new cold-rolled coil (CRC) offers were heard at 980 per tonne ex-works, up by 30 per tonne from the previous official offers in the north of Europe, and up by 60 per tonne in Italy.Market sources also reported the different lead times the producer was able to provide. Some sources said that material currently offered was for August-October rolling, while others said that June-rolling coil was still available from some mills.Fastmarkets calculated its daily steel hot-rolled coil index, domestic, exw Northern Europe , at 821.67 per tonne on March 25, up by 29.17 per tonne week on week and by 86.67 per tonne month on month.And Fastmarkets calculated its daily steel hot-rolled coil index, domestic, exw Italy , at 808.33 tonne on March 25, up by 5 per tonne day on day.The bullish trend in the European coil market has been supported by a material shortage, good demand and a lack of competitive material from overseas.


A jilted employee is questioning whether he is in the wrong after his boss threatened to fire him for not showing up to a shift he was 'not contracted' to do.

The Reddit user shared a screenshot of the conversation with his employer, who some respondents thought was 'aggressive' from the outset.

The employer, who is said to be a manager for a 'multi-billion-dollar corporation' demanded to know where the worker was when he did not show up to a shift on Sunday morning.

In response, the man explained he'd let two other managers know in advance that he would not be doing the shift due to a 50th birthday party he wanted to attend.

The Reddit user shared a screenshot of the conversation with his employer, who some respondents thought was 'aggressive' from the outset

He said one of the other managers (the person who was hosting the party) had accepted his leave request.

'Yes, so?' the manager responded. 'Did you tell me? Who is going to fix all the breakdowns today?'

The employee said they could wait until Monday, later clarifying that the work he does on a farm is not urgent and was not due on Sunday.

He said he never had to report directly to this manager before to seek leave and instead agreed there appeared to be a power struggle between them.

Instead of accepting that the employee sought approval elsewhere, his manager offered him an ultimatum.

'You choose: You either come to work today and do your eight hours which is your responsibility this weekend, or you will sign your final written warning tomorrow,' he said.

The man, who is not named, claims to work on a farm dealing with machinery (stock image)

The employee clarified that he has never received a first or second written warning with the company.

He explained that his manager was 'not allowed to do that' and again reiterated that he gave management more than a week to find a replacement to cover his shift.

According to his contract, the man is required to work 152 hours a week or less in a four week period, he said.

There is no minimum term of weekend work, though he normally is rostered to work one weekend every three weeks.

Poll Who is in the wrong? The employee The manager Who is in the wrong? The employee 70 votes

The manager 271 votes Now share your opinion





He started with the company in December 2019 and has several years' experience in the field, and said he 'enjoys his job' but doesn't like management.

'To be threatened via text message why I'm not in for a day that I had approved to take off is not on,' he explained.

'As I don't have immediate work to change over to I can't just walk out but at the same time I refuse to be walked over.'

He sought advice from other Reddit users about whether he or his boss was in the wrong.

While some agreed that he was in the wrong for backing out of a rostered shift, the majority of users said that if the leave was approved it was no longer his responsibility.

'To me sounds like you're good here. If you'd let someone know that you needed the day off then they rostered you on anyway then they're definitely in the wrong,' one user said.

About five months ago he shared a poster which appeared to be taken at his company instructing 'correct' workplace health and safety procedures

'There's a chance you only think you told the right person, or that you made your point too casually and was still rostered on as a result. If that's the case you should be more careful from now on,' another warned.

One user took the time to analyse the conversation between the two men and said he recognised a 'power struggle on a deeper level' within the exchange.

'You're not fighting a battle here, you're fighting a war,' he said.

'Looking at that exchange... this isn't even about you not coming in anymore, and maybe it never was.

'At a deeper level, this looks like a power struggle between two people (you and your boss) that don't like each other and don't respect each other.'

About five months ago he shared a poster which appeared to be taken at his company instructing 'correct' workplace health and safety procedures.

The picture encouraged employees to 'let some other c**t do it' to prevent workplace injury.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
DPRK slams Washington for criticizing missile launches

Xinhua) 15:21, March 27, 2021

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has condemned U.S. President Joe Biden for "provocation" after he criticized its recent missile launches, saying the military tests were an exercise of its self-defense right, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Saturday.

Ri Pyong Chol, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, made a statement on Friday, saying the recent test-fire of new-type tactical guided missiles was "an act tantamount to the exercise of the full-fledged right of a sovereign state for self-defense" as it was a process that had been undertaken to implement the goals of the policy on national defense science set forth by the party and the government to boost the defense capabilities of the country.

On Friday, the KCNA confirmed in a report that the DPRK test-fired two newly-developed tactical guided missiles on Thursday.

Ri's remarks were made a day after Biden said the DPRK's launch of two short-range ballistic missiles was in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, and warned "there will be responses if they choose to escalate. We will respond accordingly."

"We express our deep apprehension over the U.S. chief executive faulting the regular test-fire, exercise of our state's right to self-defense, as the violation of UN 'resolutions' and openly revealing his deep-seated hostility toward the DPRK," Ri said.

"Such remarks from the U.S. president are an undisguised encroachment on our state's right to self-defense and provocation to it," he stressed.

The senior official warned in his statement that "if the U.S. continues with its thoughtless remarks without thinking of the consequences, it may be faced with something that is not good," and he promised that the DPRK "will continue to increase our most thoroughgoing and overwhelming military power."

(Web editor: Liu Ning, Bianji)
Illegal immigrants, mostly from Central America, are dropped off by Customs and Border Protection at a bus station in the border city of Brownsville, Texas, on March 15, 2021. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)

Montana AG Concerned Illegal Immigrants May Be Relocated to Montana, North Dakota

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials stated there are no plans to send illegal immigrants to northern states such as North Dakota and Montana, although Montanas attorney general expressed concern that it might eventually happen.

CBP continually evaluates possible contingency plans and adjusts its operations as circumstances dictate, but currently there are no plans to transfer migrants from the Southwest border to the Northern or Coastal borders, CBP said in a statement last week, responding to a report from the Washington Post, citing anonymous sources, that claimed illegal immigrants would be sent to the two states.

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said the move would do nothing to fix the situation, adding that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told him there is no plan to fly people to northern states.

Putting illegal immigrants in North Dakota would endanger our communities and do nothing to fix the border crisis @POTUS caused but still wont acknowledge, he wrote last week. @DHSgov told me over the weekend this wont happen, and I plan to hold the administration to that.

Unaccompanied minors sleep side by side on the floor at a temporary processing facility in Donna, Texas, on March 23, 2021. (CBP)

But Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said hes still concerned about the prospect of that occurring.

We got word, and this was a leaked email that came from inside of DHS and CBP. So we know somebody at the top is talking about this, he told Fox News. But it reached us. Obviously, the governor and I  reached out. We sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, and you just read their response. But its that word currently that really concerns us, and, you know, frankly, I think we could see this here in Montana.

Where are we going to put these people? We dont have camps. We dont have large hotels, empty, just sitting around. Were not able to handle an influx of several hundred or thousand people, just as a matter of logistics. I dont know where were going to put these people and process them and make sure theyre not just released into the interior.

Because thats the real concern here.

The surge in illegal immigrants crossing the southern border comes after the Biden administration moved to rescind several Trump-era executive orders. While Republicans have said that President Joe Biden is fully responsible for the crisis, Biden and other White House officials have said such surges in illegal immigration occur every year.
Addis Abeba  Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the EU Commission, said the block is "ready to activate all our foreign policy tools against those responsible for human rights violations," in connection with the ongoing armed conflict in Tigray regional state, and that "this applies to all parties to the conflict."

In a remark issued in Brussles on March 22, Mr Borrell also said that he has "mandated the Finnish Foreign Minister, Pekka Haavisto, to go back to the region on a second mission and express clearly our readiness to act if this situation continues." The EU wants to "have humanitarian access to the region and we want an independent investigation on human rights abuses and we want Eritrean troops to be withdrawn."

During his first mission to Ethiopia as EU's envoy, the Finnish Foreign Minister accused the federal government of being in "denial" over the depth of the humanitarian crisis in Tigray which he said was spiraling "out of control."

In response, Ambassador Hirut Zemene, Ethiopia's envoy to Belgium, Luxembourg and EU institutions, said the envoy's remarks were "regrettable" and do not "reflect the reality on the ground and contain unsubstantiated claims." Ambassador Hirut also accused Mr Haavisto of showing "no interest to travel to the region, but instead resorted to visit the refugee camp in neighbouring Sudan and extrapolate grossly inadequate information to provide unfounded claims that put unnecessary pressure on the government of Ethiopia."

Mr Borrell's remarks yesterday came in the heels of EU Council's decision to impose travel ban and asset freeze sanctions "on eleven individuals and four entities responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses in various countries around the world". Among the four entities targeted for sanction is Eritrea's National Security Office headed by Major General Abraha Kassa with travel ban & asset freeze. The EU said the Office is "responsible for serious human rights violations in Eritrea, in particular arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances of persons and torture committed by its agents." The security agency is under the supervision of President Isaias Afwerki.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Human Rights Conflict Ethiopia 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.

Mr Borrell's Full statement

Five months have passed since the beginning of the so-called "law and order operation" against the Tigray region. Since then, we have been receiving daily reports of human rights violations of massive scale including massive rape, torture, a complete blackout, lack of communication, lack of access to humanitarian help for the people of Tigray.

This is an unacceptable situation that pushes us to continue to put pressure for humanitarian access to be allowed, for independent investigations on human rights abuses to be launched and for Eritrean troops to be withdrawn from Tigray.

We are ready to activate all our foreign policy tools against those responsible for human rights violations. This applies to all parties to the conflict. I have mandated the Finnish Foreign Minister, Pekka Haavisto, to go back to the region on a second mission and express clearly our readiness to act if this situation continues. We want to have humanitarian access to the region and we want an independent investigation on human rights abuses and we want Eritrean troops to be withdrawn.
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Staten Island high school artists have a chance to have their artwork featured in the U.S. Capitol for a year.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis office will begin accepting applicants for the 2021 Congressional Art Competition from Staten Island and South Brooklyn high school students.

The competition gives young artists an opportunity to showcase their talents, with one winning submission from each congressional district being placed on display in the U.S. Capitol for a year. The winner will also have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., for the Exhibition Opening Celebration of their artwork.

The second-place winners artwork will hang in Malliotakis Washington, D.C. office for one year. The third and fourth place winners artwork will be displayed in Malliotakis Staten Island and Brooklyn district offices for one year.

Artwork must be two-dimensional, can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, 4 inches deep, and can weigh no more than 15 pounds. Accepted mediums include:

Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.

Drawings: Colored pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal

Collages: must be two-dimensional

Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints

Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.

Computer-generated art

Photographs

Students are asked to submit their artwork by April 30, to the congresswomans district office at 1911 Richmond Ave.

The Student Information and Release Form must be attached to the back of the artwork.

Students should email Lily Zafaranloo at Lily.Zafaranloo@mail.house.gov to coordinate a drop-off day and time. If you are dropping your artwork off in person, please remember to wear a mask and maintain social distancing guidelines.

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors this nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the competitions inception in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.

For more information about the Congressional Art Competition, click here.

FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

Lisbon, March 28 : A lightning strike during a heavy thunderstorm triggered a complete power blackout on the Portuguese island of Madeira, local media reported on Sunday.

As of 8.45 p.m. on Saturday, residents of the popular tourist destination in the Atlantic about 950 kilometres south-west of Lisbon were left in the dark, dpa news agency quoted Portugal's Lusa media outlet as saying in a report.

Heavy rain and hail also flooded streets, underground garages and some residential buildings.

No people were reported to have been injured.

The head of the regional government, Miguel Albuquerque, called on the 250,000 inhabitants of the island to stay at home because of the continuing bad weather.

The power supply had been largely restored by Sunday morning, the Lusa report added.
Mexico's government acknowledged Saturday that the country's true death toll from the coronavirus pandemic now stands at 321,059, almost 60 per cent more than the official test-confirmed number of 201,429.

Mexico does little testing, and because hospitals were overwhelmed, many Mexicans died at home without getting a test. The only way to get a clear picture is to review 'excess deaths' and review death certificates.

On Saturday, the government quietly published such a report, which found there were 294,287 deaths linked to COVID-19 from the start of the pandemic through February 14.

Since February 15 there have been an additional 26,772 test-confirmed deaths.

Mexico's government said Saturday that the country's true death toll from the pandemic now stands above 321,000, almost 60% more than the official test-confirmed number of 201,429. Family members attend funeral of a relative who died from COVID on March 17

The higher toll would rival that of Brazil, which currently has the world's second-highest number of deaths.

But Mexico's population of 126 million is far smaller than Brazil's 211 million.

The new report also confirms just how deadly Mexico's second wave in January was.

As of the end of December, excess death estimates suggested a total of about 220,000 deaths related to COVID-19 in Mexico.

That number jumped by around 75,000 in just a month and a half.

Also suggestive were the overall number of 'excess deaths' since the pandemic began, around 417,000.

Excess deaths are determined by comparing the deaths in a given year to those that would be expected based on data from previous years.

Former President Felipe Calderon (pictured on March 8) wrote in his Twitter account Saturday that 'more than 400,000 Mexicans have died, above the average for previous years ... probably the highest figure in the world'

A review of death certificates found about 70.5 per cent of the excess deaths were COVID-19 related, often because it was listed on the certificates as a suspected or contributing cause of death.

But some experts say COVID-19 may have contributed to many of the other excess deaths because many people couldn't get treatment for other diseases because hospitals were overwhelmed.

Former President Felipe Calderon wrote in his Twitter account Saturday that 'more than 400,000 Mexicans have died, above the average for previous years ... probably the highest figure in the world'.

The United States leads the world with more than 548,000 deaths from the virus and more than 30 million cases.

Worldwide, more than 2 million people have died of COVID-19.
and zinging up my springtime routine with these juicy new launches

Theres a decidedly fruity theme among some of my favourite recent launches. And though I wouldnt begin to suggest that using fruit as a beauty ingredient is a new concept, there are some fun approaches around and its a nice way to give your routine a springtime uplift.

Watermelon is definitely having a moment in the spotlight with Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Dream Body Cream (25, cultbeauty.co.uk). I didnt think I would like to smell like a watermelon, but it turns out I do. Perhaps because the creams aroma isnt too strong or sweet but feels refreshing and full of the promise of sunnier weather (though the smell lasts all day, so I often use it when not wearing a perfume). The cream also has a wonderful texture, which sinks straight in and leaves skin feeling plump and moisturised (thanks to vitamin C-rich watermelon seed as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid) and comes housed in a pretty pink bottle.

In Garniers new Ultimate Blends Plumping Hair Food Watermelon & Pomegranate collection the superfood is teamed with pomegranate to create a boosting shampoo and conditioner (6 each), and mask (6.99, boots.com)  think volume but without weighing hair down (the formula is also silicone-free). The collection smells wonderfully fruity but not overpowering.

Grapefruit takes centre stage with Q+A Grapefruit Cleansing Balm (9, qandaskin.com), which adds a lovely fragrant boost to a morning routine. You simply apply it to dry skin, massage in and rinse off with warm water  it will lightly emulsify when the water hits. It also contains (vegan) squalane for an extra dose of hydration with your cleanse.

Also on the facial skincare front is Ole Henriksen Lemonade Smoothing Scrub (25, boots.com). It really does smell more like lemonade than lemons  in other words, its a bit sweeter than a freshly sliced piece of fruit. It gives a nice gentle exfoliation thanks to some lemon peel extract as well as AHAs and also contains holy basil and camomile to soothe.

Greek brand Korres has harnessed the Santorini grape for its wonderful-smelling Santorini Grape Renewing Body Cleanser (14, feelunique.com). It comes with added wheat proteins for an extra moisture boost.

And, on the fragrance front, theres the new limited-edition offering from Malin + Goetz simply called Strawberry Eau de Parfum (75, libertylondon.com). This isnt just about a ripe juicy strawberry but meant to take in the whole life of the berry including the bud and the unripe stage, so there are crisp notes of bergamot in there as well as cedarwood and pink pepper. The result is a unisex sort of sparkling, fruity, fresh but still sweet concoction.

@edwinaingschambers
British ambassador Paul Johnston has said Ireland will be "high up in our consideration" when the UK government has a surplus of Covid-19 vaccines.

It will look towards Ireland "very favourably when the time comes", he said, with the UK also pledging to donate most of its surplus supply to poorer countries.

"The prime minister says when we get to the stage of having a surplus - which we're far, far away from yet - that Ireland would be high up in our consideration of that. I think not least because of the shared island, you can see there's a strong case for that."

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has previously said he was "disappointed" when prime minister Boris Johnson told him he "wouldn't be in a position to give vaccines to anybody" until the UK has met its own targets.

"We've certainly said that we would look at that very favourably when the time comes," the ambassador said, praising the "open dialogue" between Dublin and London over Covid-19.

"There's both a lot of transparency and a lot of coordination between Belfast, London and Dublin. There's also a recognition that each jurisdiction needs to take its own decision."

The long-awaited Integrated Review of the UK's Defence, Security, Development and Foreign Policy lists Ireland as one of its "priority partners" due to its "deep shared interest in Northern Ireland" and the Common Travel Area, "which unites the two islands".

Mr Johnston accepts there has been much "unhappiness" around the controversial Northern Ireland protocol - which has resulted in a Border down the Irish Sea - but insists that despite unionist opposition, the UK government "want to make the protocol a success".

Last week, loyalist elements claimed they could return to violence if the protocol is not scrapped.

The ambassador said the UK administration "recognises the protocol is going to take us a bit of time to allow people to adapt to implement the new requirements".

After four years, the UK government must provide the Northern Ireland Assembly with the opportunity to decide whether those provisions remain in place.

"It will stand or fall by how it works in practice and it will stand or fall by the vote in the Assembly in four years' time," Mr Johnston said, "but the government wants to make a success of it, no question."

Post-Brexit complications "that perhaps weren't foreseeable or foreseen when the protocol was finalised" also "need to be taken into account", he said.

He played down the potential threat of loyalist violence due to the heightened tensions over the protocol, describing it as "political concerns" and insisting there are "dissidents and extremists in both communities and people who are of concern in both communities".

The Integrated Review reaffirms the UK's commitment to European security and states its "shared responsibility" in upholding the Good Friday Agreement "in all its elements".

These include the internal governance of Northern Ireland, North-South cooperation and East-West relations.

As part of the review, the UK government has identified a "broad range of issues" it wants to work with Ireland on in the future, including addressing climate change and its impacts.

The two governments will work closely when the UK hosts the UN Climate Conference in Glasgow at the end of the year, having pledged together to achieve net-zero targets and to press for global ambition on emissions reduction and climate finance.

On the benefits of the Common Travel Area, Mr Johnston said Britain and Ireland work together "to exchange best practice, information and intelligence".

"We've seen on these islands a lot of evidence of serious and organised crime gangs involved in drugs and firearms and people trafficking," he said.

However, there has been "a long- standing concern about the linkage in both directions", Mr Johnston said, referring to the drugs trade on both sides of the Irish Sea.

"A substantial proportion of the drugs that are fetched up in the UK have often come in, you know, from Ireland, so that cooperation as to how we can close down organised crime and the drug sphere is certainly, I think, a long-standing concern," he added. "I'm not aware these patterns have changed enormously during the pandemic."

Due to the "phenomenon" of the rise in the far-right movement, the UK government has consulted with its counterparts here on a new piece of legislation to "deter online harm and misinformation".

"Years ago, you had anti-globalisation protests and things like that, but now you're getting some anti-capitalist protests, anti-immigrant protests, and the cyber domain is being used by these people. There is also rampant misinformation circulating, including about vaccines," Mr Johnston said.

While working with the UK on maintaining a "secure, peaceful and open cyberspace" and tackling terrorist and extremist use of the internet, Ireland's seat on the UN Security Council means it will share priorities on human rights, gender equality and preventing conflict.

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.
The end of the $90 billion JobKeeper scheme threatens to widen the divide between the richest and poorest suburbs in Sydney and Melbourne as new data shows the pandemic has hurt thousands of jobs in disadvantaged areas.

Business groups and unions are urging the federal government to consider extra support for struggling sectors to replace the wage subsidy scheme, which ended on Sunday, to offset major job losses. Treasury has estimated up to 150,000 jobs may be lost this week.

Josh Frydenberg said JobKeeper had to end but other support was available. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

A leading academic has also forecast up to 250,000 roles could be at risk and thousands of businesses are expected to go under without the use of taxpayer funds to pay staff wages.

These job losses are expected to be even more severe in the most disadvantaged parts of big cities. A new analysis of employment outcomes for different local government areas across Sydney and Melbourne by SGS Economics and Planning shows lower socio-economic regions were more badly hit during the pandemic than richer neighbourhoods.
Having already passed a first burst of federal funding to tackle the pandemic and its effects on the economy, President Biden is reportedly working on a new tax programme that he hopes will address the widening wealth disparity in the United States.

Biden is intent on using stimulus spending to reboot the flailing American economy and has repeatedly stated that he intends to pay for it by raising taxes on the wealthiest.

Throughout his successful election campaign Biden promised that he would not raise taxes for anyone earning less than $400,000 per year, but will he keep that promise?

Biden looks to reverse Trump tax cuts

In a press conference earlier this month, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said: The President remains committed to his pledge from the campaign that nobody making under $400,000 a year will have their taxes increased.

As suggested, Biden looks set to increase the income tax threshold for high-earners but there is not yet any clear indication of where that threshold might be. Interestingly Psaki has clarified the $400,000 threshold and said that the figure applies to families, rather than individuals, meaning that a married couple who each earn $250,000 per year could have their taxes raised.

If he decides to stick to the rest of his campaign tax promises then there will indeed be some significant changes, with the wealthiest Americans and big businesses set to shoulder the burden. While campaigning Biden proposed increasing the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%; halving the huge tax cuts (from 35% to 21%) introduced by former President Trump.

What are the chances of Biden passing these tax rises?

Tax raises are always a tricky legislative task but, after garnering strong approval ratings for the American Rescue Plan, polling suggests that there is broad support for the new tax proposals. The New York Times found that most Americans, and even many Republicans, would be in favour of upping the tax rate for large corporations and high-income individuals.

There is also the fact that Biden has set out some widely popular but hugely expensive plans to help reboot the American economy. Central among them is a massive bout of infrastructure spending that is expected to cost upwards of $3 trillion.

Given that the recent stimulus bill garnered no GOP support in Congress it is fair to assume the same of any proposals increasing taxes, but the signs from within Bidens own Party are positive.

The most centrist of the Democratic Senators, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, told reporters earlier this week that the new infrastructure plan was going to be enormous and that its costs would need to be covered. He also implied a willingness to make changes to the 2017 tax cuts and said that he hoped any rises would be weighted in one direction to the upper end.
(CNN)  At least 114 civilians were killed across Myanmar on Saturday, according to a tally by the independent Myanmar Now news outlet, as the military junta continued to crack down on peaceful protests.

The killings in 44 towns and cities across the country would represent the bloodiest day of protests since a military coup last month.

Among those killed is reportedly a 13-year-old girl, who was shot in her house after the junta's armed forces opened fire in residential areas of Meikhtila, in Mandalay region, according to Myanmar Now. She is among 20 minors killed since the start of the protests, Myanmar Now reported.

CNN has been unable to independently confirm the number of people killed.

The lethal crackdown came on the country's Armed Forces Day. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the junta leader, said during a parade in the capital Naypyitaw to mark the event that the military would protect the people and strive for democracy, Reuters reported.

State television had said on Friday that protesters risked being shot "in the head and back." Despite this, demonstrators against the February 1 coup came out on the streets of Yangon, Mandalay and other towns.

The United Nations secretary-general and the UN office in Myanmar spoke out against the violence Saturday.

"The continuing military crackdown, which today resulted in the highest daily death toll since demonstrations against the coup began last month, is unacceptable and demands a firm, unified and resolute international response. It is critical to find an urgent solution to this crisis," said a statement issued by Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general. "The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the killing of dozens of civilians."

The UN office in Myanmar said it "is horrified by the needless loss of life today with reports of dozens of people shot dead by the military across the country, in the bloodiest day since the coup."

"The violence is completely unacceptable and must stop immediately. Those responsible must be held to account," the UN office added. "As the Special Envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener has said, ensuring peace and defending the people should be the responsibility of any military, but the Tatmadaw has turned against its own people."

The Tatmadaw is the official name for Myanmar's armed forces.

According to the latest tally by the nonprofit Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, at least 328 people have been killed in Myanmar since the military coup on February 1.

Saturday's deaths would bring the total number of civilians killed to more than 400, but the exact number remains unclear. Aid groups fear the number may be higher.

A boy reported by local media to be as young as 5 was among at least 29 people killed in Mandalay. At least 24 people were killed in Yangon, Myanmar Now said, according to Reuters.

"Today is a day of shame for the armed forces," Dr. Sasa, a spokesman for CRPH, an anti-junta group set up by deposed lawmakers, told an online forum.

Meanwhile, one of Myanmar's two dozen ethnic armed groups, the Karen National Union, said it had overrun an army post near the Thai border, killing 10 people -- including a lieutenant colonel -- and losing one of its own fighters, Reuters reported.

A military spokesman did not respond to calls from the news agency seeking comment on the killings by security forces or the insurgent attack on its post.

"They are killing us like birds or chickens, even in our homes," said Thu Ya Zaw in the central town of Myingyan, where at least two protesters were killed, according to Reuters. "We will keep protesting regardless... We must fight until the junta falls."

'Day of terror and dishonor'

The US Embassy in Myanmar joined the European Union and United Kingdom embassies in condemning killings by security forces in Myanmar on Saturday and calling for an end to the violence.

"On Myanmar's Armed Forces Day, security forces are murdering unarmed civilians, including children, the very people they swore to protect. This bloodshed is horrifying," Thomas Vajda, US Ambassador to Myanmar, said in a statement.

"These are not the actions of a professional military or police force. Myanmar's people have spoken clearly: they do not want to live under military rule," he added.

"This 76th Myanmar armed forces day will stay engraved as a day of terror and dishonor," the EU delegation to Myanmar said. "The killing of unarmed civilians, including children, are indefensible acts."

News reports cited by Reuters said there were deaths in the central Sagaing region, Lashio in the east, in the Bago region, near Yangon, and elsewhere. A 1-year-old baby was hit in the eye with a rubber bullet.

In Naypyitaw, Min Aung Hlaing reiterated a promise to hold elections, without giving any time frame, Reuters reported.

"The army seeks to join hands with the entire nation to safeguard democracy," he said in a live broadcast on state television. "Violent acts that affect stability and security in order to make demands are inappropriate."

The military has said it took power because November elections won by Aung San Suu Kyi's party were fraudulent, an assertion dismissed by the country's election commission.

Suu Kyi, the elected leader and the country's most popular civilian politician, remains in detention at an undisclosed location. Many other figures in her party are also being held in custody.

Russia 'a true friend'

In its warning on Friday evening, state television said protesters were "in danger of getting shot to the head and back." It did not specifically say security forces had been given shoot-to-kill orders, and the junta has previously suggested some fatal shootings have come from within the crowds.

International pressure on the junta increased this week with new US and European sanctions. But Russia's deputy defense minister Alexander Fomin attended the parade in Naypyitaw, having met senior junta leaders a day earlier, Reuters reported.

"Russia is a true friend," Min Aung Hlaing said.

Diplomats told Reuters that eight countries -- Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand -- sent representatives, but Russia was the only one to send a minister.

Support from Russia and China, which has also refrained from criticism, is important for the junta as those two countries are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and can block potential UN actions.

Armed Forces Day commemorates the start of the resistance to Japanese occupation in 1945 that was orchestrated by Suu Kyi's father, the founder of the military.

Gunshots hit the US cultural center in Yangon on Saturday, Reuters reported, but nobody was hurt and the incident was being investigated, US Embassy spokesperson Aryani Manring said.

Protesters have taken to the streets almost daily since the coup that derailed Myanmar's slow transition to democracy.

General Yawd Serk, chair of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army - South, one of the ethnic armies in the country, told Reuters in neighboring Thailand: "If they continue to shoot at protesters and bully the people, I think all the ethnic groups would not just stand by and do nothing."

Author and historian Thant Myint-U wrote on Twitter: "A failed state in Myanmar has the potential to draw in all the big powers -- including the US, China, India, Russia, and Japan -- in a way that could lead to a serious international crisis (as well as an even greater catastrophe in Myanmar itself)."

This story was first published on CNN.com 'At least 114 killed in Myanmar in deadliest day since start of protests'
The pandemic led to a 73% fall globally in international tourist arrivals in 2020, said the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), adding that the drop has been even steeper in Asia-Pacific the decline is estimated over 80% for 2020.



This sudden fall has placed the sectors ability to drive sustainable development forward on hold, it was revealed during a meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and UNWTO on what the Covid-19 pandemics impact on global tourism means for development across the Asia-Pacific region.



The event was held as part of the World Trade Organizations Aid-for-Trade Stocktaking Event, the special session brought key sector representatives together to assess how the sector can be transformed to drive recovery and build sustainability.



The special event at WTO, moderated by Anna Fink, Economist at ADB, explored how aid-for-trade can be used to build greater sustainability and resilience in the tourism sector. Joining Matthias Helble Senior Economist at the Asian Development Bank and Zoritsa Urosevic Director of Institutional Relations and Partnerships at UNWTO were representatives from the governments of Azerbaijan and New Zealand, and Suzanne Becken, a tourism expert from Griffith University.



ADBs Matthias Helble shared that, according to latest ADB estimates, a full recovery for the sector is only expected by 2023 at the earliest. Promotion of domestic tourism, as well as the creation of travel bubbles that would allow travel to resume between certain destinations, were highlighted as potential strategies for driving recovery in the short-term. The introduction of vaccine passes could further accelerate recovery. However, these measures should only be temporary, and countries ultimately need to prepare for a full opening.



ADBs Matthias Helble stressed that a prolonged pandemic puts the survival of large parts of the tourism sector at risk. To help governments finance policy measures that facilitate targeted aid to households and firms most severely affected by the pandemic, ADB launched a $20 billion support package in April 2020.



By the end of 2020, ADB had committed $16.3 billion of this package in the form of grants, technical assistance, and loans to developing member governments and the private sector. At the same time, UNWTO has expanded on its support to Member States across the region, including through the launch of the UNWTO Tourism Recovery Technical Assistance Package, delivering expert support to destinations across the historic Silk Road.



For longer-term recovery, UNWTOs Zoritsa Urosevic stressed the importance of developing a new finance architecture to adopt and build innovative, low carbon, circular, safe, and inclusive business policies, and instruments for recovery.



At the same time, both ADB and UNWTO reiterated the importance of international cooperation and the harmonization of policies, both to restart international tourism and then to monitor and guide future growth to ensure the sector delivers on its potential to drive sustainable development.  TradeArabia News Service
KONNOR PERRIN, Chariho boys lacrosse, freshman: Perrin established a school record for assists in a game with nine in the Chargers 22-0 win over Ponaganset. Perrin leads the team with 21 assists to go with 14 goals.

LILA RICH, Stonington girls track, senior: Rich won two events at the ECC Division I track meet. Rich was first in the high jump (5-0) and the pole vault (10-0) as the Bears finished third at the meet.

MADIGAN HILTZ, Westerly boys lacrosse, senior: Hiltz scored seven goals and had three assists in pair of victories for the Bulldogs. Hiltz has 17 goals and seven assists for the season.

ADDIE HAUPTMANN, Wheeler softball, junior: Hauptmann was 4 for 9 with a home run and six RBIs in two games. For the season, Hauptmann is hitting .617 with eight homers and 42 RBIs. She has 50 hits.

Vote

View Results
A man who was reported to have held a party while waiting for a COVID test appears to have actually been at home with his housemates, with Queensland Health correcting the record on Sunday.

The health department put out information on Saturday evening indicating the man had held a gathering of 25 people at his home while he was waiting for the results of his test.

Health Minister Yvette DAth saidit was unfortunate authorities issued incorrect information about the incident on Saturday evening. Credit:Glenn Hunt/ Getty Images

However police on Sunday issued a correction, saying there were only five other people at the man's house on the night in question, almost all of whom were his housemates.

Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the reporting around the incident had been "inflammatory" and said calling the gathering a "party" was not correct.
(Alliance News) - Spain's Aciturri Aeronautica has emerged as a main contender to buy ITP Aero from Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC, Sky News reported Friday.

ITP Aero is an arm of Rolls-Royce that makes aircraft engines and turbines. A domestic takeover of the Basque region-based operation is expected to be viewed more favourably by Spanish politicians, Sky reported, citing "people close to the process".

https://news.sky.com/story/spanish-aerospace-group-aciturri-plots-1-5bn-bid-for-rolls-royce-wing-itp-aero-12257260

Rolls Royce said back in December that it expects to sell ITP Aero sometime in 2021 as part of its restructuring programme, launched as the company's pretax loss deepened to GBP2.91 billion in 2020.

That effort suffered a setback last week when the Norwegian government blocked the proposed sale of Roll-Royce's Bergen Engines unit on national security concerns. Norway's army is among Bergen's customers. Rolls-Royce announced in early February that it would sell Bergen for EUR150 million to TMH Group, a privately owned company headquartered in Russia that makes locomotives and rail equipment.

By Tom Waite; thomaslwaite@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit took place at a time Bangladesh is commemorating Mujib Borsho, the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of the country's War of Liberation. He attended multiple events and addresses several meetings during his two-day visit to the nation. Take a look at what all the Prime Minister during his visit:
Thiruvananthapuam, March 28 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday during a poll campaign said that recommending judicial inquiry against central agencies was "unfortunate" and would challenge the federal structure.

Singh, who is in Kerala to campaign for NDA candidates contesting Assembly elections slated for April 6, said the judicial commission against the central investigating agencies including Enforcement Directorate is "hundred per cent against the Indian constitution".

Talking about increased fuel prices, he said that we have asked all the state governments to reduce the state duty on fuel.

Launching an attack on the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF), which have ruled the state in turns, the Defence Minister said that even with 100 per cent literacy, Kerala is behind other states in several sectors.

He said, "The Left and the Congress are playing a friendly match in Kerala and the people of the state are suffering the defeat. They are contesting against each other in the state while they are jointly fighting against the BJP in West Bengal. That's an irony." The former BJP national president said that the Left front is giving false aspirations to the people of Kerala and the appeasement policies of both the LDF and UDF have diverted the state from the path of development.

The Union Minister also said that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented after taking all communities into confidence.

Singh attended a road show at Varkkala with the NDA candidate SRM Aji and attended rallies at Kottayam, Thrissur and Ernakulam districts.
Statehouse Reporter

Danny Jin is the Eagle's Statehouse reporter. A graduate of Williams College, he previously interned at the Eagle and The Christian Science Monitor. Danny can be reached at djin@berkshireeagle.com or on Twitter at @djinreports.
German Health Minister Jens Spahn on Saturday said he thinks a lasting 10-14 days is necessary to get the country's ballooning coronavirus outbreak under control.

"If we take the figures, including the developments today, we actually need at least another 10 or 14 days in which we really shut down our contacts, our mobility," he said, DPA news agency reported.

According to Spahn, needs a over next week's Easter holidays similar to what occurred last year, when Germans were clearly told to stay at home and avoid all contacts.

Spahn also said that would likely begin administering the single-shot developed by US manufacturer Johnson & Johnson starting in mid-April, giving Germany's so-far slow vaccine roll-out a boost.

The European Union's medicines regulator endorsed the vaccine - the fourth to be approved in the bloc - on March 11, but deliveries have yet to start.

Earlier on Saturday, Germany's intensive care doctors said a two-week hard was the only way to avoid overwhelming hospitals as the country grapples with a third wave of infections.

A mix of hard lockdown, vaccinations and testing is necessary to "prevent intensive care units from being overflowed," the head of the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Christian Karagiannidis, told the Rheinische Post daily.

He called on politicians to put an immediate stop to any planned openings in light of the rapidly rising case numbers. "I ask politicians not to abandon hospital staff," added Karagiannidis.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for disease control on Saturday reported its highest seven-day incidence rate per 100,000 inhabitants since mid-January -- 124.9. The day before, it had stood at 119,1.

Germany's coronavirus strategy was thrown into confusion earlier this week, when the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel made a spectacular u-turn on a plan to tighten an existing nationwide lockdown over Easter, citing legal and logistical problems in implementing it.

The uncertainty has caused discord among the premiers of Germany's 16 federal states, some of whom are refusing to go along with a plan to return to a harder lockdown in areas where the infection rate remains comparatively low.

Merkel often appeals for a unified response but Germany's federal system gives the states significant leeway to set rules.

A recent poll, however, showed that more people were again in favour of tightening measures rather than loosening them. According to a poll by the broadcaster ZDF, 36 per cent want to tighten measures while 31 per cent wants to maintain the current restrictions.

Only a quarter of respondents said they wanted to relax measures.

Berlin on Saturday implemented new rules under which all retailers that re-opened at the beginning of the month, when Germany's lockdown was eased, can keep welcoming customers, but they have to provide a negative test result.

Supermarkets, pharmacies and drugstores are exempt from the requirement, which goes into effect on Wednesday, Mayor Michael Mueller said after a meeting of the city-state's Senate.

Museums and businesses that offer close-contact services, such as hair salons or tattoo studios, may also remain open but patrons must present a negative test result as well.

Pilot projects for reopening further cultural institutions under strict limitations, such as concert halls or clubs, where put on ice, Mueller said.

--IANS

int/pgh

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Myanmar security forces opened fire on Sunday, witnesses said, at people gathered for the funeral of one of the 144 people killed the previous day, the bloodiest day of protests since the military coup on February 1.

Meanwhile, reports emerged that Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing and his generals still threw a lavish party that night for Armed Forces Day.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in the firing on the funeral in the town of Bago, near the commercial capital Yangon, according to three people who spoke to Reuters.

"While we are singing the revolution song for him, security forces just arrived and shot at us," said a woman called Aye, who was at the service for Thae Maung Maung, a 20-year-old student who was shot on Saturday. "People, including us, run away as they opened fire."



Three people were killed in firing on Sunday in separate incidents elsewhere, witnesses and news reports said. One person was killed when troops opened fire overnight on a group of protesters near the capital Naypyitaw, Myanmar Now news reported.

So far on Sunday there were no reports of large-scale protests in or in the country's second city, Mandalay, which bore the brunt of the casualties on Saturday, Myanmar's Armed Forces Day. Funerals were held in many places.

At least six children between the ages of 10 and 16 were among those killed, according to news reports and witnesses. Protesters call the victims Fallen Stars.

The bloodshed drew renewed Western condemnation. The UN Special Rapporteur for Myanmar said the army was carrying out "mass murder" and called on the world to isolate the junta and halt its access to weapons.

Foreign criticism and sanctions imposed by some Western nations have failed so far to sway the military leaders, as have almost daily protests around the country since the junta took power and detained elected leader

"We salute our heroes who sacrificed lives during this revolution and We Must Win This REVOLUTION," one of the main protest groups, the General Strike Committee of Nationalities (GSCN), posted on Facebook.

Heavy fighting has also erupted between the army and the ethnic armed groups that control swathes of the country.

Military jets killed at least two members of the Karen National Union (KNU) militia in a bombing raid near Thailand and many civilians fled across the border, said David Eubank, founder of the Free Burma Rangers, a relief organisation.

In an air attack by the military on Saturday, at least three civilians were killed in a village controlled by the KNU, a civil society group said. The militia earlier said it had overrun an army post near the border, killing 10 people.

Fighting erupted on Sunday between another armed group, the Kachin Independence Army, and the military in the jade-mining area of Hpakant in the north. The Kachin forces attacked a police station and the military responded with an aerial assault, Kachinwaves media reported.

There were no reports of casualties.

A junta spokesman did not answer calls seeking comment on the killings or the fighting.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the junta leader, said during a parade to mark Armed Forces Day that the military would protect the people and strive for democracy.

'RINGING HOLLOW'



Saturday's dead included 40 people in Mandalay and at least 27 in Yangon, Myanmar Now said. The casualties took the overall number of civilians reported killed since the coup to more than 440.

Countries including the United States, Britain, Germany and the European Union strongly condemned the violence.
MONTREAL, Italy - An ex-colleague of Brian Nadler, the Ontario doctor charged with murder in connection with suspicious deaths at a hospital, described him as compassionate but said he had a tendency to argue with other physicians.

The Hawkesbury General Hospital in Hawkesbury, Ont., is seen Friday, March 26, 2021. A former colleague of Dr. Brian Nadler, the Ontario doctor arrested this week in connection with suspicious deaths at the hospital, described him as compassionate with patients. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

MONTREAL, Italy - An ex-colleague of Brian Nadler, the Ontario doctor charged with murder in connection with suspicious deaths at a hospital, described him as compassionate but said he had a tendency to argue with other physicians.

Dr. Ahmed Hanfy, who trained with Nadler for about nine months at the University of Nevada, Reno, said in an interview Saturday the disagreements the suspect had with other doctors were confined to medical matters, such as the best course of treatment for a patient.

"He is one of those kinds of people who argues a lot," Hanfy said, adding that he was shocked to learn of the charges against his former colleague.

Nadler, 35, who lives in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., is a specialist in internal medicine who worked at the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital in eastern Ontario. He remains in custody after he was charged with one count of first-degree murder Friday.

Police said the arrest was made in connection with multiple suspicious deaths at the hospital, but have not specified the number of deaths under scrutiny or offered any details about Nadler's alleged victim.

"At this point we are not prepared to provide a specific number on this," Bill Dickson, spokesman for the Ontario Provincial Police, said Saturday. "We are looking into the circumstances surrounding other recent deaths at the hospital." He said Nadler is due back in court April 6.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario said it plans to investigate. "We are just learning about these extraordinarily disturbing allegations and the college will be looking into them immediately," Shae Greenfield, a spokesman for the organization, said Saturday.

Ontario's College of Physicians' registry indicates Nadler is a specialist in internal medicine who graduated from McGill University in 2010.

Nadler previously practiced in Saskatchewan, where the province's College of Physicians and Surgeons said he was charged with unprofessional conduct for allegedly using a profane term when referring to a female colleague following an argument in 2014.

He was also accused of altering a patient's medical file without noting the date or time of the change. Saskatchewan's College of Physicians said the situation was resolved after Nadler agreed to take courses in professional ethics and medical record keeping.

Nadler's lawyer, Alan Brass, declined on Friday to discuss the charges but said Nadler maintains his innocence and that the charges against him will be defended.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2021.
As more businesses reopen from pandemic shutdowns in the Bay Area and California, the rebound is showing in the most recent unemployment data.

Two surveys conducted by the states Employment Development Department show the unemployment rate in February improved to 8.5%, down from 9% in January and the lowest level since the start of the pandemic, according to state Labor Secretary Julie A. Su.

The news is a milestone in our ongoing recovery, Su said in a joint statement with Dee Dee Myers, director of the Governors Office of Business and Economic Development.

The month-over-month gain of 141,000 jobs in February recovered nearly all the combined loss of 155,400 in December and January, during the worst of Californias winter coronavirus surge and regional lockdowns.

According to the EDD, California has now recovered nearly 39% of the 2.7 million nonfarm jobs lost in March and April last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The surveys show improvement month-over-month in seven of the states 11 job sectors, including leisure and hospitality (particularly in full-service restaurants), educational and health services, and other services including personal care businesses.

But theres still a long way to go. Februarys unemployment rate was still twice as high as a year ago, when the state recorded a 4.3% jobless rate.

Also, as Su and Myers noted, women and communities of color have suffered disproportionately from pandemic job losses. Latino and Asian American workers have been hard hit on the front lines as essential workers, they said. African Americans have applied for unemployment benefits at astounding rates, further evidence of the inequities we must address to ensure a strong, equitable recovery.

Preliminary data show that most Bay Area counties are faring much better than the rest of the state. Marin County recorded the lowest unemployment rate in the Bay Area and California at 5%. San Mateo and Santa Clara counties were the next lowest in the region and the state at 5.3% each. Solano County had the highest unemployment rate in the Bay Area at 8.1%, which was closer to the state average of 8.3%.

Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang
An ABC radio host was recorded rambling and shouting 'f**k off' during a late-night broadcast that sparked concerns for his health.

Hundreds of listeners were tuned in to ABC Adelaide when they heard the bizarre yelling about 10pm on Saturday.

A prerecorded news report was playing on the radio station and touched on the latest Covid-19 case reported in Queensland.

The radio host was overhead in the background yelling 'f**k off'.

An ABC radio host was recorded rambling and shouting 'f**k off' during a late night broadcast, stunning listeners

The news piece then ends and dips into seconds of silence before the radio host begins to ramble.

'There's been pro... problems with the wine situation with ca... China... maintaining restrictions... in... of Australia.'

Another prerecorded news piece is played before the radio host once again yells out 'f**k off'.

The radio host was eventually replaced on air, leaving listeners completely stunned.

Former ABC News Adelaide journalist Michael Smyth took to Twitter to air his concern.

'What the hell is going on at ABC News? 10pm radio newsreader sounded completely out of it,' he said.

'They loudly shouted "f**k off" twice and were replaced halfway through the bulletin.'

An ABC spokesperson told news.com.au the media outlet was investigating the incident

Mr Smyth described the on-air incident as 'bizarre'.

'Huge pause after the news theme played. Followed by confused rambling without scripts, throwing to unnamed reporters, then shouting 'f**k off'. Happened twice,' he wrote.

'Then suddenly a different newsreader appeared.'

'We're looking into what happened and making sure that our staff member is ok,' the ABC said.

Daily Mail Australia contacted ABC for further comment.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-29 07:04:00|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ABU DHABI, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday that the views of human rights held by some Western countries don't represent those of the international community.

He made these remarks in a meeting with his counterpart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi.

The visiting Chinese foreign minister said that the situation of a country's human rights shall be judged by its people, rather than other countries' opinions.

"The world should listen to and absorb the views of developing countries so that the definition of human rights will be more comprehensive, diverse and balanced," Wang said.

He stressed that the rights to live and develop are as important as the political and social rights, and fairness and justice should be respected the same as democracy and freedom.

"It's normal that different civilizations and traditions in different development phases lead to different understandings and emphases. This is why we advocate communicating equally and learning from each other on the human rights issue," Wang said.

He reiterated that China opposes any form of interference in other countries' domestic affairs under the pretext of protecting human rights, and objects to slandering other countries by using human rights as a political tool.

"No country is superior to another in this world, and the standard of a single country should not be regarded as the international standard," Wang said, noting it would be the utmost injustice in human history if some Western countries keep using human rights as an excuse to suppress and contain developing countries and to deprive non-Western countries of the rights to develop.

China is keen to hold dialogue with the UAE over the human rights issue and jointly seek progress in protecting human rights in both countries and the world as well, Wang added.

For his part, Sheikh Abdullah said that the level of well-being and happiness of the citizens should be the criteria to judge the human rights situation in a country.

Forcing others to accept one's own values is hegemony, and many developing countries have suffered such kind of unfair treatment over the human rights issue, he noted.

The UAE is willing to enhance communication and cooperation with China on promoting and protecting human rights, he added. Enditem
Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. traffic deaths soared after coronavirus lockdowns ended in 2020, hitting the highest yearly total since 2007 as more Americans engaged in unsafe behavior on U.S. roads, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday. For all of 2020, 38,680 people died on U.S. roads - up 7.2% or nearly 2,600 more than in 2019, even though Americans drove 13% fewer miles, preliminary data showed. In the second half of 2020, the number of traffic deaths was up more than 13%.
Shade uses offensive attack to take down Shanksville in D5-A semis
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-27 21:45:16|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

People work at the crash site of a trainer aircraft near Bhopal, the capital city of the state of Madhya Pradesh, central India, on March 27, 2021. Three pilots were injured after their aircraft crashed here Saturday, local media reports said. (Str/Xinhua)

NEW DELHI, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Three pilots were injured after their aircraft crashed Saturday in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, local media reports said.

The aircraft crashed near Bishankhedi village on the outskirts of Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh.

"Today a plane crashed here in Gandhi Nagar police station limits in which three pilots were injured," local media quoted a police official as saying. "The injured pilots have been removed to a nearby hospital."

Reports said the ill-fated aircraft was a small trainer aircraft carrying three pilots, including two trainees.

The aircraft was travelling from Bhopal to Guna in Madhya Pradesh.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known.

Last week a pilot of the Indian Air Force was killed after a MiG-21 fighter jet he was flying crashed in the state's Gwalior.
New Delhi: A wanted gangster, who had escaped from custody, was killed on Sunday following an exchange of fire with a Special Cell team at a flat in the Rohini area here, police said.

Several teams of the police's Special Cell and Crime Branch were working to trace and nab Kuldeep alias Fajja, who had escaped on March 25, they said.

The operation at Rohini was conducted around 1.45 am, police said.

Kuldeep suffered injuries in the exchange of fire at the flat in Rohini's sector 14, they said.

The Special Cell got a tip-off on Saturday that Kuldeep was hiding in the flat at Tulsi Apartments. Before the operation, it arrested one of Kuldeep's associates Bhupinder Mann around 9:30 pm and he revealed that he was harbouring Kuldeep, police said.

"Police reached the area and raided the flat. They asked Kuldeep to surrender, but he opened fire at police. In retaliation, police fired and Kuldeep suffered injures. He was rushed to the Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital at Rohini where he was declared brought dead," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwah said.

Police said that around 20 rounds were fired -- eight by Kuldeep and around 10 by the Special Cell team -- during the exchange of fire.

The flat belonged to Yogender Dahiya, also an associate of Kuldeep. He has been arrested, they said.

According to a senior police officer, the escape plan for Kuldeep was hatched by his associates to revive the Gogi gang.

On March 25 afternoon, Kuldeep escaped from custody after a gunfight broke out at a government hospital here.

At the hospital, the assailants first threw chilli powder at the police team and then started firing at them to which the security personnel retaliated with 12 rounds of fire, killing one of them on the spot and injuring another.

The shootout took place when police were taking Kuldeep, who is a member of the Gogi gang, to the hospital for treatment.

Five to six men came in a Scorpio car and a motorcycle from the rear entrance of the hospital building and fired at police.

The Gogi gang is involved in extortion, collecting ransom and protection money as well as committing car-jacking among others. Kuldeep was arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police in March last year from Gurgaon.
These lenders dont require credit scores or visits to a bank. But they charge high costs over a brief period. They also require access to a borrowers phone, siphoning up contacts, photos, text messages, even battery percentage.

Then they bombard borrowers and their social circles with pleas, threats and sometimes fake legal documents threatening dire consequences for nonpayment.

In conservative, tightly knit communities, such loss of honor can be devastating.

If I am labeled a fraud in front of everyone, my self-respect is gone, my honor is gone, Kiran Kumar, a 28-year-old cement salesman, said in an interview. What is left?

Mr. Kumar initially borrowed about $40 from a lender through an online app to supplement his $200-a-month salary. But he couldnt pay the mounting fees and interest, so he borrowed from others. Eventually, he owed roughly $4,000.
Justice Minister vows to eliminate laws delays, as new BASL chief is inducted By Kasun Warakapitiya View(s): View(s):

There is an urgent need to expedite the legal process in view of the sheer backlog of cases, Justice Minister Ali Sabry said yesterday.

He made the remarks following the induction of Presidents Counsel Saliya Pieris as the new President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) during the BASLs 47th Annual Convention.

We have to be realistic of what we have achieved on the ground. The underlying issue is the sheer number of cases before courts and the massive backlog, which in turn, has resulted in litigation stagnancy, the Minister said.

At the end of 2019, there were more than 766,000 cases pending in court while there were only about 303 judges to resolve these cases, he revealed.

How could judges handle such a demanding workload, even if they worked 16 hours a day, seven days a week, he asked, pointing out that there were only 15 judges for one million people in Sri Lanka.

Minister Sabry said the Justice Ministry was inundated with letters from litigants due to case delays. As a solution to the current crisis, the Government is planning to double the number of judges in the next five years, he said.

Chief Justice and Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya remarked that the BASL, which is due to mark its 50th Anniversary in a couple of years, was now starting a new chapter with a new President and office bearers.

The BASL being a professional body, carried a great responsibility, not just towards its members but also the whole society, the CJ said.

Members of the Bar have convinced the Supreme Court that they are persons of good repute and engage efficiently in the legal profession. Therefore, they have earned the right to be heard and the right to be represented, Chief Justice Jayasuriya added.

The right to be heard was an important part in fair hearing, he said, adding that the birth of the legal profession itself could be traced back to the recognition of the right to be represented.

BASL President Saliya Pieris said he was thankful to outgoing BASL President Kalinga Indatissa and the past office bearers. Mr Pieris added that he was deeply honoured by the confidence accorded to him by the Bar.

He stressed he would fulfill his duties to honour the confidence and trust placed on him by BASL members. He said he would also work closely with the BASL Secretary Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and the other officials.

The new BASL President pledged to pursue the associations objectives such as maintaining the honour and independence of the Bar and the independence of the judiciary.
STAMFORD  A onetime state House hopeful is trying again.

City Democrats have endorsed Corey Paris, a 29-year-old who previously set his sights on the state House of Representatives in 2018, as the Democratic candidate for a special election next month.

Paris is looking to succeed Patricia Billie Miller, who became a state senator earlier this month after winning a special election. Miller represented the 145th District, which includes the West Side and Waterside neighborhoods in Stamford, for 12 years.

Paris said Miller has been a mentor and a friend for many years now.

Immediately after I got the endorsement, I called her and told her very honestly that I stand on her shoulders and that I will be seeking her wisdom and her counsel constantly, Paris said. She is just in her own league, and I certainly cannot prevail in this race without her.

Before Miller, other Democrats who represented the 145th District included Christel Truglia and now-U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

The nine members of the Stamford Democratic City Committee who live in the district met on March 20 to vote on an endorsement, Chairman Josh Fedeli said. The nominees included Paris as well as city Reps. Terry Adams, D-3, and Jeffrey Stella, D-9, who are both members of the DCC. Paris ultimately won the endorsement.

He is an up-and-coming young leader, and (were) certainly looking forward to helping him to get elected in the 145th, Fedeli said.

Republican J.D. Ospina is also seeking the open seat.

Fritz Blau, who chairs the Stamford Republican Town Committee, did not return requests for comment.

Paris currently lives in Bridgeport but has lived in Stamford before, in the 146th District. He said he has been a Stamford resident for seven of the 10 years he has lived in Connecticut, and that he plans to move to the 145th District in a matter of weeks. He must live there by April 27, the day of the special election, according to Secretary of the State Denise Merrills office.

In 2018, Paris launched a challenge against Adams, who at the time was the state representative for the 146th District. That year, members of the DCC endorsed David Michel, who went on to win the primary and general election. Paris tried to petition his way onto the ballot for the primary, but he said he failed to gather enough signatures from registered Democrats.

Paris said he is running for the state House again because he understands the average voter in Stamford.

I have been fully committed to Stamford, he said. I work in Stamford. I worship in Stamford. And I hear peoples concerns about housing affordability, early childhood education, the opportunity to have easier access to voting.

Paris is the director of development at the nonprofit Childrens Learning Centers of Fairfield County. He is a parishioner at Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church and is also the vice chairman of the Mayors Multicultural Council.

He was born in Arkansas and raised in Kansas. He moved to Connecticut in 2011 and attended Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. He earned a bachelors degree in political science from Western in 2014 and was student body president.

If Paris wins the special election on April 27, he will join the state House of Representatives about a month and a half before the General Assemblys regular session is set to end. He said one of his top priorities for next session would be advocating for universal early education.

Connecticuts already known for its high attainment in education, and I think that we should continue down the road in making sure that were educating our children from the moment they hit the table at the hospital, Paris said.

He said he would push for more support, including more financial backing, for early childhood education centers across Connecticut.

I think one thing that youve seen from this pandemic (is) that smaller programs had to close because they did not have the resources from either the federal government or the state government to stay open, Paris said. And so you have a lot of displaced children. You have a lot of parents who arent able to work at the same level or for the same amount of hours that they were able to do before the pandemic because they have to stay home with their children.

As for affordable housing, Paris pointed to a bill that would give tenants the right to counsel in eviction proceedings as a helpful measure in the short term.

I think that thats one way that we can at least stop the hemorrhaging in the case of the eviction crisis and housing affordability, he said. If we stop the bleeding there, then we can look for more sustainable ways to equalize the curve on housing affordability.

In terms of voting, he said he supports automatic registration, no-excuse absentee voting and making Election Day a statewide holiday.

Editors note: This story has been updated to include the Republican candidate.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina Duong Quoc Thanh (R)

and President of the Argentine National News Agency (Telam) Bernada Llorente (Photo: VNA)

At the meeting at the embassy, Ambassador Thanh highly valued the role of Telam, as a national news agency, in providing readers with official and timely information on Argentinas political, economic, social and cultural aspects.

He expressed his belief that Telam will play an important role in providing information on land and people of Vietnam, as well as the countrys achievements on socio-economic development to the Argentine people.

According to the diplomat, based on agreements signed between the VNA and Telam, the two agencies can continue to strengthen the exchange of information, and coordination in producing programmes to introduce culture, economic, investment and trade potential of each country on their press products.

Telam President Llorente said expressed her impression on the land and people of Vietnam as well as the countrys economic achievements after her two visits to the Southeast Asian nation.

She affirmed that Vietnam is always a priority partner of Argentine in Asia. As a national news agency, Telam has proactively provided information on Vietnam for readers in Argentine.

Particularly, Telam has introduced Vietnam's experience in dealing with the COVID-19 epidemic as the country became a bright spot in the fight against COVID-19 in 2020.

She reaffirmed Telam will further promote its relationship with the VNA in order to move towards the signing of a more practical and effective cooperation agreement between the two sides./.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced on Thursday that the city will provide monthly $1,000 payments to 130 eligible artists who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a press release from Breed's office, the payments are a part of a new pilot program under the city's economic recovery and efforts to support the arts.

The cash relief program will support artists living and working in San Francisco who are 'income qualifying' for six months beginning in May.

For example, an applicant who lives alone and makes $60,900 or less is eligible for the payments. On the higher end, an applicant who has five people dependent on their household income and makes $94,000 or less is also eligible.

Though the program is focused on all artists facing financial insecurity resulting from the pandemic, organizers are 'building a comprehensive and community-centered outreach strategy that ensures we reach those hardest hit, including our BIPOC, immigrant, disabled, and LGBTQ+ artist communities'.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed (pictured) has announced that the city will provide monthly $1,000 payments to 130 eligible artists who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

According to Mayor Breed, the city partnered with Yerba Buena Center for the Arts to implement the relief program

According to Mayor Breed, the city partnered with Yerba Buena Center for the Arts to implement the relief program. The center started accepting applications for the program on Thursday with the deadline to submit an application being April 15, 2021.

'For this program, an artist is someone who actively engages with the community through music, dance, creative writing, visual art, performance art, installation, photography, theater, or film,' the press release from the mayor's office says.

The city is encouraging teaching artists, arts educators, and culturally-based craft workers and makers to apply.

'From the first day the pandemic arrived in San Francisco, we knew that this health crisis would impact artists, and artists of color in particular,' Breed said.

'Our artists make San Francisco special, and bring so much life and energy to our city. The arts are critical to our local economy and are an essential part of our long-term recovery. If we help the arts recover, the arts will help San Francisco recover.

'This new program is an innovative effort to help our creative sector get through this challenging time, and come back even stronger and more resilient than before.'

The application for the payments opened on March 25 and closes on April 15, 2021

The cash relief program will support artists living and working in San Francisco who are 'income qualifying' for six months beginning in May. For example, an applicant who lives alone and makes $60,900 or less is eligible for the payments (criteria depicted)

Those who are accepted into the program will receive their final cash payment in October 2021

The program is one of several guaranteed income programs San Francisco officials have been developing. It's also the first guaranteed income initiative to focus solely on artists.

The other guaranteed income programs include funding for San Franciscans training to become EMTs, black and Pacific Islander expecting mothers as part of the Abundant Birth Project, and members of San Francisco's black and African-American community as part of the mayor's Dream Keeper Initiative.

Guaranteed income is an economic model that provides regular, unconditional cash transfers to individuals or households.

This type of program differs from other social safety net practices by providing a steady, predictable stream of cash to recipients to spend as they see fit without limitations.

'This Guaranteed Income Pilot is grounded in the understanding that artists and the cultural sector are the heartbeat of our civic life and must be supported through innovative funding methods,' said Deborah Cullinan, CEO of YBCA.

'Artists must be given adequate resources to focus on creative output and reinvest in their communities as they navigate the ongoing challenges of living and working through a pandemic, Cullinan said.

Several people, including John Cox, a Republican running against California Gov Gavin Newsom, criticized the idea. Cox shared an emoji of a face palm in a tweet on Friday

Ralph Remington, Director of Cultural Affairs at the San Francisco Arts Commission also noted that 'San Francisco's arts and culture sector generated $1.45billion in annual economic activity while supporting nearly 40,000 full-time jobs pre-COVID'.

'COVID-19 has severely threatened this important sector, and the Guaranteed Income Pilot, with other programs like it, allows artists to focus on their creative work and supports the recovery of the sector overall,' Remington added.

Under Breed's leadership, San Francisco has supported artists, and arts and cultural organizations with various grant programs throughout the course of the pandemic.

Most recently, Breed announced $24.8million from the city's budget surplus will go towards preventing cuts to arts and culture programs.

Early on in the city's response, Breed directed $2.75million for the Arts Relief Program, and later announced $12.8million in grants for the arts, funding for more than 220 arts and cultural organizations.

Several people, including John Cox, a Republican running against California Gov Gavin Newsom, criticized the idea.

Cox shared an emoji of a face palm in a tweet on Friday.

Another person tweeted: 'Gee what could possibly go wrong. How many budding "artists" are magically going to spring into being?'

'I identify as an artist that lives in San Francisco. I'll just need my checks mailed to Mississippi. Thanks,' another wrote.

One person posed the question: 'Where does the city get the money?' And another asked: 'Why not give it to the homeless shelters?'
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
If you think that President Joe Biden is going to allow you to have a large 4th of July barbecue in your backyard, as he suggested recently, think again.

Why? The first piece of evidence is that hundreds of unaccompanied minors who Biden has allowed to cross the border into the United States have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, and others have not even been tested.

Ask yourself: How is Biden going to stop the virus when he lets more of it into our country. New Jersey, with several sanctuary cities, will be a magnet for the undocumented immigrants. Does this make the president a super spreader?

Biden has also said that depending on infection patterns, some coronavirus restrictions might have to be reinstated. The propagandistic fear mongering from the media is also effective. Americans have lost the ability to question authority and have accepted mandates as if we are all subjects of a benevolent oligarchy.

Early in March, the Washington Times reported that one homeless shelter in Texas where migrants had been dropped off tested 25% positive, well above the national positivity rate at the time.

I believe I have the answer. Undocumented migrants should be sent to Delaware, the presidents home state. Then Biden will see a catastrophe.

Jack Scheidell, Turnersville

School reform would improve K-12 chain of custody

As a parent, a grandparent and a lifelong member of my community, Im pleased that state Senate President Stephen Sweeneys school regionalization plan would put all of a towns public schools on the same curriculum plan across all grade levels, by emphasizing the combination of local K-6 and K-8 districts with regional Grade 7-12 or Grade 9-12 districts.

Some kids currently struggle in their transition to upper grades because of the course variations in the several sending districts that feed into one regional high school/junior high operated by a separate school district.

It should be guaranteed that children receive the same high-quality education in all schools. The plan touted by Sweeney, D-Gloucester, would be a step in the right direction.

Bill Gigliotti, West Deptford Township

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
An explosion shook a Roman Catholic cathedral compound in the eastern Indonesian city of Makassar on Sunday morning, shattering the calm of Palm Sunday, a holy day for Christians.

No churchgoers were killed, but at least 19 people were being treated for injuries at Makassar hospitals, a regional police spokesman said. The blast was still being investigated, but President Joko Widodo said it was an act of terrorism.

The explosion took place around 10:20 a.m. at the gate to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral compound, said Inspector General Raden Prabowo Argo Yuwono, a spokesman for the Indonesian National Police.

Shortly before the blast, Mr. Argo said, two people on a motorcycle were stopped by church security personnel, who feared that they were trying to target the cathedral just as Mass was ending.
Thousands of vaccine-seekers from countries neighboring Serbia flocked to Belgrade on Saturday after Serbian authorities offered free coronavirus jabs for foreigners if they show up over the weekend.

Long lines of Bosnians, Montenegrins and North Macedonians  often entire families  formed in front of the main vaccination center in the Serbian capital, with police keeping watch.

Unlike Serbia which boasts of having an ample supply of vaccines, most of its Balkan neighbors have been struggling with shortages and have barely started any mass inoculation.

Serbia has already donated smaller quantities of vaccines to North Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia.

Critics of Serbian populist President Aleksandar Vucic say that, with the move, he is trying to spread his influence over the region and polish the ultranationalist image he had during the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

Others say that the AstraZeneca shots that are being administered to foreigners are nearing their expiration date and need to be used as soon as possible, a claim that could not be officially verified.

The Bosnian Klix news portal described huge lines of cars forming on Saturday morning at the border crossings with Serbia.

The report said that Bosnian businessmen were also scheduled to receive jabs Saturday after Serbias Chamber of Commerce offered 10,000 shots to their colleagues in the region.

Serbia has one of the highest inoculation rates in Europe, mainly thanks to large purchases of Chinese Sinopharm and Russian Sputnik V vaccines. Pfizer and AstraZeneca shots have also been administered.

Although over 2 million people in the country of 7 million have so far received at least one shot, there is a notable decline in the interest for the inoculation, which officials and doctors link to an increasingly vocal anti-vaccine movement in the Balkan country.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Minister Simon Coveney said he expects the board of the Beacon Hospital to ensure "individuals are held to account" over the decision to vaccinate teachers of St Gerard's school in Bray.

The decision by the Beacon Hospital to give vaccines to teachers was a slap in the face to so many people, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Coveney has said.

The minister said he expects the board of the private hospital to hold individuals to account over the incident and said the decision to suspend vaccine operations at the hospital was a clear signal of how the Government feels on the matter.

This is such a slap in the face to so many people and thats why people are so angry about this. So many people have loved ones that are vulnerable to the virus and are waiting patiently to be vaccinated, Minister Coveney said today on RTE Radios This Week programme.

Read More

While Mr Coveney said it would not be a good precedent for a senior minister to be on the radio calling for people to resign, he said the board of the Beacon Hospital have a responsibility now to ensure that individuals are held to account.

Mr Coveney also said the board have a responsibility to ensure the credibility of the vaccine programme is upheld.

I do expect the board to ensure that accountability is there in decisions that theyre going to make in the coming days.

What Im saying is pretty clear on what the board should be doing, Minister Coveney said.

The Foreign Affairs Minister said he agreed with Health Minister Stephen Donnellys decision to end the rollout programme at the Beacon in light of what occurred and said it is a fairly clear signal from Government on the decision process here that has resulted in the Beacon not complying with the protocol that should be in place.

Minister Coveney said Minister Donnellys first impression was to do nothing that slowed down the rollout but said on the back of the public anger on the issue, he made the right call to ensure the reputation of the vaccination programme.

Minister Coveney said there must be consequences to decisions such as the one the Beacon took in vaccinating people outside the sequencing document.

HSE Chief Paul Reid said the Beacon informed the HSE itself on Thursday that it had vaccinated teachers and creche workers.

Mr Reid said that he communicated to the Beacon that this was a complete breach of the sequencing document that the hospital should have been adhering to and labelled the hospitals actions a real body blow.

Close to 800,000 people will have been vaccinated by the end of Sunday, Mr Reid said, 570,000 first doses and 220,000 second doses.

The vaccination programme in April and May will largely be focused on finishing the over-70 age groups, vaccinating the medically vulnerable people most at risk from Covid aged 16-69 and then moving on to the 65-69 year olds.

As we roll into May and June, we reach out into the wider population for vaccination through our GPs, hospitals and mass vaccination centres, Mr Reid said.
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.
Cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan is due to give testimony in the Dail over her support of proposed new laws that would permit assisted dying for those with terminal illness.

Ms Phelan, currently in the US receiving pioneering cancer therapy, told the Sunday Independent she is "happy" to outline her support for the Dying with Dignity Bill to the Oireachtas justice committee in May. The bill has been tabled by People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny.

"I only support the bill because it is very stringent legally and only applies to people with terminal illness. I clearly want to live, that's why I am over here. I do not want to die, obviously. But I know the day will come when my treatment options run out. Hopefully with this treatment, I will get another two years. And then I'm hopeful that there might be another treatment available then that will help extend my life further," she said from Maryland in the US.

"But the doctors know I will die. The nurses know I will die. I know I will die. There are medical professionals who support this bill, who see that palliative care doesn't always work for all patients. For me it is key that doctors are involved. These laws would help people with terminal illness in the last two or three weeks of their life. That death rattle, I've heard it. I don't want to die like that. I don't want my children to hear that and for that to be their last memory of me. I don't want to die that way."

Read More

Ms Phelan said she got "good news" on Thursday, after her scan results revealed she had no new tumours and a number of her cancerous tumours had shrunk slightly as a result of the new treatment. "What is the hardest part of being over here is being separated from my kids. I'm hoping they can come over in the summer to visit."

She said that many people who oppose the new laws do so on religious grounds. "It is just to provide people with a choice at the end of their terminal illness. People do not have to take it up. A lot of people with religious beliefs oppose it on that basis. I don't share those religious beliefs. I don't think someone else's religious beliefs should have a say over my life."

She is due to give testimony in May, via Zoom, outlining why she supports the Dying with Dignity Bill. The proposed new laws passed to committee stage in October, following a Dail vote. There have been more than 1,000 submissions both supporting and opposing the proposed laws. Also due to give testimony in support of the bill in May is Tom Curran, who unsuccessfully campaigned to be allowed to assist his partner Marie Fleming to die. She was suffering from multiple sclerosis and died in 2013.

"To me, it's a civil right. It's something that should be available as a choice to everyone who is terminally ill. Suicide was decriminalised in 1993. That essentially gave people the right to end their life. I completely support the bill. It's a human rights issue. It's about choice. Providing a humane choice for those who need it at the end of their life," said Mr Curran.

Those in opposition to the bill will also outline their position to the justice committee in May.

The Irish Palliative Medicine Consultants' Association (IPMCA) has outlined its opposition to the proposed new laws.

IPMCA chair Dr Feargal Twomey, a consultant in palliative medicine at Milford Hospice in Limerick, has said "every clause" in the proposed legislation has "significant weaknesses" and that the bill "is poorly constructed and leaves the population open to significant risk".

However, a newly formed group of GPs has backed the proposed new laws to allow medically assisted dying, saying its rollout is possible in a "safe and fair manner".

In a written submission to the Oireachtas justice committee, the 105-member Irish Doctors supporting Medical Assistance in Dying (IDsMAiD) group says that in certain cases of terminal illness, "patients deserve to have their choice respected".

In the IDsMAiD submission, the doctors state the bill's criteria for qualifying for assisted dying is appropriately "conservative and restrictive" and that the safeguards proposed are "conservative, balanced and fair".

Regulation, monitoring and reporting of assisted dying must take place to ensure accountability and transparency and to foster trust in the public, the group added.
Chennai, March 28 : Two Kerala cadre IAS officers, Sriram Venkitaraman and Asif K. Yusuf, who were posted as election observers in Tamil Nadu have been called back by the Election commission of India to Kerala.

A Kerala-based newspaper group, "Siraj" had petitioned the Chief electoral officer Kerala to call Sriram back.

An FIR had been registered against Sriram in a case related to the death of the Siraj newspaper's Thiruvananthapuram bureau chief K.M. Basheer in the early hours of August 3, 2019. It was alleged that Sriram, who was driving a car under the influence of alcohol, had hit Basheer and killed him instantly.

Asif K. Yusuf is facing criminal charges on furnishing non-creamy layer certificate with fudged income details to claim OBC reservation for getting into the civil services. Asif has been replaced by Kerala Ayush secretary Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph IAS, while Venkitaraman has been replaced by Jaffer Malik IAS.

It is to be noted that election commission guidelines prevent officers with tainted background being sent on election duty as observers.
RTHK: Philippines to send fighters over Chinese vessels

The Philippine military is sending light fighter aircraft to fly over hundreds of Chinese vessels in disputed waters in the South China Sea, its defence minister said, as he repeated his demand the flotilla be withdrawn immediately.

International concern is growing over what the Philippines has described as a "swarming and threatening presence" of more than 200 Chinese vessels that Manila believes were manned by maritime militia.

The boats were moored at the Whitsun Reef within Manila's 200-mile exclusive economic zone..

The Philippine military aircraft were sent daily to monitor the situation, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement late on Saturday.

Lorenzana said the military will also beef up its naval presence in the South China Sea to conduct "sovereignty patrols" and protect Filipino fishermen.

"Our air and sea assets are ready to protect our sovereignty and sovereign rights," Lorenzana said.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It has said the vessels at Whitsun Reef were fishing boats taking refuge from rough seas and that there were no militia aboard.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte reaffirmed to China's ambassador, Huang Xilian, the Philippines had won a landmark arbitration case in 2016, which made clear its sovereign entitlements amid rival claims by China, his spokesman said last week.

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Vietnam have competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, through which at least US$3.4 trillion of annual trade passes. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-03-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
A man who raped a foreign student at her home after sexually assaulting her on a bus, has lost an appeal against his conviction.

Delivering the decision of the three-judge Court of Appeal on Friday, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said there was "overwhelming evidence" to convict Ibrahim Gharib.

42-year-old Gharib, an Egyptian national, was convicted in November 2017 of rape, sexual assault and threatening to kill or cause serious injury to his then 27-year-old victim on July 7 and 8 2016. The rape and threat occurred at the victim's home while the sexual assault occurred earlier, on a bus as she travelled home.

Gharib's lawyers argued to the appeal court that his trial was unfair because Dr John Birmingham, who examined the victim, gave evidence that he found debris in her perineal area that was "consistent with carpet". The allegation was that he raped her on a carpeted stairway, but counsel for Gharib complained the doctor was not qualified to give that evidence and did not retain the material for further analysis.

Mr Justice McCarthy said that a sample of the debris might have been useful as it may have corroborated or undermined Dr Birmingham's evidence. However, given the "overwhelming evidence" against Gharib, he said it would have added little to the case. He pointed out there was an eye witness to the rape whose bona fides and recollection could not be challenged, which Mr Justice McCarthy described as "rare indeed". The victim also had an injury to her back consistent with her description of the attack and there was evidence that she did not want intimacy with Gharib from her text messages and what she said to her friend. There was also Gharib's semen on her body and the fact he denied sexual intercourse until he was told about the semen. The judge also noted that Gharib ran away through an open front door when interrupted. He dismissed the appeal.

His three-week trial at the Central Criminal Court heard that Gharib, of Dolmen Heights, Pollerton, Co Carlow met his victim on a bus to Dublin. They got talking and spent some time together but she rejected him when he made sexual advances, and she went to meet a friend.

She was returning to Carlow that night and her friend walked her to the bus station. The court heard she was uneasy to discover that Gharib was going to be on the same bus home.

She got on first and put her rucksack on the seat beside her, but Gharib sat beside her anyway. During the bus journey, Gharib sexually assaulted her by groping her while she tried to fend him off. There was nobody else on the bus who she felt could help and her English was not good enough to alert the bus driver, the court heard.

Gharib then followed the woman home and refused to go away. She texted one of her housemates asking for help but he didn't see the text until the following morning. When they arrived at her home she let him in to use the bathroom but when he emerged, he started masturbating in front of her. When she threatened to take a photo of him, he became angry and started groping her, before they fell on the stairs and he raped her.

She screamed throughout and Gharib threatened to kill her if she did not stop. One of her housemates heard her screaming and came to the landing of the house where he witnessed the rape. When Gharib noticed the man he ran out of the house but was arrested at a later date in Dublin.

When Gharib was questioned by gardai he initially denied any sexual encounter but in his fifth interview, after being told that his semen was found on the victim, he claimed that he had consensual sex with her in her living room. When asked why he didn't say that in his previous interviews, he said: "I did not remember at the time, because I was in a state of confusion. I had time now to think and remember."

He has three previous convictions, including two for abusive and threatening behaviour in public.

In a victim impact statement read out in court by counsel for the prosecution Ms Pauline Walley SC, the woman said: The protective layer around me has broken down and I have very little trust in humans.

She said she was now scared to be on public transport or in public places. Referring to the rape, the woman said: In that moment, I wished to be dead. After this man raped me, I felt empty, as though nothing mattered.

The court heard the woman did not wish her attacker to be named as she doesn't want to destroy his life any more, Ms Walley said.
Fire has razed to the ground the Sunyani Timber market in the early hours of Saturday, destroying personal properties and industrial machines running into millions of Ghana Cedis.



The Ghana News Agency (GNA) gathered that the fire started around 0400 hours and spread widely before personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service arrived at the scene.



It caused extensive damage to quantities of parked lumber, finished products, plastic materials, and several industrial machines and equipment.



The cause of the fire is not yet known.



However, Mr Kwame Acquaye, one of the affected shop owners, partly attributed the fire to intermittent power outages that occurred in the area.



No casualty was recorded.



Confirming the story, the Divisional Officer Grade Three (DOIII) Ignatius Noekor, the Bono Regional Operation Manager of the GNFS, told Journalists all the fire hydrants at the regional command had broken down.



He said the command relied on the only fire hydrants at the Abesim fire station and advised traders, shop owners, and households to ensure they switched-off electrical gadgets before they left their shops and homes.

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
JERSEY CITY  A 54-year-old man is facing charges of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.

Robert Harper, of Jersey City, was charged with first-degree kidnapping; first-degree aggravated sexual assault; two counts of second-degree sexual assault; third-degree aggravated sexual contact; and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

The teen had met Harper at Berry Lane Park on Wednesday. The 54-year-old then invited the teen to his apartment and the boy voluntarily went, Suarez said.

Harper later barricaded the teen in the apartment and began to sexually assault him before the boy could get out. When the boy did escape, he ran to the police to report the incident, Suarez said.

Harper was arrested at his Union Street apartment just before 5 p.m. on Friday.

The Hudson County Prosecutors Office Special Victims Unit and the Jersey City Police Department handled the investigation and arrest.

A detention hearing for Harper is set for Wednesday.
Let people living there tell real story about Xinjiang: Chinese diplomat

Xinhua) 09:21, March 28, 2021

LONDON, March 27 (Xinhua) -- People of all ethnic groups living in China's Xinjiang are best positioned to tell the real story there, said a Chinese diplomat in an online media briefing about Xinjiang.

Speaking at the online conference "Xinjiang is a Wonderful Land," co-hosted with the government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Chinese Embassy in Britain, Charge d'Affaires Yang Xiaoguang said Friday that for some time, certain forces bent on containing China have fabricated a large amount of "lies of the century" about Xinjiang.

They used these lies to demonize China and interfere in China's internal affairs in order to serve their political agenda, Yang said, noting that some countries even proposed the so-called "sanction" against China, which is strongly opposed and rejected by the Chinese side.

"China does not stir up trouble, but China is not afraid when others do. China never provokes confrontation with anyone, but if anyone is bent on confronting China, we are ready to keep them company," Yang said.

About the real story of Xinjiang, Yang said that first of all, those living there should have a say, and the people of all ethnic groups in the region are best positioned to tell that.

It is hoped that people in the UK will overcome prejudice, reject the lies and refuse to spread them, and contribute to a better mutual understanding between the two countries and the sound development of the bilateral relations, he added.

Shawkat Imin, director of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, pointed out in his keynote speech that the recent rumors about Xinjiang are "totally untrue" and people who spread the rumors are only interested in creating the so-called Xinjiang issue to undermine the security and stability in Xinjiang and hold back China's development.

"We strongly condemn and firmly oppose this," he said, adding that the efforts of the government of Xinjiang are open, aboveboard and honest for the benefit of the people of all ethnic groups, and that Xinjiang welcomes visitors and hopes they will learn more about the region.

He introduced the current situation of Xinjiang in many aspects, including economic development, poverty alleviation, ethnic unity, religious harmony, people's livelihood and anti-terrorism efforts.

Xinjiang officials, Yang and local citizens also answered questions from participants and media attending the conference on Xinjiang's human rights protection, freedom of religion, vocational education and training centers, cotton production and China's announcement of sanctions on relevant individuals and entities from the UK.

Over 100 people and 18 media agencies attended the conference.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji)
I've been a reporter and editor at Missouri community newspapers for 35 years and joined the Columbia Missourian in 2003. My emphasis at the Missourian is on local government and elections. You can reach me at swaffords@missouri.edu or at 573-884-5366.

Follow this search Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Max Hastings, Boris Johnson's old editor at the Telegraph, wrote last month that "Irish unification will take place within a generation, righting a historical wrong" and "this outcome would serve the best interests of the Irish people". He added: "Most British people don't care a fig for the North."

George Osborne, former Tory chancellor under David Cameron and former Evening Standard editor, said in January: "Northern Ireland is heading for the UK exit door and few people will care."

When I said on RTE's Claire Byrne Live debate on Monday night that the DUP is a short-term fantasy based on triumphalism, homophobia, racism and sectarianism, I was intending to go on and make the point that only when we honestly call this out, can we solve the Northern problem.

If you took the sectarians, homophobes and racists out of the DUP, there would be hardly anyone left, so Gregory Campbell must have been bewildered that I was cut off by RTE. Gregory, who, in the way of the DUP, cackled contemptuously at the Irish audience, told me once - during the interval of a debate we were having at the Belfast Festival - that he had found God in a blinding flash of light when he was 16. With the DUP dominated by evangelicals who won't watch Strictly Come Dancing because there are gay couples on it, who believe Aids was a punishment from God on gays and that Covid is God's penalty for legalising gay marriage and abortion, serious discussion is pointless. When a political party claims to speak for God, there isn't much point in taking a vote at the end of the meeting.

Therefore, the solution must be created with or without them. There is recent precedent. Albert Reynolds, John Hume and David Trimble set out to create the peace and, in doing so, ignored them. Ian Paisley and his heavenly warriors bellowed and warned of Armageddon.

Read More

When the Peace Agreement was signed, the DUP rejected it, then destroyed David Trimble (painting him as a traitor to Ulster) and progressive unionism. As soon as that was done, Paisley U-turned and became First Minister. In spite of the DUP, we are enjoying the most spectacularly successful peace process in modern history. They have had an opportunity in the 25 years since to create a stable Northern Ireland, but they couldn't. This is because they are not so much a political party as an emotion.

As historian Brendan O'Leary explains in his masterwork on the North, the North is not a state, or even a province. It is instead an unworkable fantasy based on unionist supremacy. A ragbag of a place whose raison d'etre has always been to rub the Catholics' noses in it. We have lived through systematic discrimination, electoral fraud, deprivation of the vote, violent repression of civil rights, shoot to kill, massacres of innocent civilians without consequence (Bloody Sunday, Glenanne, Ballymurphy) and so on. If children in the Republic were taught that in 1971, thousands of Catholic men were rounded up and detained in a detention camp outside Belfast without charge or trial for up to three years, they would think you were joking. Doesn't that only happen in Russia?

In 1976, after a music night at the Bellaghy club, my parents and a few friends, including my Aunt Maura, who was on the lookout for a man at the time, were stopped by a UDR patrol. My father was taken over the hill out of sight and three shots rang out. Then Packie Kealey (a fiddler). Then Lawrence Mulholland. When car lights appeared on the horizon, the soldiers got back in their Land Rover and drove off. My Aunt Maura said: "Your mother was heavily pregnant with Aine. We ran over the hill in hysterics. We thought they were dead. They were all alive. Just badly beaten." Subsequently, the men were awarded 5,000 in damages at Magherafelt District Court. No one was ever charged. This was normal life for us.

The Republic turned a blind eye. As writer and historian Paul Larkin put it recently, the only explanation for the hysterical Southern response to anyone talking honestly about the North "is self shame - a phenomenon well attested in post-colonial societies". It is a sense of guilt that comes from them having sat on their hands as the horrors unfolded. Much easier to blame Sinn Fein and the IRA than to call out the root causes.

The short-termism of the DUP is seen in their fantasy that Brexit would lead to the restoration of the Border and a "final solution" (as Gregory put it on RTE last week) to the six counties problem. The only way to avoid a border between Britain and the North was a soft Brexit, but the DUP wrecked Mrs May's deal, proclaimed Rees Mogg and Boris (who wouldn't pee on them if they were on fire) the saviours of the Union and hurtled on towards self-destruction.

Three years on, Boris, with a majority that returned the DUP to the status of an embarrassing sideshow, duly peed on them from a great height (they were not on fire, to be fair) and did a Brexit deal that created a de facto United Ireland. As MP Ian Paisley put it in Westminster in January, pointing at the Tories, voice trembling with rage: "What did we do to members on those benches to be screwed over by this protocol?"

Nothing of substance binds the North to the UK. There is no kinship between English people and Northern unionists. The Tories have always loathed the DUP and are loathed in return. Unlike in 1920, when the North was an industrial powerhouse, it now contributes nothing to the UK. With Scottish independence looming and 40pc of Welsh voters favouring independence, it is no coincidence that significant English voices are talking openly about severing the link.

I have no interest in party politics. I never voted Sinn Fein. I despaired when the Women's Coalition was destroyed because I believed then as I do now that women from both persuasions can create a new type of politics here. My prediction is that the UK government will soon start the discussion in earnest. They want out. Therefore, it is inevitable. A civic forum needs to be created that gives a voice to the highly educated and decent Northern Protestant constituency that has been drowned out by the DUP - the one Andrew Trimble referred to on Monday night.

The first step might be a two-state solution. Stormont would remain, but it would no longer be a political kindergarten overseen by the British. Both states would be in the EU (a referendum would be needed to return the North fully, but since 56pc voted to remain and only 44pc to leave in the Brexit referendum, this would be a formality). Northern Protestants would continue to have the same rights as they have now, including UK citizenship and UK passport; the same representatives; the same daily lives.

There would be strong bilateral agreements. The US, the UK and the EU would willingly provide long-term financial support. This would be, as Martin McAleese put it recently, "pocket change to them". With the UK gone, there would be no point in triumphalism. Short-termism would be replaced by the dull nuts and bolts of long-term problem solving. Progressive, well-educated Protestant voices would emerge. We have a very peaceful society. In the new dispensation, we would begin to have a functional society. After that, if people on both sides of the Border felt it would be better to join together, that could be easily worked out. Stormont could remain as a regional parliament. It would all develop organically.

Unionists and Southerners have nothing to fear. The trick is to approach the problems honestly. Only then will the solutions emerge. I could not be more optimistic about the future - and no one will have to choke on their own blood.
In April 2019 then-Attorney General William Barr appointed John Durham as special counsel to investigate the origins of the Russia collusion hoax. Since then, weve heard nothing from Durham, moving Donald Trump to ask whether Durham even exists. In fact, there is a theory that Durham doesnt exist. Instead, says the theory, hes a made-up figure created solely to push a fake narrative about a non-existent investigation.

Wikipedia has John Durhams bio. The short version is that hes a Massachusetts native who graduated from law school in 1975, spent two years as a VISTA Volunteer on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana, and then began a lifetime career as a government attorney, working for five years for the State of Connecticut and then, in 1982, becoming a United States prosecutor. In that role, he successfully prosecuted several racketeering and organized crime cases and brought down corrupt politicians in Connecticut.

He was appointed as a special prosecutor during the Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations. Under Clinton, he investigated whether FBI informants James Whitey Bulger and Stephen The Rifleman Flemmi had corrupted their handlers (yes, they had). Under Bush, he looked into the CIAs destroying videotapes of detainee interrogations (apparently not). And under Obama, he investigated the legality of enhanced interrogation techniques (which seemed to have petered out).

In April 2019, William Barr announced that John Durham would be special counsel leading an investigation into the origins of the Russia collusion hoax. This ought to have been easy. Congressional hearings, FOIA document releases, and dogged work by citizen investigators made it clear that the entire Russia collusion narrative was a work of fiction that the Hillary camp advanced with the help of compliant and dishonest FBI and CIA agents.

For the next year and a half, conservatives were consistently assured that Durham would soon be handing down indictments. Theyll be coming next weeknext monthin six months. And always, thanks to organizations such as Judicial Watch, thered be more incriminating FOIA-released information that Durham should already have found.

Then, the day before the election, a left-leaning magazine reported that Durham had found absolutely nothing. Considering the plethora of undisputed, publicly available information about lies and manipulation from government insiders (most of whom now are making bank working for left-leaning media or publishing books), this was surprising. And still, Durham continued as special counsel, a position he occupies to this day.

On Friday, Trump finally released a statement plaintively asking if Durham even exists: Where Durham? Is he a living, breathing human being? Will there ever be a Durham report?

Funny you should ask that, Mr. President, because a few weeks ago a site called We  Trump posited that, while John Durham may once have existed, he doesnt anymore:

Im talking about why a man with such a storied and PUBLIC career does not have a single video existing of him anywhere online. Im not talking about videos about a certain topic or recent videos or videos of his personal life. No, Im saying not one single video of the man exists online! Oh, and only 4-5 pictures exist of him. Thats it. A man who has led such a long and storied public career, and its as if he doesnt actually exist. Yes, Ive read his bio. Yes, Ive seen his Wikipedia page. Yes, I know he is the man who allegedly took down Whitey Bulger. Yet not one single video can be found. [snip] Click into each one of those videos that shows up and you will find the same thing in each one. Youll see news anchors talking about John Durham with a still image of his face up on the screen.but nothing else. No actual video of the man. Not a video of him holding a press conference, or even some b-roll of him walking into a courthouse.nothing!

Notably, even Trump hasnt met Durham. That was sold as a virtue  Durham is neutral  but now its easy to see it as part of a whole fake narrative about a non-existent investigation. Theres much more about this theory here.

Yes, this is a total conspiracy theory. Please be clear, though, that American Thinker and I are not asserting as fact that John Durham is a convenient government fiction covering Deep State activity. I am just relaying someone elses observation that neatly ties in with Trumps recent rhetorical question.

Of course, when it comes to conspiracy theories, if you had told me in January 2020 that America would turn into a weird police state, locked down over a virus that's somewhat more serious than the flu, and that a senile, corrupt, old man with a penchant for fondling little girls, who campaigned either from his basement or before crowds of tens, would win the presidency with more votes even than Barack Obama, well, I would have laughed at that theory too.

IMAGE: John Durhams famous photo. Public Domain.
MENANDS  Cats and dogs driven hundreds of miles north from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society in Alabama arrived at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society on Sunday.

The shelter in Birmingham needed to free up space in order to help animals displaced by a tornado and to be able to provide temporary shelter to families in crisis. Over 30 animals were brought up to the greater Capital Region, with the majority coming to Mohawk Hudson Humane Society and some going to the Montgomery SPCA and some to the Animal Protective Foundation in Glenville.
Police detail three incidents

HEGINS  Hegins Township police reported on three incidents that happened in their coverage area.

Police said Jessica Noll, 35, of Valley View, was charged with one count each of forgery and theft by deception after allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 at a business in Hegins on Oct. 21.

Noll was arraigned and released on unsecured bail.

In a separate incident, police said, Ronal Perez, 33, of Hazleton, was charged with one count each of retail theft, receiving stolen property and possession after a series of incidents that occurred at a business in Hegins between Oct. 3 and Nov. 20.

In the third incident, police said, a 15-year-old juvenile from Pitman was charged with one misdemeanor count of fleeing or attempting to elude police and summary counts of drivers required to be licensed, driving unregistered vehicle prohibited, careless driving and driving on divided highways after an incident that happened on March 2 in Hegins.

Police said charges against the teen were filed with juvenile authorities.

Two collide in funeral procession

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN  Two people escaped injury when the vehicles they were driving collided during a funeral procession on Route 61 in North Manheim Township around 1:55 p.m. Monday.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Anne K. Deibert, 53, of Sacramento, was driving a 2017 Honda CRV in a funeral procession when she tried to catch up with the rest of the vehicles when she went through a red light and struck a 2009 BMW driven by Thomas Matukewicz, 42, of Auburn, who was trying to cross Route 61 and enter the Cressona Mall parking lot.

Man faces charges following search

SUMMIT STATION  A Schuylkill Haven man is facing charges by state police at Schuylkill Haven after an incident at Route 183 and Meadowbrook Drive in Wayne Township around 3:30 p.m. Monday.

Police said they stopped a vehicle driven by Tobi Metz, 39, for an expired registration and, during a consensual search, discovered drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Metz was taken into custody and committed to Schuylkill County Prison on an outstanding warrant, police said, adding that their investigation into Mondays incident is continuing.
Beijing, March 28 : China has announced sanctions on US and Canadian individuals and an entity, citing the two countries' recent moves of imposing "unilateral, disinformation-based sanctions" over human rights abuses in Xinjiang province.

According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson's announcement on Saturday, the US and Canada imposed unilateral sanctions on relevant individuals and entity in Xinjiang on March 22 based on rumours and disinformation, reports Xinhua news agency.

In response, the Chinese side decides to sanction Chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Gayle Manchin, Vice Chair of the USCIRF Tony Perkins, Member of Parliament of Canada Michael Chong, and the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development of the House of Commons of Canada.

"The individuals concerned are prohibited from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao of China, and Chinese citizens and institutions are prohibited from doing business with the relevant individuals and having exchanges with the relevant entity," said the announcement.

In the meantime, China's previous sanctions on US individuals who have seriously undermined China's sovereignty and interests on Xinjiang-related issues remain effective.

The Chinese government is firmly determined to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and urges the relevant parties to clearly understand the situation and redress their mistakes.

"They must stop political manipulation on Xinjiang-related issues, stop interfering in China's internal affairs in any form and refrain from going further down the wrong path. Otherwise, they will get their fingers burnt," said the announcement.

On March 22, the EU sanctioned four Chinese officials and one entity in Xinjiang, targeting them with assets freezes and travel bans.

They are the first such sanctions against China since the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.

The US, the UK and Canada followed with their own sanctions.

Beijing responded with tit-for-tat moves, imposing sanctions on 10 European lawmakers and four European institutions, as well as British individuals and entities.

In the last few years, hundreds of Uighurs, Kazakhs and Huis have testified that they were held in internment camps in Xinjiang province as part of what observers say is a government campaign to forcibly assimilate ethnic minorities.

The Chinese government says the camps, estimated to have held more than 1 million people since 2017, are "vocational education centres" to eradicate extremism and terrorism.
Armed police officers stand guard along a closed road following an explosion outside a Catholic church in Makassar, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, on March 28, 2021. (Stringer/Reuters)

Suicide Bomb Hits Palm Sunday Mass in Indonesia, 20 Wounded

MAKASSAR, IndonesiaTwo attackers blew themselves up outside a packed Roman Catholic cathedral during a Palm Sunday Mass on Indonesias Sulawesi island, wounding at least 20 people, police said.

A video obtained by The Associated Press showed body parts scattered near a burning motorbike at the gates of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi Province.

Rev. Wilhelmus Tulak, a priest at the church, said he had just finished celebrating Palm Sunday Mass when a loud bang shocked his congregation. He said the blast went off at about 10:30 a.m. as a first batch of churchgoers was walking out of the church and another group was coming in.

He said security guards at the church were suspicious of two men on a motorcycle who wanted to enter the building and when they went to confront them, one of the men detonated his explosives.

Police later said both attackers were killed instantly and evidence collected at the scene indicated one of the two was a woman. The wounded included four guards and several churchgoers, police said.

The attack a week before Easter in the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation came as the country was on high alert following Decembers arrest of the leader of the Southeast Asian extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah, which has been designated a terror group by many nations.

Indonesia has been battling terrorists since bombings on the resort island of Bali in 2002 killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists. Attacks aimed at foreigners have been largely replaced in recent years by smaller, less deadly strikes targeting the government, police and anti-terrorism forces, and people terrorists consider as infidels.

President Joko Widodo condemned Sundays attack and said it has nothing to do with any religion, as all religions would not tolerate any kind of terrorism.

I call on people to remain calm while worshipping because the state guarantees you can worship without fear, Widodo said in a televised address.

He offered his prayers to those injured and said the government would cover all costs of medical treatment. He said he had ordered the national police chief to investigate the attack and crack down on any extremist network that may be involved.

At least 20 people were wounded in the attack and had been admitted to hospitals for treatment, said Mohammad Mahfud, the coordinating minister for political, legal, and security affairs.

The perpetrators or terrorist groups behind this attack will continue to be pursued, Mahfud said.

Indonesias National Police spokesperson Argo Yuwono said police were still trying to identify the two attackers on the motorbike and whether they were linked to a local affiliate of the banned Jemaah Islamiyah network or were acting independently.

Indonesian forces in December arrested the groups leader Aris Sumarsono, also known as Zulkarnaen. Over the past month, the countrys counterterrorism squad has arrested about 64 suspects, including 19 in Makassar, following a tipoff about possible attacks against police and places of worship.

While Jemaah Islamiyah has been weakened over the past decade by a sustained crackdown, in recent years a new threat has emerged in extremists who fought with the ISIS terrorist group in Iraq and Syria and returned to Indonesia or those inspired by the groups attacks abroad.

Indonesias last major attack was in May 2018, when two families carried out a series of suicide bombings on churches in the second-largest city of Surabaya, killing a dozen people including two young girls whose parents had involved them in one of the attacks. Police said the father was the leader of a local affiliate of ISIS known as Jemaah Anshorut Daulah.
Doubts Run Deep on Costs, Viability of Community Choice Energy Programs

Locally run cooperative power utility programs that promise to provide clean energy choices and lower power bills for consumers are financially risky and may not be all theyve been charged up to be, skeptics say.

Jim Phelps, a power contractor and utility rate analyst based in Novato, Calif., told The Epoch Times that many local politicians, in their zeal to score political points by bringing more green energy to their cities, are clamoring to join or form new Community Choice Aggregate (CCA) programs without doing enough homework.

The numbers are doctored, and these cities are getting tied into liabilities they dont even know about, Phelps said. When we have our next deep recession, these things [CCAs] are going to implode, and California is looking at a very, very high likelihood of blackouts, just like we had within Enron [20 years ago]. Weve got a train wreck coming.

Proponents in Orange County say the programs will benefit residents and consumers, offering them better rates while transitioning to state-mandated renewable energy requirements.

But Phelps said CCAs are not green and clean, and are a disaster waiting to happen. Hes tracked them since 2009, and analyzed renewable energy portfolios, electric transmission systems, business plans, and financial activities of CCAs.

Orange Countys Community Choice

CCA programs permit local governments to procure power on behalf of their citizens and businesses from alternative suppliers while still receiving transmission and distribution service through their existing utility provider, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

By aggregating demand, communities gain leverage to negotiate better rates by purchasing wholesale, and can enter into contracts with their own renewable power sources while still using the established infrastructure to have the energy delivered to customers.

Last year, the city of Irvine spearheaded an effort to launch a CCA, called Community Choice Energy (CCE), which would buy and sell energy and offer clean energy options, including solar-and-wind-generated power, to residents. But even before the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) was formed in January to launch CCE in 2022, several city leaders had already begun to lose faith in the project.

Irvine has recruited Buena Park, Huntington Beach, and Fullerton to form the OCPA. Lake Forest had also joined but recently dropped out of the deal.

The OCPAs mission is to oversee CCE, which would have to meet state requirements that 40 percent of its power come from renewable resources by 2024, 52 percent by 2027, and 60 percent by 2030. The transmission of all-electric power and billing will still be handled by Southern California Edison (SCE).

While CCE would buy the power and provide some customer service, SCE will continue to own the infrastructure of power lines and transmit electricity. SCE would also assume all legal liability for the safety of electrical equipment.

Opponent-Turned-Proponent

Irvine City Councilmember Mike Carroll, who chairs the OCPA board of directors, told The Epoch Times he was not supportive of the program at first, but fully supports it now after developing a better understanding of how CCAs work.

He said the CCE program will offer four main benefits: cost-savings for residents, consumer choice, increased use of renewable energy, and local economic development.

Thats the beauty of it, Carroll said. It also allows us to potentially shed legacy costs of investor-owned utilities. Those costs include dismantling the defunct San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station near San Clemente.

The councilmember also said Orange County residents should not feel beholden to an investor-owned utility such as SCE.

It sets its own rates. You dont get a choice in the matter, Carroll said. Theres really no reason we have to be subjected to that monopoly, and what that monopoly wants to do with its earnings.  Here we have the opportunity to take those earnings and redirect them to essentially local economic development activity within our local communities. To me, its a win-win.

Any new program comes with its share of doubts and naysayers, he said. It sounds like there is a fair amount of misinformation, which is understandable. Its something definitely different.  Its all new, but its exciting.

The Sales Pitch

Phelps said that CCAs, with the help of public sector labor unions, have sold cities on the idea that they can generate enough money for local governments to pay down debt on unfunded pension liabilities.

Ironically, he said, the debt stems from pressure from those same unions and bad policy decisions, including those of former California Gov. Gray Davis, who was recalled.

Carroll said he wasnt aware of any influence by organized labor groups to support CCAs, or any proposal to use revenue to pay down unfunded pension liabilities.

I am not aware of that. Actually, I dont even know how that would work, he said.

Phelps said the sales pitch of generating profit while promoting green energy and paying down debt sounds like a win-win-win situation for many cities, but its too good to be true.

He questioned the logic of how adding consultant fees and a layer of government bureaucracy to the process of providing power to residents could possibly reduce costs to residents.

If CCAs fail to live up to their promise, taxpayerseven SCE customers who opt out of the CCEwould be stuck with the bill, he said.

CCAs had initially told Irvine it could generate revenue for the city and save ratepayers as much as 5 percent on their power bills, but those estimates have since dropped to 2 percent or less.

Right now, its floating. Its 2 to 5 percent, Carroll said. He said he was really concerned about it, too, adding that he was very hopeful and very optimistic that well achieve significant cost savings.

Last June, a third-party feasibility study conducted by MRW & Associates for the city of Irvine found the actual savings may be as low as 0.5 percent.

The study concluded that 12 of the 19 operating CCEs in California offer residential savings between 0.5 percent and 2 percent, while five offered better savings. Only one CCE in SCEs territory offered higher savings; another offered no savings at all.

The study suggested that savings could grow over time, however, after the cities have recovered startup costs.

Consultants involved in writing CCA feasibility studies and helping to launch the programs typically oversell the product, often promising more than what CCAs can actually deliver, Phelps said, adding that the salespeople often take staff jobs in the program.

These guys really fly under the radar, he said. Theres billions of dollars behind the scenes. Orange County CCAs consultant, whose feasibility study was used to justify launching the CCA, circled back and was recently awarded a not-to-exceed $150,000 contract for implementation services.

Meanwhile, he said Huntington Beachs independent evaluator MRW & Associates concluded it was skeptical that the Orange County CCA would achieve even a minimal savings for ratepayers until 2023 or later.

In its attempt to save residents less than $1 on their monthly electricity bills, the city of Huntington Beach is going to assume a liability of about $884 million in power contracts, according to Phelps. And the city leaders dont know that, because nobody explained it to them before they signed up and joined the Orange County CCA program. The city will never afford to be able to leave the program, even if it turns out to be a bad deal.

Huntington Beach Councilman Erik Peterson recently told The Epoch Times the concept behind CCAs is fundamentally flawed.

Its putting politicians and lobbyists and lawyers in charge of your power bill, which is horrible. They know nothing about power, he said. If they cant buy that renewable energy in the energy market cheaper than Southern California Edison can produce energy and sell it in the market, then our prices will be above market rate.

An aerial shot shows the power plant in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Aug. 6, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Proponent-Turned-Opponent

During last Novembers election campaign, former Irvine Mayor Christina Shea, the incumbent, lost to new Mayor Farrah Khan, a proponent of CCE who sits on the OCPA board.

Shea initially voted in favor of CCE, but has since gotten cold feet about the way its being financed and managed. Even before she left office in December, she questioned the idea of Irvine bankrolling the program for other cities.

Irvine agreed to initially fund $2.5 million to start the program, with the condition that other member cities repay their share by January 2027. Until Irvine is repaid, it gets two votes on the OCPA board; the other cities get one.

As a fiscal conservative, Shea said theres too much uncertainty involved for her to feel comfortable with CCAs. While she supports the concept of providing clean energy choices, she worries the cost of creating a whole new bureaucracy is going to outweigh the benefit.

That is a huge problem for me, she said. I really am very conservative, and I dont know how much city governments should be involved with speculative programs.

Carroll defended the risk. The city of Irvine is sitting on over $100 million of cash, and has an extremely strong municipal balance sheet, and Im not worried about it at all, he said.

The $2.5 million lent by Irvine to the OCPA will be paid back with interest, he said. Were not at any financial risk whatsoever.

Any revenue generated by OCPA would not be returned to member cities, but instead remain with the power authority to be spent on regional economic development projects, including renewable energy.

Katherine Daigle, also a mayoral candidate in Irvine last November, joined Shea in questioning the cost and timing of expenditures to form a CCA in the wake of financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Daigle recently wrote an opinion column for Politichicks on the CCE program in which she claims the city has spent close to $800,000 in exploratory consulting fees over the last two years on the CCE proposal alone. Much of the planning was done in closed-session council meetings, according to Daigle, who estimated that tens of millions more dollars would be necessary by spring 2022.

The only position Ive always had is we couldnt afford it, Daigle told The Epoch Times. Im not opposing the program. Im opposing the cost.

Power lines in Fullerton, Calif., on Dec. 22, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Councilmember Mike Carroll of Irvine, Calif. (Courtesy of Mike Carroll)

Eminent Domain

Phelps said the Joint Powers Authority membership document includes language that enables a CCA to invoke eminent domain within a member jurisdictions boundaries, so cities that join JPAs may not even realize they are giving away their sovereignty.

If theres an empty field, the CCA can assert eminent domain and install a solar farm. Similarly, the CCA can invoke eminent domain and erect windmills. These are very real issues, given that CCAs claim they want to construct local renewables, said Phelps.

A more insidious issue is how government agencies grow and morph over the years. Is it possible that CCAs could grow to take on certain high-density housing authority elements under the charge of reducing carbon emissions attributable to commuters? If so, the eminent domain feature becomes all the more problematic.

Carroll scoffed at the concept. Eminent domain? Whats being seized? Do you think any city council in America would actually give up their power of eminent domain to another entity? he asked. Theres no chance thats going to happen at the Orange County Power Authority.

Carroll, who is a lawyer, called it an interesting philosophical question.

I dont even know if the city has the power to actually delegate that power and give it to somebody else. Im almost certain it doesnt. Im not a land-use lawyer, but theres no power of eminent domain, period, he stated.

Diesel trucks and cars pass windmills along the 10 freeway near Banning, Calif., on Dec. 8, 2009. (David McNew/Getty Images)

Questionable Reliability

Though the idea of clean energy appeals to many environmentally conscious consumers, there is no way for them to know whether the power they actually use comes from a clean energy source because all energy goes into a common pool, Phelps said.

He also mentioned that renewable energy sources, including windmills and solar panels, have problems with intermittency.

To keep the electric grid in balanceto keep the voltage across it constantyouve got to have constant production by the generating units, said Phelps. Unlike gas- and coal-fired power plants, renewable energy sources dependent on sunshine and wind bounce up and down like a Richter scale during an earthquake.

Whenever it bounces down, there has to be a gas or coal or some kind of a baseload generating unit out there that cycles up instantaneously and picks up the loads to keep the grid in balance, he said.

If it doesnt  then we get a blackout. And thats one of the dirty secrets that people dont understand. We are never going to be 100 percent green on renewables.

While Tesla and other companies are working on bigger and better battery farms, the technology remains too far off to offer a practical alternative to gas-and-coal fired power plants, Phelps said.

Negative Option Marketing

In 2002, State Assembly Bill 117 (AB 117) established CCAs in the state. And in 2011, Senate Bill 790 (SB 790), the Community Choice Aggregation Act, was passed.

According to a city of Irvine Finance Commission staff report from last August, there are now 19 operational Community Choice agencies that serve 154 cities in 20 counties. But prior to 2011, only one had been implemented in the state: Marin Clean Energy (MCE), launched in Marin County in 2010.

There are people in Marin County that have been in MCE for 10 years  and just discovered they were in the program. They had no idea they were in it, Phelps said.

AB 117 mandates automatic customer enrollment with an opt-out, rather than an opt-in featurea practice called negative option marketing, according to the federal Fair Trade Commission (FTC).

Residents in cities with CCAs who dont want to participate in CCE have a 60-day window to opt out of the CCE at no cost from the start date of the program in 2022.

Chris Abel, spokesman for SCE, said the utility company supports the rights of cities to form CCAs.

We dont make money for procuring power on behalf of our customers. Those costs are passed through to customers with no markup, Abel said.

The way that SCE makes money is were permitted to earn a regulated rate of return for the capital assets that we own, like poles, wires, transformers, etc. So were not in competition for customers, and the CCA does not impact the number of customers we have or profitability or anything.

In terms of how CCAs affect ratepayers, Abel said each CCA program is a little bit different, and that joint rate comparisons are available on SCEs website.

Jack Bradley contributed to this report.
Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden have shared a first glimpse of their newborn baby, hours after the name of their third son was revealed.

The couple took to Instagram to share an adorable picture of their son, Prince Julian Herbert Folke of Sweden, Duke of Halland, who was born on Friday, March 26 at a hospital in Greater Stockholm.

Prince Julian's grandfather King Carl Gustaf revealed his name and dukedom at a cabinet meeting at the Royal Palace in Stockholm this morning, both of which are touching tributes to royal family members.

Prince Julian is the Duke of Halland, the former duchy of King Carl's much-loved uncle Prince Bertil, whose former home Carl and Sofia currently live in with their children.

Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden took to Instagram to share an adorable picture of their son, Prince Julian Herbert Folke of Sweden, Duke of Halland

Princess Sofia of Sweden and Prince Carl Philip were spotted leaving Danderyds hospital hand-in-hand after welcoming their third child together (pictured)

Meanwhile, Folke is one of the Kings middle names and was the name of the grandson of King Oscar II, who negotiated the release of around 31,000 prisoners from German concentration camps during the Second World War.

The adorable photograph of Prince Julian, who was dressed in a cream jumper, was taken by his father Prince Carl Philip.

Unlike his older brothers, Prince Julian will not receive Royal Highness status after King Gustaf revoked the HRH style from the children of Sofia and Carl in October 2019.

While the children lost their positions in the Royal House and won't be expected to carry out senior royal duties, they will remain in the line of succession.

On Friday, the royal pair revealed on Instagram they had a third son, a brother to Prince Alexander, four, and Prince Gabriel, three.

Princess Sofia could be seen clutching a notepad while her husband carried their third son as they departed hospital on Friday (pictured)

The official statement from the palace read: 'The Office of the Marshal is pleased to announce that HRH Princess Sofia on Friday, March 26, 2021 at 11.19 gave birth to a healthy and prosperous son at Danderyd Hospital. Both mother and child are well.'

The new baby is seventh-in-line to the throne and the eighth grandchild of King Carl XVI Gustaf.

Carl Philip, 41, is the only son and second child of Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.

His older sister Princess Victoria, 43, is the heir to the Swedish throne and he is currently fifth in the line of succession. Victoria has two children, Prince Oscar, five, and Princess Estelle, nine.

Carl Philip's younger sister Princess Madeleine has now dropped to eighth-in-line.

She has three children, Princess Leonore, seven, Prince Nicolas, five and, Princess Adrienne, two.

Growing family! Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and his wife Princess Sofia announced they have had a third son last year. They are pictured with sons, Prince Alexander, four, and Prince Gabriel, three

The official statement from the palace read: 'The Office of the Marshal is pleased to announce that HRH Princess Sofia on Friday, March 26, 2021 at 11.19 gave birth to a healthy and prosperous son at Danderyd Hospital. Both mother and child are well.'

Sofia, 36, and Carl announced they were expecting in December. In a statement shared by the Swedish royal household at the time, Carl Philip and Sofia said they are 'happy and excited, and looking forward to welcoming their third child'.

They later shared a family photo to thank well-wishers for their kind words.

The snap shows Carl Philip and Sofia dressed in festive outfits while posing with their sons in a cosy living room. Just a hint of a baby bump can be seen under Sofia's elegant camel-coloured roll neck dress.

In December, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia revealed they had tested positive for Covid-19. The pair suffered 'light flu symptoms' and isolated at their home in Stockholm with their sons.

It marks the first appearance from the royal since she and husband Prince Carl Philip, 41, were diagnosed with Covid n December

In December, the Swedish Royal Family released this photo to mark Sofia's birthday

It is unclear exactly when the royal pair tested positive, but a spokesman said Sofia is swabbed as part of her work at Sophiahemmet - a private hospital in Stockholm.

She had previously been pictured donning scrubs while treating coronavirus patients at the hospital amid Sweden's outbreak.

Known as Sweden's real-life Prince Charming, Carl-Philip broke the hearts of royal-watchers across the globe when he announced his engagement to former glamour model and reality TV star Sofia Hellqvist in 2014, four years after news of their relationship first hit headlines.

The couple welcomed their first son, Prince Alexander, in April 2016 and another little boy, Prince Gabriel, arrived in August the following year.

Born as heir to the throne, in 1980 a law was passed which gave his older sister Victoria precedence in the line of succession.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
News

Houston, Texas - Two citizens of Ukraine have been sentenced for trafficking in and smuggling into the United States counterfeit cancer and hepatitis drugs.

Maksym Nienadov, 36, was the owner of the Ukrainian-based company Healthy Nation. He and his co-conspirator and employee - Volodymyr Nikolaienko, 34 - pleaded guilty in July 2020 to both trafficking in and smuggling into the United States counterfeit drugs and conspiracy to do so. Nienadov also pleaded guilty to introducing misbranded drugs into the United States.

Today, Nienadov and Nikolaienko were sentenced to respective terms of 71 and 33 months in federal prison. Each defendant is expected to face removal proceedings following his term in prison.

The defendants sought to profit off the illnesses of others, selling false hope  including fake drugs with no active ingredient  and risking the health of vulnerable patients, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. This prosecution makes clear that we will hold accountable those who disregard the risks to patients by smuggling counterfeit drugs into the United States.

Those that traffic counterfeit drugs pose harm to our countrys most vulnerable citizens and will face consequences, said Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery of the Southern District of Texas. Defenseless people need their medications for life-threatening illnesses. Schemes like these put patients at risk of not receiving the actual drugs required for treatment. This prosecution demonstrates the tremendous work by all our partners and our collaborative commitment to protecting our community and combatting counterfeit drug trafficking into the United States.

Selling illegal prescription drugs in the U.S. marketplace puts consumers health at risk, but it is especially reprehensible when the drugs are intended for use with especially vulnerable populations, such as cancer patients, said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), Kansas City Field Office. We will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who sell illegal prescription drugs, knowing that they can jeopardize patients health.

We work tirelessly, alongside our federal partners and private sector stakeholders, to prevent counterfeit pharmaceuticals from infiltrating the American marketplace, said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Houston. Todays sentencing is another example of our relentless efforts to ensure consumers are receiving the life-saving pharmaceuticals that they need to treat their afflictions.

Nienadov and Nikolaienko were arrested in April 2019 after they arrived in the United States from Ukraine to discuss sales of future unlawful shipments of drugs. They have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined.

HSI and FDA-OCI conducted the investigation.

Senior Trial Attorney Jeff Pearlman of the Criminal Divisions Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sebastian Edwards of the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case. Former CCIPS Senior Trial Attorney Kebharu Smith assisted in the prosecution.

The Justice Departments Office of International Affairs and the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine provided substantial assistance.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

It was a photo finish in the New Mexico House of Representatives at the end of this years legislative session.

By just one vote and with no time to spare, the House voted March 18 in favor of Senate Bill 32, which sought to ban most furbearer trapping from public lands in New Mexico, on March 18.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Rep. Susan Herrera, D-Embudo, cast the tie-breaking vote that gave the bill a narrow 35-34 majority.

It now requires a signature from Gov. Michelle Lujan before becoming law. If that happens, the law would take effect April 1, 2022.

The law would ban most forms of trapping of furbearing animals on public lands, with a few exceptions  such as Native Americans who trap for religious purposes.

Jessica Johnson of Animal Protection Voters, who served as an expert witness during the legislative session, said it was an emotional experience when the bill finally passed.

It just feels really heartening, because myself and so many advocates had been working on this issue for over a decade, Johnson said.

A similar bill had been introduced two years prior, but died on the House floor. This year, it squeaked through the House, but won approval in the Senate by a 23-16 margin.

The bill, dubbed Roxys Law, is named after a blue heeler dog killed by a strangle trap in north Santa Fe County in 2018.

Nine dogs have been caught in traps since the beginning of this latest trapping season, according to Animal Protection Voters.

One of those dogs belonged to Terry Miller of White Rock, whose dog Jessie was caught in a foot trap, which also caught Miller, last November. Miller, who conducts search-and-rescue missions with her dogs, said she was relieved the bill had passed both legislative chambers.

I didnt realize traps were still so prevalent in public areas outside of Los Alamos County  until I got trapped, she said.

The bill was sponsored by Sens. Roberto Bobby J. Gonzales of Rancho de Taos and Brenda McKenna of Corrales, and Reps. Christine Chandler of Los Alamos and Matthew McQueen of Galisteo  all Democrats. But the party was hardly unified around the measure. Nine Democrats voted against the bill, most from more rural parts of the state.

One of them, Rep. Derrick Lente of Sandia Pueblo, had previously said he was hesitant to support the bill because of its implications to the market for pelts that local Indigenous tribes and nations rely on.

Opponents of the bill argued trapping is an effective tool to manage animals that prey on livestock.

Bronson Corn, president of the New Mexico Wool Growers Association, said sheep and goats are especially susceptible to such predators as coyotes.

Not only the sheep and goat industry in New Mexico, but also the cattle industry, is going to be decimated by this, Corn said.

He said predation accounts for 15% of livestock deaths and that ranchers in New Mexico heavily rely on public lands for their herds to graze. No trapping in these areas, he said, could lead to more animals killed.

Johnson said she was not surprised the vote was so close, adding that pro-trapping lobbyists around the country had been calling legislators to campaign against the bill.

John Daniel, president of the National Trappers Association, said he was aware of the bill, but that he wouldnt comment until the governor reached a decision.

Corn said he had lobbied against the bill, adding that the close vote signals a divide between rural and urban New Mexicans around the issue.

Im extremely disappointed that people who dont know what goes into everyday life in agriculture are trying to make rules designating what we can and cannot use as tools, he said.

Similar bans have been enacted in Colorado, Arizona, Washington and California.
The long list of reasons to urgently oppose the nomination of Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez as the next chief federal prosecutor in New Jersey is getting longer by the day, as scrutiny grows.

We already know that she has no federal experience, that she paid a big penalty for breaking campaign finance laws, that she was chief counsel for years to a notoriously corrupt party boss in Bergen County, and that she famously mishandled the case of Katie Brennan, who said she was raped by a senior staffer in Gov. Phil Murphys 2017 campaign.

Now, theres more. A female detective who worked for Suarez, Erin Rubas, filed a lawsuit in 2018 claiming that Suarez denied her promotions because she was pregnant, then punished her for complaining. The case is pending, and Suarez denies wrongdoing. But you can bet that if she is nominated, Republican senators will invite Rubas to testify about every detail -- once Katie Brennan is done.

The retaliation, according to the lawsuit, included depriving her of a work vehicle, confiscation of crime scene equipment, disclosing private medical information, and attempting to cut her on-call pay.

Another new twist: Suarez resisted the states efforts to remove the man leading her investigative team, Gennaro Rubino, who was not qualified for the job because he had not completed mandated training programs. Her superiors at the state Division of Criminal Justice notified Suarez of this several times over two years, and finally went over her head in February of 2019 to remove Rubino from the job by direct order from Trenton.

Simply put, he has not satisfied the statutorily mandated training requirement, does not meet the definition of county detective pursuant to the statute, and therefore cannot serve in the position of Chief of Detectives, wrote DCJ director Veronica Allende.

Personally, I find it hard to blame Suarez for accepting the post of U.S. Attorney if she can get it. It is one of the most important handful of public jobs in New Jersey, along with the governor, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, and the attorney general.

To me, this is on Sen. Robert Menendez, the states senior senator, who by tradition offers a name to the White House for nomination to this post. Its also on Sen. Cory Booker, who could block the nomination on his own. Both are refusing to say a word about Suarez.

Folks, that is just wrong. Our senators should be telling us what theyre thinking, taking comments from the public, from the many lawyers and judges who know Suarez, and are best able to judge the severity of her shortcomings. Several have expressed deep concern to me about her lack of qualifications but dont want to provoke a woman who could well be the next federal prosecutor.

The best hope is that Biden will urge Menendez to pick someone else, perhaps by arguing that Suarezs confirmation hearing would be an embarrassment, potentially a big one.

Suarezs lack of experience in federal law enforcement means shed have to master a new set of laws and procedures on the fly. Her failure to report campaign donations when she served as treasurer of a political group in Hudson County drew a fine of $9,325 from the Election Law Enforcement Commission in 2004. That means voters had to cast ballots on a measure to preserve Union City Mayor Brian Stacks power to appoint members of the school board without knowing who financed the campaign. Whats her excuse for that, GOP senators will want to know?

Her service as counsel to Joe Ferriero, the corrupt chairman of Bergen County Democrats who was imprisoned after a conviction for taking bribes, is not criminal or unethical. But Republicans will want to know why she chose to work as counsel to Ferriero before he was charged with any crime, at a time when he was the poster boy who inspired the states pay-to-play reforms after raising huge sums from firms that did business with Bergen County?

The Brennan case is another stain. Suarez knew the accused, Al Alvarez, who was not charged in the case. But Suarez didnt switch the case to another county as she should have, saying she had no idea Alvarez was under investigation. When e-mails later showed she was copied on memos discussing evidence in the case, she said she never read them. Is that the kind of sloppy management shell bring to the U.S Attorneys office? Thats another good question for Republicans.

Menendez and Booker seem ready to cut a deal in the back hallway, without hearing a peep from the public. And Biden may go along with them to avoid picking a fight with Menendez, especially, the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the evenly-split Senate.

So, the best hope lies with Biden. Perhaps he can coax Menendez into choosing someone else, preferably one of the many better qualified lawyers out there, many of them women or minorities, or both. It would serve the people of New Jersey better. And it would avoid the certain embarrassment of a confirmation hearing where Suarezs record will face withering scrutiny, for good reason.

More: Tom Moran columns

Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
Imphal, March 28 : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has sought help from the central government as well as the locals in dousing the fire at Shirui peak in Ukhrul district, officials said here on Sunday.

Forest officials in Imphal said that the forest fire at the famous Shirui peak was noticed in the wee hours of Sunday following which forest officials accompanied by disaster management personnel rushed to the area.

Chief Minister tweeted: "Very unfortunate to see the fire spreading at Shirui Peak, Ukhrul District, Manipur. Spoken to Addl. Secretary, @HMOIndia GoI, to extend all possible help from @NDRFHQ to douse the fire. An official letter has also been sent from the CS, GoM. Why are we so selfish & destructive ?" An Indian Air Force statement said that on the requisition of the Manipur government, the IAF is in the process of deploying two Mi-17V5 helicopters equipped with Bambi Bucket to douse the blaze at Shirui.

Senior forest officials said that the sudden increase in incidents of forest fires has become a major cause of concern for the state's forest department.

A Manipur forest department statement said that it has been observed by the department that forest fires are also caused by burning of debris in and around forests, campfires left unattended, discarded cigarette stubs and intentional acts of arson.

The statement added that these are punishable with imprisonment which may extend up to five years of jail with fine.

The setting of forest on fire is punishable under the Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 and relevant Sections of the IPC besides under the provisions of Indian Forest Act, 1927 and Manipur Forest Rules, 1971.The forest department often urged the people, including civil society and voluntary organisations and youths to render assistance for preventing forest fires in Manipur.

The Shirui Kashung Peak is 2,835 meter from sea level. Most of the major rivers originate from the crevices and slopes of this peak and is the home of the world-famous Shirui (Siroy) Lily (Lilium Mackliniae). Every year in May and June, many scientists and tourists from all over the world visit the place to see the precious flower which blossoms at the hill-top.Shirui peak fire is the third major forest fire in the three northeastern states - Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur - in the past few months. In the mid last month Army troops successfully doused a major forest fire in Arunachal Pradesh's Dibang Valley district along the China border.

In January, the Army, Indian Air Force, National and State Disaster Response Force, local volunteers and administration jointly doused a major wildfire in the famous Dzukou Valley on Nagaland-Manipur borders after two weeks of battle.The forest fire caused huge damage to the flora and fauna, forest and environment of the Dzukou Valley, which is one of the 10 most beautiful places in the mountainous northeast India.

The Dzukou valley, situated at an altitude of 2,452 metres above the sea level and 30 km from Nagaland capital Kohima, is also a sanctuary for the endangered Blyth's tragopan - Nagaland's state bird - and other species of birds and animals.
CoI debates cause tensions in Parliament while Sirisena defends himself View(s):

Those who claim he had prior knowledge about the Easter Sunday attacks but did nothing to prevent them have a mental problem former President Maithripala Sirisena said on Friday, as he defended himself during the Parliamentary debate on the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report into the attacks.

In an hour long speech to the House during the third day of the debate into the CoI report, Mr Sirisena, now a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP, claimed that some members of his then Government, the Opposition and the media had attacked him relentlessly and created a public perception that he knew about the attacks but did not take action to prevent them.

He likened the public perception built up regarding him and his role surrounding the Easter attacks to the Goebbels Principles of Propaganda.

He noted that an arrest warrant had been issued for Zaharan Hashim, the alleged ringleader of the attackers, in 2017. There are many persons who have warrants out for their arrest. It is the responsibility of the police to arrest them, not the President. The security forces should have acted against Zaharan after taking his past activities into account.

While information regarding an impending attack had been received on several occasions from the beginning of April, 2019, none of that information had been conveyed to him, Mr Sirisena insisted.

He stressed that there is no mention anywhere in the evidence recorded in the CoI report that he received prior warnings about an impending attack.

If I received such information I would never have let such a tragedy occur. What sort of President would allow such a calamity to befall his country if he knew it was going to happen? I knew nothing of this. If someone says I did, they have a mental problem.

He called on the Government to quickly prosecute terror suspects now in custody over the attacks. We must find out those who were behind these heinous attacks. Those who sponsored them must be found too, Mr Sirisena said.

While the CoI report contains some truths, the Commission has also reached wrong conclusions based on them, National Peoples Power (NPP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. There are also many matters that the Commission should have gone into, but these facts have been hidden or have disappeared.

Mr Dissanayake added that it was difficult to believe that Muslim political leaders in Parliament did not know that a section of their community had gravitated towards violent extremism. The Muslim political leaders in Parliament gave scant attention to this issue. They turned deaf ears to the danger such emerging extremist groups could pose to wider society because they believed that they could use the conflict between the Sinhalese and Muslims to further their own political agendas.

He added the then Government had to take collective responsibility for failure to prevent the attack.

Nevertheless, there were still unsolved issues related to the attack, he stressed. On paper, it appears to be a barbaric Islamist terror attack. However, if we look at the sequence of the attacks, the methods employed and the ultimate results, it shows that this was a political attack. I say this because of the great political upheavals that took place in the country following these attacks.

Mr Dissanayake opined that the Commission had not satisfactorily investigated the attackers, their motives, those who aided them, the political hands behind them and the masterminds who were ultimately at the top of the network.

The NPP Leader questioned why Naufer Moulavi, the alleged theoretician of Zaharans terror group, who is now in police custody, was not called before the Commission to give evidence. He also alleged that there had been an attempt to mislead investigators probing the killing of two police officers in Vavunathivu in 2018, during the time of the 52-day Government that came to power following the Constitutional coup.

We now know that this was the first terror attack by Zaharans group. But back then, police arrested a rehabilitated former LTTE cadre over the killings. Several days after his arrest, intelligence agencies tipped off the CID that a discarded jacket is there near the scene of the crime. A sniffer dog deployed by the CID to check the jacket led them to the house of the arrested former LTTE cadre. This clearly showed that there was an planned attempt to mislead the investigation into the killings and prevent investigators from finding out about Zaharans first act of terror.

Mr Dissanayake noted that the planned attack on hotel Taj Samudra did not take place. The bomber who was at the hotel is then seen taking a call to someone, but no intelligence or law enforcement agency have found who he had called. Meanwhile, even as the bomber was making his way to Dehiwala, a member of military intelligence goes to the bombers house and questions his wife. How is it that mere hours after the first attacks, whilst the CID was still trying to figure out what was happening, a member of military intelligence found his way to the house of one of the bombers? We need answers on that.

The MP further noted that the Islamic State (IS) did not claim responsibility for the Easter attacks till many hours after they took place.

We know that a member of Zaharans group, who is also in custody, took a phone call to an IS spokesman in Indonesia and implored him to claim the attacks on behalf of IS. According to a IMEI number provided by a foreign intelligence agency, he then got a call from someone in Malaysia demanding that he make sure that IS takes responsibility for the attacks. IS refused to take responsibility for the attacks until Zaharans group put out a video pledging allegiance to them. The CID told the Commission who the phone that was tracked through the IMEI number belonged to, but they evicted the media before doing so. This Parliament must know who was the person who called the member of Zaharans group and pressed him to make sure that IS takes responsibility for the attacks.

There were also questions over the warning given by a foreign intelligence agency in the days leading up to the attacks, he added. The warning on April 4 regarding an impending attack was extremely specific. It listed possible methods of attack and even named some of the perpetrators. However, the same intelligence source that gave such a specific warning did not provide any additional intelligence until the evening of April 20, warning of an attack the next day. On 6.00am on April 21, there was another warning from the same source that an attack will occur between 8.00am and 10.00am. However, in between, no intelligence was received about the attackers withdrawing Rs 47 million from bank accounts on April 7, about the bombers holding a farewell party on April 9, the test run conducted by blowing up a motorbike in Kattankudy or how explosives were transported there for the purpose, nor of explosives being transported on April 18 to a safe house in Panadura in preparation for the attacks. How is it that a close intelligence source that gave so many specific warnings failed to alert authorities on what happened in between. That also is deserving of answers.

Mr Dissanayake pointed out that aside from former President Maithripala Sirisena and Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, a large number of senior intelligence officers and security forces personnel who testified before the Commission had either hinted or stated openly that they suspected that there was a vast conspiracy behind the attacks and that an external hand was behind it. If so many senior officers are adamant that there was a conspiracy behind this, then future investigations must focus on uncovering those behind it, he asserted.

He warned that as long as those who were behind the conspiracy remained hidden, the country would remain insecure, for these conspirators could launch such an attack at any moment in the future.

The former Government did not move against Muslim extremists because rather than national security, it was more worried about its Muslim voter base, charged State Minister Dr Nalaka Godahewa. The Government did not take steps to properly investigate 10 specific incidents in the lead-up to the Easter attacks due to this reason, he claimed.

In its inability to distinguish ordinary Muslims from extremists, the then Government failed its Muslim voters as well, the State Minister added.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harin Fernando received no end of criticism over his comments to the media after the attacks that his father had received prior warning about them. On Friday, wearing a black shawl and holding a Bible in hand, Mr Fernando said even today, he was happy about the comments he made since the CoI report proves his then claim that the Government was aware that an attack was coming.

Mr Fernando also pointed to allegations, not covered in the CoI report, that Zaharan had been paid by the State prior to 2014. Who paid him till 2014? Did certain intelligence agents have any connections with him? he queried.

SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman meanwhile, called on the Government not to use the Easter attacks as an excuse to trample on the rights of the Muslim community. I have heard some Government Ministers talking about banning the Burqa, Madrassas and even the teaching of Arabic. Zaharan was thrown out of the Madrassa as he was an extremist and even his wife does not wear the Burqa. There are some two million Muslims in this country but only a handful among them were party to these terror attacks. Dont victimise an entire community due to the actions of a handful, he appealed.

Parliament will reconvene on April 5.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The ship blocking Suez Canal has now refloated to clear the canal. Since Tuesday, the Ever Given has been stuck sideways in Egypt's canal, clogging a critical artery for the global economy and forcing numerous ships to turn around and reroute across Africa.

Ship Blocking Suez Canal is now free

Engineers have partially freed a wedged ship that has been blocking the Suez Canal, and tug boats are now trying to straighten it out, potentially reopening the crucial trading route and putting an end to days of global supply disruptions, according to The Wall Street Journal.

"We're not finished yet, but it's moving," Osama Rabie, chairman of the Suez Canal Authority said, adding that tugboats will stay on the scene for another hour or so to ensure the ship could continue its journey up the canal.

However, it's unknown when the canal will reopen to the more than 400 ships that are currently stranded there waiting for it to clear, as reported by Insider.

During high winds early Tuesday, the 400-meter-long Ever Given became wedged in the canal. It was positioned diagonally across the southernmost part of the channel, barring one of the world's busiest waterways. NTD reported the accident.

Last Saturday, two Suez Canal Authority (SCA) sources said a combination of digging material from around the ship and tugboats pulling and dragging the boat made minor success in trying to remove it. As per one source, the ship's bow had changed position.

The canal handles over 15% of global trade traffic. There are plenty of vessels that are waiting to transit once the blockage is cleared.

Rabie indicated he hoped that wouldn't be needed to move any of the ship's 18,300 cargo to lighten its load. High tides and winds were disrupting attempts to do so.

He said the ship's stern began to change towards Suez last Friday. It was a good sign until 11 p.m., whenever the tide fell dramatically, and they stopped. Journalists in Suez were told in a press brief about the ship blocking Suez Canal.

Bases Housing Coalition Forces Struck by Suspected Iraq Rocket Attack, One Civilian Dead

By Friday, dredgers have removed 20,000 tons of sand from the areas around the boat's bow. If larger tugboats, digging, and a high tide are successful in dislodging the vessel, it may be freed by the start of next week according to a Dutch firm working on releasing it.

Tugging operations began on Saturday afternoon, with more expected for Sunday. SCA sources reported more sand might need to be cleared from around the boat to raise it.

The SCA had notified Port said establishments to prepare for new ships' possible entry into the canal. This was according to a shipping source, while the SCA had outlined a plan for the rapid transit of 133 boats once the Ever Given was freed.

Heavy tugboats with a combined capacity of 400 tons should come this weekend. The head of Boskalis said the parent company of Dutch firm Smit Salvage, has been brought in to assist the SCA.

Boskalis Chief Executive Peter Berdowski said they expect to finish it by the weekend. He informed about developments late Friday on the Dutch news show Nieuwsuur.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly thanked foreign partners on Saturday for the offers to aid in refloating the ship.

After the ship became trapped, freight rates for oil product tankers roughly doubled. The blockade has disrupted global supply chains, causing expensive delays for companies already subject to COVID-19 restrictions.

Should the blockade continues, shippers may decide to reroute their cargoes around the Cape of Good Hope. It adds about two weeks to go around with additional fuel costs.

Threat from China Prompts US Government to Enhance Rare Earth Mining

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
AMY MACKINNON



Foreign PolicyMARCH 26, 2021On Wednesday, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea announced that they had arrested a 30-year-old man suspected of promoting an organization that had been banned and deemed extremist in Russia. The day before that, prosecutors in the Russian city of Smolensk asked a court to sentence three adherents of the same group to up to nine years behind bars. On Monday, in the Crimean port of Sevastopol, prosecutors sought seven years for a man charged with organizing the activities of an extremist group.So who are these scary extremists? Jehovahs Witnesses, a Christian denomination with an estimated 175,000 followers in Russia. In 2017, Russias Supreme Court declared the group an extremist organization, lumping its non-violent adherents into the same category as neo-Nazis and members of al Qaeda.Since then, Russian law enforcement has raided the homes of more than 1,300 worshippers and over 400 have been either charged or convicted of extremism in a brutal crackdown which has swept up followers aged 19 to 90. The European Association of Jehovahs Witnesses estimates that between 5,000 to 10,000 of its members have fled Russia since the ban came into force.Why is this happening?As is often the case with authoritarian states, its hard to tell exactly what has prompted the crackdownand theres likely more than one reason. Jehovahs Witnesses themselves are bewildered.If it wasnt so serious, it would be a joke. Its absurd. Jehovahs Witnesses have been anything but extremist, and were certainly not dangerous or violent, said Jarrod Lopes, a spokesperson for the groups headquarters in the United States. Jehovahs Witnesses remain politically neutral for religious reasons and do not vote, run for office, or protest. That might have spared them the arrests and harassment levied against protesters and opposition politicians in Russia, but their apolitical stance might have singled them out in other ways. That looks very suspicious to our authorities, said Alexander Verkhovsky, director of the Moscow-based SOVA Center for Information and Analysis, which tracks discrimination and misuse of Russias extremism laws.After Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency in 2012 amid mass street protests against allegedly rigged elections, the Kremlin made a conscious effort to foment nationalismand support for Putin. This new wave of patriotism was built around support for the armed forces and the Russian Orthodox Church, which is closely interwoven with the Russian state. All of this made Jehovahs Witnesseswho refuse military conscription based on their faithall the more conspicuous.I think it makes states that want a lot of control uncomfortable, because they cant really control this community, said Emily Baran, a history professor at Middle Tennessee State University.And then theres the American element. Putin dialed up hostility to the West, and in particular the United States, which he accused of fomenting the protests against him. Civil society organizations and human rights groups which received foreign funding were subject to invasive and debilitating new rules under a law on foreign agents passed shortly after Putin returned to power in 2012. While religious groups were exempt from the law, Jehovahs witnesses ties to the United Stateswhere the group developed in the late 19th century and where its headquarters remainlikely drew further scrutiny from the Russian authorities. Still, Verkhovsky noted, Jehovahs Witnesses are experiencing a much harsher crackdown than other U.S-tied religious groups, such as Seventh-Day Adventists and Pentacostals.Isnt this just part of Russias broader crackdown?Yes and no. Russia has become increasingly authoritarian in recent years, and the countrys vague and expansive extremism laws are one of many tools that have been used to stifle dissenting voices. Journalists, activists, and social media users have been arrested and imprisoned for questioning the annexation of Crimea or Russias involvement in the conflict in Syria. The Witnesses are just one piece of that larger picture in which Russia is not drawing a huge distinction between al Qaeda, a Jehovahs Witness and a 20-something on the internet, said Baran.But what is distinct about the assault on the Jehovahs Witnesses is its ferocity and persistence. The groups Russian website is updated almost daily with news of new raids, arrests, and convictions. A remarkable amount of resources, including wiretapping and extensive surveillance, has been used in the hopes of catching someone in the act of discussing their faith or the Bible with another person, acts which are deemed extremist under the Russian law. I think the state legitimately does see them as a threat, said Baran.Suspicion of Jehovahs Witnesses in Russia dates back to the Soviet Union, when the group was outlawed and repeatedly maligned in the press, which portrayed them as fanatics and accused them of being criminals, con men, and Nazi collaborators. It created a stigma that was never undone. April 1 marks the 70th anniversary of the deportation of thousands of Soviet Jehovahs Witnesses to Siberia during Stalins rule.I think that some conspiracy theory appeared somewhere inside the governmental structures regarding Jehovahs Witnesses, Verkhovsky said. And we cannot even discuss it in public because these theories are not presented to the public.Whats the response?Western governments and international institutions have condemned Russias crackdown. In February, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Ned Price described the two-year penal colony sentence for 69-year-old stroke victim Valentina Baranovskaya as particularly cruel and urged Russia to lift its ban on the religion. In July, EU member states and six other members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe called on Russia to uphold its obligations to allow freedom of religion and expression, as guaranteed by the Russian constitution.But while governments and human rights groups have kept close tabs on the targeting of Jehovahs Witnesses, it has not received the same degree of public attention either in Russia or abroad as other political repressions.Because they are a bit of a unique religion, theyre not a group that engages in a lot of interdenominational activities, they dont have as many natural allies who can help kind of provide a larger platform than themselves, said Baran, who noted that the community had faced descrimination in almost every country where they have a presence.Its easier to target them for a ban because youre not going to get a lot of pushback about that, compared to other religious groups, said Baran.Correction, March 26, 2021: Jarrod Lopes is a spokesperson for the Jehovahs Witness headquarters in the United States. A previous version of this article misstated Lopess first name.
Two men accused of being members of an Irish burglary gang are still being hunted in the UK for a series of raids in which tracking devices were used to target victims.

The gang had planned to use the trackers to monitor Chinese takeaway owners and then raid their homes for cash and valuables while they were at work.

But police in Newcastle were able to intercept the tracking data and warned potential victims the gang had them in their sights.

The thieves did strike at one property in November 2019 but the police tip-off meant they were not able to steal anything of value.

Officers tracked down the gang to a rented property in the UK midlands where they identified the four suspects who had travelled from Ireland.

One of those was Terrence OReilly who was caught on CCTV buying runners in a supermarket he later wore in one of the raids.

Expand Close Terence O'Reilly / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Terence O'Reilly

Forensic evidence showed that footprint marks from the shoes had been found at the scene before they were seized at the midlands property.

Pictures of the four suspects were circulated by Northumbria Police and the 22-year-old was arrested in Scotland in January last year for suspected driving offences.

Last July, OReilly, from Dublin, Ireland, was jailed for two years and seven months at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting conspiracy to commit burglary.

Those still wanted by UK police are Jonathan Connors also known as Jonathan Sluesy who is also wanted for his part in a 2019 burglary in Reading where cash, jewellery and watches were stolen.

He is described as having links to Dublin, Carlow as well as Derbyshire in the UK.

Expand Close Jonathon Connors also known as Jonathon Sluesy / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Jonathon Connors also known as Jonathon Sluesy

Michael McInerney (27) is wanted by police in Surrey as well as Northumbria following a burglary in Epsom and both men recently featured on BBCs Crimewatch programme.

A fourth suspected member of the gang named was arrested by Northumbrian police last year is on bail charged with conspiracy to burglary.

Speaking after OReillys conviction last year Detective Constable Glenn Page said: This was a sophisticated and planned operation by a gang of thieves who entered our region with the sole intention of committing crime.

They have visited multiple shops to buy the tools needed to carry out the raids and used second-hand clothing in a bid to avoid being detected through forensics.

It is only thanks to the teamwork between officers in Northumbria, Ireland and at the Metropolitan Police that we were able to identify the suspects at an early stage.

Once we intercepted their tracking devices, and began to learn more about how they operated, we were able to prevent them from stealing anything of real significance.

Huge amounts of work has gone in to bringing Terrence OReilly into custody and securing a conviction and a team of detectives worked day and night to make that possible.

Anyone who feels they can travel into our Force area to commit crime should look at this case and come to the realisation that they will be met by the full force of the law.

Our investigation is not over, however, and we will continue to work tirelessly with our colleagues across the UK and Ireland to bring those outstanding offenders into custody.

Read More
Advertisement

The woman who let Peter Phillips stay over during his 460-mile round trip to Aberdeenshire is the daughter of an oil tycoon and close friend of his sister Zara who is said to be estranged from her husband of 11 years, it was revealed today.

Princess Anne's son Peter, 43, drove to Aberdeenshire from Gloucestershire on Thursday to see mother-of-two Lindsay Wallace, 40, a close friend of his sister Zara who knows them both from their 40,000-a-year boarding school.

Furious locals called the police when Peter appeared at Ms Wallace's 475,000 home in the village of St Cyrus near Montrose. Peter and Lindsay have both separated from their spouses - but it is not known when they started seeing each other after a school reunion.

One source said: What we are dealing with is one rule for one and another for the rest of us. Everybody is sick of it.

Officers 'issued advice' when they spoke to the pair on Friday evening after neighbours spotted his 4x4 on her drive. Peter said he was staying there overnight while on business, leading Police Scotland to conclude he was not breaking lockdown rules that only allow 'essential travel' to the country.

The royal insisted the trip to Scotland was made as a marketing consultant for company XF Medical, set up last June to provide rapid Covid tests and antibody tests for businesses. Mr Phillips was then seen driving away in his luxury 4x4 with his hood up over the weekend.

Peter - who separated from his wife Autumn Phillips in 2019 - is said to be 'besotted' with Ms Wallace, who he has known for 'quite some time' having been three years above her at private boarding school Gordonstoun, which was also attended by Prince Philip and Prince Charles. Autumn and Peter have continued living on the same royal estate in Gloucestershire for the sake of their children.

Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips, 43, (right) drove to Scotland to see oil tycoon's daughter Lindsay Wallace, 40, (pictured left) a close school friend of his sister Zara who he became reacquainted with at a school reunion

Neighbours of Ms Wallace in her Aberdeenshire village went to the police after his Range Rover was seen on her drive (pictured on Friday night after police visited them)

Ms Wallace attended 40,000-a-year Aberdeenshire private school Gordonstoun in the same year as Zara, 39 (pictured together). Peter also attended the school but is a few years older.

Phillips (top image) is one of three founding directors of XF Medical Limited, a company established last June to exploit the commercial openings presented by the coronavirus outbreak. The company sets up mobile testingh using former Armed Forces personnel

Ms Wallace is understood to be separated from her husband. She was was pictured laughing and cheering (at the back wearing a cream-coloured top and a pink hat) at Zara's wedding to rugby star Mike Tindall in 2011

He has insisted the trip was made for his company XF Medical, which provides rapid Covid tests and police told The Sun no coronavirus lockdown rules were breached

After selling milk to China, now Peter Phillips cashes in on Covid-19 testing Princess Annes son is one of three founding directors of XF Medical Limited, a new company established to exploit the commercial openings presented by the coronavirus outbreak. XF Medical Ltd, which is based in the Kings Road, Chelsea, aims to meet the demand for speedy and accurate testing. Full results ready within 15 minutes, boasts the companys website (pictured), thanks to a quick and easy finger prick test conducted in mobile units which can come to your office, event or place of work. The tests are administered by ex-Forces medical personnel. Phillips, 42, is described as an entrepreneur with a background in sports and entertainment, with unique experience in organising large-scale events with specific logistical challenges. The rewards from XF could easily eclipse the income from his Chinese milk ads. Phillipss spokesman said last year the company was involved in discussions with a number of corporate entities and organisations, though declines to offer further details. Any current or future contracts for Covid-19 testing are commercially sensitive and are under [non-disclosure] agreements'. Advertisement

The Sun also reported Peter also visited Ms Wallace last August, driving the 460-mile round trip from the Gloucestershire stately home Gatcombe Park, where he lives with his mother Princess Anne after splitting with his wife Autumn.

Daughter of a well-off oil tycoon Ms Wallace, a stay at home mother, is understood to have split from her husband Andrew, who she married in 2010. She was pictured at Zara's wedding to rugby star Mike Tindall in 2011.

Travel to or from Scotland without a reasonable excuse is prohibited by law. At present, unless you live in certain island communities you must, by law, stay at home unless you have a reasonable excuse.

All holiday accommodation remains closed to tourism which means hotels, B&Bs and self-catering can only remain open for essential customers only.

People can only stay overnight in someone else's home if they have formed an 'extended support bubble' with a partner. It is not known if this is what Mr Phillips and his partner have claimed.

A spokesman for marketing consultant Phillips yesterday said: 'We do not comment on details or circumstances of Mr Phillips' accommodation when travelling on business.' The spokesman did not expand on what business he was doing near Aberdeen last week.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'At around 6.40pm on Friday 26 March, 2021, police received a report of a potential breach of coronavirus regulations at a property in St Cyrus, Montrose.

'Officers attended, spoke to the occupants and found no breaches of legislation.'

Lindsay Wallace attended 40,000-a-year Aberdeenshire private school Gordonstoun in the same year as Zara, 39.

Peter also attended the school but is three years years older.

Peter and Ms Wallace are believed to have been reunited at a school reunion.

Peter currently lives at Princess Anne's Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.

A source told the paper: 'Peter is besotted with her. They have known each other for quite some time.'

They added: 'They have been keeping things under wraps. Only the inner circle knew about this friendship.'

Peter is also understood to have made a trip to her home last August. There is no suggestion he broke Covid rules during that journey either.

Peter announced the end of his marriage to Canada-born Autumn, 41, last February but the former couple have been living together at Gatcombe Park for the sake of their daughters Savannah, ten, and Isla, eight.

Mainland Scotland is in lockdown with travel only permitted for 'essential purposes'.

Peter announced the end of his marriage to Canada-born Autumn (pictured on their wedding day in 2008), 41, last February but the former couple have been living together at Gatcombe Park for the sake of their daughters Savannah, ten, and Isla, eight

Ms Wallace attended 40,000-a-year Aberdeenshire private school Gordonstoun in the same year as Zara, 39 (pictured with her brother in 2007). Peter, the eldest son of Princess Anne, also attended the school but is a few years older

Was Peter Phillips' Scottish trip legal during ban on travel to Scotland? Police Scotland have not given any guidance on what Peter Phillips and his new girlfriend told them when officers visited her home on Friday night. But they have said they 'spoke to the occupants and found no breaches of legislation'. Mr Phillips' spokesman says he was in Scotland on business - and stayed there overnight while in the area. Travel to or from Scotland without a reasonable excuse is prohibited by law. At present, unless you live in certain island communities you must, by law, stay at home unless you have a reasonable excuse. People can only stay overnight in someone else's home if they have formed an 'extended support bubble' with a partner. It is not known if this is what Mr Phillips and his partner have claimed. A spokesman for marketing consultant Phillips yesterday said: 'We do not comment on details or circumstances of Mr Phillips' accommodation when travelling on business.' The spokesman did not expand on what business he was doing near Aberdeen last week. Advertisement

Sources said it was not the first time Mr Phillips had visited the address. The nature of the alleged business trip is unclear. A source said: What we are dealing with is one rule for one and another for the rest of us. Everybody is sick of it.

A village resident told The Sun on Sunday: It seems wrong he has travelled here from England, whatever the circumstances. Scotland is closed and if you flew here you would have to quarantine for ten days. Englands stay at home restrictions begin to ease today, however they remained in force over the weekend.

Travelling for work is permitted only if the work cannot be done from home. Scotland remains in lockdown with travel permitted only if essential.

Last year it was revealed that Peter was using his royal connections to sell milk on Chinese TV.

In a fresh twist to the row over Harry and Meghan seeking 'financial independence', Peter Phillips appears in two adverts for a state-owned dairy firm.

The 42-year-old son of Princess Anne is seen holding a glass of milk in front of a stately home, with the caption: 'British Royal Family member Peter Phillips.'

Mr Phillips, who grew up on his mother's estate in Gloucestershire, boasts in the advert of being brought up on Jersey milk from the herd at Windsor.

The revelation intensified the row about 'royals for rent', as Harry and Meghan started their new life in Los Angeles.

Mr Phillips and his sister Zara have never had HRH status, and both have come under scrutiny in the past for the way they make money.

He and his Canadian wife Autumn Kelly sold their 2008 wedding to Hello! magazine.

And in 2019 he held meetings with colourful Chinese entrepreneur Dr Johnny Hon over a possible launch of a horse-racing private members' club in Hong Kong.

'British royal family member Peter Phillips'  how Anne's son is presented on the ad he signs off

Thirsty work: Phillips takes a swig of milk after a 'Palace' footman serves Phillips his drink on a silver salver

It emerged that the latest scheme for Mr Phillips  a first cousin of William and Harry  has been to promote 'Jersey Fresh Milk' in advertisements shown on television in Shanghai.

The potentially lucrative promotion could be worth tens of thousands of pounds. Mr Phillips did not respond to questions, including as to whether he was paid.

Two videos have been shown on Dragon TV. Filming appears to have been last year. The makers have spliced together footage of Longleat House with a replica of the state coach used by the Queen on state occasions, giving the film a regal feel.